Author's Note: Hey guys! Are you all as excited for this story as I am? I'm honestly so excited right now I can hardly stand it. I can't believe I am continuing Roads. I went back and forth on this for a while, thinking about whether or not I should continue it. And I finally decided that I should, and I'm so glad I decided to.

For those of you who are here because of Roads, welcome back! And to those of you who are new, hello, and welcome! Now, if you haven't read Roads yet, I don't suppose it would be that big of a deal if you skipped straight to this, but if you like to have information, and more of a back story, I suggest you go back and read Roads.

Also, a little info on ages and such: I time hopped a bit since Roads. This story start out 4 years after Roads. Which would mean that Katniss and Peeta are both 29. Avery is 11, and Maria is 5.

Anyways, thank you all for reading, and sticking with me as always. Don't forget to let me know what you think, after reading this of course, by leaving a review. They really help me keep it up. Enjoy.

All mistakes are mine.

Crossroads— Chapter 1

It's just around sunset, the sky melding a muted orange into cerulean. And as the midsummer breeze flows through and blows my hair behind my shoulder, cold chills travel down my spine. The ambience is considerably calming, with the various sounds of nature coming to a close for the night. Crickets are just beginning to chirp in this muggy June night as we make our final rounds of unloading the U-Haul.

"Katniss! Put that box down, right now!" I whip around, the box full of kitchen supplies bumping the inside of the door frame, causing me to stumble a few steps inside. Peeta sets down the box he was carrying and rushes over to me, taking the box from my hands. I cross my arms over my chest defiantly.

"It's fine, Peeta. I'm fine. I can carry a box— it doesn't even weigh that much," I huff, but Peeta isn't having any of it. If his stern stare and slight irritation is any indication, he's upset by my defiance.

"You know I don't want you carrying anything. I asked you—"

"I know! But this is going to be our house, and I want to help."

"I think you're helping enough," he whispers, kissing the tip of my nose before allowing his hand to rest on the barely visible bump. "Besides, I don't want you doing anything more than simply grace me with your presence."

I roll my eyes and scoff. "I'm not helpless, Peeta. I'm pregnant."

"I know, but still— I love you. And if I have anything to do with it, you're not lifting a finger."

"But—"

"No buts— not a finger." He lifts his finger up for emphasis before ghosting his lips across my own. I feel his hand wrap around my waist in order to pull me closer, and just as I lean into his touch, he gives a firm slap to my ass. Our lips break apart before I shove him away, scowling.

"That's foul play, Mellark."

"Oh whatever—"

"Mommy!"

Peeta and I both whip around just in time to watch Maria bounding up the front steps before slamming into me. Her raven curls tangle around her face on impact as she bounces off of me, taking a few steps back before hitting her back against Peeta's front.

"Woah there, little woman." Peeta laughs, grabbing Maria's shoulders. She bobbles on her feet to catch her balance before holding a small box out to me.

"Here mommy, Avery found this and told me it's for you." As if on cue, Avery appears behind us in the front yard, walking around the big Oak tree and rounding his way to the porch.

Peeta reaches for the box in Maria's hand and and I watch as his eyes widen slightly. "Actually, Maria, we can't give this to your mommy just yet," he whispers, kneeling down to meet her eye line. "We have to wait for…" he trails off, tapping his finger against my little belly. Maria's lips curve up into a knowing smile, and I can't help but feel like they are keeping a little secret of their own.

Peeta stands, then, just as Avery makes it up the stairs.

"Hey, momma," he greets, waving a hand. He's breathing heavily, probably due to the fact that he's been helping Peeta move boxes all day. That eleven year old has way too much energy and strength.

"Ave's, why don't you take Maria up and show her her new bedroom, huh?" Maria beams happily, completely elated that she finally gets to have her own bedroom. "Would you like that? And then maybe later we can go look at paint."

"Okay papa!" Maria cheers, jumping in her spot. "I'll race you!" She turns quickly to Avery who, in a matter of seconds, darts into the house. Of course, just like his father, he itches for a challenge. Maria isn't too far behind, leaving Peeta and I to ourselves.

