Merry Christmas in July!
I hope you all enjoy this. I'm ready to go Christmas shopping. Which I dread because I have no idea what I'm getting for others this year! Except for sohypothetically, I owe her so much for being such a big help! Thank you dear! And there is another big thank you for m1129 (yes you Madison!) it was her idea to give Jack the tablet! Jojo, as always thank you for reading at a moment's notice! Oh and sohypothetically, I had another idea for the tablet, Mommy and Daddy can skype each other when Jack is finally asleep… and produce their own you know what!
Anyways… I am hard at work on chapter 15. All I'm going to warn you, I'm not quite ready to wrap this up in a nice neat package with a pretty Christmas bow.
Oh and there is mention of depression and anxiety in this chapter. I'm not using it to excuse anyone's behavior. But maybe this family can start to heal its wounds so they can move forward. But if you "don't feel quite right", I encourage you to talk to someone. Depression comes in all kind of forms, and we don't always know what to do. Sometimes you will feel better tomorrow, sometimes you won't.
So Merry Christmas from me, this version of K&P, and Bear, aka, Jack (needs to be Mellark) Everdeen.
The rest of December is a blur of activity. They shop, bake, and eat. They make one big trip to the mall, buying the presents that they can't find in Panem, with both Katniss and Peeta swearing that they will not be back until after New Year's. The rest of the time, Peeta is either in her kitchen or the bakery, baking his old memories from his childhood with Jack helping him the entire time. And Katniss eats. Everything. She swears she has gained at least 10 pounds. Peeta promises that he loves it and thinks out loud that it all has gone to her boobs. That of course earns him a slap on the arm and giggle.
For Christmas Eve they go to Graham and Anna's for dinner. Tyler gets to show Jack, with Molly trailing behind, all of the things there are to play with at their grandparent's house, including the swing set left over from their fathers and uncles still in the back yard. Much to everyone's surprise, Anna asks her sons and their partners to watch the meal that is still cooking so she can put on her coat and go outside too. Everyone watches in amazement as she pushes the boys on the swings and helps Molly down the slide.
They watch out the window as Graham says behind them, "She has been doing better since I got home. She went to her doctor and he diagnosed her with depression and anxiety. I just wish she would have told someone how she was feeling before now. She doesn't remember ever feeling any differently. The medicines are working, and she is getting better every day."
"That's great, Dad. I'm glad she is getting some help," Rye says. "Is it because of the depression that she didn't like us when we were little?"
Bram hisses, "Rye!" and Peeta gives a pained laugh.
Graham shakes his head and says, "I don't know why she acted the way she did. I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping our family together." He is quiet for a moment when he stops to watch Anna catch Molly coming down the slide. "She really does love you boys. I apologize for what she did to you all of you. I thought that staying married to her would be better than you growing up with divorced parents."
He is interrupted by the buzzer to get the turkey out of the oven. Bram gets the turkey, which gets the rest of them motivated to finish the preparations. Peeta stops his dad, and says loud enough for all of them to hear, "We know you had your reasons for doing what you did. And I know that the both of you always had the best intentions for us, even if things didn't always turn out that way. But if you have forgiven her, then I have too."
Before they can say anything else, Anna and the kids come in from outside. Katniss ushers the children them into the bathroom to wash their hands, while Missy and Candice finish setting the table. Conservation is easy, with Anna joining in and talking to everyone while they sit down. The children hurry and eat, so they can go open presents. The Mellark's are generous to their new family member trying to make up for lost time, with Jack receiving what Katniss thinks is way too many presents.
When it is time to go, Anna meets Katniss, Peeta, and Jack at the door. Much to their surprise, she gives each one of them a hug, and gives Jack one last present. He sits on the floor to open it, when he is stopped by his grandma. "That present is for you to open when you get home. Give me another hug. I think your parents are ready to go."
"Can you come see me, Grandma?"
"We'll see." She straightens up and runs her fingers through the Mellark curls. "You tell Mommy to call me."
Jack throws his arms around her legs and mummers, "Love you." And then runs out the door to Peeta's truck. Katniss goes after him, leaving Peeta and Anna still in the doorway.
"I do love you, son. Your dad said that he mentioned that I went to the doctor. I know that it's probably too late, but I shouldn't have done what I did to you and Katniss. I was wrong. And now that I've met Jack, I know how much I've missed out on. I am sorry for what I did."
Peeta gathers her in his arms. He is speechless for once, and all he can do is kiss her cheek and turn to follow Katniss and Jack. He stops halfway and rushes back to his mother. He gives her another hug and whispers in her ear, "I love you, Mom. Merry Christmas." And dashes back down the steps again.
The short ride home is silent and Jack's exciting day catches up with him. By the time they are halfway across town, he is asleep. Katniss wants to say something about what happened today, but she knows that this truce with Peeta's mother is fragile and could be temporary. So instead, she slides across the truck bench seat, and settles beside him. She lays her head on his shoulder, while his arm snakes down to rest on her knee. He turns and gives her a kiss on her forehead and decides to take the long way home.
