After dinner and the dishes, Peeta gives me a look and I know he wants to finish talking.
"I love you Little Duck. Goodnight." I tell my sister as I hug her.
"Night Katniss. Love you too. Night Peeta." Prim says sweetly. She's growing up so fast.
"So where should we talk. Because I think if we go to your room, I might not be able to control my hands." Peeta says chuckling. I place my hand in his and pull him to the couch.
"You were right. We don't need to get a hotel room. I just get all wrapped up in you. In your fabulously sculpted body. And your sexy mouth... ok there I go again." I say feeling flushed. He smirks. I take a deep breath and let it out. A few seconds go by, where I'm wringing my hands.
"Hey it's okay. You seem worried. Is this about the conversation with your mom earlier?" He says and rubs my shoulders. It helps. But I worry that he'll be upset about my mom's involvement with his dad, even though it was before his mom and my dad. I also don't want to offend him, but I might not be able to keep the venom out of my tone when it comes to his witch of a mother. I take another deep breath letting Peeta massage all the stiffness from my tense muscles.
"Yeah. It is. And in my talk with her, I learned some things I never knew. They may come as a surprise to you." I say.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure we can deal with it. Just remember, I love you. That's not gonna change." He reassures me, almost imperceptibly, caressing my chocolate colored braid.
"I know. Well, first of all, she is happy for us and she said she knew you liked me since we were young. Isn't that crazy?" I say laughing uneasily.
"Yeah, but so did my dad and I'm pretty sure Gale's parents knew too. Parents usually see things we don't. But, I'm glad she's okay with it. I won't get the chance to ask your dad's permission to date you, so at least she approves." He says sadly. I feel a little sad too, because I think my dad would be happy for me.
I wish he could give me fatherly advice about boys and try to intimidate Peeta the way fathers do, so boys don't break their daughters hearts. I'm pulled back from my thoughts by Peeta pecking my forehead softly.
"So anyway, my mom is happy for your dad as well. She said it was bad between your parents for a while. She also told me that... she dated your dad before she met my dad." I say and then pause to let him digest the news. I look at him and his face doesn't change. He just puts his hands on mine.
"I know Kat. My dad told me, when I started kindergarten. He pointed you out to me and said, You see that little girl with two pony tails? I loved her mother once but she ran off with another man. I asked him how she could choose someone else, because my dad was the most amazing person I knew. He said, Because, when he sings even the birds stop to listen. I sat next to you in music class that day. The teacher asked who knew a song and your hand shot straight up. You stood up on a chair and sang. You sang so beautifully, everyone stopped to stare. Even the birds stopped to listen. I knew I was a goner. Then the teacher told us all to sing, but I was shy and nervous. You reached out and held my hand. So although, it hurts me to see my dad look at old pictures of your mom, from their year book, looking so melancholy at times. I am still happy your mom met your dad. If she hadn't, there would be no you." He says and kisses my hands. I am having a revelational day.
"Peeta. Why haven't you ever told me this?" I inquire.
"Well, I only recently decided to tell you about my... crush on you. Before that, I didn't think I could tell you their story without revealing, too much. But also, I felt like it wasn't just my story to tell. I didn't know if your mom wanted you or Prim to know, or if you would believe me, or be upset it came from me. But I am sorry I hid it from you. I don't like hiding things from you." He says pushing a piece of hair behind my ear.
I can't really be mad at him. He is right. I don't think mom wanted me to know till now. And I wouldn't have believed it, had it not come out of her mouth.
"It's ok. I understand. Mom also said, that Esther may blame her because after my dad passed, your dad came over to comfort her. Your mom saw him hugging mom. Took it the wrong way, and said some mean things to my mom. They stopped being friends after that." I tell him.
"I'm sorry my mom hurt your mom." He says. He unravels my braid and runs his fingers through my hair.
"Also, my mom knew your mom was hitting you she told your dad and he said he would take care of it." I say feeling sad for the innocent, defenseless, younger Peeta. I would never let Esther Mellark hurt anyone I love. Peeta's hands still in my hair.
"I owe your mom a thank you then, because my dad came home one day. Took one look at my bruised ribs. He sent us boys upstairs. And for the first time ever raised his voice. I heard them arguing and what it boiled down to was, my mom could see how close you me and Gale were. I think she figured out I had a crush on you. Like I said, parents see things. She must've looked at me, and saw my dad, loving your mom." Peeta says looking down. She didn't deserve such a wonderful son. I pick up his face and kiss his forehead like he did mine earlier.
"Dad threatened to call the police. She cried and said that it was his fault for never really loving her. I think he felt partly responsible so he said he would try and work on things. But only if she promised never to lay a hand on me or my brothers again. She demanded that he never speak to your mom again. He agreed out of some feeling of obligation, like we needed both our parents, I think. She started drinking more and more. She had changed and it was hard to see dad unhappy, day in and day out. Plus, I'm pretty sure mom's been seeing someone on the side and that's why he's finally letting go. So I'm glad they are getting a divorce too." He finishes and I pull him into my arms.
"I don't know what to say. I feel like you went through all of that because of me. Your love for me." I tell Peeta regrettably.
"No, Katniss. My mom let unhappiness and hate ruin her life. I think that's part of the reason my dad never fully abandoned his affection for your mom. Your mom is good and loving. My mom had that hate in her when they met. She just buried it for a while. She can only blame herself, for how her life turned out. Not your mom, my dad, not you or I are responsible for Esther Mellark's bad decisions." He says.
"You are very wise to be so young. How did I ever get so lucky to have you fall for me?" I ponder out loud.
"The odds were in our favor, I guess." He says and runs a hand along my thigh. He stops and I look at him confused.
A/N OK SO TOUGH CHAPTER. I HAVE THE NEXT ONE ALMOST FINISHED. SO SHOULD BE UP BY... TONIGHT! AS ALWAYS, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.