Finding the Missing Piece: Book 2

Chapter Twenty-Five

Katniss POV- (The next morning)

I wake up to the smell of something I haven't had in forever it seems.

Cheese buns.

I jump out of bed and quickly change into different clothes.

I open up the door and rush down the stairs to find everyone out of the house but Peeta.

I walk into the kitchen and quietly tiptoe up behind him, unknowing, he takes a step back and bumps into me.

I startle him and he jumps turning himself about quickly.

"Oh my goodness, Katniss. You scared me." He gasps.

I laugh, "I'm sorry but that was the goal, though." I admit.

He smiles a little, "Did you sleep well?"

I nod my head and smile, "You?" I ask him.

"Yeah. Hey, I made you some cheese buns." Peeta says, gesturing the mess on the counter.

My eyes light up and I remember why I came down. "Where are they?" I ask excitedly.

Peeta chukles, "Here, you go sit down and I'll bring you some."

I do as I am told and Peeta comes over with a large platter a few minutes later.

He sets them down in front of me and takes a seat next to me, "Thank you." I say as I engulf my mouth with the warm, moist, cheesy bread.

"Slow down." Peeta says, shaking his head, taking a bun from the pile.

"Sorry, I just haven't had them in forever." I say, slowing down and actually beginning to chew them.

Peeta exhales, "I know. But now you can have them everyday if you want." He says, nudging my elbow softly.

I smile at him and he returns it.

"Peeta?" I ask softly.

He looks over at me and with a mouth full of bread says, "Huh?"

"Slow down." I giggle and wipe some cheese off the side of his mouth with my thumb.

"Sorry." He laughs.

"Can we go visit my mom today?" I ask him, still unsure if that's what I want.

"Uh, yeah. You want me to go with you?" He asks.

I nod my head, "Yes, please. I just want us to just try and be okay with her again. I'm tired of ignoring her or being upset." I decide.

Peeta gives me a guilty look, "I know, me too. I want you to at least be able to say you're on good terms with her. I doubt she will forgive me."

"She will. We are going to fix things with her today." I assure him.

About an hour later, we finally head to my old house, a few minutes away from Peeta's.

"Katniss, if you don't mind can I do most of the talking at first?" Peeta asks.

I think about it for a second, "Yeah." I say looking out the window, enjoying the 'view.'

Peeta pulls down my street and into the driveway.

We get out of the car and immediately link together.

We find the door and knock.

About thirty seconds later, my mom comes to the door, "So, I see you found her, Peeta." My mother greets us a little sarcastically.

I sigh, that tone was not a good sign.

Peeta just stands there stiffly.

"What are you two doing here?" She asks.

"We moved back. We decided we didn't like it there and we missed you too much." I say untruthfully, throwing a little sarcasm back in her direction.

Well, I'll admit there is some truth to that but not all.

I really didn't miss my mother as much as I should but I do miss home and I'm starting to miss my old friends.

"Mrs. Everdeen, can we talk?" Peeta asks.

"Sure." My mom says, expressionless and invites us in.

The house is packed to the brim with boxes.

"Why are there boxes everywhere?" I ask her, looking around.

"I'm moving away." My mom informs me, nonchalantly.

My heart drops. "Where?" I ask her shakily.

"I got a new job in District One and I leave tomorrow actually." She says.

I tense up and Peeta notices.

My childhood is packed up into boxes and my mother is leaving, right when I move back.

"Mrs. Everdeen, I just wanted to tell you that I am truly sorry for the way I acted towards you when we left. I-" Peeta is cut off by my mom.

"Peeta, don't worry about it. It's in the past." My mother says.

He nods.

"Katniss, I'm sorry I am leaving but the memories are just too bad here alone." She tells me.

I know what she means, that's part of why I couldn't wait to get out.

"I'm empty, Katniss. I have no one. Prim is dead. Your father is dead. You have Peeta. No one here in Twelve needs me anymore." My mother says and that's when I let go of Peeta and walk into her arms.

I don't care what she did or didn't do.

I forgive her for it but I just want to comfort her because the past two years have been a little better with her.

We begin to cry.

"Mom, I need you. I know you don't think I do but I really do. I know I have Peeta but every girl needs her mom too." I admit to her.

I honestly didn't know I felt this way until now.

My mother dries up her tears, "I'll come back and see you both. I promise but I just can't be here anymore. I need a new start just as you both did."

Peeta is just standing there in disbelief, watching the two emotional woman in front of him crying.

"Katniss, I wouldn't be leaving you if it wasn't for Peeta." She says.

I feel anger towards her once more.

"What?" I ask her defensively.

Peeta gives me a confused expression and I return it.

"The only reason I am leaving you here is because I know that Peeta will take care of you. If he wasn't here I would probably stay with you, help you cope. Or be here in case you ever needed to come back home but he can help you, Kat. He has helped you so much more than I ever could." My mother says sweetly.

I exhale deeply and close my eyes.

I see her.

Prim's bright blue eyes and blonde hair and rosy cheeks and her smile.

I miss Prim so much.

I open my eyes to find someone who resembles Prim so deeply, our mother.

"Katniss, I can barely help myself and you helped yourself and Prim. Peeta's helped you. You both helped me. I need to learn how to help myself."

I frown, "Will you at least come to our wedding?" I ask softly, letting her go.

My mom stands face to face with me now.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." She says believably.

A smile forms my lips and I glance at Peeta who is smiling too.