Thanks everyone for coming back and continuing to read!
"Goodnight, Poppy."
"Mommy, you won't leave me?"
"No, baby. I'm going to check my email, then read a book. I'll be right over there on the bed. Right where you can see me."
Poppy turns her head and looks. Her little purple cast looks so out of place. "Don't leave me."
She sits down on the bunk beside her. "What's a matter? Are you hurting?"
"I don't know," Poppy whines.
"Well, I just gave you some medicine, maybe it's not working yet? Do you want me to read you another book?"
"Can I watch Descendants?"
"Of course," Katniss says, and kisses her forehead. Poppy already has the remote, and is turning on the little TV in her bunk. The song that tells everyone how rotten the villain's teens really are makes Poppy smile. Katniss turns off the rest of the lights in the RV, but for the ones in her room.
Angling herself so she can keep an eye on Poppy, she picks up the book she was reading last night. She only gets half way through a page when her phone buzzes beside her.
843-205-9890: Hey, it's Peeta.
Katniss: Hey. She types after she adds him in her contacts.
Peeta: How's Poppy?
Katniss: Is it normal for a kid to feel a little bit of separation anxiety after they have surgery?
Peeta: It is. Is she ok?
Katniss: She keeps on asking me not to leave.
Peeta: Did she take her pain meds?
Katniss: I just gave them to her…
Katniss: I think she's asleep.
Katniss: Oh good, she is.
Peeta: She'll feel better once she wakes up.
Katniss: I hope so
He doesn't answer for a long moment, so she picks up her book again. This time she is able to get the rest of the page read before her phone buzzes again.
Peeta: I just got called in. Can I text you later?
Katniss: Yeah, of course.
She lays down her phone, not expecting the additional buzz.
Peeta: I know I probably shouldn't say this, but it was really good seeing you. I just hate that Poppy had to get hurt in order for that to happen.
Unsure of what to say, she lays the phone back down. Picking the book back up, she starts to read again. She knows that she should say something, but not sure what. Why aren't I better at this? Finally, unable to think of anything else, she types: Yeah, I do too. Have a good shift. I hope it's an easy night? Is that what you wish emergency room docs?
She plugs up her phone. In an effort, not to appear that she is waiting to hear something back, she gets up. She checks the door again to make sure it's locked, she turns on the hood light over the stove, and kisses her sleeping Poppy after she props her arm on a pillow. Checking the lamp in the bathroom, she makes it back to her bed.
The book is in her hands again, and about the third time reading the same words, she picks up her phone. She doesn't want to admit how her stomach drops when all she sees is Poppy and her on the beach smiling back at her.
"I didn't really want to talk to him anyway," she whispers in the quiet RV. She opens up her book again, determined to read more than a page this time. Before she knows it, the exhaustion of the past couple of days claims her too. Her eyes drift shut as she enters into her dreams… as her phone buzzes one last time.
kpkpkpkp
"You're late, Everdeen."
"I know, I know," she grunts as she rushes past Finnick. She grabs her apron, and rushes by him as she ties it on. "Poppy didn't want me to leave her. Not even with Prim." She huffs, and meets Finnick's eyes. "Why didn't anyone tell me how clingy she would be?"
He stops wiping down the counter, and opens his arms. Feeling guilty after her confession, she steps into his arms. "I'm a bad mom," she says, her voice cracking from the unshed tears.
"No, you're not, Katniss." He steps back so she can look up at him. "What just happened was very traumatizing. To everyone, most of all Poppy. Allow her to be a little clingy, but you also need a break."
"I got angry with her today, Finnick. When I was finally able to leave her with Prim, I about ran out of there so glad for a break."
"What else happened?"
She looks behind him, glad that the Friday happy hour rush hasn't started yet. "Just everything. She wanted to cuddle, which was fine. Then she wanted me to literally carry her everywhere. She even went to the bathroom with me. She hasn't done that in at least six months. Then when I tried to leave her at Prim's—"
"What did she do then?"
"Oh, Finnick, she laid down on the floor and screamed! She's never pitched a fit before. Prim thankfully waved me out, and I slammed the door behind me. Why is she doing this?"
"I'm guessing that the surgery scared her, and she just wants you close."
"I know, I know—"her voice trails off. "But a good mother wouldn't run out the door when her child who just had surgery two days ago is pitching a fit."
