Chapter 10
Katniss woke up still wrapped in Peeta's arms. Peeta was already awake and gazing lovingly down at his wife. "Hey lovely how did you sleep?" he asks leaning down and giving Katniss a soft kiss on the lips. "I slept great best night sleep I've had in a while" Katniss says nuzzling into Peeta's chest accepting the kiss Peeta gave. "Any nightmares?" Peeta asks as he caresses her cheek and tucking a loose hair behind her ear. "Not after being held in your arms" Katniss says smiling up at him. After a while they get up and dressed and head down to the kitchen where they find Cinna sitting up on the couch doing some sketching in his sketchbook look up as Peeta and Katniss enter. "Good morning you two" Cinna calls to them "Good morning Cinna" Katniss says as Peeta nods "How are you feeling after last night" he asks coming over to Katniss and giving her a hug. "Well I'm feeling better physically because I actually got to sleep last night" Katniss says smiling then adding "But emotionally I still feel horrible about all the thing my father said about you" "Katniss don't worry about it" Cinna says reaching up and putting a stray hair behind her ear" Prim enters with the two Mellark children in tow who when they see their mom run over to her and wrap themselves around her legs. "Katniss kids who wants some hot-chocolate raise your hand?" Peeta says smiling at his family. All three Mellarks and Prim raise their hands as Peeta chuckles "All right I'll go make it" he says going into the kitchen. Idina and Daniel come over to Katniss Idina carrying her favorite toy a stuffed mockingjay named Taye. Daniel is holding his favorite possession to a thin sketchbook book that Peeta gave him so he could color and scribble on. Katniss sits on the couch reading up on hunting even though she almost everything there is to know about hunting it gave her something to read and it also killed time as well. "Katniss could you come in here for a minute please Love?" Katniss sets the book down and calls back to Peeta "Alright Peeta I'm coming" she says making her way to Peeta. "What's up Peeta?" Katniss says going over to Peeta who doesn't respond as he hands her a piece of paper "i found this" he says. Katniss takes it seeing its from her dad. "Where did you find this Peeta?" Katniss asks. "Over on the table at his spot."Peeta says "What does it say love?" he asks as Katniss begins to read the letter.
"Dear Katniss and Family" It began.
"If you are reading this then you know that I have left,because after last nights showdown with Haymitch, I felt that I didn't deserve being with your family and also didn't to stay here. I am staying in the spot where you found me then I'm going back to district seven with in a week. Please take care of Arrow he loves your kids so much and he needs them more then he needs me. I really didn't mean to upset you and everyone last night. But I still stand by what I said. You were to young to be the mocking-Jay. Haymitch's was right I had no idea what you had gone through to get to this point of you life. You have an great family sweetheart" Katniss cringes as she reads that because only Haymitch who is more of a father then her father will ever be calls her sweetheart from the day they first met. "I love meeting your kids they remind me of you and prim when you two were growing up in the way they act, play and smile. Keep them safe Katniss and love them like crazy, Peeta is a lucky guy because he married a special girl, more importantly he married a Everdeen which are very special people.
I don't expect you to forgive me.
Good bye Katniss
Dad"
Katniss concludes finishing reading the letter. Tears in her eyes and shaking slightly, Katniss sits down at the kitchen table as Peeta comes over and holds her tightly trying to get the shaking to go away rubbing her back soothingly. "Shh it's OK love" Peeta says. Katniss gets up and move towards the door pulling on her jacket still sniffling a little as she opens the door. "Where are you going Katniss?" Peeta asks hoping against hope she's not going to go confront her dad. "I'm going over to Haymitch's I need to talk to him about a few things, I shouldn't be gone long,take care of the kids will you?" Katniss says opening up the door while she speaks. Peeta nods "Alright love, you go we'll be just fine here call me if you need any help, I'm only a yard away" Peeta says jokingly which makes Katniss smile" "Good luck sweetheart" Peeta says lovingly as he walks over to Katniss giving her a hug before letting her walk towards Haymitch's house. Once Katniss is out of sight Peeta closes the door and turns to his children who are watching as him as Katniss leaves. "OK you two you want some hot-chocolate?" he asks them knowing the answer. "Well alright come on lets go make some." Peeta says and the kids speed out of the room not needing to be told twice. Peeta just smiles and walks in to the kitchen after his children.
