A Stake To The Heart

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Katniss' POV

My eyelids slowly fluttered open. I was back in my bed again. Wait, wasn't I supposed to be getting ready for the party? What happened? I looked around the room to see the bathroom door wide open and all the makeup and stuff still on the tables. I look around more and find Peeta and some other person talking in the corner of the room. I jumped as the door opened suddenly and Haymitch walked in. He walked completely past me and straight to the person and Peeta.

They looked like they were having a serious conversation...

The door opened again and Cinna came in. He looked to my bed unlike some people who just walked past me. I quickly shut my eyes and pretended to be sleeping. Cinna laughed and kneeled next to me.

"Katniss, I know you're awake." He said quietly. I sighed and opened my eyes.

What happened?" I asked in a weak voice.

"I'm not the one to explain to you...but I'm sure this doctor can." Cinna says just as the person, Peeta and Haynitch all walk slowly over.

"Hi Katniss...how do you feel? Any pain at all?" The person, who I guess is a doctor, asks.

I shake my head.

"Good. Let me explain to you what happened." She says while sitting at the foot of the bed. Peeta sits next to me and holds my hand while Haymitch stands behind the doctor.

"Do you remember anything?" She asks.

"I remember being put in a very hot bath of chemicals." I say quietly.

"Exactly. Pregnant women typically aren't supposed to go into any substance above their own body heat for although you could sweat it off the baby can't." She begins. I gulp, this doesn't sound good.

"Your body was telling you this when you began to feel ill right before you fainted. We also discovered your body reacted a bit differently then a typical one would. You lost a lot of blood, which scared us all the most. But once we got your blood pressure stable we were able to run some tests."

"What about...the babies?" I ask.

"Well you were very lucky. They are doing well."

I breathed a sigh of relief as Peeta squeezed my hand happily.

"I want you to be extra careful now. If you feel more ill than normal or develop new symptoms you must call a doctor." She says.

"Which reminds me....your next ultrasound needs to be in around 2-3 weeks from now."

"But I'll be back in district 12....we don't have that technology."

"Well then, give me a call. If you want I can travel down just for you or find you a center to go to." She says.

"I don't know...I mean..."

"For the babies, Katniss.." Peeta whispers.

"That sounds great, thank you." I reply.

She smiles and hands me her business card. "Now Katniss, you were lucky enough to get the party pushed until tomorrow so stay and rest. I hope to see you soon." She says and exits.

Everyone stays quiet for a minute.

"Well we're glad you're okay, Katniss." Cinna speaks up. I smile weakly.

"Why don't we give these two some...privacy." Haymitch says quietly. Cinna nods and says a quick goodbye and exits with Haymitch leaving just me and Peeta.

Peeta sighs and lays down next to me. "You have no idea how scared I was, Katniss. I'm so grateful you're okay." He says.

"I'm so sorry Peeta." I whisper.

"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault, if anything your stylists and the capital should be sorry."

"I should've spoken up, told them I felt ill when I got in."

"And they would've listened?" He had a point.

"You missed Portia and Cinna's rage towards Octavia, Venia, and Flavius. It wasn't completely their fault they were clueless, but it was still funny. I've never seen Cinna or Portia so upset before, I don't think anyone has. Even Haymitch looked startled by their behavior." He says trying to lighten the mood a bit.

"Wow. That sounds interesting..." I say with a slight laugh.

"It was..I think we all would've laughed if we weren't so shocked about what we just saw and how worried we were." He says in a hushed voice.

I had to ask the question that was circling around my mind. "Peeta?"

"Yes Katniss?"

"You said 'if we weren't so shocked about what we just saw'. What was it that you saw?" I ask hesitantly.

He takes a deep breath. "It was the worst. I heard your stylists screaming your name and I ran over to your room to see what was going on and when I reached your room Cinna and Portia were already there at the door. We all barged in and ran to the bathroom where we saw.....you." He pauses. "You....were laying on the ground with a towel draped over your torso and...area.....and as soon as I looked at your pale white face I thought you were...dead."

"Peeta. It's okay, stop."

"But you had a pulse. But at first I didn't believe it....you felt so cold even though you came out of a hot bath." His voice begins to shake. "I didn't know what to believe."

"Peeta."

"I.....I thought...I l-l-lost you."

I scooted closer and threw my arms around him. "Peeta. It's okay, I'm okay." He took a calming breath and wrapped his arms around me.

"I'm so sorry I put you through that." I say as I bury my head in his chest.

"Stop apologizing." He says in a shaky voice.

"I can't." I say quietly. He pulls me closer and rests his head on top of mine.

"I love you Katniss."

"I love you."

We sit there for a little bit just enjoying each other's calming presence. It isn't until after I hear the last shaky breath from Peeta when I speak up.

"So....I'm guessing I wasn't dressed. Does that mean everyone saw me naked?" I ask.

Peeta releases me and chuckles. "Yeah. I don't think they payed that much attention though."

I raise an eyebrow. "Did you?"

"No!"

I laugh softly. "Sure Peeta."

"But then again....Haymitch looked pretty deep in thought..." He teases.

"Eww!! Stop it!" I shriek.

"Effie looked a bit jealous." He taunts.

"Peeta. Stop."

He laughs and kisses my forehead. "Okay. Get some rest.." He starts to sit up.

I stop him. "Peeta,could you maybe stay...?"

"Of course, Katniss." He lays back down and cuddles me into his chest. "I will always stay."