Annie steps from the train, a black suitcase in one hand, 4-year-old Reap in the other. He's the spitting image of his father and he's dressed smartly in a navy blue jacket and matching toque. Annie looks great too. Her brown hair isn't tied up and she wears a green jacket like her son's. Gale and his mother rush to help her with the luggage. Annie gives them both a hug. Gale gives Reap a high-five because even at 4, he's 'too cool for hugs.'
"Katniss! Peeta!" She sees us and smiles. I smile back. She hurries to hug us too. "It's so good to see you!" She gushes, ruffling Peeta's blonde hair.
"It's good to see you too, Annie. And Reap," Peeta says, picking up the small boy and tickling him. The last time we saw them, Reap was just learning how to talk and Annie was just finishing her therapy. Reap laughs and screams for Peeta to stop. Peeta sets him down and laughs. I can picture him doing this with our kids someday.
Annie goes home with Gale and Hazelle. Reap says goodbye reluctantly to Peeta. I watch as they start back towards Gale's. Annie turns around and calls out to us.
"Dinner at Haymitch and Winnow's, tomorrow at 5!" She shouts. I give her a thumbs-up to show that we hear her and we'll be there. Peeta holds my hand and we walk back home. He stops at the Bakery to get some ingredients for cake. He'll help Winnow out with dessert. Any stress from the past few days vanishes the longer he bakes. After, he's so happy that he makes me sit down and he draws me in one of his sketchbooks. My expressions is happily relieves and content with life. Peeta draws it perfectly.
xxx
Peeta goes back to the Bakery the next day until 4. He comes home, showers with me, and then we start off towards Haymitch's. When we get there, Winnow is cooking while Hazelle tries to help; Gale and Haymitch sit together in the living room while Annie sets Reap up to watch a movie. Posy and Vick, Gale's youngest brother and sister, are getting on their coats and boots.
Peeta brings the cake into the kitchen. Winnow kisses his cheek in gratitude. She doesn't bother him too much about how he's feeling or why he looks so thin. I stay in the doorway as he shakes Hazelle's hand. There's no way I'm going to talk to Gale without Peeta with me.
Haymitch gets up when we enter the living room. He hands Peeta a beer.
"I'm only allowed to drink 'socially' now." He says. Peeta nods. He's not much of a drinker. "Sorry, none for miss pregnant." He nudges me jokingly and then sits back beside Gale. Reap notices Peeta and he jumps up to hug him. Annie gives up on the movie for him. He'll be attached at the hip to Peeta anyway. Peeta holds his hand as Reap runs to show him his toys. I notice Peeta set his beer on the coffee table and never pick it up.
I sit with Annie and half-listen to the conversation. I'm watching Peeta and Reap. My reassurance about having kids comes back. It isn't long before Winnow announces that its dinner time. We crowd into the dining room. Winnow and Haymitch sit at the heads and then clockwise from Winnow it goes Annie, Reap, Peeta, me, Haymitch, Gale, Vick, Posy, and Hazelle.
The food is delicious and I put extra helpings in front of Peeta. He tries to do the same for me. I hold Peeta's hand under the table. I feel like a teenager trying to hide how in love we are. Annie tells everyone about life in District 4. Reap tells Peeta stories about the sea and fishing trips he's gone on with his Uncle. Peeta listens attentively.
Then Annie asks Gale about District 2. As he's explaining his engagement and project, Peeta's hand tightens un-comfortingly around mine. I try to pull away but his grip is too tight.
"Peeta," I whisper warningly. I look at him. He's staring angrily at Gale. I try to stay calm. This can't be happening right now. Not in front of everyone, not in front of Reap who considers Peeta his new best friend. Just as Peeta starts digging his nails into my skin, Annie speaks.
"I heard about the baby, Katniss."
"It's Peeta's!" I cry in a panic, just wanting him to relax. His grip slackens and I pull my hand away. I rub it, sure I'll have bruises. Everyone's looking at me. "Sorry," I mutter. Peeta puts his hand on my shoulder. I flinch away. Everyone sees this and I stand up. "I'll be back." I walk out, holding in my tears until I make it upstairs.
I'm shaking as I sit down on the edge of the bed. I hear a thud and cries of anger. I hear Haymitch tell Gale to sit down. Suddenly, I'm sobbing. I look up to see Peeta and Haymitch watching me. Haymitch comes to sit beside me, rocking me back and forth.
"It's okay, Katniss. He's fine, he's fine." I look at Peeta who looks so hurt and guilty. He's got tears in his own eyes.
"I didn't do it on purpose, Katniss. I swear," He says quietly. I shake my head.
"I know, Peeta. But I can't stand the fear anymore." I say between sobs that wrack my whole body. "I'm calling Dr. Aurelius when we get home. You need more treatment." I decide right then. Peeta nods solemnly and turns on his heel to go downstairs. I've hurt him, I know, but it's the right thing to do. Haymitch lets me cry.
"Are you okay?" He asks. I nod, wiping my tears. He stands and I follow him to the door.
"Switch places with me, please?" I ask. I don't think Peeta wants me to sit beside him.
"You can switch with Winnow. I don't think Peeta will appreciate you sitting beside Gale." He reasons. I nod. We head back down. Annie and Winnow have got everyone talking again. Gale fumes after being yelled at. Haymitch whispers to Winnow who smiles. She gets up, pretending to get more wine from the kitchen.
I take her now empty seat. No one says anything but I know they all notice. I don't eat anything else. I glance at Peeta. He's doing his best to finish what I've put on his plate but I can tell he's lost his appetite to the guilt.
"Is everyone ready for dessert?" Winnow comes back in with Peeta's cake. I feel miserable.
xxx
We walk home in silence. We finished the visit with coffee and tea in the living room. I sat between Haymitch and Posy on the couch. Peeta sat with Reap on his lap in an armchair. The poor boy fell asleep pretty quickly after dinner. It should have been nice but it was tense.
Now, I don't hold Peeta's hand like I usually do. I follow through with calling Dr. Aurelius. His number is still listed by the phone. I pick it up with shaking hands. Peeta collapses onto the couch.
"You've reached Dr. Aurelius' office, may I take a message?" It's his secretary. Of course.
"This is Katniss Mellark. I need to speak with Aurelius right away." My voice shakes. I'm not sure if it's because I sound so scared or the secretary recognizes my name, but she dispatches me straight to Aurelius. I wait a minute until he answers.
"Katniss, what's going on?" He sounds concerned. "Is it the baby?" He asks. I don't even questions why he knows. Peeta is my main concern.
"It's about Peeta." I pause. "I think he needs treatment again." I explain about the fits he's had recently. Dr. Aurelius thinks for a minute.
"I'll see what I can do, Katniss. It doesn't sound too bad, but if you're really scared, I'll come down and do a few sessions with him." I exhale deeply.
"Thank you." I say goodbye and hang up. I pass by Peeta, now asleep on the couch. I don't wake him up. I just go upstairs and try my best to fall asleep.
A/N
In response to Darcy in the reviews: you've got to take this in moderation :)
