The characters of The Hunger Games Trilogy do not belong to me.
Truth with Consequence
Chapter Seven
Katniss gripped the edge of the table that she sat on as she heard Peeta's admission.
"The baby is mine," Peeta continued as he went to Katniss. "And I'm happy about it."
"How could you let this happen?"
They all looked to see Prim at the doorway, her eyes brimming with tears, as she looked at Katniss.
"You're married to Gale—you love Gale," Prim continued softly.
Katniss stood up unsteadily before going to her.
"Prim…you're so young, and the world is not just black and white. There are different kinds of love," Katniss began.
Her eyes went to Gale. He and Al stood on one side of the room, still as statues; their arms brushing subtlety.
"I do love Gale and I will always love him," she told her sister. "But inside here—" She placed her hand to her chest. "I never thought of him as the one I belonged with. And, one day, I found out that he felt the same way."
Gale took Al's hand, and Prim's eyes widened in realization.
"I think I always knew that there was something different in your marriage," her mother suddenly spoke and she sadly met Katniss' eyes. "You changed so much those first two years, you were more guarded-and even a little defeated."
"I'm sorry you found out this way, Prim." Katniss went to her sister and as she reached to put her arms around her, Prim stepped back. Her rejection was like a punch in the gut, but Katniss knew that there was no going back. "I can't change what I've done, and we will live the rest of our lives here trying to keep this secret."
"How could you do this to Katniss?" Prim asked Gale suddenly.
"I never meant to hurt her," he explained to her. "And I tried to stop what I felt for Al, but I couldn't. When Katniss found out, I wanted to go to the Capitol to try to get this fixed, but your sister refused."
"Those side effects can cause long-term problems," Katniss continued. "I wasn't going to risk losing my best friend over something that was part of him. Love can make you do strange things—even the love you have for a friend." She took a deep breath as she watched Prim's eyes glaze in confusion. "So I made a decision to help him. One of us should've been with the one we loved."
"So fixing up the house was just some big ploy." Prim wrapped her arms around herself. She looked over at Peeta with a frown. "How did he come into the picture?"
"I didn't meet Peeta until the night I found out about Gale." Her eyes flitted to him and Peeta nodded in encouragement. "Peeta came with Al to the house when we started the home improvements." She looked over at Peeta once more, her heart jumping at his stare. "He became my friend. Then…he became more."
"I love your sister." Peeta went to her side and he looked pleadingly at Prim. "I always have since we were children and I should've said something sooner. Maybe we would be in a better situation if I had. But, now that I have her—I won't let her go. I'm just sorry that you found out this way."
"The cakes. They were never just displays, were they?" She rocked slowly on her feet as she contemplated his words. "They were always made for her." Peeta nodded. "All this time."
Katniss moved to take Prim's hand. This time, her younger sister didn't pull away. She could see, however, that there was a change in her eyes.
"You lied to me." Prim looked at her; the blue of her eyes were cool. "I thought we never kept secrets from each other. But, you managed to cover this up for this long from me. I don't know you anymore. The sister I know wouldn't do this."
Their mother placed a hand on Prim's shoulder. "You're upset right now. I think you should go to your room."
Prim nodded and Katniss let go of her hand. The young girl walked to the back of the house, and they waited until they heard the click of her door as she went in.
The room had been built as a present from Katniss and Gale for Prim's sixteenth birthday. Privacy was hard to come by in Seam houses, so it was a real privilege to get one.
Also, it had made Prim feel as if she was really an adult.
Now, Katniss had ruined things with their secrets. She had made Prim feel like she couldn't be trusted and that she still thought of her as a child.
"Give her time," her mother said. "She always thought of you as perfect. It's hard to see that someone you love so much has flaws, just like any other person."
Katniss could feel her eyes grow heavy—she was so tired.
She could feel Peeta behind her so she reached out, and his hand enclosed over hers. His warmth filled her and she turned, her arms reaching to wrap around his neck as he pulled her close. Slowly, he rocked her back and forth and she put her head against his shoulder.
"So, we're having a baby," he whispered in her ear. "I'm going to be a dad."
She smiled into his neck. "I guess so."
"You're going to have to be even more careful now." They turned hearing her mother's voice. "All of you—sit down."
They all went to the wooden table that Katniss woke up on; Gale and Al on one side, Peeta and Katniss on the other, while her mother sat at the head of the table.
Her eyes settled on Katniss. "You will have to come see me once a month until the baby comes," her mother informed her. "I reckon you're a little over two months along." She looked between Katniss and Peeta."I saw it at the festival—both of you. I'm sure there were others."
"When the baby comes—" Gale looked over at Katniss. "It might not look—"
They were both olive-skinned with dark hair. If the baby were to have Peeta's looks, it would be all over anyway.
"I come from the Merchant side—blonde hair and blue eyes could come from me. If it's a girl, then it will favor Prim's looks and if it's a boy then we'll say he looks like my father," she told them. "I have pictures. You just have to be careful. For now, keep your meetings to a minimum. Alcott and Peeta come twice a week, right?"
They all nodded.
"Once the fence is done, you'll have to see each other less."
Katniss looked over at her mother. "But Peeta—"
"I'll find a way," Peeta assured her. He placed a hand over hers. "Gale will take care of you."
