Katniss pov

Today is Peeta's birthday. He turns 18 today, making him officially a man even though we have grown up so much these last years. I decide to wake him up by kissing his lips until he starts to stir.

When his beautiful blue eyes open, his eyes bore into mine."Happy birthday!"I say and he wraps his arms around me kisses my neck. I smile and kiss him deeply, we don't often get into kissing fits like this but when they happen it's beautiful.

He flips us over and kisses down my neck and then back up to my face. Then I push him over so I can kiss his neck. I can feel him wanting me but I'm not exactly ready for that, so instead I pull him up and say,"I have a surprise for you."

He excuses himself to the bathroom and after a few minutes he comes back out and says,"okay, Katniss." I take his hand and lead him downstairs to an empty room. Inside is filled with his paintings hung up and pictures I was able to find. Most of his pictures were at the bakery and were burnt but haymitch and I were able to save a few. A new painting desk is in the corner and on the wall is painted,"you are my pearl, you are my dandelion, and I can't be without you." In my nicest handwriting. Then new canvases and materials are in the corner along with a couch and an easel.

"When did you find the time to do this?"He asks incredulously.

"Mainly why you were baking or taking a shower. Haymitch helped save some pictures for you too."

"I like where you put this one,"Peeta says pointing to the middle of the wall, a painting he made of the two of us hangs with lights around it.

"Thank you, Katniss. I love it," he says pulling me into a hug. We stand like that for a while, soaking in each other's scent and company. Then my stomach grumbles so he pulls away and asks,"time for breakfast?"

I nod and he leads me to our kitchen. While eating cheese buns at the table, we hear Haymitch stumble into our house and to the kitchen. He takes a seat with his bottle of whiskey today.

"Finally crawled out of your hole Haymitch? I thought you were dead for a while,"I say. He laughs and says,"Not pregnant yet sweetheart? I thought for sure by now bread boy would knock you up,"he snorts.

"It's not like that,"Peeta says and takes my hand. Haymitch laughs and says,"suuuuuurrrrrrre," and winks at us."Don't worry your secrets safe with me." Then he turns to Peeta,"oh yeah, happy birthday kid."

"Thanks,"he says.

Later Haymitch leaves mumbling something about his geese and Peeta goes to work in his new art studio. So I make dinner tonight, but I want to make something special. Then I remember the boxes in my mom's old room. She left me a box of things she didn't want anymore. A cookbook was in that.

As I search in the box, I find two notes, one adressed to me. It says for katniss when she turns 19, love dad. I freeze and look at the other one, for primrose when she turns 19, love dad. I burst up into loud ugly sobs.

Soon I feel arms around me, Peeta telling me it's okay. I look back at the notes and cry some more. I failed her. She'll never get to be 19 and see this.

"What's wrong Katniss?"Peeta asks me when my sobs slow down. I hold up the two notes and he says nothing. He just kisses my head and holds me tighter. I open the one for me. It reads,

"Dear Katniss,

This letter is for when your 19. Right now you are only 10 years old, two years away from the hunger games. If you're reading this, it means you've either survived the hunger games, or never was picked. God forbid this, but if you were picked and you survived, I know you could do it. You're smart and know how to survive and I'm proud of you. If you weren't picked, I'm so happy that you were spared. I'm writing this to you because I know my work is dangerous and that I could easily die down there. If I do die, I know I can count on you to take care of your sister. I love you so much, Katniss. I hope I live long enough to see you grow up and get married and have kids. You are so much like me, I can tell already so you'll probably go for a sweet man who has passion, just like me with your mom. I know whoever you end up with is a good choice because you made it and he'll complete you. Lastly, I know you'll make a difference in this world, I can feel it. You're meant to be a leader, to make the right choice, to be an Everdean. I love you so much Katniss.

Love daddy."

"I failed him because I failed her,"I cry to Peeta. He holds me and says,"but you made a difference in this world, just like he said you would Katniss. You saved panem."

Then I reluctantly open the one adressed to prim. She'll never get to read this because I failed her. It reads,

"Dear Primrose,

This letter is for when your 19, if you're reading this it means you survived the hunger games, Katniss volunteered for you, or you were lucky enough to not get picked. I'm writing this because I know that my job is dangerous and I could possibly die, but don't worry if I do die I know that Katniss won't let anything happen to you, that's why I think she would volunteer for you. Prim, you have a vast knowledge of healthcare and I know someday you'll make a fantastic doctor, herbalist, midwife, or nurse. You have it in your blood, you are so caring. Right now you are only 6 and I can already tell how alike you are to your mother. I love you so much. I know that someday you'll find someone and you'll make a great wife and mom. I want you to know how proud I am of you, I love you.

Love daddy."

"My dad had faith in me,and I failed him and her. Peeta I failed them!"I cry. He just rocks me back and forth as I cry into his chest. He lays me down on the bed and curls up with me. We both fall asleep until around 10.

I wake up to Peeta staring at me. I lean forward and kiss him deeply."I'm sorry I ruined your birthday Peeta,"I say. He wipes the tears welling at my eyes and says,"you didn't ruin it. Katniss, without you by my side, I would have nothing...No you didn't ruin my birthday. Now, shall we eat?"

I was going to make him something special, but since it's too late to make anything, we just snuggle up on the couch eating leftovers as we watch a late night news. We never watch the news, but we have been curious about all the attacks and lock downs. But what we see is surprising.

"Welcome to late night news 12, there have been many reports of sightings of mutts near 11 and 12. District 12 has had 4 lock downs these last few months. We don't have any information now but our reporters will be down in 12 tomorrow morning. I'm Effie Trinket with your news."

Peeta and I stare in shock. We haven't seen Effie in forever and she's changed so much. Instead of her bold wigs, she has natural long blonde hair. She's tan and wearing minimal make-up. She looks younger but her voice is very much the same. She also isn't wearing ridiculous outfits, well they aren't as ridiculous anymore.

"Wow...Effie looks different. Do you think Haymitch knows?"Peeta comments.

"I have no clue. But damn, we'll have to watch tomorrow morning." I curl up and fall asleep on his chest. The next morning I wake up on the couch in Peeta's arms and my head on his chest.

We have breakfast and then there's a knock on our door. When I get up to get it Peeta follows me and we get the door. There stands Effie and a few camera people are visible down the street.