"There is no such thing as a perfect mother, trust me, my mother tried. You are however a good mom. Stop worrying. She loves and knows her Primmy. And Prim is probably the only qualified person around here to really take care of her." Suddenly he looks away from her.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Liar."
"You have enough to worry about."
"This is about the other night, isn't it? We're still friends no matter what, right?" He nods, unable to look her in the eye. "Finnick, for fucks sake, just tell me. I really don't have the energy to guess right now."
"Do you remember the nurse that helped you in the ER? Annie?"
"Of course. How did you meet her?"
"She came looking for Rye. We talked a little, then last night she came into the bar."
"She did?" She looks more closely at her friend and smiles when she sees the flush turning his whole face pink. "You like her."
"We're just friends—"
"Bullshit. You really like her." Her smile is genuine. "I'm happy for you. When are you two going out?"
"What about—"
Her wave stops his words. "Remember? We are friends. Who knows?" She nudges him, and smirks. "This might be the love of your life."
She turns and washes her hands, and grabs the towel he had been using to wipe down the counter. A new couple comes in and sits together down at the other end of the bar. After getting their drink, and an appetizer ordered, she returns to Finn still watching her. "You really don't mind me asking Annie out?" He reaches out for her, tugging her close and whispers, "It's strange, as much as I wanted you, I want her more."
"Finnick, she might be your wolf, your eagle, your little termite." She laughs at him as he squints at her. "They mate for life."
"Oh, that's funny. Well then, I hope you find your wolf, your eagle, your termite."
Peeta comes rushing into her head, and she blinks quickly. "I hope so too."
Luckily, more people come in, distracting her from thinking about, well, everything. It's not until Rye yells from the kitchen that Happy Hour is over, that she looks up to see that it is indeed seven o'clock.
"Mommy!" The call comes over the chatter surrounding her.
"Oh no," she whispers looking over towards the door. Poppy is there, her little brow furrowed, hanging onto Prim. "I'll be right back, Finnick."
She doesn't pay attention to what he says as she walks away from him. Prim carries Poppy towards the office, and Katniss follows. "I'm sorry, sis—"
"What's wrong?" She asks as Poppy lunges at her.
She catches her in time to hear Poppy say, "I missed you, Mommy."
"I missed you too. But you know that I'm working so I can buy you some new clothes and toys."
Her daughter's muffled voice says, "I not need clothes or toys."
"Honey," she whispers back, as she rubs her little back. "I might want some new clothes and toys."
A giggle makes the older Everdeen smile. Poppy leans back, and smiles. "You don't need any toys!"
"But I might want that Calico Critter house to play with," Katniss pouts.
"No, I want it," Poppy exclaims.
"Then I need to get back to work." She kisses Poppy' nose. "Now, it's almost time for your medicine. Are you hurting?"
Poppy's smile deflates. "A little."
"Well then, why don't you let your Primmy go give it to you. And I bet she'd watch Descendants Two with you."
"Would you, Primmy?"
Prim scowls at her sister but her voice is sweet when she says, "of course, baby. But we have to go back to my house, ok?"
Poppy's lower lip begins to quiver, and those Mellark blue eyes fill with tears. "Poppy, what's wrong?" Katniss asks hugging her daughter tighter.
"I want to stay with you."
Katniss sits down in Cato's office chair and snuggles her close. "I know, but Prim has worked hard all day. Remember how we had to help her do the office stuff? Well, you colored and I worked," Katniss chuckles. "But now, I've got to work and you get to help Primmy do the fun stuff." She feels Poppy nuzzle into her and the guilty feeling she's been fighting since she found out what happened returns.
"Do you want me to see if Rye can cover for you?" Prim whispers.
Katniss shrugs. "I really don't know what else to do," she mouths back.
"This is normal for her to be feeling this way. Why don't I cover for you—"
"Prim—"
"No, really, let me cover for you, and you take her back." Prim smirks at her sister. "Besides, once Poppy likes me again, you can work all the doubles you want."
"Alright, then. Poppy?" She leans back enough so she can look in her eyes. "Let me get my stuff, and we'll go then."
"You coming with me?"
