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Thwack!
The sound of his axe echoes through the woods. Katniss fills up a glass of water from the spring and takes it to Peeta. It's still the first day, but he's already busted a log while she stacks it. Snowshoe and Jasper left them long ago to go wander their part of the forest.
He takes the glass with a smile and a nod. She watches him swallow, and wonders why her stomach twists in a knot. After he has guzzled almost the entire glass, he smacks his lips, and grins at her. "Thank you."
She gives him a small smile. "That's enough for today. I need to go hunting for dinner, you can go get cleaned up."
Peeta nods and sets the axe down. He wipes the sweat from his brow while she watches his every move. "I can't believe I chopped all that wood."
"You did a good job today." She pulls her bow and quiver out of a hollowed out tree close by. "I'll be back in a little bit."
"Hey, Katniss?"
She turns to see him shifting his weight and she knows he is testing his knee. "What Peeta?"
He pauses for a moment, and even she can tell that he wants to ask her so much. Instead he asks, "Where do you want me to put my axe? Back in the barn?"
"If you don't mind," She hesitates, wanting to tell him anything to make him feel more at ease, but she also knows that it's a process. "I'll be back soon, unless you want to come with me?"
His face brightens before he tries to school it back to being nonchalant. "No, I'll just get in your way. You go ahead."
She isn't sure what to do so she offers, "Why don't you go take a shower, and," she waves her hand like she is trying to pull the words she needs out of the air. "Bake something?"
His face brightens and this time stays happy. "I can do that," he says.
She watches him for a moment as he heads back to the house. With a pang, she turns and starts down the path the animals use. Did she want him to come with her? She shakes her head even though no one is around to see her.
For some reason she has to walk further than she normally does to find anything. She gives thanks to her father and her sister for the turkey. Right through the eye, she muses as she picks up the bird.
Katniss turns and throws the bird over her shoulder when her smallest sister scares her, making her drop the bird, and it lands in the leaves with a thud.
"Did I scare you?" Sister asks.
Katniss picks the bird back up. "Just a little bit. What is the deal with your birds being all the way out here?"
Her sister shrugs. "I had to get you out here somehow. I wanted to see who Aurora chose. Where is she anyway?" she asks as she looks up to the top of the trees.
Katniss starts walking with her sister falling into step beside her. "I haven't seen her all day." She stops to look at her sister. "You never come to see who anyone chooses. What is the deal with everyone wanting to see him? The feast is in a month, can't you wait till then?"
Sister slides her arm through hers. "I just came to see if you needed any help with the feast. As for everyone else, word is traveling fast about how your boy volunteered for his brother. It's not often we get to see such bravery."
They neared the clearing. "He was brave, wasn't he?"
"The bravest. Now start thinking about what you want to serve, and I'll come early with Tax to help."
"Do you know how tired this makes me just talking about it?"
Her sister's giggle travels through the forest attracting the attention of the animals she loves so much. "We will all come and help, you know that. Now, can I steal a peek at him, or do I have to wait too?"
"Do you mind waiting? I haven't told him about all of you yet."
"Ah, you haven't had the talk yet. That's fine." She leans in so she can press a kiss on her cheek. "I'll see you soon."
Katniss watches her sister ride away on the back of the eagle that swoops down at the four note whistle that echoes through the woods. The gentle giant takes to the sky while she shakes her head. "Why are my sisters always so dramatic," She says to no one in particular. She makes her way back to the tree house, her actions automatic while her thoughts wander. What will he think of—well everything? How much does he really know about the world he can't see? What will he do? Her knife slashes through the skin of the bird while she remembers the one tribute she had.
It was the last time she had chosen the sacrifice and it ended terribly. She chose a young man that year. Once he met everyone, he was alright at first. Then as the feast went on through the long weekend, he started throwing things, screaming at her brothers and sister that they didn't really exist. It was only when he tried to drown in the lake that Father had to step in. Once that boy was out, Father wiped his memories clean and gave him a new life far, far away. That's when Sister gifted her Aurora.
She hopes that Peeta won't do that. A shiver of dread runs up her spine, but he flashes in her head, tousled curls, eyes as blue as the clear spring sky, the way his voice still cracks when he talks to her. No, there isn't anything that is dangerous about him. If he was dangerous, Aurora wouldn't have chosen him, right?
