I don't own anything… the hunger games… coke… the towns of Atlanta and Charlotte are real, but they aren't mine either. Neither are superman and spiderman.
Thank you to sohypothetically. I owe you dear. After the mess last week, I'm glad you are safe. To jojo for scheming and nonnie and jane for reading. I really do appreciate all of the help. And most of all, to everyone who is reading. Thank you. I know that you don't have to follow, or read, or comment, but you do. Thank you. Oh and peetagrl3… dear I love your reviews! And you are finnicking brilliant too! Enjoy!
When he gets into his truck to leave Katniss and Jack on Sunday, it is the hardest thing he has ever done. It would be easier to tear his heart out and leave it here. After telling Katniss goodbye, he has to use every part of his willpower not to drop to his knees, beg for forgiveness and to take her in his arms so he can finally come home. Instead he turns around, climbs into his truck and pulls out of her driveway. When he gets to the stop sign and he can either go left to his parents' house, or right to go to Atlanta, he turns right. He thinks about going and talking to his parents about what just happened, but he isn't ready to share Jack with them yet. He snorts at the irony of the situation. His Dad didn't share Jack with him, and now he is returning the sentiment. 'Yep, this is a healthy family dynamic,' He thinks to himself.
While he drives, he plays the weekend over and over in his head. His heart breaks thinking about Jack, that sweet little boy loves Superman and his mommy. It isn't until that moment that he realizes how much he has missed him. Yes, it is one of those corny but so sweet love songs, "I loved you before I met you" type things, but his heart aches the further away he is from him. Jack is everything he could want in a son; everything he could have wished for and everything he could have prayed for. So many hopes and dreams have reawakened for him, along with the realization that he doesn't want the hustle and bustle of city life and the competiveness of the corporation.
Years ago he buried the dreams that included Katniss. The memories that would resurface when he had too much to drink, or in those moments of waking up when he would think for a moment that they were in the bedroom of her house wrapped around each other with his nose buried in her hair. He would reach across his bed searching for her, and when he couldn't find her there, he would break again.
The miles go by quickly as he is lost in his thoughts and soon he is pulling into his parking spot outside of his townhouse. Putting the truck in park, he rests his forehead against the steering wheel and takes a deep breath. Feeling the tears come, he grabs his bag and his computer and goes inside. He sets his bags down in his bedroom, slips off his shoes before walking into the bathroom, pulling off his shirt and starting the shower. Dunking his head, feeling the hot water wash over him; he finally lets the tears come. With the tears comes 5 years of what if's and should have been.
It is much later when he is eating his sandwich that his phone chimes its text message ring. Feeling his heart skip a beat when he sees that it is from Katniss, he opens it.
Katniss: Hey. I was wondering if you had made it back ok?
Peeta: I've been here about an hour. I was just eating a bite. What are you doing?
Katniss: Actually I was enjoying the peace for just a little bit longer. Jack is still at Daniel's. Do you go back to work tomorrow?
Peeta: Yes, I have to catch up from being gone last week and I need to get everything started on the transfer to the Charlotte office.
Katniss: So you are for sure taking it?
Peeta: I can't turn it down now. I will be a little over an hour away from (he so wanted to type her name!) Jack. If I find a place on the west side, I will be even closer.
Katniss: On the west side? Get in touch with Finn. He just finished doing some work on some townhouses and apartments on that side of Charlotte. He might know of some places.
Peeta: Thanks! Can you send me his number? I don't have his anymore.
Katniss: 828-555-3969. Do you remember Dad's old cabin?
Peeta: Of course I remember that place! That's great that you still have it. It has the best view of Lake Rhodhiss.
Katniss: One of the places Finn worked on is close to it. That might be too far to drive though.
Peeta: Well the office is kind of north Charlotte but it's west too. I might get a hotel room at first until I can figure out where I want to live.
Katniss: You can stay in the cabin if you'd like.
Peeta: I can't do that.
Katniss: Yes you can. Someone needs to stay in it, at least for a little while. I've been so busy getting ready for the spring hikes we haven't had time to go. When are you moving?
