Chapter 3
Katniss POV
*4 weeks later*
I am 12 weeks pregnant now and I am nearly at the end of my first trimester. Dr Finlay says the morning sickness should be ending soon, it has, almost, I am just sick occasionally now. Peeta is really excited; he started to talk to my stomach after we found out we were having a girl. It's part of his routine now, 'Goodnight Katniss, Goodnight Baby Girl' He says it before we go to sleep now and then he kisses me and then he kisses my stomach. We have started to talk about names. I cried when Peeta asked if I wanted to call her Prim or Rue. I cried into Peeta's strong, warm chest. Every time somebody even mentioned Prim or Rue or I thought about them I would break down. I miss them, it seems like they only died yesterday. How could I live with my daughter who is named after them if every time I think about them or someone mentions them I cry? Peeta understood. He held me when I cried and soothed me. I know he still misses his family, even his mum who was so horrible to him.
We told my mom the other day about my pregnancy, she was really excited. I haven't spoken to her since Prim died. I miss my mom, I miss not having the mother-daughter relationship that I want my daughter to have with me. I also told Annie and Johanna. They were really excited too. Annie, Johanna and my Mom are all coming over for Thanksgiving next month and I think they are planning to stay for Christmas as well. It will be nice to have them all here. They are all that is left of mine and Peeta's family, even though Annie and Johanna are not blood related they are our family. Annie is bringing her son Kai; she told me it means sea so if he is anything like his father then the name is very suitable. It will be nice to see them all again. I haven't seen any of them since mine and Peeta's wedding but I have spoken to Annie and Johanna a couple of times over the phone. For the past 5 years it has just been me, Peeta and Haymitch but Haymitch has been drunk for most of it so it has really only been me and Peeta.
*3 weeks later*
My Mom arrived today and Peeta and I met her at the train station. It was awkward at first as none of us knew what to say to each other so we spent the walk back to Victor's Village in silence. I clung to Peeta's hand like a young child might cling to their mothers in a busy shop. He would squeeze my hand reassuringly every so often and whisper in my ear that everything would be fine and I would know what to say to my mom. He promised me that I would be able to save my relationship with my mom and that it would go back to what it used to be, before my father died, when she was happy and smiling and we were a proper, happy family. She did however say how excited she is that she will be a grandmother and that she wants to fix our relationship before my baby is born. She wants to become part of my family again. I want her to become part of my family again.
When we got back to Victor's Village I showed my mom to her room and left her to unpack whilst I went down to help Peeta with dinner. "Hey, do you need any help?" I asked as I entered the room. "Ermm I think I am ok but if you want you can slice some vegetables. "Ok," I replied as I got a chopping board out of the cupboard. "Everything will be fine with you and your mom," Peeta said wrapping his arms around my waist. "I know I am just scared that she will leave again and she will go into depression," I replied leaning back into Peeta's embrace. He kissed my neck and I spun round to face him. He leaned his face down and brought his lips to mine whilst his arms tightened around my waist pulling me closer to him. I kissed him back and wound my fingers in his hair. "I hope I am not interrupting anything sweetheart." Haymitch said sarcastically from the doorway. "I was under the impression I was invited for tea. Am I incorrect?" Haymitch said. Reluctantly Peeta and I pulled away from each other and I turned to face Haymitch. "Oh no, you didn't interrupt anything!" I said with a snarl and a glare. "That's good but I would have thought you would be more careful with when and where you show your affections for the next few weeks as your mother is here sweetheart." Haymitch said sarcastically with a smile. I just turned back to Peeta and kissed him square on the lips again just to annoy Haymitch. I took Peeta by surprise but after a moment or two he kissed me back. When we finally pulled away, I turned to Haymitch. "We are being careful. I know for a fact that my mother is upstairs unpacking her things and she probably will still be upstairs unpacking for the next few days, she brought that much stuff." I said to a red faced, embarrassed Haymitch before going back to chop the vegetables. Haymitch just chuckled. I loved Haymitch like a father but he really did annoy me sometimes. He did however get quite embarrassed when Peeta and I expressed our love for each other. Haymitch had never really been one to express opinions out loud. So when Haymitch annoyed me I took an opportunity to express my feelings for Peeta.
About half an hour later me, Peeta, Haymitch and my Mom were all sat around the table eating dinner. "This is exceptional Peeta," my Mom said. "Thank you Mrs Everdeen." Peeta replied with a blush, he had always been very modest about his cooking. "Oh Peeta how many times have I told you to call me Clara." My Mom said with a smile. "Sorry Clara," Peeta replied.
