The elevator door open and we go to the row of Victors, escorts, and stylists. I see Haymitch holding Cerise while talking to Chaff about god knows what. Now seeing Cerise with those two I think I know where she gets her bad behavior from. Portia is holding Lulu showing off what she's design. While Rye is talking to Annie and Finnick.
I let go of Peeta's hand and say, "Hey I'll be back. I'm going to go congratulate Portia for her designs."
Peeta just nods and kisses my forehead, then he goes off with Rye. I kind of stop and see where they're going. My two boys go off to see Mags, who opens her arms for a hug. I look away and look for Portia. It takes me awhile to find Portia, but I finally do.
Portia is pointing at Lulu's sandals when I tap her on her shoulder. Portia turns around and says, "Hi Katniss, I knew that the dress would look good on you. I knew you'd want it to hide your bump."
"Well Portia, you've outdone yourself. This dress is magnificent," I say moving my dress like a little girl.
"Well you have to actually thank Peeta for it. He made sure this came to life."
"Why, I know that you saw it from his book though."
"Well you see yeah he drew you like this, like a goddess. I saw it and thought hey me and Cinna can bring that to life."
"Oh well I didn't know that," I reply. I guess I'll have to ask Peeta to let me see the drawing, I think to myself.
"Don't worry it was a beautiful drawing like all of Peeta's work, so how do you feel that your cousin Lena was picked," Portia asks worriedly.
I actually don't know I mean I know she is my cousin and all, but we're not close. I know Prim must not be taking it okay, she and Lena were close friends. But I just feel like she is just another tribute, nothing to really that affects me. It's something that I can't explain.
"Well I am sad that she got picked but I think maybe it might be the best thing that's happened to her. I don't think she wanted the life that she was supposed to get after she was done with her reapings," I say. Lena said that now since she was eighteen she'd have to find a place where to live or marry some old merchant with a dead wife and take care of his kids. If not she'd have to prostitute herself. For merchants the mines aren't an option, some would rather kill themselves then ever go. That's just how it is.
"Well that's good to hear, I think. But I have to say Julian here is a spit fire, he scared off the prep team. He reminds me of you but a little close minded. You actually thought about your actions. I am not trying to tell on him. I just want to maybe finally have a tribute come alive. It must sound selfish but I felt like a proud mother when Rye and Peeta made it out. I guess liked that feeling," she says very shyly.
I am shocked to hear this from Portia. She connects with the tributes, she sees them as her kids. I wish I could tell her that I can bring both of them out, but first I have to see of my plan will work. The interviews will be when I'll hopefully get a chance to get all the attention on them.
"I know how you feel, that's how I felt about Rue," I say trying to comfort her.
"Well Katniss I really hope that you enjoy what we designed for this year. I'm sure Lena and Julian will look unforgettable. Just like you were."
I feel a tugging on my dress and I see Lulu looking at me shyly. I grab her hand and say, "What's wrong Lulu?"
"Umm I don't know where mommy is aunty," she says with her lip trembling.
Sometimes I forget that she is like Madge. Rye is outgoing and very loud, while Madge is quiet, observant. Lulu just takes after both but in the Capitol she is more reserved because of Mrs. Undersee. When Lulu goes over to her grandma's, Mrs. Undersee always thinks that Madge is Maysilee and scare Lulu. Since Mrs. Undersee is always screaming about how bad the Capitol it has affected Lulu whenever we come for the Games. She is just waiting for all the things Mrs. Undersee screams about to happen.
We walk around looking for Madge running into other Victors congratulating me on my pregnancy. It isn't till I bump into Johanna that we find Madge. Lulu let's go of my arms and runs towards her.
"Well looky what we have here. It seems that you let bread boy put another bun in your oven," says Johanna seeing my hands resting on my stomach.
"It's good to see you too, Johanna," I reply
"Well, I do believe it that you're pregnant, but I'd thought that it'd be Madge who would pop another Mellark. But I have to ask what did bread boy do to convince you. You can easily overpower him at times with your scowl but then again you popped out two little honey buns."
Both Madge and I blush at her comment about popping another Mellark.
