A/N TESTS! TESTS EVERYWHERE! That's what the past three weeks of my life have been. I had my District finals the first two weeks then constant studying because I had my official finals last Tuesday and the day before that, each of which was about 80+ questions. It was horrible. On Monday my dad decided to take my dog, that is about ten years old, to a shelter and if you don't understand, he gave my dog, whom we have had since he was a new little pup, to an animal shelter and we will never see him again. Then on Saturday I went swimming at my friend's apartment's pool. When I got home I was so sunburned that I could barely eat, let alone type. Then Sunday I went to my cousin's baptism and their little BBQ afterwards. And if you're still reading, please review, they really do mean a lot. So here is chapter 20.
Katniss POV.
Chapter 20; Apologize
The sun shines though the blinds that slightly cover the small window. Small specks of snow glide slowly down the crisp mid-morning winter sky. It's the first snow of the season. Cold breezes flood the room, but I don't care. I lay upon my bed with Peeta still asleep next to me. My head rests on his warm chest and my body is pressed up against his side. Peeta lies on his back; his right arm is wrapped around my side loosely. The rhythmic rises and fall of his chest with the strong sound of his heart beat thumping against the inside of his chest. The sweet scent of cinnamon and fresh bread generates off of him, the smells have long since seeped into his skin.
I have been awake for quite some time; watching the snow begin to falls and the curtains fly open with every little gust of wind the comes thought the window. It looks to angelic. White curtains flowing with the gusts of wind and falling ever so slowly. I feel Peeta's breath deepen then a sigh comes from his lips.
"Katniss?" he says ever so softly. I don't reply and pretend to be asleep. Peeta nudges me just a tiny bit. Still I stay perfectly still, trying to make my breaths as even as possible. When I don't do anything in response, Peeta slowly slides from under my head and places a pillow to take his place. I can't help the smile that spreads across my lips, and I decide to speak.
"You suck at not trying to wake someone up," I say, opening my eyelids.
"Aha, so you are awake," he says placing a small kiss on my lips. Peeta walks over to the open window and watches as the snow flows though the cold air. I lift myself out of the warm bed and glide to Peeta. Wrapping my arm around his waist and resting my head on his back. An especially cold gust of air bursts into the room sending a cold shiver down my back and arms.
"Cold, huh?" Peeta asks as he shuts the window with a small click.
Suddenly my stomach feels as if it burst open. I run to the bathroom and hurl into the toilet. Peeta walks in and kneels behind me. He holds my hair back and whispers words of encouragement in my ear. Even when in finished throwing up what I didn't know I had in there, a groggy feeling lingers long after I'm finished. When it's all over I lean back into Peeta. He wraps his arms around me and I lay my head on his shoulder. Peeta starts rocking us back and forth.
"You sleep better when I sing, don't you?" Peeta asks. I think back. If it weren't for the morning sickness I would be getting the best sleep since before the games, maybe even before my father died.
"Yes, yes I have" I respond. A smile finds it's way to my lips. I never knew how much I missed a good nights sleep. It's the one thing you didn't know the Capital stole from you till your first night out of the arena.
"That's great," he says, and then kisses my forehead. Suddenly Peeta's stomach growls, I chuckle.
"Looks like someone is hungry," I tease and poke his stomach.
"Oh and your not," he says and starts tickling me. I shriek and try to escape his fingers. I gasp for breath and try and curl up into a ball.
"Peeeettttaaa!" I scream. I squirm and kick, trying to find away out. Swiftly I slip under Peeta's legs and get to my feet. I dash though the doorway of the bathroom and out of my bedroom. I dare and glace behind me. Peeta is just getting out of the bathroom. I slip down the stairs and run into the kitchen, grab the extendable faucet connected to the kitchen sink and point it behind me. Peeta holts to a stop, poised to start tickling me again. He attempts to take a half step forward.
"Don't you dare Mellark," I say. I make sure my aim is directly pointed at him.
"What is I do dare?" he asks, a maniacal look on his face. He takes another half step forward.
"I will shoot you"
"With water?"
"Yes"
Peeta takes another half step forward.
"You asked for if," I say pressing the small button on the spout. It takes a second for the water to shoot out and on to Peeta. During that delay Peeta runs forward, but not before he is drenched with water. He is still advancing toward me but he is trying not to slip. When he reaches me, he lifts me up on his shoulder. I'm still trying to get him as wet as possible. He starts spinning us around. In the process I get myself soaking wet. Peeta yanks the faucet out of my hand and starts spraying me everywhere he can reach. Suddenly there is a soft knock on the door. Peeta turn s the faucet of and walks to the door, still holding me on his shoulder. Peeta places me back on the ground and opens the door. I stand Peeta. Peeta suddenly stiffens and the word he utters makes me step back.
"Mother?" Peeta gulps.
"Hello, Peeta" Jono muttered. "Why are you all wet?"
"Katniss and I had a water fight…"
"Okay? May I speak with Katniss?"
"What about?" Peeta questioned.