Katniss arrive over at Haymitch's house and knocks on the door, after a minute of waiting Haymitch answers "Hey good morning sweetheart, how are you doing today?" he asks letting Katniss into the house and closing the door behind her when she enters. "Well sweetheart?" he says pulling Katniss from her thoughts "Huh, what?" she says. "I asked you how you were doing this morning" he says putting a hand on her shoulder. "Oh I'm fine I actually got some sleep last night so I'm good physically "Katniss says her voice trembling slightly"But emotionally I'm I'm-"Katniss tries to go on but cant, Haymitch see's this and pulls his adopted daughter into his arms "shh it's going to be OK"haymitch says patting Katniss on the back. After sitting with her Haymitch leads Katniss over to the old couch and sits her down Katniss still has tears in her eyes which haymitch wipes away, then he leans katniss's body back into the couch her back alined with the back of the couch as Katniss dozes off, haymitch gets up and walks into his Kitchen pours cold water in to a glass he's tempted to put some sleep syrup in the water but Katniss did say that she slept great last night so he hold off for now. Haymitch picks up the water and walks back to where Katniss is. He sits down across from Katniss setting the glass on the nightstand next to the couch. "Katniss Katniss, come on sweetheart wake up" Haymitch says gently rubbing her arm. Within minutes Katniss wakes from her doze, looking at haymitch with sleepy eyes. "welcome back sweetheart, now I want you to sit up straight" haymitch says speaking in a soothingly voice and Katniss obeys. "good job sweetheart now I want you to drink this glass full of water. I haven't done anything to it" he says seeing her eyes "this water will help you calm done then we can talk alright?" Haymitch says kindly. Katniss takes the water glass and begins to take tiny sips of the cold liquid which feels good on her tongue and throat. After about ten minutes Katniss has drained the glass completely. "Thanks Haymitch" Katniss says handing the now empty glass to her mentor. "You're welcome sweetheart how are you feeling this morning after the events of last night. He asks. "Well I slept great like I said but I'm still emotionally weak." Katniss says not looking into Haymitch's eyes "I see the whole thing in my mind I keep hearing dad saying I shouldn't have been the mocking-Jay and how there should have never been a rebellion" Katniss says pausing and talking again "I also see Peeta and I leaving prim following with the kids in tow, we are outside and then we hear you standing up for me. And then it starts up again" Katniss says shaking a little. "Have you talk to your dad today?" Haymitch asks. "when Peeta and I got up we found this note at dad's place" Katniss says taking the letter and giving it to Haymitch who reads it. "What do you think I should do Haymitch? Should I go see him? I just don't know what the right direction is" Katniss says finally looking at her mentor. "I think you should go see him but I don't want you to go alone, I want either Peeta to go with you or I go with you or both" He says. I was hoping you would say that,Haymitch, will you come with me?" she asks. Haymitch considers this before answering "of course" Katniss just runs into him. "thank you, haymitch but of course Peeta will come along as well. He is my husband after all." "absolutely" OK when should we go? After lunch sound OK?" " Sounds perfect that way I can fill Peeta in on what's going on." Katniss says getting up from the couch swaying a little haymitch grabs her arm to steady her "thanks haymitch" anytime sweetheart" "see you after lunch" Katniss says as haymitch nods.
Katniss walks back to the house feeling a little bit better. Katniss reaches the front door stops inhales and exhales before entering the house. She takes off her jacket and places it on the hook "Peeta I'm home" she calls but still there's only silence "Peeta? Cinna? Kids?" Katniss calls again getting worried as she begins to search the house for her family just as she's entering the living room she breaths a sigh of relief because laying on the couch is Peeta with Idina clutching Taye asleep on in his lap. Daniel is curled up with Peeta's left arm around him. Peeta wakes up sleepily and sees Katniss and sits up "hey love " he says quietly not wanting to wake the sleeping kids. "Hey Peeta" Katniss says joining her family sitting next to Peeta his right arm going around her waist as Katniss lays her head on his shoulder. "how did it go over at haymitch?" Peeta asks speaking quietly "it went good I told him about the note dad left and the fact that I cant get last night out of my head" Katniss says stopping for a bit. "then haymitch suggested that i go see dad and he said that he didn't want me to go alone so he is coming with me" Katniss says looking up at Peeta. "I agree with haymitch" Peeta says "I'm coming along too no one insults my wife not even if it's her father" Peeta adds placing a kiss Katniss on the cheek. "I had a hunch you would say that because we are going after lunch."cool, hey it's going to be alright love" Peeta says as he feels Katniss shake slightly. "why don't you lean back and relax and have a little power nap" Peeta says pulling Katniss into him.
