Catching Fire: The New Story

Chapter 45

Katniss's POV

I finally release Peeta after a long while in his arms. My mother and Prim come down and start to make breakfast. Peeta's much happier than I have ever seen him, but he doesn't push me about the baby any further. We could about it later, when we are alone.

I eat my breakfast slowly as the quietness dragged the morning longer than it actually was. Now everyone knew. My big secret was out. I didn't have to lie anymore or have the guilt of keeping something so big inside of me grow. All guilt was gone. The weight was off my shoulders. I am actually glad Gale told Peeta. I don't think I could have told him.

After breakfast, Prim and I washed the dishes together. She washed, I dried. Peeta stood right beside me and kept a conversation going about bread. It makes me smile at how he can make the dumbest thing such a big deal and keep the awkwardness away. But he drops it once we finish the dishes and he has me back. I took my eyes at him as his arms wrap around me again and he kisses my cheek.

I jump in his arm again when the doorbell rings. I go to open the door and see Hazzelle and the kids have come. Posy immediately hugs my legs. I smile and pick her up, welcoming everyone in and away from the cold. Hazzelle goes straight to Gale and holds his hand. She speaks to him quietly as now he's awake and can barely feel pain in his back. Rory and Prim start talking about random things as they sit by the window. Vick sits by Gale. He's a bit too young to not worry about his brother. Rory knows my mother can and will fix him. Vick just couldn't understand. Posy didn't question anything. She just smiled and played. She sat on my lap and played with my braid or my hand, which was much bigger than her baby hand. She would grab my shirt or crawl to Peeta's lap, who sat next to me with his arm around my shoulder. He was good with kids. Not like me. I am horrible with kids. I've never really thought of having kids. Unlike Peeta, he's excited. But I'm worried. He could see the worry in my eyes as Posy played with Peeta’s hand. "You'll be a great mother,” he tells me. Rory, Vicky, and Hazzelle look toward to me and I smile.

Hazzelle looks between Peeta and I, then to my mother. She nods. They all say their congratulations to us becoming parents. Posy looks confused. I say, "You know, in a few months, you’re not going to be the only baby here Posy."

"Why?" she asks looking up at me with her big brown eyes she got from her mother, then to Peeta.

"Because Katniss is going to have baby," Peeta answers. Posy is still confused but at least one question was answered.

"Come here," I say. She climbs onto my lap and I put her little hand on my stomach. It felt weird, but I would have to get used to it. "My tummy is going to get bigger and bigger. That means the baby is getting bigger. Then, the baby will be born and you'll have a friend to play with." My voice is as exciting as it could be. I was excited, I had to admit, but nervous about it.

"Friend!" she screams. We laugh at the little one. She then climbs onto Peeta's lap once more and resumes playing with his hand.

"She'll understand later,” my mother says. We all nod and stay a bit quieter for the rest of the cold day. Hazzelle's hand never leaves Gale's. Last night, I did the same thing with him. Vick plays with his sister for a while. We switch her back and forth. Prim and Rory look cute together. They talk all day. My mother usually helps Vick learn to heal. He wasn't much into hunting as was Rory.

Peeta lifts my feet above his lap and he rubs my back lightly. My head lays on his shoulder and I breathe in the bakery smell he holds.

Posy grows tired after playing so much. She curls up and I cradle her in my arms while Peeta hovers over me, watching her. I notice as she falls asleep, she has a tint of gray in her eyes. I smile. Maybe my baby girl or boy will have Peeta's eyes. The way the blue shines when he's excited. Or when he sees something amazing and his pupils dilate.

Once her eyes are closed and the brown eyes that mimic Hazzelle's have vanished, I stay put so she sleeps peacefully. I lay with Peeta on the couch with Posy on my chest as everyone else goes on with the rest of the day.

I slowly close my eyes and rest my head on Peeta's chest. After about an hour of just listening to everyone move around quietly, I feel the little weight of Posy being lifted off my chest. I hear Hazzelle talk to my mother and Prim, thanking them for the stay here today and for the dinner. I turn to cuddle into Peeta's body and to keep warm. A blanket slips over me and Peeta once the door closed shut quietly. My mother and Prim leave kisses on my forehead. Footsteps trail to upstairs and I wait until two doors are shut closed and all lights were off in the house. The only thing lighting the house was the small flame in the fireplace. I watch it until I feel Peeta move. I look up and see him awake.

"Go to sleep Katniss. It's late,” he whispered. I nod. I should get sleep, but I am not tired. Peeta notices that I keep watching the fire. The oranges and reds burst and bounce back the reflection onto us.

"Katniss, it's either you go to sleep, or I'm taking you upstairs,” he demands. I smile. I don't close my eyes which makes him get up and leave me on the couch. He turns to me and picks me up, starts walking upstairs and opens my door.

"You tricked me didn't you?" he asks, laying me down on my bed. I nod and smile. He kisses my forehead and I scoot over. He slips into my bed, I lay my head onto his chest and hear his heart beating as it rises up and down. He rubs my stomach, making me shiver. He smiles. "Katniss." I look up.

"Yes Peeta?"

"Are you excited?" I'm almost about to ask what, but I remember. The baby.

I take a deep breath and answer truthfully.

"Yes."

*

Author’s Note:

Yas, yas.

Keep reading guys!

~Jez xo