I wake up to someone shaking my shoulder.
"Baby you have to get up." Peeta whispers.
I groan and open my eyes.
Oh right, it's Thanksgiving.
He has on a blue button down shirt and black dress pants.
We both look completely like ourselves.
His hair is the same as it always is, curly.
I rub my eyes
"I'm going into the bathroom to brush my teeth." He says.
He kisses my forehead and disappears.
I sigh and get up, pulling on a bra and underwear.
I then dig through my suitcase, finding my dress I packed.
It's light blue with diamonds down to the beginning of my hip bone.
It goes to my ankles.
I grab my brush from the bedside table and brush my hair, plugging my curling iron in and quickly curling my hair.
Peeta walks out of the bathroom and his jaw goes slack.
I don't have it zipped.
"Can you zip me?" I ask, unplugging the curling iron.
He stares at me.
"Peeta!" I say.
He blinks and then closes his mouth and walks over to me, zipping me up.
"You're beautiful." He says.
There's a banging on the basement door.
"We're waiting on you two!" Jo shouts.
I sigh and run my fingers through my hair.
I get out my all diamond heels and put them on, rising to Peeta's height.
"Well this works out, doesn't it."
I grin and walk off to the bathroom, brushing my teeth.
I walk back out.
"How come my hair smells like soap?" I ask.
"Because your mom and Prim face you a bath when you were out." He says.
I nod and get my necklace at is a sparky heart and hand it to him.
He puts it on.
I run my fingers through my hair a few times and then put on deodorant and spray my perfume on, which is sweet pea.
It's all I use. Ever.
And I put it on every day.
Peeta inhales.
"It smells like you." He says.
I shrug and take his hand.
"Lets go before they kill us." I say.
He grins and gives me a gentle kiss.
"I love you." He whispers.
"I love you too. Have I told you how sexy you look?" I ask.
"No." He says.
"Well I just did." I say. He laughs.
"You look beautiful." He grins
I blush.
"Thanks..."
He opens the door for me and we step into the living room.
"Hot damn your sexy!" Rye says.
"Damn." Graham adds.
"If you need tapped, I'm all free." Justice says.
"Same here." Kegan adds.
I roll my eyes.
Everyone's all dressed up.
"No thanks." I say.
"So what'd you guys do last night?" Mom asks suspiciously.
"Slept." I lie. Ha. Had sex, what the fuck do you think we did?
Finn snickers, as does Jo and Annie.
"So where are we going?" I ask.
"Out to breakfast and then spending the day at the bakery." Mom says.
She pauses.
"You do know your phone isn't broken, right?" Mom asks, grabbing it off the coffee table and tossing it to me.
I catch it easily.
Oh yeah. I have a life proof case.
I have three missed calls, one from Clove, Linda and Cato.
I don't have any texts.
"I have to make a call." I say.
"Can't it wait?" Mom asks.
"Not really." I reply. "Now everyone stay quiet." I add, dialing Linda.
"Hello?" She asks.
"Linda?" I ask.
She sighs.
"Thank god. We're short one person today." She says. "Thresh didn't show up. He called and said his wife went into labor."
I sigh.
"What are you guys working on a holiday for?" I ask.
"Because we work today." She says.
"Linda, it's a holiday. It's just like the day after the hurricane. Go home. Tell Clove and Cato the same." I say.
"Okay. Thank you." she says.
"No problem."
I hang up.
"Okay. Lets go." I say.
"Who's Linda?" Peeta asks as we head outside and into the snow.
I lift my dress to my thighs.
"One of my employees." I reply, tripping in the snow.
He wraps his arms around my waist to steady me.
The only car left is mine, all the other ones are full.
It's Jessica, Audrey and Caleb.
I sigh.
"I'll go get my keys." I grumble.
Peeta doesn't say anything, he just turns around and walks into the house.
Audrey looks angry.
I look down at her.
"What's wrong?" I ask sweetly.
She crossed her pudgy arms and stomps her foot.
"Your so pretty! I wanna be as pretty as you one day!" She whines.
I bend down, lowering my dress a bit.
"You are beautiful." I say, crouching down, not allowing my dress to touch the ground. "I would love to look like you." I say.
Caleb just messes around on his phone.
"No! Your hair is perfect! Your face! Even your boobies!" She whines.
I laugh softly.
"You don't want boobies yet." I say.
I hear the front door shut and Peeta comes out.
