Piece By Piece {Completed}

Chapter 7: Birthday

It doesn't feel like my birthday today and it definitely doesn't feel like I'm twenty, the only thing that I know it's my birthday is my favourite breakfast that Peeta makes, circular, soft flat cakes with berries on top and cream. The sweetness makes my mouth water, the berries give it a little tingle feeling and the cream mixed well with the entire meal, I don't know how he does it, making all of these delicious foods that I've never had the chance on trying. While I'm eating the breakfast, Peeta slides a small wrapped cubed across the table, I give him a raised eyebrow and he talks before I do

"It's just a gift. I wanted to get you something. Can you just open it?" He asks with a smile, I let out a sigh before opening it, a gold necklace chain with a locket, I open it and I smile but I don't notice the tears until Peeta is by my side

"Peeta... I..." I quickly wipe away my tears and look into his concerned eyes but I smile at him and look down at the pictures of my father and Prim

"How did you do this without me knowing?" I ask

"I had a little help, from Effie" he grins, I pull him into a kiss just so he knows how much I really appreciate the gift and I clip it on around my neck

"I feel bad that I didn't get you a gift for your birthday last year" I frown

"I didn't want you to. You however, deserve this" he replies with a charming smile

"What made you think of it?" I ask

"Well, you can't carry the plant book with them in it. I wanted you to have them where ever you go and this way, they're always close" he answers, is it healthy to be too healthy? Or too in love? Because if it's not then I'm a goner, just like Peeta said he was

"You're so thoughtful, Peeta. This is the best gift anyone has ever gotten me on my birthday" I reply, touching the locket and bringing it to my lips, I will never let this out of my sight, I'll wear it every day, that's how much it means to me, how much Peeta means to me

"It makes me happy that you like it" he smiles but I shake my head

"I don't like it. I love it" I reply and he chuckles, we share a sweet kiss, actually a few kisses, okay kissing and other things which makes the start to my birthday that much better.

Peeta and I sit in the meadow, a picnic lunch, is what I decided on but just Peeta and I Because right now, that's how I want to celebrate it. Hazelle and the kids, and Haymitch are joining us for dinner, I want my spare time sitting in the spring air with Peeta and just enjoying each other's company, enjoying being together in the way that we are.

"I actually heard from my mother yesterday" I tell Peeta as we sit, watching the breeze blow the grass and trees

"Really?" Peeta replies and I nod

"She apologised for leaving me. She told me that it was just too hard for her to stay where memories of Prim and dad are. She said it hurts her" I sigh

"Is that really a good excuse?" I ask, seeking Peetas opinion, his opinion is the only one that matters

"You're allowed to be upset with your mother, she shouldn't have left you like that, when you were in such a vulnerable state. Although, she did lose a husband and child, there's only so much a person can take and I think your mom being alive still after losing what she has makes her brave and strong, like you. It would be good to forgive her, you don't have to forget what she done but, being in this new world, there's been too much hate, too much resentment" he answers truthfully

"Do you forgive your mother?" I ask

"No matter amount of abuse can cause me to stop loving my mother. I'll never forget what she had done to my brothers and I but I forgive her and I still love her" he replies, I smile and kiss his cheek, this is why he'd be a great father but I still can't convince myself that he'd be happy having a child with me