Peeta: Well since the transfer was waiting on me to accept, it's just a matter of moving now. You are still coming this weekend aren't you? Jack needs to come and see the sharks!
Katniss: Lol. Like he would let me forget. Posy and Vick said they would cover for me on Friday and Saturday both. So we can come down Friday morning. Are you working?
Peeta: I can take a day off. I need to pack anyway.
Katniss: Are you sure?
Peeta: Yes! I can't disappoint Jack anymore. How long are you going to stay?
Katniss: Sunday I guess? Will we be in the way of you wanting to pack? We can help if you want us to.
Peeta: You are not coming all this way to help me pack. I'm going to start packing this week so you won't have to help me.
Katniss: Ok, Lol.
Peeta: What does Jack like to eat?
Katniss: I can very proudly say anything. He hasn't met a food yet that he doesn't like. But he will eat the normal kid stuff before he will anything else. Are you going to feed us too?
Peeta: But of course. I can't have my favorite people going hungry now can I?
Katniss: No I guess not. Thank you for letting us come to visit.
Peeta: It's not a problem. What else would Jack like to do while he is here?
Katniss: The aquarium is plenty! I need to go get Jack. I bet he's ready to go to bed by now.
Peeta: I bet he is. Thank you.
Katniss: Thank you for what?
Peeta: Just thank you for today. Thank you for Jack. Thank you for letting me meet him.
Katniss: You're welcome. I'll talk to you later.
Peeta: Goodnight.
Monday morning comes too quickly for tired mamas. Rolling over to hit the alarm, and thankful that she doesn't have to have Jack anywhere until nine, Katniss lays in bed for just a minute more. She can't remember the entire dream that she was just having, but she knows that it was about Peeta. She dreams about Peeta often, but this one was so real. Instead of the Peeta from 5 years ago, this one has the guarded but still loving Peeta from this weekend. The grown up Peeta that she still wants. For just a moment, she lets herself think about what it would be like to kiss him. To feel him next to her again. There hasn't been anyone else in these five years. She just hasn't had time. But she did rely on her memories of Peeta when she used the vibrator that Jo bought her after Jack was born. Taking a deep breath and feeling the wetness from her memories and the electricity that was in the air yesterday, she reaches for her top drawer in her nightstand. Seeing that it is 7:05, she relaxes knowing that she has time. And once again, she is grateful that Jack will sleep on Mondays until she wakes him up. That doesn't however stop her from getting up and locking her bedroom door.
Crawling back into the bed, she picks up her vibrator and settles back against the pillows. Turning it on she starts to think about her old memories. Before she can stop herself however, the Peeta that is here yesterday was in her thoughts. His eyes were even bluer than they had been when they were so much younger. How wide his shoulders had gotten. How his hands were still the same hands that used to be her everything. And his voice saying her name again… Katniss gasped as the vibrations against her clit brought her to orgasm. Maybe she has missed him more than she thought if she came that fast just from seeing him yesterday.
Waiting for her heart to slow down, her mind goes to her dream again. It was like the orgasm brought everything into focus, they were a family like they should have been from the beginning. Letting the tears come, she realized that they wasn't sad tears of what had been lost, but they were tears of happiness and of hope, The hope of what was coming and of old and new dreams finally coming true. Katniss felt like she was standing at the edge of a cliff looking out into the unknown. She needs to take that first step and she somehow knew that everything will fall into place.
"Mama when is Peeta coming to see me again?"
"We will be seeing him on Friday I hope. Why?" Katniss asks as she helps Jack tie his shoe. Standing up, she picks the comb off of the counter.
Trying not to fidget like little boys who really don't like getting their hair combed will, he says, "He was fun to play with. And he didn't say no when I asked him to get in my clubhouse. He said that he wanted to draw with me." And then in his little voice, he adds, "I really like him. He listened to my words."
