Being In Love With You - Sequel of After The Always

Chapter 25

Katniss' POV

Peeta's mouth just hangs in shock and confusion. He tries to catch his breath, tears starting to spill down my face.

Peeta suddenly looks pale and I go to his aid before he could faint.

I slowly lower him into the kitchen table seat beside him. He plops down and continues a stare, on the table edge.

I see his chest heavily rising and falling, must have been a bad one.

I stroke his blonde curls as an attempt to calm him.

"Sweetie?" I ask but Peeta remains unresponsive.

I sigh and kiss his cheek.

"Willow?" I shout as I walk to the kitchen door frame.

"Yes Mummy?" Willow responds.

"Can you come downstairs and bring me the home phone please?" I ask back.

"Okay!" I hear her say and then footsteps make noises.

I walk back to Peeta and sit in a seat beside him. I take his fingers in mine and wait for Willow.

Feet come down the stairs and a minute later, Willow enters.

"Here Mummy." She tells me and I grab the phone from her grasp using my hand not holding

Peeta's.

"Thank you Will." I thank and Willow goes and hugs Peeta's arm.

I sadly smile and dial Adriana's number. It has rung for a short time before Adriana answers.

"Hello?" Adriana asks.

"Adriana, it's Katniss." I start and look back at Peeta and Willow.

"Hello Katniss! Everything alright?" Adriana answers.

"Not particularly. I keep asking you and I feel it's wrong but, can Willow be with you for a while?"

"No, it's not a problem! I'll look after her. Are you and Peeta okay?" Adriana asks slightly concerned.

I pause to make sure my wording is right, since Willow doesn't know the reason behind the flashbacks.

"Peeta just had one of his moments and is unresponsive right now." I answer eventually.

"Oh, I really do hope he's okay." Adriana continues and I frown. "I'll be there in a minute."

"Okay." I murmur and the line goes dead. I place the phone on the table and tears spill. My poor Peeta.

Adriana soon knocks on the front door and Willow goes to answer it.

That's when the sobs start. I squeeze Peeta's hand and then rest my head on my arm that lays on the table.

"Katniss." a woman says and I look up to see Adriana kneeling beside me. My cries become louder and I hug her with one arm.

Shaking begins, like it always does. Adriana strokes my back but it doesn't help like Peeta's strokes do.

I don't know how long it takes but I feel my hand being squeezed. Peeta!

My head shoots up and I look at him, looking at me.

Peeta frowns and my cries continue. Adriana's arms leave me and are replaced by Peeta's.

I place my face in my hand and lean on Peeta's shoulder. Letting my hormones make my cries continue.

Happy Birthday to the one and only Joshua Ryan Hutcherson!

You Josh are such an amazing actor! I love you so much, you don't even know!

You are a true role model and inspiration of mine!

Playing Peeta Mellark the way you do makes me love you more! Couldn't have asked for a better Peeta.

You will always be one of my role models because of the way you fight for your dreams and believe you can achieve things.

You are so caring and at the same time have an awesome sense of humour.

So happy birthday and thank you so much for being you!