Sparks

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

"I'm so happy for you two! Now, this time, it is real, right?" Caesar asks.

"Yes, Caesar. It's actually real this time." Peeta says as he looks at me and smiles. The crowd shakes with aws.

"Yes! Ah! The excitment! You two are so adorable together." He says. "Now, is there a date set?" Caesar asks.

"Well, Caeser, we are going to be married-" As Peeta continues on I blank out. I stare off into the crowd, searching for Cinna as I always do in interviews, but then I remember he's not here. Then Peeta squeezes my hand. "Katniss?" He asks, then I notice everyone staring.

"What?" I ask.

"I said what have you two planned for the future?" Caesar asks.

"Oh, um, no plan at the moment."

"Oh, come. There's no doubt in everyone's mind that shortly after the marriage, we will hear the small pitter patter of feet. Am I right, folks?" He laughs.

"Um, yeah. That can be arranged." I say as I smile at Peeta. He then smiles nervously back at me and looks down.

"Well, that is all the time we have for now so, give it up for Peeta and Katniss Mellark!" He says. Katniss Mellark? That's new.

When we get off stage, we are greeted by Effie and Haymitch.

"Lovely darlings!" Effie squeals.

"Thanks." I say. I look at Peeta, as he's pacing the floor looking down. "Peeta?" I walk up and take his hand, making him stop.

"What?" He says. When he looks up his eyes are all red.

"Peeta?" My eyes go wide and I squeeze his hand tighter.

"I'm fine." He frees his hand from my grasp and makes for the exit.

I stand there as I watch him storm out of the building.

"What just happened?" Haymitch asks.

"He had another attack." I say still watching the door.

Once we are back at the train, I go immediately to my room to find Peeta with his head in his knees on the bed. He looks up when he sees me, with his eyes still red.

"Oh, sorry." I start for the door.

"Katniss, wait." He says.

I freeze in my tracks and turn to look at him. "Yeah?"

He stands up and walks to me. "Katniss?" He repeats.

"Yes, Peeta?" I say.

"Katniss, you love me. Real or not real?"

"Real." I say as I press my lips to his softly then I back away, hoping that wasn't a mistake.

I leave Peetas face speechless. His face goes rock hard then he starts for me. I react fast to try and run but he grabs me and stares at me with fiery in his eyes. I'm about to call for help, when he leans in and kisses me back. I feel his face go soft. He wasn't fighting me, he was fighting himself, and he was winning.

I wrap my arms around his neck as he wraps his arms around my waist pulling me in closet to him. He then picks me up and carries me to the bed, not breaking the kiss. He lays me down and kisses me softly and beautifully. When Peeta and I kissed, it wasn't fast and passionate, it was soft and slow. It was love.

He lays down next to me and moves closer. We sit there for a while, debating what's going to happen next.

"Listen, Katniss." Peeta says as his fingers trail down my jaw line. "When Caeser brought up our future, I know you and I both had the same thought. Should we really bring kids into a world like this. They don't deserve that." He says.

"I know."

"But, if it's what you want. Trust me, I'm not trying to get out of it. I do want to have kids with you, it's just, is this world safe enough for them?"

I know exactly what he means. Before when Snow lived, it would be a definite no. But now that he isn't alive, I would have said yes. But with what's going on in the other Districts, and not hearing from Paylor, I don't know what to do.

"I think, the best thing to do, is to wait and find out. Or at least wait until we are married." I say.

"I completely agree." Peeta says as he leans in and kisses me again.