She can almost see his little lip quivering, and then he takes a deep breath and meets her eyes. Bending down so she is on his level, she brings him in for a hug. Jack, realizing what she is doing, lunges at her and throws his arms around her neck. Not expecting that, she loses her balance and they both tumble backwards with Jack landing on top. She laughs only when Jack laughs first which she takes as a sign that whatever was bothering him is over now. Squeezing him tight, she sits up and settles him on her lap so she can give him a big, big hug, as he likes to call them, and she gives him a kiss on the top of his head.
"Hey Bear, I have an idea."
She hears his muffled voice from where his head is buried in her chest. "What Mommy?"
"Why don't you go to work with me today? Posy and Vick are both going to be there so we can hang out all day. How does that…"
Jumping up, he throws his arms around her neck. "Oh Mommy can I? I love it when I get to go to work! But what about Ms. Annie?"
"Oh, Bear, she can do without you for one day." She heads downstairs and knows that he will be following her, she says, "I'll text her and let her know that you are staying with me today. Will that work?"
"Oh yes Mommy. Can I help Posy play in the tent?"
"We'll see, we'll see."
After Jack buckles himself up in his booster seat, he says, "Mommy I'm hungry."
She forgot to fix them some breakfast. The bakery is on the way to the shop, though, and she remembers that Graham told her just last week that Anna had declared herself retired from the bakery. Looking in her rear-view mirror at Jack, she suggests, "Hey Bear, do you want to try something new?"
"What is it? Where are we going?"
"Hang on; we'll be there in a minute." She turns into one of the parking spaces of the bakery.
"Are we there, Mommy?"
Putting the jeep in park, she turns in her seat. "Come on Bear. You will like this place."
He unbuckles his booster seat. Katniss gets out of the jeep and holds out her hand, and waits for him to put his hand in hers before she walks in the bakery door. Opening the door and hearing the chime of the bell that she hasn't heard in years, smelling the bakery's smells, she blinks quickly to fight the tears that come to her eyes.
"Katniss and Jack! My two favorite people in the whole wide world! Can I get you two something to eat?" Graham calls out to them when they approach the counter.
Katniss gives Graham a nod and watches Jack as he goes to the counter to look at all of the baked goodness in the glass display. He is amazed at the cupcakes that are decorated with different cartoon characters, cakes covered in flowers like dandelions and primroses, doughnuts in every shape and size and of course, cheese buns.
"What do you see, Bear?"
"Oh Mommy, can I try them all?"
Chuckling, she says, "Oh Bear, then we wouldn't be able to get anything else done today. Why don't you pick out a doughnut for now and a cupcake for later?"
Nodding and then looking at her with wide eyes, "Really Mommy? I can have two of them?"
"Yes, and I want cheese buns. I'm going to talk to Mr. Graham for a minute, ok?"
Jack looks up at Graham like he is just notices that he stands behind Mommy. He propels his little body at the man's legs and gives him a big, big hug and an even bigger smile. "There you are! Where have you been?"
Graham chuckles for those are the words that he always says to Jack when he meets them in the park. Reaching down and picking him up under his arms, he pulls Jack in for a proper hug. "I've been right here working. Where have you been, young man?"
"I made a new friend yesterday! His name is Peeta…"
"Jack why don't you go to the coloring area and make Mr. Graham a picture?" Katniss interrupts.
"But Mommy…"
"Jack, let me talk to Mr. Graham for a minute, and then you can tell him what we want to eat, ok?"
"Ok, Mommy." Jack says with a sigh after Graham set him on his feet and walks over to the kid's table.
"He met Peeta this weekend?" Graham whispers.
"You haven't talked to him?"
"I saw him for about ten minutes yesterday morning. He said that he had to meet someone and was gone very early. What happened?"
She isn't sure how much she should say. She feels like she is being put in the middle somehow. Peeta should be talking to him about this, not her. "Graham… "
"Jack met Peeta right?" Graham interrupts her.
Looking down so she doesn't have to meet his eyes, she mutters a weak, "Yes." She has forgotten how expressive his face is. She sees shock, happiness and then sadness all mixed up. Before she knows it, Graham has her wrapped up in a hug. Returning it meekly, she pats him on the back and then steps back.
