Thanks a bunch to everyone who reviewed, favorited and followed in response to last chapter. This one is going to be a bit shorter, and mainly focus on the grand reunion of everybody's favorite couple (psst… I'm talking about Katniss and Haymitch).

Please enjoy and review if you are so inclined. : )

(Katniss POV)

We spend two days in the bunker before help arrives. Those two days are practically sleepless as I adjust to being a mother.

It's hard to tell day from night down here, but I'm awake most of the time.

I learn so many little things about this child in those two days; how she likes to eat, how she likes to sleep, that her eyes are a dark blue color that my mother says will soon fade into Seam grey, that she likes it when I sing cradlesongs and she favors my arms over my mother and Prim's.

Sometimes Peeta sits with me to keep me company while the baby fusses. He usually plays with Pug as I tend to the baby.

It is during one of those times, when mother and Prim sleep and the baby nurses in my arms, that I finally get to hear about the events leading up to Peeta's whipping.

"She was so miserable, Katniss. We both were, but it was different for Delly. She knew she could be with him if she could just get out of the district. I couldn't deny her that happiness. It's not like I loved her… I didn't want her to be stuck with me for the rest of her life. I didn't want that kind of life and I didn't think it really mattered anymore. I assumed I would die for it… I probably would have died if you hadn't jumped in front of Thread." Peeta whispers to me as he scratches lightly behind the dog's ear.

"It was nothing," I brush him off.

"It wasn't nothing, Katniss. It was brave. When you did that, you gave people courage to fight the Capitol,"

"Yes, and that's why they stopped letting food into 12. It's why Prim and Rory were reaped. It wasn't a good thing, it was reckless," I tell him, "I just… I just couldn't watch you die,"

"You could have died too. Your baby could have died. Didn't you think of that?" He says.

"I don't think things through like you do," I tell him, "You're a better person than me. I'm sorry you didn't find your perfect match. I wanted you to be happy."

"You're a good person, Katniss, even if you can't see it," He reaches over and squeezes my hand, "And at least one of us found our match. That's one thing the Capitol did right."

I don't know what to say to him. When we said goodbye before the marriage reaping, I never expected that I would love my spouse in the way Peeta loves me. It's uncomfortable to talk about Haymitch with him, but I feel like I owe him. He came back for me when Haymitch couldn't.

"That was just dumb luck. I didn't think I would start to like him," I say in reply, my cheeks reddening in embarrassment. I know Peeta isn't scrutinizing me, but I'm still uncomfortable.

"You don't just like him. You don't have to hold back for my benefit, Katniss," Peeta retorts, sounding a bit irritated.

"I don't know what to say, Peeta. I don't usually discuss my feelings," I mutter back.

I don't know what he wants to hear from me. Does he want to hear that I love Haymitch? That Haymitch is always there for me? That he makes my life not just bearable, but wonderful in many of ways? I don't know what he's trying to do.

"I want to know that you're happy…"

"I'm as happy as anyone can be under the Capitol's rule, but-" I reply.

"Okay, but if this rebellion is successful, will you stay with him?" Peeta interrupts, "The marriage reapings will be void. You'll be able to leave him, if you want to."

It doesn't take me long to answer.

"I will choose to stay," I look down at my daughter and warmth spreads all over me, not just for her, but for the man who gave her to me, "I want to stay with him."

"I understand. Thank you for being honest," Peeta says, flashing me a half-hearted smile before turning over on the ground to fall asleep.

I stay up all night, thinking about my life now, my daughter, the rebellion happening in the districts, wondering what Haymitch is doing, if he's looking for me, if he's healthy, if he's having withdrawals, if he knows in his heart that his child is born.

Soon, I get my answer.

The door to the bunker flies open on the third day. Sunlight floods our eyes and I thrust the baby into Prim's arms before grabbing my bow from next to the bed. I aim an arrow directly at the intruder from my place on the cot.

"Whoa, Catnip. Take it easy."

I immediately recognize the nickname and the voice as Gale.

