DA DA DA DA! Here it is guys!
I DO NOT OWN HUNGER GAMES
Back to Present in the apartment above the bakery
As I finished regaling my days in the mental hospital to Johanna she's slack jawed and Peeta is simply staring into his tea cup. "So you never told me this why?!" Johanna whisper shouts
"I didn't think it was important. And I was a little preoccupied with giving birth and supporting my child. I'll get back to writing my autobiography when Bentley is older." I mutter sarcastically.
"And you, why didn't you just TELL her why you had to break up with her. Then she would have acted like you'd broken up with her till her 18th then boom, happily ever after. Honestly boys are so stupid." Johanna says with an angry look to Peeta
"I had about three minutes to think before Katniss came downstairs for our date. And bear in mind hat I as 18 and with my hot girlfriend. I wasn't really a fucking scholar at that particular moment." Peeta is blushing now as he seemed to be thinking that scenario over.
"So are you two going to hook up now? Since you're still in love with her and she now forgives you for her three years of hell?"
"Hey! I didn't think I'd put her through hell alright? Had I known I would have put a stop to it. I know it's not much of an excuse but it's all I've got. And what are you? Her girlfriend? Is that why you're so opposed to me being back?" He glares at Johanna accusingly and I can see the jealousy in his eyes as it had so often been.
FLASHBACK
I never realized how cute Peeta was in his wrestling uniform before we started dating but now at the six month mark I can't keep my eyes off of him when I'm in the stands. I cheer till my throat is sore when he's on the mat and as Peeta wins time and time again I'm certain I'll lose my voice. By the end of the match I'm too excited to see him. I'm nearly jump at the idea to wait for him outside of the lorckerrooms. I am not the only one to be waiting there as six or so other girls crowd around the door as it opens. I step back and keep a look out for my blonde boyfriend. But the first blonde out the door is Cato Baxter who heads straight for me with a smirk on his face.
"Finally decided to go out with me Everdeen?"
"No, you forget that my BOYFRIEND is on the wrestling team as well." I retort but I don't have a chance to see how he reacts to my words as a hand yanks me into a warm pair of arms. I look up and catch those ocean blue eyes with mine and I can tell he's pissed. "Stay away from my girlfriend Baxter." Peeta says from over my head. I am almost tempted to yell at him but he pulls me out of the gym as quickly as he can so by the time I've found the words we are now in the darkening parking lot. "Peeta what was the point of that?! He's just an idiot!" I very nearly shout
"I don't like the way he looks at you." He mutters as his cheeks are painted red. His ocean blue eyes are darker than usual as he looks down at me. After a moment he leans me against his car and slants his mouth over mine in a searing kiss. In six months he hadn't kissed me with this much passion before. When he pulls away he's almost shaking "Kat I know we haven't been together for long, but I don't think I could take losing you to anyone. Especially not Cato Baxter."
I smiled slightly up at him and I pull his face down to mine again, after another long sweet kiss I whisper "You won't ever lose me to anyone Peeta"
Flashback Over
"So what if I'm her girlfriend? Are you homophobic?"
"No. I just want to know why you hate me this much!"
"Shut it both of you. I am not in the mood to deal with this. Peeta she is not my girlfriend, Johanna could not be more straight. And Jo, stop trying to fight with him alright?" I say with a slam of my cup against the table. Johanna looks pissed and Peeta looks relieved. "Now I'm going to go sit with Bentley while you two talk this out. Because like it or to you are both going to be in Bentley's life. Jo you are his godmother and you've practically helped raise him. And Peeta you are the reason he is even here. You both need to step up and be adults." I finish my rant and head into the other room where my son is now playing a lively game of "HIDE FROM MOMMY" and as I "look" for Bentley I can only hope that those two will learn to get along.
Peeta's POV
I am sitting across my kitchen table from the second most stubborn woman I have ever met, after Katniss of course. She's glaring at me with those sarcastic brown eyes ad I can't help but see right through them. She really cares for Katniss. She really cares for my son. She really cares for the two most important people in the world to me and they care about her. Otherwise she wouldn't be here. "I...I want to apologize. I came home with the vain hope that I could win Katniss back. In all actuality I'm so grateful for the fact that Katniss and Bentley have had you for all of this time. I don't know what would have happened if they didn't." I am hoping that what I'd just said would be suffice to get her to talk to me.
"You know that little boy has your last name? Even I couldn't have changed her mind when she was naming him." She looks at me coldly before continuing "I don't know what she'll do but if she goes back to you, and you hurt her again I swear to god I will end you. Got it? Same with that little boy. You hurt him, you'll be in more pain I guarantee." She says in a low voice
"I'd expect nothing less, does this mean you'll still hate me or do you think you can put that aside unless I screw up again?" I ask looking at her hopefully.
