The Mockingjay Lives On

Chapter 11

Katniss POV

"Hey little guy, did you have a nice nap?" I ask Hunter, giving him kisses. I get repaid with a stinky diaper. Ugh. I can handle it though. I make my way to the kid room as we call it and set him down while I grab a clean cloth and wipes. As I am changing him, I happen to notice movement out of the corner of my eye, and I catch Peeta watching me, with a biggest grin on his face. I pretend I do not see him and continue focusing on Hunter. 

When I finish, Peeta is gone. He must have went back downstairs to tend to supper. I scoop Hunter up and head downstairs and find Peeta right where I left him, in the kitchen. "Want help?" I ask while cuddling Hunter. "Uh, no. You just stay with Hunter." he says chuckling. I smile and look at Hunter, "Auntie Katniss is a horrible cook. If I cook, your mommy and daddy will end up sick kiddo." I laugh and he just looks at me like I'm crazy. I feel like I am. I'm talking to a baby who can't talk back to me. 

I hear a knock on the door and it slowly opens. 

"Peeta? Katniss?" I hear. It's Charlie. "In the kitchen!" I say back. I see Charlie round the corner and she squeals. "HUNTER!!" as she quickly walks up and scoops him out of my arms. "Hey guys!" Peeta says to them. "Supper will be ready in about twenty minutes." he tells them. "Oh you didn't have to cook, you know." Gale tells us. I look at Peeta, "yes we did." we say in unison. "So how was your time with Hunter?" Charlie asks. "It was wonderful, he's such a good little guy." Peeta says and I nod in agreement. Oh! I should show them the picture.

"I'll be right back, don't go anywhere!" I say and run up the stairs. I grab the picture from the corner, we haven't hung it up yet. As I'm heading back downstairs, I remember that I need to tell them that Peeta did not have a flashback. They see it, and they'd probably jump to the same conclusion I did. 

I walk into the kitchen with the painting facing me. "So, before I show this to you, I am going to say that no, Peeta did not have a flashback, so just enjoy what I'm going to show you." I tell them. Gale and Charlie nod, and Peeta has a huge grin on his face. I take a deep breath and turn it around. 

"Wow, that... that's... so beautiful Peeta," Charlie says with tears in her eyes. "Charlie's right," Gale says. "It is beautiful, Peeta." Peeta smiles, "Yeah, I left the two of them on their own for a few minutes while I went to shower, and when I returned, that is how I found them. I couldn't resist not painting it." he says proudly. 

Peeta POV

I'm proud of that picture. I think Kat really loves it too. "Okay supper is ready." I say as I start spooing soup into bowls. 

There's an animated conversations during supper. Gale telling us some of what they did while they were gone and Charlie correcting him while tending to Hunter. This is what a family is. I had my older brothers but we were really close, my mother, well I don't think she cared too much about me. I mean who beats their kid for accidentally burning stuff, even though I did it on purpose, but she didn't know. My father, he was a good man. A really good man. He always had a soft spot for Katniss and Prim, and I think that had to do with Mrs. Everdeen. This is how I want my family to be. Talking, spending time with each other and having fun. 

After Gale, Charlie and Hunter leave, I grab Katniss and wrap my arms around her. 

"Thank you," I say. "For what?" she looks at me confused. "For everything, Kat. For marrying me, loving me, being there for me and bringing me back when I get so messed up." I say, tears forming in my eyes. "Oh Peeta," she says, her lower lip trembling. "We're all a little messed up. But you and I? We are strong, and we will get through whatever life brings us. I love you." she says tears falling down her face. 

For the second time today, we find ourselves wrapped up in each other. 

~2 months later~

I feel the bed move rather abruptly. As I open my eyes, I see Katniss running to the bathroom. I hear her making gagging noises. That's not good. She must be getting sick. It's summertime for pete's sake. 

I walk into the bathroom. "Are you okay?" I ask her. "UGH! NO! Does it look like I'm okay?" she snaps at me. I back up. "Well, no. But I need to know what your symptoms are so I can go to your mother and get the right medicines for you," I say reaching down rubbing her back. "Oh. No. I don't feel hot, I just have an upset stomach." she says quietly. Okay. I can deal with that. 

"Just go back to bed honey. I'm going to your mother's to get you something for your stomach. I love you." I tell her. "Okay, I love you more, and Peeta?" she says stopping me in my tracks. "Yeah?" "I'm sorry I snapped at you." she says. I smile, "It's okay," I say helping her back into our bed. I kiss her forehead. "I'll be right back." 

Katniss POV

Ugh!

I feel horrible. My stomach feels like it wants to exit my body. I don't feel hot. I don't necessarily feel sick. I just don't get it. I feel horrible for snapping at Peeta. He didn't deserve it. I just hope he comes back soon. I know he just went next door to mother, but I would feel better if he was here.

Speaking of Peeta, I think he's back. I hear the door shut and footsteps coming up. "Katniss?" That's my mother. "Yeah, in the bedroom." I call out. Both her and Peeta appear in the doorway. Peeta walks over and climbs back into bed, looking a tad bit pale. My mother looks at me. "How often have you been throwing up?" she asks. I shake my head, "today's the first time." She reaches up towards my head. "Hmm, not hot, just a bit clammy," she says. I'm not paying much attention to her. I'm worried about Peeta. He looks like he's just seen a ghost. It's bothering me. "I'll be right back, I'm going to get you some tea." she says walking out of the bedroom.

I turn to Peeta, "whats the matter?" I ask him. He looks down at his hands. "Just wait for your mother to return." he says. Why? Moments later, mother returns with tea for all three of us. 

Before I grab the tea from her, I look at her. "Mother, what's wrong with me? Do I have the flu? Why am I sick and why is Peeta pale?" She smirks. "Honey, when was your last cycle?" she asks me. Cycle? What is she talking... OH MY GOD! "Oh my God" I whisper. "I don't know." My fists are starting to clench together and I feel Peeta grab them slowly rubbing them to relax me. Think Katniss, think. Then it hits me. "It was a couple of weeks before Gale and Charlie went to Two, we had Hunter." I say. She smiles, "well honey, I think you're pregnant." What?! Pregnant?! We aren't ready, I know we talked about it, but I honestly wasn't expecting it so soon. I look at Peeta, and his paleness has gone away and he's smiling like a fool. 

"I'm going to be a father?" he asks my mother. "Katniss is going to be a mother, and I'm going to be a grandmother," she finishes for him with tears forming in her eyes. I look at Peeta, then to her. "Are you sure?" I ask her. "I'm ninety-five percent sure honey. We just have to go to the hospital for a test, and then we will know for sure." she tells us. "I do not want this all over Panem, mother! I want my privacy. I don't want this to bring unnecessary attention to us! It will happen if we go to the hospital." I say.