"He's beautiful, he really is," I sigh. I had completely forgotten about my deal with Gale- that was, until he called me out of the blue to check on the baby situation.
"You can tell he's ours- Peeta's hair, my eyes..." As much as I trust Gale, Delly does not. She insisted on me telling him that Cellath is truly mine and Peeta's child and, after all the help she'd given me, I could hardly refuse. Goodness knows how on earth it will go down when she realises Cel will be living with them... Not to mention what could happen if Gale or Madge do the math and realise that there is no way Peeta and I could have conceived a baby early enough for Cel to have been born healthy two weeks ago. Maybe they already have. Maybe they've just chosen to ignore it. I won't ask.
"My old Catnip, with a kid. Jeez. Who'dve thought it, hey?" We both laugh at the incredibility of the situation. "I bet he's perfect. Madge and I can't wait to meet him. When are you guys coming back?" I sigh again.
"As soon as Peeta's out of there. I just can't believe- well, actually, I completely can believe they would do this, and that's what makes it so sick." Just this morning, an announcement had been made to all those outside the arena, saying that considering the 'success of the two-victor format of last year's Games', they've decided to let both Finnick and Peeta out of the arena, should they both still be alive at the next lightning strike; noon. Of course, they haven't been told this, but as it's already eleven I doubt there's much cause to worry. "I just want to go home. I'm exhausted and I miss everyone-" my voice catches and I pretend to cough. "Yeah. Home sounds good."
"We can't wait to see you and Cellath." There is a pause and a whoosh before the sounds of a muffled conversation. I can tell that it's Madge, but not what she's saying. Another whoosh and Gale is back. "Well. I'll see you soon?"
"Definitely. Bye, Gale."
"Bye." That all-too-familiar beep ends the call, and I drop the communicator onto my bedside table, where it now resides. I sink onto my bed, head in hands, missing home more than ever. A gurgling laugh rings through the hall, and my head raises. I see Delly running down the corridor with Cel held high above her head, both of them laughing. She pauses outside my open door, out of breath.
"I'll just go and give him to Effie and then- is it ok if we have a talk?" She looks a little more serious now.
"Yeah, sure. Don't bother with Effie, we're all headed to the main room anyway. They're coming out of the arena." I can't help but smile and Delly smiles back. "Then we're going straight to pick Peeta up from the landing pads across the Capitol, by Snow's mansion." Her grin fades a little.
"You'll be wanting to take him, then," she says, walking over and placing him in my arms. I shift his little weight to my left arm to touch Delly's wrist with my right.
"Thank you. For everything."
"You're welcome." Silence. After a moment, I go to leave, Cel still in my arms. "Uh, one last thing." I turn back to Delly, eyebrows raised questioningly. "I've decided- I've decided I'm gonna stay here. In the Capitol." My eyebrows raise further. I didn't see this coming. "I've found a nice little place, quiet-ish and as secluded as it gets." She comes closer. "There's nothing left for me in District 12, and all for me to gain by staying here. I can get a good job, earn my own living, and forget..." She touches Cel's cheek tenderly. "...forget everything that's gone before. I can start over." She looks me in the eye then, and the pain behind her happy mask makes me pull her in for a hug, slightly awkward with Cel in between us.
"You know you're more than welcome to come and stay with me and Peeta, if you want to come back for any time. Ok?" She nods mutely and I step back. "Good luck, Delly. And thanks again."
"Come on," she says, smiling again. This time I can tell it's fake. "Let's go get your husband." She walks out before I can say anything more and is out of sight by the time I've grabbed my bag and am in the hall. I shake my head and look down at the baby in my arms.
"I hope your mommy's ok, Cellath. I really do," I murmur, and start towards the lounge.
I am the third to arrive, after Delly and Effie, who sit together at one end of the largest sofa. I sit in one of the armchairs off to the side and, to my surprise, Effie doesn't try to get me to join them, or even to get me to give her Cel. She seems extremely tense. I suddenly think of something.
"Effie, where's Haymitch?" She frowns at me.
"I thought you would have heard. Since his mentorial duties are now over, he's been let go. He caught the first train back to District 12 this morning."
"Oh," I say, wishing I could have done the same. "Fair enough." Just then the screen before us flares into life and Peeta's face is on it. My heart lurches in my chest- I haven't seen him in so long.
"Attention, tributes! Attention!" Claudius Templesmith's voice booms from the speakers and Peeta's head whips round, searching for Finnick. He bounds out of the jungle, the silver spile we sent them glinting in his hand. They stand together on the beach as Claudius begins to repeat his spiel to them. "Due to the abundant success of the two-victor-format seen last year, we have decided that this, the Third Quarter Quell, should have the same outcome. Therefore, it is my duty and pleasure to announce the victors of the 75th Annual Hunger Games- Finnick Odair, and Peeta Mellark!" Effie bursts into applause, Delly clapping too but with far less enthusiasm.
"Well, come along!" Effie turns the screen off, and I watch as the image of a confused Finnick and and slightly angry Peeta fades to black. "Let's go get our hero!" She leads out of the room with me holding Cel after her. Delly remains on the sofa. I decide not to question her; I just smile in what I hope is a caring way before closing the door behind me.
I shroud Cel from the bright lights but his startled crying can be heard over the clicks. Awful as it is to take advantage of a baby's cries, I hope that they will be enough to satisfy the press for today. I'm not in the mood for a photoshoot- I just want to get to Peeta and then to my family.
We get to the landing pads very quickly, but it couldn't be quick enough for me. I don't know if it's all the time we've spent apart making me feel so excited about seeing him, or even if the baby in my arms has made me more caring- whatever. I just am, and so when we are finally there and Peeta walks in, my heart leaps and I pass Cel to Effie and I run. I just run towards him and the smile on my face grows and grows and then it's a broken, crumpled thing and I'm crying and then I'm in his arms and he's holding me so close and then we are kissing. And it's as if time itself slows down, and everything falls into place. In that moment, I realise; I love him. I really do. And I've missed him, missed this, so much. It's all as clear as Effie's voice, ringing out from where she stands with Cel, shouting, "Welcome back, Peeta! I hope you're doing well." We break apart and when he looks into my eyes it's like he's seeing me for the first time. He looks around.
"There aren't any cameras, Peeta," I murmur. "Just me. And Effie, and... And somebody who'd like to meet you." He looks bewildered but happy, and I take his hand and lead him to where Effie still stands. She's probably reluctant to move more than necessary in her crazy shoes. She smiles warmly and passes Cel to me. I hold him close, moving so that Peeta can clear the paparazzi-proof blanket away from his face to see him properly. "Say hi, Cellath. This is..." I pause, trying to think of the right word- one that describes Peeta's fatherly role without implying too much permanence.
"Dad?" Peeta offers, hope in his eyes as he gazes down at Cel. He's already completely in love; I can see it on his face. I sigh and rest my head on his shoulder.
"I'll explain later." He shifts away slightly and gives me a wary look, before extending his arms, asking for Cel. I hand him over, shrouding his face again and clinging to Peeta's side as Effie starts to totter away, leading us towards home. Finally.
AN: Happy new year! I hope you all had a good time over the holidays :D Peeta's back! Yay! I had to put some niceness in there- I am an Everlark shipper, after all. ;) Please let me know what you thought, and (as it was the only one suggested, haha!) I'll be uploading my accent challenge punishment video to my Tumblr soon... I'll link you to it here, don't worry. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! x