Author's Note: Let's try this again. Hmm. . . .I'd like to do another Hunger Games fanfic. I'm going to focus this story primarily on life after Mockingjay. About five years after. :)

Prologue

Life is easier. No more fighting, or death. People are kinder, funnier, more optimistic. Things really did get better. Don't get me wrong, I still have days where I can't get out of bed without fear of crying in front of Peeta. Prim is still dead, and Gale has not returned from 2 since last year. My mother has yet to move back, even though the chaos in 8 is resolved.

Peeta is better, too. He still has moments when he has to clutch the back of a chair while he goes through horrible flashbacks. But I'm always there to help.

The medicine factory is in full swing, with most of 12's population working there. Poverty has disappeared, and while not all of us are rich, only a handful are still struggling. And even those people have food on the table.

The memorials have been built and the arenas have been destroyed. Peeta and I have yet to visit them. It's just too hard. There is a special one for the 74th Hunger Games. They asked us to come to the opening, but we had to refuse. It was just too painful. Now, five years later, we've considered it.

Annie, Finnick's widowed wife, has invited us to come visit her in 4, but we've had to decline that invitation as well. I couldn't bear to see her and Finnick's son.

Now, I bet you're wondering whether or not Peeta and I are married. I'm happy to say that we've been happily engaged for six months now. Marriage wasn't even an option for the first three years, and we've only been dating for the past two. I was so cautious venturing into that territory at first, since it was so bloodied and dark. But I've come to realize that it's always been Peeta. No matter what happened with Gale, I've always known, I guess, in my heart that Peeta was the only one for me.

Too bad it took so long for me to realize.

I'm making an herbal tea to soothe my sore throat when he walks in. His blonde hair is combed to the side, and he's dressed in a sweater that somehow enunciates his chest muscles. It reminds me of Finnick.

"You okay?" he asks. I must've had a strange look on my face. I blink. "Yes," I say. "I was just thinking about Annie," Peeta moves closer to me, taking my hand. "Do you want to go see her?" he asks. I look up at him, not sure of what to say.

"I want to go everywhere, Peeta," I whisper. Peeta pierces me with his blue eyes. "I thought you said you couldn't?" he reminds me. I take a deep breath. "I can't, but I have to, Peeta," I say, resting my head on his chest. His arms wrap around me. "Do you want Haymitch to come?" he asks. I shake my head. "No, I don't want anyone to come with me," I let go of Peeta and look up at him. "Even you," I say, taking his hand.

I look around our house. It's tidy. Everything is in its place. Suddenly, I see two kids running around, and I know that they're mine and Peeta's. I smile to myself. Peeta's been begging, but I've had to convince him that it's not a good idea to bring children into this world, even though it's better.

"I need to go do a few things by myself," I say, looking back up at Peeta. Peeta nods slowly. "If that's what you want, then you go do what you need to do," he says. He leans down and kisses me. "Are you sure you'll be alright?" I ask. Peeta nods. "I'll have Haymitch keep an eye on you," I say. Peeta shakes his head.

"Katniss, it's been two whole months since I've had an episode. I'll be fine. Now go, do what you need to do," he says. I swallow. "I love you," I say, leaning up and kissing him once again. Peeta smiles. "I love you, too,"