"Oh, Katniss. Why didn't he say anything?"
"I figured he would have come back before he went back to Atlanta."
"No, not a word. He did text to let me know he made it back ok." He pats Katniss on the back, "Well I imagine it's been a shock to him. He used to do this when he was younger. He would have to go process everything that had happened and then come back and talk about it. I would imagine that he was upset too." He looks over at Jack, "All I've ever wanted is for you and Jack to have everything you deserve and that includes Peeta." He looks back to Katniss, sees the tears forming in her eyes, and pulls her in again for a side hug. "Oh, sweetie. It's going to be alright. I would even go as far as to say that it's me he is going to be the maddest at. And trust me, after living with Anna all this time, I can handle it. I would even say he's at work right now figuring out a way to get back here sooner rather than later."
Walking into the office on that Monday morning, Peeta realizes two things. One, that it is time for a change, and two; he doesn't really like what he is doing anymore. He stops at Clove's desk for his messages from last week. "How did it go last week?"
"The normal stuff. Cato did manage to land the new Coke campaign. We all had too much to drink that night." When Clove was assigned to be his personal assistant a year ago, Plutarch had told Peeta to train her to take over his spot one day. Now after going to the Charlotte branch, he understands. He gathers his messages and walks into his office with Clove following behind him.
Setting down his messenger bag on his desk, he walks over to the window. "Did you water the plants?"
"You know I did, boss. Well, how is Charlotte? Is it as bad as Plutarch made it out to be?"
Peeta walks over to his chair and sits down. He knows that it's going to be a busy week, but he is ready for Friday. "It's not really that bad. The office manager there, Effie, is just so overwhelmed since Portia quit to stay home with her baby that she has let too many accounts fall aside. That is why they want me."
"That's because you are just so good. I kind of wish I could come with you. But I'm excited about taking over this office. Do you think they would let me paint the walls blue?"
He laughs at her as she sits back and admires the view out the window. He had thought he might miss this place, but after meeting Jack and seeing Katniss, he knows that won't be the case. "What do you need to do this morning?"
"Plutarch said something about me looking over the campaigns from the past year even though I know yours and some of Cato's."
"Ok. Well go ahead and start pulling files. I'm going to make some phone calls, and then we will start figuring out what lose ends I need to tie up before I go."
Clove starts to walk to the door when she turns at the last minute to study Peeta. "You seem different today. What happened while you were in Charlotte? Something happened, you seem lighter somehow. Whatever it is, it looks good on you."
He smiles a little smile and looks at his keyboard. Not wanting to give anything away about what did happen, he instead says, "I had a chance to stop by the old hometown. It was good seeing everyone. Get out of here Clove. We both have work to do."
Googling the name of Delly's flower shop back home, he dials the number. Hearing her cheerful, "The Tipsy Tulip" always makes him smile since he has to call her when he is coming into town.
"Hey Delly, it's Peeta."
He has to hold the phone away from his ear when she lets out her trademark squeal, and he laughs as she exclaims, "Are you still in town? Graham told me yesterday when I stopped for doughnuts that you were in."
"No I had to get back last night. I just ran out of time this time. I'll treat you to your regular Scarlet O'Hara the next time I'm in town. I don't see how you can drink Southern comfort and cranberry juice. "
"Oh Peeta," she giggles. "Not everyone thinks it tastes like cough syrup. Whenever you can, I know you are a busy man. I was also told that you were moving to Charlotte. Is that true, too?"
"Yes it is. Hopefully, I will be all moved in two weeks. I need to call the moving company that Plutarch is paying for. Anyways that isn't why I called- I need you to do me a favor."
"Peeta, you know I'll do anything you need. What is it?"
"First of all, I need a big bouquet of daisies and dandelions…"
"Dandelions, Peeta?"
"Yes. Doesn't the meadow out beside the bakery still have those?"
"I think so."
"And then I need for you to go down to Haymitch's…"
"You want me to go to Haymitch's? Peeta what are you up to?"
