CHAPTER TWO

~~Annie~~

It has been five days since Finnick left to guard Katniss and fight in the rebellion. We have just received word that they are returning victorious today…and I hope and pray that Finnick is with them. After all, I have huge news for him… after seeing the doctor…I have found out that I am pregnant. In just nine months we would have our own child. Someone to raise and bring into the world. What a responsibility.

"They're back!" I hear someone outside my room cry.

With shaking legs I slide off the bed, my arms folded, and walk out the door. Everyone is running upstairs to the landing pad. I follow behind the pack, heart pounding and eyes flooding with anticipatory tears. I feel a few tears stream down my face and I quickly swipe them away. I bite my lower lip and walk up the steps. I was about to exit onto the roof when my legs just stopped. Sunlight streamed through the crack in the door that led to where the victors were returning. I wasn't prepared. What if Finnick wasn't there? I could see him being decapitated just as Alec had been.

Bracing myself on the stair railing, I stagger down the steps and back into my room. I sit on the bed holding my knees and rocking back in forth. I'm shaking. Tears stream down my face. He has to be back. He said he would be back. I know he returned. He has to. Right? Right?

I feel the chaos rise in my throat. The fire inside me rage. My brain pound and I start to revert to how I was after the games. After Alec's death. Frantic.

"Fin!" I screech.

I fall over and clutch my knees to my chest, sobbing hard and clutching at the blankets.

"Fin!" I sob.

Where is he? Why isn't he here answering me?

It gets worse. The voices yell in my head and I see different visions of my husband being slaughtered.

"Finnick! Finnick Odair!" I scream beating the bed with my fist.

I cover my ears and scream at the voices.

"Go away! Leave me alone! Finnick! Finnick! Please, Fin!" I cry out as loud as I can.

The door swings open and I sit upright quickly, my hands falling from my ears to my stomach.

Standing in the doorway panting…is my husband. My Finnick Odair.

We stare at each other. I scramble off the bed and throw myself into his arms. He holds me tightly and kisses every inch of my head. The voices fade and I sob into his chest.

"I'm back, Annie. I'm here. I'm here."

I pull out of his chest and grab his face kissing him ferociously.

"You're never going anywhere ever again!" I sob.

He shuts the door with one hand and takes me to the bed, sitting down and pulling me into his lap. Fin cradles me like a child giving me soft kisses.

"I'm not. I'll never leave you, baby. I'll never leave you alone ever again," he whispers brushing hair from my face.

I nod and lean my head on his shoulder.

"I bet you're glad we tried to make a baby. Told you I would come home if we did it," he says, I can hear a smile in his voice.

I laugh softly and feel his hand pull my face to look at him.

"Annie, I've been gone five days… Did you see the doctor?" he whispers.

I lock eyes with him and nod slowly.

"And…"

I press my lips to his and place them beside his ear.

"I'm pregnant," I breath.

I pull away and look into his eyes.

One thing you need to know about Finnick Odair, he never ever cries. But now, as I tell him I am pregnant and that a part of him is growing inside me… tears well up in his eyes.

~~Finnick~~

I don't think anything more perfect has ever happened in the history of the planet. I have changed the world. I have returned to my wife alive. She is pregnant with my child. She is going to have my baby. I'm going to be a father.

I look into those sea green eyes and they swim with tears. Happy tears. It isn't until a few seconds later that I realize I am crying.

"Say something…" she whispers.

I grab her and stand spinning her in circles. Pressing my lips firmly to hers. I can feel her smiling. I'm going to be a father.

I set her down, a little dizzy and kiss her twenty more times. We sit on the bed together.

"You better not be kidding me, Annie Cresta," I warn.

She shakes her head still having tears streaming down her face. I wipe them away gently with my thumb.

"You're an amazing little thing, Annie. Simply amazing," I breathe kissing her.

I ruffle her hair and tackle her to the bed kissing every inch of her.

"I thought you wouldn't make it back," she cries softly, still kissing her and smiling.

"For a minute there, I thought the same," I smile.

I wrap my arms around her tightly and roll over so she's on top of me.

She cries out with a laugh. I freeze.

"Are you okay? Did that hurt the baby, you think?"

I've never been this hesitant in my life. But this is Annie. Annie and my future child.

"Finnick, it's not even the size of a pea. I'm sure it's fine. Don't worry about the baby just yet. Can you not enjoy this time with me while we have it? Pretty soon you'll have to be super gentle," she says with a grim smile.

I shake my head.

"Small price to pay."

Annie looks at me with those huge tormented eyes.

"So you're happy about this then?" she asks.

I kiss her again.

"I'm ecstatic about this," I reply.

Slowly, she shifts so I am laying beside her. She scoots into me so I am molded into her, spooning. Annie pulls one of my arms around her and kisses my fingers.

"Don't leave. Just lay here with me for a bit," she says.

I nod into her hair, squeezing her tightly.

"I'm not going anywhere. Are you sleepy?"

"Yeah, but I don't plan on falling asleep. I'm afraid that when I wake up, you'll be gone. Or that I'll have a nightmare about you," she replies, quietly.

"I'm not going anywhere, Annie. You need to rest-"

"I'm not fatigued. I won't have any symptoms for at least two weeks. I'm tired because I haven't slept in four days hardly," she yawns.

