Thank you once again for the lovely feedback. It's nice to see others out there who appreciate Peeta as much as I do. ;) The last edition was just filler fluff. This is some hardcore story here! Hope everyone enjoys!

If you would have told me a few years ago that I would be bustling around a bakery, helping my boyfriend make Easter chocolates, I would have thought you were crazy. But here I am, elbow deep in melted chocolate with Peeta Mellark.

"Don't let that chocolate burn!" he orders as he brushes past me to stir a glass jar he has heating on top of one of the big ovens.

I smirk at his demand, because he wouldn't ever give me the chance to burn something. He's had his hands on every step in the process. I'm really just here for show. I pour melted chocolate into his plastic molds and place them in the refrigerator to cool while trying to stay out of his way.

I prefer it this way. There's no chance of me screwing something up. Besides, I will guiltily admit that he is totally adorable when he's running around like this. Leaning back against the counter, I watch as he stirs our next batch of chocolate, his brows furrowed in concentration as he tries to assure everything is perfect.

He's got a smudge of chocolate across the front of his white apron, which I take the blame for. It involved a very hot jar and clumsy hands. His sleeves are rolled up to avoid any mess, and his short hair is sticking up in patches from running his fingers through it.

I gaze at him and feel my heart melt. He is such an amazing man. Not for the first time, I wonder how someone like me wound up with someone like him. Everything he does is selfless. Like today for example. He has been working nonstop for the past two days to bring a good Easter to the remaining children of District 12.

He'd ordered dozens of brightly colored plastics eggs from the Capitol, which he filled with miniature chocolate bunnies, chicks, and eggs. While the two of us finish up the last few batches of chocolate, Peeta had Haymitch and Effie hide the eggs along the shops on the main road in town. Haymitch had to be bribed with a dozen chocolates of his own to participate, but Peeta had anticipated that.

Pushing off of the counter, I make my way over to Peeta and wrap my arms around his waist from behind. I hug him for a moment, letting my cheek rest on his back. "You think that last batch is cool enough to transfer to eggs?" I ask.

"I do," he says distractedly as he lifts the spoon from the jar in front of him. Spinning to face me, he asks, "Do you think this is done?"

I arch a brow at that. We both know that I know very little about chocolate, but it's sweet that he pretended my opinion holds any weight. "Looks done to me."

He smiles, seemingly pleased that I've chosen the correct answer.

When Peeta smiles, he looks years younger. He looks as if the games haven't worn him down or put such strain on his body. He looks as if the flashbacks don't constantly plague him or that his leg doesn't ache after walking around on a prosthetic all day long. At that thought, my spirits sag and I swallow thickly in an attempt to cover my mind's grim wanderings.

As always, he is the perfect judge of my mood, because he sets the jar to the side, cups my face in his hands, and kisses me. The kiss is deep and hungry. His body moves against mine in a suggestive way he's managed to perfect over the past couple months. When he pulls back, I'm breathless. "Stop worrying about me," he whispers against my lips. "I'm fine."

With my eyes closed, I nod, my forehead brushing against his.

"Now get to work on filling those eggs," he says firmly. His voice holds no room for argument and leaves me no time to worry over things that obviously aren't bothering him at the moment.

I smile softly at the way he's able to drag me out of my morbid thoughts and give me something constructive to do. "You're the boss," I concede. Crossing to the refrigerator, I pull out the latest batch of molded chocolate. I shake out the bunnies and ducks from the tray and begin sorting them into eggs.

While I sort, Peeta pours the last of the chocolate into the mold I just emptied and slides it into the fridge to cool. Then he settles in next to me and begins filling the brightly colored eggs. "This is going to be perfect," he informs me.

My eyes go to the stack of wicker baskets leaning against the counter. Peeta took the time to wrap colored ribbons around each basket and tie them in pretty bows. Each child would receive one at the start of the scavenger hunt so they had somewhere to store their treasures. He has thought of every tiny detail to make this day perfect. It suddenly makes me realize that Peeta would make a great father.

That thought frightens me, because it isn't something I want. I've always said I would never bring a child into a world like this, and I meant it. I've seen enough heartache and pain to last a lifetime. I refuse to subject another human being, a child to that type of suffering.

I fear this might be the final step that causes me to lose him. He's given me so much, given up so much for me, but this might be the one thing he won't concede. Peeta would make a good father, and I know it's selfish of me to ask him to be with me when I know I will never give him a child. It's something I just can't do no matter how much I love him.

"Everything looks perfect," I answer thickly. I can't even look at him. Nor can I keep my hands from trembling as I package up the last of the chocolates.

It's after I drop my second chocolate duck that he reaches out to grab my hands. "What's wrong?"

I shake my head and remove my hands from his, afraid to answer.

"Come on," he wheedles, turning me to face him. "We faced the Games together and survived. There's nothing worse than that. Whatever's bothering you…I can handle it. I promise." His face is full of openness and concern, making me feel even guiltier.