They pass the houses decorated for Christmas, with their lights blinking in welcome for Santa and the nativity scenes with the cold baby Jesuses that Jack always worries about. The tinsel stars and Christmas trees hang on the street lamps lining Main Street, which is busy with last minute shoppers rushing to finish before nightfall and before the snow starts.
"The clouds are moving in fast. Wasn't it sunny just a little while ago?" she asks.
Squeezing her knee, he says, "We might have a white Christmas after all."
She hugs his arm to her chest and breathes in his scent. Enjoying this closeness, his touch, she rubs her nose along his arm, and thinks, "What did I do without you for so long?"
She jumps a little when he answers her, "Are you telling me that you missed me?"
Her cheeks turn a bright shade of red. "Did I say that out loud?"
He grins at her. "Yes, you did. And I missed you too. Can I tell you something?"
"What?"
He pats her leg in reassurance, and begins, "I'm not giving you your ring back tomorrow." She tries not to feel hypocritical when relief washes over her. "I did get you a present that I hope you like. I do intend to ask you to marry me again. But I want to do it when it's just me and you. Not the whole family."
About this time, they pull up into the driveway. Softly, she says, "Kiss me."
He turns to her and searches her face for a minute. Smiling at her, he meets her lips in a gentle kiss. It always amazes her how gentle he is with her. Like she is something precious and fragile. She wants to tell him that she loves him and it feels like he is waiting for her to say it first. But she just can't right now. So she deepens the kiss instead and tries to pour into that kiss everything she can't say right now. They cling to each other, breathless, until Jack's giggle interrupts them. Giving him a smile, they pull apart and get everyone, and the presents, out of the truck.
As soon as they are in the house, Jack sits down with his presents and starts to go through them. He throws the clothes to the side, and places the toys in the middle. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he sees the present Grandma gave him. He knows that Mommy likes to watch him open his presents, so he picks it up and walks over to where she is doing something in the kitchen. "Mommy, look."
She stops from wiping down the counter to look at him. "What, Bear?"
"Its Grandma's present. Can I open it?"
"Are you sure you don't want to wait until tomorrow and open it with the rest?"
"No, Mommy. Grandma said I can open it now. Please, can I?"
"Ok, that's fine. Where is Daddy?" she asks.
Jack shrugs and says, "I dunno—"at the same time Peeta comes back into the kitchen.
"Here I am. Is that the present from Grandma?"
"Yes, can I open it now?"
Peeta looks at Katniss to make sure she nods, when she says, "We are waiting for you, Daddy. Go ahead and open it."
Jack climbs up one of the stools, and opens the present. Katniss is touched when she sees the DVD, of "The Santa Clause", the Superman pajamas, along with Superman socks, movie snacks and even a couple of Christmas books for Jack's bedtime story. And finger puppets portraying Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Even Peeta is in shock at her thoughtfulness.
Jack pulls out the movie and starts to go towards the TV, Katniss stops him. "Why don't we clean up a little bit and finish getting ready for Santa. Then we can take a bath, put on the new Superman pjs and watch the movie. We will even make some sandwiches to eat with it. How does that sound?"
"That sounds great!" Jack yells, then he grabs some presents to take up to his room.
After they put Jack in the bed, they go back downstairs to do what most parents do on Christmas Eve; Put together toys. They didn't get Jack a lot, but there was a couple of big things like the new Superman bike he wants, and Peeta has found Jack an art table. It is full of drawers and cubbies, places for paper, and his paints and brushes.
Katniss brings him a cup of tea after he has been working on the table for almost an hour. He sets down the screwdriver to accept the cup from her and she sits down on the floor beside him. She looks at the directions, and sees that he is only half-way done. "I think this is the first year of actually having to put together toys for him. He is going to love the art table."
"I hope so. What was I thinking getting something with all of these little drawers?"
She reaches over and takes a sip of his tea. Then she gets the other screw driver, picks up the directions and says, "Lets finish these drawers, and then we will work on the table together."
Jack, thankfully, sleeps until eight the next morning. He comes running into Katniss's bedroom as soon as his eyes are open, jumping onto the bed and scooting in between his parents. "Mommy," he says as he nudges her. "Daddy, wake up. I think Santa came. We need to go see."
"I'm up, Bear. Daddy is awake too." This time she nudges Peeta. "Get up, Daddy."
"I'm up, I'm up." He then rolls over and starts to tickle Jack who squeals in response. Katniss sits up so she can get out of the way of the wiggling that is happening on the bed. While Peeta is distracting Jack, she sneaks into the bathroom. When she comes back out, the boys are gone, but she hears them in the hallway using that bathroom.
