Thank you guys for the wonderful reviews and story alerts. It helps to know that people are actually enjoying the story, it keeps me motivated and inspired. I will promise you all that Gale will show up somewhere towards the middle or end of the story. I won't tell you why though ;) you'll have to keep reading to find that out. This chapter isn't the longest, but I have to move things along. Soon enough, things will get much more interesting and you'll be this much closer to Peeta's death, miraculous recovery, or some other crazy plot twist I come up with.

Here's your Chapter 4, enjoy! And don't forget to review :)

Being home alone is horrible when the person you love the most is unconscious in a hospital room. I can't stand that the doctors won't let me see Peeta, so the scene that keeps repeating in my head is when I last saw him: on the floor of the bakery. I can't shake it out of my mind, even if I try to think of better times, it always comes back to what happened today. I'm mad at myself for leaving Peeta alone; I should have stayed with him. He could have passed out five minutes after I left, for all I know. I want him to be himself again, strong and radiant. Lately, he's been progressively looking more weak and fragile. He has lost so much weight, it scares me to look at him. I wish I could have as much hope as Peeta because I don't feel anything but desperation. I'm desperate for someone to save Peeta, to one day wake up and hear that his cancer is gone. That would be a miracle. I don't understand how he manages to smile like nothing is wrong. I know that it effects him, maybe it effects me more. I don't know. I guess he wants to enjoy whatever is left of his life by not spending it sulking and depressed. I'm happy he is so optimistic, but I hate that the doctors say he could die within one to five years. After they told me that, I had a very uncomfortable conversation with Peeta that night.

It was freezing outside and the hospital was cold too. I'm glad to be welcomed by the warmth of my house. I just don't like what the odds are of Peeta's survival. I had picked up refills for his medication before returning home and place them on the counter. As I take my coat off, I argue with myself. Of course it has to do with Peeta. It has to do with-

"Katniss, you're back late. You should have told me you were leaving, I would have went with you," Peeta surprises me.

"Peeta you are really sick, I wouldn't have let you come with me. Not with a 103 degree fever. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about something"

I think Peeta knows that it might take a while, so he goes over to the counter and takes his medication.

Then he sits next to me on the sofa and suddenly I'm very nervous.

"Peeta I-" I didn't think before I opened my mouth, so I take a moment to figure out what exactly I want to say. "I'm really sorry for all the times I hurt you. Do you forgive me?"

"Katniss, I forgave you a long time ago." He smiles so innocently that I feel ashamed of myself.

At this point, I settle for my actions speaking louder than words because I'm horrible at the latter. So, I lean in to Peeta and kiss him passionately. We're about to enjoy yet again one great part about being married, when I realize I have to tell him one thing before things go further. I slowly pull away and move my hair out of my face.

"I want to have at least one child with you Peeta." Honestly, I said that more for Peeta than myself and judging by the gigantic smile on his face, I'm pretty sure he's ecstatic.

"Are you sure, Katniss?" his ice blue eyes are wide open in pure delight. Peeta loves children and always wanted some of his own, but I never did. We spent so many nights arguing about it and I finally caved in today. Maybe it's because I know that it really is Peeta's dying wish to have children or maybe I'm just being selfish. Whatever it is, I don't think about it much as Peeta and I enjoy each other again tonight.

That all happened a few weeks ago and I went to the doctor a few days ago to see if I was pregnant. For once, I really wished I was because Peeta would be so excited. Besides, with all that's going on, it would be nice to have some good news, something to look forward to. So, when the test results came back negative, I didn't have the heart to tell Peeta. Then, with what happened today, I still haven't got the chance to tell him. I keep thinking about when I should tell Peeta that I didn't get pregnant when the phone rings, which is strange because we rarely get phone calls.

"Hello?" I ask, wondering who the heck is calling.

"Katniss?" I recognize the voice immediately as my mother's and I'm actually glad that she called. I need someone to talk to since Peeta is in the hospital over night.

"Hi, mom. How are you?"

"I'm good, I just got promoted to head nurse at the clinic. How are you, darling?" I'm shocked that my mother is using a term of endearment because she never has done that before.

"I could be better..Peeta was diagnosed with leukemia not too long ago."

"Katniss, why didn't you call me sooner? It doesn't matter now. I'm going to District 12 and you can't disagree with me. You need the company, honey." Great, more terms of endearment. "I'll be there by tomorrow afternoon." She hangs up as soon as she says the last word just to make sure I won't argue. So, now I have to deal with Peeta coming home tomorrow from the hospital and my mother visiting for who knows how long. This is going to be interesting and I dread it already.