"Mom, at school today, in history, Miss Elizabeth told about the Hunger Games."
I freeze at my daughter's words. I knew Peeta and I were going to tell her someday, but I never expected it to be like this. I didn't want her to know about how cruel the world had been. I didn't want her to think of us as heroes. Because we weren't. We were just doing what we thought was right.
"She said I should ask you and Daddy about it because you ended it."
Leave it to my daughter to get straight to the point.
"Primrose," I start, but then Peeta walks into the room with his clothes covered in flour. I smile, despite the situation at the way he looks at me.
"Katniss," he breathes against my ear, wrapping his arms around my waist. He hold me for a while, like he's scared to let go, and I melt a little. At Prim's tugging, he releases me and gives a sweet peck on the cheek.
"Prim," he says, joy in his voice, as he holds out his arms. She takes a step back before running and launching into them, laughing. It's contagious. Peeta starts laughing and then I starts laughing. I shake my head at that thought.
"Daddy," she squeals at Peeta's tickles, "Put me down."
Peeta, still grinning, complies. "You help your mother take care of your little brother?"
"Yeah. I took care of Finn."
"Good girl." Peeta says, pride in his eyes. "What were you guys talking about?Sounded pretty serious."
Oh no. I open my mouth to tell him and get it over with, but she beats me to it. Of course she does.
"The Hunger Games," she tells him, and his smile slips. Before Peeta could comment, she goes on. "Miss Elizabeth said you and Mom helped save the world from de-stru-ction. What does that mean, Daddy?"
Peeta blinks, something stirring behind his eyes before answering. "Honey, your Mom and I didn't save the world. At least, it wasn't only us. There were other people too."
Her eyebrows furrow." I don't get it."
"What he means," I say, stepping in, "is that, when we were your age, there were bad games. Games that meant destruction. Which, to answer your question, means destroying. So your Daddy and I and a bunch of brave people went to try and stop the games. We were older, of course, and we all succeeded and now things are better. Much, much better." There. It sounded PG enough.
Peeta stares at me, concerned, before looking back at Prim who looks deep in thought. "I still don't get it," she announces finally, and somehow, I laugh.
"It's okay. You don't have to get it now." Or ever. But I don't tell her that. Peeta, like me, looks relieved.
A pair of loud boots catches our attention and their is little Finn. He looks so much like Peeta that it hurts to look at him. His face is pink and adorable, probably just woken up from his lap.
"Mommy," he cries, walking straight toward me. I squat down and he walks himself into my arms and hugs me. Why do I feel like my heart is about to burst?
"Hey, buddy," Peeta says, patting his head, and I let go as Finn twists out from my grasp and hugs at Peeta's leg.
"I'm going to my room," Prim announces suddenly, and before I know it, they're both gone, Finn following close behind his sister. The two of them were inseparable besides the fact that he was two and she was six.
"Well," Peeta says, pulling me close, " you sure got me out of hot water." I laugh. "I love you Katniss," he says, giving me a proper kiss.
"I love you too, Peeta."
And he smiles the biggest smile.