OH MY GOODNESS.
You guys I am so so sorry! So much has happened in the past few months! I know this happens ever so often, but it shouldn't happen again! Gosh I have miss you all and I feel as though I have failed you my faithful supporters. Could you please forgive me?
ANYWAYS ...
84 reviews... IM DEAD!
MiaBelles - AHHHHH I LOVE YOU! As always you are such a wonderful supporter! Even on Tumblr you read whatever I post! I LOVE YOU LOADS! Well you are going to find out what happens here! :) It's about time I quit holding back on y'all :D
Cora - AHHHH THANK YOU FOR PUTTING YOUR NAME! Sorry it took me forever and a day to update! BUT ITS HERE! Thank you for your review, gosh I appreciate it so much!
Suze18 - IM SO GLAD YOU LOVED IT! Yeah he held back from her because he was worried if he gave her too much he would lose her all over again. Now we just can't have that. Sorry if the fight confused anyone! It was necessary and it will get explained in either this chapter or the next. I cannot quite remember. THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEW LOVE!
volleyball2010 - HELLO DARLING! I'm so glad you like it! :D Yeah he let his tongue slip didn't he? BUT THIS CHAPTER FINALLY MAKES IT ALL BETTER! Again so sorry it took me so long to update! BUT HERE IT IS! LOVE YOU DEAR!
Cassandraishere - WHY HELLO THERE! No, no, no, I understand completely! I do apologize for it being confusing. TBH it was a bit confusing to write but she is completely unstable and she was just starting to realize her feelings for Peeta and she never thought that he would keep something from her. She was going to tell him how she felt when he got back, but she was angry at him for keeping a secret thinking that he would share his heart with her. Now the look is something I have sprinkled over a few chapter but the thought was always interrupted by a third party individual. So the look will be explained in this chapter. The fight was necessary and I am sorry I didn't make it more clear. I'll make sure to do that in future chapters. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS!
Thgfangirl - HELLO MY LOVE! I am feeling much better actually since ya know been two months! I AM SO GLAD YOU LOVED IT! I am so so sorry it took me forever! But I am here and HERE IS THE NEXT CHAPTER EVERYONE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR! YAYY! Thank you so much for your review darling!
mitkit99 - GAHHH IM SO SORRY! I know... I tend to do that a lot don't I? MY BAD! I AM SO GLAD THOUGH IF YOU STICK WITH ME! LOVE YOU DEAR! THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEW!
Goddess of Idiots - Yeah dinner sure went well didn't it? LOL HAHAHA I do too! It was necessary and things will get explained I promise! :) I am so glad you loved the chapter though! I LOVE YOU DEARY AND THANK YOU ALWAYS FOR YOUR REVIEW!
love mangas - SOOO MANY QUESTIONS! I KNOW HE SAID IT! Those three little words we all wanted him to say! Her reactions is the best of course, because she finally breaks down! AHHHH IM SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO READ THIS! Thank you for review as always dear!
LilyLovesHG - OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH YOU FOUND ME? AHHKLSDJLFKJSLFJLS Okay I am fangirling! KSDFLJSDFLJ I am so glad you like this version better! :D A lot will change and somethings will stay the same! I am so glad for you to see what happens! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEW!
Leah97 - YAYAYAYAYAY! He said it! HE SAID HE LOVES HER! AHHH YAY! I know! I fangirled when writing it! WELLL I guess you are going to have to read and find out! I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO READ THIS CHAPTER!
- YESSSS! Oh my gosh yes! She needed some! She needed some motherly attention and I decided that I would give it to her. She hadn't had any for so long that maybe I thought she would open up more to someone who is a lot like her! You are so right! Peeta is so gentle with her and that is one of his qualities that I love best about him. It's going to take her a little bit to open up to Peeta but it all works out very well! Trust me ;) THANK YOU SO MUCH! LOVE YOU!
Guest - GAHHH THE NEXT ONE IS RIGHT NOW! I AM SO SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG! I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS CHAPTER! THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING!
sweetjenndagz - YES THATS IT! For Once In My Life is the name of the next installment in my series here! :) YAYAYA! THANK YOU FOR REVIEW LOVE!