"Well...I'll put it aside for Bentley...and as long as you keep Katniss swimming in those stupid cheese buns she loves I'll be good. Oh and those cinnamon rolls for me." She smirks. I can't help but chuckle as I extend my hand for her to shake, she takes it and says "So who's getting the first date, Kat or Bentley?"
"Probably Kat, at least an apology dinner before I completely jump into our son's life you know? Think she'll be free tonight?"
"If she quits the diner then yeah." She laughs and smacks my arm. "Better go see about that huh lover boy?" She'd done a complete 180, she was being friendly...enough. She seemed to just be sarcastic in nature so I brushed that off and walked into the living room to find Katniss on her hands and knees chasing the two year old. "Daddy!" Bentley squeals as his eyes catch mine, at that something in me jumps for joy at the sight of this small boy. "I'm gonna get you!" I hear Katniss laugh in a mock monster voice which makes Bentley squeal again as he takes off to hide behind the sofa. I watch her for a while as she catches and tickles the little boy. As I looked at the two of them I thought back to my old fantasies in high school. Specifically the ones after I bought her engagement ring.
Flashback/Fantasy
I looked down at the beautiful little boy laying in his car shaped bed and I couldn't believe the fact that I'd help make that sweet baby angel. His blonde hair looked white in the moonlight streaming through the window. "Night buddy" I whispered before kissing his head and leaving. I crept out of the room in an effort not to wake the sleeping child and I see my wedding portrait on the wall directly in front of me. It always makes me smile as I gaze at the picture. Behind Katniss and I was the church where we married, with white petals falling through the air around us. I have my hair loose around my face with a ring of white flowers on my head and I'm in a loose fitting pirate style shirt. My arm is around Katniss who's grinning and glowing like an angel. Her hair is flowing around her face with baby's breath braided in and her dress is simple, flowy, and long sleeved. The flowers she's holding are simple white lillies wrapped in a green ribbon. I can remember the happy yet tearful kisses we'd shared all day. "How many times will I catch you staring at that picture?" a hushed voice asks from down the hall. There in a simple green nightgown is my Katniss, her hair is up in its normal braid and her hands are resting on her large round stomach. "How are my girls tonight?"
"You're so sure it's a girl, how do you know its not another boy?" She laughs before waddling into our bedroom with me now close behind. "I just know, I was right about the first one wasn't I?" I chuckle. She rolls her eyes but kisses me softly "You are so cute when you're excited. Have you thought of any names?"
"Willow" I say instantly as I think of our special place. The place we'd first said we'd loved one another, the sight of our first kiss, our first date, and the place where I proposed. Katniss kisses me after a moment of her eyes misting. "You are such a romantic."
Flashback over
I fronted at the thought, that future was obviously not possible now. I'd royally screwed up. I'd be lucky to be friends with her again, let alone married. I'd probably ruined our special place for her. "Peeta? What's wrong?" Katniss breaks me from my thoughts with her question, Bentley is still giggling and playing with her braid as she looks at me with...with worry on her face. I didn't really expect that but I was happy to see that she cared.
"Um nothing, I was just um...are you free tonight?"
"Um...I have work." She blushes
"Do you like working there?"
"No. But I am not just going to quit. I'll give my two weeks and be nice about it. The owners have been good to me Peeta. I get off at 10 tomorrow. Why?"
"I wanted to take you to dinner and talk about...everything." I look at her hopefully and I see her cave when she no longer can hold my gaze. "We can have a really late dinner I guess."
"I'll make you dinner" I grin at the chance to cook for her, knowing most places would be beginning to close at that point. She gives me an exasperated nod before asking "So I guess I am coming here after work?"
Katniss's POV
I sat on the couch after Peeta and Jo came back in, Jo sat beside me while Peeta decided to play on the floor with Bentley. I couldn't help but watch the pair, both blonde, blue eyed, and wearing an identical grin. Bentley didn't have more than one male role model, and he'd never been particularly close with Finnick and he'd never really spent time around another male other than him. But it was obvious when you saw the two of them together, Bentley was instantly taken with his father and his father with him.
"Mama!" Bentley grins all of a sudden and runs to me and tackles my knees. "Mama! I wanna hug" I pull up my grinning baby and hug him tightly but after a moment I can feel a pair of eyes on me once more. I look to Peeta who's still on the floor, he was looking at me in the way he used to. Those blue eyes shining with a half smile on his lips. That gaze sends shivers down my spine exactly like it did when I was 16.