He tosses me my keys and I catch them effortlessly.
We head for the car.
Jessica gets in the front, Caleb in the middle, Audrey behind me and Peeta behind Jessica.
I start the car and blast the heat.
I wrinkle my nose.
"It smells terrible in here." I say, opening the middle console and getting out my sweet pea, spraying it.
I then start to drive.
I pause.
"I have no clue where we're going." I say, sighing.
"Neither do I." Jessica says.
I look at Peeta in the rear view mirror.
"I don't either." He says.
I pull over.
Then Mom zooms past.
I start to drive again, checking my gas.
I move the lever up to turn right and wait.
I turn and flip the signal off.
I then remember I don't have my wallet.
"Lets hope we don't get pulled over." I say.
"Why?" Jessica asks.
"I don't have my wallet." I say.
"I grabbed it when I was getting your purse." Peeta says.
When we stop at a light, I turn to him and he hands it to me.
"Thanks." I say.
My phone starts blaring.
I look down at it.
Clove.
I sigh and press answer, switching off the Bluetooth.
"Hello?" I ask.
"Hey boss. Linda says you gave us the day off, is that true?" She asks.
"Yeah. Go home and be with your baby." I say.
"Okay. Thank you so much." She says.
"No problem."
I hang up.
I'm getting low on gas.
"Can one of you get the address of where we're going?" I ask.
Two minutes later, Peeta's phone beeps.
The gas light is beeping.
"We're going to Ihop. The one by the huge mall." He says. "The one you had your sixth birthday at." He says.
"Oh. Okay then." I say, pulling into the nearest gas station.
I grab my card and get out, filling up.
The man filling up in the pump across from my whistles.
"You are one hot motherfucker." He says. "Wanna have sex?" He asks.
"My boyfriend is in the car and he won't hesitate to beat your ass." I reply.
The man puts his hands up.
"Alright. I get you. Respect!" He says.
"Damn right." I reply, getting back in the car and slamming the door.
I put my card back.
"I can't stand that." I say. "When creeps talk like that. It's really annoying and disgusting. Why me. Honestly?" I complain, slowing down when I realize I'm speeding.
"What did he ask.
"He said you are on hot motherfer and then asked if I wanted to have the S word." I say, glancing at Audrey, who is dead asleep.
"And what did you say?" He asks, trying to keep his voice level.
I let out a quiet laugh.
"I said 'my boyfriends in the car and he won't hesitate to beat your ass'." Jessica, Peeta and Caleb all laugh.
"And then he said 'Alright. I get you. Respect!'." I say. "And then I said 'damn right'."
The car falls into silence.
It gets quite awkward. It's like an hour drive and we're only about a half hour in.
I sigh and start fiddling with the radio.
Nothing good is on. All shit.
I groan, glad when I stop at the light.
I start to dig through the middle consul.
"Let me know when the light changes." I say.
I start to look through my CD's.
"Green!" Caleb says.
Both Peeta and Jessica cry out the word "no!" But it's too late, I slam down onto the gas, shooing right into the busiest intersection in the entire state of Kentucky.
I almost slam right into a ton of cars, missing one by a millimeter.
I swerve around twenty speeding cars the car going 75 miles a hour. If our cars connected, mine would flip. That's a guarantee.
Audrey is awake and screaming, while everyone else is frozen in terror as a semi comes barreling towards us.
I press my foot harder on the gas and pull out of the intersection, pulling over.
Oh. My. God.
"Caleb have you list your mind!" Jessica shouts at her son,
Audrey continues to scream, terrified.
I drop my head onto the steering wheel, my chest heaving.
Oh my god.
It's nearly ten minutes before everyone calms down.
I'm very shaky.
I can't fucking believe that.
"Who taught you to drive?" Jessica asks.
"My Dad and Haymitch." I say. "Why?" I add.
"Because that is the most badass driving I think I've ever seen." Peeta exclaims.
(My best friend did that to her mom. And by my best friend I mean KatPeeta20)
I sigh and shakily start to drive again.
"And you didn't even cause any accidents!" He adds.
I bite my lip and drive the rest of the twenty minutes.
I'm so pissed at Caleb for pulling that shit. I'm not gonna say anything though.
I pull into a parking spot in iHop and slam the door after grabbing my wallet, phone and keys.
Everyone else follows calmly behind me.
Jessica walks right up to Uncle Jordan, her husband, Caleb's dad.
