A/N: This is IT! This is the original idea that spawned this whole entire fanfic. Might be another chapter or Epilogue after this chapter but this is the finale that we're all looking for. Enjoy. Review and let me know what you think of it.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games.

Chapter 38

The hovercraft picks me up bright and early and whisks me away to the Capitol after I say goodbye to Mother and Don. When I arrive, Effie is waiting for me. She springs into action and gives me a kiss on each cheek. "Hello Katniss! This is a big big day for you! We need to get you to your prep team to get ready for the interview. Once they're done, they'll let me know and Caesar will be awaiting you. After that, Plutarch has given specific instructions to transport you to District Twelve. Sound good?" I smile at her. "It sounds great Effie. Can't wait!"

I follow her into the dressing room and my team awaits me. They instantly go to work bringing me back to beauty base zero. I swear there's not a stitch of hair left on my body other than my head. They dress me in simple black skirt and a red button down blouse, leaving enough unbuttoned to look alluring. Octavia applies very little make-up, which shocks me, but she says I look beautiful just the way I am. Just as I'm finished, Effie comes in to retrieve me and leads me to the stage for the interview.

When I step onto the stage, it's like deja vu. Images of the Games come flooding back to me. I bury some of them deep down and greet Caesar. The camera isn't on yet and he gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He always was a strange bird and I'm curious to know just how old he really is. I swear he looked the same when I was a child. Caesar explains that they're going to air the interview live and then replay it around dinner time for anyone that is missing it now. I don't give much thought to it and just shrug my shoulders. The countdown begins, once again, to interview time and I see the little red light on the camera come to life. There is no live audience, just audio to replace them since this was done spur of the moment. They'll play the audience audio as we go along.

Haymitch POV

After tending to my geese, I head over to Katniss's house to help around the place and keep Sae company. Peeta hardly ever stays at his house anymore. Only to paint. He prefers to be here where he can still feel Katniss' presence. Sae is cutting up some butcher meat and prepping a stew. I have the television on when a special announcement comes over the show I was watching. I mutter a few choice words when that weirdo Caesar Flickerman appears onscreen talking about a special treat. My eyes nearly pop out of their sockets when I see Katniss in the interview chair. Sae drops the spoon in her hand and walks over to me. We are absolutely riveted to the screen during the entire interview. Hanging onto every single word.

INTERVIEW: Katniss POV

C:Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, Citizens of Panem! Welcome to a very special edition of Caesar's Corner this afternoon with Panem's very own heroine, Katniss Everdeen-Mellark! Katniss, it's wonderful to finally see you again. You look gorgeous sweetheart! Doesn't she look great? So, Katniss, how have you been? We haven't seen or heard from you in a while?

K: I have been well Caesar. I just spent a bit of time in District Four. It's beautiful there.

C: What were you doing in District Four Katniss?

K: Well, my mother lives there and I went there to relax for a bit.

C: Relax? Took a little vacation? Capitol approved of course, right?

K: Of course. I was there a bit longer than a vacation.

C: Help me out Katniss, how long is longer? A month?

K: Six months.

C: Six months! Whoa, where was handsome Peeta while you were in District 4 for six months?

K: He was home in District 12.

C: I see. Having problems I see. I'm sorry to hear that.

K: Yes, we were, but not like you think. Since the Quell, Peeta hasn't been the same. He was hijacked by the Capitol. His memories of me were altered and he was reprogrammed to kill me.

C: What? Oh my goodness, Katniss I am so sorry. That young man was so enamored with you.

K: And I with him, It was difficult to say the least. He seemed to get better but once he was doing well, I wasn't. We both had unresolved issues to deal with stemming from the Games and loss of loved ones.

C: Yes, Primrose. Sweet girl. You know, I've never seen anything more moving than when you volunteered for her. It was quite a show of sisterly love. It was very commendable of you.

K: It was the right thing to do. And if I hadn't, I wouldn't have gotten to know Peeta at all. Everything seems to happen for a reason.

C: True, very true. Look at you blushing over Peeta Mellark. Have you spoken to him?

K: Oh yes Caesar. I've spoken to him every single day almost. We just took the time to get some treatment and try to be healthier for each other. Our demons all seem to revolve around one central fear and we tried to deal with it head on.

C: And what fear is that Katniss?

K: I think it's just basically fear of losing each other. We just want to be together. Take care of each other.

C: You know Katniss, I remember a time when you had no idea that he felt that way about you. So much has changed in such a short period of time, huh?

K: It certainly has Caesar. After I heard Peeta announce his love on this very stage, I pushed him into a vase and he cut his hand open. I thought that he was lying for the Games, for Sponsors. It took me a while to realize his words were true, as always, and that my feelings weren't too far off base either.

C: I know we all watched the Games and everything play out but when did you truly realize that you were n love with Peeta?

