Thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing this story. I decided to write a second part of this story to see Peeta's side of things and to add a little more on after we stopped in the last chapter. I hope that you enjoy reading it! : )
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
The Following Morning
Chapter 2
I wake with the dawn. As a baker, this is just habit. I have been trained to rise early to begin the work. But this morning, I immediately realize, is different. Because last night everything changed.I look at the figure in the bed beside me still sleeping. Although I am used to sleeping with her every night now, the events of the previous evening has added a new element to that routine.
I had made love with Katniss. I wasn't expecting it now, but the way it occurred ended up being just right in the end. I kissed her as we were falling asleep as was my habit the past couple of months. I had been so happy that we had at least come back to this after everything. But my girl, as with everything, surprised me last night by adding more fervor than ever to our kisses, and I somehow found myself in a position above her. What happened after that was just natural instinct on both our parts, and while it was amazing, what occurred next was a million times better.
After everything that we had been through, and all the confusion and hurt I had endured in regards to my relationship with Katniss, it seemed that she really loved me after all. I had to know, though. I summoned up all of my courage and asked her straight out. I used the "Real or not real" game as a format because it was familiar to us both. Her reply was "Real."
I thought I would explode from the happiness I felt. This girl who I had pined for so long was now telling me that she was mine. I felt my heart bursting with the joy as I ran my hands through her hair and we both fell asleep. I knew there would be no nightmares for us this night.
So here I was, awake now and a little fearful about what the morning would bring. Katniss looked so beautiful in her sleep. The scowl was off her face and it was so much softer that way. I stroked her cheek with my hand as I just watched her. Eventually, her eyes opened and looked at me. She smiles as I brush her hair away and tell her good morning.
Katniss replies and asks me how I am doing. She seems calm at first, but I quickly see with her mind awakening the smallest look of panic hit her face. She tries to hide it, but I had caught it, and it makes me immediately react to find out what it means. Does she regret what happened last night?
She reassures me that it was not a mistake. She wanted it to happen, but she is just scared about the changes this will mean for us. I take this fear of hers in. We have been living with each other for months now, spending all of our time together when we aren't working, so what will be changing? Yes, we will have an added intimacy to our relationship, but the basis of us together will be no different.
I tell her this and she explains her fears. With last night, she has given me her whole heart, and therefore is risking again losing someone she loves. She has lost so much, and this is a difficult step for her. I know this, and remind her that I am not going to leave her. No matter her ever changing moods, I had made a promise of "always," and I intended to keep it until my death.
Katniss' next question was even more interesting. She wanted to know if I had been satisfied in our lovemaking. Boy, she is really putting it all out there, isn't she? I think about the night before. It had been everything I could have ever wanted and more. After so many years of wanting, it wouldn't have taken much to please me, as just being with her in that way seemed to be an impossible dream for so long. So, what I had received in turn had been nothing but amazing. Now, that's not to say it had not been like some of the fantasies I had over the years (I am still human, and male), but I figure now she and I would have time to eventually bring those to fruition.
I again reasuure Katniss of my pleasure in her, and in turn want to make sure that I had done the same for her. I knew it had been her first time and I had hurt her. It pained me to do it, but it had to be done. Katniss calmed me this time by letting me know that through the initial pain, it had ended up being good for her, too. I smiled at the thought I could do that to her. I told her that we would work together on this new aspect of our relationship.
Since we were being so open in this conversation, it was my turn to ask her a question. I wanted to know after all this time why last night. When and how did she decide on me? I wasn't sure what kind of answer I would get, but Katniss decides to give a true explanation. It was actually Gale's comment about her choosing who she couldn't survive without that spurred it. She tells me that last night she realized that she truly needed and wanted me. And with that, she finally says the three words I had so longed to hear from her.
"That I love you."
"I love you, too. So very much," I reply. With that, our conversation seems to end, and we begin our day, actually racing down to the kitchen to have breakfast. I make Katniss some cheese buns, and we eat together while talking over our plans for the day. After I clean up and dress, I walk back downstairs where she is cleaning up plates. I wrap my arms around her and kiss her neck. She makes some moans in pleasure, and even though I don't want to, I eventually let go.