LizzEverlark3thg - AWWW LOVE YOU! Yeah for real! Facepalm all the way! Peeta was losing his patience because he had waited to truly share his feelings with Katniss and she just shut him out. Completely stupid for him to say! But then he truly confesses his love for her and its the cutest thing! And her reaction is something I think all of you will love! AWWW THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEW AS ALWAYS LOVE! BUM SET SPIKE IT CAUSE THATS THE WAY WE LIKE IT!
bellakpotter3 - AHHHH Yeah I know! The reason they fight is because they both want to show each other love but their stupid ignorance is getting in the way! But the fight was necessary and in this chapter... something happens that y'all have been waiting for! Nope, 'Never' is not the name but it is a good guess! AHHH IM SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU! THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEW!
MY LOVES OH THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!
THIS IS THE CHAPTER YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR SO WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY...
(I do not own the hunger games)
-CE
Katniss' P.O.V
There had been a few times where I have felt like this. Once when I was hunting, I planted myself high in a tree, waiting for game to stroll by, and I thought I could rest my eyes for just a moment. The next thing I know, I am barely breathing lying on my back on the ground. The other time was when Prim's name was called at the reaping. I never imagined that anything like these three words could ever take my breath away. I never considered that Peeta Mellark would say those enchanting words. Yes, he admitted them in front of Panem, but this time it's just me.
"What did you say?" I choke out, suddenly remembering how to breathe.
"I love you Katniss. I have loved you from the moment I threw you the bread. Look where we are now." He looks at our surroundings. "Katniss, we are back at the beginning. You and I standing in the rain, but this time using words that should have been spoken a long time ago."
I know this is hard for him. Having lost his family and friends, the people that love him, and having lost his memories and basically had his identity taken from him. Yet, the unconditional love he is professing to me in this moment makes the past dissipate with the rain. I am standing here, complete incapable to process what he has just said. Those words are dangerous and I swore they would never leave my lips. They won't. Not yet.
"Katniss, I know this isn't something you wanted. The love I have for you is real. You know that, and I know that I will never be able to fill the hole in your heart that is occupied by pain. But you had to know." He is wrong about that. He is already filling that hole with love. He stands there in front of me completely vulnerable, but with the confidence that I see in him burns like the sun. He doesn't show fear even in the midst of trials; he is the fearless victor that I used to be. "Please, say something." He chokes on the verge of tears, opening his arms to show that he surrenders. And so do I. I don't respond the way that he expected. My body reacts before my brain has time to argue, and I sprint into his inviting, open arms.
He wraps them around me and effortlessly lifts me off the earth spinning me in circles. I can feel the tears of joy begin rumble in his broad chest, and my own threatening to appear. I may not be able to repeat his words yet. I am not as fearless as he is. This could lead to something bigger than both of us, and I don't know how this works without coaching. Yes, it is sad, but it something Peeta will have to teach me.
"You don't have to tell me yet, because I know you and I know your heart. You will say it on your own terms when the time is right. But for now, I am sure this will do just fine." He says after setting me down. My blushing face, and curious eyes look up to meet his. He gently touches my face pulling it closer to his.
Moments. They have the power to freeze time and you feel as though you are lost in one for years. Others pass by with the quickness of lightening that if you even dare to blink it disappears as quickly as it came. This moment, everything comes to as stand still.
His lips gently brush mine and I am, once again, kissing Peeta Mellark. Only this time, there are no cameras, no lights, no country to show, no one except for us two. His lips feel so familiar, like the soles of my hunting boots and the imprints that fit to my exact shape. I toss my arms around his neck and his arms snake around my waist. I have kissed him hundreds of times, but this time, I feel that feeling again. The one I felt in the cave, and the Quarter Quell. The feeling of need and want, and the feeling being wanted. His tongue slides on my bottom lip begging for entrance and I open my mouth for him to enter. The fibers of my very being are threatening to unravel as he explores my mouth. His lips move fervently on mine as he pulls me closer. His hands grip my hips and I am falling apart in his arms. The things this boy does to me. We part for breath and he looks at me with the gentlest face and kisses my forehead.
"I love you, Katniss." He whispers. I smile against his wet chest and a crack of thunder causes us to jump apart and run towards the house. As we shake off as much water as possible, Peeta pulls me in for another kiss.
