Fate

Chapter 3

So I already posted this chapter, but something happened and it wasn't showing up for some reason, so let's try this again!

Katniss P.O.V.

"I'm sorry," I blurt out. Peeta goes to open his mouth, but I quickly stop him. "I saw how bad that was killing you tonight. I know how bad you want a baby…"

"Stop, Katniss," Peeta says. "That's not what's bothering me." 

"Then what is it?"

He takes a deep breath and shakes his head. "Someone we love is going to get hurt, no matter what we do," Peeta says. "Whether it's one of us, our family, and if we do have a baby, we know what's going to happen in twelve years. I don't want anyone to get hurt, but I can't stand the thought of us bringing an innocent child into this world knowing what's going to happen to them."

I look up at Peeta to see that he has tears in his eyes. It's in this moment; with him grieving over a child that hasn't even been conceived yet; that I know I can tell him. I don't have to be afraid anymore.

"I love you too," I tell Peeta softly. He gives me a look, and I laugh a little. "You told me this afternoon that you love me, and I was afraid to say it back. But I'm not afraid anymore."

I reach out to grab Peeta's arm, and I look him in the eyes. "I love you," I say again. He gently cups his hands around my face and presses his lips to mine. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he pulls back a little.

"I never thought I'd hear you say that," Peeta tells me. He leans our foreheads together and looks at me. "I love you."

I laugh a little and nod my head. "I love you too." Peeta kisses me again, but this time with a little more force. That hunger starts to build, and Peeta's hands wander to my back before they stop at the zipper on my dress. He pulls back again and shakes his head.

"Is something wrong?"

"No," Peeta replies. "I just want to do this the right way."

"Well, then you know what to do," I say. Peeta takes both of my hands in his and we look at each other.

"I know we've been through this once before," Peeta says. "But that was for show. This time, it's real." I nod my head.

"Yeah," I say quietly. Peeta kneels down on one knee and looks up at me. 

"Katniss Everdeen, will you marry me?" I smile real wide at him.

"Yes. Of course," I say. Peeta stands up and wraps his arms around my waist. He kisses me again, and I lay my head on his chest.

"I'll get you a ring one day," Peeta tells me.

"I don't need a ring," I say as I shake my head. "I don't want a fancy, Capitol ceremony. I just want it to be official, so nobody can question our love."

"And I'll find a way to make that happen," he says. "It might be a little tricky since everybody thinks we're already married. But I'm sure that we could sign some papers at the Justice Building and nobody will say anything as long as we ask them to keep quiet."

"Okay," I say. "And if that's not possible, then that's okay too. As long as we know what we mean to each other." Peeta nods and brings my hand up to his lips. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, hoping that everything turns out okay. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Katniss. Katniss, wake up," Peeta says as he shakes my shoulder. I slowly open my eyes, and he gives me a worried look. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I say as I sit up. "Why?"

"I couldn't wake you up when it was time to go eat breakfast," he says. "Haymitch told me to come get you and tell you that we're getting ready to leave for the train so we can go home. But when I came in here, you were moving around on the bed and mumbling. I thought you were having a nightmare."

I shake my head. "I don't think I was, anyways."

"Well, why don't you get ready so we can go home?" Peeta says. I nod my head and an hour later, Haymitch, Peeta, and I are all on the train, headed back home to District 12.

Ten minutes into the trip, and Haymitch is so drunk he can't even sit up right in his chair. Peeta lugs him off to a vacant room before coming back to sit beside of me.

"What's wrong?" Peeta asks me. "Your knee is bouncing up and down really fast." I laugh a little bit.

"I'm just anxious to get back home," I say.

"Me too," Peeta says as he reaches over and takes my hand in his.

"What are we going to tell our families?" I ask him.

Peeta shrugs. "My family doesn't talk to me much anymore anyways."

"I'll have to straighten out everything with Mom," I say. "To make sure she doesn't kill you." Peeta chuckles, and I lean my head over onto his shoulder. 

There's so much running through my mind right now. Most of my fears at the moment revolve around us having kids. A thought I've never even entertained until now. What will Snow do if I can't get pregnant within four months? What if I do get pregnant, but I lose the baby? Maybe I'll be a terrible mother.

It's like Peeta can read my mind. Maybe he can somehow sense my fears. He leans in close and starts quietly talking in my ear.

"Whatever happens, just remember that you're not alone," Peeta tells me. "I'll always be right here for you, and I'm going to protect you."

And just like that, all my fears melt away. I know that what he's telling me is absolutely one hundred percent true. And I know that I have every reason to trust him, and no reason to be afraid.