15 Years Later, Chapter # 4
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and followed this story! I love writing it and hope everyone enjoys it so far. For those who have commented about liking Gale's POV, there will be more to come!
Rated MA for language, possible violence, and lemons.
I do not own "The Hunger Games" and all rights belong to the Author.
Written in multiple POV's.
My first time writing a Fanfic, so be patient with me!
*Katniss's POV*
*Flashback to May 1st*
I woke up to Peeta entering the room with breakfast in hand. The sunlight, shining through the picture windows of our hotel room, bounced off of the reflective wooden floor and illuminated the entire space.
"Thank you, Peeta," I said, reaching out to kiss him, "You didn't have to go out."
"I wanted some fresh air, and the security guard accompanied me, don't worry babe," He replied, kissing me passionately, "I didn't want to wake you too early."
"You're too good to me," I said happily as I took the cinnamon buns out of the paper bag and took a bite, "These are delicious!"
"I'm lucky to have you, babe, here's some tea as well," He handed me a bright paper cup, "Chamomile with two teaspoons of honey and a lemon wedge."
"Just how I like it, Thank you again Peeta, you didn't have to but I'm glad you did. Is it warm outside today?" I looked at the clock, it read 7:25 A.M.
"Yeah, it's warm but slightly breezy," He said calmly, "Nice out. But the café was super busy. We should get going early so we don't catch traffic on the way to the medical center."
"Sounds like a plan." I replied, finishing my cinnamon bun and tea as I started to undress. "I'm going to shower quickly. I should probably just wear something comfortable, right?"
"That's what I was thinking. I'm sure it's no big deal," Peeta said, "It's just a doctors visit."
"Yeah, just an incredibly important one!" I said nervously.
"Don't be worried babe, everything is going to be alright. We're going to get some well needed answers. I'm here for you, Katniss. No matter what happens today, I love you no matter what."
"I love you too, don't worry…" I said, giving Peeta comfort when I was in need of it myself. "It's not you babe, don't think that, please?" I knew he worried about his fertility. We had no idea what kind of drugs the Capitol had used on Peeta during his capture and torture… I shuddered at the thought.
"I always do, you know that Katniss," He replied sadly, his eyes lowered.
"Listen, I'm sure we'll get it all figured out no matter what. It'll all be okay. Look at me," I said as Peeta looked me in the eyes, "I want to try for a child, Peeta. I know how badly you want them. I want one of our own too. We won't stop at anything to have one, right?"
"Yes, Katniss," He replied softly.
"Good." I walked away from him and started the shower, stepping into the hot water a moment later.
"Peeta and Katniss Mellark?" The nurse called from the hallway, holding the door open for us. We got up quickly and started walking towards her.
"That's us!" Peeta said, as the other couples in the waiting room stared at us. We entered the hall and the nurse led us into an examination room and invited us to take a seat. We sat down, the nurse closed the door behind us and she took a seat as well.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Mellark, my name is Flor. I'll be your attending nurse today. I'm going to start by asking you both a few questions about your lifestyle and general health and demographics. After that, I'm going to take you blood pressure, height and weight, and do a blood and urine test. Then Dr. Presmith will come to collect you and bring you to her office for any additional evaluations and testing, and for your consultation and treatment plan. Is it okay with both of you to be present for each others' initial evaluations?" She said happily.
"Yes" We both replied simultaneously. I reached out to hold Peeta's hand.
"Okay, great, I'll start with you, Mrs. Mellark." She said, flipping through pages on her clipboard and getting a pen out. "If at any time you wish to participate in the evaluation alone, let me know and I will make those accomidations."
"So let's get started. Mrs. Mellark, please confirm your birth name and current name, age, birth month and day, district of birth, current district of residence, and marital status for me, please." She spoke clearly.
"My birth name was Katniss Everdeen, my current name is Katniss Mellark, I'm 32 years old, I was born on May 8th. I was born in district 12, I live in district 12, and I'm married." I said slowly.