"You have no idea how long I have waited to do that. I have missed you. This. Us." He whispers, his nose gliding along my cheek. "We will take this slow, I can promise you that. I know this is you, and I will go as slow as needed. I have you for real this time, and I will never let you go."
I blush in his embrace and kiss his jaw, "Mhmm."
He chuckles and reaches for the door handle, "Come on. Let's get inside before we catch a cold." As soon as he swings the door open we are greeted with a group of blushing and joyful faces that have just been caught spying through the family room window. It is followed with laughter, and encouraging gestures.
"All right you two, go get dried off and cleaned up. There is no reason for you two to become sick, I would rather stay healthy this spring." Greasy Sae commands. I rush upstairs shielding the blush on my cheeks. I rummage through my closet finding a blue dress that matched Peeta's eyes. I smile and lay it out on the bed; this sudden burst of energy and revelation has sent my sense abuzz. I move to the bathroom and peel of the white dress that clings to my skin like I will cling to Peeta. I let the warm water run over my body as I wash my hair and body. After I dry myself off, I pull on my undergarments and slide the dress over my head fitting it to my body. It reaches mid-thigh and has sleeves that reach past my elbows fitting to my every curve. I look in the mirror and smooth the dress over and wrap my hair in its signature braid. For a few moments, I stand there looking at my reflection wondering what is going to happen to us. Is it okay to be this happy?
A soft knock interrupts my thoughts and I spin to see Peeta smiling at me. He is dressed in a blue polo with his sleeves rolled up, the top two buttons revealing a bit of his chest, and easy fitting jeans.
"Hey, just wanted to see if you were ok. Wow. You look beautiful…" He says, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm fine." I respond breathing deeply, exhaling with utter happiness, "And thank you."
He smiles and comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and digging his face into my hair, "You know, this is the outfit you wore in District 4 on the Victory Tour."
I deadpan, "How did you know?" Suddenly recalling the memory.
"I couldn't take my eyes off you." He admits quietly
My heart picks up speed, but I pass it off, "Your witty charm will get you no where Mr. Mellark." I roll my eyes and lead him downstairs while he thinks of something clever to say. Everyone is seated in a circle in the living room, waiting for us to return.
"No matter what I say or do, without Effie, you two will never be on time." Haymitch says accusingly. 'The child here cannot sit still for two minutes. Peeta you either give the girl her surprise, or I will give it to her myself."
"Yes, well it is Effie that gets everyone everywhere on time, and it is you that she fusses at the most." Peeta says.
"Point taken." He smirks. Everyone lets out a laugh, when a hyper Basilia begs Peeta to show her surprise. He leads me to the couch and gives in to the child's pleads.
"All right Basilia, come here." Peeta laughs and calls a squirming Basilia over to his lap. Peeta pulls a box from the side of the sofa out for us all to see and he sets it on his knee. It's a large box, but seems quiet light. What is it that Peeta Mellark is up to now? "Just like I promised Basilia, your surprise."
He smiles and hands her the box. She handles it awkwardly and opens the lid, and a squeal escapes the small child's lips. She puts her hands in the box and brings out something of a light pink color and made of cloth. As she brings it out further, in her small hands she holds a light pink dress. She jumps off of Peeta's lap and twirls around with the dress held to her shoulders. Sae sits in a table chair with nothing but joy plaster all over her face. Darrion, Andor, and Geneva smile at the child's enthusiasm. Dr. Aurelius looks like he doesn't know how to react, and Haymitch just rolls his eyes. To me, Peeta could have never picked anything of more significance for that little girl. His fatherly attributes are already seeping through the scars and burns that decorate his skin.
For the next half hour, Peeta passes around the gifts for our guests. How he knew to buy everyone a little trinket is beyond me, and the kindness of his heart is pure and shines like the stars, and yet again I am blown away by Peeta Mellark. As I am completely transfixed on the joy of the people that surround me, I have come to wonder what will this life become, and what is ahead for our family of misfits. Chatter fills the room and we sit in delightful bliss, moments that are too precious to slip by, and the moment comes too soon when night falls and our time is up. While Peeta and I had our battle of words, Sae, Andor, and Darrion had taken the liberty of cleaning the kitchen, so everything was tidy and in its original place. We said our goodbyes and watched as our family vanished to their homes, leaving Peeta and I alone.