"Yes. Now get up and let me get my stuff." Poppy slides off her lap, and she can't help the lingering twinge of guilt that remains when she sees the purple cast. Prim kisses Poppy and smiles at her sister. Katniss digs out her tips and dumps them in her purse. She then unties the apron and offers it to Prim. Prim accepts it and Katniss grabs her purse and Poppy's good hand. "Let's go kiddo."
"Ok, Mommy," Poppy says as she looks up with a grin.
They walk out of the office and Katniss turns to take Poppy out the backdoor when she hears, "Katniss? What is she doing here?"
Katniss looks back towards the busy bar area to see Peeta standing there, with what could only be a horrified look on his face. "He looks shocked, doesn't he?" She whispers to Prim.
"It's hard to tell," she mutters back. Loud enough for Peeta to hear, Prim says, "why don't the three of you go out the back door?"
Peeta comes closer and Poppy steps closer to her. Not sure what else to do, Katniss adds, "Come on, Peeta. Poppy and I were headed back to the campground."
She doesn't give him time to answer, but turns to go down the other end of the hallway. The faint aroma of cinnamon and dill reaches her, and she can't stop her heart from thumping weirdly in her chest.
The door pushes open easy, and they walk out into the twilight of the evening. The humidity is starting to wane, and the stars are starting to appear as the door shuts behind them, shutting out the noise of the bar.
For just a moment, Katniss allows her eyes to close, and she breathes in the sea air that she loves so much. Poppy moves beside her, making her smile. "That's the mean doctor, Mommy. Why is he here?"
Katniss turns around and in a fleeting moment, sees a flash of pain cross his face, before a stoic mask returns. "That's Peeta. He's a good doctor, not a mean one. He helped you."
"He gave me a shot," Poppy whispers loudly.
"But you felt much better after that, didn't you?"
Poppy nods then finally looks at Peeta. "Hi."
"Hi. How are you, Poppy?" He answers.
She looks back up at Katniss, then back to Peeta. "I'm ok. Why are you here?"
His eyes find hers, then moves back to Poppy. "I needed to talk to your mother, so I figured I'd come see you too."
"Do you want to watch Descendants Two?"
"Oh no, he might not want to watch that—" Katniss begins.
Peeta interrupts, "No, I hadn't seen that one. Do you have popcorn?"
Poppy smiles and nods. "And gummy bears, and M&M's and water."
"That sounds like a feast." He clears his throat. "Is it ok, with your mom?"
"Is it ok, Mommy?"
Katniss looks up, and meets Peeta's eyes. Something flickers there, but she isn't sure what. Her heart does a weird thing again, like someone sucked all of the air out of her lungs. Somehow, she is able to say, "yeah, it's ok."
Poppy looks at Peeta again, and says, "you don't have another shot?"
His smile matches Poppy's, and it makes her stomach flip. "No, I left all of my shots at the hospital. I promise."
"Well, if you promise." Then Katniss watches in amazement as her daughter drops her hand, and takes his instead. Peeta meets her eyes, and smiles. Then Poppy tugs on his hand, and leads him over the bridge that leads back to the campground.
She digs out her phone, and takes a quick picture of them walking ahead of her.
Once they are all across the bridge, Peeta slows down so Katniss can catch up with them. Once she does, Poppy smiles and says, "I not mad at him anymore."
"You're not?"
"No, he's a nice doctor."
Peeta gives her an awkward smile. "I think that's the nicest compliment I've gotten so far." She can see him looking around. "You live here?"
"Yes," Poppy says excitedly, "we live over there past the pool."
Peeta looks worried, and Katniss chimes in, "we live here in the summers. I teach school now, and this is how I make our extra money. During the school year, we live in mom and dad's old farm house."
Pent up anger washes over her as old feeling come rushing back. All those nights of crying over him, worrying about what she was going to do now with a baby, how she was going to make it—
And here he is.
Part of her wants to hug him while the other part wants to shoot him with her daddy's old bow.
Poppy leads them to the RV, but before they have a chance to go in, Cato is waiting out on his porch. By the light of the street light and the camping light that Poppy and Prim hung just the week before, she sees the concern on Cato's face.
"Prim said she'd cover for me."
"She called," he answers. She doesn't miss how he eyes Peeta, but he continues, "is Poppy alright?"
Katniss feels Poppy come up beside her, and hug her leg. She runs her fingers through her chocolate curls and says, "she will be."