"Mommy how do you pop another Mellark," Lulu asks quietly.
This causes for Johanna to burst out laughing and for Madge to just turn another shade of red. I feel bad for Madge having to explain this.
"Well you see aunty Jo is just crazy so don't listen to her."
Lulu just nods her head as if really understanding the explanation.
"Sure I'm crazy here. But a little secret between you and me Katniss here is the crazy one," Johanna says and sticks her tongue out and walks away going to her seat with the other victors from seven. I turn to Madge and ask, "What were y'all talking about?"
"Oh just the usual how she doesn't like her stylist and wants to taker her axe to her face. According to her their stylist got inspired through art as well went overboard with her idea. Also how she still doesn't like Bellamy at the moment even though they've gotten to know each other better. Apparently he annoys her too much and he's got a girl back home, who and I quote is brainless as brainless at least she has the excuse that she's a blonde."
I just laugh since I met Johanna during the Quell she's been so pushy and aggressive. I still can't believe that she hooked up with Bellamy. He won right the seventy-six games at the age of nineteen. Apparently the reaping that year landed on the day before his nineteenth birthday and the odds weren't in his favor. His games were over quick, since he already worked as a lumberjack and his arena being a forest. Bellamy climbed up the trees and would throw his axe at the other tributes.
The Capitol loved him and Snow requested that he'd take a job a prostitute, though he refused. His father and his coworkers died the next day. Bellamy accepted to protect his sister and mother. Somehow along the way Johanna and him bonded and hooked up. The thing is Johanna hates him, because she believes if he would've gotten the clue about how she lives her life and how she doesn't have any family, his father and all the other lumberjacks would've lived. That and she is kind of jealous that he still has family.
"Maybe she's just jealous of the girl he's got home," I say motioning for us to go to our seats.
"Nah I don't think so, Johanna seems like the type of person who would do something dangerous and crazy if she were jealous only if she really liked a person. I think she's just upset that she'll be lonely once again," Madge says.
"You're right Johanna just let him in and now he left her. Hopefully she'll find someone who makes her happy and won't disappear," I say just wanting to drop the subject. It's really weird talking about Johanna's life since she is pretty open and honest person.
As we make a way through the crowd of Victors Madge and I are stopped by no other than Finnick. He of course has a sugar cube in his mouth. He pulls Lulu away from Madge and gives her a hug. Lulu just giggles as she loves being carried. Then Finnick puts Lulu down to hug Madge. He then takes a step back and gets down on one knee.
"Hi little toasty beard. I'm you're uncle Finnick, the most attractive uncle you'll ever have. Don't you dare bother your mom cause when she was pregnant with the twins aunty Jo wanted to kill your mother," he says to my stomach.
Finnick the gets up and gives me a hug. He pulls away and says, "Sugar cube momma bear?"
"No thank you pretty boy."
"Well ladies I have to warn y'all Johanna is in a pretty bitchy mood. So I'd stay away if I were y'all. Also Christian is very cranky upset this year cause his girlfriend went missing, so yeah we all know who hell take his anger out on. Also he happens to have taken so weird obsession with fire so stay away."
"Well thanks for the heads up," says Madge and we continue our way to our seats.
"Why do you think Christian's girlfriend went missing if Snow already warned him."
"I don't know honestly, but he should know by now to stay on Snow's good side."
"Well hopefully he finds her."
"Yeah, hopefully," I reply knowing that there is no way he'll find her alive.
Madge leads our way going in front of me to sit next to Rye. I sit take my place next to Peeta who already had the twins seating down and entertained with coloring books.
Peeta rubs my belly before holding my hand. "Hello baby, I hope that you're okay in there"
Lulu who was sitting on the other side next to Peeta looks wide eyed at my stomach and asks, "Why is uncle Peeta talking to the baby? Does he have a special cellphone like Uncle Beetee to talk to the baby?"
Peeta shakes his head and says, "No Lulu it's just that the baby can hear us."
Lulu looks shocked, she wasn't expecting that so she gets off her seat. She sits on Peeta's lap and starts touching my belly. Lulu starts to feel my stomach and lays her head on it.
