15 Years Later, Chapter # 1
Notice:
Rated MA for language, possible violence, and lemons.
I do not own "The Hunger Games" and all rights belong to the Author.
Written in multiple POV's.
My first time writing a Fanfic, so be patient with me!
*15 Years after the rebellion*
*Katniss's POV*
"Good Morning, my love…" Peeta cooed softly as I was awoken by him, along with breakfast ready to be eaten in bed.
I looked towards the windows for a moment and noticed it was still pitch black out. What time was it? Why was Peeta waking me so early?
"Oh, Peeta…" I said quietly and groggily, "Thank you. This all looks so good, will you share with me?"
"Of course" he said, settling into bed next to me. He picked up a fork and took a piece of the strawberry short cake, and looked at me as if he wanted to feed it to me himself.
I grabbed the fork from him and ate the piece of cake as he chuckled and smiled at me.
"I wish you would let me spoil you more often with breakfast in bed" Peeta said in a happy tone.
"And I wish you would let me feed myself more often!" I said jokingly, laughing and quickly picking up another piece of cake on my fork.
"You're right Katniss, you're not a baby anymore. I should let you feed yourself more often…" Peeta said seriously, sporting a somewhat sad and disappointed look.
"What's wrong babe? Did I say something to upset you?" I asked sadly, taking his hand in mine.
"No, I'm okay babe, don't worry about it…" He said, "Well, enjoy your breakfast, okay? I'm heading out to the bakery to get an early start on those cake orders for today."
"Okay, be safe," I said, questioning why he was going to work this early, "I love you, See you later."
He took his hand out of mine gently and walked away, down the stairs. Immediately, questions started flooding my mind. What was wrong with Peeta? Is he not feeling well? Why did he have to- or want to- leave for work so early?
I tried to remind myself that being a new business owner was tiring and required long hours. There probably isn't anything to worry about. Peeta and I just recently opened our new bakery, "Customizable Creations," and Peeta, being the head baker and manager, was always working late.
After district 12 was almost completely rebuilt and most surviving residents had moved back, we wanted to start a business to bring some jobs to the district. Peeta quickly suggested a Bakery, and I was more than happy to handle the counter while Peeta worked in the back. I knew we would need quite a few workers to help out, and we were able to hire ten people to help keep up with orders. So far, everything has been working out really well for us and we have been successful in everything we've taken on since the Rebellion.
Except… Peeta and I have been having a little marriage trouble lately. But I wouldn't exactly call it marriage trouble, more like baby trouble. Thinking about it, maybe he's upset about the baby issue and just needs some time to himself.
I had never been keen on having children as soon as I got married, but the Games and the Rebellion definitely solidified the idea of "never having kids" in my head. On the other hand, Peeta has always wanted them and has been having a "baby fever" lately. Always talking about having them, talking about names, and asking me if I've heard about the news about the latest babies being born to couples in 12.
My therapist, Elena, tells me that men can get "baby fever" just as much as women can. I have talked with her many times about my aversion to having children, but I've slowly been warming up to the idea over the past few years. Peeta has been trying to convince me since the beginning of our marriage. It still is strange to me that about a year ago, shortly after my 32nd birthday, I started giving having kids a second thought.
Not long after, Peeta and I agreed to start trying.
Despite my recent change of heart and mind, my latest doctor's appointment had me thinking about my increasing age and my "biological clock" ticking away.
*Flashback to one week prior*
"You're almost 33 now, Katniss," Dr. Valerian said cautiously as she performed the exams, "It's time to start thinking seriously about freezing your eggs. You haven't had any children yet and you can't catch that train once it's left the station… if you know what I mean."
"I know, Doctor. Peeta and I have been trying, it's just…"
"It's just what, Katniss?" Dr. Valerian said, "Wait, you aren't on any form of birth control and your partner hasn't been sterilized, correct?
"Yes, Doctor, that's correct," I said, worriedly, "Is there a problem?"