I walk around turning off the downstairs lights, and decided to step outside onto the deck for some fresh air. After the rain, the beautiful night sky is showing off its collection of diamonds. I hear the door open behind me and I don't even have to bother to turn around when I feel his hands slide around me.
"Katniss, you know I didn't forget you right?"
I turn to face, puzzled by his statement, "Well, I am a difficult person to forget Peeta, my face has been plastered all over Panem for the past two and a half years." I say hopefully answering his question.
He laughs, "Katniss, I mean I didn't forget to bring you back a gift." He says with amusement written on his features. I blush at my action for jumping to conclusions so quickly, and misunderstanding his words. I look out at the yard to hide my blush. The grass made black at the fall of night, and only small lights blink illuminating the flowers that surround the outer walls. Fireflies. During the late spring and summer, Prim and I would spend hours out by the Meadow with the Hawthorne children running in dizzy circles, laughing and for moments forgetting how evil lurked around every corner in our life. We would spend hours trying to grasp the tiny insects in our hands, and when we failed we would only laugh at how silly we looked.
"Peeta, you gave me the flowers..." I respond as if to remind him of a gift he had forgotten that he already bestowed upon me. He laughs again, and I pray that dark hides the blush that has crept it way onto my face now brighter than ever. I don't want him to feel obligated to give me something just because he was away for a few days. However, I have to remind myself that this gift is bestowed out of love.
"Turn around." He whispers.
"Peeta..." I protest but he shoots me a knowing glance and turns his index finger in a circular motion. I roll my eyes and spin around with my back towards him.
"I wanted this to be made specially for you, and it was. To remind you of who you are and how much you shine." he whispers. All of the sudden I feel something cold hit my chest. I look down and take the object in my hand. It's the pearl Peeta gave me on the beach, made into a necklace. The design is so clever and leaves me breathless; the pearl has a small silver arrow that goes straight through the middle, as if it had been shot. The trinket is held together at the fletching of the arrow by a silver chain. I spin around in wonder to see Peeta with a look of hopefulness at my satisfaction.
"Peeta... This, I mean... How did you get this?" I ask.
"Remember back during the winter, when, umm... I came over for dinner?" I could tell he was trying to avoid the subject of my meltdown. I nod in recognition. "Well, you had fallen asleep after dinner, and Sae said that I should take you upstairs. Now I'm sure she was just playing matchmaker. Anyways, I was cleaning up a bit; I saw your pin attached to one of your shirts. I had gone to put it away in your silver box and when I opened it I saw the pearl and knew right then and there I had to make something special of it. I was determined to make it myself, but then you wouldn't speak to me, and then the fire. So I took it with me to the Capital and had it made." he looks down to hide his red cheeks. Tears are streaming at a steady flow down my face as I hold the necklace in my hand.
"It's beautiful Peeta. Thank you." I say. I wrap my arms around his sides and dig my head into his chest and cry. He embraces me and rubs his hand on my back.
His gift weighs on my heart and never before has my gratitude for his love been so great. My ignorance gets in the way of letting myself move forward and be with Peeta knowing that things will gradually get better.
"It will take some time. Time to heal and learn. We will grow back together and let life breathe into us." He whispers as if reading my thoughts.
The inexplicable desire I have to kiss him surges through me like a wave on the shore and the fire ignites in my stomach. My toes propel me upward and my lips connect with his gently. His hands rest on my hips as he pulls me to him a little further. This is my third kiss with him today and I am pleased to say that I have initiated them all on my own.
The things this boy does to me.
He pulls away and gently caresses my face, "We have a lot of work to do. We can go as slow as you need to. Just knowing that you are mine is plenty for me."
I smile at his words knowing that they are dripping with truth and that his unconditional love is an offering that comes from the depths of the heart. I know that whatever we go through, we will endure together.
And nothing will change that.
HEHEHEHE NOW IM ALL GIDDY!
DID YOU LIKE IT?
Now, sweetjenndegz successfully guessed the name of the next installment!
For Once In My Life :D
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF EVERYTHING THAT JUST HAPPENED! I love y'all and I will update later this week! I LOVE YALL!
STAY BEAUTIFUL!
- CE