Hey Everyone! So this is my first FF in YEARS. So if it's terrible and not worth continuing, please be honest with me! If it based off of the movie Friends with Kids starring Adam Scott and Jennifer Westfeldt. I decided to put my own spin on some things because I felt like both of the main characters had aspect of both Katniss and Peeta so if you saw the movie-have no fear that it's just a complete copy! it's not! Also, I don't own the rights to any of characters, plot etc. No copyright infringement intended.
Couples:
Katniss/Peeta (friendship)
Eventual Everlark
Gale/Johanna
Finnick/Annie
Peeta/Delly
Katniss/Cato
Chapter 1:
4:18 am
"Death by shark or alligator?" Peeta picks up the phone to Katniss asking. "Kat? It's 4am. Are we really doing this now?" "Just answer the question-Shark or Alligator?" She exasperates. "Okay, umm well alligators aren't found in the ocean and since I can't swim, I never go into the ocean". "So? I hardly think you would swim in marshes or swamps, which are where alligators are mainly found. Even if you could swim." Katniss counters trying not to roll her eyes even if Peeta can't see her. "Well, the rules state that both options have to be able to occur at in the same setting and be plausible options" He replies "Both are found in water" Katniss counters. "Well what if I never go into the ocean? Or a marsh for that matter? "You can't change the rules, Peeta you have to pick!" "Well if I never get into the ocean or a swamp, death by shark nor an alligator can occur" "What if you crash in a plane into the ocean or swamp and you were going to die anyway?" "Seriously? Okay, fine, death by shark it's probably faster, one bit and it's all over. Happy?" "Always when I can get you to talk at 4am".
"What's wrong?" Peeta implores knowing Katniss far too well to know she simply wanted to play their long running "death by" game. Sighing Katniss pauses before saying "Do you ever feel like your life is just passing you by? I'm starting to feel old "What? We are not even 30! And remember 30 is the new 20." He jokes trying to make her feel better. "My dad was barely in his 40s when…" she trails off. Peeta inhales deeply, this is not the first time this type of conversation has been had between the two of them in the middle of the night nor will it be the last. He hates knowing that her father's accidently death while working as a mining manager in their hometown still tears Katniss a part and there is nothing he can do to fix it. "I know Kat but listen to me, your dad loved his life, his job, his family, our hometown. He wouldn't of had it any other way but he didn't love anyone as much as he loved you and Prim. I remember as a kid, he would stop by the bakery and always be talking his songbird and then order cheese buns for you and sugar cookies for Prim. He wouldn't want you to feel like your life is almost over because we are getting (a little) older. He would want you to be happy, more than anything. Just to be happy."
"I know, I know, I'm sorry I woke you up over this, I just had a bad day at work and my boss is riding me about this stupid project and I couldn't sleep and I just got to thinking. I'm just stressed or something" Katniss decides trying to will away her guilt and suppress her feelings. Something she is normally a champion of. Except for when it comes to Peeta. "Do you want to come up here? I'll make you cheese buns for breakfast in the morning" He asks. Instantly she answers "Yes" but soon follows with "I mean no, I'm fine here I'm already in bed" but then caves saying "okay maybe?" "I'll go unlock the door". Nothing ever set Katniss at ease and allowed her the protection she needed to settle down and get sleep like the strong and warm arms of her best friend, Peeta Mellark.
Katniss and Peeta had been best friends since sophomore year of high school. They became close after the death of Katniss' father when she took a job at his parent's bakery to help her mother pay the bills and save for college. Peeta's father knew of his son's crush on Katniss and thought what better way to push the kids together and help out his friends family then by hiring Katniss to help at the bakery. Poor Mr. Mellark never suspected that his plan would actually bring the kids together, just not how he envisioned. Peeta's kindness, patience, charm and stunning blue eyes finally worn Katniss down resulting in a deep bond and friendship. Too bad at the time, neither Mellark knew Katniss' stance on dating, love and marriage. Soon though, Peeta realized Katniss was never going to be the type of person to fall madly in love and want to settle down with the white picket fence, 2.5 kids and the golden retriever. Her friendship would have to be enough for him.
After high school, both decided to attend University of Panem together. After all, UP was the biggest university within driving distance of their hometown (So Katniss could easily still see Prim) and offered the most options for undecided and lost college freshmen. At the university both met and dated other people but still remained close friends.
Katniss' roommate Johanna Mason was loud, bold, blunt, crazy but above all fun. Just what Katniss needed to learn how to let lose and live her motto of flings and no long-term commitments. Although, Joanne provided many a joke about how Katniss' longest and deepest relationship was in fact with a man- Peeta. Their relationship, sleepovers and inside jokes were all lost on Joanna. Why not fuck and get out all the sexual frustration, or god forbid even date or just let each other go? Just decide and get it over with. She just did not understand but then again no was asking her opinion. Katniss will always be "brainless" to Jo when it came to Peeta.
Ironically, during their junior year, Katniss' older cousin, Gale Hawthorne, decided to pay her a visit while in town for business. It was instant attraction for both Joanna and Gale. After graduation, Johanna, Katniss, Peeta and his childhood best friend, Finnick Odair, decided to join Gale and move to Capitol City to start their respective careers. As time went out everyone in their little group was able to settle in careers and move into their own apartments. Never to be far apart, Katniss and Peeta found apartments in the same building only living one floor apart.