She cleans up the mess from the turkey and heads for the tree. She isn't even at the door when the most amazing smell teases her nose. Her stomach growls as if it's urging her to go faster. Easing the front door open, the aroma envelops her, beckoning her to come closer.
When she gets to the top of the stairs, Peeta is bent over something on the stove, slowly tasting what is simmering in the pot. She purposely steps hard on the top step so the squeak is extra loud.
He drops the spoon with a clang and jumps around. "Hey, you're back." He comes towards her and she can't help but to notice that he's limping again. "That's a big bird you got there. Can I help you?"
"What's wrong with your leg?" She asks as she ignores his question.
He shrugs. "It's nothing."
"Are you sure? Did something happen while we were working?"
"I might have twisted it when I was chopping wood?"
"Oh, Peeta!" She walks past him so she can put the bird in the sink. He hobbles back beside her and watches over her shoulder as she washes her hands. She dries them, and turns back to him. "Go sit, let me look at it."
"But, I'm ok—"
She pulls out one of the chairs and nods towards it. "Sit," she commands and he obeys. She crouches down, and reaches for him. His breath hitches when she touches his pants leg. Glancing up, she sees his nervousness. "Peeta, I'm not going to hurt you. Can I look at your leg and make sure its alright?"
"I think it will be alright," he says as he rubs his shin.
She stands back up even though she wants to see what is bothering him. "Alright, Peeta. There are ice packs in the refrigerator if you need one." She goes back to the sink, and picks up her favorite knife, trying not to worry too much about him. He rejoins her at the counter. "If you will look in the cabinet there, you will find a frying pan. Can you get it out for me?"
He sets the pan on top of the stove, and she finishes butchering and deboning the bird. While he wipes his hands nervously on the kitchen towel. "I've never cooked turkey before."
"Really? Why not?" She asks as he watches her put the bird in the pan.
He shrugs. "I'm not sure," he says, and she lets him change the subject. "We mostly ate the stale bread from the bakery."
She can hear the shame in his voice. her heart wrenches at the pain she hears. She asks instead, "What smells so good?"
"Hmm, bread. You know that biscuit I shared with you yesterday?" He gives her a moment to nod. "I made some more of them and I was able to get some sourdough started."
"Those will be good," she says as she adds some more spices, still hasn't had a chance to look up. "Can you grab a jar of vegetables in the pantry?"
He disappears through the door and she flips the meat, covering the pan with its lid. She then gets some plates out of the cabinet, and goes to set the table. Her last helper has been gone for a while now, so it feels good to have someone to talk to again.
Peeta comes back holding a jar of green beans and peas. "Which one?"
"You pick."
"Do you have a garden?" He asks as he sets the cans on the counter.
She comes back and flips the turkey. "No, my sister and brother do all that for me." She crosses her arms in front of her and leans against the counter. "He grows the harvest, and she cans it for us. Well, all my brothers and sisters."
He opens the peas, and she opens the door that her bowls are behind. He looks confused. "You don't want me to put these in a pan?"
"Oh, I always forget. I have a microwave."
"What is that?"
"It's a wonderful little machine that heats food quickly. You still don't have one in the bakery?"
He shakes his head. "We don't have a lot of money to get new equipment."
He sounds nervous again, just when he was starting to relax. Maybe it's better that she waits for him to volunteer his life story than for her to ask. She doesn't look at him while she gets the meat out, and puts the peas in the microwave. "Can you fix me a glass of tea, please? And fix yourself something too."
She finishes setting the table, while he works soundlessly behind her. They meet at the table and sit at the same time. The timer on the stove dings, and he scoots back. "I forgot the biscuits."
He limps to the oven, guilt makes her heart hurt, wishing that she could heal him instead of the temporary pain relief the tree gives him. He opens the door, using the rag to pull the pan out. In a well practiced movement, the biscuits are on a plate, and he brings it to her, pride making his steps livelier. "They smell amazing," she offers.
"Thank you." He holds the plate for her, and after the divvy everything up, they dig in. He hums his thanks, "This is so good."
She gets a big swig of tea before she answers. "Thank you. I'm glad that you liked it."
He starts to take another bite but stops midair. "I forgot! I have things that the villagers gave me for you."
"The offerings. You can give those to me later."
His troubled look returns. "What's wrong?"
"What will happen to me after this? Is that when you will kill me?"