"I don't want children," I blurt out before I'm able to stop myself. A shuddering breath escapes me. This is like a dirty secret I've been keeping from him. It feels so good to get it off my chest, no matter how much I fear his reaction.

"I do." His response hangs in the air, leaving an awkward silence between us. Peeta stares at me for a full minute before slowly saying, "Okay." He opens his mouth, hesitates, then closes it again. After another uncomfortable pause, he says, "Don't you think you're rushing that thought a little bit?"

"It's not rushing when it's something I know I'll never want." I shrug, averting my eyes. "You deserved to know. If it's…" I trail off, afraid to finish my sentence, but I braved the Hunger Games, I can do this. "If it's something you can't look past, I understand. Only…it's best we end this now, before we get too…"

"I'm already too involved," Peeta says softly. He glanced down at his feet, sighs, then lifts his eyes to stare into mine. "Katniss…" Reaching out, he takes my hands in his. "I love you." Taking a deep breath, he adds, "I love you more than I love the thought of having children. If I'm forced to give up something, I don't want it to be you."

I feel tears well in my eyes at his honest confession. His love for me is so selfless and remarkable. Once again, I am reminded that I don't deserve him. "That isn't fair to you," I whisper, trying to peer at him through my tears. "You would be an excellent father. It's not fair to deprive you of that."

He downcasts his eyes for a second, training them on our joint hands. "Listen," he says softly. "I do want children, very badly." He finally looks up at me. "But I want them with you. If…if you need time…"

"I don't need time," I tell him regretfully. "Time isn't going to change—"

He cuts me off. "If time won't change your mind, then at least let me think it might." His eyes are sad but determined. "Don't tell me never. Let me at least hold on to the hope that you might change your mind one day. You don't know how you'll feel in five years or ten."

I'm pretty sure I know how I'll feel, but I can't bear to crush the little bit of hope he's clinging to.

"Please," he almost pleads. "It's not wrong to hope, is it? I'll wait forever for you. Just don't ask me to accept never as an answer."

Overcome with emotion, I lean forward to hug him. "I never want you to give up hope." I doubt I'll change my mind, but I never want to see him give up, to stop fighting for what he wants in life. If Peeta was a quitter, he'd have given up on me a long time ago.

"That's not a no." He chuckles against my ear. "I'll wear you down."

"Peeta…"

Pulling back, he kisses me into silence. "I don't want to hear it," he says firmly. With that, he returns to finishing the last of the chocolates.

I stand with Peeta as we watch the children of District 12 race about the main street of town with colorful Easter baskets in tow. They squeal and giggle as they dart about, dodging playfully around potted plants and mailboxes as they search for treats.

A little girl I don't recognizes rushes up to us, her blonde ponytail bobbing and her cheeks flushed pink with exertion. "Mr. Mellark! Mr. Mellark!" she cries with excitement.

Peeta stoops down in front of her with a crooked grin. "Yes, Lilah?"

"Mr. Mellark, I did what you asked me. I hid the special egg for the Mockingjay." She glances shyly at me before quickly returning her gaze to Peeta. "And I found this too." She holds out a bright pink and yellow egg to him. "It's from the hunt."

Smiling, Peeta cracks open the egg and offers Lilah the chocolate bunny inside. "I'd say you earned this."

She eagerly accepts the candy from him and takes a delicate bite. Her eyes instantly light up with delight. "It's so good!"

He nods his approval. "Thank you." He lets her eat for a moment, before saying, "Now remember, I promised to make you a birthday cake if you hid my special egg for me. Don't forget to come pick it up next week."

"Oh, I won't, Mr. Mellark!" she gushes. "Thank you. Thank you."

Peeta pats her on the top of her tiny head. "Now go hunt some eggs." He hands the basket in his hand to her, and the little girl takes off with a squeal down the dirt road.

As he climbs slowly back to his feet, I look at him with arched brows. "What was that all about? Special egg?"

Peeta's grin widens. "Let's just say I have an Easter surprise for you as well. You just have to find it."

I stare dryly at him, refusing to budge from my spot. "Really? You're serious?"

"Completely," he assures. "Start searching."

I still don't move. "Don't you think I'm a little too old to be searching for Easter eggs?"

"Not at all." He puts his hands on my shoulders and starts guiding me toward the center of town. "I'll play hotter/colder with you if you want."

"I want," I say cynically. If he plans on making me play this silly game, he'd better give me some help. Realizing he is completely serious about making me track down an Easter egg, I let out a huff and take a big step away from him.

"Colder."

I roll my eyes. Giving another huff, I step back toward him.

"Hotter."

I take another step.

"Hotter."

I take the last step, putting my nose practically in his chest.

"On fire," he breathes in my ear before tilting my chin up so he can kiss me. The kiss is long and deep, his mouth moving skillfully against my own. Once he has me breathless, he pulls back with a laugh. "Okay, colder. I was lying. I just wanted to do that."

