CHAPTER TWELVE

"Finnick…"

Peeta, Katniss and I all stare at the Doctor with hesitant eyes. Slowly, I rise from the bench and meet his eyes, nodding my head slightly.

"Would you like to meet your son?"

"M-My son?" I stammer.

The doctor nods at me and opens the door, gesturing with his arm for me to enter.

But what about Annie? Is she…alive?

"Yes. He and your wife are awake," smiles the doctor.

My heart beat accelerates in anticipation and happiness. Annie. My Annie is alive. She's fine. Awake and at em'.

I look at Peeta and Katniss. She rests her head on his shoulder, a look of relief on her face. Peeta smiles at me and lets out a sigh.

"We'll allow visitors shortly," the doctor adds.

Slowly, I enter the room with wobbly, numb legs. Annie lays on her side looking at a bundle of blankets that rests in a small, clear box.

It's my son.

Lake Irving Odair.

"Mr. Odair?"

I turn around to see a nurse with a clipboard smiling at me.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. I need the boy's name."

"L-Lake Ir-Irving Odair," I utter, holding back tears.

She nods and scrawls something on the notepad. I slowly turn back to Annie, removing the apron they had given me during the birth. I let it drop to the floor limply. I see Annie still lying limply on her side. An oxygen tube up her nose and IV in her arm. Even broken and exhausted, she's still gorgeous. He fingers limply touch the small open-topped, clear box our son lies in, sleeping soundly.

I approach her bedside and look at our son. His eyes are closed and he yawns a little. My hand is shaking as I touch Annie's shoulder. Her eyes slowly turn to mine, they are drooping slightly in exhaustion, but somehow still sparkle.

"Hey, Annie," I sniff with a smile.

"Hi," she says in a barely audible voice.

"H-How are you feeling, baby?"

"I'm alive," she replies with a weak smile.

I laugh softly and brush some hair from her face. Her face is coated in sweat. I walk to the sink and grab a rag, dampening it with cold water. I go back to Annie's bedside and wipe her face. She lets out a sigh of relaxation.

"I'm sorry I was gone," murmurs Annie, softly.

"You're never going anywhere ever again," I smile, quoting her when I returned from the rebellion.

Slowly, I climb into the bed, spooning her. We both look at our sleeping son.

"Lake," she whispers.

I nod into her shoulder and gently kiss her cheek.

"It's Lake. You did it, Annie," I grin.

Her hand feebly pulls the box closer to us on its wheels. She reaches in and strokes the baby in its blanket.

"He looks like you," Annie yawns.

"He looks like an old man right now," I chuckle.

"He's perfect."

I couldn't agree more.

"So Peeta and Katniss are outside…"

"Oh, send them in," she mumbles.

"Do you want to sit up?"

Annie nods weakly. I slide out of bed and grab her elbow, gently laying her against the back of the bed. Her hands leave the baby and she adjusts the bed so she's sitting up. She nods at me, signaling to let them in.

I open the door to see Peeta and Katniss sitting on the bench I had been sitting on. They look up at me expectantly. So young and yet their future is evident. Not much different from mine. Married and happy. Despite Katniss's obvious aversion to having children, she'd give into Peeta eventually.

"You guys want to come in?" I ask.

They both nod and get up, following me inside. Katniss looks at Annie and I see a confused look come into her grey eyes. Peeta's eyes fill with joy. This event is so beautiful and happy to him. He wants it someday.

Katniss walks towards the baby and peers at it. Peeta slowly walks up behind her, looking over her shoulder at the baby.

"Wow…" Peeta breathes.

"Yeah," Katniss nods.

"This is Lake Irving Odair," I smile, proudly.

"Annie, how are you feeling?" Katniss asks.

I notice how she tears her eyes from the baby, sadly almost.

"I'm just really tired. Other than that, I'm fine."

"He's beautiful, guys," Peeta nods.

"How light is he?" asks Katniss.

"I'm not sure yet. They said six pounds, eleven ounces. I haven't got to hold him yet. The doctors don't want me to handle the baby until I'm well rested."

We spend a few more minutes just staring at him. Peeta overjoyed. Katniss confused. Annie admiring. Me? Well, I'm in utter exaltation.

"Annie, I'll go to the cafeteria and get you some food, okay?"

