A/N: My sequel to Life For Me is now ready : ) I hope you like. If you haven't read the first book, please do. This story will be easier to understand if you do.

Summary: It's been twelve years since Katniss and Peeta's daughter, Aza was born. The Games are coming near and they haven't told Aza and Jake about it. See into the Everdeen-Mellark family's life and the challenges they'll face.

"Mama, are you done yet?"

"Not yet." She said.

"…How about now?"

She laughed.

"Just one more second….Ok, open your eyes, Aza."

I opened my eyes and squealed in delight. In the mirror, I saw that my hair was in my mother's favorite braid.

"I knew you'd like it." She said, and I hugged her.

Something changed just then because Mama's words weren't as happy as before.

"You're twelve now. I thought it was about time I let you wear your hair this way."

Yesterday was my birthday. Jake and I got to stay home from school so we could celebrate it. Mama's been upset lately when my age is mentioned. She sounds sad, even now.

I pulled back from our hug.

"Why've you been so sad, Mama?" I asked.

She looked away.

"Why don't you go wake up your brother? He needs to eat and get ready."

Get ready. This is the weekend that Jake will stay with Gale. I hate these nights. He comes and takes my brother away. He's really scary. When I was little, I imagined him as an evil giant that tries to step on me. He's never liked me and has made it very clear. I've always been scared of him and that's how he wants it.

I made sure my fear wasn't shone on my face.

"Ok." I told Mama.

I put my fear aside and went upstairs. I opened my brother's door and came up with a fun way to wake him up that will keep my mind off of what's to come.

Jake POV

"Jake!" Aza yelled as she jumped up and down on my bed. "Mama wants you up."

I was pretending to be sleeping, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"Jake-"

Now.

I sat up quickly and tickled her in her side, her most ticklish spot. She squealed a fit of giggles and I hugged her close.

I love my little sister. Most guys at school would rather drop dead than admit it, but my sister and I are different from them. We've always been close. Its just how its supposed to be.

"Is lunch ready?" I asked her.

"Probably." Aza said. "I know Daddy already started on it."

"Let's go check."

We got out of bed and went down stairs to the kitchen.

We all had lunch together.. When we finished, Mom spoke.

"Gale will be here soon," She said as she stared at the clock. I stole a look at Aza to check if she was ok. She was pale and looked scared, like she does a lot when Dad is mentioned. "Jake, go up-"

"Katniss." Peeta stopped her and went to Aza's side. Mom realized her mistake and went to her side too. Mom and Peeta wrapped their arms around her and stroked her hair.

"I'm fine." Aza said, though she didn't sound like it.

After another moment, they let her go.

"Jake, honey," Mom said to me. "Go get ready, ok?"

"And bring your sister with you. Your mom and I need to talk."

I took Aza by her hand and we left the room. She tried to go upstairs so I tugged on her arm and indicated with a finger over my lips to be quiet. Mom and Peeta waited till they thought we were upstairs and started talking.

"I know, I know. I didn't think. I'm sorry." Mom said, sounding upset.

"I know but you can't keep slipping up. Aza shouldn't have be hurt because of this." Peeta said.

"I know…Peeta, if she's this scared of Gale, how's she going to handle it."

It? What's it? Aza tugged on my sleeve, looking up at me questioningly. I shrugged and went back to listening.

"Jake'll help her though it-"

"My son's not bullet-proof, Peeta! What if he can't handle either?"

"He's strong, Katniss. He's stronger than other fourteen year olds."

"He's not fourteen yet. He won't be till-"

"June 15th, I know." Peeta interrupted gently.

"I don't wan them to spend his birthday in whatever hell-on-earth they've made for them." Mom said softly and, I wasn't sure, but I think she was crying.

Aza and I exchanged a look. Mom's crying? She never cries.

We heard some footsteps then Peeta spoke.

"We'll help them. Unlike parents from the past, we can go with them. We'll do everything we can to keep them safe."

All we heard afterwards was Mom crying and Peeta comforting her. I didn't want Aza to hear it so I took her hand again and we went upstairs. She sat on my bed as I looked through my closet for what to wear. The room was silent.

Aza POV

What's going to happen to us? Why is Mama so scared? What are they hiding? It must be bad. Whatever it is, she doesn't think I can handle it. I don't know whether to see it as her just caring like moms do or to feel insulted that she thinks I'm weak. Sure, I'm scared of Gale, but he's a big, scary man who doesn't like me. Surely there's nothing scarier than him, right?

Jake came out of his closet all dressed and with his weekend bag packed.

"Jake? I asked, looking down at my hands.

He sat his bag down and sat next to me.

"Yeah?"

I played with my hands as I thought of how to word what I wanted to ask.

"Mama cried. Why'd she cry? What's going to happen to us?"

He was quiet. After a moment, he pulled me into a hug.

"I don't know." He surprised me; Jake always has the answers. "All I know is that it isn't good. Peeta's right though; I will protect you and get us through it."