"Well lovebirds I have to head into work, need me to drive you and Ben back home Kat?" Jo asks as she stretches from her spot on the couch.
"I was thinking they could spend more time with me, I could drive them wherever they need to go." Peeta says casually but obviously hoping I'd agree, Jo obviously thought it was a good idea to because all she did was say goodbye to Bentley and I before walking out of the door.
"Don't you have to open the bakery?" I asked hoping he did
"I don't have to open it. I still have a few people who come in to open it from when my dad ran it. I think they can cover for me today so I can get to know my son. So did you two have any errands to run today?" Peeta asks with a grin that somehow melts me even more than the last. "Um...we had to go to the market, I need to pick up some vegetables, some rice, and milk." I mumble, still rocked by the whole situation. Peeta nods, "Maybe we could go do some shopping today. I have a couple Christmas presents and some birthday gifts to make up for."
"Peeta-"
"I want to Kat, you forget. I still have my trust fund and the money I've saved in the army. I'm fine." He doesn't let me argue as he cleans up Bentley before dragging us out the door. He shows us to a silver Kia Optima in which he'd already gotten a car seat. "I bought one right after talking to you last night..." He blushes sheepishly. With Bentley safely strapped in the back Peeta started the car and drove off in the direction of a small shopping mall. I look at him as he drives, so many things about him were the same. The way his eyes narrowed when something on the road caught his eye, the way his nostrils flared when someone cut him off, even the way he'd lean back slightly in his seat when he came to a stop light. But so many things had changed. Blonde stubble was clearly visible on his cheek, but it didn't look as scruffy as it did on others. It made him look more grown up. He was even more defined than he'd been back then too. His skin was a darker tan and he even seemed a bit taller. He really had grown up. All too soon we pull into the mall I snap out of it and I quit staring at him. He pulls Bentley from the car and grins "Where to first?"
"Um...Bentley could use some new clothes." I didn't want to go into any more detail than that. I was ashamed of the fact that I needed to buy my baby's clothes at thrift stores in order to be able to feed him too. I was blushing but Peeta said nothing, he simply grabbed my hand and pulled us to the nearest baby clothing store. We spent nearly half an hour there with me arguing with him.
"Peeta he doesn't need a whole new wardrobe"
"I know toddlers go through their clothes fast Kat, I just want to make things easier on you." He says while grabbing a dinosaur t-shirt for Ben. I wanted to argue again but Peeta winks at me before grabbing all of the clothes in our little basket and carrying them to the counter. "Kat consider it as one of the many gifts to help with our son, and to say I'm sorry to you." What could I say to that? Tell him to fuck off and that Bentley was my son? I couldn't exactly do that so I let him pay for the mound of clothes. During all of this Bentley was jumping in and out of the wracks of clothes to "scare" us.
Once out of the store Peeta holds Bentley's hand before saying "Should we get mama some clothes too Ben?"
"YAAAAH" The toddler giggles obviously not knowing what was going on. Just glad to get attention. "Peeta I'm fine with what I have, you really don't need to do that."
"I know I don't need to. I want to Kit Kat." He smiles at me hopefully before turning to Ben once more "Isn't that right little guy?"
"Yah!" He giggles again. "Traitor" I mumble as I follow them into a department store full of women's clothing. To be quite honest I needed clothes fairly badly but I didn't want to have to depend on my ex boyfriend to buy them for me. "What do you need first? And I know when you're lying so don't bother Kat" He grins at me and I feel myself blush as I think of some of the items I needed more than others. "I need more underwear I guess..." My face is blood red as he leads me over to the lingerie section. I would have died of embarrassment right there, had Bentley not broken the tension. He'd run away from Peeta straight for a pile of bright pink thongs. "Ribbon!" He giggles loudly as he grabs a pair. Peeta is already laughing his ass off at our son as I quickly grab the scrap of lace from him. I can't help it as I hear Peeta guffawing, I begin to laugh uncontrollably too. Bentley is giggling because we're laughing and I pick up my cute little guy.
"Well he is a man, knows what he likes." Peeta jokes with a small smirk. I roll my eyes at his playful tone and push him to the bathrooms to check Bentley's diaper while I grabbed what I needed from that section. But I wasn't alone for long. I'd just grabbed a pair of black lace boy shorts I felt a hand on my ass. I turn expecting to see a cheeky Peeta only to find a man with dark black hair and brown eyes. His eyes were cold and hungry and his mouth was curled in a smirk. Not playful like Peeta's, but more entitled.
