To Fight in a War
Chapter 10: At Long Last
November 1945
Katniss Mellark sat in the creaky old rocking chair on her front porch. It was an old family legend that it had been passed down in her family since the Everdeens had moved to America a few generations ago. Yet, Katniss had yet to believe that tale.
Her daughter, Sage was in a pen beside her. She was mumbling gibberish as she pointed around them. She pointed at the railing on the porch, the clouds in the sky, and her mother. Her dark hair stuck to her face and there was a curious glow in her ocean blue eyes.
It was an unseasonably warm day for November and Katniss resolved not to waste it. She decided to spend it with her daughter basking in the warm glow of the sun.
Katniss leaned against the rocking chair and closed her eyes. She allowed herself to let her mind wander. She knew that Peeta would be home any day now, well she hoped. There was no way that he would leave them. She knew him.
A cool breeze whispered through her ear and she sat still. The hope of Peeta's return burned bright and she couldn't help it. Katniss hated having to stay at home and not going out and searching for where Peeta currently was. It was all she really wanted to do.
There was the fear of leaving her daughter holding her back. She couldn't bear to leave Sage alone. She didn't want to risk her life, only for her daughter.
.
.
The familiar scenery brought a feeling of euphoria to Peeta's chest. He couldn't help but grin as the train he was on pulled to a stop. To see the familiar town sights reminded him of his childhood.
Even if it wasn't the best childhood. He still thought of parts of it fondly enough. When his father would sneak him cookies and would let him do things against his mother's word.
He stepped off of the train and into the town square. There was bustle as soldiers reunited with long lost family. He moved through the crowd swiftly, intent to get to his home as quickly as humanly possible.
Peeta hailed a taxi and it skidded to a stop in front of him. Peeta kept his meager belongings and slid into the back seat. The driver's eyes widened as he got into the seat. Peeta gave him short instructions on how to get to his house. With only a nod the man pressed his foot onto the gas pedal.
Peeta leaned back into his seat and heaved a low sigh. He was so close to home that he could nearly taste it. He thought of Katniss and the look he would get when he would spring his presence on her.
In one of her letters she had mentioned of wanting to be able to meet him. In his reply he insisted that he wanted to surprise her. And of course, he would.
His leg bounced as he knew they were maybe a minute from his home. The thought was terrifying and exciting at the same time. He couldn't wait to see Katniss yet, there was still apprehension at seeing his daughter for the first time.
It was still surreal that he had a daughter. All Peeta hoped was that as a father he would be nothing like his witch of a mother. He wanted to spoil her and scare all of her admirers away. And he was sure if she looked anything like Katniss he would have to be poking men away with a stick.
The car came to a slow stop. Peeta shoved money at the driver and thanked him. As soon as Peeta stepped out of the car, the taxi sped away leaving dust in its tracks.
Peeta took in the familiar surroundings. Their house sat there. It didn't look remotely different, it still had the same peeling shutters, wilting flowers from winter on the porch and the grass was thinning.
It was then he noticed the figure sitting on the porch. His heart sped up and it was like he couldn't breathe. He wanted to run as fast as he could and even then it wouldn't be fast enough. It sat oddly still and Peeta felt as if he was paralyzed watching.
The figure stood and he could easily tell they were staring at him. He took slow steps forwards at the expense of his leg. Peeta walked as quickly as he could towards the house. It felt like miles and yet it was far less.
His heart was pounding in his ears and the world was in bright color as the moment he had anticipated from the moment he left was about to happen.
Katniss stood there in front of him and as he got closer she grew clearer. Her dark hair was in a loose braid, and her eyes were brighter. In a way it all seemed too good to be true that she was standing there so close.
It was as if she had just broken out of a hallucination and she came running towards him. She nearly jumped into his arms when she was close enough. Peeta's arms wrapped around her in a vice like grip and refused to let go.
It felt right. Being able to feel her warm body in his arms. It was something he had often thought about late at night when he was alone. In those moments it was all he really desired. He was sure that he was nearly shaking in her arms.
Peeta buried his face in her hair and inhaled the smell that was her. It was a mixture of the evergreens in the forest and vanilla. He held tighter and he could feel her pulling back.
"I love you so much." She murmured. Peeta didn't give himself a chance to respond before he kissed her. He wasn't sure how long he was lost within her arms and the feeling of his lips on hers was like a fresh drink of water and he was a man dying of thirst.
"I love you, too." Said Peeta as he broke apart after the need for air became too much.
"Follow me."
Peeta nodded and held her hand tightly. She led him up the porch and paused. Peeta looked down and saw one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen.
His daughter was lying there. She had dark hair that matched Katniss and his blue eyes. Seeing a mix of both him and Katniss to that degree was overwhelming. He could feel even more love fill his every pore as he stared at his and Katniss's daughter.
"Hello," choked out Peeta, with Katniss's hand still in his.
A/N: Thanks for all the support throughout this as this is the end. Thanks for reading! Let me know what you guys thought of this story.
Disclaimer: I still own none of this.