Thank you so much for the reviews/ alerts/ favorites! Keep, em coming! I promise I'm working on my other stories... And some you don't know about yet... But I wanted to get to this part int he story. You'll know what I mean.
Growling, deep growling, was all I could hear. Perched in my tree I craned my neck, trying to locate the source in the inky darkness, gun drawn, safety off. Wild dogs were the last thing I wanted to deal with.
A force hit me throwing me from the tree I hid in, a mass of snapping jaws and scratching claws pinned me to the ground.
'Mutt…' I whispered, looking into its eyes… Into Peeta's eyes.
I jerked awake, trying to calm my breath. There were no mutts, the mutts are gone, dead and gone.
I roll over to my husband, draping my leg over him to be sure I'm as close as possible, instinctually his arms wrap around me. I bit my lip debating whether or not I should wake him up. My choice was made for me as a fussing from the other side of the room jerked him awake for the third time tonight. Aiden's first fits hit while I was happily catatonic.
"Your turn," he pushes me until I'm at the edge of the bed, "How do they do this?"
I yawn and stretch, "All shit they learned during the games, sleep in shifts, sleep with one eye open," I hold the fussing bundle, "Isn't that right you little monster? OH! Wake at the smallest noise"
"Don't call him a monster Jo… He's not walking yet," Gale yawned, throwing the blanket over his head to block out the early morning sun.
"He is a little monster, he's not hungry, you fed him an hour ago, his diaper is clean… He's awake now because the sun's up," I looked out the window, the lights were already on in Katniss and Peeta's home, they probably had been for well over an hour, "Should we return you to your owners yet? I'm thinking we should get you ready and mooch breakfast off mom and dad…"
Aiden seemed to like this idea, biting at his hand.
"Should we call over? Who knows what we'll be walking into…" it was too late already as we were crossing the lawn between our houses.
"Jo… Don't even joke about that…" I smirked, walking in on his best friend and her husband was definitely on the top of Gale's list of things he never wants to do. We walked in without knocking, Katniss and Peeta still always forgetting to lock their doors when we heard it, a faint whimper, a moan.
Naturally I was eager to possibly embarrass both of them, Gale set down the bags as I rushed for the kitchen.
"And that, Aiden, is how you were made!" sure enough there they were, her back to us seated on the kitchen island, her legs around him.
"Jo!"
"We'll leave you two to… erm, finish up."
Peeta picked his head up from the crook of Katniss's neck, "Don't worry, we were just finishing up," nervously she covers herself up with her arms as Peeta tosses her a shirt and pulls up his own pants.
"Don't you two knock?" she asks fidgeting with her hair before taking her son from me.
"To be fair, you two still don't knock your doors," there was an awkwardness in the air, the kind that could only come from finding two people mid act.
"It's ok, you catch Gale and I doing it all the time, right?"
Katniss
"Do you feel like we should have voted?" I flip through garment bags, trying to find the right outfit for tonight.
"Probably?"
I groan, ready to give up, it wasn't that I had already worn all of these, in fact these were all new, they just all seemed wrong.
Strong hands come to my waist, "What's wrong?"
"I can't find something appropriate for tonight, I'm a mom now, I can't go out in something like this," I pull out a dress made of black lace with black bars across the breasts and hips, "Not that I ever would."
"I think you should wear it," he smirks feeling at the lace, "Everyone likes a MILF," he kisses my cheek as I decipher his statement.
"Mother I'd like to… Peeta!" I walk out, a dress I was about to reject made of a fabric that matched my skin tone, black lace over it and a sort of fringe at the bottom.
"Wear that," he tells me, "Don't argue…" I snap my jaw shut and step into the dress, as always it fits like a glove, but looks amazing, almost as if I'm wearing nothing but the black lace expertly knit into a floral pattern.
A wail comes through the monitor, "I'll get him…"
It was getting harder and harder to swaddle Aiden as his little legs kicked out as we tried to wrap him, "Up here!" I called hearing the front door open, "We really need to start locking that thing…"
"Are you two actually clothed?" Haymitch asks.