"Okay, perfect, that matches my records," Nurse Flor said, "Now, I'm going to ask you a series of yes or no questions as well as some open ended ones about your lifestyle and general health. Have you ever, to your knowledge, been pregnant?"
"No."
"Have you ever gotten a false positive result on a home pregnancy test?"
"No. Not that I can remember anyway."
"Have you or are you currently using any form of birth control, including but not limited to condoms, the birth control pill, or the injection?"
"I was on the Injection when I was between 17 and 18 years old. Then, I was on the birth control pill until about my 32nd birthday, using condoms when I forgot a pill or got sick. I haven't used any form since."
"Okay, have you ever contracted or do you currently have an STD or STI?"
"No, Not that I know of."
"Do you know if you have any anatomical irregularities or deformities, including but not limited to a tilted/ retrograde uterus, abnormal uterus shapes or divisions, etc.?"
"Not that I know of."
"Do you know if you have any other issues or health problems in relation to any of your reproductive organs, including but not limited to: fibroids, polyps, cancer, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc."
"That all sounds scary, but I don't have any that I know of."
"Do you currently have any other disabilities, diseases, or conditions that we should know about?"
"No."
"Have you ever had or currently have abnormally heavy or light or long or short periods, or have ever had or currently have no periods for a time of at least 6 consecutive months? This can include being irregular as well."
"When I was younger, I'd say from when I started my period around the age of 14 to the age of 18, I had really light, short periods some months and no periods at all some months. They always came and come on time though, except for the months I didn't get them at all when I was younger. Since I was about 19 and until now, I get it regularly and it's pretty average every time…"
"Okay…" The nurse wrote quickly. "How many sexual partners have you ever had in total in your lifetime, and how many have you had within the last 36 consecutive months?"
"One in total and one currently. The same person." I said, looking over at Peeta, feeling my face begin to blush.
"Have you ever or do you currently take any medications or vitamins?"
"Just the ones that I was given during the rebellion, in District 13. I don't remember what any of them were? Painkillers?"
"Okay, that's fine…" She continued to write quickly. "Good, good. That's about all the questions I have for you, Mrs. Mellark. Mr. Mellark, I'll be asking you some questions now."
"Okay." Peeta replied, looking towards the nurse.
"Alright, please confirm your birth name and current name, age, birth month and day, district of birth, current district of residence, and marital status for me, please."
"My birth name is Peeta Mellark, my current name is the same… I'm 32 years old. I was born on July 22nd. I was born in District 12 and I live there now. I'm married to Katniss."
"Okay, fantastic… I'll be asking you some yes or no questions as well as some open ended ones. Let me get started here." She picked up another clipboard and flipped to the second page. "Have you ever fathered any children that you know of?"
"No."
"Have you ever done a sperm count test or donated sperm in the past, either naturally or artificially?"
"No."
"Have you ever used any barrier methods such as condoms?"
"Yes."
"Have you ever had a vasectomy and if so, is it currently functioning or have you had it reversed?"
"I've never had one."
"Okay, good…" The nurse seemed to write faster than anyone I've ever seen before. "How many sexual partners have you ever had in total in your lifetime, and how many have you had within the last 36 consecutive months?"
"Only one, and one currently. So only one ever."
"Have you ever or do you currently take any medications or vitamins?"
"I currently don't take any, but was given unknown medications when I was… captured in the Capitol and when I was rehabilitated in District 13…"
"I apologize for bringing up any bad memories, Mr. Mellark…" The nurse said quietly, "Do you have any health issues related to your reproductive organs, including but not limited to chryptorchidism, testicular cancer, epididymitis, or varicoceles?"
"No, not that I know of."
"Have you ever contracted or currently have a STD or STI?"
"No."
"Do you have any other disabilities, diseases, or conditions that we should know about?"
"I lost a leg in the Games. That's all."
"Okay… and that's it for my questions for you, Mr. Mellark," The nurse said happily, "So, what I'm going to do now is have you, Mr. Mellark, sit on the examination bench so I can take your blood pressure and do a height and weight measurement as well as draw blood for a blood test. In the meantime, Mrs. Mellark, if you could please step into the restroom and provide us a urine sample in one of the small blue cups, then place the cup in the tiny door in the wall when you're finished, please."
