What if?- A Mockingjay Story

Chapter 42

What if?
What if Peeta is really just too good for me? What if I am just below his standard? What if Haymitch was right before? What if I really don't deserve him? Moments like these prove it more than anything. What if he is just too good for me? What if he deserves better? But what if he doesn't want better? What if he meant to fall for the destructive girl from the seam?
What if? What if? What if....
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My eyes open once the blindfold is taken away and no longer barricading my eyes. And before me is a party. I recognise the place immediately as the bakery filled with so many people it took me a second to register where it was. There's all the bakery workers, Sophie with Haymitch and Effie and then I spot them. Johanna Mason and Annie Cresta, Annie holding her little boy on her hip. I feel very taken back, surprised that they would even consider coming. Even though me and Johanna have been friends in some ways I really wouldn't have thought she would have come all this way just for a party, for anything really. They all cheer

"Surprise!"

I grin largely and look back at Peeta who is grinning also. Haymitch and Effie come over and put Sophie in my arms. Haymitch gives me a soft pat on the back

"Happy Birthday sweetheart"

I thank him as he walks past me to talk to Peeta. Effie comes over and plants a kiss on my cheek, an old capitol greeting she seems to still use. She says

"Happy Birthday Katniss"

I smile

"Thank you Effie"

After that I greet Gracie, Lynn, Jason and all of the bakery workers, thanking them for the effort they put into making the delicious treats laid out on the counter of the bakery. After a quick chat with them they leave, their work shift up and probably eager to get home on a Friday evening. Annie then comes over and who must be her little boy Finn sits on her hip

"Hi Katniss! Happy Birthday!"

I give her a quick hug on the opposite side to avoid hurting Finn. She says once we have separated from the hug

"Long time no see"

She's right. I haven't seen her since I was in the capitol. I have been so busy with Sophie and her with Finn we have had no opportunity to visit each other. We have spoken on the phone plenty of times, she was very helpful when I was clueless about caring for a child when Sophie first came. She has always been very supportive and I've tried to be the same, I know she is struggling without Finnick. I say to her

"Yes. Well today was a great excuse! I can finally meet Finn!"

She smiles and replies

"Yes, we were delighted to get the invitation! Finn honey say hi to Auntie Katniss"

Finn is nearly the same age as Sophie, they are only weeks apart. Finn emerges his face from where it was buried in his mothers shoulder and says quietly

"Hi"

I smile and wave a hello. He smiles back for a minute before cuddling into Annie once more. I am shocked by the huge resemblance he has to Finnick. The green eyes he inherits from both his parents but there is something about them I've always seen in Finnick's, a spark of excitement and mischief. His hair is blonde, like Finnick's also. Annie says

"So where's Sophie? I'm dying to meet her!"

As if on queue Sophie runs over, half stumbling on her toddler legs

"Mummy! Mummy!"

I crouch down as she runs into my arms and lift her up

"Sophie this is Finn. Your cousin"