"Thank you," she nods.

"Katniss, you want something?"

"Yeah, Peeta. Thanks," she says, her eyes still on the baby.

It's difficult to leave and stop staring at my son, but Annie needs some food. Peeta and I leave to go the cafeteria. Both of us thinking of our women.

ANNIE'S POINT OF VIEW

Katniss eventually took a seat in the chair beside the baby. Her eyes seemed to struggle to look at everything but the baby. I knew what was happening.

"It's not so bad," I say, finally.

"What?" she replies.

"Pregnancy. When you get past the swollen feet and the nausea and the fatigue and the getting as big as a house, it's not so bad."

Katniss nods. Her eyes finally look down at the baby. I see her brows furrow.

"But that's not what you're afraid of. You're afraid for their safety," I deduce.

Katniss's eyes shoot up to mine, and her expression softens.

"Katniss, I'm aware that everyone thinks I'm crazy. I'm in no position to disagree. I hear voices. I see hallucinations. Everything in the Hunger Games ruined who I was. I don't know if you watched my games, but I wasn't always like this…" I murmur.

Her face becomes sad.

"I was fourteen during your games. I saw what happened. I didn't see your interview though…or the chariots…I found it easier to watch the games if I didn't know the people…" Katniss murmurs.

I nod and grunt as I straighten up. My eyes drift down to my son.

"I was very alive. Very energetic and charming. Fearless. Outgoing. Fiery. Confident and great at putting on an act. You saw how many sponsors I got. My personality got me those. Then, I saw…him…get his head cut off…and…and you know the rest," I mumble, weakly.

Katniss's sad expression becomes sorrowful.

"I know you know what Peeta's dreams are. You've been dating him for almost a year. I've never dated him or spoke to him that much and I know he wants a family and a wife to love and to make her the happiest person in the world. You. You just want Peeta…obviously. You're totally content with spending a life just you and him."

"Annie, the other day…we were talking about our future. I'm only just about to be nineteen. Peeta started talking about how he wanted to get married someday. I couldn't help but look panicked. I mean, I want to spend the rest of my life with Peeta. I know he's what's good for me…but I knew what was coming next. He started talking about running his own bakery, which I thought was great, and then…he said he wanted a family. A family."

I nod groggily, struggling to stay awake. Dying for a few moments takes a lot out of you.

"He immediately realized how freaky what he said was and just stopped. He looked over at me and just said he was sorry. That he knew it was early. That he wouldn't get married for a few years. Then that got me thinking…a few years? A few years from now I may be his wife…and then a few years after that…we'll be talking about babies. I don't want them."

"Because you worry about their safety. Even though you know the Hunger Games are gone, you still worry. You have every reason to. I'm still scared. Having a kid is a huge responsibility. One that very few people can handle. However, any kid of yours would have little to no reason to worry. You're Katniss Everdeen. Teenage leader of a rebellion. Then there's Peeta. He was brainwashed and with your help overcame it. He's stronger than ever now. He's got you. You've successfully protected so many people."

She snorts and rolls her eyes. I see them moisten with tears.

"Prim isn't your fault. I know it feels like it but it isn't. Honestly."

"You're not the first person to say that, Annie."

"What does that tell you?" I yawn.

Katniss looks at me again and shrugs.

"If anyone can successfully protect their family…it's you and Peeta."

Suddenly, she looks hopeful. Not happy…just hopeful.

"But, Katniss, you said it yourself. You've got years to think about it. So stop worrying about it. Play it by ear and enjoy being with Peeta. Like you said, he's good for you. Finnick is good for me and that's why I am with him. If anyone can make me feel sane it's Finnick."

"Is being good for me enough?"

"It's more than good. Plus, he's more than just good for you. My mom once said…that the person you belong with is the one that brings out the best in you. The parts you can't show on your own."

She's so much more loving with Peeta. Peeta brings out this soft and kind side of her that everyone needs to see. He's perfect for her in every way.

"I know my word may count for nothing. People don't take me seriously. After all, I'm Annie Cresta. The one that went a little off after her games…"

Katniss shakes her head and her eyes bore into mine.