I try to bypass him and pick the box back up off the ground, but Peeta glares at me.

"Come on, don't do that," I say, pouting my bottom lip. "Please let me help. I've been pregnant before, I know what I'm allowed to do."

"But you know what Dr. Aurelius said… It's different with multiples." Peeta beams at me, shaking his head. "I still can't believe that."

"I know, it seems a little crazy, doesn't it?"

"Twins, Katniss. Twins."

Neither of us can contain the smiles that stretch our faces.

Peeta wraps an arm around my shoulder and leads me down the path that leads to the street. Once we reach the end, he turns us around, letting us observe in silence.

Our home, safely nestled in a new, quiet suburban neighborhood just outside of Seattle, illuminates light from the various facades.

The dark grey brick is a stark contrast in comparison to the large, white washed windows. A large Oak tree towers above the second story, just in front of what will be the master bedroom. The paved path in which Peeta and I are standing on now leads straight to the few steps up to the dark, wooden door which is accented with two, black sconce lights on both sides.

The landscaping is so beautifully intricate, with a winding pattern of mulch filled with bushes and flowers of all sorts and colors. The yard itself, with it's large capacity, is dotted with multiple assorted trees, all of which are in no way compared to our Oak tree.

I smile, leaning further into Peeta. His hand grips my hip, his thumb rubbing small circles on the side of my belly. And I know, in this moment, that nothing could be better than life itself.

Because this is our life now.

"This color?" Peeta asks, holding up a bright pink paint sample. Maria shakes her head vehemently.

"No… too bright. I don't want pink… maybe blue?"

"Blue sounds like a great idea," Peeta agrees, leading Maria over to the blue paint samples. "Do you see any that you like? There's…a darker blue— or this one, it's like a sky blue."

"Oh, Oh! I like that one!" she squeals, grabbing the sample out of Peeta's hand and handing it to me. "Mommy! Look at this, isn't it pretty?"

I take the sample from her hand, admiring the color her and Peeta have chosen together. "I love it, baby. It'll look great in your new room." Her smile beams up at me, her rare dimples on full display. She resembles her father so much in that aspect, Gale having to have given her those himself.

Maria clutches the sample to her chest, jumping up and down. "Peeta says he's gonna help me paint my room when we get home!"

The way she says home makes my heart skip a beat.

"Is that so?" My eyes flicker over to him, now helping Avery look at the samples. Avery looks disinterested, but is going along with it anyways. Ugh, pubescent boys.

"Yeah! And I asked when we were gonna paint the babies room but he says we have to wait and find out if they're boys or girls." She pouts, giving a frustrated groan. "When are we gonna find out, mommy? I gotta know! I just gotta!"

"Well, the babies aren't big enough to find out, yet. But as soon as they are, we're gonna go and look, okay? And you'll be the first to know." She smiles at that.

"Okay cool! Well I'm gonna go talk to Peeta now. Bye!" She scurries off to Peeta, and he picks her up, placing her on his hip. It's crazy to think about how close the two of them have become over the past four and half years. Maria has had Peeta wrapped around her finger ever since she called him "papa" for the first time a few years ago.

Avery walks towards me, now, a sullen, disinterested look on his face. "When are we going home?" he asks, leaning against one of the isle walls. "I'm bored."

"You don't want to look at paint colors for your room?" I ask. He huffs.

"Not really, I'm just gonna let dad decide. I don't really care." He's already inherited his fathers jaw clench that he does when he's done with a conversation. That boy just doesn't stop. He develops more and more of Peeta's mannerisms every day.

"Okay, if your sure. But you can always pick out a color or change your mind if you want."

"I'm fine."

"Peeta!" Maria screams, ducking her face into her elbow. "That's not fair! You can't do that!"

Peeta chuckles lightly, reaching out and smearing another line of blue paint across Maria's forehead. I watch in silence at the two, admiring their jovial behavior. I don't even feel jealous that she only wanted Peeta to help her paint. It makes my heart swell that she's willing to spend this much time with him.

