AN: Wow! Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing this story! I have gotten so many hits on the story, favorites, and alerts. I'm honestly beyond shocked at this!

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the Hunger Games, if that isn't already obvious.


Staring out the train window to District Four was almost like stepping back in time. Peeta was still at my side just like he was those years before. I stared out the window watching the scenery change and felt Peeta's hand squeeze mine.

"What are you thinking about?" Peeta asked tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"When we first came through here during the tour."

"Oh, that was so long ago Katniss," Peeta replied.

"I know, but now coming here I have this different appreciation for it. It's where friends of mine were from, people I actually got to know really well."

"And a few you get to see again while you're here," he smiled.

"I am looking forward to seeing Annie again. I doubt Nick will remember me though, and I'm dreading the day he hates me for what I put his dad through," I replied staring at our linked fingers.

"I don't think he will ever hate you," Peeta tried to reassure me.

"Do you hate Snow for killing your parents?" I asked.

"Honestly, no. I did at first, especially when I was still having all of those flashbacks but I forgave him a long time ago. He was a desperate man."

"Well I still hate Coin for bombing those children and in turn killing Prim," I whispered.

"And that's your right to do that Katniss. But Nick is like Annie, she forgave you for any involvement you had a long time ago," Peeta reassured me.

I kissed his cheek and resumed my position looking out the window. I knew we were getting closed based on the scenery and was ready to get off of this train. I was getting closer to having a panic attack every minute I was still on that train and didn't feel like making a scene. I breathed a sigh of relief the minute they said we would be at the station in less than five minutes.

"So the plan is to get our things and find your mom right?" Peeta asked.

"I guess so, she didn't call to say any different last night," I replied gathering up some of my things.

"Is it weird I'm actually excited to see her? I know before she said that you'd have to be thirty before we were married, but now she can't say any differently even though we're both older than that now."

I smiled and shook my head at Peeta's reasoning. I still regretted my mother saying I'd have to be thirty to be interested in a man. I knew she was barely older than 20 when I was born.

"She'll be excited to see that we're doing so well, I think," I said.

"I hope so."

As the train pulled into the station I looked to the platform to see if my mom was anywhere to be seen. I saw her blonde hair and her hands waving in the very front of the platform.

"There she is," I said pointing to my mom.

"Oh man she really is excited," Peeta laughed as he waved out the window.

"I can't believe how different she looks," I commented.

"She has more color, and she's obviously eating much better," Peeta agreed.

We gathered up our luggage and joined the queue of people disembarking the train. There was a large family ahead of us with so many children with bronze colored hair. I was instantly reminded of Nick when he was around five and Annie brought him to visit. Could these have been relation to Finnick? I tried not to think about it as I made my way to my mother.

"Hey mom," I smiled as my mom embraced me tightly.

"Katniss, oh honey," my mom sobbed rubbing her hand down my back.

"It's good to see you," I breathed, truly meaning it.

"You look so good," Mom breathed holding me at arms length.

"You too," I said taking her in fully.

"I'm sure you remember my husband," I joked pulling Peeta forward.

"Of course I do," mom laughed, "how are you Peeta?"

"I'm good Mrs. Everdeen," Peeta smiled wrapping his arm around my waist.

"I'm glad to hear that, now come on I can't wait to show you my home," my Mom said as she led us off the platform.

I felt Peeta shift so our hands were intertwined and we wordlessly followed my mom. I tried not to look around and gawk at everything, it was so different but the same from the last time I was there. Peeta and I also had to ignore all of the stares from people who seemed shocked that we were there.

"I really wish they wouldn't stare, we're nothing special," Peeta mumbled.

"It's really annoying," I agreed.

From there it was only a short walk to my mom's house. She continually was pointing out little things and places she went often. We nodded and smiled but were really thankful whenever she unlocked her front door and ushered us in. I was exhausted and ready to be in a place where I didnt' feel under the microscope.

"This is the bedroom you and Peeta will be staying in," My mom said as she opened a guest room.

"It's nice mom, thank you."

My mom nodded and said she would let us get settled. Peeta and I both threw our bags down and fell into each other's arms on the bed. I curled my legs around his and felt myself drifting off.

A few hours later I felt an arm on my shoulder jolting me awake. I rolled onto my back before I sat up and was met with my mother's face. I tried not to laugh when my mom put a finger over her mouth indicating I should be quiet.

"What's up mom?" Katniss asked as she shut the door behind her.

"Not a lot. I just wanted to talk a little while we made dinner," she smiled.

"Oh," Katniss replied following her mother to the kitchen.

Katniss sat at the kitchen counter as she watched her mom pull all of the ingredients and supplies from the cabinet for dinner. She took the vegetables and knife in front of her and started to slice the cucumber.

"So Mom, what have you been up to lately?" Katniss asked.

"Work mainly," her mom smiled over her shoulder. "It's been so satisfying training new employees. Their passion for healthcare is still new and they're so eager."