The entire family looks extremely irritated.
I clutch Peeta's hand with a death grip, trying to keep my mouth shut.
I don't bother trying to his how pissed I am.
"What the fuck took you guys so long. We have been waiting here for about an hour!" Jo bursts.
"Lets see." Jessica begins, answering. "We stopped for gas." She says
Everyone has their attention set on her.
"A penny!" Audrey squeals, running for the busy road.
I drop Peeta's hands and run for her, picking her up seconds before she gets into the road.
Another near death experience.
She starts to cry.
"But the penny!" She sobs.
I dig through my wallet and hand her a quarter.
She stops crying.
I go back to where everyone is.
"Thank you." Jessica says, taking Audrey. "No. Lets see. We stopped at a light and then Katniss said 'tell me when the lights green' at the intersection of the busiest road in Kentucky."
Everyone listens.
"And then your son," she shoots Uncle Jordan a look. "Decides it would be hilarious to say the light was green when it wasn't."
Everyones face falls, knowing where this is going.
"So Katniss slammed down on the gas and she swerved around twenty cars, a semi nearly connecting with the car that was going about a hundred." She says.
She crosses her arms and stops talking.
Jordan rounds on Caleb.
But my parents and Haymitch round on me.
"Are you out of your damn mind!" Dad bursts.
I sigh and cross my arms.
"Why in gods name would you tell them to look at the light for you! That's your job! Not theirs!" Haymitch says.
"You could have killed all of you!" Mom bursts.
"I know." I say, irritation evident.
"I can't believe you did that! Are you insane!" Dad says.
I clench my jaw.
Don't say anything.
"Yours insane! Your so fucking stupid!" Haymitch says.
I start to grind my teeth.
Everyone has fallen silent, listening.
"I'm so ashamed of you." Mom says.
They stare at me, waiting for me to say something.
"Well! At least defend yourself!" Haymitch growls.
Peeta sighs loudly, not bothering to hide his irritation.
"She can't speak. If she does, she going to end up punching one I you in the face." He says obviously.
"No she won't. I know my daughter." Dad says, shooting Peeta a glare.
"And I know my girlfriend. And her eyes are pitch black, which means she's either extremely pissed off or she wants sex."
A few people snicker.
"No. That's not how they work." Dad retorts, his voice rising slightly.
Peeta doesn't even look like he cares.
"And she's not stupid." He adds. "Or insane."
He's pissed.
"I disagree." Haymitch says.
I clench my fists, digging my nails into my palm.
Don't you dare.
"I'm telling you right now. Light grey means she's wanting sex or she's angry, normal is happy, and then dark is extremely sad."
"Actually. Last time I checked, you haven't had sex with her."
My fucking family is driving me crazy.
"Oh so what. She's just with you to be nice." Dad snarls. My anger flies through the roof and I fight strangling him.
"Well I don't care if she's wanting to punch me." Haymitch says. "Speak." He orders. "Your not incapable."
"No, but you may be of you don't shut your mouth." I hiss.
Shit. I've broken.
"And don't you ever say I'm with Peeta to be nice. I love him and you damn well know it."
"Guys come on its a holiday." Aunt Kate speaks up.
My dad puts up a hand.
"It doesn't matter. It was wrong of you to be recklessly driving like that." He growls.
"You better watch it." I snarl.
Peeta doesn't say anything as he grabs my hand and pulls me all the way around the back of the building.
"I want to go home." I say. "This entire family is driving me bonkers and I want to fucking kill every one of them." I hiss. "I want to go home, pack up all my shit and get to our place." I hiss.
He starts gently rubbing my arms up and down.
"Just try to get through today. We can leave so early tomorrow that nobody will be awake." He says. "We don't even have to tell them." He adds softly.
"Fine. But don't expect me to be nice to my dad." I growl.
"I don't." He says.
I turn around and stalk back to the front.
He follows.
"Are you ready to stop being such a terrible daughter?" Dad asks.
Peeta places his hand on the small of my back.
My eyes flit to my car and down to the keys in my hand.
"Dad stop being such a dick." I hiss.
He looks outraged.
"Give me the car keys." He says.
He wants my car keys?
"No." I say.
"Yes." He growls, reaching for them.
I step back.
"No." I repeat.
He can't take my car keys. It's my car, I'm twenty years old. He can take away my stuff anymore like a little three year old.
He gets a grasp on them and I rip them from his grip.
