Ok, so for reasons known only to fanfiction, I managed to miss out the name of the person that Chapter 19 was dedicated to. It was in fact dedicated to mrs-hutcherlark (sorry for swapping the "." with a "-" Fanfiction thinks it's a link) for making me smile, so I hope you liked that chapter and sorry I forgot to mention you! This chapter is dedicated to: TradgedyIsTheKey, who is a new reader and reviewer so thank you for reading, you're awesome.
Don't forget to Favourite/Follow/Review (For a dedication)
DFTBA
MadcapScribbler x
"Peeta! Um... How was your walk?" I stall.
"Tell me what, Kat?" He asks again.
"That… we're out of flour…"
"In a bakery?" He asks. I hear Rye sigh at my poor attempt of an excuse.
"We were robbed?" I try, my voice getting higher pitched as I say it.
"Katniss…" Peeta starts.
"Kat, just give it up." Rye interrupts. "Sorry, Peeta. I'll be out of the way in just a sec, but Katniss, you have to tell him, or I will."
"Will somebody just tell me what's going on?" Peeta says, loud and clear. "I'm sorry, but I'm a little worried." Rye nods at him.
"Right. I'll uh, leave you two alone…" he says, as he flashes me a threatening look.
I take Peeta by the arm and pull him towards a chair. He looks a bit worried already, which makes me nervous for how he'll react. I wonder if I can stall him any longer. Nope, I can't.
"Katniss, what's this all about? Is it about Gale? Did he do something to you? Are you ok?"
"No, Peeta. It's nothing to do with Gale. I'm fine."
"Then what's going on? Go on, just tell me. I can take it. I can take anything."
"Hmmm" I say, unsure that Peeta knows what he's bargaining for.
"Kat…" He lifts my chin up with the back of his hand so that my eyes meet his. "Just tell me." I look behind him, my face in line with his, but my eyes somewhere else, focussing on other things.
"I'm pregnant." I mumble. It's quiet, but not quite quiet enough for Peeta not to hear.
"You're what?" He stutters.
"Pregnant." I say, clearly and more obviously this time. "I'm pregnant, Peeta." He stares at me, taking in every detail of my face for a moment.
"Pregnant." He repeats the word. "And the dad…"
"…is you." I end his sentence. He breathes in before exhaling slowly.
"Right."
"Yeah" I say.
We sit in complete and utter silence for a while. Not even looking at each other; both of our gazes fixed hard on the floor.
"What do you want to do?" He asks, breaking the silence.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Honestly?"
"Yeah, honestly" I confirm
"I want you to keep it."
"Well then that's settled." I say, still not looking at him. He turns his head to face me, but I still refuse to look at him.
"Is that what you want to do?"
"…I don't know" I admit. "I'm not having a second abortion. Besides, unless it'll kill me, they're not legal."
"but…?" Peeta asks
"I've never wanted kids." I finally look at him. "I never did and I'm not sure if I ever will."
"Oh" He says, this time it's him that looks away.
"I just… When I was 12, at my first reaping, I was terrified. You know the feeling? That sudden realisation that your fate, your entire future, depends on the name that is pulled out of that bowl. Eventually that feeling disappeared, I was good for 4 years, until Prim was 12 and it was her first reaping. I felt worse than for here than she had. I knew that it was her first year, and her name was only in there once and she would be fine; but I couldn't help but worry. I decided to myself that if she was reaped I was going to volunteer. And now, I've done my last reaping. It's over, for me at least. But I can't volunteer for her now. I can't take her place, which is worse than still having my name in that bowl. She has 4 more years of that. 4 more years that I can't help her through… I guess my only hopeful thought was always that once she was 18, the hunger games would be out of my life completely. But now, this baby… this baby is going to be born into a hideous district in a hideous country, ran by psychopaths who think that the only way to deal with war is by killing children" I end up shouting.
"Hey, shhhh. It's ok." he says, rubbing my back.
"But it's not."
"Well you're right. That baby is going to be born into a hideous district, surrounded by hideous people and lead by a hideous government, but it's going to grow up in a loving household, with an amazing mother, two great uncles and a wonderful aunt." He lifts my chin to look at him. "You're going to be a great mum, Kat. I just know it."
"You're going to be an even better dad" I half-smirk.
"Fine, so does this mean…"
"I think it means we're going to have a baby…" I say. Peeta smiles at me and I can't help but turn the corners of my lips slightly.
Later on, when Adrian is back; Peeta and I discuss how to go about telling people. The only people left to tell are my mother and prim, and Peeta's brother. I decide I should go and walk to my mother's anyway; I could use the fresh air and I'm aching to see Prim again. Peeta tells me that he'll talk to his brother and he can tell Olivia and Madge, but these are the only people we want to know. These are the only people that need to know.
The walk to my mother's house is surprisingly nice. It's finally getting into spring now, and although it's by no means warm, it's refreshingly cold; not bitter and bone chilling like usual. There are clouds in the sky, yes, but the weather is decent. I might even stretch to using the word pleasant. I take leisure in the walk to my old house, looking forward to seeing my family again. It then occurs to me that I have not even told them that I've moved back to the district; I've got a lot of explaining and talking to do.
When I get to the house, I knock on the door and wait with anticipation. Prim eventually answers the door, practically jumping on me when she does.
"Katniss!" She squeals, running out to me. I open my arms wide for a hug and hold her tight for a while.
"Hey little duck" I laugh as I mess up her hair
"What are you doing here?"
"Why don't you let me in and I'll explain"
"Ok" She beams and I follow her into the house.
Our home is just as it was when I left. There's no sign of my mother, but Prim tells me that she is at the hob and will be back soon. Her clothes look new and clean, and I'm glad that she's being looked after.
"Did you bring presents?" She asks
"Maybe" I tease, pulling out a bag of cookies that Peeta made especially.
"Cookies!" She beams taking the bag and attempting to open it immediately.
"Prim" I stop her "You can have them later, ok. I need to talk to you" she nods, putting the cookies down and taking a seat next to me.
"I'm sorry I haven't come to see you sooner, or haven't contacted you in anyway" I start "But things have been a bit busy recently" I watch as she absorbs all of information I give her. "You see, I was living in the forest house, but then something happened to Madge and I came back here."
"Is she ok?" Prims eyes widen and become really dark.
"She's fine. But I moved in with Peeta after that; at the bakery in town. You know the one" She nods "I was going to come and see you after I settled in properly, but I didn't get the chance because Gale came and messed things up" I put it lightly, not wanting to upset her. "It's fine, Peeta and his brothers have looked after me and we've told the peace keepers about Gale, so everything is ok now." I hug her for a minute.
"The thing is; I have some news." She looks at me inquisitively and awaits my response. "Me and Peeta… Are going to have a baby" I look at my stomach and then back at prim. She's staring at me incredulously but there's a glint in her eye.
"Really?"
"Really." I nod.
She places her hands on my stomach.
"Hi" She beams "I'm prim. I'm you're auntie" I can't help but smile at how cute she is. Maybe if the baby is anything like her, everything will be ok.