A/N: This is my longest chapter! :D Enjoy!
7 Months Pregnant with Twins
When I'm making my way down stairs and over to Haymitch's house to get the children for lunch, the phone rings. I answer it.
'Hello" I say, piratically singing.
"Katniss? Is that really you?" She asks.
"Depends? Who is calling?" I ask. Usually when someone calls Peeta or me, I always know who's calling. But this time I actually don't know.
"Katniss, it's me, you're mother."My mom says. I'm just speechless. She never called. Not even on my birthday. Or even the year after my sweet little sister died.
I still can't bring myself to say, much less think her name.
"Oh, why are you calling?" I ask bitterly.
"Can't I just call my daughter?" She asks, getting more annoyed by the second, just like me.
"Well, you never called on my birthday, or when your Mark was born." I continue. "Why call now?" I ask starting to get really angry now.
"Well, I heard the news. Twins. Wow." I knew it. She is probably is just hoping that if one or both of the children inside me right now, looks like Prim. Just like she did with Rose.
"Really? Again? You're really going to do this, now? After ignoring me for 5 years? Not answering my calls, much less visiting?" I ask, not to just tell her off, but for my benefit. I really want to know why she stopped talking to me after Prim died.
"I'm so sorry about that Katniss, I'm sorry for not returning your calls. For not being there when Mark was born, and I'm really sorry about not visiting. I was coping with her death" She says, and takes a deep breath, and continues "I'm trying to right all my wrongs. I want to try and fix out relationship." She finishes.
"Why the hell couldn't you 'try to fix our relationship last year, or when Mark was born?" Now I'm yelling.
Peeta hears me and runs down the stairs. I motion him to stop and wait. I can't take another minute on the phone with another person that left me without a goodbye.
"Look, mother. I have a family, I'm happy, and now, I don't think we have anything else that needs 'fixing'. I can understand that you needed time you morn over Prim. But 5 years?" I'm crying now. Peeta walks up slowly to me and hugs me.
When Peeta releases me, she says
"Katniss, please. Give me one more chance to make things right." She is begging now.
I'm silent for a minute.
"Katniss. Are you still there?" She asks. Sounding even more broken.
"Yes, Okay. Fine but this is your last chance. If you mess it up. Then we are done." I say even more annoyed I was two minutes ago.
"Thank you. Thank you so much for this." She says.
"So... How are we going to 'fix' our relationship?" I ask.
"Well, I was thinking. Maybe a baby shower?" She says.
"Maybe" Was all I could say. She never threw me a shower. I don't think she ever threw anybody a baby shower. "Look, mother. I have to go. I have to make the kids lunch. Can you call me again tomorrow, and we could start planning the shower?" I ask, watching the clock, watching the seconds tick by..
"I have a better idea. What if i came and visited? I could come next week. I've been saving some money. I think i have enough for it."
"Hold on. Let me ask Peeta" I say, and Peeta just nods as if he could hear every single word she is saying.
"Okay. When do you want to come and visit?" I ask conforming that she will be coming to help plan the baby shower.
"In about two weeks? Is that okay? In the mean time, I could call everyone, and invite them."
"Okay, sounds perfect." I say. "See you in two weeks for the shower." I say
"Bye, Katniss"
"Bye."
I hang up, and turn to Peeta's arms.
"How did that go?" He asks.
"Good, I think. She wants to plan the baby shower, and she wants to be here for me." I say, still overwhelmed from the phone call.
"Well at least she is trying to rebuild the relationship between you too." Once again, so much better then I am at words.
Then he kisses me, and I have the hummingbird heartbeat.
While we kiss, I grab his hand and put his hand over my stomach, the same time when the babies start kicking.
"I think that's a foot or maybe a fist" I say.
Then there's a big kick that makes both Peeta and me gasp with excitement.
Then my back hurts so bad, I fall into Peeta's arms. He leads me to the couch.
"Okay, that one hurt." My back pain has be a million times worst then my previous pregnancies.
"Are you okay? You've never done that." He ask worried again.
"I'm fine, It's just this pregnancy has been hard on my body. That's all" I say, trying to seem normal, and failing miserably.
Peeta leaves me for a minute to go to the kitchen, to get me a glass of water and my prenatal vitamins.
Without thinking, I take my pills for the day and drink the glass of water in one gulp.