She grabs her phone and runs to the bottom of the steps so she can take pictures of father and son's first Christmas. They come down the steps together, and seeing both of their faces light up is priceless. Jack runs first to his bike, then to the art table, and then back to his bike- all without saying a word. He goes to his stocking next, pulling out the underwear, socks, candy and an orange. Peeta gives Katniss a questioning look and she shrugs back, not sure what Jack is doing.
He looks at several more packages, before he turns to Mommy. With tears in his eyes, he says, "I can't find it Mommy. Santa didn't bring it."
Motioning for Jack to come to them, she pulls him close. "What is it that you are looking for?"
Jack looks at Peeta like he just has the worst news for him. The tears start falling when he sobs out, "I asked Santa to give you a job here so you don't have to leave me anymore."
Peeta, pulls Jack from Katniss's arms and wraps him in a hug. "Oh, son. Santa doesn't bring jobs. I'm trying to work something out with the office. Hopefully, by this summer something will work out. Did you not like what Santa brought you?"
Jack wipes his eyes and his runny nose on Daddy's sleeve, and says, "I like my bike. Why did he bring me such a big table?"
"Oh have you not looked at it? Go and look in some of those drawers."
While they are checking out the table and all the hidden goodies hidden in its many drawers, Katniss goes and starts the kettle for tea. She also turns on the oven to put in the cinnamon buns they had made the night before to eat for breakfast. They are having their families over for dinner, instead of lunch, because Lily and Prim are working the early shift at the hospital. After Jack has looked in every little drawer, father and son begin to sort through the presents under the tree. They had decided last week to only open some of them, saving the rest of them for when the entire family is together.
Jack brings her a little box she hasn't seen under the tree before now and she gives Peeta a frown. He said that he wasn't giving her the ring back. Jack is, however, very excited for her to open it. She gingerly pulls the elegant bow off, then slowly and carefully takes the paper off. The box underneath is a jewelry store box. Jack is bouncing in anticipation, and she thinks Peeta is too. She takes the lid off and is met by a beautiful locket.
Delicately, she takes it out of the box. Jack tells her, "Mommy, you have to hurry and look in it."
Sliding her nail in between the plates, she opens it. On one side is a miniature picture of her and Jack at the aquarium. Then, on the other side, is a solo picture of just Jack. She thinks it's absolutely perfect, but wonders out loud, "Where is the picture of you, Peeta?"
He blushes to the roots of his hair and says, "I'm not important. The locket is for you and Jack."
"But I don't understand. Why you wouldn't put a picture of yourself in it, too?"
"Daddy, where is your picture? Mommy needs one of you."
Peeta, quickly wipes his eyes as he pulls Jack into his arms for a hug. "Thank you, son. I think you have just given me the best present ever."
Jack pulls back, looks at him is confusion, and says, "But Daddy, you haven't opened your present yet."
"I did. You have given me the family I have always wanted."
After everyone has eaten, opened presents and the plates and forks have all been put away, the little family gets another minute alone before Jack goes to bed. Peeta brings out yet another wrapped package for Jack. Katniss gives him a look, and says, "Not another one, Peeta. He's gotten so much already today."
"I knew you would say something about it being too much. Think of it as a present for the both of you. Jack can use it to get ready for school, and it might help him with the separation anxiety. Go ahead and open it, Bear."
Jack tears into the package, and Katniss gasps, "Peeta, that is too much. I told you not to go overboard—"
"Daddy is it a tablet? Is it a tablet like Uncle Bram's? Can I play games on it?"
"Yes, and there is something even better you can do it with it." He meets Katniss's disapproving eyes and says, "I preloaded it, so all you have to do is turn it on. Please don't be mad. This is going to be a good surprise."
Peeta turns on the tablet and starts to show Jack which apps are for him. Then he pulls out his cell phone, slides his finger around on the screen. The tablet starts to make a chiming sound and Peeta's picture pops up on the screen. Jack touches Peeta's picture and it connects with a screen shot of Peeta smiling. "It's Daddy! Look Mommy! Daddy is on the tablet. Can you see me, Daddy?"
"I can. We can talk every night like this. So even though I have to go to work, we can still see each other."
"I would rather have you here, Daddy."
"I know, Son. But for now, this will have to do. And we will get to still see each other every weekend. Do you want to play some? I think Mommy wants to talk to me." Jack doesn't even look up from the tablet as Daddy follows Mommy into the pantry.
As soon as the door to the pantry closes, Katniss is kissing him. He, of course, kisses her back. When they are breathless, clinging to each other, he mummers, "What was that for?"
"At first I was mad that you spent that much on him, but it might be what he needs. Maybe this will help him to deal with the anxiety. So thank you for thinking of our son."
He kisses her on the nose and hugs her tight. "I'm just glad that I finally get to take care of you two. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas."
Then they both chuckle when they hear Jack holler, "Merry Christmas, Mommy and Daddy!"
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