"Hello there, I'm pretty sure I've seen you before. I think the last time I saw you, you were wearing that sexy little cat tail." His eyes rake over me lewdly and I can't help but cross my arms over my chest.
"I'm not interested." I growl, I hated when people recognized me from the Seam. It was never pleasant. I pushed at his chest but he didn't budge, I didn't want to cause a scene in a department store so I kept quiet. Stupid, I'll grant you but I was embarrassed.
"You didn't even know what I was offering. I could make you pretty happy princess." He's leaning in too close now, I can feel his breath on my face and I cannot help but grimace at its foul odor. He now had his hands on either side of my hips, resting on the lingerie table behind me. "I can't imagine you like showing off your assets every night."
"Get off me. I said I wasn't interested." He was smirking but his smirk disappears when someone yanks him off of me. I release the breath I've been holding as I see Peeta towering over this creep. He has Bentley in one arm and his other hand still holding the man's collar. You can see the fury in Peeta's cold blue eyes, his mouth was in a thin angry line on his handsome face. Bentley however looked rather frightened, his lip had begun to tremble and he'd had his fists clenched in Peeta's shirt. I quickly grab Bentley and look on as Peeta begins to speak. "What do you think you were doing? You have ten seconds before I break your damn face, so I'd get talking."
"I was just I was...I...she...fuck." The man was now trembling and damn near crying at the hands of my normally sweet Peeta. But as I look around I realize just how bad this could look for Peeta.
"Peeta. We'll just grab security ok? You don't need to be arrested because he's an idiot." I whisper in his ear as Bentley tugs at my hair nervously. Peeta gives the man one more glare before heading off in search of security, all the while dragging him along. I wait there, underwear forgotten and nervously looking around. I felt uneasy when Peeta left so when he finally returned I felt the weight disappear from my shoulders. He kisses my head comfortingly as I notice the person who'd followed him. "I am so sorry ma'am. That is not tolerated in this store and I am so happy to have that creep thrown out. Please let me know if you need any help and I'll be happy to knock 50% off of your total when you check out." The manager says, her blonde hair is pulled into a tight bun and she looks very anxious. Probably nervous that we would sue or something. I tell her it's fine and thank her for the discount before she rushes off.
"I'm sorry I didn't get here soon enough to stop him from doing all that Kat" Peeta whispers as he envelops me in his big strong arms. He smushed Bentley between us and kissed his head as he hugged us both close. "I'm so sorry Kat."
"Peeta it isn't your fault." I tell him as he pulls away, his eyes are red and he looks ready to break down. "What did he say to you?"
"He told me he recognized me from the seam, he was offering to make me happy. Whatever that means." I mumble while fidgeting with Bentley's shirt collar. I hear Peeta let loose a shuttering breath. "I'm so sorry Kat."
"It's fine Peeta...do you wanna leave?"
"No, you need clothes still. But I'm not leaving you alone this time...I'll just turn around while you're picking underwear." He gives me a determined look and I don't argue. I simply hand him Bentley and turn back to the small pile I'd had moments ago. I mill around the underwear shelves for a few more minutes when I notice Peeta, he was keeping an eye on me but he still looked guilty. I bit my lip then decided. "Hey Peeta...think you could help me pick out something?"
I was blushing already but it worked, his guilty look melted away with a shy smile and a sweet blush on his cheeks.
30 Minutes Later
I rolled my eyes for the tenth time in the last five minutes. Peeta was holding Bentley, the bag from the baby store, and the three bags he'd insisted on filling at the women's department store. "Peeta honestly, you bought me too many clothes. But since you refuse to return some of them you could at least let me help you carry things."
He turned to me and smirked "I'm just fine, and after I drop these off at the car I can take us to lunch."
"Peeta this really is too much, you don't need to spend any more money on us." I'm blushing again, he was doing exactly what he used to...
FLASHBACK
Peeta smirked at me across the table as he handed me a bag, it was our one month anniversary and he insisted on taking me out to celebrate. He'd taken me to the best Italian place in town, ordered me the best appetizer, the best entree, and a absolutely beautiful dessert. I didn't even want to know how much this dinner was costing him. "Oh Peeta really, you shouldn't have. You've already spent so much on me." I'm blushing in the dim candlelight as he scoots around the curved booth so he's right next to me with his present.
