Hey, Everyone! Here is another chapter! Ik, WOW! It's the last one for tonight (even tho its passed midnight) I'll be writing more tomorrow since its supposed to rain all day so Thats good for you guys! :D Disclaimer: Suzanne Collins owns THG!
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Peeta's POV
It is the morning of Thanksgiving. The trees outside are a mixture of oranges, browns, and yellows. There is a nice breeze winding its way through the district. And the Mellark house is full to the brim with family.
Johanna, Nash, Gale, and Katniss' mother all arrived yesterday morning for the holidays. Johanna and Katniss were currently in the living room talking about baby stuff. Effie and Mrs. Everdeen were sitting outside just chatting about life. And Gale, Nash and Haymitch were discussing some array of sports.
I, on the other hand, was hard at work preparing Thanksgiving dinner. I had two wild turkeys in one over and rolls and pies in the other. Today I was very glad I had that extra oven put into the kitchen. I was currently trying to perfect my gravy. Gravy was one of those things that if you screw it up it tastes really nasty or has no flavor at all.
As I am cooking, my mind drifts over the events of the last couple of years. Katniss and I added the twins to our ever growing family. Haymitch got sober. Johanna and Nash got engaged and then married. Haymitch and Effie started dating and got engaged. Katniss and Gale started somewhat mending their broken friendship. It has definitely been quite a year.
I take the four pies that I made out of the oven and place them on the counter to cool. Next, I mash the potatoes and start the stuffing. After the stuffing is finished, I take the turkeys and the fresh rolls out of the oven. Everyone else floods into the kitchen and together we move the food into the dining room.
"Haymitch, would you care to do the honors of cutting the turkey?" I ask him, holding out a carving knife to him.
"I would love to," He says with a smile. He slices the turkey and, in no time, all of our plates are full. Katniss and I feed the twins little bits of turkey and mashed potatoes as we eat our own meals.
The conversation turns to all the events since the Rebellion. I guess I wasn't the only one that was reminiscing today.
"Hey, I have an idea." I say as there is a lull in the conversation.
"What's your idea?" Effie asks me.
"We should go around the table and everyone should say something that they are thankful for this year." I say.
"Oh, that's a wonderful idea!" Effie exclaims and everyone else agrees.
"Okay, well, I guess I'll start," I say and then ponder for a moment. There are so many things that I could say; so many things that I am thankful for this year. "I'm thankful for a lot of things this year, but I would have to say that the thing I am most thankful for this year would have to be wonderful wife." I say as I clasp Katniss' hand. "She's always been here for me and she gave me the most wonderful gift anyone could give me." It is obvious what gift I am referring to and everyone at the table awww's. Next, it is Haymitch's turn.
"A lot has happened this year." He starts out. "But I didn't need to think twice about what I am most thankful for this year. This year, I am most thankful for the woman that has been by my side even when I thought I was alone. She never gave up on me and loved me even though I don't deserve a woman as wonderful as her. I am and always will be most thankful for the love of my life, Effie." He turns to look at Effie as he says that last part. She is smiling and her eyes are glistening with tears. Haymitch and Effie kiss and, once again, everyone at the table awww's.
"I guess it's pretty obvious what I am thankful for," Effie says as she grasps Haymitch's hand in hers. "Haymitch has made me so happy this year and I can't even imagine my life without him. I love you," She tells him and they kiss again. It's Mrs. Everdeen's turn.
"I am thankful for my daughter and her wonderful husband who have brought me so much joy over the years. I am thankful that they are happy and have their own little family." Mrs. Everdeen says and I can't help but smile. Haymitch proposes a toast to the Mellarks and everyone raises their glasses.
"I, like everyone else, have so much to be thankful for this year. Katniss and Peeta have been great and my wonderful husband, who is the love of my life. I would have to say that this baby is what I am most thankful for this year," Johanna says as she rests her hand on her stomach which is just starting to grow.
"I am also thankful for the baby." Nash says in his quiet voice. "I never thought I would want to be a father until I met Johanna. That's when I knew that I wanted her to have my children." The soon-to-be parents kiss. Next, it is Gale's turn.
"I'm very thankful that you all invited me to your gathering. It's nice to see old friends after all these years. I guess I would have to be most thankful for Katniss this year because she's allowed me into this wonderful life full of friends and family." He says and he and Katniss share a sentimental hug.
"These passed fifteen years have certainly been a rollercoaster," Katniss begins, squeezing my hand. "I have so much to be grateful for. I have my wonderful husband, our two beautiful, healthy babies, and a great family. It's funny, because the only people here that I'm related to are the twins and my mom, but it just feels so natural to call you all my family.
Peeta "Haymitch, you've gone from my alcoholic mentor to my now sober father figure. Effie, you've gone from the annoying Capitol escort to a grandmother to my children. Mom, we never really talked until around two years ago, but I wouldn't trade our relationship for anything. I love you so much. Johanna, you've been a great friend over the years and I can't help but think of you as my sister. Nash, you make Johanna so happy, which makes me happy because, after everything she's been through, she deserves to be happy. Gale, I'm so happy that we're patching up our friendship. I've missed you over the past fifteen years.
"Peeta, there is absolutely no way that I would have been able to make it through these fifteen years without by my side. You keep away the nightmares and you're always there to comfort me at night. You've loved my unconditionally and without any hesitation. Together we created two beautiful children and I couldn't picture my life any different than it is now and I know that if it weren't for you, none of this would be happening. Thank you so much." Katniss concludes her speech by kissing me.
We finish our Thanksgiving dinner and then retire to the living room for dessert. Slices of pie and cups of coffee are distributed throughout the room. We spend the rest of the night sharing memories and laughing.
I can't help but take a moment to look at all the faces in the room and marvel at how much they have all changed over the years since the 74th Hunger Games. We were each broken at some point, but, together, we managed to put all the pieces back together. Yes, there is very much to be thankful for this year.
Everyone was so sentimental! I hope you all enjoyed that chapter! I did notice that I never wrote a thanksgiving/christmas/or New Years chapter for the year the twins were born! I'm so sorry about that! Anyhow! Please review! Your feedback means the world to me! :D Okay, goodnight!