She Has My Heart Forever

Chapter 4 I Can Only Save You So Many Times

Katniss POV

I open my eyes to feel the other side of the bed empty. I sit up and see Peeta's gone but the windows are still open. Peeta never forgets to close them. I climb out of bed and grab my robe, pulling it on and leaving the room. I don't smell any breakfast..and Rye is still sleeping. Whats going on? I walk down the stairs and into the kitchen to have the strong scent of alcohol fill my nose. I see Peeta passed out on the floor.

"Peeta!" I yell making him jump awake but his hand flies to his head.

"Wh...what?!" he asks.

"What the hell are you doing?!" I ask.

"I wa...I came..down....to..um.." he mumbles. I groan and walk over to him.

"God damn it Peeta. I told you never to drink again!" I say pulling him to his feet.

"I...I had too." he says.

"Says who? Huh?" I ask.

"Umm....it..its for ma..father." he says.

"Your father wouldn't want his son to be a worthless drunk!" I say carrying him to the living room. "God...you stink! I'll take you for a bath." but he hits my arm away.

"Leave...me..me be." he mumbles. 

"Peeta, knock it off." I say reaching for him again but he hits me harder.

"I said..leave me be!" he says louder.

"You wanna do this. Be my guest. I can only save you so many times Peeta." I say. "And if you don't want my help than fine." I turn for the steps.

"Katniss....please..wait." he says. I sigh and turn back to him. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" I ask.

"For this..for drinking again." he says.

"Why did you drink again?" I ask walking back over to him.

"I thought it was the only way out again." he says. "It makes the pain go away."

"Peeta, you have me and Rye. You have us to help you. You don't need to worry about that." I say stroking his cheek. "Lets get you washed and to bed."

"But..alright." he says. I get him up and to the bathroom. "I'm really sorry."

"Its alright, lets just get you washed." I say turning the water on. I pull his clothes off and wash the alcohol off of him before getting him out.

"Where's Rye?" he asks as I pull fresh clothes on him.

"Sleeping, like you will be soon too." I say taking his hand and leading him out of the bathroom, up the stairs and too our room. "Here we are." I say sitting him down. "Now get some rest."

"But...will you join me?" he asks. I said no so many years back..I can't say it again.

"Yes Peeta." I say making him smile. I crawl in next to him, letting him wrap his arms around me.

"Thank you Kitty." he mumbles.

"Its alright." I say as he slowly drifts off. Shortly after I hear a soft knock on the door.

"Mommy?" I turn and see Rye. 

"Hey buddy." I say as he walks over.

"I'm hungry." he says. I sigh and nod. 

"I'm coming." I say getting out from Peeta big arms and of bed. "Lets go."

"What about daddy?" he asks.

"Daddy is sick. I'll make you breakfast." I say. We leave the room and walk downstairs to the kitchen.

"What you want?" I ask as he sits down.

"Umm...can I have a cheese bun?" he asks.

"Oh..your father has taught me how to make those. Sure." I say getting the stuff out. After a few minutes I get everything mixed and everything is in the oven.

"Mom, what was it like when you and daddy were little?" he asks.

"Oh..your age?" I ask sitting down. He nods. "Well, your father was very....charming and sweet. Not like the other boys. Very nice. He was my best friend."

"Really? I thought all boys didn't like girls. I thought I was different." he says.

"Honey, your not different. You got that from your father." I say. 

"How did he get you?" he asks.

"Like..to a date or something?" I ask.

"How did he make you feel happy or make you blush?" he asks.

"Umm...oh I remember." I say. "It was after school."

~FLASHBACK~

"Mr. Mellark? Could I take Katniss out?" Peeta asks just as my dad was picking me up from school.

"Umm...where?" he asks.

"To the meadow. Like a....a date." he says.

"Peeta!" I say, my cheeks hit a deep red.

"Oh! Of course Peeta. Take good care of my little girl." dad says.

"Dad! What?" I say looking around.

"Its okay, you have fun with Peeta. I'll pick you up at 5." he says getting in the car. I turn back to a smiling Peeta.

"Really?" I ask.

"What? Come on." he says taking my hand. We walk away from school and to the meadow on the edge of town. We stop at the Willow tree and sit down. "Katniss...your my best friend."

"Yes and your mine. Can I ask you something?" I ask.

"Umm..sure." he says.

"Why are you so sweet? Like all the other boys say girls are icky or girls are silly and dumb. Why aren't you like that?" I ask.

"Because you. Your so sweet. Your my best friend and a girl. Not all boys are like that." he says.

"I know that." I say. "But what is it?"

"I drew this for you." he says reaching in his pocket and pulling out a folded piece of paper, handing it to me. I open it, seeing a beautiful forest, with all kinds of green and a little sunset in the background.

"Wow...Peeta is amazing." I say. "Thank you." I pull him in for a hug.

"Its for you because your so pretty." he says making me smile.

"Thank you so much Peeta." I say.

"I...like you Katniss." he says.

"What?" I ask.

"I love you." he says.

"I...I love you too Peety." I say. He smiles and from them on I thought we would be together forever...but thats it. I thought.

~FLASHBACK END~

"Thats how I knew I loved your father." I say making him smile.

"I can draw! I'll draw for Abby!" he says hopping down.

"What about the cheese buns?" I ask.

"I'll get one later." he says rushing out. I smile and look down. I'm glad that after all that happened I have my Peeta and I'm never letting go.

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Soooooo??? Good? Cute? Happy? Sweet? I hope so.

Nikki :)