Catching Fire: The New Story

Chapter 40

Katniss's POV 

I have finally pried off Peeta from me after what seemed like forever and he allowed me to go to the woods today. Knowing that Gale would be there too, it is Sunday of course, he made an exception. I just want to talk to him, spend some time in the woods to calm down and take my mind off of what happened the other day.

Peeta worries about me too much sometimes. I tell him that. He laughs. 

"I just love you too much. That's all," he explains to me, then he kisses my forehead. Then my lips. I smile and kiss him back.

I pull my father's old hunting jacket on along with a long sleeved shirt underneath, a thick sweater, some pants and my old, molded up boots. I double knot them, like how Peeta does it. I have been doing that recently. I really have been spending too much time with him, we are doing things the other would do daily. 

I close the door behind me and hug myself to protect my body from the cold. 

I've planned to tell Gale about the pregnancy first. I feel I need his blessing? I guess. I'm not sure if I know what I'm doing. I just can't tell Peeta first. It's too much pressure on me, how would he react if I told him? What would be the best situation to tell him in? I can't just go up to him and say Peeta I'm pregnant, with your baby. 

He's been bugging me to tell him what's wrong with me? Or if I'm sick? He keeps trying to guess, but I always say no. And he hasn't come close to me being pregnant. His guesses are futile. 

I don't think he'd believe me if I told him I was pregnant anyway, but I know he would at least be sort of happy. He has talked about kids a few times, Peeta seemed so energetic when he brought up the subject.

I stiffen when he brings that up anyway. I'm not ready. Not even close for kids. Marriage I am getting close to. Getting married is the only thing I can hold out to him right now. Once we are married, then President Snow will make Peeta and I have kids. To show our love is even more true to the Capitol than they thought. Just so he can cheat out on the names for the Reaping bowls and put my kids into the Games. But that is later, it isn't supposed to be now.

As if our love is not real, Snow could still never believe that.

I finally get to the fence, the thin wire heaving down with snow. I climb under it and more carefully than I ever have before, then run to retrieve me bow and arrows. The sit quietly in the hollow long I have used for years.

I leave items in place on the floor as I go, an arrow pointing to the cabin I want to meet Gale at first. I leave: gloves Cinna left behind last time he came to my house, a bottle containing water, a few misshapen rocks, and another one of my arrows. I leave them on our spot on the rock over viewing most of the forest ahead, but hiding the lake about a mile away.

I see no sign or tracks or sounds of animals so I don't consider hunting. I'm not in the mood anyways. 

I start the long walk to the cabin that is beside what now is a frozen lake. It is one of the biggest bodies of water I have ever seen, besides the ocean in Four. That was huge and so beautiful. I remember Peeta and me walking down the ocean shore a few times during our time there. We spent an extra day in Four because of the beauty to it. 

I am at the cabin in approximately two hours, now I am going to have to wait for Gale to hopefully show. I put my bag down and my bow and arrows. I bring fire wood in and start a small flame in the little hole in the wall leading to the outside to release the black smoke building up. 

I sit a few feet away from the bright flames as the flicker light in the cabin, I need the warmth. It is the only one left here. Ruins remain a few feet away from this cabin, but those aren't made of complete cement like this one is. I remember when my father first showed me this cabin before Prim was born. He was thinking she could be born here. My mother thought he was crazy. It's absolute weird that I could remember such specific things from my childhood. This brings my mind to my own child. Growing in me. 

I am now positive I am pregnant. I went once more to my grandparents and they told me I'm positively pregnant. 

Two and a half months, they told me, about two and a half months along. Which means, I will be almost five months by my birthday, and the Quarter Quell. The baby will be born months after the Quell, most likely in the beginning of winter.

I sigh and rub my stomach lightly. Maybe it won't be so bad having children. If I'm being true to myself, I am a little excited.

I laugh a little before i hear someone clear their throat. I stand and see Gale. 

"Hi," is all he says. 

"Hi," I say back in the same tone. 

"What did you need?" he asks. I notice a bird on his belt. The gloves in his hand, and my arrow in his pocket. 

"I need to speak with you." He nods. 

"I'm guessing it's important. You brought me to... this," he says pointing around. I laugh. 

"Yes. It's old. But more private than the woods itself. I needed to tell you something important. Only my mother and Prim know about this," I admit quietly.

"Oh, and Peeta doesn't know?" he asks annoyingly. 

"Shut up Gale. No. He doesn't, but he's next. I just, I feel like I need you to be happy with this. Okay?" He nods. "Okay. I'm-" I breathe in to leave my nerves behind me. "I'm-" I groan. He looks at me like I'm crazy. 

"Gale I'm-I'm p-p-" 

"Your what? Pretty?" 

"No, no. I'm p-p-p-" 

"Picky? What?" he asks, severely annoyed with me now. 

"Pregnant," I whisper out. 

"Excuse me? You're what?" he asks, bewildered. 

I knew he'd do this. He wouldn't believe me, he's going to get mad now. 

"I'm," I gulp my fears down. "Pregnant." 

He doesn't say a word.

*

Author's Note:

So yeah, Katniss told Gale whoopy. Let's see his reaction

Keep reading guys!

~Jez xo