"We going to watch Descents Two. Do you wanna watch too, Unc' Cato?"
He grins at Poppy. "I'm going to go check on your Primmy."
Cato walks down off the porch, and bends down to kiss Poppy. He shakes Peeta's hand. Cato turns, and she says, "I'm sorry about this."
He shrugs. "It's alright," he offers, ruffling Poppy's hair. "We'll get through this together, like we always do."
"Thank you, Cato," she says, and he gives her one of his easy smiles. "See ya' later."
Poppy goes to the door, and says, "Mommy says this is our summer house, but it's really a camper-van."
Katniss unlocks the door, and Poppy bounces in. Peeta looks at her with that brow raised. She motions for him to go on in ahead of her. Once he's in, she follows, shutting the door behind her. It's weird seeing him here, in this new space, where she's never seen him before.
Much less talking with their daughter.
"This is my couch, and my kitten. That's where Mommy says I have to keep my shoes."
"But there aren't any shoes there," Peeta answers.
Poppy giggles. "That's cause they are at Primmy's." she smiles, then straightens as straight as she can.
Katniss says, "go, baby." Poppy nods then opens the bathroom door. When she disappears behind it, she says, "You don't have to stay. Not everyone likes Descendants."
He shrugs. "I just came—" he pauses for a moment, as if he's searching for the right thing to say. "I'm not sure why I came. I just knew that I had to see you, I mean Poppy, even if it's just for a minute."
"Peeta?" her voice is shaky. "What—"
The door closes, interrupting them. Poppy stands there with that brow raised, and it hits her- that's the same brow that Peeta always—she glances at him, and the same is brow up. How did she never notice that before?
"Mm-hmm, Peeta, you can go ahead and sit there on the couch with Poppy," she says as she opens the cabinet that has the glasses in it. "Poppy, you can have some tea, milk or water—"
"Tea, Mommy. Can I have some tea?"
"Yes, you may. Peeta? I also have—" she opens up the cabinet that she considers her pantry. "Dear lord it looks like a bar in here."
He comes up behind her and looks over her shoulder. While he takes in the almost empty bottles of whiskey and vodka, the same ones she brings home and never touches again all because Prim hands them to her when she is cleaning out the cabinet under the bar. "Can I have a drink?"
"Yeah, what can I make you?"
He reaches around her for the black label.
She takes the bottle from him, their fingers brushing. She turns, reaching for a glass while she tries not to think about how his cheeks turned pink. When she turns back around, two sets of the same shade of blue eyes watch her from the couch. Side-by-side, it takes her breath away how much they look alike. "Mommy?"
"What?" She whispers.
"The movie, Mommy. Can we watch it?"
She blinks, Poppy's face coming into focus again. "Yes, let me find—" Poppy interrupts her when she waves the remote at her. "There it is." She retrieves it, and gets the movie started.
Nervous energy keeps her moving as she makes Peeta's drink and fixes Poppy's sippy. The familiar tunes of the movie fill the space, so she doesn't have to say anything as she puts together Poppy's favorite snacks.
Poppy's little voice reaches her over the noise of the TV. She turns to put the bowl of food on the coffee table. Her heart catches in her throat as she takes in Peeta leaning close to Poppy as she explains to him what the movie is about.
"Psst—" she hisses, getting Peeta's attention first, then her daughter's. "I'm going to go change clothes. I smell like the bar." Peeta nods, and Poppy ignores her, lost already in Mal and Evie dancing across the screen.
She closes the door behind her, and quickly shimmies out of her jeans and the bar logo t-shirt. "Why not?" she whispers to herself, and she pulls on a clean shirt, and a pair of boxers she's had for so long.
It's not until she is halfway across her RV that it hits her. They belonged to Peeta once upon a time. He will probably never recognize them. She grabs her sweet tea off the kitchen counter, and crosses in front of them so she can go sit in the captain's chair beside Poppy's side of the couch.
A small smile lifts her lips as she sees the little pillow under the purple cast. "Mommy—" Poppy whispers, a tired smile mirroring hers appears.
"Are you sleepy, Baby?"
Peeta meets her eyes over Poppy's head as she nods, but says, "no, I'm not tired."