Dr. Valerian paused for a few moments.
"I don't mean to scare you Katniss, but I highly recommend that you and your partner make an appointment with a reproductive health specialist. You have been trying for almost a year now, and there must be a reason why you and your partner can't seem to conceive, despite being in good health. I would like to refer you to a dear colleague of mine in the Capitol, Dr. Presmith. She specializes in infertility cases and is in her 25th year of practicing at Capitol General Hospital. I don't believe there is anyone more qualified in all of Panem. If I give her a call personally and make an appointment for you, will you go?" Dr. Valerian smiled and caught her breath.
"Yes Doctor, of course," I replied without giving it a thought, "I just want to ask… if it is infertility, for one or both of us, what are our possible options?
"Well, there are quite a few. Depending on the situation, some of the options may include IVF, IUI, fertility drugs, a surrogate mother, sperm or egg donation, and more," Dr. Valerian said as she handed me a stack of pamphlets and print-outs, "But don't give up yet, Katniss. I would suggest that you and your partner keep trying until you see Dr. Presmith, and take her advice from there on out. I'll go make your appointment, be right back."
After stepping away for a few minutes, Dr. Valerian returned, handing me a business card with "Dr. Presmith, Capitol General Hospital Suite #901, Capitol Health Zone, Capitol, Panem, 90001-92234. Saturday, May 1st, 9:00 A.M" scribbled on the back in blue ink.
"I wrote your appointment Date, Time, and Address on the back of the card for you. I truly wish you the best of luck, Katniss, and I hope you will come to your next appointment with the results of your visit with Dr. Presmith, Okay?" Dr. Valerian said happily. "Do you have any further questions for me today?"
"No, thank you Doctor, See you soon" I said as I stepped out of her office and bolted out to the street, where Peeta was waiting for me.
"Hey Katniss, how did everything go?" Peeta asked happily, pulling me into his strong arms, eyeing my stack of pamphlets, "Whoa, did the doctor give you homework?"
"It went alright babe, and I'll tell you all about it after dinner. I'm starving. What did you make for us?" I say, I'm cautious but happy to see him.
"You're in luck- I made Lamb Stew."
*Back to the present*
I had told Peeta about everything Dr. Valerian had said after we had finished our dinner that evening, and we read through some of the pamphlets that she had given me. I could tell that while he certainly wasn't too thrilled about taking a trip to the Capitol, he was excited to get some answers and some help if we needed it.
"I don't know, Peeta," I said sadly, as we sat at the kitchen table flipping through pamphlet after pamphlet, "This all seems so extreme. And painful, or creepy, or downright invasive…"
"I know, Katniss," He said, taking my hand and comforting me, "I understand completely. I hate to seem selfish, but I want them so badly. It's always been a goal and want of mine to be a father and to pass my knowledge down to the next generation… I don't know. I want kids so they can care for us when we're old, and take over the family business, and help rebuild 12…" He said sadly, tears welling up in his eyes, "I would hate to watch you go through pain babe… I want you to be happy, not sad and in pain because of me…"
"Shh, shh," I tried to comfort him, holding his hand and kissing his cheek, "It's all going to be okay, Peeta. I promise."
"I feel like I've failed or something, like I don't even have kids yet and I've already been a terrible father. I don't know… I don't understand why I haven't gotten you pregnant yet… we've been trying so much. I worry that I'm defective… I'm shooting blanks or something…" Peeta says, red-faced and still tearing up.
"Peeta, don't worry. We're going to figure it all out. You're not defective baby, shit happens. Plus, how do we know it isn't me that's the defective one?" I say, hopelessly trying to comfort him, "And trust me, I know we've been trying, and I really, really want to keep trying with you until we go to see Dr. Presmith… Peeta, I want you always. Please, don't worry. I love you so much."
He reaches out to kiss me, and we end up trying again on the kitchen table that night.