I tuck the corner of Aiden's blanket in having mastered the art of wrapping him so Aiden Mellark sat perfectly, going across his body, "So Gale and Johanna told you?" I pushed back Aiden's sparse dark hair back, his blue eyes following my every movement.
"No… why?" Peeta sits down next to me, putting the blue knit hat my mother made for Aiden on him to keep his ears warm.
"Gale and Johanna had Aiden last night so we could finally set up the nursery…" his lips found my forehead, "And spend a quiet night together."
He cradles our son his arms, "I wouldn't call it quiet" I teased, just to make Haymitch feel awkward, "When they came to return him, we were in the kitchen… Practicingmakingasecond," I said the last part quickly, "Now, can we get going?"
"Do you have your speech ready?" I pull my rings off my dresser, finally able to wear my engagement and wedding rings, "I'm talking to you sweetheart," they clank and fall to the ground.
"Wha? No, no! That's Peeta's job, I just sit in the background and smile," I pick the rings up, "Can't I just be the smiling wife in the background holding the baby?" I slide them on my finger and take Aiden from a smirking Peeta, "See? I'm getting good at it."
"He's gotta talk too," without asking Haymitch took Aiden from my arms and kisses my cheeks, "He's getting so big…"
We're nervous about bringing the baby out in front of the cameras, but neither of us wants to be without him for even a minute, so swaddled in his white blanket tucked safely in his father's arms Aiden makes his first public appearance. The roar of the crowd makes him fuss but as soon as Peeta presses him close they stop and we take our seats just as the anthem finishes.
Effie is the first to speak, my hand on Peeta's leg as she starts just as she used to, "Welcome, welcome, welcome," the crowd hushes, "For years whenever I stood on this stage, it would usually mean two children were being brought to their untimely death, but now it is to bring two people, two of your choosing, to the Capitol to insure the proper representation of the districts in our new government. The government that would not be forming here today if it weren't for the sacrifices of our first speaker, ladies and gentlemen, citizens of Panem," she turns to me, "The Mockingjay, Katniss Everdeen," she puts her hand to her mouth, "Oh, silly me, Katniss Mellark," my throat is dry as I walk to the podium, eyes on me. I had more to say when I was reaped.
"Thank you… Effie…" I start quietly, "I don't really know what to say, they didn't tell me I was making a speech but I guess I should have expected it. My husband is usually the one doing the talking, I'm the one… Who stands there and smiles, who people recognize as someone who started a rebellion… a war…" I clear my throat before I go off on a tangent, "But I digress…." I pause.
Where am I going with this?
"District Twelve's main export used to be coal, and by the time we got to it… The miners would have to work in dangerous often lethal conditions," my hands, "And the government didn't even care, when someone was injured, or killed, they'd shake your hand, give you a medal, and walk away. They wouldn't work to make conditions safer, they didn't care, they didn't care if the families of lost miners starved to death, or what they had to do just to put food on the table. I'm not sure I can speak for the other districts, but I can only imagine their own horrors, their own dangers from the slavery we endured for so long. A wise man once remarked that perhaps we should just wipe ourselves out, that we're undeserving of our planet and should make way for something who did indeed deserve… All of this," I smile a little, nervously brushing my hair behind my ear, "But today I see that he's wrong, that we are… that we can be good. That we can be fair, and good as a species. Today we are finally standing up, leaving the darkness… We are insuring that everyone, from the stylists who design some… odd, and beautiful clothing, to the fishermen who help feed us, to the farmers, and even the lowly coal miners have a safe working environment, that children will no longer go hungry, that the districts will no longer be overlooked. Today we become something greater. The Republic of Panem," there's a roaring cheer I feel throughout all of Panem, so loud and proud… Even Aiden joins in, his wails the loudest thing in my ears, "Thank you," I say into the mic before rushing back to my family.
"That was beautiful…" with one hand Peeta pulls me to him kissing me with a ferocity I wasn't going to forget any time soon. I wanted these cameras, this crowd, everyone gone. We were those horny teenagers all over again, "You're shaking…" he murmurs as I take my seat.
"Give me Aiden…" I hold out my hands.