"Hi baby, what are you doing in there? Oh my god can it eat," she asks and I just nod. "Well I'm Lulu your cousin, and I can't wait to meet you," she says in the softest voice ever. She looks afraid of touching my stomach but she does.
Lulu gets off Peeta's lap and says pointing at the entrance, "Look the chariots are coming out."
She starts to poke Rye and says, "I want a horse Daddy. The big girl from District ten showed me how to ride the big horsey."
Rye looks at Peeta and says, "Peet keep your daughter from mine for a while cause she is a bad influence on my daughter."
Peeta replies and they seem to have gotten into an argument. I ignore their childish ways and study the other tributes. The ones from one and two are obviously built and ruthless. They blow kisses and wave. As I make my way through the tributes something catches my attention.
I look at the girl from District ten and I feel my heart drop. She has an obvious bump; she is really big considering from her bump I'd say she is eight months. I don't like this, I need to go to the woods, anywhere but here. I know the Capitol is a sick twisted place but how could they allow a pregnant girl participate. They can't seriously enjoy having a pregnant in the games. When I was pregnant I could barely walk. This girl has no chance.
Peeta must have noticed the girl too and says, "Katniss we have to worry about our tributes, you know we can't save everybody. We've both learned that the hard way. Christian will obviously take care of her."
I nod my head, making a mental note to myself to talk to Christian and the rest of Victors from ten to make sure she got out. As the tributes continue to come out most of the tributes come out emotionless, except the Careers they're obviously working so hard to get the crowd to love them.
Then the crowd starts to cheer even louder than before as Lena and Julian come out. They were holding hands just like we told them and they were blowing kisses. As I turn around to look at crowd I saw some of the females near me passing out as they gotten a rose from Julian. I can't seem to understand how they could easily fall in love with a stranger that at plain sight they would pass out.
Their outfits looked like burning coal dark black with specks of red shinning. Everybody around was screaming saying they wanted them to win. Right now at the moment I don't know who I want out of these games. I don't want to be the center of attention anymore but just looking at the girl from ten I just feel sick. I could've been her if Peeta and I had gotten together before our games.
I don't know what I would've done. I am sure that I would've tried to make sure Peeta came out alive and he vise versa. I don't know if at the end we would've come out alive. The Capitol those enjoy their drama and I'm sure I would've been at the same place, I am today.
The chariots have stopped and so has screaming the crowds. President Snow has welcomed the tributes and the go back to the place they came from. Lena and Julian continue to smile and wave while holding hands Haymitch motions for us to follow him out. I grab Cerise and Rye grips Peeta's hands feeling scared.
I look at my little boy and say, "We're just going back to the place where we'll be staying at."
Rye just nods and we follow Haymitch to the elevators. Once we all get in the elevator Haymitch pressed the close door button.
"Well they sure do know how to give a show, I don't know how many thongs and panties I saw getting thrown at the kids," Haymitch says.
I blush and so does Madge. Then Rye says, "Mommy what are thoses?"
I scowl at Haymitch while Rye burst out laughing. Madge elbows him on his stomach and he slowly gets on the ground. I give Rye a smirk while he is on the floor complaining. I look at my little boy and reply, "It's just clothes."
Haymitch starts laughing and the doors open. We make our way to Effie who is already congratulating Lena and Julian. Though Lena and Julian just look so happy that the flames are out.
She looks at Haymitch and gives her a questioning look, he just shrugs her off
"Well you guys sure know how to make friends with the rich spoil kids. Most of the crowd here was screaming y'alls names and throwing clothes," Haymitch says with a chuckle. Lena nods and Julian just looks emotionless.
Then my eyes catch Lulu who let's go of Rye's hand and goes running towards the girl from ten. The male tribute is just talking to his stylist who seems upset and now that I notice it's a young boy. I follow Lulu with Cerise following behind. We see Lulu run to the girl hugging her and kissing her stomach. I walk slowly and see that they're having a conversation.
I take a closer look at the girl and see she has her brown hair curled. She is dressed in a soft blue floral dress that reaches just above her knee and she is wearing a cowboy hat and boots that are seen commonly in District ten. From what I remember from the recaps no one volunteered, but there was a guy around her age who tried to get the Peacekeepers from taking her.