He holds his hands up in surrender, laughing a bit as he backs away. He knows I'm more scheming than to just shoot an intruder. He's damn lucky too. I'm not taking any chances with my child in here.

"Gale." I breathe out, trying to get out of bed to greet him. I'm instantly dizzy and in immense pain at the movement. Instead, he walks over to me and wraps my up in a warm embrace.

"Looks like that baby couldn't wait, huh?"

I laugh and hug him tighter, "Nope, she was determined to come out."

"She's bull-headed then, like her parents," he smiles and pulls away from the hug.

I hear a shriek next to me. Prim sets the baby in my arms and I look up to see Rory standing at the bottom of the bunker stairs. He looks tired but thrilled to see her. They reunite tearfully.

"We need to get going. Can you walk?" Gale asks me. I can, though it's incredibly painful. I hand the baby off to my mother as I gather things from around the bunker. It's a struggle even to bend over.

Peeta helps me pick up the essential baby items that have accumulated under and around the cot. I look at the blood-stained bed and feel guilty for a moment. Not only did I hog the only cot for several days, leaving everyone else to sleep on the ground, but I ruined the sheets for any other runaways who may take shelter here.

Even though I'm thrilled to get out of here, it's almost bittersweet to leave. My daughter was born in this dark bunker. It's safe here. I feel like I can protect her here. There's no choice but to move forward. I can't raise her by myself underground.

When everything is gathered, we head up the stairs into the sunlight. Getting up the steps is rough. Rory half-carries me while I cradle the baby in my arms and try not to jostle her around too much.

It's incredibly hot and bright when we emerge. I'm guessing it's about midday, given the position of the sun in the sky. The baby starts crying loudly at the brightness. I cringe at the noise and walk even faster to our destination, putting my hand over her eyes to shade them. A hovercraft is parked in a clearing a few yards from the bunker and we all hurry to board, eager to escape before anyone may see us.

Prim and Rory refuse to let go of each other' hands the entire trip.

I can't say I blame them. If Haymitch were here with my now, I don't think I'd be able to let him go. I just clutch the baby tighter to me as a pang of loneliness hits. Even with some of my favorite people near me, I feel alone. I was so used to having only Haymitch by my side for months. It's an adjustment to be away from him.

When we settle into the hovercraft, I breathe easily for the first time in days. I may not know the people flying it, but I know Gale and Rory would never put us in harm's way. We are safe for the time being. My daughter, my sister, my mother, Peeta… We all made it.

Gale sits, next to me on the way home, staring at the baby.

"Holy shit, Catnip, she's beautiful," Gale coos, looking at my daughter in my arms like she's the most precious thing on earth, "Hi, baby… I'm your Uncle Gale."

I chuckle at his baby voice and debate asking him if he would like to hold her. I decide against it, wanting Haymitch to be the first man to hold his daughter, just like Peeta said. Gale doesn't say anything about it, which I'm grateful for.

"Is Haymitch alright?" I ask him quietly. The question makes me sick… I'm almost afraid to know.

Gale smirks and nods his head, "Yeah, he's fine. He raised Hell when he realized you weren't in 13. Promised not to cooperate with officials until you were found."

"Sounds like Haymitch," I laugh, mostly in relief.

There's such a profound burden lifted off of my shoulders, I could cry. I do cry. I cradle my daughter as close as I can and let a few tears fall.

Haymitch is okay. Thank god he's okay.

!

The trip to District 13 feels like forever.

Moving around is still painful, so I stay in my seat the entire time. There is a lot of shaking and jerking, and every bump is excruciating on my recovering body. By the time we touch down, I'm doubled over in pain.

When the doors open, Gale instructs someone to bring a wheelchair for me. I'm in such agony that I don't try to argue. When I stand to get into the wheelchair, I feel like I'm being ripped apart below the waist. Peeta and Gale ease me down into the chair and Prim sets the baby back into my arms. She's sleeping peacefully. I hold her close to me as we are wheeled into this foreign place

Gale takes the back of my chair and slowly walks me down the ramp leading from the hovercraft. I have to close my eyes from the pain. I don't know what exactly happened to my body during the ride over here, but it's nothing pleasant.