*The Next Day*
Peeta and I went to pick Annie, Kai and Johanna up from the station after breakfast. I was very excited to see them as I haven't seen them in years. Peeta and I walked down the road to the station in silence just enjoying each other's company. We stood on the platform and waited for a train from District 7 that would bring Johanna or a train from District 4 that would bring Annie and Kai. I shivered in the cold November air but Peeta pulled me closer and I snuggled into his arms. Just then a train pulled up and out stepped Johanna Mason. I ran towards her and she ran towards me. She pulled me into a hug and I hugged her back. I had never thought that I would be stood her hugging Johanna Mason, the woman who I had once thought was my enemy, the woman who I had once thought was attacking me, the woman who was now one of my best friends and family. "Katniss how are you? It's been so long," Johanna asked. "I'm good thanks. How are you?" I asked. "I'm good too. You look well. How many weeks along are you now?" She asked. It took me a moment to register that she was talking about my pregnancy. I hadn't thought about it since my Mom arrived. "15 weeks." I said with a smile. My hand instantly went down to rest on my stomach where my baby girl was growing. "Hi Johanna. How are you?" Peeta asked who had just come up behind me. "Peeta!" Johanna exclaimed and she pulled Peeta in for a hug too. "I am fine thanks, how are you?" She asked. "I'm good thanks. We just have to wait for Annie and Kai and then we can head back." Peeta said whilst reaching for my hand. I grabbed his in mine and we waited for Annie and Kai. After about 5 minutes another train pulled into the station and Annie climbed off pulling a bag, followed by Kai pulling a smaller bag. Johanna and I ran at Annie and we pulled her into a hug whilst Peeta went to help with the bags. Peeta was such a gentleman. "Hi, how are you?" we asked Annie. "I'm good thanks. How are you?" Annie asked. "I'm good." Johanna replied. "Peeta and I are also good." I replied as Peeta joined our group with the bags. "Hey Kai. How are you little man?" I asked turning to face Kai. He looked so much like his father. I didn't know how Annie coped. "I'm okay. Mummy says we are here all the way until Christmas. Is it true?" Kai asked. "Yes, is that okay?" I replied. Kai just nodded his head. "Shall we head back then?" Peeta asked. Everybody wanted to get out of the cold so we set off.
Kai ran on ahead. "He has grown so much Annie. How old is he now?" I asked as I watched him skip ahead, completely unaware of the horrors the adults behind him had been through. "He's 5," Annie replied smiling. "He looks so much like Finnick." Peeta said. "I know. Finnick would be proud." Annie said, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice. We spent the rest of the walk making casual conversation about how we were and what we were up to. When we got back I showed Annie and Kai their room and Johanna theirs. My Mom had made dinner so we all sat down and ate. We were all quite tired so after dinner we headed to our rooms and said our goodnights.
I was lying in bed with Peeta, my head rested on his shoulder, his arms wrapped around my waist. "When did you realise you loved me Katniss?" Peeta asked. I thought about it for a while. "You kind of crept up on me but I felt something when you had that conversation with Caesar Flickerman. I felt something in the cave, where I looked after you with your leg, when I kissed you. I felt something when you heart stopped beating in the Quell. I felt something on those nights during the Victory Tour when you would keep away the nightmares. But I think I knew most when you were kept prisoner in the Capital. I was lost without you Peeta; I couldn't be the Mockingjay without you." I answered quietly. "What conversation?" Peeta asked. "Handsome lad like you. There must be some special girl, come on what's her name? Well there is this one girl; I've had a crush on her since I can remember, but I 'm pretty sure she didn't know I was alive until the reaping. She have another fellow? I don't know but a lot of boys like her. "So here's what you do, you win, you go home, she can't turn you down then, eh? I don't think it's going to work out, winning…won't help in my case. Why ever not? Because…because… she came her with me. That conversation." I said rolling over to look at Peeta "and for your information I did know you existed. You saved my life by burning the bread so you could give it to me and I am forever in your debt for that." I said planting a kiss on Peeta's lips. He kissed me back. "You became my wife, now we are equal." Peeta whispered when we broke away. "We will never be equal Peeta." I said before he kissed me again. "I love you Peeta." "I love you Katniss." With that I fell asleep, warm and safe in Peeta's arms.