Shadows flutter across the soft sand as I watch my children play wildly on the beach. The beautiful sunset behind them makes their figures look black as night, which it soon will be. For once on this serene vacation, they have finally settled their differences enough to play together along with the rolling waves. It's still a wonder to me how these siblings couldn't stand each other, whereas Prim and I longed for each others presences. As I turn look behind me, I see Peeta capturing this glorious moment with swift strokes of a brush. What was that thing that Peeta had said all those years back? Oh yes –
"I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever."
This is exactly how I feel at this very moment. Everything is peaceful, full of life, no more nightmares. But, sadly, this will cease when it comes time for my brain to shut down, letting twisted memories take hold of it. Peeta being by my side makes it a lot better, but far from gone. I can only hope that my children don't ever have to worry about this problem, but in this mixed up world, even with the Hunger Games gone, I still can't be sure.
My children are frolicking outside of their grandmother's house in a newly revised District Four. My family and I come down to see her every year in the summer, to make sure that she's doing alright. She usually is; she doesn't have to deal with blood-curdling nightmares every night. I have still never fully forgave her for abandoning me all those times; when my father died and after the war ended. But Peeta makes me go every year – she is my children's only living grandparent, after all. I have to admit, she is nice to talk to and she does provide me with comfort.
But there's another bright side to vacationing in District Four: Annie and her son, Finnick Junior. Nick, as we call him, has his father's perfect ocean colored eyes and and dark hair. He's an adult now, and is the spitting image of his father, though he does have some traits of Annie's. He's kind, loving, and is now the only one that can calm Annie down when she has one of her episodes. Ever since he was a baby, holding him in her arms was all she needed to control her illness. Whatever Finnick left for that child to take care of, he certainly did.
Vacationing is great, but life back at District Twelve is even better. I've taking up hunting as my full time job, supplying meat to just about everyone in the district. Peeta has rebuilt the bakery and is avidly running it, meanwhile teaching our little Blossom how to make the fine bread. She has natural talent waiting to be set aflame, and Peeta is kindling it. At night or on the weekends, he still likes to paint, making beautiful portraits of his children and me. When he paints, he hits every fine detail of their faces with such precision that makes me wonder if he doesn't stare at them all day. But hey – he is Peeta, and everything he does never ceases to amaze me.
As these thoughts run through my head, I quickly lose track of time and before I know it, my mother has dinner ready on the table. I instantly regret not to have offered to help her with it, but she would have declined my offer anyway. The food is good, but nothing compared to Peeta's. As I sit back and watch the sun fully go down, I realize what a good life I have, no matter how bad the nightmares are.
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