As always, let's get the legal things out of the way. I do not own The Hunger Games. I own nothing about the world, or the characters, or just anything at all about it. I do own a rundown car. Now, that being said, I am so happy to be back and slightly scared that it has been too long for me to pick it up. I am hoping that the magic of words and deliciously wonderful characters to work with will make it easier to do though.

Also, I am doing a major time jump. My reasoning is as follows: When I finished Mockingjay, I really wanted to flesh out how they grew back together and got to a point of marriage. I feel I was able to do that here, and now it just leaves one thing. The books show Katniss not very excited about the prospect of parenthood, and that she basically gave into Peeta. I don't see Peeta pushing Katniss into that, and I don't see Katniss just throwing her hands up in the air in exasperation and just be a parent. I am going to work this around a bit, and trust me, I don't know how it will play out (I don't write the story, the characters dictate it to me), but I have no hidden agendas for anything. I hope you all enjoy and please let me know what you think! It's been a while!

Katniss –

I awaken slowly, listening to the familiar sounds of the morning. Today is different, as I can hear the sounds of Peeta, still sleeping next to me. Normally he is out of bed before I am, still the Baker's boy at heart. He always has a hard time staying awake past the very early hours, but today he is still here, peacefully sleeping. I softly brush a blond curl out of his face; I couldn't stop myself from touching him. They say marriage changes people that they settle into routines, life becomes boring, and while we may have a routine, it is something that we both welcome.

I head downstairs to fix breakfast for both of us, wanting to surprise Peeta when he did wake up. I walked into the kitchen and I had a sharp intake of breath. The kitchen was full of flowers, flowers that I knew didn't grow in the town, only in the forest. I walked into the living room and found them there as well. The entire downstairs smelled of the forest and was just as beautiful. I saw a folded piece of paper on the table and picked it up.

Katniss,

It's hard to keep coming up with ideas to surprise you after 14 years, but I promise I will never stop trying. Happy anniversary.

All my love, always,

Peeta

My mind raced, trying to figure out when he had time to do this. He wasn't home when I headed to bed last night, but some nights he was out late managing the museum. I woke slightly when he came to bed, he was damp from taking a shower, and he had kissed me softly on the nose. I hadn't even noticed the time, which would explain why he was still sleeping. We had both been so busy and had agreed that we would just spend our anniversary together; I started to worry that I hadn't done anything as special as this. I wasn't sure how much time I had before he would wake up and I didn't want to not be here when he did. I decided I could risk running to Jo's to talk to her and see if she had any ideas.

I quickly got dressed and headed out. The day was just as beautiful as it was 14 years ago when we were married. It wasn't always easy; there were times Peeta would slip and I would see it in his eyes. Those moments scared me more than I let on in the beginning. I knew I would never be able to hurt him, even if he attacked me, but it never came to that.

I knocked on Jo's door and turned the handle. She was sitting in the kitchen, cup of coffee in hand. "Kitty-Kat, why are you here, this early, and clearly not bearing any gifts?" She took a slow sip and stared at me. I knew mornings weren't her strong suit, but I knew she would be my best option.

"It's Peeta. He brought me all these flowers, they are overflowing the downstairs…" I started before she interrupted me.

"You come barging in to talk about how your husband who worships you filled your house with flowers? Really?"

"Wait! I mean, today is our anniversary, but we weren't going to do anything. I didn't plan anything out or get anything to give him." I could feel my emotions getting a little high and I was trying to calm down. My eyes started to tear up and all of a sudden a smell came that made my stomach turn. "What is that smell?" I asked Jo, scrunching up my nose.

"Bacon? Coffee?" she answered staring at me with a strange expression. "Look, we both know Peeta tends to go a bit overboard, but I don't think he is going to think this is as big of a deal…"

I heard her talking but I couldn't process it. I could feel the need in my throat to have to expel whatever was in my system. I ran past her but only made it as far as her garbage can. Jo came over and felt my forehead.

"Here, sit down. I will get you some water. You don't feel warm, but you do look a little pale. Did you feel sick earlier? Yesterday?" I shook my head to answer, not trusting myself to open my mouth. "The smell bothered you?" she asked, bringing me the water.

I took a slow sip of the water and nodded my head. She sat down next to me and stared at me intensely.

"Hey, Kat? When is the last time, you know…" she stopped mid-sentence. I looked at her, not understanding her meaning. "I'm not usually one to not be able to get out a thought, but you know, the last time you went through the whole woman thing." she finished.

My mind started to race, trying to remember when the last time was. I hadn't gone through my cycle this month, in fact, I kept feeling like it was going to be any minute, but it just hadn't happened. The realization of why she was asking me suddenly washed over me.

"No. No. It can't be. I drink the tea every time. Sae told me I would be okay." I could not think about any other alternatives. There was no way that it could happen.

