What If
A Hunger Games fan fiction by innamorarsi

Disclaimer: Of course I don't own the Hunger Games trilogy. :p

A/N: the one in italics are Katniss thoughts. :)

Don't know what tomorrow brings
But I'm still hoping that you are the one for me
Oh and what if I had you and what if you had me and
Baby, what's the reason we can't fall in love?
What if? What if? What if?

-What If by Jason Derulo-

Chapter 1: 10 seconds

What if Prim wasn't the one chosen to represent District 12? What if I wasn't the one to represent District 12 too? What if we were never chosen for the Hunger Games, Katniss? What would've happened to us?

I was surprised at those thoughts of Peeta. I mean, yes, I've thought about those before. But that was before Quino and Rue were born. Before I realized it was him after all. Before I killed President Coin. Even way before all that.

And as he asked me that question one cold evening, while Haymitch was being a good uncle to my two kids; while my mom was treating patients in another District; while Gale was busy in his own life; while the whole Panem is finally at peace, all I did was stare at his deep blue eyes with a smile plastered on my face.

"What?" he asks.

"I'll meet you halfway there."

"Oh. Really? What happens to Gale?"

"I don't know. But I'm sure that we will still grow old together."

Panem is relatively at peace now. After all, everyone's greatest fear was finally gone. There were no more Hunger Games. No more President Snow. No more rebellions. No more. And every District, one to thirteen, would share their own products. No District is superior to another. No District is lower to another. Everyone is an equal.

Gale got a military job. That is all I know. He never called me, anyway. Never seen me. Never even dreamt of me, or so I believed. Because of his actions of staying away from my life, I never asked anyone how he's been. Well other than Greasy Sae telling me about his military job 20 years ago. I even forgot the details. Then again, I don't even remember if she gave me details.

My mother, on the other hand, calls me every day. Telling me how she's been. How she misses me. How she loves me. How she can't go back to District 12. Those are our topics every time she calls me, an hour every day. I miss her so much. But I've got a new family to take care of, here at Victors Village: Peeta, Rue, and Quino Mellark. And then there's Haymitch, of course.

Haymitch, the closest uncle of Quino and Rue, is considered as their grandfather.

The horror of Peeta when Quino, of 4 years old, thought Haymitch was Peeta's father. Who could blame him, anyway? Both of my children have never seen our parents. Peeta's parents and my dad died even before I realized my love for Peeta. And my mom can't go back to District 12.

Haymitch was then called as grandfather by Quino and Rue. Even if they're both old enough to understand that Haymitch is their uncle. They wouldn't listen, so we let the topic drop. Even as children, they both got my stubbornness already.

It's been twenty years since that dreadful year. Since I killed President Coin, instead of Snow. Since that trial. Since that day they brought me back to the Victors Village. 20 years. And now, Quino is 17 and Rue is 15. And Peeta and I are old too. Haymitch is another story. He is old and dying and prefers to be in Beetee's laboratory.

Nineteen years since I've been taking care of my own garden, full of primroses and the color everdeen all around with a tree where mockingjays freely go to.

Eighteen years since I officially married Peeta and agreed to have a baby.

Seventeen years since I realized that the pain in getting pregnant was all worth it.

Sixteen years since I wante a baby girl.

Fifteen years since that wish of mine was granted.

And so on.

Time flies so fast.

Tick tock, the clock goes.

So fast.

I open my eyes once again and saw the stars shining brightly outside, with Peeta by my side. We're getting ready for bed when Peeta asked me the three 'What If' questions. The three questions that changed my night forever because when I opened my eyes again, I saw myself in that same blue dress my mom let me wear on the day of the reaping for the 74th Hunger Games.

"Katniss! Come on. We'll be late for the reaping."

Tick tock. Tick tock.

I felt the clock ticking away even if we don't even have any clocks at home.

Tick tock. Tick tock.

"Katniss?" I hear my mom calling me again.

Tick tock.

"Coming, mom," I finally replied.

That was the longest 10 seconds of my life.

I swear.

A/N: yaaaaay. First chapter done. I shall post the next chapter tomorrow, hopefully. So what do you think? Reviews are much appreciated. :)

I can't sleep one night and this idea came up to me so yeaaah. Hope you enjoyed reading it! :D