"Of course, Catnip." She smiled at Gale's nickname for her. "We protect each other. Remember?"
"That's my niece or nephew that you have there," Al added with a grin.
"Mine, too." They looked up to see Prim in the room. She sat on the other end and folded her hands, placing them on the table as she looked across at her mother. "Maybe Peeta can come when Katniss sees you." Prim avoided her sister's gaze. "She'll need to eat more, anyway. Gale can stop by the bakery to buy bread for her and tell Peeta what time they can meet."
They were all silent for a moment. Katniss couldn't believe how Prim could come up with something like that.
After a moment, Peeta nodded. "It sounds perfect. That's quite a plan, Prim."
"Thanks," she responded stiffly.
"I'll come by next week,"' Gale told Peeta.
"I think it's best that you all get home," her mother told the brothers. "Katniss needs to rest. You're not in the safe zone yet, so nothing too strenuous." She looked at the couple as they tried not to blush. "Get plenty of sleep and don't overexert yourself during hunts." Then, going to her cupboard, she came back with a satchel. "For the morning sickness."
Katniss took the satchel and opened it to smell. It was tea for her to drink—the ginger scent in it was already calming her stomach.
"Thank you." She looked up at her mother. "For everything."
Her mother gave her a sad smile. "Katniss, you're not the first person to fall in love with someone from the other side—and you won't be the last. I hope that you understand that this won't be easy." She looked over at Peeta. "It will be difficult for you, too. You will never get to claim your child as your own. You won't be there for the birth. Your child will call Gale—'Dad'. Will you be able to handle that?"
Peeta was silent as he let her words sink in. Then, his hand cupped Katniss' cheek as he met her eyes. "I just want them to be safe." She placed her hand over his and turned to place a soft kiss on his palm.
The group collectively stood up.
"We better get home, Peeta," Al said as they went to the door. He looked at Gale and the two embraced quickly. "I'll see you next week."
Gale nodded before joining Katniss and Peeta. "I'll talk to you soon," Gale assured Peeta. "Don't worry."
Peeta smiled at the man. "Of course," he replied and shook her husband's hand.
The two men had developed a kinship. Their common goal: protect her.
Then, Peeta turned to Katniss and she wrapped her arms around him as he drew her close. Running his hand up and down her back, he pressed his lips to her temple inhaling slowly as he did.
"It's going to be a long few days," he told her. "I'll need something to get me through." He inhaled once more. "Your hair smells like citrus; I'll remember that when I'm feeling lonely." He kissed her quickly and pressed his forehead to hers. "I love you—no one else."
Katniss nodded, trying to keep herself together. "Lemon soap—I use it to wash my hair." Her hand went behind his neck and she pulled him forward so their lips could meet.
She didn't want to admit that she was afraid; afraid of what was to come and afraid of being a mother alone. So, Katniss pushed everything she had into their kiss—all the fears and the love that she held inside of her.
When they pulled away, both of them were gasping for breath. Gale and Al had stepped out, though her mother and Prim remained.
"That's for when the nights get rough," she whispered, her lips grazing his. "No one else but you."
He nodded and squeezed her hand before stepping out the door to join his brother.
Taking a deep breath to steady the tremors in her body, Katniss turned to her mother and Prim.
"I better go," she told them. "Gale is waiting." Her mother nodded while Prim remained motionless.
Katniss went to the door, but the footsteps coming towards her made her stop in place. She turned to find Prim in front of her, her hands clasped together.
The sisters looked at one another before Prim sighed and broke the silence.
"Listen. I can't say that I understand all of this, but I'm going to try." Prim gave her sister a small smile and Katniss felt her body relax.
"That's all I ask," Katniss responded and she placed a hand on Prim's shoulder. "But everything you thought I had being married to Gale—love, trust, respect, friendship—I have that with Peeta." She gave her sister a small smile. "He makes me better, Prim."
She could see Prim's eyes soften and so Katniss took her hand before speaking again.
"And I'm in love with him."
Katniss sat up when she heard the knock on her bedroom door. "Come in."
The door creaked open and Gale entered with a soft smile. "Just checking on you." He sat at the corner of her bed, smoothing the sheets, before looking up at her. "We're going to be okay, aren't we?"
"I hope so—you think you can change diapers with me?"
Gale chuckled. "For you? Sure."
There was tenseness in his eyes that worried her. She pulled back her quilt and moved to make space for him.
"Do you to want to stay with me for a while?" He nodded and went to the empty spot. Katniss settled on what was Peeta's side of the bed, resting against the wall. "What's wrong?"
"Just thinking, that's all." Gale looked over at her. "How did we get here?"
"I'm not sure." She laid her head against his shoulder. "I guess it started when we got married."
"I did a bad thing to you," he told her. "I made you think that I was in love with you. I messed up your life because I was afraid to be different." Katniss could see her usually stoic friend falling apart. "I can't take that back." He swallowed thickly. "How could I do this to you and Peeta? How could I do this to your child?"
"We will figure this out as we always do."
She had no idea how they were going to do any of this, either. Maybe it was motherly instinct taking over, but Katniss couldn't stand to see Gale look so upset.