I twist my wedding rings around my finger momentarily as I watch, trying to alleviate some of the pain from the swelling. I was never this swollen carrying Maria.

"Aha! Got you!" he yells back. But Maria is quick, like me, jumping up and smacking him on the arm, leaving a little five year old handprint on his skin. He retaliates, dropping his roller brush covered in paint onto the tarp covered floor, swooping down and throwing Maria over his shoulders, giving me a triumphant smile.

I roll my eyes. "Okay children, settle down. You're going to make a mess." But I can't help but laugh at the sight.

"Mom!" I stick my head out into the hallway when I hear Avery's voice coming from downstairs. "Somebody's at the door!"

"Coming!" Peeta and I exchange places for a moment as he gives me thumbs up, assuring me that he can handle Maria by himself for a while.

I quickly pad down the stairs and into the hallway, rounding the corner to the front door. I glance around the living room to find Avery plopped down onto the couch watching television.

"Avery, who's at the door?"

"I dunno," he responds, not even turning to face me. I huff, reaching foe the handle and slowly opening the door, revealing a woman and a little girl, maybe a little younger than Avery, standing in front of me.

"Hello," I answer, leaning slightly against the door. "Can I help you?"

The woman smiles, her blue eyes gleaming. "Oh, well my daughter and I just noticed you moved in a few days ago, and thought that maybe we could bring you a little house warming gift." It's then that I notice the place in her hands, and under the plastic wrap I can make out chocolate chip cookies. My stomach grumbles loudly, and I have to put my hand on my rounded stomach to silence it.

"Oh, and I guess congratulations are in order as well, I see." I smile back at her, shaking my head.

"Yeah, these kids are already a handful."

"Oh! So you're having twins…?" she asks, reaching down and running her fingers through her daughters hair. Her long, blonde and loosely curled hair. Her hazel eyes flicker up to mine before she looks away quickly with a shy smile.

"Yep, it's twins this time around."

"That's wonderful. Though, I don't know if I'd be able to handle twins. This one's enough." She laughs playfully, pulling her daughter into her side. "Do you have any other children?"

It seems strange divulging this kind of information to a stranger, but she seems trust worthy enough. I point behind me to the living room, and though he's not visible, I motion anyways.

"Yeah, uh, my son— Avery, he's eleven. He's starting sixth grade in the fall. And I have a five year old. Maria, she's upstairs right now."

"Did you say my name?" Avery asks, and I turn my head to watch him walk over to me. But he's not looking at me, but at the woman and girl standing in front of me.

"Yeah, but you're fine. I was just telling… what's your name?"

She smiles. "Carrie. Booker."

"Katniss—Mellark," I offer, turning to Avery. "I was just telling Carrie about you and Maria."

"Oh, okay." he shrugs, his eyes floating over to the girl beside her mother. "Who's she?"

"This is my daughter, Hayden. She's going to be starting fifth grade at John Muir this fall."

I raise my eyebrows. "What a coincidence. We bought a house in this district just so we could send Avery there."

"No kidding? I'm sending Hayden there because it's where I went at her age, and it's been said to be the best elementary school here in Seattle."

"That's what I heard as well. My husband and I actually researched for a while before we found John Muir."

"Did somebody say husband?" I feel him before I see him as I feel a strong hand wrap around my waist. My attention is turned as well to the stairs as I hear Maria squealing with excitement as she approaches all of us.

"Mommy! Me and Peeta finished painting my room! It's so pretty! You have to come see!" I reach down and run my hands through her dark hair before resting them on either side of her face, trying to calm her down.

"Maria, baby, calm down." I laugh. "I'll come look at your room soon, okay?" She nods. "I promise."

Peeta looks at me, and i can tell he's trying to fight off a grin. "Did you give her sugar?" I ask.

He presses his lips together before lifting his thumb and forefinger into a small measurement. "Maybe a little…"

I roll my eyes. "You sure you didn't dump the whole bag down her throat? She's bouncing off the walls."

"Sorry," he mouths, pressing a kiss to my temple.

"It's fine. I'll deal with you later." I whisper, turning back to the door. "So sorry. Sometimes he doesn't know when to say no."

