Embers
Chapter 1:
Katniss walks past the damaged bird statue leading into the victor's village. At a distance, she spots her husband, Peeta Mellark. He is playing in their front yard with their two children, Elsey and Trev. Elsey with the dark brown hair and baby blue eyes. Trev with the dirty blonde hair, and the grey eyes. A smile comes to Katniss's face as her son tries to keep up with his big sister.
Katniss had always told herself that she would never have kids. That didn't change even two years after the war. But, then something changed. The reasons she didn't want kids didn't matter anymore. There were no more Games, no more wars, and no way for her kids to be hurt. Katniss had Elsey when she was 20, and had Trev when she was 25.
Katniss has her game bag thrown over her left shoulder as she walks past each of the houses in the village. Most of them still empty. Only two of the houses are occupied. Katniss and Peeta's, followed by Haymitch's. Katniss reaches her front yard, and sets her game bag down on the green grass. Her 8 year old daughter runs up to her, and wraps her arms around her torso.
"Hey Momma." Elsey says with a large smile on her face.
"Hey sweetheart. You having fun?" Katniss asks.
"A lot." Elsey says as her brother stands next to Peeta. Katniss gives a small wink at her son, before he walks from Peeta over to his mother. He wraps his small arms around her arm.
"Hey Trev." Katniss says running her fingers through his blonde curls. Trev has always been the shy type, so he stays quiet. Peeta walks over to where Katniss stands, and plants a small kiss on her cheek.
"Good hunt?" He asks.
"Yeah, went pretty well." Katniss says.
"That's good. Elsey, Trev. Go inside, and get started on your homework." Peeta says. Elsey nods, and takes Trev's hand as they walk inside the house.
"I feel like they are growing up a lot faster then I'd like." Katniss says picking up her game bag,
"It's because they are." Peeta says as they walk inside the house. Katniss lays her game bag down on the kitchen counter, and leans back against the counter. The floor upstairs squeak from the footsteps of Elsey and Trev.
"I got a couple rabbits, so we could do a rabbit stew for dinner. I know it's something the kids like." Katniss says. Peeta walks over to her and wraps his arms around her slim waist.
"Sounds like a plan. I'll start making it. You go relax." Peeta says.
"It's never changed, has it? You always thinking of my well-being." Katniss says planting a small kiss on his lips.
"Never will Katniss." Peeta says as Katniss walks over to the living room. She plops down on one of the couches.
She grabs the remote off the counter, and turns on their television. Most of the channels are propagandas and things praising President Paylor. Katniss shakes her head, as she flips channels. She finds a Capitol TV interview with Paylor from the other day, and sticks there.
She hears Peeta chopping vegetables in the kitchen, and silence from upstairs. Katniss gets tired of sitting around, and she hops off the couch. She walks back into the kitchen, as Peeta throws chunks of rabbit meat in a pot.
"That smells amazing." Katniss says standing next to Peeta. Peeta looks over at his wife, and flashes a quick smile.
"That it does. You can't stay still for five minutes." Peeta says.
"Yeah, you know me. I always have to be doing something." Katniss says as Peeta seasons the stew. It doesn't take long for the stew to finish, and Peeta grabs four plates from one of the cabinets.
"You want to go get the kids?" Peeta asks as he starts to plate the rabbit stew. Katniss nods and makes her way from the kitchen to the stairs. She walks up the steps, and down the hallway to the kid's rooms which are right across from each other.
"Else, Trev. Dinner's ready, wash up." Katniss says, before hearing a shuffle of feet.
"Okay, be right down." They both say almost at the same time. Katniss makes her way back downstairs, followed by Elsey and Trev. Peeta already has the table set, and each plate has a portion of hot rabbit stew on it.
"Looks amazing." Katniss says sitting down beside Peeta. Elsey sits down across from her father, and Trev sits down across from his mother. Like most nights, no one really says anything at the dinner table. It's mostly sound of food being chewed.
"So, what did you learn today in school?" Katniss asks her daughter.
"Mostly boring stuff." Else says before stuffing another bite of stew into her mouth.
"Oh, come on Else. There has to be something interesting." Peeta says.
"Okay, something called The Dark Days. Some new history thing." Elsey says. Peeta looks over at Katniss, and she gives him an assuring nod.
"History is a very interesting subject." Katniss says as she finishes her dinner.
"I like it. I just don't get why they had to have a war. What's fighting going to solve." Elsey says putting down her spoon.
"I don't either Else. Sadly, people just go a little crazy." Peeta says.
"Okay, we'll clean up. Go upstairs, and finish your homework." Katniss says. Elsey nods, before darting back upstairs soon followed by her brother.
Katniss grabs her bowl along with Peeta's and walks over to the kitchen sink. She begins washing them out, as Peeta joins her seconds later.
"You good?" Peeta asks.
"Yeah, I'm just glad she hasn't gotten to us yet. I'm nowhere near ready to have that conversation." Katniss says.
"Yeah, I don't think I am either. But, at least her views on the whole thing are logical." Peeta says placing the bowls in the dish washer. The echo of the doorbell interrupts their thoughts.
"I'll get it." Katniss says washing the soap off her hands. She dries her hands, before making her way over to the front door. She opens it and sees a young woman standing in front of her. The woman has bright green eyes, dirty blonde hair, is wearing a sleeveless blue blouse, cargo navy pants, and her hair is in a ponytail.
"How may I help you?" Katniss asks.
"You're Katniss, right?" The woman asks.
"Yes. Who are you?" Katniss asks.
"Taylor Bernstein. I need to talk to you about President Paylor. She's not as nice as you think she might be." Taylor says.
"And, why should I trust you?" Katniss asks.
"Not saying this is a reason, but you knew my sister." Taylor says. Katniss looks at Taylor eyeing her up and down.
"I don't see any similiarties from anyone in you." Katniss says.
"Well, then let me tell you. I'm Taylor, Glimmer's younger sister." Taylor says softly.
"Wait, you're related to Glimmer?" Katniss asks.
"Yeah, you're the only person I knew would understand. May I come in, so we can talk?" Taylor asks.
"Yeah, sure." Katniss says stepping aside, and letting Taylor in before slamming the door shut behind her.