What if?- A Mockingjay Story

Chapter 70

What if?

What if Peeta asks about us having kids of our own one day? I saw the way he looked at Joe last night and the way he looks at Sophie every day, I know he wants children. But What if I don't want to bring children into the world? What if he doesn't understand having Sophie is different then having a child of our own?

What if? What if? What if?
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But he doesn't ask to my greatest relief. After seeing his expression last night, his joy of holding a small baby it made the fear that had made its way to the back of my mind over time overrun me in a wave of pure panic. But the conversation never came. In the morning we were all exhausted as we made our way to the bakery. Sophie was at an advantage, with no work to do at her age she fell asleep on the couch in Rachel's office almost instantly. Rachel said she didn't mind and just carried on with her typing as Sophie was curled up in a deep sleep on the couch across the room. Me and Peeta on the other hand weren't so lucky, we didn't have the time for rest. Instead between rushing back and forth working we drink coffee. Mugs and mugs of coffee, hoping the caffeine will boost our energy from pure exhaustion. At one point of the day when I am passing by Jason he says to me

"No offence or anything Katniss but you look like exhausted wreck"

He has stopped calling me 'Ms Everdeen' now. We have gotten to know each other, I've gotten to know everyone here over the years. I laugh and say to him taking a mouthful of coffee

"Trust me, none taken. Coffee is the only thing keeping me awake at this stage"

He nods and says

"Looks like Peeta's just the same. I have never seen him not be completely enthusiastic for work!"

We both laugh at this. Moments later Peeta is walking past with a tray of cupcakes in hand when he stops in his tracks and looks with confusion as Jason and I continue to laugh. He glances at both of us before saying

"What's so funny?"

I shake my head and kissing his cheek before I walk past him. I then glance both and see him look at Jason questioningly but he just shakes his head with a grin before turning back to work. Peeta then shrugs his shoulders to himself and walks on which causes me to giggle slightly. When I enter the office Rachel is over by the window, looking out as she speaks on the phone. She gives me a salute in greeting and I wave back. I sit beside Sophie on the couch who begins to move as I sit beside her. She's wearing her new dress from her mother. She stretches her arms up before rubbing her eyes and waving at me sleepily. I smile and stroking her hair out of her face say softly

"Good afternoon sleepy head"

She smiles and reaches her arms to grasp around my neck. I pull her up onto my lap, allowing my warm arms to swallow her into a hug. She then pulls back and says

"Do I have to get up Mommy?"

My smile grows as I dramatically shrug my shoulders and say

"Well you don't have to but I heard Lynn and Mia need help with icing a cake and they thought you would like to help them but if you don't want to that's fine..."

She squeals

"No!No!"

She pushes herself quickly off my lap and runs out of the room. I laugh but then just as she runs through the doorway a piece of paper falls off her dress. It looks like a tag. I pick it up. And it is a tag, but to me its much more. Its a clue. I know that immediately after reading it...

[MADE AND SOLD IN DISTRICT 4]

I walk into the kitchen and call

"Peeta?"