"I better head out," I tell her. "I want to stop by Haymitch's before going to the bakery."
"Sounds good," she says. "I'll be heading out to hunt soon. I'll bring home squirrels for stew tonight."
I nod and take a loaf from the counter. I give Katniss one last lingering kiss before heading out. I walk over the house next door. It really needed a new coat of paint. Maybe I should do that this weekend. I knock on the door and open it to go in. I call out for the old drunk, but he doesn't answer. I walk into the kitchen to find him in the chair with his eyes closed and head lying on the table.
I nudge him awake. "I brought you some bread." I tell him.
"Did you have to wake me up for it?" Haymitch replies. "You could have just let it, you know."
"I know, but I thought you might want to talk." I say.
"Now why would I…" he starts, but then looks at my face for a moment. "Well, well. Looks like somebody got lucky with a certain girl on fire."
I thought for a moment about trying to hide it, but this was Haymitch. He could see through anything I would try to pull. I might as well go with the truth. "How did you know?"
"You have the goofiest grin on your face," he replies. "It kind of screams that your girl made you happy last night."
I run my hand through my hair. "Okay, so it happened. After all this time, it happened. Happy now? You want details?"
My words have its effect as his face immediately scrunches up. "God no. I've had enough of you two to not want to have any knowledge of your nighttime activities." He motions for me to sit down as he slices a piece of bread.
I take a seat next to him and quietly say, "She loves me, Haymitch."
"Of course she does, boy." His own voice has lowered into its more serious tone. "She always has. Just took her forever to figure it out."
I laugh. "You're telling me."
"What can you expect, though?" he continues. "She's been trying to survive, keep her family alive, and be the face of a revolution. Kind of makes it hard to stop and think about love."
I nod and take a bite of the bread he had offered me. "Well, I guess now she has it figured out since things have calmed down. After all this time, I've got her."
"And what do you plan on doing with her?" Haymitch asks.
I think about this for a couple of minutes, trying to put together an answer for him. "You know, I let all my dreams of Katniss go before the Quarter Quell. I planned to die so there was no reason for them anymore. I had given her up so that she could be with Gale. But now, with everything so different, I can dream again. Having her love me, marriage, family. Maybe I can have it all."
"Maybe you can," the mentor states, "but don't go too fast. I know how much you want it all to happen, but you know sweetheart. If you bring it all on her too fast, you'll scare her. It took her this long just to figure out she wants to be with you." He stops for a moment, but goes on. "I'm not saying you can't have what you want, but you'll have to take your time."
"I've waited this long," I say. "I think I can manage to wait some more. As long as I have her, the rest can come as it may."
"The kids part will be tough," Haymitch warns. "She thinks she doesn't want them and fears what could happen if she has them."
"I know," I agree with him. "But, I can be very persuasive you know. I've got quite a way with words."
The old man laughs, "And confidence too." He once again gets a serious look, "If anyone can do it, kid, you can.
"Thanks, Haymitch. I better go." I get up and take my plate to the sink, where I lay it even thought I know it will not be cleaned for at least a week. I take one last look back at him.
"Congratulations, boy." he says to me as I turn to walk out. I head directly to the bakery at a fast pace and reach it within ten minutes. The workers have obviously been going for a while as the smell of fresh baked goods hits me.
I greet them all and quickly put on my apron. I go into the back room and find some dough to begin to knead. As my hand work, I think of everything that had occurred and what Haymitch had advised. I can dream again, but he was right, with Katniss, I would have to take my time. Even then, there was no guarantee that she would ever agree to marry me or have children. But, if nothing else, I was a patient man. I had my ways. In the meantime, Katniss was mine. That in itself was the most important thing.
A smile came over my face as I thought about it all. Oh yes, she was mine, and I knew that somehow, someday, no matter how much time it took, I would be able to convince her. I would make my dreams a reality.
I couldn't wait to get home tonight and start.
Hope you enjoyed this part and seeing Peeta's side of things. I do enjoy writing from his POV. Thank you all for reading. Please please review and let me know what you think!