Katniss nods feeling her eyes close letting her mind drift as a dream starts she and Peeta along with Johanna and Finnic are in the quarter-quell Katniss is thinking about how the other victors are trying their damnedest to keep Peeta alive Finnic brings Katniss out of her thoughts when he asks about the spiel which she cuts from her belt. Then the screams begin. normally it's Prim's screams that occupy this dream but this time the terrified screams belong to little Idina "mommy help I need you" Katniss takes off running towards the location of her daughter "Katniss wait come back " Peeta calls after her but Katniss doesn't hear him as she runs to her little girl. "Idina" "Idina"where are you" Katniss screams then a bird sits on the branch above her its a jabber-jay the offspring of the mockingjay. "Katniss, Katniss" Peeta says running up to her "are you OK" "yeah I'm fine" Katniss lies because in reality her heart is breaking. "come on let's-" Peeta starts to say as he begins to pull her back to the beach."DADDY!" and it's little Daniel, Peeta takes off in search of his son yelling "Daniel Daniel" he screams. Katniss takes off after him. Peeta is running around the base of a huge tree. Thinking quickly Katniss scales a tree and quickly shoots the bird. Peeta looks at it "what is it?" he asks "a jabber-jay I-" Katniss says trailing off because a whole group of jabber-jay have arrived and there are more coming. The screams begins they hear Idina,Daniel, prim. They hear everyone they care about. Peeta crumples to the ground fingers in his ears attempting to shut the noise out. Katniss lasts a little longer shooting all of her arrows but after a while she gives up and crawls next to Peeta assuming the same position. "Katniss help me" katniss's ears perk up in horror because she would know that voice any where. Its the voice of her dad David Everdeen. Katniss screams and sits up shaking eyes still closed.
"Kat honey please open your eyes, whatever your dreaming about ignore it and come back to me" the voice says as a curls around her, Katniss realizes its Peeta holding her. "hey nice to see your beautiful gray seam eyes again" Peeta says. "momma?" a small voice calls to her. Katniss looks around to see little Idina looking at her. "yes my love" she asks "did you have nightmare?" the child asks. "yes baby I did" before Idina can ask another question. "what was nightmare about momma?" little Daniel asks crawling up into his Mom's arms. Katniss gives Peeta a worried look which Peeta reads as "send the kids out I'll tell just you" and he nods. "Hey kids why don't you go make your beds and clean your room"Peeta says to the kids. "but dad" the kids protest "now you two I don't want any arguments. The kids still don't move. "don't make me count" Peeta says sternly the kids know that Peeta isn't joking. They leave. Peeta turns his attention to Katniss. "Katniss what did you dream about?" Peeta says as he lifts Katniss into his lap and Katniss lays her head on Peeta's shoulder. "the jabber-jays wedge in the quarter quell" Katniss says as she begins to shake uncontrollably tears coming down her face. "oh Katniss, that must have been horrible to relive. "It was Peeta it was but the thing that made it even more horrifying was that my brain decided to remove Prim's screams and it replaced with Idina's scream's and you were in Finnick's spot with me in the four o'clock wedge and instead of Annie's voice torturing Finnic it was little Daniel's screams that set you running" Katniss says attempting to wipe her tears,she leans into Peeta who wraps his arms around her.