K: I knew that I had feelings for him by the time the gong sounded. I was shocked he went with the Careers. But by the time we got to the cave, I was in love with him. I was petrified that I would lose him to the knife wound.

C: Now that we have you here, could you maybe tell us some more details about your love story with Peeta? Just fill in a few blanks for us. We really don't know what was going on outside of what the cameras caught. If you don't mind that is.

K: For the first time Caesar, I don't mind. Talking about Peeta is not something I ever tire of.

I summarize all of the thoughts laid out throughout this journal in ten minutes time. Once I get going, I'm pretty much rambling into all kinds of thoughts. I tell Caesar about the night Peeta gave me the bread, the cave, how I felt falling in love with Peeta. How we made it home, and eventually married. How we all decided who would go into the Quell and why. His hijacking and return to District 13. How he nearly killed me a couple of times but his love for me overcame it. How I tended to go into huge bouts of depression and what would set them off. Then Caesar picks up again.

C: So Katniss, what made you go to District 4 instead of staying in District 12? Did something happen?

K:Yes, Caesar, something did happen. Peeta and I hit the bottom of the barrel.

C: Tell me what happened honey. (Caesar holds my hand.)

K: Well, I had a miscarriage.

C: Oh Katniss I am so sorry! You poor thing! Did something happen?

K: There was an incident between Peeta and I that triggered a bout of depression. We didn't know I was pregnant and eventually, I just miscarried. It was then that we agreed to take some time, get some medical help and then try to work on things.

C: I had heard a rumor that you two were divorcing. False?

K:I did ask Haymitch to draw up the divorce papers, and he did. But he burned them just the same. He said time was our friend and it would heal us both if we were patient enough.

C: Haymitch sounds like a wise man nowadays.

K: Haymitch is great. He's like our surrogate father.

C: So now that you've spilled some private moments onto this stage Katniss, what's your plan now?

K: I'm heading home to District 12. I've been released from my doctor to return home.

C: I'm sure Peeta is very excited to see you.

K: Peeta doesn't know I'm coming.

C: He doesn't?

K: No, I wanted to surprise him.

C: When are you leaving?

K: Oh, about ten minutes from now?

C: Really? You're leaving right from this chair?

K: Yes, I can't wait any longer.

C: You really love Peeta, don't you Katniss?

K: Yes, Caesar. With all of my heart.

C: You going to stay married to that boy? Give him a couple of children someday?

K: Yes and Yes. I'm never going to let him go again.

C: I can't believe it. Look at you, Girl on Fire. All aglow with love. I'm happy for you. You make sure you give Peeta my best. I think I speak for all of Panem when I say, good luck to you both.

K: Thank you Caesar. Thank you.

I get up and hug him. I can't bring myself to kiss those wax cheeks, even though he was so sweet during the interview. As soon as the camera goes dim, Effie is at my side ushering me to the hovercraft. The door closes and I'm on my way back to Peeta, my boy with the bread.

Haymitch POV

Sae and I look at each other and we jump off of the couch. What time is it? Two o'clock in the afternoon. Peeta didn't hear the interview. He's bogged down with orders at the bakery. They're replaying it again in a few hours, right when Katniss is due home. Okay, we can do this. I grab Sae by the shoulders. "If you clean this house top to bottom and get a lamb stew going, I will triple what Peeta pays your for the month. Can you do that woman?" She nods her head vigorously. "Yes Haymitch. But you've got to go to the butcher for the lamb meat. I have everything else here. Hurry or it won't be done by the time she gets home!" Sae yells.

I run out the door and start for the bakery. I hope nobody says anything to Peeta. I get there and discover that he's still out of the loop. Most of District Twelve still hasn't seen the interview yet, what with it being mid afternoon. I need to get the lamb meat. I walk over to the butcher, buy two orders and offer a kid a few coins and the second serving if he brings it to Sae in the Victors Village. He takes off running. My job is to park my ass inside this bakery and tell everyone to be quiet about Katniss.

Two things are going to happen if he finds out she's coming home.

He's going to drive me crazy until she gets here.

I'll probably kill him in the process of him driving me crazy.

Although his treatment has gone very well, he has missed her terribly. He lights up when he says her name. She's all he talks about. He paints and draws her constantly, afraid that he will somehow forget the littlest details about her. He only has his mind to rely on and it hasn't exactly been stable for too long. Peeta has gotten his episodes down to maybe once a month. He goes into the basement, beats on a boxing bag and stays there until it passes. He's confident that he can handle it all now and not jeopardize Katniss's safety.

Peeta comes out of the back room and looks at me with a raised eyebrow. I look at him just the same.

"What?" I ask him. "What are you doing here Haymitch?" he asks. "I'm taking in the crisp autumn air boy! Why don't you run along inside and get me a nice hot beverage? No need to be rude to your paying customers here." I say. He rolls his eyes at me and then returns a few minutes later with a cup of coffee. I sit there watching him. I have nothing to do anyway but make sure everyone keeps their mouths shut so I guess all the staring at him makes him nervous after a while. He starts to pick my brain.