"I know…When's it going to happen?"

Mom and Peeta will tell us when they think the time is right."

I broke free from our hug to look up at him, our matching blue eyes meeting each other.

"But we should know now! Shouldn't they prepare us for whatever's going to happen?"

"Maybe they can't prepare us. You just have to trust them."

"How can I trust them if they've been hiding something from us for who knows how long?"

"Then trust me, Aza. Trust me."

I faltered and hugged my big brother.

"I trust you." I told him.

"I know."

That was when Mama yelled up the stairs.

"Jake! Your Dad's here! Come down!"

I hugged Jake tighter. Gale's going to take him away.

"You know," Jake began. "My dad isn't a bad man."

"Then why does he hate me?"

He was silent.

"I don't know."

Then Mama came into the room.

"Ready yet, Jake?"

"Yeah."

We got off the bed and walked towards Mama.

"Sorry if I'm rushing you." She said to Jake. "I'm trying to get your Dad out before he starts something."

Jake sighed.

"I know."

Mama smoothed his hair and smiled apologetically. Then she turned to me.

"Sweetie, you can stay up here till they leave if you need too."

"I want to stay with Jake till he leaves."

She smiled at me and kissed the top of my head.

"Ok, sweetie."

I took my brother's hand and the three of us went downstairs. When we got to the living room, where Daddy and Gale were glaring at each other , I hide behind Jake.

"Hey, buddy." Gale said to Jake, walking towards him.

Jake let go of my hand and hugged his dad.

"Hey, Dad." He said to Gale.

Gale smiled warmly at Jake then turned me, his eyes as cold as snow.

"Azalea." He nodded at me.

I looked down at my feet.

"Hello, sir."

He turned back to Jake.

"I need to talk to your mom before we leave. You should make sure didn't leave anything in you room."

Another grown up conversation.

"Ok." Jake said.

He took my hand once more and we left the room.

Jake POV

We hid in the hallway and listened in on the conversation.

"There's not much time left. The reaping is in a few weeks. We have to tell him." Dad said to Mom.

"Both will be told soon, but not yet." She said.

"Stop being selfish! You've lied and hid it long enough!"

"Don't talk to her that way!" Peeta defended her.

"Mind your own business, baker boy."

"It's my business when you involve Katniss and you don't talk to her that way." Peeta argued. "Maybe I should teach you a lesson like when you tried to kidnap her and Jake. Or do you even remember getting thrown into the TV?"

Kidnap? When did Dad try to kidnap Mom and me? I tried to think back, but had no memory of it.

"Peeta, stop it." Mom ordered., try to keep them from fighting.

He was quiet. I don't know how Peeta reacted to her words because I couldn't see into the room. I doubt he was happy about it though.

"Look, Gale, if I'm selfish for wanting to protect my kids then I really don't care."

"You can't protect them from the truth forever." Dad said.

"Not yet." Mom said, voice ringing with finality. "They still have time left. I want that time to stay normal."

From our hiding spot under the stairs, we saw Mom quickly walkout of the room and down the hall. Peeta followed after her and we stopped him halfway down the hall.

"Peeta." I called and he stopped.

We caught up to him.

"Is Mom ok?" I asked.

"She'll be fine." He assured us, but looked worried.

"I'm going to check on Mama." Aza said and left for the room Mom went in.

Peeta turned to follow, but I stopped him again.

"I-I'm sorry about my dad." I said as I stared at my feet. "I know he's always starting trouble."

Peeta was quiet for a moment then he took forward put a hand on my shoulder.

"You shoulder apologize for you father's actions. They're not your fault. You have no control over him.

"I wish you were my dad. Things would be easier. Better."

I love my dad, but I meant what I said. Things would be better if Peeta was my dad.

"We aren't related by blood." He began. "But I have always considered you my son. That'll never change, no matter how your real father acts."

I didn't know how to respond, but I was happy to hear it.

"Thank you." I said

"That was when Dad came down the hall.

"Jake, its time to go, buddy-" He stopped a few feet in front of us. He didn't look happy.

Peeta took his hand off my shoulder and ruffled my hair like he's done since I was little.

"See you tomorrow, Jake. I got to check on your mom."

"'K, tell Mom and Aza I said bye." I told him.

He nodded and gave Dad a dirty look.

"You better bring him back."

"No promises." Dad said, obviously looking for a fight.

Peeta was ready with a threat, but I stopped him.

"I'll be back, I promise." I told him, trying to minimize the fighting.

Peeta closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself. Then he opened his eyes and ruffled my hair again.

"Bye, Jake." He said, then went down the hall to the room Mom and Aza were in.

I turned to Dad.

"I'm ready. Let's go."

We made our way out of the house and down the path that separates the rest of the district from our empty neighborhood; our only neighbor is Grandpa Haymitch. Mom and Peeta call our neighborhood the 'Victors' Village', though they've never told me why.

As I walk alongside my dad, I wonder about all of the things I've heard today.