"Mm-hmmm," Katniss hums, as she kisses her head. It doesn't take long for Poppy's eyes to close. She waits several more minutes before she stands.
Peeta gets to his feet also, and whispers, "can I do it?"
Emotion makes it impossible for her to do anything but nod. He carefully slides his hand under her head, then one under her hips. Katniss steps around them and walks to Poppy's bunk. She pulls down the covers, and Peeta lays her down.
He pulls up the blanket, and she sees him hesitate, before he kisses Poppy on the forehead. She makes it to the living room before the sob escapes. He's there, holding her again while she cries. "Can we go outside?" He mutters.
She nods and leads the way. Under the awning, is the wooden picnic table that is at every camping site, along with pool floats, the grill, and some camping chairs. The need to do something to fill the nervous space between them, she picks up the toys scattered around the site.
He waits until she is done, then he says, "she is an amazing little girl."
"I think so, too."
"You've done an remarkable job with her."
"Our siblings have been a big help. I miss them since they moved."
"When did they move?" He asks.
"Two years ago. Prim graduated, passed her nursing boards, and Cato's uncle died. When they said that they were moving, it took Rye about five minutes to decide that he was selling his shares of the brewery and moving too." She looks around, anxious to be doing something so she offers, "would you like to sit down? Or do you need to go?"
A flicker of need flashes across his face. "I'd like to stay—"
She pulls out two of her chairs, and he takes them from her. He unfolds them, while she goes back in the camper. She returns in a moment with their drinks. He waits for her to sit, before he takes the other one. "I can build a fire in the fire pit, if you want?"
"It's been awhile since we've sat around a fire." He observes.
She smiles. "Wasn't the last time when we went camping in Tennessee?"
His smile lights up the night. "That was a good trip."
"It was," she echoes. So many things are on the tip of her tongue, but she isn't sure what she can say—so she waits.
He doesn't let the silence linger. "It was so strange going to California that first time."
"I can imagine. How was medical school?" She asks when all she wants to do is run into his arms and never let go.
She meets his gaze, and there in the shadows cast by the camping lights surrounding them, he confesses, "can I tell you how much I missed you?"
"Peeta—"
"I know—I know—I shouldn't be doing this. But coming here on a whim for my internship—and finding you—" he's the first to look away and she can hear him mutter, "forget I said that."
"I can't." Comes out of her. "You don't know how I missed you—" she is unable to say anymore because Rye of all people comes walking up. Her mind goes blank but she knows that she needs to be alone for a minute—or ten. "You two need to talk."
The brothers look at one another, and it's Rye who nods first. Peeta meets her eyes and she nods, wanting them to become brothers again. It's been too long for them to not have each other.
Katniss gets up, and walks over to Rye. She can feel Peeta following, watching. "Tell him," she says, then says to Peeta, "that night when you came over and said those things." She draws what she hopes is a steadying breath. "I'm not sure where that came from, but none of it was true." She turns back to Rye. "Why don't you take him to the beach? No one is out there right now."
"Is Poppy asleep?" Rye asks. She sees his eyes move, and she knows that Peeta has moved closer so he can hear them.
"She is."
"You need to come too," Rye says.
"You two need to go first. Then the three of us—"
"If you're sure?" Rye asks.
She nods. "Just remember that you two are brothers and at one time loved each other very much."
"Come on, we'll take the golf cart," Rye offers.
Peeta climbs in the seat beside him, and she smiles when she hears him ask, "can I drive on the way back?"
She doesn't hear what Rye says because they are speeding away.
Rye leads the way to the beach, and she watches them until she can't see them anymore. Not sure what to do, she gently opens the door, and creeps back in to check on Poppy.
When she comes back out, Prim is walking up to her and looks around. "Where did they go?" She asks.
"The beach. I was bossy."
Prim takes the seat that Peeta was in. "What did you do?"
"I told them that they needed to talk."
"They do. What else did I miss?"
"Peeta came in. Poppy went to sleep and he helped me to tuck her in."
She can see her sister's smile in the shadows. "That's sweet. Do you want me to hang out with Poppy so you can go check on them?"
Katniss nods. "You can tell that I want to go?"
"I'm your sister, of course I can tell. Use my golf cart."
Katniss stands, and heads for the cart. She stops before she climbs in, and looks back at her sister. "What do you want to tell me?"