"No! Oh Peeta! Is that what you've been worried about?" He nods and she continues, "It's not like that at all. You have a choice to remember everything and my father finds you a job, or you can forget and you find a new village."
She returns his smile when she sees the relief on his face.
The rest of the month is spent with awkward conversations, learning how to live together in the never ending treehouse, and chopping wood to get ready for winter.
It must be the hottest day of the year, Peeta thinks, as he stacks the last piece of wood. Tomorrow is their rest day, and even though he has learned by now that the tree restores everything Katniss demands of him, he can't help to relish the idea of having a day to himself.
Katniss herself throws her last piece on the pile beside him and wipes the sweat off her brow with the hem of her tank top. His heart does the strange little skip it started doing lately, especially when he sees the peek of her belly button. "Damn Peeta! You chopped a lot of wood today."
He flexes his shoulders, waiting for the burn that is sometimes there. He answers her with a grin. "It's not me, it's the axe."
She leans up against the wood. "Even with a magical axe you did very well. How about a swim in the lake to cool off? I don't have to go hunting today."
He wants to swallow his words when he stutters, "I-I-I don't know how to swim."
"Oh," she says and his heart clenches when he sees disappointment on her face. "I can teach you."
"You can?"
She gives him a small smile. "I can. Just go ahead and strip down to your boxers." She is already taking her boots off when she says, "Come on, Peeta. Even if you just step in the water for a moment, it will feel so good."
His heart flips in his chest when she unbuttons her pants, wiggling to get them past her hips. She leaves on her tank top and he assumes her panties. He can't really tell since her shirt falls to her hip. He doesn't realize, but he is taking his sweaty t-shirt off. She holds out her hand for it, and without a sound, he gives it to her. She puts it with her pants.
She must see the nervousness in his eyes, so she turns her head. He slowly unbuttons his pants. He remembers that he still has the boots she gave him on. "Katniss? Can I sit down somewhere?"
She whirls around, and sees his problem. Without a word, she drops to her knees and unties his boots. He is stunned while he picks up his foot and she slides the boot and his sock off. She takes his other off, and tucks the socks inside the boots.
"Thank you," he whispers, strangely humbled by her actions. She hands him his cane that he sometimes has to use after a hard day.
Her eyes are kind as she gathers their clothes. She walks ahead of him towards the beach where he first saw her. When she stops, she sets down her bundle and goes to the water, dipping her toes in. He hurries and shimmies out of his pants, glad that his boxers are loose enough to hide how hard her tenderness has made him.
He knows that she is waiting for him to fold his pants before she comes back holding out her hand. "You should probably leave your cane."
"Oh yeah," he says as he drops it on top of the clothes and takes her hand. This is the first time, he lets her see the scars on his leg. He whispers, "Thank you" to whoever she talks to sometimes when she doesn't say anything about the twisting ugly flesh. Together, they walk out towards the water. The coolness of the water feels amazing on his sweaty feet. "This feels so good," he says happily.
She keeps on walking out and he follows. He loves the way the water laps at his calves, then his knees, when it gets to the hem of his boxers, he drops her hand so he can trail both hands through the water. He takes another step, and as the water creeps up his legs, it takes the pressure off his sore leg. Humming in appreciation, he eases his bottom into the water.
Katniss is sitting in the water, and he copies her, letting the water come up to his shoulders. He swishes his arms in the water letting it soothe his tired muscles. There is a moment of panic when he can't see her, but she surfaces several feet away from him and he smiles watching her.
"You've never been swimming?"
He shakes his head. "No, we don't have anything like this all. I mean there is a little creek, but that's it."
"Well, lets start with floating." She swishes in the water over to him. "Lay back in the water, and I'll hold you up."
He tries not to sound nervous, "You can't hold me up."
"I'm stronger than I look. Besides the water will hold you up."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Peeta. I won't let you drown."
He tries not to be awkward, but his bad leg slips in the sand and he splashes in the waist deep water until he gets it up his nose. Then he figures he must be drowning after all, especially after the mouthful he swallows, which results in him coughing and inhaling even more water. Just when he thinks he will never breathe again, a strong pair of arms scoops him out of the water.
Peeta sputters and finally gets to take a normal breath. He looks around and sees Katniss standing in front of him. "Who—" he says as he whirls around to see—
"Finnick! What are you doing here?" Katniss asks irritated.