Prim comes in the room "Hey guys whats going on?" she asks then she see's Katniss red eyes "What wrong Katniss?" she asks. Katniss is to shaken to speak so Peeta speaks for her "She had a nightmares about the four o'clock in the quarter-quell you know the jabber-jay wedge." Peeta says tightening his hold on Katniss who is shaking a little bit. "Oh Katniss I'm sorry" Prim says coming over and giving her sister a hug. Katniss says something that's barely audible "i don't want nightmares anymore" she says quietly "What did you say Katniss?" Prim asks "I said I don't want to have anymore I'm sick of always dreading going to sleep" Katniss says as prim comes over and sits next to her sister "Is there a cure for that prim?" she asks as she looks desperately at her sister. Prim looks over at her sister with pity. "unfortunately no there isn't a cure for nightmares Katniss I'm so sorry I know that the nightmares have been hard on you since you came home from the games years ago."Prim says holding katniss's hand. "Where's dad?" she asks. Peeta and Katniss exchange a look which prim notices "Katniss where is dad?" "Prim dad went back to the woods he said he didn't feel he deserve to be with us after that confrontation he had with haymitch last night after dinner. I am going to go talk to him with Haymitch and Peeta in the afternoon today. Could you take care-?" Katniss starts but is cut off by Prim "Katniss I'm going to go with you because he's my dad too" Prim says sternly "Prim-" "No don't try to stop me Katniss" "Alright alright you can come with us to see dad" Katniss says. "Peeta who are we going to get to watch the kids?" Katniss asks turning to Peeta, but before Peeta can answer Cinna cuts in "I'll watch the kids Katniss" Cinna says coming and joining the group "Really Cinna you'd really want to?" Katniss asks her former stylist "Sure it will be fun, it will give me time to get to know your kids and tell them stories about their mother also know as the girl on fire" Cinna says reaching up and tucking a runaway hair behind her ear. "Thank you Cinna you're a lifesaver" Katniss says smiling up him. "Anytime girl on fire" he says smiling back.
The time passes Peeta makes lunch for everyone Katniss doesn't leave his side Peeta knows she feeling nervous about going to see her dad. "It'll be alright love you have nothing to feel nervous about, it's going to be fine" Peeta says giving Katniss a quick kiss on the lips. "Thanks Peeta you're right I have nothing to worry about, how do you know exactly what to say when I'm feeling bad or in this case worried?" Katniss says looking up at Peeta "It's a gift I guess" Peeta says smiling back at his amazingly stunning wife "thanks for Always being there for me Peeta" Katniss says. "Always and forever love, Always and forever" Peeta says as there a knock on the door which opens a minute later and a gruff voice calls out "Sweetheart?, little sweetheart(Idina)? Mellark, Danny-boy(Daniel)?" Katniss laughs at this loving the fact that he comes up with nicknames for the family. After a while Katniss calls out to him "We're in here Haymitch" "Grandpa Haymitch" Daniel and Idina scream running to their favorite grandpa. "hey little sweetheart" Haymitch says lifting into the air and hugging her tightly. "Hey what about me" Daniel says tugging on Haymitch's jacket "Hey Danny-boy" Haymitch says picking him up as he did to Idina and holds Daniel and hugs him tightly. "How are you holding up Sweetheart?" he asks as Katniss comes over to him. "Better definitely better knowing that I have some support from my family and friends."Katniss says hugging Haymitch when he puts Daniel down. "Thanks for coming with me Dad" she adds softly she knows haymitch heard her but he didn't say anything. "Anytime Sweetheart it's what victors do we support each other and stands together" haymitch says as Katniss nods. "Shall we head out?" Katniss asks. Peeta nods moving forward to get his jacket, prim does the same thing which haymitch immediately notices, Katniss takes him aside "hey don't look at me I tried to to tell her she couldn't come but Prim won't hear of it. She's coming and lets be honest he's her father too." Katniss says waiting for haymitch to respond but he just grunts ascent "OK whatever" he says under his breath but Katniss catches it but doesn't respond. "Cinna we are taking off, we shouldn't be gone for very long."Katniss says to Cinna who nods. "kids behave for uncle Cinna" Peeta says to the kids. "Don't worry you two we are going to have a great time" Cinna says smiling at the kids. "Thanks Cinna" Katniss says as she opens the door letting everyone else pass before exiting the house "Good luck, girl on fire" Cinna whispers as Katniss shuts the door. "Hey kids wanna hear a story about your mom and dad?"Cinna asks the kids who love hearing about their parents. The kids nods. "Alright lets go into the the living room and I'll tell you."Cinna says holding out a hand for each of the mellark children,idina takes his right and Daniel takes the left, trusting Cinna completely. They walk to the living room, Cinna sits on the couch and motions to them to sit on the floor around him. "Alright kids this the story of a very special girl and this special girl was called the girl on fire and she saved the world from destruction how this special girl has another name a name she is better know by she is known as the Mocking-Jay." Cinna says as he watches the little boy and girls eyes go wide and tells them the story of the Mocking-Jay and how she came to be