"Hey, don't we have dinner with Gale, Johanna, Finnick and Annie this week?" Katniss asks Peeta over their breakfast of cheese buns the next morning. "Yes, Thursday night at 8 at that new Brazilian steakhouse restaurant down in the park area, I forget the name. It's some play on words related to words like cut? Or prime? Steak related somehow but Gale made the reservation. I can text him for the name". "Okay thanks doll, you're the best. Share a cab there?" Katniss playfully responds giving Peeta a quick peck on his blonde, curly head while getting up from the island, grabbing her to go coffee and heading towards the door. "Sure, have a good day at work, don't let anyone mess with you today!"
"I wonder how Finnick landed this table? He's not important enough for a two person table, let alone a table for six". Cut was the new "it" restaurant in Capitol City. Everyone who is anyone has been trying to been seen having dinner and drinks there in the weeks since it's grand opening. "Very true, its amazing Finnick pulled this off. Oh hell, he probably just went down on his boss a couple of times to make this happen" Peeta jokes. "Perv, although I will admit it is mighty convenient that he's married to his boss".
Finnick met his wife, Annie Cresta-Odair his first day in Capitol City. Both were first year residents at Capitol Memorial Hospital. Finnick with his blonde hair, sea green eyes and natural tan complexion was one of the fortunate few to never lack in self-confidence. At first, Finnick didn't give Annie much attention. She was quite, calm, and serious yet very focused and caring to her patients. Annie was always professional with a guarded air to her. She didn't have the time to deal with the likes of playboy, flirt Finnick Odair. However, Dr. Cresta snuck up on him. Finally past his drunken bachelor days, Finnick was longing for something real and knew Annie could provide that for him. He faced an uphill battle but eventually Annie relented, in her mind to just simply get him off her back. However, they had a great first date and never looked back. Beautiful and smart Annie Cresta became Annie Cresta-Odair and chief of residency, making her his boss.
"Hey guys! Long time no see, funny seeing you here…together" Finnick teases getting up from the table to give Katniss a hug and shake Peeta's hand. "You would think that joke would be old by now, how long has it been? 12 years?" Annie chimes in while leaning in to hug Katniss. "We actually had planned to come together but Peeta got stuck at work, we ran into each other in the elevator so there-Finn. Looking gorgeous as always Ann". "Thank you, so what's new huh? Work has been so crazy lately, I feel like I don't have time to sleep let alone talk to anyone" Annie states looking a bit guiltily between Katniss and Peeta. "Well, Peeta got past the 2nd date with someone finally!" Katniss teases looking at Peeta and giving him a knowing look. "Woah, that is not fair. At least I try! Besides, the last girl I dated turned out to be a high-class stripper. I should have known Glimmer wasn't her real name. No sex, no matter how good, is worth that." Peeta counters with his signature smile.
"Speaking of sex, where are Gale and Jo? Are they running late?" Peeta continues looking around the restaurant for the final two of their dinner party. "Oh yes, they are here. Gale went to the "bar" twenty minutes ago followed shortly by Johanna to the "bathroom" Finnick explains using air quotes around bar and bathroom. "What? Oh my god! That is…" begins Katniss. "I think that means they are definitely having sex," Peeta states. "Do they have sex like all the time?" Katniss exclaims laughing. "They have way more sex than anyone else we know. It's kind of crazy." Annie agrees, "Well except for maybe now Peeta, her name really was Glimmer? Glimmer?" "Hey, I've never had sex on a boat or on a piano" Peeta begins "Not yet you haven't, not yet my friend but I bet you will" Finnick jokes back to Peeta "or remember that time when they had sex at Grandma Mellark's funeral in the..." Katniss jumps in followed quickly by Finnick with a "Hey guys!" as Johanna and Gale come back to the table.
After all the hellos were finished, Johanna starts "sorry we missed you guys getting here, we ran into some people we know" "Oh in the bathroom?" Annie quips. "Oh well after I used the bathroom on the way to finding Gale at the bar" Johanna tries to cover. "So whom did you run into?" Peeta inquires, loving making them squirm for a bit. "My friend from work, Gloss" Gale starts at the same time that Johanna says "My friend, Cashmere." Before the group could continue their conversation a loud shriek followed by yelling erupts in the restaurant causing them all to turn and look at a small girl trying to escape from the booth beside them and her mother's grasps. Looking and feeling highly annoyed at the public spectacle, Katniss stares at the mother/daughter duo before turning back to the group. "Can you believe this? $100 a plate and they are allowing toddlers in here? I mean, it's Capitol City at the fucking trendiest restaurant on top of it. Please just leave the little monsters at home!" "Seriously, what kind of parents bring their kids to this kind of restaurant? Are they even allowed in here?" Johanna agrees. "We're pregnant" Annie bluntly states stopping the conversation dead.
"That's amazing! Congratulations guys, how exciting" Peeta is the first to respond hoping to break the awkward silence that had momentarily taken over the table. "That's great news, I'm so happy for you two" Gale adds quickly giving Annie a kiss on the cheek and internally thanking god it was not him and Johanna, yet anyway. "Oh Ann, I'm so sorry, please just disregard everything I just said. You know I don't hate kids! I'm so excited about your news. I will make the best Auntie Katniss this kid can have!" Katniss blabbers trying to apologize and cover her embarassment over her stupid outburst. "Oh no Kat! Don't worry about that at all. We would never think to bring our own kids to place like this, we are keeping them close to home" "Yea, those are the worst people, we hate those types of people. We are going to be cool parents. Nothing is going to change except we are going to have this awesome little person" Finnick adds smiling and placing his hand on Annie's stomach "I love you baby" he adds. "We really are excited" Johanna finally adds with a tight smile. Johanna has been working on not always saying how she really feels. "Definitely and Finnick's right, nothing is going to change. Nothing's going to change" Annie repeats.
If only they all knew.
Next Chapter: 4 year jump, how everyone's life with kids has changed and how this affects Katniss and Peeta.