The ginger haired man chuckles. "I'm saving your tribute."
Peeta finds his footing in the shifting mud, and straightens up. His full height only brings him to the man's shoulders but he stands tall anyway. He's never really thought of other boys, well men, to be handsome, but he has to admit that Finnick is an attractive man.
"Peeta, this is my brother, Finnick. Finnick, this is Peeta."
Finnick smirks. "Welcome to the family. Sister dear, I thought I was the only one who tried to drown them."
Katniss scowls and Peeta's heart speeds up. "D-d-drowning?"
"Shut up, Finnick. Peeta, it's him who likes to see how long his tributes can swim, not me."
"Wait," Peeta says, "You're Rainmaker?"
Finnick bows his head. "At your service." He glances at his sister. "I thought you could teach him how to swim?"
Peeta swallows hard and she answers, "That's what I'm doing. Why are you here?"
"I came to visit my favorite sister and maybe beg a bite of supper?"
She shrugs. "I suppose. Let me teach Peeta to breathe again and I'll go start."
"I can breathe just fine," his boyish voice, ragged from coughing, still trying to stand up to the ageless ones before him.
Katniss starts to say something, but Finnick cuts her off. "Yes, you can," his soothing voice along with his charm makes Peeta feel better. "Why don't I help you learn to float?"
Peeta glances at Finnick, and an unspoken understanding passes between them. With a curt nod, Peeta lays back. He can't help but to tense up, worried that he is going to swallow half the lake again. This time with Katniss on one side, and Finnick on the other, Peeta learns to swim that day.
The next two weeks pass by quickly, days full of baking, chopping wood, and swimming until the sun goes down. Finnick comes by almost everyday, and one day, Peeta asks, "Where is his helper?"
Katniss lays back on the sand. "He had a girl named Atala. She was helping him during a hurricane two years ago. Finnick can control the rain, but not the winds. Well, after he sent her back to his cottage by the sea, a tree fell on the house killing her instantly. Finnick doesn't stay near his home village much."
"That's awful."
Katniss nods, eyes closed against the setting sun shining on his face. "I think it affected him more than he wants to admit." She glances at him. "Is there any bread left?"
"Hmmm, there is. Why don't you get a goat, or even a cow? I know how to make butter and cheese."
She sits up and he can hear the excitement in her voice, "You know how to do that?"
He isn't sure why he flushes, but he does. "Yeah, we had a nanny goat at the bakery. Bram would usually milk it, but it was always me who made the butter and cheese."
"Do you think you could milk a goat?"
"I think so."
She smiles the little smile that makes his heart flip. "I will ask my sister to bring us one then when she comes."
"What?"
"What?" She echoes, confusion written on her face.
"Who is coming?" Peeta asks.
"Oh crap! I forgot to tell you about the feast."
"What feast?"
"All of my brothers and sisters are coming to meet you." She sees the worry on his face. "Peeta it's usually really fun. They all can't wait to meet you."
He nods, and tries not to let how this scares him show on his face. "Now when you say your brothers and sisters—"
"They are just like me."
"Just like you?" She nods but Peeta continues. "What do you mean? They can snap their fingers and start fires?"
"No, nothing like that. Like Finnick, he controls water. He decides when it's going to rain, he makes sure the tides come and go on time. My other sister watches over the animals while another encourages healing."
"Oh," he breathes, "but they are just like us, right? I mean they look like humans?"
"Yes, Peeta."
"When will they be here?"
"They will be here in the next couple of weeks to stay for a couple of days."
"Well, I'm sure it will be fun. Are we cooking?"
Katniss smiles, a little surprised that he is taking as well as he is. "Everyone brings something. But the majority of the cooking will be done here."
"Can I make something?"
"Of course you can."
She loves how his little smile lights up his whole face. "I just need some fresh milk," he says.
"I think I can arrange that."
Kpkpkpkp
Unable to wait any longer, Peeta gives Katniss a list of what he needs, she hooks up Snowshoe and Jasper. When she leaves, she promises him that she will be back very soon.
He finds some little things to keep busy, but by mid afternoon, he is bored.
His days have been busy, even with the days off Katniss has given him, he was unable to rest. After putting supper on to simmer, he gathers up his pencils and paper so he can trek out to the lake. He finds a comfortable place in the sand but even here, among the wild songs of the little birds, the barks of the foxes calling to one another, and the waves softly lapping on the shore before him, he can't focus on the paper before him. He sets it aside, and slowly lays back. The sand makes a cozy pillow for him and he can no longer keep his eyes open. In no time, he is asleep.
