Chapter 2:

I wasn't sure how I felt the seconds following after Peeta's sentence.

My feelings were unsure—I wanted to explode but I also wanted to dig a hole and bury myself inside for a few years.

There was seriousness in Peeta's eyes before he was exploding into laughter; it was a laugh filled with much humor, I could tell. "Katniss! I am such a dumbass. All the conflicting emotions finally make sense. I love you. I have loved you ever since first grade!"

"Please tell me you're kidding," I whispered, reaching for one of Peeta's great pastries. And no, it wasn't a doughnut. "I don't want to marry anyone—or anything. Besides, you want children. I can't have children."

"I was just kidding." I could somehow sense he only said the words to please and the words weren't the complete truth. Peeta leaned against the counter of his shop, releasing a breath, but still wearing that hot smile of his. "Have you ever tried? We can definitely try."

"What? WHAT? No. Noooo. I don't like you like that." I shook my head, rolling my eyes, making it clear that I was not talking about anything that involved us getting into a more intimate relationship.

"I'll pay for this later," I told him, taking a bite from those cheese buns he made that I loved. "I can't be acting foolish when I'm on the clock."

Peeta waved away my words, making his way to me, blocking me from exiting his shop. "You think I am joking around with you, but I am not. I selected you as my wife and you're going to be my wife."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "You're harassing a police officer. Do you want to get arrested?"

"You work for the law and you're breaking it by not listening to me, me- the man that has chosen you to be his wife. Do you want to get arrested?" The look that came upon my face must have been comical because Peeta laughed. "Ah, you're so cute. I can't wait till we get to baby-making practices. With how beautiful you are, I know they will come out looking good."

I shook my head, turning my back to him, so in denial of his fantasy—but oh goodness, there was this part of me that blushed because of what Peeta suggested, about trying baby making. Even though I tried to block out all of it, and though I was successful at times, the first time with Peeta never really faded from my memory.

"I am going back to my cop car to pull over people I don't like and make up random stories of why I pulled the person over."

I couldn't see his face but I could tell Peeta had a grin on his face with the tone of his voice. "My brother is still pissed because you pulled him over for going several miles under the speed limit."

"He was blocking my way," I muttered. "Anyway, I am leaving. I'll see you when you're not so delusional."

"Alright, my lovely. By the way, we have date later tonight. I'll head to your place at eight and regardless of how you look, we're leaving at eight."

"You're really stupid for thinking I am going to the Choosing Festival with you."

"Beautiful, just be ready at eight. Now go hop on your dinosaur and do your cop duties."

Right before I exited the door, Peeta blew me a kiss and threw a wink my way.

When my shift was over, I went back home and endorsed in a session of nerves in front of the mirror. These feelings were new and strange as I had never in my felt this strangeness with Peeta, until now. He'd been my best friend since first grade, after all those years of nothing, and suddenly this. Well, I started to feel the strange emotions once upon a time but the separation between my parents caused those feelings to be pushed away.

Ten minutes before eight, I finally found something suitable to wear. And just like had said he would, Peeta was at my door right on time.

"Nice outfit," he commented. "Makes you look plentiful and beautiful."

I glanced down at myself and abstained from rolling my eyes. Sweat pants and one of his large shirts was not very attractive on me. My untamable, rat-just-died-in-here hair has been the part of my outfit that wowed him the most. Right. Pfft.

"Katniss, my gorgeous, I brought some plant sex organs—"

"Get inside. Cops don't talk to weird people."

Peeta took his sweet time getting into my house. "Relax. Everyone in this town already assumes we have some benefits going on between each other, a result of us being butt buddies since first grade."

Before I closed the door, I took a glance outside to the Choosing Festival. "There is way too much activity happening out there. Those parties are only for lunatics."

"Get your shoes. We're going to go party with those lunatics right now."

I rolled my eyes. "I can sense another baby boom coming on."

Peeta stretched, making himself comfortable on my couch. "The result of our animalist lovemaking will be among that baby boom."

I joined Peeta on the couch, stretching myself, settling my legs against his lap. "Something is going to hit you in the head and knock you off that high dinosaur you've been riding."

"I am not giving up on us," he told me. "Marriage isn't so bad. It does have its ups and downs, just like everything else."

"Oh, yay. I am glad you can tell me some advice after your five failed marriages," I muttered sarcastically.

"It's you. You have this twisted belief that depicts marriage as horrible. I swear, stop watching so much TV. Maybe your life would be more colorful. Go for a ride on a guy's valuable point."

I shook my head, closing my eyes for a second, looking back at him. "TV is the only thing for entertainment this town. Really, you're the only person I talk to."

"If you think about it. . ." Peeta patted his lap and did not resume his talking until I sat on his thighs and after he had his arms around me. "If you think about it, we only have each other in this life."

I settled him against, the lack of sleeping finally catching up to me. "I am glad you're here, Peeta."

"I'll always be here for you, Katniss. Always."