"I'm taking her to the hospital wing," Gale tells someone as he pushes me.

"No!" I yell and accidentally wake the baby. She starts to scream immediately.

"I need to see Haymitch. Let me see him, please, Gale?" I say frantically, hushing the baby at the same time.

"You need to be examined by a doctor. You had a baby in a dirty bunker for christsakes," he replies.

"Gale, if you don't take me to Haymitch right now, I'm going to put an arrow through your foot the next time I see you," I seeth, absolutely furious that he is trying to control what I do.

He actually laughs at this.

"That's the Catnip I know, can't take no for an answer. I'll see if a doctor can meet us in his room. How does that sound?"

I nod in agreement and turn my attention back to the screaming child in my arms. Her face is red with fury and her eyes are squeezed shut. I pat her on the bum a few times and start to sing an old lullaby that my father sang to us when we were little. She quiets almost immediately. I continue the song while Gale pushes me silently. I'm not sure where everyone else went.

"I never could get you to sing for me," he teases.

"You aren't as cute as her," I joke back.

"Ouch, that hurt, Catnip,"

"I'm sure you'll live," I retort.

I've missed this back and forth banter with Gale. I can't believe it's been almost a year since we've been able to spend time together. I've only seen him a few times in passing since the marriage reaping, since I came home from the Capitol with Haymitch.

Gale snorts and pushes me a few more feet before asking an orderly to open the door for us. I take a moment to look around and realize that we are in a hospital.

"You lied to me," I growl at him, trying not to raise my voice again for my daughter's sake.

"Did not," Gale says as he pushes me into the room.

And that's when I see him.

Lying in the bed in front of me is Haymitch.

Haymitch.

His eyes are half-closed and he looks sick, almost drunk, but he's here. He's alive.

He looks up at me and a wide smile breaks out on his lips. Gale pushes me next to his bed and I stand up, despite my aching body. Carefully, I ease down onto his bed with our child in my arms and throw myself at him as much as I can without squishing the baby.

"It's been too long, Sweetheart," Haymitch chokes out into my neck. I've never heard him so emotional. He wraps his arms around us and I lay my head on his shoulder, taking in the scent of him. Beneath the hospital smell is Haymitch's natural musk.

It reminds me of home.

"Too long," I whimper back.

!

(Haymitch POV)

I wrap my arms around my wife and all of the tension seems to drain out of my body. The boy didn't lie to me. She's safe and alive. She's here with me.

"It's been too long, Sweetheart," I barely croak out. I bury my face in her neck and relish in the feel of this woman. I didn't think I'd ever get to hold her in my arms again.

"Too long," she cries back. I pull away from her after a few moments and look between us. The kid is here.

Holy shit, it's finally here.

My kid.

"I see you've brought someone with you, Sweetheart," I say, surveying the child in her arms. Katniss hands the child over before wiping the tears off of her own cheeks. I immediately start taking in every feature of the baby's face; chubby cheeks, a tuft of light blonde hair, a nose that looks much like my own.

"It's a girl," Katniss tells me, smiling widely at the sight of our daughter in my arms. Suddenly, laughter bubbles up inside of me and bursts out. It's joy, pure joy I feel as I stare at this tiny person in my arms. I didn't think it was possible to love in the way I love this little girl right now.

I bring her up to my shoulder and hug her to me, one hand on her bottom and the other on her tiny head.

She's perfect. Absolutely fucking perfect.

"Oh, little Sweetheart, you are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," I whisper to her, unable to stop anything in my head from coming out, "Your old man waited so long to meet you."

I pull her away from my shoulder and hold her out in front of me to get another look. This child is like liquor. I could spend the entire day looking at her, evaluating her, loving her, drinking her in.

"A fat baby, just like I wanted. Well done, Sweetheart,"

"You're the one who kept me fed," she replies, laughing a bit at the memory of all the strange cravings she indulged in before the food shortages.

"What's she called?" I ask.

"I thought we could name her River, after your mother."