"I could've said no. I just thought that this was just how things were supposed to happen. We were together for so long as friends that I assumed we'd eventually transition into something more. I never factored initial attraction into it," Katniss said with a sigh. "Maybe then I would've stopped and looked around—and saw what was always in front of me."
Gale squeezed her hand and she reached over to wipe the tears from his weary face.
"We will be better for him or her," he told her. "I promise."
They waited another week before they told Gale's family at the weekly dinner.
Her mother and Prim had joined them as usual, though it seemed that Prim was still a little wary of her—much to Katniss' disappointment.
Hazelle was overjoyed and immediately started planning on a present for her grandchild. Rory and Vick were hearty in their congratulations with Gale, while each of them gave Katniss a gentle hug.
Posy stared at her, roaming over her body. Katniss could see that her grey eyes were starting to look exactly like Gale's.
It seemed that the Hawthorne gene ran strong in the family because Vick and Rory both had strong jawlines similar to her husband's. Gale looked exactly like his father, according to Hazelle.
Would they suspect anything once the baby came?
At seven, Posy was highly curious and so she went to Katniss. "Where is the baby?" she asked.
"Right here." She took Posy's hand and placed it on the sensitive area that her mother had touched the week before. "The baby is still very small."
"Aren't you eating enough?" Posy looked up at her with those wide grey eyes.
"I'm trying," Katniss answered. "I'm having a hard time keeping anything down, except for dry toast and my mother's tea."
The sickness had come three days ago and it had been violently bad for both her and Gale. Katniss was no good at being sick and Gale wasn't much of a caretaker. They were both temperamental-how they managed to not kill one another was a miracle in itself.
"I've taken to visiting the bakery once a week to get fresh bread," Gale informed his family as he sat down next to Katniss. He placed a small amount of food on her plate. "It seems that the little one is picky when it comes to food."
"It'll pass," Hazelle assured them before turning to her daughter-in-law. "It's a blessing—would you like a boy or girl?"
Katniss shrugged. "I haven't thought about it. As long as he or she is healthy—I don't have a preference."
"A baby with your eyes and dark hair would be very pretty," her mother-in-law mused. "Or Posy's hair—it has that slight wave. Maybe a boy with Gale's chin—"
"Or the baby could have Prim's looks," her mother suddenly interrupted from where she sat. "Blonde and blue eyed—I think it would be nice."
"I agree," Gale added. "Look how beautiful she is." Prim bowed her head trying to hide the pink growing in her cheeks.
"Blond hair and grey eyes," Katniss said quietly to herself.
An image of a baby with Peeta's smile emerged from her mind. She didn't really mind whether or not it was boy or girl. She just wanted the baby to have his smile and his sweetness, which she lacked. She rarely smiled even as a child and was moody, even more now that she was pregnant.
"If the baby didn't look like either of you, it wouldn't look right," Vick interjected and something turned inside her stomach. "People would talk."
"People will always talk," Rory responded defensively. "I wouldn't mind if the baby looked like Prim, I mean—" He stopped and turned to Prim before looking down. "Never mind."
Prim placed her hand over his. "Thank you," she whispered tenderly.
Katniss could see it then.
She had raised Prim since she was baby. To see her in love made her happy. At the same time, something inside her began to hurt—they were losing each other.
"It would be nice if the baby had blond hair and grey eyes," Prim said as she cut into her food. "Like our grandfather, right Mom?"
Their mother nodded quickly before taking a sip of water. Katniss met Prim's eyes and her sister gave a slight smile before going back to her food.
Maybe they weren't as lost as she thought.
When her third month arrived, Katniss' mother informed her that it was time for a check-up.
A check-up meant that Peeta would see her for the first time since they had found out about the baby.
Gale watched Katniss when her mother gave her the news and she could see him trying not to grin. It had been a long few weeks for both of them.
Al and Gale had finished the fence together; it turned out that the fence would be useful after all. Katniss could put the laundry line in the back and the baby would have somewhere to play.
However, when the fence was done-they parted ways as Katniss and Peeta did.
Gale and Peeta communicated with one another regularly. They couldn't talk much about her, since he was often under the watchful eye of Peeta's mother, or if they were lucky, Mr. Mellark.
If he was with his mother, Peeta would simply greet Gale and take his order. Their conversations were all to the point-only inquiring on how each was doing.
If Mr. Mellark was there, Gale would hang around a little longer.
The elder Mellark had been overjoyed to hear that Katniss was having a baby. Sometimes, he would even slip in more rolls in Gale's satchel. When Peeta's father heard how much Katniss enjoyed the cheese buns that they made, he began to give them to Gale without making him pay.
"It's important that Katniss eats heartily," the man told him. "She'll need to keep up her strength."
"Katniss is strong," Gale told him during his last visit. "Her mother has had her drinking tea to keep her from getting too sick. She still hunts, though not as much, to keep from overexerting herself." He looked over at Peeta who was taking out the empty trays from the display. "Tomorrow, she'll be having her monthly appointment with her mom. I'm going to have to leave at my lunch to take her there."
Peeta nodded quickly to let him know that he heard Gale.
"That's exciting," Mr. Mellark said with an easy smile. "Be sure to give Katniss my regards. She's a real nice young lady and she's going to be a beautiful mother." He turned to Peeta. "Don't you think?"
