Ablaze (after the Mockingjay) ON HOLD

CHAPTER 3:

As soon as I get to the bathroom I crouch by the sinks and the door. I start to to think about Finnick. His kindness, fearlessness, spunk, courage, and humor. The tears I was holding in my eyes begin to spill. I think about Annie and how her husband is gone. I think about how much they loved each other. I wonder how hard it would be to lose Peeta forever. I burst into uncontrollable sobs.

After I balled for about a minute, someone knocks on the door. I hear Peeta's muffled voice say "Katniss, please I know you're in there!" He found me.

I stop crying and sniffle. Crying is the last thing I want him to see me do. "Give me a second, I say. I look in the mirror and wipe the mascara that is running down my face. I open the door and keep my head down so he won't see my red, puffy eyes. This doesn't work because Peeta knows me better than anyone. He puts his arms around me the moment I step out of the bathroom. He let's go and wipes the tears off my face with his thumbs. "Oh, Peeta." I say. The same strong, yet gentle arms that helped me through the nightmares on the train embrace me once more.

He lays my head on his chest. He says nothing and just let's me cry. I really like how Peeta always knows what to say but, he also knows when it is the right time to say nothing. He strokes my hair until I've cried all my tears and asks, "Is this all about Gale?"

I reply, "No. Just, Trent and Annie reminded me so much of," I can't say it. "So much of,"

"So much of Finnick."

"Mhm." my voice is too shaky to say anything.

"Katniss, yes, Finnick didn't deserve to die but we can't blame ourselves for what already happened. The past is in the past. Let it go. Now is now. We're at a party and the kids are occupied. Come on, let's dance! Okay?"

"Okay." He pulls my chin upwards. His lips meet mine and we stay like that for a few seconds until, his lips release. I smile and say, "I love you Peeta."

"Real or not real?" He asks.

Almost instantly I say, "Real!" Peeta knows the answer so, I don't know why he asks. We walk back to the crowded dance floor. We dance some songs. After a few I bump into someone. I'm absolutely mortified! "Sorry," I say lamely and put my head down in hope she won't recognize who I am.

"Oh, you're fine honey," a voice with a Capitol accent says. I look up to see a a lady with pink hair and a dress with cherry blossoms. She is slow-dancing with Haymitch. "Katniss, could it be?"

"Effie Trinket?" I ask, completely baffled of the idea that Effie and Haymitch are dancing.

"Well," she shouts over the speakers, "it's about to be Effie Abernathy! Haymitch just proposed!" Effie holds up her left hand and shows me a ring with a huge diamond. She looks over the moon excited. I have never seen Haymitch happier. He genuinely smile. A task I didn't think he was capable of. Me, on the other hand, I feel like I'm going to faint. The news completely caught me off guard. I'm so happy for them!

"Ask Peeta and Katniss about their kids." Haymitch tells Effie.

Effie squeals. "What Mellark babies? They must be the cutest things ever!"

"Believe me they are," Peeta boasts, "let's go somewhere quieter to talk." He walks back to our table. Haymitch, Effie, and I follow. Effie and Haymitch don't let go of each other's hands on the walk back to the table. Haymitch pulls out her chair. When Effie sits he immediately puts his arm around as they walk back to the table. I think they make a cute couple. A weird, interesting one but, a cute one.

I wave to the kids. They walk over next to me. Rye scrunches up his face when he sees Effie. Fortunately, Effie is too focused on Haymitch. Josie goes right up to Haymitch and gives him a hug. Haymitch is Josie's godfather and they've always had this special bond I admire.

"This is Josie," I say and point to her. She is 11 years old. And this is Rye. He is 3. This is Ms. Trinket kids. She is going to marry Uncle Haymitch!"

"Oh my word, they are adorable!" Effie screams. "Nice to meet you children. You two look so much like your parents!"

Josie says, "Nice to meet you Ms. Trinket."

"Oh please! Call me Effie.'' Then the music stops. Everyone walks back to their table. Johanna, Ashton, Annie, and Trent join us. They looked confused and shocked when they see Haymitch's arm around Effie. I see Johanna notice the ring. She lifts up her own hand and points to her own ring. She gives me a questioning look. I smile and nod. Her mouth drops open. I laugh.

Someone gives Gale a microphone. He gives a speech. It is a lot like the one before but, it's longer. I am too tired too listen. I look over at Trent. He pours himself a cup of tea. He grabs a bowl of sugar cubes I just noticed was there. Instead of putting one in his tea, Trent starts to put one in his mouth. He stops when he notices I'm staring. "Oh, sorry. Do you want a sugar cube?" I smile. He looks so much like his father right now, it's heartbreaking.

"No thank you Trent." I whisper back. I look away before I can cry.

I direct my attention to Gale. He talks about how the Districts need a say in the goverment. Therefore, each District will have two representitves.The try-outs will be on Friday. Gale makes eye contact with me, smiles, and says, "Anyone, if they think they can do it, can try out. Hope to see you there." Then he winks at me. What does that mean? Does Gale want me to try-out? Anyone in their right mind wouldn't want me serving a position in the goverment.

After Gale is done and the crowd stops applauding, he starts walking around the tables to greet everyone. He's two tables away from us and I really don't want to talk to him so, I tell Peeta it's time to leave. He agrees. I try to get the kids ready which is a real hassle. It's too late because in the corner of my eye I see a man with dark hair talking to Peeta.

I try to hide my face in Rye's coat I'm buttoning. I feel a tap on my shoulder and I know whoit is. "Hello Gal- I mean President Hawthorne," I look up at him, " As you can see, we were just leaving. So um-"

He cuts me off and pulls me into a warm embrace. The hug at first is nice but, it gets awkward so, I pull away. "I've missed you." he whispers.

"Me too." I say. Wait where did that come from? I don't understand myself sometimes. Gale notices the kids and crouches down so, he can look them in the eye.

Gale says, "You two must be Rye and Josie," They nod and smile. "I am, uh, your mother's cousin."

Rye seems confused when he says, "I thought you were, um, um the pre-si-den-t." He struggles with that last word.

"He's both silly," Josie says rolling her eyes at him, "Nice to meet you President."

"The pleasure is all mine. Do you know you look just like your Momma?" he replies. She blushes. Everyone says that about us. Probably because of our same dark hair and olive skin. But, she does have her Dad's gorgeous blue eyes. Rye is a spitting image of Peeta. The only difference between them, other than size, are Ryan's eyes. He has the same gray, Seam eyes I have.

Gale reminds us of try-outs and moves on to the next table. Peeta and I say our goodbyes to Trent, Johanna, Ashton, and John. I tell Haymitch and Effie congratulations on their engagment again and walk to the train station.