Prim shakes her head. "Go talk to them, we can talk about this later."
"You're sure?"
Prim nods. "Yes, go."
Katniss pauses for a moment, then goes back for a hug. then she is in the cart- headed for the beach. She finds Rye's cart in the first entrance through the dunes.
It's a full moon, so it's easy to spot them down the beach. It's not until she gets closer that she hears the shouting. She runs to them, and thankfully both of them fall silent when she gets to them. "What are you doing?" She asks them.
"I tried, Katniss. I really did," Rye grunts. "He won't listen to me."
She looks at Peeta, and wishes she had better lighting so she could tell what he is thinking. "What did he tell you?"
"Lies," he mutters as he runs his hands through his waves. "He's telling me lies."
"No Peeta. Tell me what he said, and I'll tell you if it's the truth or not. Do you trust me?" She asks.
The beam of a flashlight chooses that that moment to shine in his face. She sees the torment he must be feeling. "He said that mother—why would she do that?"
"Oh, Peeta," she whispers, feeling Rye step closer to them. "She never liked me. I think it was because of my mom and your dad. I'm still not sure why she never liked Rye—"
"I've told you, Katniss. I didn't want to be a dentist. Then I told her I was gay—"
Peeta's head snaps towards his brother. "You're gay?"
Rye nods. "I told Mother that first Christmas you were away. She told me that no son of hers was gay and to get out. I wonder if she was just looking for an excuse to get me to leave."
"You mean—she told me that you two—" his voice trails off, full of pain, which makes tears spring to her eyes.
"You were the only Mellark for me," she whispers in the ocean air whipping by them. She's not sure if he hears her, but she wants to leave, unwilling to confess anything else to him tonight.
She turns to walk away, and she isn't sure who says her name, but she turns around anyway. The brothers, who have been such a big part of her life, stand there watching her. "I need to go check on Poppy," she offers as an excuse. "Be nice to each other," she wishes.
Rye searches her face. "Where are you going?"
"Poppy—"
He steps towards her, with Peeta following. The three of them stand there in the moonlight unsure what to do, when Rye wraps his arm around her shoulders, at the same time he hugs Peeta with the other.
She returns Rye's hug and her other arm wraps around Peeta too, enclosing them in a group hug.
kpkpkpkp
When he unlocks his truck, the clock on the dash reads two a.m. Surprisingly, after working the swing-shift at the hospital, he really doesn't feel tired.
The only reason he left is to have a moment alone to think.
He pulls out onto Kings Highway and heads for his empty studio apartment. He tries to empty his mind, and in a way, it works, but his heart. His heart keeps going, wanting to go over every moment from the past couple of days.
When all he wants is another Jack and Coke.
It only takes him a couple of minutes to pull into his apartment building parking lot. Eager, to be upstairs, and not having to share the elevator with anyone, he's upstairs in no time. Once the door is locked behind him, without a second thought, he's opening the refrigerator, and pulling out the bottles he's craving.
He downs the first one easy, then refills his university glass. This one, he takes out to his little balcony, and sits in the chair still out there.
The beach is silent. No one is out, no shouts like there is in the daylight, no loud noises from the road on the other side of the building. He finally gives in, and lets everything run through his head again.
Seeing Poppy for the first time.
Seeing Katniss after too much time apart.
His heart wanting to gallop out of his chest when did see her.
Seeing Rye.
The drink is cold as it goes down, relaxing him. He inhales, the exhales, trying to pin down the thought he had earlier.
Was Mother really to blame?
He knew, and knows that she always had strong feelings about the Everdeen family. But was it enough from her to keep them apart?
His snort echoes against the stucco walls. Another drink, he sinks deeper into his mind.
Why didn't he ask Katniss to go with him?
He knows the answer even before he's done thinking the question. What if he'd asked, and she said no? What would he had done then? So instead, he was a coward, and just left her. That's the same question he asked himself over and over again when he couldn't sleep at night from missing her so.
His eyes close as he thinks about her swelling with his child buried inside her. How beautiful she must have been.
Who held her when she was dealing with morning sickness?
Who went and got her orange chicken in the middle of the night?
Who caught Poppy when she was learning to walk?
Who kept the baby happy while Katniss took a break?
Who is going to teach his daughter how to ride a bike?
He will, damn it.