"Thanks Peeta. You're too good to me." I say, looking into those beautiful blue orbs, that are his eyes.
"It's the least I could do, considering your carrying our third and fourth child." He says.
At that moment, I realized I have nothing to fear. Yes, I am carrying twins and yes, Peeta will always be there for me. No matter what happens, he will be there.
I'm not scared to give birth to one child, but I am dreading giving birth to twins.
But I know that as long as I have Peeta I can do anything.
I lean in to give him a long, passionate kiss, as my 'thank you'.
"Katniss"
"Hmmm" I say, still breathless from the kiss we shared less the 30 seconds ago.
"What happened when you fell in my arms? Do you want me to call Dr, Lynn?" He asks concerned.
"No, it's fine. I already talked to Dr. Lynn. She said its just Braxton Hicks contractions." I reply.
"What? What are you talking about, you are only 28 weeks pregnant! Do you need to go to the hospital?" He asked, just being Peeta.
"Relax Peeta, I'm fine. Dr. Lynn said it's normal. Braxton Hicks are when my stomach tenses up and sometimes, my back hurts. But my back pain has been very hard on me the past few days. That's all."
"Oh, okay. So you're sure you fine and I don't have to drive you to the hospital?"
"Yes, I'm positive. Thank you"
"For what, sweetheart?" He asks, walking closer laying one hand on my back, which helped my back pain a little bit, and one hand on my hip. Which sent shivers down my spine.
"Just for being you, and for being here, and not leaving me" I say, my eyes locked on his. "I love you so much" I lean in for a kiss. Just when things were heating up...
"Oh, dear god! Can you two get a room" I recognize that voice anywhere. I pull away from Peeta, annoyed again.
"Hey Haymitch" I say coldly. I turn to find Rose clung to his leg and Mark hanging around his neck.
"Hey sweetheart, I thought I would bring over these little spider monkeys." His eyes drop to Rose,
"Can you let me go," He turns his head so he can see Mark in the corner of his eye, "and you, and you please get off me, so I can breathe normally again" He says, and I giggle.
Haymitch turns to face me, "Can you please help me?" He asks, looking so helpless, which turns my giggles into laughs. His face turns red, and I even hear Peeta laugh with me.
"Okay, sure Haymitch. Under one condition." I say and I can tell Peeta knew what I was thinking because he said what I was thinking.
"You have to learn how to use the damn door bell, and actually use it every time you want to enter this house, got it?" Peeta says, and out of nowhere I feel the need to kiss him again.
"Yea, sure, whatever. Just get these little monsters off of me" He says, turning a little blue.
"Promise?" I ask.
"Yes! Now please help me!" He is begging now.
"Mark, get off Uncle Haymitch, and Rose, get off his leg." I say walking over to the couch to sit.
"Mommy!" Mark and Rose say, running towards me, arms wide open. This makes me smile.
All I could remember that was happy about my childhood was having a loving family, a family that wasn't starving, a family that didn't need my help for providing for. But then a mine exploded, with my father inside it. After that, everything went down hill...
And just know this made me want to up upstairs and lock myself in the bathroom and never come out.
"Momma, are wou okay?" Mark asks in his cute baby voice.
"Yes, thank you Mark, I'm fine" I say, happy with my life, even though I was in the Hunger Games, survived a war, and I even survived child birth, two times. If I could handle all of that, I think i can handle twins, I hope.
"Then why are you crying Momma?" Rose asks. I didn't even notice I was crying. I quickly remove the tears from my past, and give my children a hug, telling them it's okay and that I'm fine. After a few minutes I think it's time of lunch.
"So, kids, what do you want for lunch?" I ask
"Can we have Mac and Cheese?" Rose begged.
"Yea Mamma, can we have Mac n Cheese?" Mark asks and I look up too Peeta.
"Sure kids, I'll cook and you two stay with mommy" Peeta says.
"I'm sure, I can help you with cooking," I say "besides I'm feeling a lot better"
"Okay, but if you feel the need to sit down or anything, please do whatever you need to do."Peeta says, making sure I can do anything for that matter.
"I promise Peeta. If I have to sit down, I will, okay." I say reassuring him, then I get up fro the couch, and walk up to him, giving him a kiss on the check. Then walking towards the kitchen, already getting out the pot for the noodles. Peeta runs up behind me to grab the pot.
