Chapter 10:

Disclaimer: Je ne propre rien. (?)

Katniss' POV:

"Beep! Beep! Beep!" The smoke alarm went off for the third time. I sighed, pulling out the tray of now-burnt cookies and setting them on the counter. I waved a dish rag around in front of the oven in an attempt to clear the smoke out. The beeping finally stopped after five minutes, the smoke cleared from the kitchen. Peeta was taking a shower, so I made the intelligent decision to make a batch of gingerbread cookies for us to share. I even put little colorful gumdrops on for buttons, and used icing for the face and clothing. They hadn't looked the best, but at least would have been edible had I not burned them to a blackened crisp.

I heard Peeta's heavy footsteps on the stairs and looked up. I knew I looked like a mess with icing all over myself and flour and bits of dough stuck everywhere. Why Peeta thought this hot mess was worth pursuing, I had no clue. "What happened here, love?" He asked me upon entering the kitchen.

I blushed. I would never admit it, but I really liked when he called me 'love.' "I... um, tried to make gingerbread cookies. You know, so we could have them later while we decorated." I continued, probably sharing too much but not stopping, "My mother used to make them and we would eat them and string the lights on our tree and set up little Christmas-y trinkets everywhere... I thought we could do the same." I felt Peeta's arms wrap around me from behind.

"I think that is a perfect idea," His face became parallel with mine when I tilted my head towards his and he nuzzled my nose. "I promise you, Katniss Everdeen, that this will be the best Christmas you have ever had." I smiled up at him and kissed his soft, pink lips. I melted into him, the feeling of contentment washing over me. This was right. I just knew it. And I hoped that Peeta did, as well.

An hour later we had already baked two batches of gingerbread and one of various classic cut-outs of trees and angels and Santa Clause, et cetera. "Alright... Why don't we let these cool for a bit, and we can move onto deviating the tree?"

"That sounds great," I smiled and moved into the living room where our tree was situated in the back left corner. It took up some space, but it was perfect. I couldn't ask for a better tree, really.

Peeta already has numerous boxes of tree decoration like ornaments, lights, and tinsel. He had a star for the top of the tree along with lights that we could string around the balcony outside, and little Christmas trinkets that I'm sure he's accumulated over the years as gifts from distant aunts and grandparents.

We started with the tinsel, draping it across choice branches until the red and silver sparkles looped from the very bottom to the very top. Then, came the lights.

For starters, all six strings of multi-colored lights were jumbled up in big, tangled balls. I took three, and Peeta took three. After almost an hour, we had made almost no progress. "Do you just want to go buy some new ones?" I sighed.

Peeta nodded, "I'll get the keys.

We entered the local hardware store a few blocks away from Peeta's flat. We wandered aimlessly down the aisles until stumping upon one with several shelves full of Christmas lights, of course along with other decorations. "Which colors do you like best?" Peeta asked me, surveying our choices. My eyes raked over endless boxes full of twinkling lights for our tree.

I simply shrugged. "I don't know... I mean, are we going with a color scheme?" Peeta mimicked my shrug with his own, his eyes looking at the lights near me.

"I guess we could," he started, "We already have red and silver tinsel, and a lot of my ornaments fall into that category, so why not?" Peeta reached for a box of white lights, and one with a slight tint to them. "Now, we just have to decide between dark or light red," He shot me his ever-so-charming half smirk. I took a few steps to the left where the red lights were located. Peeta stood a little behind me, slightly to the right, almost looking over my shoulder at the boxes.

I started, "I think we should go with the dar-" I was cut off by a high pitched squeal and the sound of heels clicking down the aisle.

"Peety!" A blonde girl with wavy hair and light eyes bounced over to us and threw her arms around Peeta's neck. I, not knowing how to react, stepped back momentarily stunned.

This was the girl from the pictures I found in the box at Peeta's flat. His ex-girlfriend.

Stop. You don't know that yet.

Yet.

I turned my attention away from my thoughts and back to the scene unfolding before me. Peeta pushed the girl away, allowing some space in between them. He greeted, "Hey, Dell," and he gestured to me. I took a timid step forward, "This is my girlfriend, Katniss. Katniss, this is my friend Delly." I noticed the way he said friend, as if it was a cover for whatever was really going on between them.

I put my hand out towards the blonde, silently attempting to properly greet her. Delly didn't catch on and I awkwardly pulled my hand back, shoving it in my coat pocket as if it would stop me from acting stupid.

I stood, awkwardly silent as Peeta tried to strike up a conversation. "So... Delly, how's it going?"

"Oh! Great! I'm going to Ireland for Christmas to visit my family, and my new beau is coming with me. Oh, I can't wait! He'll be meeting the family for the first time. I think he's nervous... We just started dating, only about a month ago..." Delly rambled on and on about her new boyfriend. I rolled my eyes and grabbed a box of deep red lights off of the shelf. Was she trying to make him jealous?

"Oh. That's great," Peeta tried to sound interested and tossed me a look, "What's his name?"

Delly sighed. "Cato. He's perfect," she sighed again, "Honestly, I couldn't find a better guy." I tried to hide my shock. Cato? That guy who was hitting on me at the cafe with his friend? Could he really be Delly's boyfriend.

Peeta raised his eyebrows and nodded, "Sure sounds great."

Delly's eyes shifted over to me. She gave me a once over with a distasteful look, as if I was dirt she walked on. "So, uhh, where did you guys meet?"

I spoke up this time, "Through work." I didn't want to waste any time speaking with her than I needed to.

She nodded obviously disinterested. "Well, I should probably get going," Delly checked the time on her phone, "Don't want to miss my appointment for mani-pedis!" She snobbishly giggled and leaned placed her hands on Peeta's shoulders, leaning over to place a kiss on his cheek. "I'll see you around, Peety," Delly's eyes found me again, "Katniss," She sneered before trotting off, her hips swaying more than they should.

Once she rounded the corner I turned to Peeta. "Care to explain?" He sighed.

"That's my ex-girlfriend, Delly Cartwright. And I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about her sooner. I was going to, I swear! I just... couldn't find the right time. And it was stupid of me not to tell you. I knew she would make a surprise return eventually... I just didn't expect it to be today," Peeta shook his head as if he were ashamed. He met my eyes and continued, "Please don't be jealous of her. I've moved on. Hopefully she has too. I wouldn't be with you if I were still hung up on Delly. I... I think you're different, Katniss," Peeta told me in a reassuring voice.

I showed him the box I took from the shelf. "Let's just go pay for these."

Next chapter: Even more preparation for the holidays and... Family.

A run in with Delly, eh? And will the fact she's dating Cato stop him or Gale from chasing after Katniss? I am so sorry for the delayed update! I recently started a few new fics that I was spending some time on and got a but distracted from this. But it's posted now! Expect the next chapter relatively soon, and new fics on the way! Thank you for your lovely reviews, favorites and follows because it just makes my day to know you guys are enjoying the story! Until next update!