Dear Readers,

I must admit that I had seriously forgotten about this fanfic until the movie came out recently. Inspired by the Hunger Games big screen premiere I have continued writing. I will continue to try to update as regularly as possible. But I'm a senior in high school and I'm trying to make a lot of college related decisions that tend to suck up 90% of my free time. So no promises!


"Isn't it pwetty Momma?" Juniper cooed, twirling around so I could see a 360 view of the new dress my Mother had sent her for her birthday. Her dark hair was tied in a braid down her back, mirroring mine, but her blue eyes shined just as Peeta's always did. I wrapped her in my arms, "You're beautiful Juniper, the prettiest girl in the world."

She smiled, "Momma's pwettiest." and my heart melted.

Peeta came in then, kissing me on my cheek and pulling Juniper into his arms, "How are my two favorite girls? Ready for your party tonight?"

Juniper bounced around in his arms, her excitement tangible.

It seemed impossible that it had been just 3 years earlier that she was born. The moment she touched my arms my anxiety seemed to ease. I still worried, as all mothers do, and probably more than most mothers, knowing what I knew about humanities capabilities. But my love for this girl, it could conquer anything, being able to raise her, and delight in her daily surprises, well; it was almost worth bringing something so innocent and frail into this dark world. My stomach churned, the thought of her shrouded future physically upsetting. I made it to the nearest potted plant just in time.

"Katniss! Are you okay?" Peeta was beside himself, as usual, so concerned for my well-being.

I waved him off, "I'm fine, you don't need to see me like this."

It was ridiculous, and on some level, I understood that. He had seen me jolt upright screaming in the middle of the night for no apparent reason, he had seen me beaten, bloodied, starved, and on the edge of death, he had seen me dressed in ridiculous capital attire, he had seen me naked, he had even seen me murder another human being on multiple accounts, but at that very moment the last thing I wanted him to see, was me vomiting into a potted plant. Twice.

I managed to recover by Junipers party that evening, enough to even be embarrassed by my prior show of weakness. I was Katniss Everdeen, I was the Girl on Fire, I was the Mockingjay, and I had spent the last few hours vomiting in nearly every available container on the premises.

Gale was unable to take off work for the event, but Delly had chosen to attend, with her children, leaving Gale behind. This was no small feat, Cal was 10 now, and luckily able to help out with 4 year old Gust, but they also bickered a lot, normal sibling stuff, but for someone as cheery as Delly, it was a huge concern. When she finally arrived at our door she looked about ready to pass out, but being Delly, she still put on her usual smile, complimented my figure, Peeta's cooking, and Junipers newest dress. Cal leapt on me the moment she made it through the door, I swung her around a few times, before I felt the nausea resurfacing and I was forced to stop. Gust had little time for me, his priorities were much different than his sisters. The second his little feet hit the floor he was at Peeta's side, reaching up towards the tray in Peeta's hands.

His eyes opened wide, his chubby hand reaching upwards, "Cookie?"

Peeta, the eternal softie, gave him two, and a kiss. Not that I could blame him, the kid was precious, but still, one of us needed to have some sort of restraint.

Juniper grabbed Gust's hand, pulling him up the stairs, "C'mere, my wooms up hew."

Gust followed without an argument, and even handed her one of cookies.

Delly winked at me, "I always knew that boy was a gentleman."

I laughed along with her, "As long as there's a woman around to remind him how to act."

Peeta took our kidding good naturedly, rolling his eyes and shutting us up with some of my favorite cheesy bread.

As we ate, Delly did her best to update me on her life in District 2. Gale worked a lot, long hours too, but they were happy. Blissfully so it seemed. She begged me tell her all about 12; how we'd been doing recently, we were good, and quite happy ourselves. Peeta's bakery flourished, particularly because ½ of his customers only come in to see Juniper, but once they're in the door they can't help but buy something. Juniper reminded me of Prim in that way, so full of life, in a way that made everyone want to be nearer to her, as if by being close to her, you were somehow suddenly more alive. I pushed the thought away, because that was the last thing I needed, something to make me cry.

It didn't seem to matter how many years passed, Prim's death still seemed to haunt me. I wasn't always affected. Peeta helped, Juniper helped, good friends like Delly, Gale, Haymitch, and even Effie helped. But even with all that, it was like a bottomless hole, something that ached constantly within me.

A kiss on my forehead from Peeta distracted me from my depressive train of thought. It was time to bring out the cake. The years had only improved Peeta's decorating skills, and this cake was a work of art. It appeared to be braided, interlacing threads of varying pastels interlaced. Juniper squealed in delight, pointing out the varying details, her name, artfully added in her favorite shade of pink, and the colorful daisies that decorated the edges. Peeta lit up in the aura of her joy. He truly was born to be a father, he took the greatest pleasure in her pleasures, and played along with every game she created, completely intrigued and enthralled.

As Juniper blew out her candles, my stomach twisted once more, a familiar, horrifying, thrilling, giddy feeling swept over me. My happy little family was about to grow.


Thanks for reading!
Review please! I always feel more motivated to write when I know my material is being read and enjoyed! I LOVE feedback! Positive or negative!