"So do you know what you're having," asks Lulu.
The girl from ten shakes her head, "No I don't, but I've been told that I may have a boy."
"Well congratulations, I'm also excepting as well," I say.
The girl turn to look at me and looks in shock. "Wow I never thought I'd meet Katniss Everdeen, but congratulations. I'm Claire."
"Nice to meet you Claire, so how far are you," I ask.
"Well from my calculations I think about seven or eight months."
"So was how did the father take it?" I ask wondering why he didn't volunteer for the guy's tribute.
"Well Jason was happy. He was so excited to be a father. He came to visit me before I left and he was heartbroken. He was over the reaping age so he couldn't volunteer," she says shedding a tear.
I take her in my arms and hug her. Normally I wouldn't do this but I guess my hormones are acting up. I'm okay that they're comforting this poor girl. I hope that she wins but I know deep down she can't. Maybe in the middle of the games she might lose the baby or she'll end up having to go through an early birth.
All of a sudden Claire pulls away and I hear Cerise and Lulu screaming a name. I turn around to see Christian with Lulu and Cerise in arms, Sam, and Taylor approach us.
"Well Mellark good to see you took an interest in our tribute," says Sam who looks upset.
"It's good to see you Katniss," says Taylor as she hugs me and rubs my belly.
"Nice to see you too Taylor, so how have you been," I ask knowing she won't let me get away.
"Well you know drinking and taking care of both Sam and Christian who act like a bunch of babies," she says.
Lulu and Cerise laugh with Cerise commenting, "That's how uncle Rye acts."
This causes for all of us to laugh. Rye though being the middle and a Victor seems to act at times like a teenager who has no worry of the world.
"So how are you Mellark," now asks Christian with an attitude.
"I'm guessing better than you," I reply knowing where this is going.
"Well I have to say you must be honored that your cousin got picked."
"Well I am proud of her," I reply.
"Best of luck to her, cause she seems like she's going to need it."
Most of the Victors after Rye don't like us or the Careers. They see it that we don't go through Snow's wrath. Bellamy got his father killed father killed, Zoey had her boyfriend killed, Christian had both his parents killed, and Maxon has been isolated from his District. I can't blame them but they don't understand that we're still targets that could be easily erased.
"Good to know Mellark, but why don't you go with your tributes," he says agitated.
He let's go of the girls and they follow me. We notice that the other Victors are coming down to get their tributes. We make our way through the crowd. Some of the other Victors look bored others throw glares at me. I understand we all are trying to get a kid out alive.
As we continue to walk I feel a hand grab my shoulder. I turn around to be greeted by district one's tributes. They looks both look upset but it's the girl who's name I think is Chanel that speaks up, "Oh my god, I can't believe I'm meeting my sister's killer. I have to say she's let herself go. She is so fat."
Her sister's killer what does she mean by that. I look at her closely and see that she's blonde and green eyes. I've seen those eyes before but where. But then it hits me Glimmer, I killed her. Right in front of me is her sister.
"Hello, earth to momma bear," says Chanel trying to get my attention.
"Well nice to meet both of you, and Chanel I'm not fat I'm pregnant. Though it's understandable that you don't know how a pregnant woman looks considering that I'm sure you spent living your life in that precious academy of yours. I know that they don't let you out at all to your family, but then again you parents signed you up," I reply hoping that she backs off.
"Listen to me you stupid whore, you didn't deserve to win. You only won because you knew how to use a peasant's weapon. You really could fight, you always had someone saving you. Now rumor has it that this year your cousin got chosen for the games and I'm going to make it my only goal to kill her like you killed my sister if it's the last thing I do. Come on James, let's go," Chanel barks and they leave.
"Well we'll see in the arena if you can really bring honor to your family," I tell out.
Cerise pulls on my dress and says, "What does she mean by kill?"
"Oh she's just trash talking. You know how sports are," I say hoping she believes it and she drops the subject.
