It's Always Been You

Chapter Twenty Two; Real

"Katniss," Peeta says as he comes out of our home. He runs across the street, sitting next to me. He wraps his arm around me, shaking his head. "I'm so sorry. I can't believe she'd say something like that."

"Peeta, it's fine." I murmur, closing my eyes to keep from crying. "She's right. I don't deserve you. You shouldn't be with someone like me. Maybe we just... maybe we should just move on. I can move my things to my mother and Prim's house. We'll keep it a secret. I just... I want you to be happy, and I'll never give you that. Your mother is right. I'm just a piece of trash from the seam."

"You're so much more than that to me, Katniss. You're the only woman I've ever loved."

"Don't say that." I whisper. "You can't tell me that you lost your virginity to me. You can't tell me that you've never thought of another girl the way you think of me."

"You were my first, Katniss." Peeta whispers. "I love you. What else can I do to prove it to you?"

"I know that, though, Peeta. That's why we shouldn't be together!" I say. "I- I can't do this here." I whisper, walking away.

"Katniss!" Peeta says, grabbing my wrist and pulling me back towards him. He looks into my eyes, hesitating for a moment, but then smashing his lips against mine. The kiss is so powerful, and full of passion, that I don't want to pull away. However, I suddenly feel much pressure and pain in my lower abdomen. I pull away quickly, wincing. Peeta looks at me confusedly, then down towards my abdomen.

"Katniss, are you okay?" He asks. I smile, chuckling softly.

"The baby..." I whisper. "He's kicking hard." I murmur, biting my lip to keep myself from smiling like an idiot. Why does Peeta have this effect on me?

"He?" Peeta asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I don't know..." I say. "I think it's a boy, but I'll be happy with either gender."

"Maybe I want a little girl, just like you. Maybe I want you to teach her the valley song and put her hair into two perfect little braids."

When Peeta mentions the valley song, I can't help but snap back into reality. I bite my lip, trying to be as sweet as possible. "Do you want to feel?" I ask. He nods excitedly, and I grab his hand, placing it firmly on the place where the baby is kicking. His face lights up with excitement, and I smile, gingerly grasping his hand.

"Come on," he whispers, grabbing my hand. "I'll make you some hot chocolate, and we can continue what we were doing earlier."

I chuckle, nodding as I follow him back into the house. He makes two cups of hot chocolate, bringing them into our living area. He sits next to me, and I snuggle up to him. He hands me my mug, and kisses my forehead. I place my free hand on my abdomen, feeling the baby kick ever so often. As I think about Peeta, and this baby on the way, I can't help but feel the one thing I've never felt towards anyone but Prim. Wether or not, I am completely falling for Peeta. That's when I recall the sleepless nights without him by my side; the horrifying nightmares I have about losing him. I can't lose Peeta, because it's always been him. It's always been him who holds me together. It's always been him who keeps me truly alive. That's when I say the unthinkable.

"I love you, Peeta." I murmur, keeping my eyes focused on my stomach. I feel him shift, his eyes locked on me.

"You... You what?" He asks. I look at him, tears streaming down my face. I bite my quivering lip, offering him a smile.

"I love you."

"You've never said that before." He says, smiling. He's right, I've never said it.

"I wanted to make sure it was real." I whisper. "It's real. It's more real than anything in this messed up world. I love you, Peeta Mellark."

Peeta places his mug on the coffee table, cupping my face in his hands. He brings his lips to mine, and I breathe heavily. "Why don't we take this upstairs?" I ask. He nods, pulling me towards the stairs.

As we approach the bedroom, he turns around, a giant smile on his face. "I almost forgot..." He says softly. "I-I love you too, Katniss Mellark."