Our Life After

Getting Better

*Katniss's POV*

As soon as I told him hello, I think Peeta choked on his own spit. He kinds was choking for a minute, so I patted him lightly on the back until he caught his breath. Then, being Peeta, he picked me up and hugged me really, really tightly, and I didn't say anything, and he didn't say anything, we were just there. I buried my face in his neck and smelled him, and he smelled nice, like fresh baked bread, and just soaked up the moment.

Then, he carried me home, set me on the couch, and kissed me in a way that I can only describe as violent passion. I made him stop by talking again.

"Peeta, if you kiss me too much I might run out of air and never talk again!"

He just laughed at me, and then made me something to eat, but I saw what he must've made for breakfast this morning in the trash. I felt bad for leaving him.

"I'm sorry I ran off this morning." I said.

More laughter. "What?!" I demanded, "Why are you laughing?"

"You think I'm mad about that?" He asked, "Katniss, do honestly think that I'm mad about that? I could care less. I'm just glad you're here now, and you're better."

"Well," I say, "I'm not better. But I'm not as bad as I was. I think I can get better by talking to you about it. Maybe you can help me."

"Of course I can help you."

Then we sat and ate cinnamon toast, and Peeta told me that whenever I feel like talking about something, to do just that, and to get better quickly.

So after dinner that night, while I was feeding Lizzie, we talked. I did most of the talking, and he listened. I literally talked for 25 minutes straight and he just listened, and when I was done, he told me to let anything else I had on my mind out. So I talked for another 15 minutes, and we went to bed. God, he's probably the world's best listener.

This pattern continued for about a week, until I had nothing more to say.

I started going on trips to the shops in town, did regular chores, ate regular meals at appropriate times, and talked to Peeta and Lizzie. It was very nice to be back.

Speaking of Lizzie, she was starting to look a lot like me. Her hair was growing thick and curly on top of her head,.and her eyes were a light silvery blue that is the most beautiful color I've ever seen.

Peeta has done his great job of being a natural born perfect person and plays with Lizzie all the time. I just watch him, reminding myself of how lucky I am to have him, and one day Lizzie will realize how lucky she is to have a great dad.

Then, I get worried that she'll not think of me as a great mother, and I'll rush over to play with the two of them.

And the times when we are all just sitting there, playing together, is when I feel the best. When I realize that everything is good, and we'll be okay. That life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. And it's those times that I thank God for such a screwed up but wonderful life.