Playfully, I slap him in the chest, laughing despite my reluctance to participate in this game. "You're bad." Turning my back on him, I walk toward the center of town, using his hot and cold instructions to take me to the area where his secret egg is hidden.

He walks me out of town, into the woods, and all the way to the lake where my father used to take me to swim as a child.

I spin to look at him with suspicion. This pond has become a little getaway spot for us. A few weeks ago, I'd brought him here on a warm day to teach him how to swim, something he longed for after the second Hunger Games. What had started out as a practical swimming lesson had turned into a romantic interlude.

We'd made love in the lake and then on the lush grass beside it. We'd crept out here at night twice the following week to swim and lay gazing up at the stars. This was our place, something we shared in our most intimate of times. Whatever he was planning, it meant a lot to him.

"Peeta…"

"Hotter," was all he said with a shake of his head.

Taking the hint, I tiptoed toward the lake, my eyes sweeping my surroundings. Then I found it. Nestled in the grass a few feet from a picnic basket and blanket sat a blue plastic egg. I made my way over to it and lifted it from the grass. "I don't get why we had to come all the way out here for an egg filled with chocolate." Yet, I knew why. The picnic was why. The romantic dinner by the lake was why.

"Open it," Peeta said softly.

Following his instructions, I crack the egg at the seam and peer inside. What I see nearly stops my heart.

Nestled inside the plastic is a ring. The diamond in the center sparkles in the afternoon sun, reflecting a beautiful array of colors. I stare speechless at the small piece of jewelry, my mind a haze of fear and anticipation.

"Marry me."

In a daze, I turn to look at Peeta.

He's standing behind me with a hopeful expression on his face. Without any warning, he drops to a knee in front of me, then reaches out to take my hand. "Marry me, Katniss Everdeen."

I'm still unable to find my voice as I look between him and the ring. This moment feels unreal, like I'm dreaming. I'm glad he continues speaking, because I can't seem to find my voice.

"At my worst moments, when Snow had me and I thought all hope was lost…you were what kept me going. It was always you. You were my reason for living back then." He lightly squeezes my fingers. "You're my reason now. I want to spend every moment of the rest of my life making you happy." He gazes up at me with wide, expectant blue eyes. "Will you marry me?"

I still can't speak, so at first I just nod. "I…" I suddenly realize why I can't talk. Tears are streaming down my cheeks as I stare down at the most amazing man in Panem. "I…I…" I swallow thickly and force out one word. "Yes."

The grin that spreads across his face is worth the effort to get the word past the lump in my throat. He jumps to his feet and takes the ring from me.

I watch, stunned as he slides it onto my finger. The diamond is much larger than any I've ever seen in District 12. I know it must have cost him a month's profits at the bakery. I can't fathom why he would want to spend so much, especially when I would have said yes without the presence of a ring.

Gale was wrong when he once stated that I would chose the man who could best provide for me. I could provide for myself. I didn't need that type of security from Peeta. All I needed was his heart. "Peeta, it's too much."

"It's not too much," he objects. "It's perfect." He pulls me into his arms and gives me a kiss so filled with passion, it starts another round of tears.

I can't remember ever crying because I was happy. This is a new and embarrassing experience for me. Crying over the loss of Prim is one thing. Crying like this makes me feel…like a girl. Further cementing my mortification, I gush, "It's beautiful." I lift my hand to watch the ring as it once again reflects the sunlight.

He smiles and hugs me tight. "A beautiful ring for a beautiful woman."

I shake my head at that but can't stop my smile. With my head resting on his chest, I murmur, "I love you, Peeta."

"I know you do. I've always known," he admits. "I knew long before you did. What do you think kept me going all this time?"

I lift my head to look up at him with a wry smile, not doubting for a moment that he had figured things out before me. "When did you know?"

"I think I started to have a suspicion during our second Hunger Games when Finnick revived me after I hit that electrified barrier." He smirked. "When I came to, you were so worried, more worried than you should have been."

"You died," I grumbled in my defense.

"And you would have missed me."

I bobbed my head in agreement, giving a soft shiver of fear. "Don't ever scare me like that again."

"I promise." Peeta takes my face in his hands as he gazes down at me. "I intend for us to spend the rest of our lives together. You're never getting rid of me." With that, he lowers his face to mine and everything is just perfect.

I am trying to start up a Hunger Games RPG game. It is going to be set during the second book with a little twist. Instead of Katniss and Peeta being thrown back into the Games, the Quarter Quell stipulation is different. People who are 18 and OVER are being selected, those who thought they were safe.

In this twist, Katniss's mother and Gale are thrown into the arena. Peeta and Katniss become the mentors of them, creating a new sort of horror for Katniss. I plan to play out the games with some tributes getting killed and in the end, some being saved by the rebels as Katniss was at the end of the second book. It's a new way to start the war and play things out. If anyone is interested in writing with me, send me a private message.