"No. Your not in charge of me anymore." I hiss.
He reaches for the keys again, furious.
I look at Peeta.
"I'm not gonna be able to do it." I say.
He knows I want to leave and I want to leave now.
My entire family is pissing me off. Their attitudes, my dad thinking he can still tell me what to do.
My anger is boiling to the edge.
"Give me the keys." Dad repeats. "You have exactly thirty seconds to give me the keys."
I quickly contemplate.
Yes. If I try hard enough, I can be backing out of the parking space in thirty seconds.
My eyes flit to Peeta.
"Starting now."
I turn around and bolt for the car, Peeta right behind me.
I hop into the front seat and Peeta in the passenger, starting the car and locking the doors.
"I can't stay here Peeta. I'm going to end up hurting one of them. I have to go home right now."
"Lets go." He says, pulling out his phone.
I check my surroundings and then back out of the parking spot and speeding out of the lot and speeding home.
"God one more thing I fucked up." I say.
"You didn't fuck it up." He says.
"Yeah I did." I say.
I look in my rearview mirror and curse.
My Dad is following me.
"My dad is following." I say.
The light wills turn red in exactly three seconds.
I slam down on the gas, sending Peeta back in his seat.
My dad gets stuck.
"We have to take a faster way."
I say.
"Remember there's a road through the forest we walk through. We can get into the basement from the window, get our shit and we're gone!" He says.
"Yes!" I exclaim.
I speed down the road and turn into the country
It's a dirt road and its never used. It goes right through the forest that's behind my house.
I keep looking in the rearview mirror.
"How about, when we get to New York, we can go get our own food and have our own thanksgiving?" He suggests.
I shrug.
"Okay."
I'm at my house in five minutes.
"We're gonna have to use the basement window." I say.
"I won't fit though that." He says.
"I will." I say. "Will our bags?"
"We both have duffle bags. I think they will." He says.
"Lets hope so." I say, getting out and taking off my heels.
He stays by the window, helping me in.
I quickly run up and lock the basement and then start to gather our stuff, shoving it through the window to Peeta.
I double and triple check.
The front door slams and I hear the basement door raddling.
Maybe he does have a key.
I give Peeta a panicked expression.
He sticks his hand in the window to me, desperate.
I take it and he pulls me up.
I'm halfway through when the basement door opens.
Peeta pulls me roughly up the rest of the way.
My dad shouts a curse word and we take off for my car, throwing shit in the back and speeding back down the forest road.
My dad is behind us.
"He's behind us." I whisper.
Peeta looks behind us and sighs.
Dad's on the phone.
"I'll bet he's telling Haymitch to block the exit." I grumble.
"I bet your right."
Sure enough, when we get to the exit, Haymitch has it blocked.
I stop the car, turn it off, lock the door and sit.
"We're gonna be here a while." I grumble.
He mutters a response, searching something on his phone.
"It looks like the only flight left that will take cars is two days away." He says.
I sigh.
"Hotel?" I ask.
He shrugs and nods.
He taps the screen a few times.
"Lets start making a plan to get out of here." I say. "What airport?" I ask.
"International." He grumbles.
Thats five hours from here.
I sigh.
An hour passes.
Eleven.
Dad's on the phone.
Twelve.
Haymitch, now.
One.
My phone blares.
It's Mom.
"Hey mom." I say.
"Would you cut the shit." She says.
I hang up.
Peeta sighs.
I can't believe I didn't notice it before. There's a space I can just fit the car through that Haymitch has blocked.
Both of them know it and they're in the way.
Two.
I sigh loudly.
"This is fucking ridiculous." I hiss, starting the car. I drive right into the forest, carefully swerving around trees till I get to another exit and I exit, honking as we pass the baffled parents.
"Baby I have to eat something." Peeta says after a little while.
"Tell me where to stop and we'll stop." I say.
He starts to fiddle with the radio.
He sighs and turns it off.
I stop at a gas station to refill.
"I'm gonna get food, do you want anything?" He asks.
"A cherry coke and pepperoni combos please." I say, accepting his kiss as I pay for the gas.
"Mmm kay." He mumbles, kissing me again.
I smile against his lips.
He walks off.
I get back in the car and pull into the parking spot right outside the door, shutting the car off, grabbing my phone, keys and wallet and heading inside.
I grab a pack of gum and then walk over to Peeta who's paying and kiss his cheek.