"That's good," Katniss replied.

"How about you Katniss, what's going on in your life?"

Katniss took a deep breath trying to decide how much to tell her mother. Did she tell her about the miscarriage? Or just gloss that over because it was obvious her mom was trying to be happy and she didn't need to try and change that.

"Well, I started volunteering with the school," Katniss supplied.

"Oh that's good," her mom replied, "what exactly are you doing?"

Katniss smiled thinking of the kids she spent time with.

"Helping teach them to sing, and just silly little songs."

Katniss' mother immediately turned around, the spoon covered in sauce was dropped on the ground. Katniss felt guilty as she watched the tears brim her mother's eyes.

"That is just wonderful," her mom breathed through her tears.

"I enjoy it."

"Of course you do Katniss," her mother tearfully replied, "you are your father's daughter after all."

At that moment Peeta chose to make his presence known. Katniss knew he had been listening for a few minutes, but was thankful he waited. Katniss smiled as her mom turned around to dry her eyes.

"Hi honey, did you have a good nap?" Katniss asked.

"I did, but I woke up alone," Peeta laughed before kissing her cheek.

"Sorry bout that Peeta," Katniss' mom said as she turned around to greet her son-in-law.

"It's okay Mrs. Everdeen," Peeta smiled.

"You know you can call me Mom if you want Peeta."

"I'll try to remember that," Peeta laughed snatching a piece of cucumber.

"I know I'll never be a replacement for your family, but I'd like to think that I could at least somewhat fill the role if you'll let me."

Peeta smiled before kissing his wife's temple and moving to help cook. Silently for the next hour they all worked together to construct what could have been called a feast in the Seam but was meager for the three people eating.

"This is good Mom," Katniss smiled as she took another bite of the stew they had made.

"Thanks, I'm sorry I think I underestimated how much to make," she replied smiling sheepishly.

"It's okay," Peeta smiled scooping the last bite into his mouth.

"So you two, I have a question," Mrs. Everdeen smiled over her drink.

"Okay," Katniss replied nodding.

"When am I going to get a grandchild out of you two. I know you swore you wouldn't ever have kids Katniss, but have you thought any more about it?"

Katniss felt tears flood her eyes and she immediately left the room. She knew inside it wasn't her mom's fault for asking the question, had Peeta's parents been alive she knew she would have been hearing the question for years. But, she still couldn't resist touching her empty womb and crying.

After a length of time Katniss pulled herself together enough to rejoin Peeta and her mom in the kitchen. She approached slowly feeling the knot in her stomach grow larger with each step. She became a bit more relaxed when she heard the mutterings of her mother and husband and the sympathetic tones coming from her mom's mouth.

"Katniss," her mom greeted softly as she reached the kitchen.

"Sorry about that, it's a very sensitive subject for me right now," Katniss offered with a small smile.

"I know, Peeta explained everything to me."

Katniss felt the blood drain from her face and she felt a little woozy at the thought of Peeta's explaining this to her mother so she wouldn't have to relive it. While she was grateful, she was feeling a little more ready to talk about it. The blood pounding in her ears blocked out Peeta's apologetic exit from the room and left her looking at the table while her mother held her hand.

"Katniss, honey I feel like I should tell you a story," her mother started.

"Mom, this isn't like when I was four. Stories won't make it better."

Katniss' mother just shook her head. She knew her daughter was still hurting. The way she had curled into herself and refused to meet her eyes any longer was just like how her father acted.

"Regardless you're going to hear it," her mother started. "About a year after you were born your father and I became pregnant again."

"What?" Katniss whispered looking at her mother.

"Yeah, we were so scared but so excited," she laughed. "We figured we hadn't killed you yet so what would another one hurt?"

Katniss wiped her tears and leaned in to listen.

"I was probably four or five months along when your brother was born. Katniss, it was the most painful moment of my life to that point. I just remember all of the pains and then there was this lifeless tiny body in my hands. He was so beautiful," her mother trailed off as sobs took over.

"Oh Mom," Katniss sobbed rounding the table to hug her mom.

"Trust me when I say this Katniss," her mom said seriously looking in her eyes. "You will overcome this pain. You will want to have a baby, not to replace the one you lost but to give the love you already have to someone. Sure, Peeta is obviously loved by you. But love for your children is so different Katniss."

"I'm just so scared it will happen again," Katniss whispered.

"And if it does then you'll try again. You have always been fearless, always," her mother reassured her smoothing her hair.

"I know eventually you will have a grandchild Mom, Peeta wouldn't have it any other way."


AN: Thank you all so much for all of the reviews, favorites, and alerts from the last few chapters! I am still in shock and awe at all of this. I won't lie I love all of your thoughts and reviews on this story. I know this was a boring filler chapter but, I'd still appreciate a few kind or critical words. It does help this story move along.