What if?- A Mockingjay Story

Chapter 50

What if?
What if I could just freeze this moment and live it forever? What if I could down my worries and my past in the ocean before me? What if moments like this could free me from the sadness deep down? What if I know that couldn't happen? But What if it's good enough to imagine? What if I could just relive the happiness of this moment over and over again? What if I could forever stay on the beach with everything I love right in front of me?
What if? What if? What if...

---

Peeta and I sit on the sand as the sun goes down before us. I see the peaceful look on his face as his eyes reflect the orange colours that fill the sky above. Between us our hands are joined, sitting on the sand. The water swash just about wets our feet before withdrawing back into the sea. A soft summer breeze blows across my face, the sweet smell of salt and seaweed tickling my nose. Sophie is inside with Annie and Finn, making cookies. I glance back out at the ocean again, the blue water that spreads for miles and miles. All of a sudden Peeta says

"Can we live together?"

I look at him, a bit taken back with surprise by his sudden question. I ask him

"What?"

He turns away from the sunset and faces me, taking my hands in his. He says to me, his nerves obvious

"I want to live with you. I want to wake up to you every day, I want to help you care for Sophie. I want to wake up every morning with you by my side and a smile on my face. Can we live together?"

I grin largely and tell him without hesitation

"I would love to live with you Peeta"

He reflects my smile for a second before our lips touch, causing a shudder of warmth and satisfaction to run through me. After that we get up and make our way back to the house, arms around each other. When we get inside Annie smiles and hands Peeta a key whilst telling us

"The victor's village house next door is for you guys. I cleaned it today so don't worry about dust"

I tell her

"Thanks Annie"

Sophie says goodnight to Finn before we make our way next door. I carry the suitcase whilst Peeta has a sleepy Sophie in his arms. When we get inside I put Sophie immediately down to bed before bringing the suitcase into Peeta and I's room. The room is beautiful, a balcony overlooking the beach. I open the doors slowly to avoid creaking and slip out onto the balcony. I tighten my hoodie around me as the air is a bit colder. Soon enough I feel Peeta's arms slip around me waist, his warm breath on the side of my neck. I whisper to him

"I love you"

He whispers back

"I love you too"

---

"Mummy!"

Sophie whines, pulling at the end of my shirt. I ask her softly

"What's wrong sweetie?"

She points out to the ocean and says

"I wanna go out thwere"

I look at Peeta and Annie who are sitting only inches away. Annie shrugs her shoulders and says

"I don't see why not"

But before anyone can go get swimsuits Finn has run into the water, splashing and squealing with joy. Annie grins at him and runs in after him, despite wearing a dress. When I look at Peeta he is already on his feet and says with a mischievous grin

"Let's go in"

I laugh and tell him

"Your joking"

He replies

"Not in the slightest"

I stand and lift Sophie into my arms before running into the water. We then all splash around in the water, me and Sophie aiming for Peeta the majority of the time. Peeta soon swipes Sophie from my arms and gives her a piggyback through the water, making her laugh. For the first time in a long time I think I see it, the old Peeta's smile. We spend a week in four, most days spend on the beach. Sophie and Finn become quite content playing in the water and building sandcastles day after day. I get to talk more with Annie, ask her how she's been. I also get to relax with Peeta, no stress on our shoulders and no sadness to try and mask. On the last night I go swimming with Peeta, swimming under the stars and sharing kisses on the beach. As we look out on the ocean at midnight Peeta says to me

"I love you"

I tell him

"I love you more"

He shakes his head

"Not possible"

I laugh. We then begin to make our way back to the house.

-----

When we get home Peeta and I move in together immediately. We decide it's best that Peeta comes to live with me as we would have to move all Sophie's things if it were the other way around. Sophie seems excited about the whole thing though it takes her awhile to catch on to what's happening. After we have moved things around we call to Haymitch and Effie who invited us for dinner to hear all about the trip which they apparently knew about also. When we finally leave and return home we all go straight to bed. I fall asleep in Peeta's arms, knowing that I'm going wake up in the morning in his arms makes me fall asleep with a smile across my face.