"Well if you will let me finish, I will tell you. Go to Haymitch's and get some art supplies. I'm going to call him next and see what he has so he can have it ready for you."
"So after I get the daisies and the dandelions and the art supplies, where am I delivering it all to?
"You are actually going to take it all to Everdeen's…."
Peeta had to hold the phone away from his ear again because Delly let out another squeal. he gently puts the phone back to his ear as he has heard only some of what she was saying, "…he is such a sweet boy… are you talking to Katniss again… her shop is down from mine… business is picking up for everyone…"
He chuckles and thinks how Delly hasn't changed after all these years. She was always his biggest cheerleader when it came to him and Katniss. "Delly… listen to me, please."
Breathless, she answers, "What Peeta?"
"When can you get this stuff to Katniss?"
"Peeta! You are sending her flowers! What happened?"
"Delly, I promise I will explain it all soon. Let me call Haymitch's so you can get this done today. Do you need my credit card number?"
"Ok, Peeta. You definitely owe me a drink after that heart attack. Just don't worry about the card right now. Next time you are in town, bring it by and I'll do it with the credit card machine. It's easier to do it that way. "
"Are you sure? I've got it right here in front of me."
"You are fine. Get me next time."
"Ok then. I'll go ahead and pay Haymitch so you won't have to."
"Thank you. He also just got some new trucks. Jack likes trucks too."
Surprised that Delly would know that he asks, "How do you know that?"
"Oh Peeta, their shop is right down from mine. One day last week they came in to say hello and Jack was telling me about his new truck. He was really proud that it's a Superman truck. What happened between you and Katniss? Why are you sending them flowers and toys?"
"Delly I told you, I will tell you over drinks. I promise. You get those flowers ready; let me call Haymitch, and I'll text you to let you know when you can pick it up. Ok?"
He can hear the chime of her front door ringing in the back ground. "Listen, I'm the only one here right now, let me let you go."
"Ok. Talk to you later. Thank you again, Delly."
"You're welcome. Bye, Peeta."
Pushing the end button, Peeta looks through his contacts to see if by chance he still has Haymitch's phone… oh there it is. Pushing send, he waits for the old coot to answer. Wishing he had taken a minute to go into Haymitch's store to see what he still carried, he was almost lost in thought when he hears a gruff. "Haymitch's"
"Is this Haymitch?"
"Speaking. Who is this?"
"Hey, Haymitch its Peeta Mellark."
"Well, hello boy. It's been a long time."
"Yes it has. How is business treating you?" Peeta asks.
"It's actually good. How can I help you, boy? I know you didn't call me to talk shop," He grunts at Peeta.
Chuckling into the phone, he answers, "No, I didn't. I heard that you still had art supplies on hand?"
"I have some stuff. What are you looking for?"
Peeta sighs in frustration. "Delly Cartwright is coming by in a little bit. She is going to pick up some art supplies and some toys for a delivery. Would it be better if she just comes in and calls me to tell me what you have?"
"No, I have what you need. Would this delivery happen to be for a certain four year old boy that has blonde hair like his father?"
Peeta doesn't have time to stutter out a meek reply before Haymitch is talking over him, "You know, it's about time she let you know about the little boy. He was in here just the other day telling me…"
"What do you mean it's about time she let me know?"
"Calm your tits, boy! They meet your dad at the park across from me once a month. It wasn't hard to put one and two together and that equals the little boy being a Mellark."
"Haymitch! Don't go announcing it to your entire store! Listen just get him some art supplies and some toys that he has been wanting over the past couple of months that Katniss hasn't gotten for him. Call me back and I'll pay for them and I can let Delly know to pick the stuff up."
"You don't have to pay now. Just, the next time you are in town, come by and settle up the bill."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I trust you. Tell Delly to give me about an hour and she can pick the stuff up."
"Thank you Haymitch. And throw some of the new trucks in there too. I heard something about a Superman and a Spiderman truck?"
"Yea I've got those. Listen, boy…"
"What is it, Haymitch?"
"Hurry up and fix this. That little boy has been missing his daddy for a long time. I'll tell you what she won't; they need you. Hurry up and come and rescue them."