"Katniss, your hands…" they're indeed trembling.
"He'll calm me down," I work up a pout that will no doubt pull at his heartstrings, finally our fussing son is in my arms, warm and tiny.
There are three weights I find reassuring and calming. The first was known to me at a young age, the weight on my arm as I drew my bow, the second was the weight of Peeta on top of me when we made love, calming and letting me know he was there and never leaving. The third was Aiden in my arms, when he was there nothing could take him from me… Nothing.
I didn't pay attention to Peeta's speech, I watched how his mouth moved, his gentile smile at times… But I only compared his every feature to Aiden, at this young age his eyes were the most obvious resemblance, but he also had his nose, and his chin. Peeta told me that he has my feet, I'm not sure what that means…
Maybe when he's older he'll get his good heart, or kindness… Haymitch jokes that he'll have my temperament. I can only hope he's wrong. The thunderous applause brought fussy Aiden out of hiding once more, "Shhhh… Shhh…" I shift him so he's vertical rocking him gently and patting his back, "I know… You'll get used to it… You have to…"
Peeta joined me again kissing my cheek before I heard an awe worthy belch from our son and a dampness on my shoulder, "Here…" Peeta handed me a swath of white cloth, at least one of us was prepared.
"Get him first," I smiled, what a sight we were, the 'perfect family of the new republic'. When his face was clean and Peeta was wiping my shoulders I shifted the baby so I was cradling him once more, "So that's why you're grumpy? Did daddy not burp you after you ate?"
Aiden cooed in response, "He's just like you, a terrible liar," I glared at him.
"As always," Effie started from the podium. It was decided by a previous vote, that the districts would be represented by a male and a female. She held a black envelope with a silver F on the back, "Ladies first…" she turned back to me, "And we cannot take any volunteers."
"Trust me, I won't." I smile, leaning into my husband, though we were near space heaters, the December air bit at my skin and I needed his warmth.
"Caryissa Scotts!" there was a cheer as the woman, who worked at the Hob selling fruit, stepped forward with a timid smile. She wasn't rich, in the old Twelve no doubt would she have lived in the Seam.
"And now… the men," she abstains from calling them boys, only those eighteen and up were eligible for election, "Emmett Farley!"
I expect to see the doctor who gave Peeta his new leg, who told me I was with child, instead I see who I can only assume is his son, maybe a younger brother, the same strong jaw dark hair, though his was missing the budding grey's of Doctor Farley.
February
Perfection can only last so long in my life…
I should have known something was wrong when Gale and I found a torn up bear laying where we now met every morning. Aiden was home with Peeta, in hindsight, his flu was a gift. We should have turned around then.
"Pack of wolves?" he suggested picking up a discarded arm, "Too bad they ruined the pelt…"
There was a low growl from the thicket, low and loud. Bow's drawn we backed up, pressing our backs together so nothing could sneak up on us. There were more, at least six different growls.
And one thundering our way, "Katniss…"
"Gale…" he passed to me his rifle, the one I complained about him bringing. I backed off him only for a second to push it over my shoulder, "In the Quell… That thing that ripped apart the tribute from ten… What did it look like?"
The thundering was getting louder, "Katniss, run!"
I didn't think, neither of us did as Gale pulled something from his bag… A grenade.
We ran as the explosion claimed the lives of the growling beasts, yelps and wines unable to dampen the sound of pads hitting the ground, the thunderous stride of whatever was following us.
The fence is in sight, safety!
Only, a root catches my foot sending me flying to the ground. Without hesitation, a liberty you're not allowed when running for your life. The fresh snow on the ground finds its way into my shirt and pants as I pull the rifle from my back.
I know these mutts.
Brutal dog like creatures, salivating for my blood, "Gale!" I shout, taking a shot. I have to kill these things, for Aiden, for Twelve…
One falls to the ground in a massive heap, I take another shot before I'm pulled from the ground, "Now's not time for a break," we reach the gate but it's too dangerous to open the slow doors, not with the mutts on our heels. We don't need to discuss our only option, throwing ourselves on the chain links scaling it with ease.
"Turn the power on!" Gale shouts.
