Our Life After

Again?

*Peeta's POV*

For the next three or four days that Lizzie goes to school, Katniss and I continue to make love while she's away. Some days we go all the way, some days we don't. I let Katniss tell me when to stop, because, I don't ever want her to be uncomfortable or unhappy, and I also, I have a tendency to get wrapped up in all her beauty and perfection and never want to leave.

One morning, Katniss and I are in the kitchen making breakfast for Lizzie, and the three of us are having pleasant conversation when Katniss throws up all over the stove.

She doesn't look like she can move, so I pick her up and move her to the sink (getting a good bit of puke on me) and hold her hair back until she's done.

Lizzie looks like she might start crying at any moment, so I clip Katniss's hair and comfort Lizzie, telling her it's okay.

"Is mommy gonna die?" She asks, tears on her face.

I wipe them off and say,

"Of course not sweetheart, she'll be okay. She probably caught a stomach bug."

And to illustrate the point, I tickle her belly and she giggles.

"I'm going to put mommy in bed," I tell her, "And then I'll help you get dressed for school. How about that?"

She nods her head and I go, scoop up Katniss, help her get in some clean clothes. I lay her in bed, and tell her to rest.

"No, Peeta, it's okay. I can walk with you guys to school. I'm fine."

"No." I tell her firmly, "You're going to stay right here and get better."

She reluctantly lays back and closes her eyes.

I run down to help Lizzie get ready for school, take her to school, and come home. The whole while, I wonder if, maybe, just maybe, Katniss is pregnant again. I mean, we've been at it like wild teenagers for a couple days now. But I push the thought aside and read until it's time to go get Lizzie.

Katniss comes down a few times, saying she's fine, and she'd like to eat. After a while I give in and make her some toast with butter on it. She makes a sad face and eats her toast while I go get Lizzie.

We repeat the same steps everyday, but I make Katniss stay upstairs until she's done puking so Lizzie isn't scared. I am worried Katniss is sick, but she's only sick in the morning....

After a week of puking, I can't stand it anymore, so I ask Katniss

"Do you think you're pregnant? Again?"

She looks at me with a worried expression that is answer enough. I know she thinks it's true.

"Should we go see a doctor?"

"Uh huh. I guess we might as well."

We get an appointment while Lizzie is at school, and we go see someone named Dr. Maria, who is really nice, and says she'll help us through the whole thing. Seems like everyone thinks we're expecting again.

Katniss goes into the bathroom and takes the test, and walks out a little shaky. I rush up to her, and hold her hands. She looks at me, and says, "Peeta, I just, we're having another baby."

I look at her in disbelief. This can't be true. I'm worried for her.

"Are you ready?" I ask her.

"As I'll ever be." She says with an adorable half smile, and leans up to kiss me. I love her so much. Another baby.

Then I think, how will Lizzie respond?