Don't Let Me Go

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

*four weeks later*

“Good morning gorgeous” Peeta whispers from the other side of the bed. I smile at him remembering last night. “I want a bath” I mumble, still sleepy and exhausted. “Your wish is my command” Peeta says prancing around and starting to run me a warm bubbly bath. “Will you join me in it?” I ask while smirking. “It would be my pleasure” he says jumping back onto the bed and starting to tickly me gently. “Oh you know I hate being tickled” I squeal excitedly “yes I know” he says doing it more and finally when I am breathless placing a soft kiss onto my lips.

I slowly lower myself into the large bathtub and Peeta runs downstairs “wait a second” and he brings up a feast of food. “Ah perfect!” I compliment already digging in.

Peeta strips down and enjoys the relaxing bath with me, “you’re not as pure as you used to be” Peeta jokes, I remember back to the games when he always teased me about being annoyed when he didn’t have clothes on. “Yeah well people change” I joke “oh you never really changed” he says “Well I bet you prefer me pure anyway” I giggle “nah” he says “you’re beautiful to me however you are.”

Peeta is defiantly starting to be his old usual self, recovering slowly. He has been planning to re build the bakery and open it for himself to run, in memory of his family and so he can bake and do what he enjoys to help him more. I, of course go into the woods almost daily and bring home the game for dinner, this keeps me sane and feeling important.

“Make sure you’re looking nice later I’ve got a surprise for you” Peeta chuckles “oh whatever” I say because his surprises are normally ridiculous anyway. “You’ll love this one” he smirks.

***

“Can you get the door?” I shout to Peeta because I am snuggled up in the blanket on the sofa after being in the woods for a while. “No Katniss I’m busy” he shouts from upstairs. “Urg” I let out as I start walking to the door. It is probably only Greasy Sae she often pops by.

“PRIM” I scream when I see Prim and mother standing smiling at the door. “Surprise!” they shout and give me a massive hug. I let a few tears escape my eyes “I’ve missed you two” I say hugging them hard. “Peeta planed this as a surprise, it’s about time we came to stay!” Mother says “yes it’s been a month” I say “well you know, the job is going great” Prim says, she is so grown up now. Talking about business, ha!

“Come in” I say pulling them into the warmth. Peeta comes down the stairs “Surprise” he says giving me a quick kiss and then hugging both mother and Prim. “How long are you staying?” I ask delighted “a few days” Prim smiles. To me she is still the little girl that I protected at the reaping two years ago.

We sit around and have a good time all evening and before I know it it’s time to sleep. Peeta and I wonder off to our bedroom together and jump into bed. “Thanks so much” I say while getting comfortable and throwing my sweater out of the bed. “It’s my pleasure” Peeta whispers into the darkness. “I love to see them” I say “I know” Peeta says. I kiss Peeta meaningfully and drift off to sleep. Not a peaceful sleep because that is never in the cards for me, but a long sleep none the less.

***

When the four days is over we walk Prim and mother to the hovercraft which awaits to take them back to District 13 “It’s been lovely to see you” I whisper in their ears while hugging them so close. “We’ll be back in a month or so to stay again” mother says and then giving me one last kiss the hovercraft is gone. A piece of the sky.

“You’re okay” Peeta reassures me as he places his firm arm around my shoulder for balance “I just miss them a lot” I say and then I feel stupid because Peeta is never going to see his family and he is the one who would be saying this so I zip my mouth and start to act happy.

 

“I’ve got my first day at work tomorrow!” Peeta says “I know!” I say “I’m so excited for you” I say. Peeta is going to his new bakery (where his old family home remains were after the bombing and before his own bakery was built) and starting to sell cakes and bread, which he enjoys doing to the community of 12. I can see him getting so much better and running his own bakery will help his recovery even more.