KNOCK-KNOCK
The door flings open and a cheery little Prim squeals, "Katniss, Peeta, I'm so glad to see you two!"
"Hey Prim," Peeta and I say in unison, with a sweet smile on our face.
"Please, do come in," my mother says sheepishly from behind the door.
We walk in, and the house is nicely decorated, with a ton of food set out upon the table.
"Wow, you guys didn't need to do all of this." Peeta says.
"Of course we did!" Prim chimes, "We wanted to celebrate your wonderful marriage!"
"Well thank you Prim," I reply.
We all sit down, and dig in.
"So how was your first day of being married?" my mom asks.
"It's been really great so far." Peeta says
Throughout the evening we talk, laugh, and well of course, eat. Just as were about to leave, there's a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," I call out to no one in particular.
I swing the door open, and my smile fades to a frown.
"K – Katniss"
"Gale." I say with a hint of disgust in my voice.
"I didn't expect to see you here." He replies.
"Well, this is my family's house. I have the right to be here," I say defiantly.
"Katniss, that's not what I meant. I just thought you'd be at your husband's house." He says, flinching at the word, husband.
Peeta walks up, putting his arms protectively around my waist. He can tell that I have this situation under control.
"Peeta and I were just here for a quick visit, and if you'll excuse us, we'll be on our way." I say trying to brush past him.
"Catnip… before you go, can I talk to you… alone," he says motioning to Peeta.
"Whatever you need to say, can be said right here in front of me," Peeta replies, edge in his voice.
Gale rolls his eyes and then says, "Listen Katniss, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for the way that I acted."
"Uh thanks," I say uncomfortably.
We give each other an awkward hug, his hands trailing a little too far down for my liking. I jerk back. Peeta and I begin to walk back to his house.
"Good night Catnip," He says, winking at me.
The sound of his voice only makes me pick up my pace.
We quickly slam the door behind us. I suddenly notice that I'm breathing extremely, and I'm feeling dizzy. Peeta notices right away.
"Katniss honey, you need to calm down. Everything is going to be okay." He says, cradling me in his arms.
"Why was Gale there, what was he doing?" I ask, practically hallucinating.
"Shhhhh Kat, It's alright," Peeta whispers in my ear.
When I calm down, I finally say, "I – I'm sorry, I don't really know what came over me. It's just that I – uh don't think I was ready to see him this soon."
"No Kat, it's fine, you did nothing wrong."
Peeta carries me up to bed, and lies me down, and then crawls in next to me.
"Peeta, I don't deserve you." I say firmly
"No Kat, honey, why would you say that? If anything I'm the one who doesn't deserve you." He says putting an arm round my shoulder.
"Peeta, it's true, and you know it!" I say, pulling away fiercely, "You're so perfect, kind, giving, and loving. I'm selfish, cruel, and stubborn."
"Katniss you know that's not true. If I didn't think you were good enough, I would not have fallen in love with you at the age of five." He says, chuckling.
"Peeta, I'm serious. You know that you would give the world to me if you could. And I have caused you nothing but harm and pain. I'm too selfish to give you the one thing that you've wanted your whole life." I say, tears in my eyes.
"Oh Katniss, you have given me everything that I have ever could ask for, your love." He pauses and then continues, "Honestly I don't know what else you think I could want. Katniss to me you're perfect, and don't you ever forget that. Okay?"
I nod my head in reply. Could he seriously not know what one thing I mean, even since he was young he's wanted children. But I'm too afraid, too frightened to have a child in this world. The reaping, the Hunger Games, all of the poverty here in Panem; I do not want to be responsible for putting a child through this horrific life.
"I love you Kat," Peeta says.
"I love you too Peeta," I reply.
Soon after those last words I fall into a deep sleep.
It's reaping day. Effie pulls the name out of the jar including all of the children's names.
Peeta and I are standing side by side in the mentors section, waiting to see who is chosen.
"Rose Mellark," Effie calls out, losing the cheeriness in her voice.
The little girl, with dark brown hair, and magnificent blue eyes, slowly makes her way up to the stage.
I begin screaming and shouting. I lunge at the stage and peace keepers, to find Peeta's arms holding me back. After minutes of struggling I give up, bury my head in Peeta's chest, and begin sobbing uncontrollably. Peeta is softly sobbing into my neck and shoulder, trying to calm me down and to comfort me.
-Flash forward-
Peeta and I stare into the screen. It's two days into Rose's game. Our eyes glued to the T.V, we see a boy, district four, sneak up behind her.
"Rose!" I shriek at the TV.
The trident bashes into to her stomach.
The cannon goes off.
I wake up shrieking and screaming.
"Katniss, Katniss, it's just a nightmare, no one's going to hurt you. I'm right here." Peeta says firmly.
"I – I'm sorry. I didn't meant to wake you up." I say, not noticing the tears streaming down my face.
"No Kat, it's okay. You must have had a pretty horrific nightmare sweetie… Do you want to talk about it?" Peeta asks.
I nod my head slowly.
"It was reaping day. She was sent into the games. And when we were watching the games, they killed her." I say, sobbing.
"Katniss, who is she. Don't worry, you can tell me." He replies sweetly putting his arms around me.
"Our daughter."