A/n- So, a lot of you asked for Finnick and Annie to be in this story more. I have been planning since the prologue to get them in here more, and I felt like they fit pretty well into this chapter. So, I hope you all like it. : )

Chapter 9

A few hours later, there is a knock at the door. Once again, it's my mother. "Finnick and Annie are here," she says. "Is it alright with you if they come in? It's just that we need your consent."

"That would be great," I respond enthusiastically. Then, I turn to Peeta. "We've known them for a while now. I'll introduce you again. Then," a smile comes back onto my face. "Then we'll tell them about the baby. They had one. He's four now, and his name is Dylan. I don't think he's here now, though."

I have gotten used to doing this by now, providing backstory whenever an unfamiliar name or place is mentioned. I try to stick to the positive, though, not wanting to bring the negative back until there would be more positive to counter it. It isn't always easy to avoid them, though. After I explained about the Games, for example, he asked about Prim. Specifically, where she is right now. After a minute of internal debate, a gloss over details, feeling that it would be what Prim would want me to do. "She isn't here right now," I had said. "I'll tell you more when I'm ready to."

After I finish my explanation, Finnick and Annie come in, hand I hand as always. I make slightly awkward introductions. After Peeta relearns enough, I glance at him, beaming, and mouth the words, "Are you ready?" Nodding, he reaches for my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. So I continue.

"So last night, I was acting weirdly. So, my mom did this test, and we just found out this morning that-" I break off and squeal like my mom did hours ago. Since when have I been the type to squeal? Ugh, it must be those hormones. Eventually regaining control, I take a deep breath.

"Sorry about that. It was immature. Almost child-like." A new smile, one reminiscent of the girl from District Five in our first arena, creeps onto my face. Within the last two years or so, I have had a newfound appreciation for wordplay. Before I can continue, Annie catches on.

"You mean- you're-" Like me, she starts to squeal. She must have seen the book I placed on the other side of the room. "You are! Katniss, that's great! Congratulations!"

Finnick agrees with her, and they share a knowing smile, as if about to share a secret with us. Now it's my turn to react. "And you are, too?! You're going to have another baby! You must be so excited."

I can tell that Peeta is confused, though. I guess I didn't think of everything that 'long-term memory' would include. So when he asks, reminding me a bit of a young child, how exactly the babies got inside of Annie and I, I find myself blushing. After a few minutes of spluttering, I see my mom in the corner of the room, trying not to laugh.

"Well, you're the doctor! You explain!"

And so she does. It is probably the most awkward lecture I have ever been present for. To be honest, I am quite relieved when it's over.

For a few minutes after, an embarrassed silence fills the room. "One thing to remember, Peeta, is never ask my mom anything medically-related. You either end up bored out of your mind, or having the most awkward conversation imaginable."

After a few minutes, I feel Finnick tap me on the shoulder. Looking up, I see him gesture toward the door, as if he wants to talk to me alone. Nodding, I follow him out.

Once we are outside, concern flashes across his face. "So, how has everything been?" he asks, squeezing my hand. I really appreciate his support; all these years, he has been like the older brother I thought I used to have in Gale.

So how could I possibly lie to him? I have to tell him about what happened last night, with the tracker jacker venom acting up again. Don't I?

And so I do. I don't even plan to go right into detail, it just all comes out in a gush. After a minute, I am speaking in tiny choked-out sobs. For a moment, all I am aware of is Finnick holding me in a tight hug, and the warm, wet tears coursing their way down my cheeks.

After a minute, I look up and am surprised, even a bit startled, to see tears in Finnick's eyes as well. Of course, he would be able to empathize with this kind of problem. He knows how hard it is to see someone that you love so much so upset, so lost in their own minds, what it's like to feel like you're their only hope.

While I know that I'm not the only one who cares about Peeta, I am the only one who can answer a majority of the questions I'm sure he'll have, or be the only one who can bridge the gap of forgetfulness So, pushing myself away from Finnick's arms, I square my shoulders, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

"Thank you," I tell him sincerely. "Thank you for listening. But I need to go back inside now."

So I do, reminding myself that, when anything can happen, I need to be prepared for absolutely anything life will throw at us.