"Okay, sounds good." I went to the restroom to do my business and returned just as Nurse Flor was getting ready to draw Peeta's blood. It all went smoothly and quickly, thankfully, and then it was my turn. Peeta went off to the restroom while I followed the Nurse's directions.
"Mrs. Mellark, I'm sure you hear this all the time… thank you so much for your service. I'm grateful to you and your husband for your bravery."
"No need to thank me…"
"Okay, so you're 5 feet, 5 inches, 135 pounds. And your blood pressure is perfect! Please sit in the recliner and I'll draw your blood quickly."
"Thank you, Nurse." I said softly.
"No need to thank me. Thank you for all your sacrifices."
*Peeta's POV*
I held Katniss's sweaty hand tighter by the minute as we waited for Dr. Presmith to make her appearance. We had already been examined by her physician assistant and we were directed to have a seat in her office for the actual consultation part of the visit. This was it. I noticed I was nervously tapping my foot and forced myself to stop just as Dr. Presmith entered with a knock at the door.
"Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Mellark! So nice to meet you both, I feel like I've known you your whole lifetimes…" She said happily, coming over to shake our hands over her dark wooden desk, "My apologies for all the poking and prodding. As you probably know, fertility issues are increasingly difficult to diagnose and we must gather all the possible information we can as medical professionals before making a final diagnosis. Ah, well, enough with the medical jargon, let's get to talking, shall we?" She looked at us both and we nodded in unison. She opened her binder and started shuffling through a bunch of papers.
"So let me begin with a brief overview of your general health, Mrs. Mellark, may I call you Katniss?" She said seriously.
"Yes, yes that's fine…" Katniss replied uneasily.
"Fantastic. So, Katniss, your overall health is looking good at the moment. No hereditary disease, no outlandishly abnormal hormonal issues according to our testing, and all your biometrics are in order. I did take note that your progesterone levels have slightly dropped since your well woman's visit with your general doctor five years ago, which is normal at your age and nothing to worry about in terms of your overall, long term health. However, your fertility is another matter, and I would like to point out that I have seen increasing amounts of women with this issue specifically, and I am almost confident through my research since the rebellion that this is linked to chemicals people were exposed to in the districts many years ago. District 11 has had many women with infertility because of excessive pesticides and herbicides used in their agriculture, for example. I'm afraid that District 12 is rather high on the list of most toxic districts. Many chemicals and byproducts produced by coal mining can affect fertility. I am confident that I have a solution to this issue with some simple detoxification habits and fertility treatments."
"Oh… okay?" Katniss said, looking shocked.
"I assure you, this is an issue that can be resolved with some simple lifestyle changes and treatments. As for you, Peeta…" She turned to me.
"Your overall health at the moment is alright, no hereditary disease, and your biometrics look good, but I'd like to discuss your hormone levels and endocrine system issues. I see here that the results of your blood work, while normal in most aspects, are troubling when it comes to your testosterone levels. Testosterone is crucial in male reproductive health because it helps your body produce sperm. Low testosterone can cause low sperm count, which is what the lab has reported here. I see in your bloodwork that you have a minor endocrine system issue which is causing your body to block the hormones that help produce sperm. Most likely, the pituitary gland in your brain has been affected by some type of drug that has made it function too slowly. I am a doctor and I don't like to make assumptions, but I can tell you this with almost total certainty, Mr. Mellark, that I believe the Capitol's cruel and extreme use of tracker jacker venom and truth serum on you during your… time… there is what has caused this issue. Prolonged or extreme use of truth serum has been shown to decrease the pituitary gland's function. In short, the pituitary gland is important because it controls hormone production which controls male sperm count. Simple medications, lifestyle changes, and a few temporary treatments should help you increase your sperm count and viability. The good news in this is that while there is an issue there, it is not life threatening and won't negatively impact your long term health, so I don't see any issue with administering treatments to help get that sperm count up." She said. She then turned and spoke to both of us.