"Listen, I am not a doctor. Do you want to go to the hospital? I really wouldn't want to step foot in there myself, but I would bring you there. I maybe could wait with you." Jo asked, looking more concerned than I have seen her in a while.

"No hospital. Will you walk with me to Sae's? I can't be long, I know Peeta will wake up soon, and I have to be there." My mind was filled with thoughts and I didn't even think I could think straight. I felt her hand on my arm and she led me out of the door. I don't even remember how we made it to Sae's, but soon I was seated in her kitchen and Jo was doing all the talking. Sae started to ask me questions, which I answered as best as I could.

"Well, we won't know for sure until she gets examined. I worked in the Seam long enough to be able to do it, if you like, though we do have the hospital." Sae said gently. I could feel my face getting warmer as my blush crept up.

"Sae, how could this even be a possibility?" I asked her, "You told me that it wouldn't happen. That drinking the tea would work."

"Well, it did, for a little more than 14 years. Nothing is fool proof, darling." She said gently. She brought me into another room since they both knew I was not going to go into a hospital. I just kept saying it was like the prep team; that this was going to be over quickly. I just wanted to be back in my house, with Peeta, pretending this was not happening.

Soon I was getting dressed, Sae and Jo outside the room. When I came out they both looked somber, neither meeting my gaze. "Sae? Jo?"

Sae started to stutter a little and Jo put her hand on her shoulder to quiet her.

"Well, Kitty-Kat, remember when you told me that you didn't have anything to give Peeta? Well, it looks like you do now." Her tone wasn't joking, or mean, but rather sad.

My vision started to go out and I knew I had to get out. I pushed past them and ran out, to the woods, where I knew I would be safe. "I can't do this," I kept thinking, "I can't have a baby." I didn't need to think about where I was going; the forest was my home. I stopped at a clearing and sat down in the grass.

Peeta had spoken a few times about children, telling me that the world was different, we didn't have to worry. I explained to him that it was still too new, that there was a chance that the old ways could come back and I couldn't take the chance of bringing a child into this world. It would be someone else the Capitol could use against me, a true innocent. I told him firmly that I did not want a child, nor would I ever. He accepted it and the last time we talked about it was a few years ago.

I noticed some plants growing in the distance and a memory came forward. My mother would often have oils that she made to be used in teas for women that were expecting, but couldn't go through with it. The Seam life was hard, and sometimes a woman would come, in tears, speaking in hushed tones. When I was older, my mother explained that while all children are a blessing, some women for various reasons could not bring the life into the world. I understood those women, not wanting to bring a child into District 12. I tried to think about what the plants were, what I would need to do. I quickly started picking various plants, to which I could bring home and identify.

Each plant that I picked felt like I was tearing myself out of the ground. It wasn't long before the tears started to come. I sat down again, letting all the plants fall to my side. I picked one up, looking at it, holding it in my hands, and wondering if this was the plant. I thought about my younger days, with my father, and how I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world to have a father who gave me so much of the world. I thought of what it would be like to see Peeta with a child, our child. I held the plant in my hand, bringing it to my mouth. Right before it touched my lips, I threw it away from me, and in that moment, I knew that I would never be able to do anything to harm my child.

I stood up, drying my face, and wiping off the grass and dirt from my clothes. I started back home, avoiding the path by Sae's. There was only one person I needed to see and I didn't think I had it in me to see Sae or Jo. I could talk to them after I spoke with Peeta.

I stood in front of my door and when I went to turn the handle, it opened for me. Peeta stood there, looking worried, but before I could say anything he opened the door further and there was Jo. I stared at her, trying to ask her silently if she said anything.

"Katniss! Are you okay?" Peeta asked, his voice strained with fear. I was starting to think that she had told him when she stepped in front of him.

"Sorry, Kat, I just stopped over because I lost you and I wanted to make sure you were okay. I know Peeta is the only person who may know the woods as good as you do. I think I will leave now." She walked by before I could say anything and squeezed my arm.

"Katniss, is there something going on? Why would you freak out over a present?" Peeta was so worried, his face so frightened, that I reached out and pulled him to me.

"I'm fine, Peeta. I just wanted today to be special and to find you a perfect gift." I kissed him softly.

"Katniss, I don't need a gift, I have you." If anyone else had said that, I would never believe it. I believed him though, with all of my heart. He placed his head against me, breathing me in.

"Well, I do have something for you. I think we should relax for a moment and then I can give you my gift." I said softly, trying not to let my fear show. He looked at me, confused, and I took his hand. Today would be a long day and we certainly had a lot to talk about. My time in the forest told me that I already knew I would protect this child inside of me but the hardest part was still to come.

Ok! Whew, done with this chapter. Sorry if it was a little rough, but coming to terms with pregnant didn't give me a lot of room to work with. I hope you all like it and please review!