EUROPA
FAST FORWARD
KATNISS
Its been almost twenty-five years since the last hunger games, the rebellion and my days as the Mockingjay. I've grown old, so has Peeta and the children. Peeta still looking as handsome as I first saw him is now 50, greying and his face etched with signs of age but father time has not taken away the shimmer in his bright blue eyes. The eyes I fell in love with. Primrose, named after my sister is now 18 and Sabastien is now 16. Time has gone by impossibly fast to the point I cannot comprehend.
Life has been really quite dreary lately. District 12 isn't what it used to be, even
though the population is growing. It's like everyone is living in fear, no matter how minute it is. It's as though the older ones instilled it in the younger generation. Even so, they will never know the fear that we had to go through. They learn it at school but still cannot comprehend the fact of what the Hunger Games were about. Prim and Bastien know how Peeta and I, their parents contributed and practically stated the revolution and all the glory bits; but I am so sure that till now they don't fully grasp the pain , fear,anguish and sorrow we felt. It is as though I am undermining them, but it's the exact opposite. Maybe its better if they only knew the good bits and continued on their life happy knowing that mum and dad were the faces of the rebellion but deep down inside I know they wonder why I still wake up screaming almost every night.
Days now are spent with Peeta by the lake just relaxing. Often times I hunt while Peeta paints. We both try to stay fit. We still live in Victor's village next to Haymitch who is getting really elderly now. He comes over ever so often for dinner. We are like family. Sometimes, we take trips to Capitol or the different districts to let the children see the differnet landmarks or hear stories about the Rebellion. What can I say, Peeta has been amazing. I have been immensely happy and I cannot imagine a life without him. Relapses seldom occur anymore, so you could say our lives got back on track .
"Katniss!" Peeta's voice bellows.
He's downstairs. Probably painting.
'What's the matter?" I yell back. I am really not in the mood for all this nonsense kissy, lovey, I might die soon nonsense he's been up to lately. Its nice sometimes but I think his age is finally setting in to him and ever since the children have been travelling on their own lately, I figure he's been lonely.
"I have a surprise for you! Come downstairs!"
Giving in, I drop whatever it is I'm doing to see this surprise. I am after all curious. What could get him so hyped up?
When I got downstairs, I was surprised by a blindfold covering my eyes.
"What are you doing, Peeta?" I say giggling
He doesn't do this often so it must be a really big surprise. It must be the reason why he's been in the kitchen all day. I hope it's a huge pile of cheese buns.
"You are going to have to find out soon enough" He says with a childish smirk I can identify even with my eyes blindfolded.
A warmth spreads towards my chest as I can feel his lips nearing mine. Electric shocks spread around my body when he starts kissing me all over.
"You know, you are beautiful Katniss. Still as beautiful as the first time I saw you. " his voice full of sincerity and love. I can't help but smile.
"You too are as dashing as ever. So are you going to show me my surprise or not?" I exclaim impatiently.
"Okay, okay. I hope you like it!" I can hear the anticipation in his voice as he pulls off the blindfold.
There in front of me was the most beautiful cake I have ever seen. A triple layered cake with drapes of colours. Intricate flowers lined the ivory background of it. On its peak lay a little chocolate card saying 'Happy Anniversary!'. I am completely in shock but my mind is puzzled because our wedding anniversary isn't in six months!
"Oh my goodness! It is beautiful! But I think you must be mistaken… Our anniversary is in six months Peeta."
He gives out the cutest smirk ever.
"I knew that. It's just today around fourty three years ago I laid my eyes on the most beautiful girl outside the bakery scavenging for food. Ever since that moment I fell in love with you Katniss." He says full of emotion. I am so shocked and overwhelmed with joy that he remembered that my eyes fill with tears.
"Peeta… I don't know what to say" I am completely speechless. He just stands there looking at me as though he is amused with my reaction. On his face, a cheeky smile begins to form
"Maybe, I don't want you to say anything at all." With that he swoops me off my feet and twirls me, dropping me on the couch.
"I love you Katniss, you have no idea" his voice is filled with sincerity and love. He buries his face in my hair and we just lie there for the moment. I am completely speechless, wondering what I did to deserve a man this good.
Just in that moment, Haymitch bursts through the door talking to someone. Both Peeta and I jump up. Hair still ruffled we try to look at least somewhat presentable. It was obvious that Haymitch has walked in on us countless times, but the look on the girls' face which he brought over seemed surprised.
"Uhm, I could bring her back another time if you two are still at it." Haymitch says in an awkward tone, still with a drink in his hand.
The girl looked no older than seventeen. She wore a red silk top over what seemed to be high waisted pants. It was obvious from her stature that she was strong and fight worthy but her extremely long demure brown hair suggested that she must not have done a lot of fighting since her hair could have easily used against her.
"Yea, if you guys are … busy, I have lots of time" she says, her voice sweet like honey but having a very strange accent to it. Almost like the Capitol's but sort of thicker.
"Oh no, it's fine, we were just… celebrating."Peeta breaks the awkward silence "It's just Haymitch here didn't say anything about bringing over company." I admire Peeta's ability to keep cool in really awkward situations.