"Sweetheart, you don't have to do that, I'll do that"
I shrug and walk up towards the cabinet to get the macaroni out, and place it on the counter. Peeta fills the pot with water, then setting the pot on the already hot stove. I get a smaller pot out and go to the fridge and get the milk and cheese out.
Peeta ends up making the macaroni and I end up making the sauce. The kids enjoy the meal, and when they are done, they put their plates in the sink and run up the stairs to get ready for our afternoon walk. I walk over to the sink and start washing the dishes, and Peeta dries.
I like washing the dishes. I like the feel of the warm water on my hands. Along with the bubbles.
When we are finished washing the dishes, Peeta puts everything back where they belong. I walk over to the couch, to sit down and relax. Maybe even take a nap before we go on our afternoon walk.
Peeta walks up to me and sits next to be, wrapping his hand around me, kissing my hair.
"I love you" I say moving my head, so I can see his beautiful blue eyes.
"I love you too, Sweetheart." He says giving me a kiss on my nose.
Once I wake, I realize I'm still in Peeta's arms. Everything is the same, except that the tv is on and it's twilight outside.
"Hey sleepy-head" Peeta says when I move my head.
"Hey" I say leaning in for a kiss. "How long was I asleep?" I ask, trying to get up, but end up failing.
Peeta chuckles and gets up to help me up.
"About 3 hours. The kids wanted to go on the walk, but then they saw you sleeping. I guess they changed their minds when they saw you. They know how much sleep you get, so I said we can go when you wake up." He says giving me a hug.
Wow. I feel a lot better now that I had some sleep.
"Okay, let me go get dressed. Can you get the kids ready?" I ask, knowing I have a lot of work a head of me. What with getting ready. I'm going to try not to start anything with my back. This is the first time in about 3 weeks that my back isn't in pain.
"Sure thing Sweetie" He gives me another kiss on the lips, and I blush. After all this time, he still makes me blush.
Peeta walks up the stairs, and I follow. Peeta walks into Marks room, and I walk into the bathroom.
I close the door, and look at myself in the mirror.
"Wow" I breathed. My hair looks like I haven't brushed it in years, and I have rings around my eyes.
I have a lot work to do...
I guess, first, I'll brush my hair and braid it into my everyday braid. Then I'll brush my teeth.
When I'm done with everything I have to do it the bathroom, I walk into our room, and head strait to the dresser.
I dress myself in a baggy t-shirt and some sweats I found.
When I go downstairs, I find the kids and Peeta already ready for the night walk; shoes, jacket, and a picnic bag packed. What would ever do without him? I can't even answer that question. I just can't because I know, if it wasn't for Peeta, I would've never thought about having children, much less getting married.
"Hey everyone. Are we all ready to go?" I ask, looking at Peeta.
"Yes, mommy" Rose and Mark say together, and I smiled.
Peeta walked up to me and laid his hand on my stomach. "Yes, let's go" he says then kisses me.
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. I can feel my heartbeat go faster. And Hayley and Tim start kicking like crazy.
"Yea" I nod "let's go" I say. Looking in his eyes. Finally knowing what it's like to feel happy, pain-free, and excited for the first time in this pregnancy.
As I say that I walk towards the front door, grab the keys to the house. Peeta opens the door for Rose, Mark, and me and I give Peeta a kiss on the cheek and walk out of the house.
I walk to the front lawn, and Mark picks a flower and hands it to me.
"Here momma." He says and I pick the flower from his hands.
It's not just any flower, but it's a Primrose that me and Peeta planted a few years ago. Every year Peeta and me always re-plant the Primroses' in memory of my sweet, little duck.
I pick him up and give him a big hug. "Thank you sweetie, I love you" I say as I give him a kiss on his little nose.
"I wove wou too momma" He says.
I put him down again and Peeta takes my hand and says "And I love you too"
"I know" I giggle and look at him and give him a hug and whisper in his ear "I can't wait for these kids to get here"
"I can't either, come on sweetheart." He says pulling me towards the meadow where the kids were already running in.
And I am for the first time in my life, I and glad that all this stuff happened. The Hunger Games, The Quarter Quell and the Rebellion. But most of all, I'm so happy that I have Peeta here with me, along with Rose and Mark, and these bundles of joy growing inside my stomach.