"Yes," Peeta agreed. His mouth turned up in a grin. "Katniss will make a beautiful mother. Tell her I said hello."
"I will," Gale replied as he turned to leave. "See you around, Peeta."
"Nice seeing you, Gale."
Later that evening, Gale told Katniss about the conversation as they sat on their couch eating the cheese buns.
She listened carefully trying to imagine the conversation in her head and picturing Peeta.
"It almost sounds like Peeta's dad suspects something," she told her friend.
"If Mr. Mellark does-he doesn't seem to be very upset about it." Gale mulled over her words thoughtfully. "Sometimes I wonder about our District; there are those who just seemed so stuck. Then there's us—determined to mess it all up."
"I guess when you're happy with what you have, you want to keep that way," she replied. "Was his hair pushed back?"
"I didn't stare at him, Katniss. I was trying to relay some important information." Gale stood up and held his hand out to her. "It's time for bed—you have a busy day tomorrow."
Katniss took it after a moment and he walked her to her bedroom door.
"Sweet dreams, Katniss." Gale kissed her cheek and smiled. "And yes, he was wearing his hair back."
"You look pale."
Katniss turned to see Gale watching her as they stepped up onto her mother's porch. She attempted to smile, but failed miserably.
"Nervous, I guess." Her voice trembled. "Maybe he's changed his mind, or maybe he couldn't get out of work from the bakery—"
"Stop," Gale interrupted. "You're making yourself worried over nothing. All we have to do is walk inside, okay? Al assured me, the last time we saw one another, that he would take care of everything."
"Have you seen him since then?"
"Not yet. But, everyone thinks that I'm here with you during this lunch hour. I might step out after a while."
"You should just go now. I'll see you in an hour. Or, I can walk home myself," she told him. "I know you miss him."
He nodded after a moment. "At least let me walk you in." Knocking on the door, Gale put his arm around her. "You ready?"
Katniss took a deep breath. "Yes." The door opened and she smiled at the woman in front of her. "Hi Mom."
"Come in," she told them with a nervous smile. Ushering them in, they watched her look behind them before closing the door. "Have a seat, Katniss."
The room was empty.
Maybe Peeta had not been able to make it. It was an upsetting thought and it settled inside her stomach. She knew it was early, but her child seemed to react to her feelings. Her hand went to the swell and she moved it in slow circles, trying to keep her emotions at bay.
"Katniss." The hairs on the back of her neck rose hearing his voice and she turned to find Peeta, standing along with her sister, beaming at her. "I had to wait a bit before sneaking through your mother's window—"
She was in his arms in seconds and he held her tightly, practically lifting her off the ground.
"Doesn't matter. I'm just glad you made it." She moved her face from his shoulder and her hands went to cradle the sides of his face. "I missed you."
Pulling him towards her, their lips met quickly in a greedy kiss. Peeta pulled her closer and she inhaled the scent of sugar.
Parting, he knelt before her kissing her slight belly through the linen shirt she wore.
"How is the baby?" he asked, looking up at her and Katniss ran a hand through his hair.
"I think that's why you're here," Gale said with a smile. The couple turned to see him standing next to her mother and Prim; her mother was trying not to smile as Prim looked at the ground. "I think I'll head out."
"Come back in an hour, Gale," her mother informed him and he agreed.
"The house is empty," Katniss said as she looked over at him. "Can you make sure that I've brought the laundry basket in?"
"Huh?"
"Just do it," she told him. "I promise it will be worth your while."
Peeta stood up and put an arm around her as he turned to Gale. "Maybe if you take a walk around the house, you'll meet someone interesting."
His face brightened and the man nodded at his friend. "Will do. Bye, everyone." Gale walked quickly out the door.
"I guess we both had the same idea about sneaking certain people around," Peeta said as he kissed the side of Katniss' head. She supposed that Al must have mentioned her idea during her game delivery the day before. "Are you doing okay?"
"Gale and I almost killed each other," she told him. "I'm not that good when I'm sick."
"It's true. She's a bad patient," her mom added as she watched them interestedly. "Have a seat at the table. Prim, did you want to observe?"
Her sister, who was also staring at the couple, snapped out of her trance. "Of course!" Prim quickly joined them at the table.
"Katniss, other than the morning sickness-anything else?" her mom asked. "Bleeding? Cramping?"
She shook her head. "Nothing, but I am having trouble sleeping. Thinking a lot, I guess."
"I'll give you something that you can drink before bed." Getting up, the older woman went to her cupboard and pulled out another satchel, similar to the first one she gave her daughter, before sitting back at the table. "It won't be harmful to the baby, but it will help you relax." She handed it to Katniss who stuffed it in her pocket. "Anything else?"
"I can't stand the smell of things—the soap I use for the laundry, for example," she told her. "Certain meats make me throw up just by their scent. Also, when I hunt, I can practically smell the leaves changing."
"Sounds normal enough." Her mother stood up. "Prim, why don't you set up the examination table in the back?"
"Sure." Prim jumped up and rushed to the back room.
Katniss watched her sister worriedly. She was standoffish and distracted—was she still upset with her?
"It's not you." Her mother had followed her gaze. "There's a lot on her mind. Rory asked her to marry him."
"What?" Katniss bit her lip, obviously upset. "She never mentioned anything to me."