"Peeta? Peeta?" He opens his eyes, blinking until she comes into focus. She is bent over him, gently shaking his arm. What warms his heart, is the way she says his name. "Are you ok?"
He sits up slowly. "You're back."
She smiles at him. "Come on, I brought you something."
He grabs the hand that she holds out and she helps him up. She hands him his cane and he asks, "What is it?"
"Come on, and I'll show you!" She says, almost bouncing from foot to foot. When he is steady on his feet, she raises her hand. He wonders if she is about to touch him, and he realizes that he wants her to, but she drops it to her side. She gives him a nervous smile instead. He hears the nicker of the horses and he has to return her smile. "It's a good surprise."
Instead of striding ahead of him like she usually does, she walks beside him. They crest the top of the hill, and he has to stop in surprise. "You brought me goats?" His voice cracking at the end.
She looks at him, and he can see the doubt filling her eyes. "I thought they are what you wanted?"
"Oh, Katniss," his voice wavers. "They are beautiful. No one has ever given me anything like them. Thank you. What are their names?"
She catches his gaze, and grins. This is the first time she has been this happy since he has arrived. He decides then that he will do everything he can to make her this happy again. If it takes until his dying day to do it. "I thought we could name them together?" She asks.
His heart does a silly flip in his chest. "Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail?"
Her grin in that moment is everything. "Aren't those from a children's story? Besides that's only three names."
He looks over the four goats. There is a white one who bleats at him. "That one is Cottontail." This time, the brown one with brown ears echoes her friend's greeting. "That one can be Mopsy," he says then point to the other brown one with white ears. "That one will be Flopsy and then," he pauses and looks around the end of the wagon at the big black one. His suspicion confirmed, he adds, "and that one is Bob."
The fencing catches his eye. "Do you think a fence will keep them in?"
"My sister gave this to me. Hopefully she put a little bit of magic on it and they will stay put. Let's get them fed and in the barn. What did you make for supper?"
"Chicken. I was waiting on you before I made the dumplings."
"How did you know that was my favorite?"
"Lucky guess?" He replies, wishing that every moment could be as sweet as naming goats, and chicken and dumplings.
In no time they have the fence up. Peeta and Katniss both quickly get the hang of milking and Peeta makes his first cake of cheese. He will never forget the look on her face when she sinks her teeth into her first cheese bun. She declares that he must make enough for everyone who is coming.
With only a week left before her family descends on them, Katniss milks while Peeta starts making cheese. Soon every available space has cheese on it. Katniss doesn't mind because everyday Peeta has made her a batch of cheese buns.
When there are only three days left, there is a knock on the door. Peeta asks, "Who is that?"
Katniss shrugs. "I'm not sure." It only takes a moment to descend the stairs and open the door. She knows that Peeta is watching over the banister. "You're here."
"Yes, Sister told you that we were coming to help cook." Her dark skinned brother says as he throws his arms around her. She grunts and looks around him to their other sister huffing behind him.
"Move, you big ox! You two can catch up later." Her petite sister pushes them out of the way and sits her bag down inside the doorway. "Where is he?" She asks excited.
"Who?" Katniss asks, knowing who her sister means but wants to tease her a little bit, because she's a little mad that they decided to show up three days early.
Her sister rolls her eyes and looks up. A huge grin appears. "Come on down here boy. Let us meet you."
"It's ok, Peeta. You may as well come on down."
All is silent but for his slight uneven gait as he hobbles down the stairs. Katniss smiles a small but encouraging smile and he returns it. She says, "Peeta this is my sister, Johanna and this is my brother, Thresh. They came early to help us cook."
"Well then, I'm very happy that you are here," Peeta says.
"Yeah, man. We wouldn't make you do all of this by yourself," Thresh says. He picks up their bags. "What rooms do you want us in, Katniss?"
"Oh, your usual ones," Katniss says.
Thresh goes on upstairs, while Johanna follows slowly. "Something smells really good."
"We've been baking all day," Katniss says coming up behind them.
Johanna stops midway on the stairs and turns to her sister. "You're baking?"