"But… I…" the peacekeeper sees the mutts, then his boss and presses a button. The hum fills my ears as well as the yelps from the hungry creatures. At least fifty of them.
"Radio ever peacekeeper, tell them to report to the Justice Building in fifteen minutes. Make sure every citizen is in their home," Gale puts his hands on my shoulders, "Katniss, go home, hide, take Aiden and Peeta and hide."
"No!" I watch as the mutt follows my every move, not Gale's. It knows my scent, "Those things want me, and they'll want Peeta, and they'll want Jo," they start gnawing at the wire of the fence, they'll be through in minutes, "Peeta's sick, I'll get Jo, we'll meet you at the justice building."
"Jo can't come," we're on the move now, as far away from the beasts as possible, as fast as our legs can carry us.
"Why? I'm sure she'd love to hack apart a Capitol Mutt."
"Jo's pregnant."
I pause, "We'll get them to Haymitch's, our scent won't be as strong…"
He nods, we're at the point where our paths need to split, "Katniss, I know you're going to hate this, but put on the suit, your bow is in Haymitch's house, along with the fun arrows. Peeta will wring my neck if you come with no armor," I nod. Wonderful.
I throw my door open, "Peeta!" I shout already stripping. I had to hurry, get my mockingjay suit on. The one made of protective fabric that could stop a bullet and hopefully mutt jaw's.
I didn't want to die like Cato.
"Peeta get Aiden!" the pants are tight, so is the waist but I zip it up shoving my feet back in my hunting boots, now replaced by comfortable black boots that were made to fit my feet.
"Katniss... what is… What are you doing wearing that?"
"Peeta, no time for questions," he's pale, not from a flashback, but his fever, "There are mutts, the ones from the games. They're chewing through the fence as we speak, you, Aiden and Jo are going to Haymitch and Effie's.
"And you?" he's angry… No, he's livid.
"They're coming after our scent, well, at least mine, I'm going with Gale to kill them."
I push by him heading for Aiden's room shoving a change of clothes, diapers, anything he would need in his bag, "Katniss, you're a mother, you can't be running off to fight battles!" Peeta roars at me.
"It has to be me…" I mumble, Peeta's good in close combat, but I wouldn't risk getting close to those things even if someone offered to make me the richest woman in Panem, "You're too sick to go, and Jo…" I hand him our son, "Well… She's a mom too," we can't be happy for her yet… Not with the threat looming over our heads.
I head downstairs, my dumbfounded husband following me, "She… why didn't they tell us?"
"They invited us over for dinner tonight, they were going to tell us then probably," I throw in three bottles, just in case.
Jo is already waiting outside, axe's drawn, "Not quite momma, let's go," I grab her arm.
"So he told you?" I throw Haymitch's door open, he and Effie are on the couch, her shirt open.
"What the fuck!" he hisses closing her shirt, "Why are you…" I don't hear him, I kiss Peeta on the lips moving to the door that leads to his basement, "Hey!" he bellow's, "You better give me a damn good excuse why you're coming into my house dressed like that, going for your damn bow," I hear the fear in his voice, a rustling as he's surely going for a hidden blade.
"Haymitch!" Effie scolds.
"There are mutts, more than fifty of them chewing through the fence right now. Dogs like the games, and one big one we couldn't see," I head down the creaky stairs, ignoring the mess, the smell. I flip open the black case, there it is…
It felt natural in my hand, black and lovely… The bow that killed President Coin.
My quiver full of "fun" arrows snug on my back I was ready… I think.
"And what are you doing sweetheart?"
"I'm going to lead them away from here, run east until I get close to the gate, then straight for the Justice Building where the Peacekeepers are. You five are hiding out here. Locking your doors and not going near any windows," Haymitch was holding a sheathed knife which I took, strapping it to my waist, "Thanks, I'll be sure to bring this back."
I kiss Peeta one more time, then Aiden's head, "Be good, both of you, I'll be back soon…" I whisper.
"Katniss, this is a suicide mission," I reach into my quiver and pull out an arrow, stepping into the biting winter air.
It nocks with a light click, "Only if they can catch me…"