"What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't get you something?" He smiles, his hair looks golden in the candlelight, his blue eyes are even brighter in the dim room, his breath smelled like the raspberry cheesecake we'd shared, and I felt his warm calloused hands on my arms as he draws me in closer. I shiver as his mouth slants over mine, I lose myself in his kiss as the world falls away. I almost want to whine when he pulls away but he slides the bag into my hand. I roll my eyes at him but I pull out the tissue paper to reveal a pile of dark green material. I pull it out to find a knee length dress, it was beautifully formfitting at the top and it flared out just a touch at the waist. I bite my lip, I'd admired this dress when were at the mall on our second date. He'd remembered, he even got my size right.
"Thank you Peeta, this is so sweet." I kiss him and feel the guilt settle in my stomach, "I didn't get you anything though."
"Just having you is a gift to me Kit Kat." He replies in a honeyed tone that would have made bees jealous.
FLASHBACK OVER BACK TO PRESENT
I have never had to pay for a thing when Peeta was with me. I good portion of the time it was frustrating, I wanted to be able to take are of myself. But he was too sweet to deny most of the time. And with him holding his mini him I couldn't say it. He dragged us into this lovely little greek restaurant. Bentley is in love with the pictures on the walls and the music blaring through the sound system across the room. He wiggled around in his high chair excitedly while we looked at the menus. "So Peeta, what did you do while in the army?" I ask, like a normal person tryin to catch up with an old friend.
"I just hopped from base to base, doing what I was told. I never did anything all that exciting. I got yelled at a fair bit, made a couple friends, and I missed you. Um...What was Bentley like when he was a baby?" He looks like he's worried about my reaction.
"He was a pretty content baby, he only cried when he was hungry or uncomfortable. He was very chubby and all he did for a good while was eat and sleep. For a few months he had to be woken to nurse." I laughed at the memory of Bentley as an infant.
"So you breastfed him too?" He's smiling at my little stories about our son. "I can imagine you with him like that, you must have been so beautiful Kat."
"Peeta, more than half the time I was half asleep with my hair in a rats nest" I'm blushing, as the heat creeps up my cheeks I see him grin even wider. "I think you're beautiful like Kat, then again I think you're gorgeous all the time." I felt the blush creep up onto my forehead as he said that, I knew he still wanted to be with me. But I hadn't been expecting him to be so open with it. Maybe the army had made him blunt.
We eat and talk more about the years we'd been apart, after lunch Bentley is worn out so we return to Peeta's apartment. He puts Bentley to bed in a guest bedroom while I sit in the kitchen. I knew I'd be alone with him for the few hours while Bentley slept, so I tried to think of what to speak with him about. I don't come up with anything and am still trying to think of anything when he comes in.
"He's bushed, he should be out for a while." He smiles
"Could...Um...I...I don't really know what to talk about with you anymore..." I mumble defeatedly.
"How about we talk about the elephant in the room. Katniss I love you, more than I ever have. And not just because you had Bentley. I came home thinking I would come and beg for you to come back to me on my hands and knees. And if you wanted that I would still do it. I love you and our son Kat, if you return some semblance of that feeling to me then we can go as slow or as fast as you want. Being with you and having children has been a dream of mine for years. Even before we started dating...of course I thought we'd be together when you were pregnant. But I can't change that now, I just need you to know that I will work for the rest of my life to make it up to you. As your lover or as your friend." He is solemn, as though he expected me to laugh in his face at his proclamation.
"Peeta, I know you love me...and I love you too. But I don't know if we'll ever be able to be the same." My palms are sweating as I wait for his response. He's looking at his hands thoughtfully and I can't help but feel he's going to tell me to leave or something of the sort. But he looks up and catches my eye, his blue eyes are filled with tears "So, are you saying you can't give us a chance? I'll understand if you are...I just have to know Kat."
"Peeta, I want to give us a chance-" I begin but I don't have the chance to speak anymore as he envelops me into his warm arms, he's just holding me. Not saying a word, not kissing me, just reveling in the fact that I'd accepted him back. I can't help myself, I wrap my arms around his waist and breathing in his scent. It felt like some missing piece in me snapped back. "Wait...But we can't go to fast Peeta...I don't want to move in or sleep together or anything like that yet. You have to understand that this is strange...it's all I've wanted for years...and to suddenly get it after letting go of that dream...Its a little much." I whisper into his shirt, he's nodding with his face still in the crook of my neck. I smile slightly and we hold each other for another long moment. "Thank you Kat, I don't deserve it. But I'll give you everything I have Kat."
"You don't have to. Peeta if we're going to work, we have to be everything to each other. Not just giving each other things."
"You already are everything to me Kat."
I know I know it got really mushy and all that but I like this better than the original. Thanks for reading! I'll get to the next chapter right away!