He looks at me and then his eyes flit to the gum.
"Let me." He says.
"Nope." I say.
He doesn't bother arguing.
We both pay and then go back to driving.
The feeling of being followed starts to creep up on me and my eyes flit to the rearview mirror.
"Peeta." I whisper.
"Hmm baby?" He asks, taking my right hand in his left and drawing small circles.
"My Dad's behind us." I whisper.
His gaze shifts to the mirror.
I'm so frustrated I'm trying not to cry. Tears are slipping down my cheeks.
"Oh baby." He whispers, wiping them.
We're only about an hour and a half into the drive.
I dial my mom.
"Hey sweetie." She says. She doesn't sound shocked we left.
"Why the hell is dad behind me and Peeta?" I burst. "Mom he's gotta learn to let go. I'm twenty. I have my own house and car. Nothing I have is owned by him. He can't take it." I say.
"I know boo, but he loves you and he doesn't really trust Peeta that much anymore." She explains.
"Why?"
"Because. I don't know. He doesn't really have a reason." She says.
"Whatever. Bye." I hang up.
I sit back at the light.
I lose it and dial my dad.
"Nice of you to call me." He says.
"Why the fun are you following us? I'm your daughter, not your bitch."
"Because I have reason to believe that Peeta has a gun."
I roll my eyes.
"Bullshit." I snarl.
"I'm serious. Tell him to empty his pockets. I saw him put it in there. If he doesn't do it, get out of the car." He says.
"This is ridiculous." I growl. "Baby empty your pockets." I say.
Peeta gives me a confused look and empties both his pockets.
"Your an idiot!" I burst at my dad.
I roll my eyes.
"Please just stop at this gas station." He says.
I sigh and get over.
"If I get mad I'm gonna punch you in the face, just saying."
"I know."
I hang up.
Peeta looks confused.
"We just got gas." He says.
"Yeah but my dad wants to talk to me." I say. "I figure we may as well get it over with."
My dad pulls in next to me.
"I'll be back." I groan, giving him a kiss and then getting out.
"Over here." He says, walking all the way across the parking lot.
I follow him, standing in front of him with my arms crossed.
"I think you need a break up with Peeta." He says.
"What!" I burst.
Of course I won't do it.
"Oh why because he stuck up for me over something that wasn't even my damn fault to begin with?" I snarl.
"He's disrespectful." He says.
"He was sticking up for me!" I burst.
"Over your own father!" He says.
"Yeah because you were being an asshole! You guys called me stupid and insane!" I say.
"Well you were acting like it." He replies. "I want you to break up with Peeta right now or I'll go do it myself." He says.
I slap him.
"I'll never break up with Peeta. Don't expect to see me again." I snarl.
"Katniss-" he begins.
I turn around and storm back to the car.
It's not good to let me drive when I'm pissed. I'm very reckless.
I back out of the parking spot and fly out of the parking lot, going 100mph in a 75mph zone.
I swerve around cars, blow lights and everything.
"Katniss, I think you should let me drive." Peeta says when we stop at a light.
I'm about to say no when I realize it is a really good idea. I can end up killing both of us with the way I'm driving.
I sigh and unbuckle.
We climb over the middle console so I'm in the passenger and he's in the driver.
We still have about three hours and a half. I was calculating three before but I remember we're going to the one five hours away.
Who is he to tell me to break up with my boyfriend, just because he was pissed off that Peeta stuck up for me over something that wasn't my fault to begin with.
Sure, I should have been looking myself, but that doesn't make what Lucas did okay.
Oh course I'm gonna slam down on the gas when someone says the lights green and I'm the first car.
So now my own father doesn't like Peeta.
Angry, hurt tears well in my eyes but I don't let them spill.
"Katniss what happened?" Peeta finally asks when it's well after dark. Still like two more hours.
I sigh.
I don't really think I can tell him.
My phone starts ringing. It's Finn.
I stare at it and then decide I don't really feel like talking.
"I don't want talk about it." I mumble, linking our fingers.
"Alright then."
I can tell I'm probably driving him crazy, but he doesn't comment.
My phone beeps and both mine and Peeta's eyes flit down at it.
It says
Finn: Katniss why in gods name did your dad lock himself in the bathroom and won't come out?
I sigh.
"Fine I'll tell you." I say.
"You don't have to." He says.
"Well I'm going to. Your gonna be upset."
He sighs but remains silent.