Peeta chuckles beside me. "Guilty."

"I'm not sure I caught your name?" Carrie asks, holding her hand out for Peeta to shake.

"Peeta Mellark. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise," she says, giving us both a warm smile. "Anyways, we should probably go. It's getting about time for us to eat. It was nice meeting you all though."

"Same to you," I gesture, giving her hand another shake, as well as taking the cookie plate from her hands. "And Hayden is welcome to come over and swim anytime. I stay at home, so I'll always be here. Just send her over."

"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."

"Bye," I say, waving as the both of them walk away. I shut the door after that, slapping Peeta on the arm.

"Are you crazy? Give Maria sugar like that this close to dinner? Now she's never going to sleep." Peeta feigns innocence, batting his eyelashes rapidly at me.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, his face inching closer. "Will you ever be able to forgive me?"

"I'll think about it," I whisper, standing on my toes and pecking his lips. "Now go get dinner started while I go look at Maria's bedroom with her."

"Daddy!" Maria squeals as Gale pushes his way through the door. I lean against the wall, my arms folding atop my stomach. "Daddy daddy!" He shoots me a funny look as she runs into his arms. He easily lifts her off the ground, spinning her around a few times before settling her down onto his hip.

"Did mommy give you sugar today?" he asks, his eyes meeting mine.

"Nope, Peeta did!" she replies, giggling.

He rolls his eyes, shaking his head. "Well, at least it's not me putting you to bed tonight, it's alright." he winks at her, their smiles mirroring each others as they carry on their own little conversation. Movement catches my eye behind them, and I watch Madge stroll through the door next.

"Hey Madge," I wave, walking over to her. "Hows the married life?"

"It's uh, it's okay."

"I heard that," Gale exclaims, setting maria down beside me before wrapping an arm around Madge. "It's only okay?" He pouts his lip.

"It's more than okay," she smiles, but I watch it falter slightly. Gale looks to me, then, cocking his head towards the living room.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" he asks.

I raise my eyebrows. "Sure."

Maria appears from the kitchen, carrying one of the cookies we received earlier. "Do you want a cookie, Auntie Madge?" she asks.

Madge smiles widely, nodding her head. "Sure, thank you."

"Well follow me then. Peeta says we gotta keep 'em warm for desert so we gotta eat 'em now while they're warm."

"Maria Jane Hawthorne, don't you dare eat all of those cookies right now. You've had enough for tonight."

She narrows her eyes at me, pursing her lips. "But—"

"No buts. Go help Madge with one, alright? But don't you dare eat another."

"Don't worry, Katniss. I'll make sure she doesn't eat another,' Madge says, though she tries to discreetly wink at Maria. I sigh, waving them off.

"Come on, lets go talk," I say to Gale, leading him into the living room. He sits down next to me on the couch, his knee bouncing nervously. I open my mouth to speak, but he beats me to it.

"Madge is pregnant." I look to him, then.

"What?" I ask, making sure I heard right.

"Madge is pregnant."

I bite my lip and swallow hard, thinking carefully about what I want to say next. "Is…is this a good thing?" I ask.

He hesitates. "I don't know, Catnip," he whispers, turning to face me. "I really don't know. I mean— I'd like to think of it as a good thing."

"I'm guessing this wasn't…"

"Planned? No." he admits. "It's just not something we really thought about."

"Gale, is there a reason that this wouldn't be a good thing? I mean… and I'm asking this out of pure respect, but— does she not want to keep it?"

He sighs deeply, his knee beginning to bounce again. "It's not that she doesn't…want to keep it. It's more or less the fact that she isn't prepared."

I laugh. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh, but— I wasn't anywhere near prepared either. I mean, that was five years ago, and I wouldn't trade Maria for the world."

He nods his head but stays silent. I reach over and rub his shoulder reassuringly.

"Just talk to her about it, alright? I honestly think you'll both be okay."

"She's nervous, you know. Didn't know if you could tell or not."

"I had a sneaking suspicion."

He grins. "How are you, then? You seem to be doing well."

I nod my head, smiling. "Pretty well."

