Fighting For Us.

Forty Five.

I wake early. Rubbing my face, I walk downstairs to make coffee. Normally, I hate coffee, but I'll need all the energy I can get today.

I bring some up for Peeta, and rouse him awake before packing up the kids.

Once I do that, I let Peeta see them for a minuet or two before rushing them over to house fourteen.

Then, I come back in, and pull on my base layers as Peeta takes a shower. He comes out and looks at me sadly.

"Do we really have to go?" He asks into my hair as he slings his arms around my body and snuggles into my hair.

"Yes baby." I whisper. "We have to."

"How long do we have?" He asks.

"About an hour." I reply.

"Can we do something?" He asks me.

"Like?" I whisper. 

"Dance?" He asks hopefully.

"But there's no music." I smile up at him. 

"So .. pretend." He says taking my hand and spinning my around.

We sway together as one, not speaking a word. We move in a tiny circle.

I look up at him with such pride and happiness. "You make me proud to be called a Mellark." I whisper.

"I'm glad your proud." He smiles. "I do have one question though." He asks seriously. "Well a few." He finishes.

"Go ahead." I smile breaking from his grasp and pulling him to the bed.

"Why if we're married, do people still call you an Everdeen?"

I can tell by his eyes he's hurt that people won't call me by his name. "I will always be known as Katniss Everdeen." I whisper. "If it makes you feel any better I always wanted to get rid of my name."

"Why?" He asks rubbing my back softly.

"It's a reminder of the past. I want so badly to forget the past. My father. My sister. My life. That house. I want to forget it all."

"Your past is what makes you." 

"I know that. I do. But sometimes I just want to forget it all and start fresh."

"Even if it meant not getting to be with me?" He asks me, hurt shinning in his eyes.

"No baby. I will always pick the life where you and I end up together. I promise." I caress his cheek.

"I pick you too." He smiles. "But I have one more thing."

"Okay." I whisper retracting my hand.

"What should we do if something happens?"

"Like, to either of us?" He nods to my question. "Handle it the way you think I would want it; the same for you."

"How do you want it handled?"

"I want burned. And my ashes spread over the meadow and lake." I whisper softly.

He nods, a single tear rolling down his cheek. "I want the same then. I want to be with you no matter what."

"I love you Peeta." I tell him.

"I love you too girl on fire."

***

"Come on, get up on the porch and tell everyone to shush!" I'm told by my old mentor.

They help me up onto the high porch and I look around.