Once we reach our destination Effie looks irritated and Haymitch just looks happy to see us. Lulu runs to Rye and Cerise to Peeta. Haymitch just motions for all of us to head to set of familiar elevators. He makes sure we all get inside and closes the door again. The whole ride is quiet between all the adults other than the kids who talk about the twins upcoming birthday in three months. The door opens and we all go to the living room. The kids though go to their section of the penthouse knowing they can't be here while we talk strategy. Avoxes follow the kids and Cerise is already ordering food and a sketchbook.
"Well y'all sure have gotten the attention of the Capitol. The fire sure got their attention, but what will truly captures these idiots money and admiration is your score. They bet on who they like, but most importantly on who they believe will make them money. What they hate is to lose money." Haymitch says breaking the silence.
"What you guys need to do is go to stations that will help you survive. Since you guys already know how to swim, know a little about plants stay away from those stations. The careers will be most of the time in the weapons stations to show off their skills. Make sure to stay far away from them. They'll pay attention to y'all whenever you give them a reason to. So don't go off showing of your skills." adds in Peeta.
"The careers up to this point they now feel like gods. They feel like they're untouchable. Don't upstage them in what they believe they're good at. Though they know how to use most of the weapons they're more likely to only be really good in one specific weapon," Rye says.
I think about my training and say, "During the private training with the gamemakers make sure to get their attention. By the time it's y'alls turn they'll be drunk or bored out of their minds. Since most time after District four the rest of the tributes have very low scores, because they consider the rest useless make sure y'all show them otherwise."
"Y'all have seen this year's careers but that's not enough. While y'all are training you guys have to find any weakness that they may have. They are well trained but that doesn't mean they have a flaw they would like to hide. From one y'all got James and Chanel who both look like they could do some real damage. From what Haymitch has gathered James is good with a sword and hand to hand combat, while Chanel is very manipulative and good knives as well. Though I have to say that Chanel is more of a spoil brat and James is her follower but don't be fooled by him. From two y'all already made great friends with them Kyle and Madison. Kyle is big but that could be his huge disadvantage and Madison just like Chanel. Then from Four y'all got Jimmy and Esmeralda who well all know must be good swimmers so make sure to stay away from them in the water if your arena has lakes, rivers, or ponds." I say.
They both nod and Julian asks, "Will we be training separately or together."
Haymitch just sighs and says, "I really don't care about it but it's up to y'all to decide. I mean y'all have already been trained by these three over here then know what y'all can do. And I am pretty sure y'all already know each other's skills' so it'd be a waste of time to train y'all apart. But if you guys want to act like shy little kids go ahead."
"I really don't care what y'all decide," says Lena.
"Well I guess we can train together."
"Great," says Haymitch. "Now get out of here get dressed in something y'all actually would wear. Also y'all can stay in your rooms if y'all like. Effie though will come and get y'all for dinner don't be late that woman will make a big deal out of it."
Lena and Julian leave following Portia and Cinna who show them to their rooms. I get off the couch and pull Peeta's hand. Peeta seems to have gotten my message and goes towards the nearest tablet and places a request.
He leads me to our room, we change our into comfortable clothes. I put on leggings and flannel shirt. Peeta just puts on jeans and a T-shirt. Before leaving we get a blanket. We stop at Lena's room and knock on her door. She opens the door quickly and sighs in relief.
"Hey y'all what do y'all need," she asks.
"Well remember when I said if you ever wanted to talk about anything, you can talk on the roof. You see this door down the hall it leads you to the rooftop where there is a beautiful garden," I say.
Lena just nods her head and says, "Okay thanks."
With that we make our way through the stairs up to the roof. The roof seem to look the same as always. They're so many different flowers growing and the sunset illuminating the whole thing city.
Peeta lays the blanket down and goes up to the door that we came through that is now open. An avox hands him a basket and says, "Could you please have no one disturb us. If the twins need anything could you make sure Madge or Effie takes care of it. Also don't let the kids eat any junk food. Remind them about dinner please."
The avox wrote all of Peeta's instructions and leaves. Peeta lays down on the blanket and motions for me. I lay down head on his stomach and just listen to the noises surrounding us. We hear the whole city partying, they're all having a good time not having a care about the world.