"How little…Mellark doing?" he hesitates on "Mellark". He's still getting used to the fact that I'm having another mans baby. Well, babies.

"Actually, it's… Mellark's."

"What?" he asks, raising his eyebrows.

I roll my eyes. "I'm having twins."

"Twins?" he repeats, his mouth hanging open.

"Yep. But we haven't told anyone yet, so keep it between us. And Madge, of course."

"Of course," he smiles. "So you're really…having twins?"

"Yes," I laugh, and we share a truly genuine smile. How far we've come.

"Hey mo—"

I turn my head, finding Avery standing in the doorway. He pauses, his eyes flicking to Gale before landing back on mine.

"Um, dad says dinner's ready." he leaves before I can even utter a response.

"He hates me," Gale sighs.

"He doesn't hate you. He just doesn't know you."

"Regardless, he doesn't like me."

"Would you stop?" I ask, standing from the couch. "And play nice in there, alright? It's our first dinner together in this new house and I won't have you being spiteful."

He gives me a reproachful look. "Sorry, Catnip. I'll behave."

"Good."

"Come on Maria, get up. Let's move you to your bed." I nudge her legs aside, sitting down next to her on the couch. Her and Avery had fallen asleep while watching a movie, but it was long since Avery moved himself to his room.

She whines, rubbing her face into the cushion. "Come on, baby." I try pulling on her arm gently, but she only retracts it.

"No, papa."

I look to Peeta, who's just now walking into the room. I sit Maria up, her small frame leaning against my own. Her head lolls to the side slightly before falling onto my shoulder, he eyes fluttering open.

"I want…papa."

My breath catches, Peeta and I's eyes finding each others in the dimly lit room. His face lights up with a warm smile as he walks to kneel down next to me, scooping Maria into his arms. Her hands go to wrap around his neck, her head falling against his chest.

"I'll take her," he whispers, standing up. "Meet me up there."

"I'll go check on Avery," I whisper back. He gives me a head nod before disappearing through the doorway and up the stairs. And as I make my ascent up the stairs, it hits me how funny it is that we're taking care of each others children.

I let my hand roam the picture frames that we've begun lining the walls of the upstairs hallway. Many in which involve candid shots of either Peeta doing something ridiculous— like the time he decided to wear one of Maria's baby hats when she was two— or something sweet and memorable, like the time I caught him sleeping in her crib.

I round the courier, lightly pushing Avery's bedroom door open and peeking my head inside. He's fast asleep, his back towards the door. The room is still it's neutral color, with little to no decorations yet— besides his baseball teams photograph that's placed atop his dresser.

I walk inside, leaning over his bead and smoothing out his unruly curls that stick up every which way. He stirs in his sleep, but doesn't wake up. I kiss his forehead lightly before back ing away, flicking off his closet light on the way out— he likes to use it as a night light. It's understandable at this point, it's a new house and things can be unpredictable and scary.

I hear a voice the closer I get to Maria's room. And as I approach, and open the door, I find Peeta layed out on Maria's bed, with an asleep Maria resting against his chest. He closes the book in his hand when he sees me, unhooking his arm from around her little body as he sits up, carefully lying her head down onto the pillow.

"She was out before I even started the book," he whispers as he makes his way over, pulling me into a hug. He inhales deeply, pressing his lips to the side of my neck. I shudder under his touch.

"Come one, let's go to bed. You'll have plenty of time for that later."

"Yes, we do," he agrees, kissing my lips. "We have all our lives."

AUTHORS NOTE: Now, I do want to let you all know first, that this story will time hop one more time after this. The first part of this story with be Katniss' pregnancy with the twins, and then their birth. But after that, I'm doing a pretty dramatic time hop. I don't want to give anything away, I just wanted to let you know what you're getting yourselves into.

I bet you noticed me introducing a few new characters into the mix. And trust me when I say that these characters don't go away. They're very important to this story.

But trust me, I have this all planned out perfectly. Honestly, I plan on this being 100% better than Roads. It's going to be all Everlark, trust me. Also some Gadge (Gale and Madge). But mostly Everlark.