"Prim is confused and a little disillusioned by marriage." The older woman gave her a gentle smile. "And she's scared."
"Scared?"
"She wants to say yes."
They turned their heads hearing Prim's footsteps and she appeared nervous before them.
"Room's ready," she announced.
Katniss stood up with Peeta's help as her mother went to check on the room. He tugged on her hand and she turned to him to see the anxiety in his eyes. Her arms encircled his neck to bring him close as his hands went to her back moving in smooth circles.
"You're upset."
"It's not you." She looked over to make sure that no one was listening. "I just feel like Prim and I have been drifting apart. I know she's trying, but it hasn't been easy." Her mouth went to his ear. "Also, there was something I didn't tell my mom—another symptom." Her face burned and she buried her face into his shoulder. "I think about me and you together sometimes and just like that—" She snapped her fingers. "—I'm finished."
He raised his eyebrows. "Really?"
"Yes." She nodded and looked down. "I think this might be normal though and I won't lie—it's probably one of my better symptoms."
"I'll bet." Peeta grinned at her and his own cheeks were tinged with red. He looked over to make sure her mother and sister were out of view, before pulling her closer to kiss the side of her mouth. "Is there any way that I can see you alone one of these days?"
"I don't know." Katniss took his hand in hers. "We can try to arrange something, but I wouldn't want to be around me right now."
"I always want to be around you." Peeta took her hand to kiss the top of it.
She gave him a bright grin. "I love you."
His mouth formed a small smile and he nodded shyly.
"Um… whenever you're ready." Prim stood at the open doorway watching them. Katniss nodded and they walked through the doorway together.
The back room had a tiny examination table that her mother used for patients. Both she and Prim kept the area spotless and sterilized the instruments daily, but they had a weekly cleaning to sterilize everything in the exam room. Katniss remembered when she lived in the house, often waking up to the sound of boiling water and antiseptic whenever her mother would clean the windows and the floors of the room.
"Come in and lay back," her mother instructed. "I don't think we'll need to do any vaginal observation today. I do want you to unbutton so I can check on the belly."
Katniss lay back on the table and unbuttoned the top of her pants. "Will it hurt?"
Peeta went to her side and took her hand. She was grateful to have him with her.
"No," her mother replied. "I'm going to listen for a heartbeat, though." She turned to Prim. "Hand me the cone?" Prim quickly handed her mother a glass hearing cone with a wide circled bottom which she placed on Katniss' slightly flat belly. It stretched out until the top opening was only large enough to put an ear against it.
Her mother put her ear to it and the room went silent as she listened. She moved the glass to another side to listen again.
Katniss suddenly worried that her mother might not find a heartbeat. Her hand gripped Peeta's and he went to kiss her forehead, understanding her apprehension.
"Ah, there it is," her mother said and smiled. She took her pocket watch out as she counted the beats. "Sounds perfect. Come listen, Peeta." Her mother beckoned him over as she wiped the opening with antiseptic.
Peeta went to her mother who showed him how to listen for it. He leaned down, his ear to the opening of the cone, as he faced Katniss. She watched and slowly his lips broke out into a wide grin, his eyes shining.
Her mother continued to feel around as he listened. She took measurements and let the couple know that everything was up to par.
"I can hear it—so strong," he told her. "It's beautiful." Peeta swallowed thickly. "I wish that I could do this every day. Just watch you grow and listen to this heartbeat." He stood up slowly. "This is all real and happening, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is," her mother told him. "Do you think you'll be okay? It's not going to be easy-remember what I said."
Peeta nodded after a moment. "I know," he replied quietly. "As much as I accept what it is, it won't make it any easier to not be around Katniss and the baby." Peeta joined her at the head of the table. "It really was beautiful." He looked over at Katniss' mother. "Do you have any books about pregnancy?"
"No," Prim replied out of nowhere. "We don't have the money for it."
"If you did—could you get them for me and for Katniss?"
Prim nodded and looked over at her sister, surprise in her eyes. "But Katniss—"
"Must be bored now that she's finished Romeo and Juliet," Peeta told her and then turned to Katniss. "Unless you've decided to read Little Women again." She shook her head and Peeta reached into his pocket.
Pulling out some coins, he went to Katniss' mother and placed them in her hand. "For books and maybe some notebooks for Katniss to practice writing with."
Peeta helped her up from the table and he went to kiss her forehead.
"Read to him or her when you can and don't forget to keep up with writing." He traced her name with his fingers against the smooth skin of her arm and she leaned against him. "Try to get some rest and remember to not stress out."
"I know, I know…"
"I'll pick out the books for you," Prim told them. "Can I ask you a question?"
They heard the knock on the door and Mrs. Everdeen looked between them. "I'll answer the door. It must be Gale."
She walked out of the room quickly, leaving the couple with her youngest daughter.
"What would you like to know?" Katniss asked as she buttoned herself.
"I know Mom told you about Rory," Prim said. "Do you think I should say yes?"
She looked at each of them.
"If you love him," Peeta told her.
"How do you know if you love someone?" Prim asked.
Katniss had seen her sister watch them together and could understand her curiosity. She and Peeta lit up around each other and everyone could see it. Peeta had even taught her to read and write. He respected her enough to see that she was more than just some uneducated Seam girl.