"So how's your day been my love," asks even though he's been with me for most of it.
"Tiring, since we announced the pregnancy I've been getting congratulations. People have started touching me again poking at my belly. I hate it. Also the girl tribute from One came to tell me she is personally coming after Lena because it turns out she is Glimmer's sister."
"What do you mean she came after you?"
"Well her and her tribute partner approached me and she informed me that she is coming after Lena. But I wouldn't take it seriously if she's anything like Glimmer she won't last long."
"Well I still worry about it, Glimmer did have a temper from what I remember and that's when she was the deadliest."
"It doesn't matter, she's just a spoil brat."
"Okay then, but if you're tired and don't like people touching you then maybe we should've kept the pregnancy a secret," he says gently.
"No, I think Snow and everybody would've been mad tht they weren't a part of the pregnancy. It's better to have told them now. Anyway we couldn't have kept it a secret in twelve we would've have to tell our parents. And I am pretty sure your mother would've sold the news of my pregnancy to the highest paying customer."
I sigh and say, "I have a plan to get them out and I feel like it'll benefit us well."
"What do you mean," he asks.
"Well the Capitol seems to love anything that involves drama, love, and family."
"So okay continue, because I have no clue where you're going with this."
"Well the Capitol loves our family and anyone related to us. There are three Mellark Victors and there is also Cashmere and Gloss from one. Don't you see they want to add more into their collection of Victors that are related."
"Okay I understand but I don't know where you really are going with this."
"The thing is the we need to give them another pair of star-crossed lovers. They have us, Rye and Madge. So why don't we sell Lena and Julian as star-crossed lovers," I say hoping that he agrees.
I goes quiet and thinks about my idea. I don't know if he'll agree to the plan.
After what seems like forever Peeta says, "Let's say that we do plan to sell the star-crossed lovers, do you think that we could really sell them as lovers?"
I think about because I am not sure President Snow would believe it. He had proof about Rye and Madge's love. Then with us he did question our relationship multiple times and even threatened us to act if it wasn't. Though would he allow another set of star-crossed lovers?
Snow once told me that all he cares about is keeping the Capitol entertained and happy. They're the only ones that actually like him, so if they want another pair of star-crossed lovers, Snow will have to l give in to their demands.
"Peeta, they will have to if they want to make it out alive. Lena and Julian have no other choice. If the Capitol falls in love with them just like they love us there's a huge chance there will be a change of rule and if they don't change the rules I'm sure they'll want to sponsor the new star-crossed lovers. But they really need to get good scores and a good interview with Caesar."
"Kat, why do you really want them to win," he asks getting up and causing me to sit up, and to look him deep down.
I don't know why I want them to win, but I think it's just how Haymitch felt when he saw us. They're fighters, unlike the others they stood up to protect each other, when Haymitch was testing them.
"Because they remind me of us, Peeta. They can protect each other. They've been doing that since they got on the train, they just don't notice it," I reply.
Peeta just nods his head and turns around looking for something. I look at him closely and see that he had opened up the basket. He pulls out plates, placing them between us and then the smell of cheese buns surrounds us.
My stomach then begins to grumble. I greedily take a cheese bun 's hand and devour it on record time. Peeta just chuckles, but then I notice that my stomach continues to grumble. Though this isn't a soft one. This movement on my stomach is familiar.
Oh my god. It's the baby. The baby is kicking.
I grab Peeta's hand and place it on my stomach. His eyes show happiness, as he taps on my stomach and gets them in respond.
"Oh my god Katniss our baby is moving," he says continuing to play with the baby by tapping on my stomach.
I notice that Peeta has stopped tapping on my stomach and he looks at me. He pulls me on his lap and I rest my head on his shoulder.
"Kat why are you crying," he asks wiping a tear.
I didn't even know I was crying but I guess my hormones just took over. We stay they looking out seeing the sun slowly leave and the darkness take over. We lay down on the blanket and just look at the sky imagining a better place.
Hey y'all update here again yay. Just hope you like it. Like always review, follow, or PM me if you have a question.