Ashlin Everdeen (Peeta Mellark love story)

Home

We arrived home and cameras swarmed Peeta and I. I had been in a sort of paralyzed state the entire ride home, and the only one I would talk to is my boyfriend. I really did hate Snow for what he had done, but I thanked the Capitol for making our houses in the voctors village so close. I had smiled for the cameras, but when I got moved into the victors village, my paralyzed state continued. My family greeted me inside the door and I finally smiled.

"Katniss, Prim...Mom." I let happy tears fall as I hugged all three of them.

"I thought when Cato grabbed you that was it!" Katniss said as she now gave me her single hug. It was a tight hug, and I realized I finally had my family back, and I was safe in the victors village with them.

"I did too...I didn't think I would make it." I agreed, "but thanks to Peeta I'm here..." I trailed.

Prim gave me a smirk, then said,

"I saw you kiss Pillsburry." She laughed, and I glared before pinning her down and ticking her.

"You saw what?" I asked in a good humored tone.

"I s-sawwwww yooouwww k-k-kisssss Pe -pe-Peeeeeta!!!" She laughed out, and I finally stopped to just hug my little sister tightly.

"Yes..you did little duck, you sure did." I said, and kissed her forehead.

"So your dough boys girlfriend?" Prim laughed in a good tone.

"Yeah...yeah, I am." I said as I help her stand up, me, her, Katniss, and Mom all hugged again.

"Well, isn't this sweet?" It was Effie Trinket's happy, thrilling voice.

"Come here...you and Haymitch deserve some love too!" I said with a now huge smile on my face as I slowly turned back into the 'me' everyone knew.

They joined the hug to my surprise and I kept smiling....

Later after Effie agreed to stay for dinner along with Haymitch, she had to leave, but not before telling me to inform Peeta we would be leaving for the victory tour next month. I agreed and seen her off at the train, then began my long walk back to the victors village. I stopped by the Mellark's bakery where Peeta's father welcomed me with open arms and wrapped me in a hug telling me thanks for saving Peeta.

"I really do love your son." I said with a smile, and Mr.Mellark smiled back.

"He really loves you.....you know? Your all he ever talked about to me before the games." He said, I smiled as he handed me some bread, but when I went to pay him he stopped me. "You don't have to do that....as long as your with Peeta, your family." I smiled and embraced his dad once more.

"Thank you Mr. Mellar-"

"Call me Carlisle." He said, and I smiled.

"Thanks, Carlisle...." I said with a huge smile toward him.

"Goodnight Ashley...be careful. There's a blizzard on the way."

"You too, I'll see you later Mr.Mel-Carlisle." And with that, I left with bread for my family and a new relationship with Peeta's father. I was happy again, but I knew the games would haunt me once I lay down tonight. I felt cold wind hit me and quickly placed the wrapped bread in my shoulder bag. I was happy that I was still wearing the mockingjay pin Prim gave me before the games. It defiantly had protect me, me and Peeta actually. As I walked and breathed in the cool air, I could almost smell the fresh snow in the air. As I walked on past the Justice building, I was suddenly grabbed and pulled into the ally way behind it. Before I could scream though, a pair of lips met mine. Peeta stood, pressing me to the wall and kissing me, I kissed back once I realized it was him. The cold air had all but disappeared as me and Peeta stood kissing as light snow started to fall. I smiled into the kiss knowing we were safe for now, and we finally broke apart when we needed air.

"What. Are. You. Doing?" I asked while trying to catch my breath.

"Spending time with the love of my life." He said with a smile, the smile that I loved so much.

"Peeta...there's a blizzard on the way, and we leave for the victory tour next month." I informed, he looked down and then back up at me with his gorgeous brown eyes.

"All the more reason for this." He said, then pressed himself back to me, leaving no space and captured my lips with his once more. This time, I moaned into his kiss and he did the same.

"So, this is where you've been." Peeta jumped from me, as we both turned to see Katniss and Gale smirking at us. I felt heat rise in my cheeks and Peeta's face was red also.

"We...I-um...." I didn't have words.

"Its fine Ash....he's your boyfriend." Gale said, as he pulled my sister to his side.

"So...you and my sister?" I asked as Peeta pulled me into his chest and wrapped his arms around me from behind.

"Yep...its official." Katniss said with a huge smile.

"Good......" Peeta and I said at the same time.

The walk back to the victors village was filled with laughter and lots of talk about how Katniss and Gale finally got together.

"So, how did it really happen?" Peeta asked, the snow had gotten heavy now and was covering the ground.

"Well...come inside and we can talk about it!" Katniss yelled over the increasing wind.

It turned out that Katniss and Gale were watching the games together and Gale had slipped his arm around my sister and soon they weren't even paying attention to the games. I was happy for them, then Gale said he had to go, we told him to be careful and then him and Katniss said a very long goodbye.

"Ashley..." Peeta said suddenly grabbing my hand and pulling me into his chest.

"Yeah?" I asked hugging him back. He kissed my head and held me tightly to him, no one else was in the room right now, mom had already laid down, Prim had went to bed, and Katniss was now up in her bathroom taking a shower.

"I'm gonna call and ask to stay over...looked like its getting pretty bad out there." He informed, I smiled and nodded before walking off to tell my mom. "Mom..." I trailed, she looked up at me from her bed and nodded for me to enter. "Um..Peeta was wondering...since its getting so bad outside of..." I hesitated, but mom seamed to read my mind.

"Yes...he can stay." I smiled and walked back out, I had a feeling I would enjoy this blizzard, because Peeta would be here to keep me warm.....