Finding the Missing Piece: Book 6

Chapter Fifty-Four

Katniss POV-

"Peeta, we really need to talk." I say, coming into the kitchen. 

He turns around from the dishes he's cleaning, "Yeah, sure. You okay?"

"I don't know."

"What happened?" He asks me.

"Where's Willow and Rye?"

"Rye is asleep in his room and Willow is taking a bath." He says, turning off the sink and wiping his wet hands off on a towel.

I sigh and take a seat at the island and he comes up, leaning against the counter.

"So what happened?" He asks me.

I take a deep breath, "I told the officer everything. Like everything."

"Did you get to see Skyler?"

I nod my head, "She's pretty beat up. It's not good, Peeta."

"Will she be alright?"

"Yeah, she should be out in a week."

"Then why are you freaking out so bad?"

"They asked if we could keep her until they can find her mother. They can't find her." I say.

Peeta shrugs, "What's the big deal then?"

"I thought you would be mad because I told her we'd keep her until they figured something else out."

"I'm not mad, Katniss. Whatever we need to do for her we will do."

"I just feel bad for our kids." I say, starting to cry.

He sighs, "Katniss, it's not a big deal."

"Yes, it's gonna ruin Willow's summer and she's already getting less attention from us because of Rye, imagine how she's gonna feel with another person and Rye." I say.

I just don't want her to feel like she did a few months back when Peeta was in the hospital and when I was sick and everything was crazy. I never want her to feel that way again. And I wanted it to be normal again for her and now it won't be.

"Willow is not going to care that Skyler is here. I bet you she will love having an older girl around."

"What if she doesn't?" I say.

"Ask her what she thinks and go from there. You can always tell them that you've changed your mind." Peeta says.

I sigh, "I just don't know why I agreed. I'm already regretting it."

"You agreed because you know it's the right thing to do. And I doubt you'll regret it."

"Okay, but still Willow and Rye are our responsibilities too and we should be taking care of them first."

"We will. Do you not remember when Prim was her age? She took care of herself and I'm sure Skyler knows how to take care of herself better than any kid her age."

"Ugh, I'm just so confused on what is the right thing to do. I feel like I should've called you before I just agreed to it."

Peeta sighs, "Did you give them Dr. Coles' name?"

I shake my head, "No, but maybe she would be willing to help out."

"The man told me if we took her in we couldn't tell anyone and that we'd get  money to take care of her as long as we have her." I mention.

"Tell them to keep their money. Would they let her go on trips with us?"

"I don't know, Peeta." I say, rolling my eyes.