Feeling the sting of unexpected tears, he clears his throat quickly and says, "That is what I'm trying to do. They have to let me in so I can."
He was closing out his computer when he got the text from Delly saying that she had just delivered the flowers and stuff from Haymitch's to Katniss. He smiles to himself as he gather up the last of his things, walks to the door, and shuts off the light. He types out a quick reply to Delly as he makes his way to his truck. Wondering how long it was going to take for Katniss to call him, his phone starts ringing. Looking at her name lighting up his screen he swipes the screen to accept it. "Hello…"
She interrupts him before he can say anything else, "What did you do Peeta?"
Laughing, he says, "Who, me? I didn't do anything."
"Peeta," he hears the disbelief in her voice, "You sent me those beautiful flowers and Jack those art supplies and trucks. You didn't have to do that."
"Katniss, I wanted to. Are those the art supplies that Jack likes, or has he figured out what his favorite mediums are yet?"
"He just likes art. He isn't that picky. Peeta, why did you send us those things?"
Too late he remembers how she was when it came to receiving things. She hated feeling like she owed anyone. "Katniss it' ok. I did it because I wanted to. I want Jack to have some new art things that I know that he would like. The daisies and the dandelions, I remember that those are your favorites. Has that changed?"
Meekly she answers, "No, Peeta, they are still my favorites. I'm sorry. It didn't hit me that you hadn't been able to give to Jack like I have. It's a natural thing to want to do it now. Just do me a favor and give me a head's up next time. Ok?"
"Oh, no. What happened?"
"Did Delly not tell you?"
"No I haven't talked to her since I asked her to get the flowers and to run by Haymitch's. This doesn't sound good at all." By this time he's climbing behind the steering wheel of his truck. He asks, "What did Jack do?"
While He starts the truck and heads out of the parking lot Katniss tells him, "Well first you have to understand that Delly and Jack adore each other. When I was first opening the store, she volunteered to watch Jack while I was getting everything set up. Until he started school in August, he would be at her flower shop a couple of days a week."
"Oh, wow. I didn't know he was close to Delly," He says with a tinge of regret in his voice.
"Oh, Peeta. What's wrong?"
He sighs into the phone, "I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that I have a son. And it makes me sad when I think about the time I've missed." He isn't about to tell her how upset it makes him also. "What happened next?"
"Well, once Jack saw Delly coming in the door with the flowers and the stuff, he had a fit. He looked at the art supplies for about a minute, but unknown to me, Haymitch put some candy in the bundle he knew Jack has been begging for but I wouldn't let him have it. He ate it before I realized what happened and he is still bouncing around. He is starting to wind down. Thankfully, Posy worked today so she was able to play with him while I arranged some hikes. How was your day?"
Just when he is about to respond, he hears Jack asking, "Mommy when are we going home? I want to go paint."
"Hang on, Bear, let me finish talking to Peeta…"
"Peeta!" he hears Jack screech. "Let me talk to him, Mommy. Please, I need to talk to him. Let me talk to him, please, Mommy…" he hears Jack say all in one breathe without pausing a bit.
"Wait just a minute…"
"It's ok Katniss. I'll talk to him."
"Are you sure? You're not busy right now?"
"No, I'm driving. I'm actually almost home."
"Ok, then." holding the phone away from her ear, he can still hear her say, "Jack, remember what I told you the other day about talking on the phone? How we still need to be nice and listen when the other person is trying to talk?"
He chuckles when he hears a disgruntled, "Yes, Mommy. I'll listen when Peeta is talking. I promise."
A sweet little voice comes on the line and says, "Hello Peeta! Delly said that you sent me the trucks! And the new paint! When are you coming to paint with me? When can you come play with me again? Mommy said that we could take you to Papa's lake and that you might even get to stay in Papa's cabin if you want to. I didn't go to school today. I'm so glad that I didn't because you sent me stuff and I got to see Delly…" he says all in one breath again. He can hear Katniss chuckling in the back ground.