Katniss pokes her, prodding her on. "Yes. I milk, he makes cheese, and then we bake."
Jo looks to Peeta who is still on the bottom floor. "Well I can't wait to try something. Come on up here sweetie so I can get to know you better."
"Jo—" Katniss growls, "He only arrived. Leave him alone."
Jo raises a brow and glances at Peeta again, giving him a big saucy wink. Peeta meets Katniss' eyes and her heart sinks when she sees the confusion on his face. She is supposed to protect him, not let her big sister torture him.
Thresh throws the arm that's not holding the bags around Katniss' shoulders on the wide staircase. "Johanna! Leave them alone. Come on up here, Peeta. The bread you've been baking smells too good."
Katniss stops when they get to the kitchen level. "Peeta?" she calls when she sees him peeking up at her from the stairs. "I'm going to go ahead and take them on upstairs since some people aren't cooperating." She shoots Jo a scowl that makes her sister laugh in response. "Can you fix them some tea?"
"Yes, I'll be right there," he says. When he gets to the top step and it squeaks loudly she knows that he can't stop the flush that colors his cheeks bright red. He clears his throat nervously, and Katniss loves how his voice cracks, "Would you also like a snack?"
It's Thresh who answers, "That sounds good. Come little sister and remind us where our rooms are."
Katniss follows them up the stairs to the third level, walking slowly so she can watch him through the railings. When she can no longer see him, she finally looks up only to run right into Thresh's chest. "Little sister, your boy will be alright," he whispers.
"He's not my boy," she hisses stepping back. "Come on." She stomps on up the stairs past them, not waiting to see if they are following.
Katniss leads them up several flights, stopping when she gets to Johanna's floor first. Johanna decorated it herself several centuries ago in easy earth tones. The door leading to the bedroom is wide open, welcoming its guest. Thresh sets down her bag and she says, "Take brother on to his room. I need to call Blight to see if he's left yet."
Thresh follows Katniss to the next floor. He's not as picky as some of their other siblings, but Katniss wanted to honor his station. So with Jo's help, they wrapped his foyer and his bedroom in rich harvest tones of red, orange and yellow to match his fall trees that he changes every year.
"I'm going to—"
Katniss chuckles. "Yeah, I know. I'll go back down and help Peeta."
She turns to go, but Thresh touching her shoulder stops her. "I know sister does all this to annoy you—"
Katniss rolls her eyes. "Yes, she only does it because she loves me. You would figure after all this time she would figure out another way to show me. Oh, is Twill coming?"
"She is, she just had to finish the getting the apples in Finnick's district ready for harvest then she will be on the way."
"Well all the helper's rooms are ready." She points to a closed door beside the open door leading into his bedroom. "The same place as last time, right in there."
"Thank you, Sister."
She watches him as he disappears into his room before she goes back down stairs. Out of all of her brothers, Thresh is the most down to earth, which is appropriate because he is in charge of the harvest after all. Then there is Johanna. One would think the one who keeps the world spinning would be reasonable. Not her sister. She guesses that Jo does take after her mother. At least that is what Father always says.
When she makes it back to the kitchen level, the kettle is just starting to whistle. She walks by Peeta to get the extra mugs out of the pantry, while he turns down the heat. They meet awkwardly at the counter and with a shy smile from both of them, they fix tea and set out the cookies.
"They are your brother and sister? And Finnick?"
She nods. "The rest of them will be here soon."
She can tell that he is trying to process everything. He asks, "if you are fire, then they are?"
"Johanna is earth. She controls everything. Then Thresh is who you call Harvester."
Peeta pales a little bit under his sun-kissed skin. "He's Harvester?"
"What do you think he does?"
"I'm not sure. Just everyone would say things like 'if you aren't good, then he will come and
steal you away'." He mumbles, unable to meet her eyes.
She wants to hug him when she smells the fear rolling off his body. Instead, she murmurs, "Damn villagers." Then out loud she tries to comfort him, "He isn't like that at all. We are just normal people—" He finally looks up and his brow is raised. "Fine, we aren't normal. But we don't come and steal children in the middle of the night or hurt people."
This time a shy smile makes his lips turn up and her heart jumps like it's seeing the sun for the first time after a winter storm. "Well, that's a relief," he quips.
Her laughter rings out through the tree making her brother and sister stop what they are doing. It's been a very long time since they have heard their Girl on Fire make that sound.