The group makes its way to the fence Katniss and Peeta walk hand in hand prim takes Katniss's other hand and holds on tightly. Haymitch brings up the rear. Just having her family behind her is oddly reassuring and comforting. She squeezes Peeta's hand and Peeta squeezes back and puts a arm around her. Pulling her into him. "It's going to be fine love, you can do this and if you need any help Prim,Haymitch and I are alright behind you. And I think so is arrow" he says. "What are you talking about Peeta? Arrow isn't here" Katniss says confused "Arrow has been following us since we left I'll prove it to you" Peeta says turning away from the fence "Arrow come" he says. Nothing happen but then after about two minutes arrow appears bounding and making way toward them. "Arrow that's a good boy, good boy" Peeta says petting the husky sitting in front of him. "You ready to help me boy?" Katniss asks the husky who gives a dignified bark which is what Katniss needs to go on with her task. Katniss inhales and exhales "Let's do it" she says half to herself half to everyone else. Katniss crawls through followed by Peeta whose followed by Prim whose followed by Haymitch with arrow bring up the rear. Once everyone is through they begin walk again, as they walk Katniss stops as tears falling down her face her body wracked with sobs she falls to the ground and curling into the fetal position Peeta bends down and holds Katniss to close to him "Peeta please don't let me do this I'm not ready for this please don't make me do this" Katniss cries soaking Peeta's shirt with her tears. Surprisingly its Haymitch who bends down taking Peeta's spot and takes Katniss in his arms. "Come now sweetheart you can do this. You have the love and support of your family behind you. You are stronger then this you are the goddamn mocking-Jay. Where's the girl that has the that I said had spunk years ago at the seventy-fourth reaping. As Katniss has a fresh wave of tears wash down her face Haymitch looks over at the young Everdeen "Prim help me out here" Haymitch says turning from the crying Mocking-Jay to her sister who comes running over kneeling in front .of her idol. "Katniss Haymitch is telling the truth you can do this. You've been through worse. Don't let fear drag you down. You can do this. You are the Mocking-Jay. This little thing with dad is nothing compared to killing snow or coin" "That's right Katniss" a voice says but it's not Haymitch's or Prim's voice it's Peeta's voice the voice of reason the voice that makes her feel better when she's unhappy the voice that whispers soothingly words of comfort when the nightmares attack. Katniss holds out a hand which Peeta immediately clutches as he helps her up, once Katniss is up she whispers in his ear so only he can hear "stay with me please whatever happens stay with me please Peeta" Katniss says. Before Katniss can let go Peeta whispers in her ear the two words she's longing to hear. "Always and forever love Always and forever" he says putting a arm around Katniss shoulder taking her hand in his free one as Katniss dries her tears she clutches Peeta's hand prim takes her other hand suddenly arrow comes over and begins to lick Katniss's face which makes Katniss laugh herself "Hey arrow cut it out" Katniss tries to get out but she can because she's laughing to hard. "Feel better love?" Peeta says as Katniss nods as they begin to walk into the woods to where her dad is located. Katniss would of thought that arrow would take off as soon as they entered the woods but he's right by her side loyally following her. A surge of love begins to flow with in Katniss's veins to this dog. Arrow gives Katniss's a nuzzle with his noes and its all she needs to move forward. "Prim, Haymitch,Peeta" Katniss says call out to them "Yes Katniss" they say together look at their strong Katniss. "I would just like to say sorry for breaking down back there and thanks for pulling me back and thanks for coming with me today" she says looking at the three of six people she cares about. "Anytime sweetheart" Haymitch says "It all good Katniss" Prim says "Love you Katniss" Peeta says as Katniss takes a deep breath and begins to make her way to confront her dad. She's already at the clearing when she realizes she alone. Katniss turns around and shouts "Hey come on slow-pokes" as they make their way to her. "So far so good" Peeta says taking her hand in his as they walk through the clearing. They see a man hunched down in the brush cleaning his bow. It's David Everdeen. Katniss while holding Peeta hand moves forward clearing her throat in the process "dad" she calls as he looks up and sees Katniss"we need to talk." Katniss says
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm thinking of making this the the end of part one of book one. what do you guys think? help me out here Stop after 10 chapters or should i see how far i can take this story. thanks for reading please review. I WRITE FASTER WHEN I GET REVIEWS