She had admitted to being in love with him and Katniss had never been one to let her feelings show.
"He makes you smile,"Katniss told her as Prim listened intently. "And everything seems a little better when he's around. Also, you know that if you were to tell him anything—he would understand."
Prim nodded after a moment and she went to Katniss to hug her. "Thank you, sis." Then, she went to Peeta and pulled him in for a hug. "Thank you, Peeta."
She walked out of the room and Peeta turned to Katniss, his eyes suddenly glassy. "I guess I should go." Katniss nodded and he kissed her before turning to leave.
As he reached the doorway, Peeta turned to her. "I was thinking Juliet."
"Juliet?"
"If the baby is a girl."
Katniss shook her head and grinned at him. "Not quite right, but we still have six months left."
They went back to their routines as the next couple of weeks passed.
Gale returned the day of her exam with a grin so big that Katniss joked about him splitting his face in half. It seemed that he and Al had quite a reunion and as they walked he placed an arm around her happily. Katniss walked him towards the entrance to the mines and waved to the other workers, which now included Vick, as they finished their lunches.
Her husband pulled her in for a hug as he lifted her off her feet.
Before he left her, Gale whispered in her ear, "Thank you for this afternoon."
"Of course."
"Enough necking!" Vick yelled at the two. "Isn't that how you got in that situation?" He gestured at Katniss, who put her hands to her waist and glared. "Sorry, Katniss."
It had been a great day for all of them.
Three weeks later, Prim came to their house to bring Katniss the books that Peeta asked their mother to get.
The two sisters were still trying to build themselves back to what they used to be. They had become strangers to one another at some point and Prim was growing up. She was just beginning to form her own ideas of the world around her.
Prim remained undecided about Rory after their talk.
"Did you want to come in?" Prim agreed eagerly and Katniss widened the door for her. The younger girl entered quickly, closing the door behind her.
"I hope these will be good books for you and Peeta." Prim held out the stack. "The last one is a notebook for you."
Katniss took the pile and looked through the titles. She looked up at her sister with a smile.
"They'll be perfect. Thank you." She gestured to the table before them. "Have a seat and I'll make some tea. I hope you don't mind that it's the one that Mom gave me."
"Are you still having morning sickness?" Prim asked from her seat.
"Not as much—" Katniss went to the kitchen and placed the iron kettle on the stove. "—I usually drink some water and it'll subside." When she returned to the outer room, she found Prim looking around the room with interest. "Did you want to take a tour?"
Prim turned to her embarrassed. "No! It's just—" She stopped for a moment to take a breath. "I never noticed anything different about you two. I guess it made me think that maybe I'm not seeing what's in front of me. I'm just questioning a lot lately."
Katniss went to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "No, Prim. Gale and I are just really good liars." She nodded towards the hallway where their rooms were. "Let me show you something."
Prim stood up and Katniss took her to the door further down the hall—Gale's room. She turned the doorknob and stepped in with Prim.
Gale's room was painted a clean off-white. His quilt was a pale blue and was made by his mother. He had the white wicker chairs and table on one side of the room.
A cupboard stood to their left and Katniss went to it. Opening it, she turned to see Prim still at the doorway.
"Come here," she instructed. Prim walked slowly to her and looked in.
Inside behind the folded shirts and pants, she pulled out a small framed photo of Al, along with a bundle of dried flowers. "These are the most important parts of him—he keeps them hidden so well."
Katniss' eyes filled with tears remembering how tumultuous their first two years of marriage had been; how much she felt like Prim at the time—so scared and unseeing.
"I understand the photo, but what is this?" Prim held the dried wildflower between her fingers.
"They're from a bouquet he gave me once." She still shook at the memory sometimes. He kept them because though she wanted to forget-he couldn't.
Katniss took the photo and the flowers to put back into the cupboard carefully before closing it.
"Come with me to my room," Katniss told her. "I want to tell you everything."
They walked out and Katniss opened the door to her room. She left it open so that she would hear when the kettle whistled.
Her room had the flowered quilt that she had made, the one that Peeta often wrapped her in when they were together. Katniss still left the windows open because she was used to it now. It was funny how she and Peeta had somehow found ways to interweave themselves into each other's lives.
Her bookshelf was on her right with the two books she had on one shelf. Three notebooks were laid on the second shelf along with some pencils. Prim picked the first one and opened it to see Katniss' messy scrawl.
Katniss looked over her shoulder and smiled. "I didn't even know that I was a left-handed until Peeta gave me a pencil."
"So is that how it all started?" Prim asked as she looked through the notebook. "He taught you to read and write, then it progressed from there?" She giggled as she turned the page. "Did you ever see this?"
Katniss looked at the open page and smiled. "No, I haven't."
It was the page where she had first written Peeta's name. Right above his name was her own—he had drawn an arrow from her name pointing to his.
"I guess he did that when I wasn't looking."
They sat on her bed across from one another and she took Prim's hand.
"When I married Gale, I didn't know what I was getting myself into," she began. "I loved him, but it was more of the love that someone would feel for a brother. I thought that it would eventually transition into attraction." Katniss' hand went to her slight bulge. "I knew nothing of passion and its consequences at that time."
Prim listened attentively, and Katniss smiled seeing that her sister had taken one of her pillows to hold to her chest. She often did this as a young girl when Katniss told her stories.
