Chapter 2: Become a Wife
Mother always said to use protection. And yet in one try that stripped me of my virginity and broke my core, I find myself throwing up several weeks later. One pregnancy test, and I confirm that the life of Peeta's child is tethered to mine.
This could be a perfect opportunity though. To save Peeta from his mother's wrath. His only reprieve is when she leaves to mentor the Games with Haymitch Abernathy, but that isn't enough. So I call Peeta to come under the guise of an appointment.
"I'm pregnant. Will you marry me, Peeta?"
He never wed, to honor his love for my sister, but he kisses me and accepts anyway.
I wear my mother's wedding dress on the evening of my wedding, my Toasting. It was originally meant for my sister, but I know that Katniss never wanted to marry.
Peeta comes to me secretly in the night in a tuxedo. We toast a bit of bread over the fire and seal it with a kiss. Then we go up to my bed and lie together in sleep and sex.
Nine months later, I give birth to a baby boy, whom we name Estes Steffan, after his grandfathers. The news of our secret marriage breaks, and Mrs. Mellark is furious that her son married a Seam woman. Even if I am half-Merchant by blood.
When Estes Steffan is only nine, still small, the Fourth Quarter Quell is announced as previous Victors. Haymitch Abernathy and Paula Mellark, the winners of the last two Quells, are forced to return to the arena. Both are killed.
Thus, my husband is free from his mother's wrath and we live happily ever after with our children.