"So, my diagnosis here is one of simple hormone imbalances in your case. My prognosis for this case is very good, I think that your chance of conceiving a viable pregnancy in the next 6 months, while following my lifestyle change instructions, taking any applicable medications, and completing some brief treatments is about 50 to 65 percent, which is a good chance." She said happily as Katniss and I looked at eachother with a smile.
"Now, to discuss changes, medications and treatments with you. I think for you, Peeta, I'd like to start with some basic lifestyle changes. I want you to get at least an hour of walking or light jogging in each day, not including any time spent at work. I'd like you to lose a little bit of weight, not much, 10 pounds or so. Focus on healthy eating, raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and lots of water. Get a good night's sleep and please find time to relax and de-stress. Fertility may be a healthcare issue but I like to also focus on the big picture. Now, as for treatments, I'm going to schedule you in for your first tomorrow at 10:30 AM. I'm aware that you have limited time in the Capitol as you run a business, so I'm scheduling the both of you to be back tomorrow, actually. There won't be any special preparation needed or any recovery time, as the treatment will be administered with a basic injection. The drug we are going to use to help you with increasing your testosterone, and therefore increase your sperm count, is called genadotroupine, and it's been in use for about 10 years now. I am confident that this drug is completely safe for use and doesn't cause any long term side effects. It's meant to only be active in the body for about a month, because it is supposed to be combined in use with the female partner's treatment for the best chances of pregnancy. It only takes a few minutes to administer."
"Okay, that sounds great. I'm ready for this." I said calmly, turning to Katniss for agreement.
"And as for you, Katniss, I have also scheduled your appointment for tomorrow at 10:30. My treatment plan for you is almost identical to Peeta's. Follow the same guidelines for healthy eating, exercise, rest, and emotional health. My treatment plan for you includes a series of injections to improve your progesterone levels in a short amount of time. Tomorrow, I will administer a small amount of Progesterone hormone via injection that will help with a few things. It is going to help your body prepare for pregnancy by strengthening your uterus and blood vessels, hold onto the pregnancy better once you get pregnant, and help your body better prepare for the birth and feeding of the baby. After this first injection, I'm going to have you come back to the office every month to repeat it. By the way, Peeta, you will also be returning to get recurring injections for up to 6 months while you try for a baby... eagerly and often, I suggest…" She looked over at me quickly, winking before I even realized what she said, then she looked back at Katniss. "If you get pregnant at any time during the next 6 months or you feel any strange side effects, please contact me. Once you do get pregnant, and I'm hoping you will within the next 6 months, I'll prescribe small doses of the Progesterone hormone injection to you for you to self-administer every week. Now, speaking of getting pregnant, this might sound like common sense, but refrain from using any birth control methods like condoms unless one of you has contracted an STD or STI. In that case, please let me know immediately. And Katniss, I'm going to have the nurse fill a bag up for you with a bunch of information packets, common Q and A's, and pregnancy tests. I suggest you take a pregnancy test once a week, and take more than one if the lines are unclear. Did either of you have any questions for me?"
"Is it true that keeping your hips elevated after... gets the sperm where it needs to go faster and easier, Doctor?" Katniss asked quietly.
"I get this question all the time, and the answer is- sometimes yes, sometimes no. It really depends on what part of your cycle you're in, and especially whether you've orgasmed or not. Many scientific studies over the past 15 years have proven that elevating your hips for 30 minutes or more afterwards does somewhat help the sperm during ovulation and when you get your period, but helps most when you have had an orgasm, because the cervix tends to be most flexible then." She said happily.
"Thank you, Doctor," Katniss replied, "For imparting your wisdom on me." She laughed.
"The pleasure's all mine," Dr. Presmith replied, "See you two tomorrow. Enjoy your stay in the Capitol!"
We left the room, trailing behind Dr. Presmith as Nurse Flor stepped out of an examination room and handed Katniss a large, white tote bag and whispered something in her ear that made them both laugh.
Dr. Presmith doesn't have to worry about a thing, I'm taking every opportunity I can to fuck Katniss. She won't be able to sit for days when we're finished tonight…