It's Always Been You

Chapter Fourteen; Let Go

Acacia and Zane settle into their rooms in the tribute center, and Peeta and I are escorted to ours. Even though I hate the Capitol, I will never get over how luxurious the rooms Peeta and I stay in are. They're almost always equipped with king sized beds and silk sheets. It makes it so much easier to sleep.

I set my bags down in the giant walk in closet, that has already been filled with beautiful outfits to choose from for tonight. Peeta and I will be accompanying Haymitch to the mentors party in Finnick Odair's penthouse tonight. Today we must make friends with some of the mentors, and attempt to get some ally's for Acacia and Zane. I truly don't think this is necessary. I didn't ally with anyone but Peeta, and I won the games just fine.

"I feel terrible for snapping at Acacia," I whisper, recalling the events of last night. "I was terrible to her. I shouldn't have told her all of that stuff, I'm just so scared."

"I know," Peeta whispers, rubbing my back. He kisses my temple. "You don't have anything to be scared of. I will be right here with you the whole entire time. Have I ever let you down before?"

"No," I whisper, sniffling. "I'm only seventeen, though. I don't know how I'll take care of a baby, and at the same time, come back to the Capitol monthly. I don't want our child to be raised by a stranger."

"It won't be," Peeta murmurs soothingly as he wraps his arms around me. "We'll take our baby everywhere. We'll bring him or her with us to the Capitol when we have to visit, and you and I both know that Effie or Cinna would be delighted to babysit anytime we needed. You can teach him or her how to hunt, and I'll show our child how to bake and paint. I promise that we will give this child a fulfilled life that will never be taken away. Maybe this whole parent thing won't be that hard, as long as we work together."

"Thank you, Peeta. I appreciate it."

+++

Finnick Odair's penthouse is nothing short of a complete mansion. There are three floors, each including at least three bedrooms, kitchens, living areas, entertainment systems, and even a hot tub and swimming pool on the top floor, looking out over the entire Capitol. I stare in awe as Peeta and I walk over into a room full of luxurious foods and drinks. A man that introduces himself as Gloss from District 1 comes up to me, offering me a glass of wine. "No thank you," I say as sweetly as possible. "I'm trying to save my appetite to eat all of this delicious food. But Peeta would love a drink."

Gloss smiles, shaking my hand and kissing my cheek after giving Peeta the drink. "It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Mellark. Oh, and congratulations on your marriage." He waves and joins a girl that looks quite like him. I look at Peeta, shrugging.

"Cashmere." A woman says from behind me, offering me a smile. As she smiles at me, I can see that her teeth have been pointed, sharp as an animals. "That is Gloss's sister. They do everything together." She says, holding her hand out. "Enobaria, District 2." She says. She holds out her hand to shake Peeta's also. He sets the small glass of wine down. "Your games last year were quite interesting." She says. "I'm excited to see how your tributes do this year. You have one of the only 14 year olds, am I right?"

"Yes." I say, still trying to get over her sharp teeth. They make me cringe. "Acacia Caverly."

"Ah, yes." She says. "Well, Taj Diaz, my 14 year old male tribute is great with throwing knives and the bow and arrow. I think it'd be great if we could ally all three fourteen year olds in the games. I believe the remaining 14 year old is from District 8, a female tribute named Nadia Oliver."