"Wow, Jack that is a mouthful…"
"What do you mean it's a mouthful? I don't have anything in my mouth. Mommy why would Peeta say that I have a mouthful when I don't have anything in my mouth and he can't see me either. Can he see me? Peeta can you see me? If you can see me why can't I see you?"
"Jack, give me the phone."
"No, Mommy. I still talking to Peeta…"
"Jack listen to my words. I need to talk to Peeta and then we need to go home and fix supper and go to bed. You sound really tired."
He hears the tired and over-excited little boy say, "K, Mommy. Bye, Peeta."
"Bye, Jack."
Katniss come back to him with a chuckle, "That is a tired little boy, just in case you didn't guess. Can I call you or text you later? Let me get him in and fed."
"That works. I actually need to call the movers."
"Ok, I'll talk to you later."
"Bye, Katniss."
"Bye, Peeta."
Katniss catches herself looking and smiling every time she sees the flowers out of the corner of her eye as she does her evening routine. Even though she had once told Peeta that she kind of thought giving or sending flowers was silly, that she would rather have something to plant in the yard, this time she feels special. And even though she tried to fuss at Peeta over sending them, she is still glad that he did. The candy for Jack that Haymitch included, well that is a different story. After coaxing Jack to finish his dinner, she decides that it is time for an early bath and an early bed time. She loves Jack, but she also needs some mommy time.
It is about 8:00 when she realizes that Jack is asleep. So she goes to the refrigerator, and opens her favorite local winery's muscadine wine and settled on the couch with the remote. She needs to look over her list for the order she needs to place on Wednesday, but she knows what she needs, so she decides to relax instead.
She starts going through the DVR when her eyes settle on her phone on the coffee table in front of her. Trying to remember if she had turned the volume up before she went to help Jack with his bath, she jumps when her text notification rings. Taking a deep breath, she leans forward and smiles when she sees that it's Madge.
Madge: What are you doing?
Katniss: Drinking wine. U?
Madge: Is Jack asleep? I just got Daniel to sleep.
Katniss: Yes you can come over and ask about Peeta.
Madge: I'll be there in a min. Do you have more wine?
Katniss: You know I do.
Madge: K
Katniss gets up and makes sure the front door is still open and unlatches the screen door so Madge can come in and then goes to the kitchen to pour another glass of wine. As she finishes pouring, she hears Madge step on the squeaky second step she has been meaning to fix. The opening door rings the bear-bell she had to attach last year so she could hear if Jack was going outside. Putting the cork back in the bottle, she puts it back in the refrigerator and turns with the wine in her hand to give to Madge. Katniss walks back to the couch and sits with her feet under her, then waits for her friend to make herself comfortable too. Sitting there in silence like only old friends can, Katniss waits for the question to come…
"What happened?" Madge asks.
Taking a long sip of her wine to finish the glass, Katniss looks into the bottom half wishing she had brought the bottle with them. "It went well. It really did." Giving a little smile and looking up at Madge, she says, "I thought he would be really mad, but I think he's still in shock."
"Why would he be mad? Katniss it's you. He could never be mad at you over anything."
"Madge, you don't realize how much he wanted kids. There were times after he proposed that that was all he would talk about. I always thought that he wanted kids because of the way his mom is. In a way to prove that he isn't anything like her."
Taking a drink, Madge gets up and walks to the kitchen to get the rest of the wine. "You know, I never thought about it, but that kind of makes sense. In a way he wanted children to show her that he could do it better?" She walks back to the couch and pours Katniss another glass and settles back on the couch.
"And because he is so good and kind." Physically shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts, Katniss begins to tell Madge everything that happened over the weekend with Peeta. She keeps looking at the flowers that he sent today. He still loves her. She knew it when he first looked at her at Daniel's party. She also knows that she still loves him. She just needs to figure out if it's because he gave her Jack, or if it's because it's him.
Quick end note… there is such a thing as a bear bell… we had to get one for the deaf dog so we could hear where she was, ended up having to put it on the screen door because the mother in law oiled the door and I couldn't hear anymore when my little was leaving…
