Life After Mockingjay

Chapter Forty Three; District 4

"Rye, Willow!" I call from the living room. I hear their feet running around from upstairs, probably causing a commotion. Peeta is just outside, loading the car of all of our bags. Effie and Haymitch have planned a 'family vacation' for all of us to go on in district 4. Johanna, Alder, Jax, Kai, Rowan, Annie, Finn, Pollux, Cressida, Haymitch, Effie, Peeta, Willow, Rye, and I will all be staying in a beach house for two weeks. Though I'm excited, I can't help but be curious as to how these few weeks will go.

"Rye and Willow Mellark, get your butts down here!" I say, becoming more and more frustrated. They scramble quickly down the stairs. Rye greets me with a subtle smile, but Willow wears a sly grin.

"Sorry, Mom." She says, skipping around the table. I chuckle slightly as I meet Peeta outside. Willow and Rye follow quickly behind.

"Ready to go?" Peeta asks with a grin. I nod, opening the door for Willow and Rye to hop in. After they do, I join Peeta in the front of the car, buckling my seatbelt tightly.

"I wish we could've just walked, but we had way too many bags." Peeta comments. I look back at Willow and Rye who have come up with a hand game to entertain themselves. Gosh, kids and their imagination.

The drive to the train station is only about five minutes. Peeta and I lug the suitcases from the car, meeting Johanna and Alder outside of the train.

"Katniss Everdeen!" Johanna says, running to me and embracing me in a hug. Though we still live relatively close, Johanna and I don't talk as much anymore. I've been preoccupied with Willow and Rye, and she's been preoccupied with her crazy triplets. I couldn't imagine having more than two kids, I think I'd lose my mind.

"Johanna Mason!" I say, squeezing her tightly. "How are you? I miss you so much!"

"I'm great!" She says, looking over towards her triplets. The boys are already torturing Rowan and Willow. I see Willow's eyes roll to the top of her head, as she looks away from them.

"Damn, Willow sure does have your attitude." She says, smirking. I laugh, turning to greet Cressida, Pollux, and Annie. Finn has gotten so big. He is already eleven, and almost as tall as Peeta. He definitely has Finnick's good looks. Even when he talks, I am reminded of Finnick's raspy, but soothing voice.

Peeta talks to Alder and Pollux for a few minutes, and I hold Rye's hand as I make small talk with Johanna and Annie. After about ten minutes, our luggage is completely loaded and we can board the train.

The train ride to District 4 is about three days, so we all will have some time to kill. Luckily, the kids will have each other to entertain, because I know Willow and Rye have absolutely no patience.

"Katniss, do you want a drink?" Johanna says as I walk into the dining area. She is holding a giant glass of wine, and in the other hand, she's holding a mixed drink.

"I'm fine for now, thanks." I say, chuckling as I go to meet Peeta in our room. All of the kids run past me, playing a game of tag. I watch as Kai, Jax, and Rye run as fast as they can, trying to catch Willow and Rowan.

I open the door to Peeta and I's room, smiling at the sight of him. He is shirtless, packing our clothes into the drawers.

"Hello," I murmur, locking the door behind me and jumping onto the bed. I give him a look, raising my eyebrows slightly.

"Well, you look like you're in a good mood." Peeta says, shaking his head and offering me a smile.

"The kids are preoccupied, Johanna, Annie, and Cressida are drinking, Haymitch and Effie are probably making out, and Pollux and Alder are drinking beer in the living room... Do you think we could get a quickie in?"

"Hmm," Peeta says, sitting down next to me. "You know that nobody will let us live it down."

"Oh, come on." I whisper, kissing his jawline. "It wouldn't be the first time we did this on this very train. Don't you remember the last time we had a ride to district 4?"

"That was our honeymoon." He says, chuckling. "I suppose we could again, though."

"If we are very quiet." I answer in agreement.

+++

"Where the hell were you?" Johanna asks as I sit down at the dining table. Annie, Effie, and Haymitch exchange a glance

"I was helping Peeta unpack." I say, but I can tell I haven't convinced her. She looks at the children though, and shrugs, deciding not to object.

"What's for dinner?" I ask, attempting to change the subject. I look towards Peeta who is beet red. Even after nine years of marriage, he still likes to keep our sex life completely private. He is just so pure.

"Whatever you want. They hired a new chef, so they're going to be taking your orders." I nod, looking down at a piece of paper that lists everything on the menu. I can almost feel my mouth water when I see lamb stew.

After dinner, the children stare out the window, admiring all of the sights, and I sit with Peeta, Johanna, Annie, Alder, Pollux, and Cressida in the main living area. Haymitch and Effie are with the kids. I look over to them, smiling. Haymitch has truly turned out to be such a great person.

I look over to Peeta, who has a bothered look on his face. He is fumbling with his prosthetic. I place my hand on his arm to get his attention.

"Are you okay?" I whisper, a worried expression on my face.

"Yeah, I just think I'm going to go to bed. My leg is really bothering me."

"Okay." I say, standing with him.

"You can stay here, I'll be fine."

"No!" I basically yell. "No, Peeta I'm coming with you."

I say goodnight to everyone in the house. The children are all staying in their own room, and Johanna promised that she'd make sure Willow and Rye get to bed safely. I take Peeta to our bedroom, shutting the door tightly and helping him take his prosthetic off.

"Has this been happening often? I never noticed." I say, grabbing some cream from the drawer next to me. I put some on my hand, massaging his leg gently.

"I'm fine, Katniss." He insists. "I'm okay, I've just been on my feet a lot today."

"Okay." I whisper, nodding my head. "Promise?"

"I promise."