"I… How… I have something I have to do. I made a terrible mistake. I have to make it right. I must speak with her." She stutters. I push Peeta out of the way and look strait at Jono. She has on a skirt that reaches her ankles and I plain brown mid sleeve shirt on. Her hair is pulled up in its usual bun. She looks me in the eye. Her face carries the remorse her eyes show. I step out of the way and let her inside. She hesitantly enters and I lead her to the living room. She sits on one of the plush chairs, while Peeta and I sit across from her on the couch. Peeta has his arm around my back. Jono watches as Peeta lays a kiss on my forehead and intertwines his other hand with one of mine.
"You both really are in love," Jono states with a small smile on her lips. One thing I never thought I would ever hear her say.
"Yes, yes we are" Peeta agrees, looking at me, a smile set on his lips. Peeta's and my gaze return to look at Jono.
"Katniss, I thought about how I acted, when you first told us. I'm so sorry. I didn't think before I acted. If I could I would turn back the clock and start all over again. I want to be in my Grandchild's life, I want to be in his or her life unlike I ever was in any of my children's lives. I was a horrible mother. I turned into my mother. She abused me and my siblings." Jono says as she fingers a prominent scar on her right hand, most likely one that her mother inflicted on her. "I always thought that that was the way to raise your kids. To make them stronger, better at obeying. But no, I now know what real mothering is.
"But not only was I a horrible mother but a horrible neighbor. I have always been too quick to judge people from the Seam. Sometimes even the Market folks. I've called them horrible things, which I wish I could take back. I was what everyone thought or called me. I am unforgiveable. Katniss, Peeta, please find it in your hearts to forgive me. I want to, more than anything to make this right. I want to be able to be in my grandbaby's life. I understand if you don't want me anywhere in its life, I brought it on myself." She means it every word. I see it in her eyes and in her facial expression. She is being completely sincere. Not once did I ever think this day would happen. It must be excruciatingly hard for someone who was once so proud to suck up her pride and apologize.
"I have one question," Peeta claimed. "Did Father tell you to come here and say that?"
"Did I really fall that low," Jono whimpered. "So low that you would think I was in capable of apologies? But no he didn't tell me. I came here on my own remorse."
"Why now?" Peeta ask.
"I realized how bad things had gotten and how prideful I was. I realized that if I didn't fix it now I might not ever get the chance to. I knew that if I didn't fix it as soon as possible, that I would lose you, all three of you" she sorrowfully. I stand and walk over to her. I see tears slip down her face as she watches me. I kneel down to her level and hug her. She quickly hugs me back. I feel the heavy load she had been carrying ease of her shoulders. I could feel the happiness fill within her.
"I forgive you," I whisper in her ear. I knew that I didn't want a child born in a feud. I knew how much it would mean to her to have forgiveness lift her burden. I break away from the hug and stand. Peeta had moved from his place on the couch. I step back and Peeta kneels down and hugs his mother. I hear them mutter things to each other.
"Peeta, I hope you know I always loved you. I never knew how to show it so I would be hard on you, trying to make you even better. But I now know that that could never be possible. I'm so proud of you." Jono mutters into Peeta's ear.
"It means so much hearing you say that," Peeta replies.
"I wish I had always been better to you. You deserve a better mother than I could ever be to you. I love you, Peeta."
"I love you too" Peeta states and stands up. Jono also stands. Her face looks so young without her normal scowl. She with the huge grin on her lips she looks like a totally different person. A more beautiful person. Just then my mother come down the stairs.
"Katniss! What are you doing out of bed! Your on bed rest!" Mother exclaims. "And why are you all wet?" I look at Peeta just remembering our orders last night.
"Sorry mother" I say. "We forgot. Oh and Mother, Jono is here." I move out of the way so my mother can see our guest.
"Hello, Jono. Katniss go up stairs and lie down. I had to do another exam anyways," Mother says. Jono wears a confused look on her face.
"I'll explain later," Peeta, whispers to her.
"I'll meet you up there," Peeta whispers in my ear then kisses me on the lips. I don't reject. I slowly walk toward my bedroom, their voices slowly getting softer and softer.
"Jono would you like to join us for breakfast?" Mother asks.
"No Thank you, I have to go help run the bakery," Jono replies. "As a matter of fact I should get going."
"Okay goodbye, it was nice seeing you."
"You too, bye" then I hear the front door open and shut.
I reach my room and lay on the bed. I don't pay much attention to anything till Prim walks in the room.
"Hey, Little Duck," I say, patting the spot next to me. She accepts the offer and lies next to me with her head resting on my arm. She snuggles a little closer than she would if she were in a good mood. "What's wrong?"
"I'm just worried for this little guy," Prim says placing her heads on my almost 3 month bump. "Your Victor Tour is in a couple of days, and you about to start showing."
"Yeah don't remind me," I mutter. I kiss the top of her head. "It would be hell without all these extra hormones pumping though my veins." Prim giggles. "You should go grab some breakfast, Little Duck." She nods and kisses the top of my head.
"I'll bring you up some," she says.
"Okay, Thanks,"
I slowly drift off into a dream filled slumber. Only it's not a nightmare. The dream includes two small children with the same dark brown hair and sparkling light blue eyes, one tiny girl and an equally sized boy. Soon I see a blond haired man run in and scoop the children up on to his shoulders. Only now do I recognize then man. Peeta. And a lady runs in after them. Me.