"That first night alone with Gale—I was scared," she said quietly. "I guess all brides are, so Gale didn't touch me that night. Or, any night that year."
"So you—"
Katniss shook her head. "We slept in the same bed, but nothing happened. Not until much later."
"I thought—what about Alcott?" Prim looked confused. "Does Gale like girls too?"
"No," she told Prim. "The pressure was just kind of on us. Hazelle was beginning to wonder why I wasn't pregnant. I was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong—with me."
Katniss tried to think of the best way to explain what had happened. However, it seemed that truth was just the best way to go.
"So after my birthday, I asked him if we could try for a baby. I tried to seduce him, not realizing that I wasn't even close to what he wanted."
"So what happened?"
"He refused. We fought, and, that night he left." Katniss took a deep breath and turned to Prim. "I want you to know that what happened was both of our faults—we tried to make something happen that just wasn't going to work."
Katniss ran her hand over the quilt as she recounted the rest of the story. "When he came back, I asked him again, and he didn't refuse. It wasn't pleasant for either one of us. I was in pain the next day and we both did our fair share of crying when Gale cleaned me up."
She looked over at Prim and found hardness in her eyes. "Gale ruined your first time." Her voice was small. "How could you even look at him?"
"For a long time I couldn't. But, at the same time, I knew that I didn't want it either. I never wanted him at all. I was foolish enough to succumb to other people's words."
"Including mine," Prim recounted woefully. "I just wanted you to have everything. I was worried that you maybe didn't want a baby."
"Maybe I didn't. This baby I want," she told her sister with a smile.
"How did you find out about Alcott?" Prim asked.
"I caught them in the woods," she replied. "It was when I met Peeta—he was their lookout; a horrible one." Katniss took Prim's hand. "When I found out, I was hurt, but I was more upset that Gale never gave me the chance to know his feelings. Maybe if he had, then I would've been in a different place—I would've noticed that there was someone looking at me that whole time."
"Peeta."
Katniss nodded.
"Gale wanted to go to the Captiol—he wanted to stop the feelings he had," she told Prim. "It was Peeta who convinced me not to let him go. He gave me a medical journal about procedures at the Capitol. The one that Gale would have gone through was like a hijacking and there was a chance he could return not knowing anything or anyone. I couldn't let that happen, because despite everything-Gale is my best friend and my husband."
"So how did you and Peeta end up…"
"I arranged meetings for Al and Gale-we told everyone that they were working on the house. Peeta would teach me to read and write while they were—together," she recounted and Prim's face turned crimson. "We became friends and he taught me to love learning. The world is not as small as you think—District 12 life is not the only way."
"The first time Peeta kissed me was in the forest and it was the first time I ever felt—"
Katniss tried to think of the words that could describe their first kiss. She thought of his lips and the taste of him. How his mouth on hers caused something inside her to break and tremble.
How it made her want more of him—all of him.
"Felt what?" Prim leaned forward in anticipation.
"—hungry." Her sister's eyes widened at her words. "Like a craving that just couldn't be denied. When we are together, it is so much more."
Katniss desperately wanted her to understand. Maybe it would help Prim understand herself and the world much more than Katniss ever did.
"There is a difference when you're in love and when you love someone. There's a difference between fidelity and commitment. I live a life where I'm trying to balance both. Here in District 12, I'm married to Gale."
She pleaded inwardly for Prim to understand.
"But, I'm bound to Peeta. First here—" Her hand went to her heart. Then, it went to her belly. "And now here."
Her fourth month came soon after her talk with Prim. Her sister now knew their story.
Katniss could see the difference in Prim. She was questioning everything around her.
Prim, however, was much more calm when it came to her feelings. She told Katniss that she started writing in a journal to help collect her thoughts.
The fourth month also brought changes to Katniss. She had begun to fill out in the hips and breasts. Her nausea had subsided and she was no longer as tired as she was before.
One day, her need to hunt had started up again and so she decided to go the woods. It had taken a bit longer to get under the wire fence, but she had slowly found her way. Katniss found that she was still stealthy and silent during her hunt. She managed to get four squirrels and two small geese.
Dragging her satchel under the fence after hunting, Katniss walked back to her home and dropped off the geese. She wondered if Gale had given Mr. Mellark a delivery in a while. She hadn't inquired about it since she was preoccupied with her pregnancy.
The weather was getting chillier so she went to change into a thicker sweater before setting out to the Mellarks. Also, she hadn't seen Peeta since her appointment last month.
Katniss missed him.
He and Gale had spoken briefly during their visits because Mrs. Mellark had taken to working in front these last few weeks. Apparently, she had found out that her husband was giving away bread to the pregnant Seam girl, so she had taken it upon herself to become the cashier.
Taking the satchel with the squirrels, Katniss also put the books that Peeta asked for into the jacket she slipped on before leaving—just in case.
The walk was quiet and it felt good to feel the wind hitting her face as the sun set. It was a different kind of refreshing from when she was in the woods.
The bakery's back entrance came into view and her heart began to pound. There was a very small chance that Peeta would be there, however. It was just before dinner and he was probably upstairs with his family. According to Peeta, his father was the one who did the closing duties.