"What's on your mind Haymitch? You keep staring at me like I have two heads." he says. I smirk. "Well you do, but that's beside the point. Just hanging out, keeping warm on a cool afternoon. Sae needs some bread by the way to put out at dinner." Peeta nods. "Do you know what kind she wants? What did she make for dinner?" I shrug my shoulders. "No idea boy but I think I want the one with the raisins and nuts in it? Can you make me one of those? Oh, and I think she's got a stew going. Cheese buns will probably go best with it."

Peeta looks at me like I'm being very demanding so late in the day. I purposely chose the bread with nuts and raisins for two reasons.

Katniss loves that kind of bread. Outside of cheese buns, it's her favorite.

That's the kind of bread Peeta gave Katniss the night he saved her at age eleven.

This ought to burn up some of his time until I can get him home to see the interview. It starts in two hours. If I can stall him until then, he'll see the interview and then she will literally be getting off of the hovercraft when it's over. By train, the Capitol is around a twelve hour trip. The hovercraft shortens it

to a third. Perfect, absolutely perfect.

The time passes and Peeta has all the breads made. Only thirty minutes until the interview. I help him clean up and then hurry him home to see the show. I stall him on the dinner, waiting for Katniss, and put him in front of the television. He starts to protest. "Haymitch, I have to call Katniss. I can watch television later." He tries to get up but I shove him back down. Then the Capitol seal shows on the screen and Caesar talks about how he has a special guest. Peeta's eyes turn toward the screen and his mouth falls when he see it's Katniss on the screen. His Katniss, in the Capitol.

The interview plays out and he's riveted. I don't think he even blinks his eyelids. He's taking her all in. She looks great, healthy. She's serious in her interview but giddy when speaking about Peeta. The boy is mesmerized. It's almost at the end of the interview and Sae walks over to me, both of us with baited breath waiting for the big reveal. Peeta starts to fidget on the couch. Here it is, the moment we've all been waiting for. I hear a repeat of the words.

Peeta springs from the couch and looks at me. Sae has already grabbed her coat and gives him a kiss on the cheek. She leaves quickly. I smile at him. Unable to hide my happiness for him. I walk over to him and give him a big hug. "She should be here in a few minutes. You probably have just enough time to brush your teeth." I laugh and then hear the hovercraft. Time to make my exit. He runs over to the door and it swings open from the wind of the vessel. I slip out and make my way to my porch. The hovercraft stills and lowers Katniss down to the ground. Her feet don't even touch it before they're both running to each other. These two are like my kids. I can't witness them getting busy, for the third time, so I shut the door and try to shake the images from my mind.

Katniss POV

I'm barely to the ground before we're running into each others arms. Peeta's lips crash down onto mine and I swear, I could die right here. It feels like heaven. I missed him so much. I'm in his arms, my legs wrapped around him, holding him tight. It's not exactly a ladylike position but I was never much of a lady anyway. Peeta walks toward the house, never breaking our kiss. We almost fall on the stairs. Thank god we only have Haymitch as a neighbor and not a whole bunch of other people. They would be sickened by our display of affection. We make it through the door and plunge right onto the couch. I break the kiss first. I need to say something, and catch my breath.

"Peeta, I love you. I don't ever want to be without you again. You hear me? It was always you. You're it for me. Forever and ever." He crashes his lips back onto mine and parts my lips with his tongue. He feels amazing. Everything feels so new. He breaks the kiss this time. "Katniss, I love you. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for you. You're my whole world. Marry me? Marry me again. Tonight." He brings his lips again to mine and won't let me break the kiss to answer him. When he does release me, I say the most honest word that has ever emerged from my lips. "Yes, Peeta. Yes, I will marry you. Yes, I will have children with you. Yes to all of it." Peeta places me down in front of the fireplace and runs into the kitchen to grab the bread , a bottle of wine on the counter and two wine glasses.

I spread a blanket onto the floor and sit back down. Peeta joins me. Once again we take off our shoes and sit across from each other. Peeta goes first.

"Katniss, I love you. I promise to always be beside you. Take care of you, treasure you, protect you,

make you laugh, paint you, bake for you and make love to you twice a day for the rest of my life. I love you more than anything in the world and I will never, ever, let you go again." He toasts his bread and takes a bite. My turn. "Peeta, I promise to love you forever. You make me feel alive every moment and I love you more than life itself. I promise to always be there for you, take care of you, sing to you, have your children grow in my belly. I want it all with you. You're my world Peeta and I absolutely adore you. I also promise to make love to you three times a day and I promise never to leave your side

again. I love you Peeta. Since that day with the bread, you have always had my heart."

I gently toast my slice of bread and take a bite. We lift our glasses, entwine our arms and take a sip out of the glasses. We put down our glasses and share our second most passionate kiss ever in front of the fire.

We never make it to the bed...