"Your word counts for everything to me. If anyone understands what I'm going through, it's you. That's not easy for me to say. I hate accepting help, but with you, it feels natural. It feels acceptable for once, just like with Peeta. I have to admit, Annie Cresta was never my first choice for a friend, but after getting to know you, I can't pick anyone better," she says with a soft smile.

A friend. I'm her friend? Katniss Everdeen trusts my advice?

Then it hits me. Finnick was right. After this baby and the whole adaption of my former self, I haven't reverted. I'm…myself. I'm not the Crazy Annie Cresta. I'm Annie Cresta again.

FINNICK'S POINT OF VIEW

"Wow, Finnick. Just wow."

I smile as Peeta and I head downstairs to the cafeteria. Wow, is definitely the appropriate word to describe what has happened today.

"It's pretty amazing. Wait until you're a father. I was excited during the pregnancy, but dreading growing older. You know, becoming a real dad. Now, I'm so excited to see him grow up. It's amazing."

I look over at Peeta who sighs and stares at his feet.

"Is something wrong?" I ask.

Then I realize… Katniss. She's obviously not the type who wants to be a mother.

"Katniss will come around, Peeta. She loves you. Trust me. I can see it. Give a year or two. You'll be married. Then you'll get financially stable and a few years later, she'll give in. Maybe she'll be hesitant and really angry throughout the pregnancy, but when she sees the baby…everything will change."

"I dunno if she'll ever come around, Finnick. She's amazing and I won't ever leave her, but having a family is what I want. I want her to want it too."

"It's going to take some convincing, I won't lie, but it'll happen."

"How long did it take you to convince Annie?" Peeta asks.

"Oh, wow. Um…ten minutes…"

Peeta snorts bitterly and rolls his eyes.

"Keep in mind, we had a time frame. She was going to be alone without me if I died, which was a huge possibility. That definitely put the pressure on. Katniss will be stubborn, but it'll happen."

We enter the cafeteria and see Effie and Haymitch sipping coffee at a table. Haymitch looks over at me and smiles.

"Long time, no see. How's it going, dad?" he calls.

Peeta and I walk to their table. Effie rolls her eyes. Then it hits me. What are Effie and Haymitch doing here together? My eyes dart between the two of them. Haymitch laughs.

"It was bound to happen eventually. You know that."

Effie purses her lips.

"I was hoping I could tell them…" she hisses.

Effie. Effie and Haymitch…together?

"Wow… I didn't see this coming, honestly," Peeta sighs.

Effie and Haymitch share a private smile.

"We were just about to come up and see you both, but we got hungry so we had to stop here," sighs Effie.

"Well, me and Peeta are just grabbing some food for Annie and Katniss, but after we get it, come on up. I can't promise Annie will be awake. There were some complications during delivery," I say, softly.

"Complications?" Haymitch asks, sipping some coffee.

Wow. I thought it would be alcohol. Apparently, Effie is good for him.

"Annie started hemorrhaging during the emergency C-section. They actually lost her for a few moments," I say.

Effie's jaw drops and Haymitch nods expectantly.

"I gotta say, Annie is tough as nails. I'm not surprised she made it through all that. That girl has gone through too much to let it all fall to crap over a C-section," Haymitch shrugs.

Effie slaps him across the table and shakes her head with a scolding look.

"Am I wrong?" he asks.

I shake my head.

"Actually, Effie, his observation is quite astute."

"If you'll excuse us, we're gonna go get the ladies some lunch. We'll be right back," smiles Peeta.

We head to the line of other hospital residents getting food and sigh awkwardly.

"Effie and Haymitch. She was YOUR handler and he was YOUR mentor. Did you see that coming?" I ask.

"Opposites attract," shrugs Peeta.

"You believe that?"

"Yeah."

"Well, then you have to believe in you and Katniss. Never met two people more opposite in my life," I grin.

Peeta looks at me and nods with a smile. He and Katniss will make a great couple. Great parents.

Great parents. Me and Annie. We're parents now. I'm a dad.

More visitors arrived after Effie and Haymitch left with Katniss and Peeta. My parents and Annie's dad. All of them getting to hold the baby before Annie and I. I refused to hold the baby when Annie couldn't. The doctors demanded she sleep before she hold him. I told Annie she should just go ahead and break the rules but she was going to take no chances.

"Bye, honey," Annie's dad says, kissing her forehead and the baby a final time.

