Our Life After

Failed Attempts

*Katniss's POV*

Lizzie asked to go shopping with me, and I was just delighted.  I enjoy having just mother daughter time, and Peeta sometimes takes Christian out fishing or something for just them boys to do.

So it's Saturday, and as usual, I like to go in the mornings.  It's just my thing.

So I'm in the bathroom, doing my hair in the mirror when my gorgeous husband comes up behind me and hugs my waist.

I giggled and put my curling iron down and turned around to face him.  He picked me up and set me on the counter.

“Peeta, I have to----"

“Shhhhhh" he says and kisses me lightly, then more firm.  I kiss him back, and start slipping my fingers under the hem of his pants before realizing we can't do this right now.

I put my hands on his chest and gave him one last kiss before pushing away.

“Seriously though.  I'd love to do this, but not right now.  To be continued?"  I say with a wink.

“Anything for you, love."

And with that I turn to finish my hair and brush my teeth.  I pull on some light wash skinny jeans and a pale yellow v-neck t-shirt.   I hop down the stairs to find Lizzie sitting at the kitchen bar in a red, blue, and brown flowered skirt with a tan v-neck.

“Ready to go?"  I ask her.

“Yes!  Let's go!" She hops down from the counter and follows me out the door.

“Don't spend all our money!" Peeta yells jokingly from the kitchen.

“I don't make promises!" I yelled back.

As we walked towards the store, we smiled and laughed and had light conversation.  I am still worried Lizzie is angry with me over the split with the Hawthorne family.  She said she forgave me, but I'm just worried.  I'll do anything to make it up to her.

We walked into Rayne's Fashions and the manager greeted us when we came in.

Walking towards the dress section, I see Catherine and Johanna walk in behind us.

You have got to be kidding, I thought to myself.  I just made sure Lizzie didn't see them.  This is a pretty big store, if I'm careful, we won't run into them.

*Lizzie's POV*

My Mom tried to block my view, but I saw Johanna and Catherine walk in behind us.

I secretly watch them walk over to shoes, then focus on dresses.  I know I'm supposed to be on a mission, but I got very distracted.  Shopping is fun, and I really like it.

So it wasn't until I heard a “psst" and I turned to see Catherine nodding her head towards the dressing rooms that I remembered was supposed to be here for a reason.

“Hey Mom!  I'm going to go try these on." I said.

“Hold on a second, I'll be right there."  She replied.  “I want to see those on you."

I looked back to Catherine, but she was talking to Johanna and walking away, assuming I was following.

A few minutes later, Mom was done and we heard to the dressing rooms together, trying on clothes and commenting how they looked.

I tried to steer Mom into Johanna multiple times, just so they would make eye contact, but it never happened.  Mom must've seen them too, and would tell me to stop in a different department quickly first.

We never got them to see each other, and at the end of the day, this was a failed mission.  But I had fun with my Mom which is more important than a mission, until I realized if I failed too many times, my best friend would be leaving.

We finished and went home with a couple bags each.  I ended up buying a new swimming suit for the summer when we go swimming, a front zip up black dress, a pink strapless knee length tea dress, a few pairs of jeans and a floral button up shirt.

I had a lot of fun, and as usual, Daddy made me try every thing on for him so he could approve of modesty.  Although I've dressed modestly since I've been born, so this hasn't ever been a problem.

The next morning I went out to get the newspaper, and a note was on our porch under the doormat.

I picked it up and it read For Lizzie.

I opened it to see what it said, and in big letters there were words that I didn't want to see.

MISSION FAILED.  MOVE IS SCHEDULED FOR 1 WEEK FROM TODAY.