It's Always Been You

Chapter Twenty Four; No More

"The pain was caused by stress.." The doctor says, handing me some pills. He looks as if he's in his mid forties. His hair is balding, and there are bags under his eyes. I can't help but wonder about him. This man could potentially be the person that delivers my child. His name tag reads 'Dr. Aurelius.'

"That's it? The baby is fine?" Peeta asks, standing up from the chair. "What caused such an excruciating pain?"

"Nothing but high stress and hormone levels. The baby may be at risk if they don't go down." Dr. Aurelius closes a binder filled with papers, placing it on a table next to my hospital bed. "You're free to go when you like. It seems you're missing a party... meant for you?"

"I'm not going to the party." I groan, standing up and grabbing my bottle of pills. I thank the doctor, walking out of the room. I can hear Peeta's heavy footsteps behind me, and he eventually catches up, grabbing my arm and pulling me back.

"Are we going to talk about this?" Peeta asks, sadness throughout his voice.

"What's there to talk about?" I ask. He loosens his grip, nodding his head.

"Goodbye, Katniss." Peeta whispers. A tear trickles down his face.

"Goodbye?" I ask softly. My lip quivers, and tears well in my eyes. "Goodbye?"

"Katniss..." Peeta says, "If you don't want me to be with you, I'm not going to."

"That's the thing." I whisper. "I do want you here. You have to be here. I love you more than anything in this world, and it... it terrifies me! I can't be terrified, though, because I'm going to be a mom. I'm scared. I'm just so scared. That's the only way to put it."

My knees become wobbly, and I fall onto Peeta. I let out a cry, and he hesitates for a moment, before wrapping his arms around me. He allows me to cry on his shoulder. "No more secrets. No more shutting me out. No more crying with no reason. You will talk to me, Katniss. I can't be on the outside anymore."

"No more shutting you out." I whisper reassuringly. He nods.

"I love you, Peeta."

"I love you, Katniss."

"I'm sorry."

"No more apologizing." Peeta whispers. "Come
on... let's go home."