"Well, we're going to go home too. We'll come by tomorrow, Finnick," my dad says, patting my back.

"Congratulations," says my mom, with tear filled eyes.

The room is empty except for me and Annie. Her head lolls in my direction and she sighs.

"I'm going to sleep now," she yawns.

I nod and climb in next to her.

"Good idea."

Slowly, Annie and I drift off together.

TWO WEEKS LATER

"Hey, beautiful! Where are you?" I call, coming home from fishing for dinner.

"Living room!" Annie calls.

I enter the living to see Annie breast-feeding Lake. Her hair is tied back in a loose bun. She wears her usual attire of jeans and a tee shirt. The baby weight was coming off slowly, but to her chagrin, Annie couldn't fit into her old pants.

"You get enough?" she smiles.

"A whole bucket. We're good for a week."

She nods. I sit on the arm of the armchair she sits in. Lake lays in her arms. Eyes closed. My eyes closed really. He has my eyes.

"How's he been?" I ask.

"He woke up from his morning nap about an hour ago. I changed him and he was hungry, so…" she shrugs.

I kiss her forehead. She's so beautiful. He's so beautiful.

"He looks so much like you," she whispers. "I told you he would."

"No, you said he looked like me ten minutes after he was born. When he currently looked like an old man."

"It was an unintentional prophecy," she smirks.

I kiss her again on the cheek, and return to the bucket of raw fish I left by the door.

"I'll cook some of these for lunch. I'll let you know when they're ready," I call.

I hear a loud groan and poke my head back into the living room. Annie's head is lolled back against the head of the chair.

"What's wrong, honey?"

"I don't want to eat anything."

"Why not?" I smirk, stepping into the living.

"I need to lose this weight. I'm not gonna get back to my old body if I…well…"

"If you eat lunch? Annie, baby, I love you. I'm so happy with how you've become so calm and no hallucinations have appeared. You're like normal, and I'd love you even if you weren't. Right now though, you are acting like a crazy person. Annie, you've gotta eat. You've barely ate anything lately, and I know getting your body back is important to you, but you have got to get it together and be patient. It's been two weeks and you've lost, what? Ten of that thirty pounds you put on? That's amazing."

"But I want it-"

"To happen faster. I know. But it's not going to. It's just not. Be patient. Eat something. Recognize that your body is going to go back to normal and the only reason you feel so big is because you carried another human being inside of you for nine months. Got it?" I say with a smug smile.

She opens her mouth to protest, but shuts it and sighs.

"Just one fish," Annie mutters.

Not as much as I would like, but I'll settle for it.

ONE MONTH LATER

Annie had lost 25 of the thirty pounds she had gained. The last five pounds lurked in her breasts. I didn't mind that at all.

I laid in bed reading a book, waiting for Annie to get back from putting the baby down for the night. It was ten o' clock and we had learned the later we put the baby down the more sleep we got.

"Hey…"

"Hey, Annie. So tomorrow, we should go out and…"

I look up to see her standing nude in the doorway of our bedroom. She smiles warmly. I sit up and stare at her. She hasn't done this for almost a year.

"Wow…You look beautiful…" I breathe.

Annie walks towards me slowly, her long red hair over one shoulder.

"I'm not ready for another baby, so we need to go about this carefully."

"Absolutely…" I grin.

I get off the bed and stand before her, removing my shirt and pants till we're both nude. She smiles at me again and our bodies mold together.

We make love. It's been a long time since we've done this so passionately. I'm amazed. I'm startled. I'm enthralled.

Later that night…

"That was nice…" I smile.

Annie and I lay in bed together. She's in my arms, head resting on my chest. She sighs contentedly. I don't blame her. Content is an understatement. Utterly in awe is more appropriate.

"I'm so glad you convinced me to have Lake… I'd never be where I am with you…"

"And Lake…" I add.

She nods into my chest.

"I love you, Fin."

She looks up at me, sea green eyes sparkling. A small smile playing on her lips. Though not pregnant, she still glows. My whole life is complete. I've got Annie. I've got a son. I've got a family and a Capitol free life.

"I love you too, Annie."

"All of me? Even if I lose it again," she mumbles.

"Annie, I love you… All of you… Always…"

THE END

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