Walking up the wooden steps, Katniss took a deep breath before knocking on the door. She could hear a rush of footsteps and when the door opened, she was surprised to find Peeta standing in front of her.
He was just as surprised to see her. Peeta stepped out onto the steps and gave her a small smile.
"What are you doing here?" he asked as he looked around.
Katniss held out the satchel. "I felt like hunting and got some squirrels for your father—" He suddenly pulled her into the bakery and closed the door quickly behind them. Peeta took the satchel and placed it into the sink.
She panicked for a moment at the thought of seeing his family. "What's going on?"
"My parents and my brothers went to the Cartwrights for dinner," Peeta told her. "Al told them that I wasn't feeling well. I was about to come to you." His hands went to her waist and she moaned at the feel of his warm hands through her clothes. "I missed you so much."
She slipped off the jacket from her shoulders and it fell to the ground with a thud.
"What was that?" He approached her, his eyes feral, and she backed herself against the bakery door.
"The books you asked Prim for."
His mouth was on her neck as she reached to pull his shirt off of him. The juncture between her thighs pounded seeing his broad chest in front of her. Her mouth sought his and soon she was opening it to let his tongue explore much-ignored territory.
They were silent as they began to undress one another.
Her hand reached for his pants button and she unzipped him quickly before his mouth trailed down her body. Peeta had managed to take her boots off and was now peeling her dark pants off of her legs. On his knees, his mouth went to her covered mound as he kissed her through the cloth. He looked up at her as his hands went to the elastic of her panties to take them off.
As she lifted her leg to help him remove her panties, Katniss watched him stuff them into his pocket. The thought of him having them caused a groan to escape her mouth and she could feel the wetness trail down her thighs.
Peeta stood before her and her eyes remained on his as he pulled his pants along with his briefs down to his ankles. She could hear him curse softly when he got stuck trying to take his shoes off.
Then, she watched his eyes change into that intense blue that caused her knees to quake.
Hooking her leg over his hip, Peeta plunged into her without hesitation and the couple cried out in unison at the contact. They began to move quickly, savoring the intense friction of her aroused clit rubbing against his groin. He had never been so deep inside her and she pushed herself higher on her toes to increase the feeling of fullness.
He keened in pleasure when her fingers scratched his bare back and the thought that she was causing him to come undone caused a trill of triumph to fill her.
Peeta swiftly hooked her leg higher and she wailed into the heated room. "PEETA!"
She didn't care anymore—the incredible feeling of being fucked against the door of the bakery had caused all hesitancy to leave her. Pushing up again, she wrapped her legs around his waist.
"FUCK!" Hearing the curse escape his mouth, Katniss pulled her sweater over her head tossing it to the ground.
She was wearing a bra now that her breasts had filled out. She could see Peeta staring at them as they moved hurriedly against the door. Not being able to wait—Peeta pulled a cup down and his lips immediately went to her nipple.
The feeling of his mouth suckling took her by surprise and she was climaxing; her soaking insides closing tightly around his cock.
Her cries, she was sure, could probably be heard throughout town.
Her orgasm had Peeta increasing his thrusts and she couldn't help but tremble listening to his growing cries of pleasure. Watching him lose control was something that she enjoyed and it thrilled her to know that she had caused all that.
"KATNISS!" He repeated her name like mantra as he came and her arms enclosed around him. "Oh God…" His face fell onto her shoulder as he gasped for breath.
They were both sweaty and sticky. Peeta's cheeks were bright red and she could feel her own—hot to the touch.
"That was-" She searched for the words as her feet found the ground. "-amazing."
Peeta nodded, kissing her shoulder.
"I love you," he whispered into her ear. "More than anything—more than myself."
"I know you do." Katniss wasn't sure how much time had passed but she was sure that she needed to get home before his parents arrived. "I should go."
They dressed quickly though she knew that she wouldn't be able to hide from Gale about her activities. Peeta looked worse—his hair was matted to his forehead. The linen shirt he wore was rumpled along with his pants—her white panties peeking through one of the pockets.
Picking up her jacket, she pulled out the books for him. "From Prim." He nodded before placing them on the counter.
"Thank her for me," he told her as he reached for the nape of her neck to bring her closer.
Their lips met in a soft kiss.
"I was thinking Elizabeth," she told him when they pulled away. "After all, she brought us together."
He wrinkled his nose. "Not quite right."
Opening the door, they both were startled when they found someone standing on top of the steps—Delly Cartwright.
Peeta hadn't bothered to tuck in his shirt or put his shoes back while her normal braid was messily undone. They both looked sweaty and flushed.
Anyone coming inside could smell the scent of sex and sweat intermingling in the room.
There was no denying it now. It had happened.
They were finally caught.
Yes, I'm the giant jerk who ended the chapter here.
This is the longest chapter, I believe, and the most revealing. I think it's interesting to see how the relationships have changed, especially now that Prim and Mrs. Everdeen are aware of what's going on.
Mothers, I feel, always seem to know everything before their children and I think that Mrs. Everdeen was fully prepared. It is Prim who ultimately is the most effected by all of this and, as you can see, the sisterly bond between her and Katniss has definitely become strained.
Next is the aftermath…
Greetings, feedback and reviews are welcomed on FF, AO3 and Tumblr.
Until next time, JLaLa