When I takes to him on the phone he made me tell you to empty your pockets because he thought you had a gun."
"What!" Peeta bursts.
"And then when we talked, he told me to break up with you because your disrespectful. And my Mom says he doesn't trust you anymore."
His face goes emotionless.
"But I'm not gonna do it. My dad locked himself in the bathroom because I told him he's never gonna see me again." I whisper.
He sighs.
"I don't want you to push your family away because of me." He says.
"I'm not. Just my dad. And it's his fault anyways." I say.
My phone starts blaring again.
Mom.
I sigh loudly and press answer.
"What!" I burst. "Actually I know what you want. Give Finn or Annie the phone." I say.
"No." She says.
"Oh well then I just won't tell you."
"Dammit Katniss, fine!"
"Hey kitty; you wanna tell me why your dads locked in the bathroom?"
"He doesn't trust Peeta and he thought he has a gun so I met up with him at the gas station and he told me to break up with Peeta or he would do it himself and then I told him he'll never see me again and I left."
"What!" He says.
Of course I'm on speaker.
"That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard!" Rye shouts.
Everyone suddenly falls silent and I put the phone on speaker.
I put a finger to my lips and Peeta nods.
"John! Have you officially lost your mind!" Mom shouts.
"Don't start Lilly." Dad growls.
"Don't start? Are you kidding me? You told Katniss to break up with Peeta because you don't like him. You think he's disrespectful for sticking up for her! This is Peeta Mellark we're talking about! He's got more respect than your pinkie!"
I can't believe mom is saying this to him.
"I can't believe you! Your so disrespectful! I don't blame Katniss for never wanting to see you again!"
"Look. I know it was a stupid thing of me to say and I'm sorry. Now my oldest hates me and I'll never see her again."
I clutch Peeta's hand tighter, holding my breath.
"And I'm sorry for what I said about Peeta." He adds.
I sneeze on accident and then panic.
I look at Peeta and then realize we're in the hotel parking lot.
I hear a sniff on the other line.
"Bless you Annie!" Finn says. Oh thank god.
"Thank you." Annie says.
Peeta's phone starts ringing just then, blaring actually.
It's Rye.
Panic fills my veins.
Peeta presses ignore but it's way too late.
"That was...they're on the phone!" Dad bursts.
"Not anymore!" I say before quickly hanging up. I drop my head into my hands. Peeta gets out of the car after a minute.
He opens the back door and does something and then shuts the door and opens my door.
"Hey." He whispers, tilting my head to look at him. "Lets go get a room, okay?" He asks gently.
I sigh and unbuckle, grabbing my phone and wallet and slamming the door.
I reach for my bag.
He runs his free hand through my hair, kisses my forehead and then takes my hand.
I sigh follow him into the hotel.
"I'm paying, by the way." He says.
"No your not. You bought me food and the plane ticket." I argue.
He kisses me gently.
"It's because I love you." He says. "Would it make you feel better if we split it?" He asks.
"Since I know your not going to let me pay, then yes." I say, annoyed slightly. I pause. "And I love you too."
The women behind the counter is staring at me, eying my closely.
She has bouncy blond curls.
She's extremely familiar.
Peeta pulls me to the counter.
"I know you." She says.
I look at her name tag.
"Oh my god! Madge! It's me, Katniss!" She snaps her fingers.
"Yes! I knew it!" She says. "You look so pretty."
"Thank you. How are you I haven't seen you in a while?"
"I'm good." She grins.
Peeta looks confused.
"Peeta this is Madge. She's my friend from middle school. Madge, this is my boyfriend, Peeta." I say.
They shake hands.
I don't really know how to book a hotel room, so Peeta does it for us.
We split the pay and just before heading upstairs, Madge's grabs my arm.
"There's condoms in the nightstand." She mutters under her breath.
I laugh loudly.
"Thanks. I think we're good, but still, thanks."
She laughs and nods.
Peeta looks confused as he pulls me onto the elevator.
"What'd she say?" He asks curiously.
I laugh.
"There's condoms in the nightstand." I say. I walk off the elevator, making sure to sway my hips.
He laughs softly and follows me.
But I need to talk to him.
And I'm not really in the mood for sex.
He unlocks the door and we walk in.
He dumps our stuff on the second bed.
I shut the door behind me and then unzip my dress and shimmy out of it.
He stares at me.
I pick it up and walk over to my bag, unzipping it and dropping it in.