I look down at her and think of her as a River.

It fits. I never was a very good swimmer and I feel like I'm drowning in how much I love her.

"River is a good name. It's a Seam name," I say quietly. I bring her up to me and kiss her gently on the forehead. I close my eyes and breathe deeply. I've heard before that new babies have a distinct smell, but I never believed it until now.

Shit, I'm turning into a big old sap.

For a while I just hold her, looking back and forth between her and her mother. Katniss looks exhausted. There are bags under her eyes and her skin is pale white. In all of the excitement, I didn't really have a chance to look at her critically until now. She looks sick.

"You feeling okay, sweetheart?" I ask her quietly.

Katniss shifts a little in her chair and sighs, "The hovercraft ride was rough. My body's still trying to heal from her birth, I suppose."

"I should have been there," I voice with frustration. I should have been with my wife to greet our girl when she was born. These rebels and their damned false promises.

I feel cheated.

"I called out for you a lot," She says softly, refusing to look up at me, "I was mad at first, you know. But Peeta told me you tried to come back for us. He said you were hurt but he wouldn't tell me what happened to you."

"Peacekeeper got me," I grunt, trying not to remember how much it hurt to be shot. My right leg is still wrapped up and far from healed. Just the thought of it makes the pain come back. And my left leg is a similar story, though the pain I feel is in the part that is gone. I remember Chaff mentioning phantom pains before. If he made it here, we'll be like two crippled peas-in-a-pod.

"What do you mean? They tried to take you?" She asks, interrupting my thoughts.

I try to distance myself from her emotionally. It'll be easier to tell her this way.

"Shot me is more like it," I say, before quickly adding more of the story to make it sound better. Sweetheart doesn't need to feel sorry for me, "I tried to go back for you and the bastard shot me a few times in my legs. Nothing I couldn't handle though," I remark, giving her a bit of a cocky smile.

"You were shot trying to save me?" She questions, looking vulnerable, before grabbing the edge of the sheet on my legs and lifting it up before I can react.

She pulls it up all the way before her mouth drops. A hand shoots up to cover her mouth and tremors take over her body. The look of horror on her face is too much for me to handle. Dammit, I should have told her sooner. Katniss isn't big on surprises, especially the bad ones.

"Your leg is gone. You lost your leg trying to save me! Your leg is gone. Oh my god, your leg. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, Haymitch, I love you, I'm sorry," she sobs, panicking and half-screaming. The sight of my injury is clearly too much for her. There's not much I can do to comfort her with our daughter in my arms.

"Hey, shhh… none of that, baby," I reach up to cup her face in my hand, "Don't do that. Don't say sorry. You didn't shoot me and you definitely didn't take my leg. I went after you because I didn't want to lose you. I didn't want to lose her. Little did I know at the time that the boy was just going to have to save my ass and yours," I joke.

"Peeta saved you," she says between gasping cries.

It's not really a question; more like a realization.

"Yeah, he did. He's a good kid,"

"He is," She replies, still weepy, and puts her own hand over mine on her face, "but he's no Haymitch. Not even close."

I grin at that. She's half-hysterical and emotional from the circumstances, but she still finds a way to let me know she's in this with me, 100 percent.

Honestly, I had half-expected her to check out of this relationship the second she landed in 13. I wouldn't be able to hold it against her. It's not as if we came to be married by traditional means. We were forced. Here, in 13, she's free now to have whoever she wants.

If that freedom doesn't tempt her and she still wants to be with me, who the Hell am I to deny her that?

I'll take any amount of time I can get with these two girls.

"Did you hear that, little girl? Your mother is getting soft on me," I whisper to the baby.

Katniss flicks me in the head.

All I can do is laugh.

Sigh… I'm glad they are together again.

Thanks again to everyone who has cared to engage with me about this story in the last few chapters. If you have the time, I would love a review for this one as well. They make me motivated to write so much more.

Next chapter will involve the start of Katniss' involvement in the war, a bit of Peeta-centric drama and a few adorable moments involving a newborn and a pug names Pug. 3