I kiss her head gently and pull her even closer.

"Sleep, Annie. I'll be here when you wake up. I'm not going to move a muscle."

I find myself asleep fast. Fighting in a war will do that to you. I kiss her cheek and for once she didn't stir. She really IS exhausted. I slide out of bed silently and cross in front of Annie. She sleeps soundly. I brush some hair from her face and look at the clock. It's one in the afternoon.

"Annie," I whisper.

She opens her eyes slowly and smiles at me.

"Finnick," she replies.

"I'm going to take a quick shower."

Slowly she releases my hand.

"Okay, hurry back, honey," she replies groggily.

I walk out of our room and run into Katniss who raises her brows at me.

"How is she?" she asks.

"Fine, now. Um…" I say with a small laugh.

"Everything okay?" asks Katniss.

I rub the back of my neck grinning ear to ear.

"Fin, what is it?" she presses.

"Annie is pregnant," I say.

Her eyes widen and she hugs me.

"Congratulations!" she smiles.

I smile back at her.

"I know. I can't believe it either."

"You're going to be a dad, Fin," gapes Katniss.

I nod smiling hugely.

"I know. I can't believe it."

We stand their for a moment taking it in.

"Can I tell Peeta? Or was that what you were heading out here to do?" she asks eagerly.

I shake my head.

"I was heading to the shower. You can tell Peeta, but that's it. I wanna make the announcement," I say.

She nods and gives me a final hug before running down the hall to her and Peeta's room. I walk to the shower and let the hot water rinse away all the past. All the deaths. All the bad leaving only thoughts of me and Annie and our kid. I wonder what he will look like if he is boy. My wavy sandy bronze hair? Would he have my ocean green eyes? Would his skin be tanned?

Then again, it could be a girl.

Immediately a young Annie comes to mind. Shoulder length, tangled auburn waves. Big sea foam blue eyes. Thin but enticing pink lips. Cream skin adorned with caramel colored freckles. A slim figure and a long graceful neck. If it was a girl she would be a heart breaker.

I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my waist before heading back to my room. On the bed is Annie..naked. She wears a tantalizing smile that makes my heart stop.

"Annie," I say with a scolding smile.

"What's the worst that could happen? Me getting pregnant?" she grins.

I drop the towel and hop into bed. We laugh in happiness and make love.

Annie and I lay in bed. She was wrapped in sheets and laying on bare chest. I gently stoked her head.

"You're so beautiful," I say kissing the top of her head.

She giggles too loud and kisses my chest.

"When do you want to tell everyone?" I ask.

She sighs contemplatively.

"Dinner?" she concludes hesitantly.

"Whenever you want, honey," I reply.

She nuzzles in my chest.

"You hungry?" I ask.

I know the symptoms of pregnancy. Morning sickness. Appetite increase. Cravings. Fatigue. Mood swings. I was prepared for it all.

"No, Fin. I'm telling you, I won't start having symptoms for three more weeks," she laughs softly.

"Just trying to sure you're happy, baby."

"Which one?" she asks, a smile in her voice.

"Both my babies," I whisper.

And that was when I realized that I was having a happily ever after.

Annie wore a white eyelet lace dress that went right above her knees. Her auburn hair in a messy chignon. I had on a light blue button up and some cargos. We were dressing semi-nice for our announcement.

I looked at Annie, she was shaking.

"You nervous?" I ask.

"I don't know why, but yes," I reply.

I pull her into a hug.

"Aw, you are going to be fine and everyone is going to be incredibly happy for you and I. I promise you that it's going to be okay," I say into her hair.

"I don't know why I am so nervous…" she murmurs.

I hold her at arm's length.

"I think it's because everyone will think that I am crazy for having a kid…well crazier…I am insane…they'll think: why is the mad girl having a baby?" she says with a grim laugh.

"Annie, you are not a mad girl. You are not crazy. Understand?" I say.

She sighs.

"Say that you aren't crazy."

"I'm not crazy," she whispers.

"Say that you aren't insane for having my baby," I order.

"I'm not crazy for having your baby," she nods once.

I kiss her on the lips gently.

"Alright, it's time," I say softly.

She nods again and we leave the room, heading to the dining hall. Everyone sits preparing to eat all of the celebratory feast. I have my arm around Annie's waist and we stand before the table. Katniss and Peeta look at us with secret smiles. I clear my throat and everyone looks up at us.

"You say it," Annie whispers to me.

I nod.

"Everyone, me and Annie have an announcement to make," I say.

Haymitch tosses back the rest of his alcohol. Johanna sighs and stops eating.

"Annie and I are going to have a baby," I reply with a small smile.

I lose count of all the jaws that drop at me and Annie. Annie hugs me around the waist.

"How far along?" asks Beetee.

"Like, almost a week," I say looking to Annie who nods reassuringly.

Effie jumps up and runs over to Annie. She flings her arms around Annie and kisses both her cheeks.

"You must let me help you design the nursery! And buy clothes with you! Oh, this will be fun!" Effie squeals.

Slowly Annie hugs her back. I have never seen her more social. I can't believe it. Is it the pregnancy? Either way, I am happy for her. I am happy for me. I am happy for us.