I take off the heels and then plop down in our bed.
He strips down to his boxers and sits down across from me.
I sigh.
"Am I a terrible daughter?" I ask.
"No." He says. "You really didn't do anything wrong." He says. "Your a perfect daughter. A perfect friend. A perfect girlfriend. And one day..." He pauses. "Your gonna be a perfect wife." He drops his gaze to my hand, fiddling with it. "And a perfect mother."
I stare at him.
"What are you saying?" I whisper.
He looks up at me.
"I'm saying that one day, you will get married and have children." He says. "And I'm hoping, you want me to be your husband. And the children to be ours." He says. "Because I can't see myself with anyone but you."
I stare at him, picturing a ring on my finger and one on his own. I picture children running around in the meadow. Our children.
One, the oldest, a girl. Long dark hair like mine and the bluest eyes like Peeta's but her own color. And then a little boy, with Peeta's curls and my eyes. And then, Peeta and I sitting there, me cradling a baby.
It looks like a little boy.
Another one.
Three kids. One girl and two boys.
"Listen, I didn't mean to make you nervous-"
"Three. One girl, who'd the oldest." I say, resting my hands on his chest and pushing, laying him down and getting on all fours above him. "With my hair and your eyes. And then the middle, a boy. Your hair and my eyes. And then the baby. I didn't get to see what he looked like." I whisper.
He stares at me.
"It was in the meadow, but I don't want to live in Kentucky." I whisper.
"Me either." He murmurs. "But I don't want to raise kids in the city." He says. "Somewhere they can run in fields and play. On...a ranch or something. With tons of property." He mumbles, our eyes locked.
I run my fingertips down his chest, moving my hand back up when I get to the start of his boxers.
"Somewhere country. Still in the United States." I whisper.
"Ocean?" He asks.
I think.
"Eh. No. No ocean. We can take them there on vacation with tons of sunscreen." I say. "To Florida we can...we can go to Disney!"
"Oh god. They would love that!"
"Indiana." I sa.
"Indiana would be perfect." He says.
I grin.
"So Indiana?"
"Indiana." He confirms. "I want three too." He says.
I smile and kiss him gently and then flipping down next to him.
"I still feel bad for saying that to my dad." I mumble.
He sighs.
"Well don't." He says.
I know he's right but still.
"You know everyone still doesn't believe we're moving in together." He says.
I yawn.
"Idiots." I through my yawn.
He laughs. "What?"
"I said idiots." I say, resting my head on his chest.
He laughs softly.
His phone starts to blare after a few minutes if silence.
I'm half asleep and a soft groan omits from my lips when my pillow; Peeta's chest, disappears.
"Hello?" He whispers.
I can hear someone on the other end; a girl.
"No Mom." He says. "No. We're not coming back."
He sighs.
"She's fine." He says. I hear a ton if angry voices on the other end. "No you can't talk to her." He says.
A males voice now.
"No Mr. Everdeen." Peeta says. I sigh, half awake. "Well she's waking up now." He says. "I don't know, she's really tired-"
He cuts off.
I flip onto my stomach, my eyes watering from the bright light.
I hear the entire family shouting at Peeta.
I press my palms into my eyes and I hold my hand out for the phone.
He hands it to me.
"What?" I groan, half awake, completely forgetting the shit that went down earlier, only focusing on how good sleep sounds right now.
"Why's wrong?" Mom asks.
"I'm tired. I was almost asleep." I say in an extremely tired voice. "Can this wait till morning?"
"No." Prim says.
Peeta slips back into the bed and I rest back onto his chest, my eyes sliding shut instantaneously.
"Boo are you okay?" Dad asks.
"Mmm." I mumble.
"Are you falling asleep?" Finn asks
I sigh, content.
My hand holding the phone goes limp, falling onto Peeta's chest and stopping.
I feel myself drifting in and out of consciousness. Everyone is shouting at me but I can't understand them because I'm so tired.
Peeta chuckles lightly and then I feel the phone moved.
I'm not even under the covers.
"She's dead asleep." He says. I hear silence and then I think laughter on the other end. "Okay, I will."
I hear a light clunk and then a click and the light behind my eyelids disappears.
"Are you actually asleep?" Peeta whispers, moving my head to his leg so he can tug the covers over my body, then his own.
He gently moves me back to his chest.
I make a small noise, which is all I can muster.
He laughs softly and kissing my forehead.
I fall asleep.
