XLIX

When they arrived, a crowd had already gathered so Peeta and Katniss entered through the backdoor. Katniss stopped to inhale the delicious smells of sugar cookies and cheesebuns and he grinned sideways at her.

"I guess I should put you at the register rather than helping in the kitchen. We might not have anything left to sell."

"I resent that. I'm not eating as much as I was."

"No, you're not and I need to fatten you up again."

"Oh believe me, I'm fat enough already. I don't need your delicious goodies going to my thighs too." Peeta frowned a little at her teasing remark. He knew she had meant it to be a joke but he couldn't help but hear the uncertainty in her voice. Was that what she was worried about? That she had gained a little weight? If she hadn't let her scars and her pregnant belly stop her before, why in the world would she think extra baby weight would bother him? He shook his head and turned to the cooling rack. He immediately set to work on more muffins and cookies and only turned back when Katniss cleared her throat.

"I think Haymitch and Johanna want to come in to help."

"Tell them to come around to the back." Katniss motioned for them to come around and she opened the door for them.

"Christ it's COLD," Johanna said again.

"Jo, it's not even winter yet. Do you really not get cold weather in 7?"

"7 is too cold for me, brainless. I've been in 4. With Annie." Katniss and Peeta stared at her while she fished through her pockets.

"Here. She wanted me to give this to you." Katniss took the picture and stifled a sob. Peeta leaned over and the sea-green eyes captivated him.

"My god," he said softly. "He looks just like him." Johanna nodded.

"He's a looker, alright. Annie decided to name him Finn. She didn't know until…after, that she was pregnant. When I was released from the Capitol, I went home to 7 for awhile but realized I didn't want to be alone. And I knew Mockingjay was banished to 12 so I couldn't ask her to come to me. So I wrote Annie and she said she needed some help with Finn. I agreed to move to 4 to help out. I don't do much but drink and watch her chase him around but I can see Finnick in those little chubby cheeks."

"This will go in the book," Katniss said to Peeta as she carefully placed the picture in her pocket. Peeta nodded and turned to his mentor.

"Ok, are you guys here for moral support or actual help?"

"I'd prefer moral support but if you need an extra hand, I'm sober for the first time in a long time For now."

"Thank you for that. Alright, Katniss will be on the register-"

"Peeta, I don't think I should do that," she said carefully. "Why don't you stay on the register and help the customers and we will help here in the kitchen?"

"Mockingjay has a point," Johanna said with a grin, "none of us have great people skills, save for you."

"Ok. I'll bring orders to you. Katniss, I'll go ahead and show you how to work the ovens. Here, I brought Willow's seat with me. You can set her down while you work." Katniss kissed her daughter and set her into the chair that Peeta had bought. She seemed happy to play with the toys and controls on the chair and Peeta smiled.

"Ok, one hour til we open. Let's get to work."


Peeta insisted on having Katniss beside him when they opened the doors so they could welcome everyone to Mellark Bakery. As people lined up, Katniss hurried to the back to crank out the orders. The muffins flew off the shelf, the sugar cookies were all devoured, the cheese buns disappeared in seconds, and the cupcakes were bought up before the first hour of the store.

Peete was stunned. His father's bakery had been successful but he had no idea it would be this popular. People kept thanking him and patting his hand as they placed their orders. Sae and her daughters all bought a cinnamon bun and Sae patted Peeta's cheek.

"It's so good to see you living again, Peeta." He smiled and nodded gratefully before moving on to the next customer.

Back in the kitchen, Katniss was mixing ingredients for more cakes and Johanna was kneading dough. Haymitch stuffed a cheesebun into his mouth and Katniss gave him an exasperated look.

"We won't have anything to sell!"

"Oh calm down, Mockingjay, we're making more."

"Can you guys please stop calling me that," she said, closing her eyes. "That was the past and something I'd prefer to forget about eventually."

"I'll just go back to calling you brainless," Johanna said with a playful nudge but she had a look of understanding in her eyes.

Peeta opened the door and surveyed the room.

"Everything ok back here? The cupcakes seem to be in high demand."

"Going into the oven now," Katniss said, her back to him. He smiled.

"I'll make a huge dinner for all of you tonight to thank you for this."

"You had better be planning to hire a crew," Johanna said, licking her finger. "I don't plan on living in this bakery while I'm visiting 12."

"Already got it covered. No one could start work until tomorrow though." He turned and hurried away at the sound of the bell.

At ten to six, the last of the cusomers were leaving and Peeta leaned over the register, exhausted. He pushed the door open and saw Haymitch dozing in a chair, holding a sleeping Willow. Katniss and Johanna were kneading dough and talking in low voices.

"Hey, has it cleared out in there?" Katniss asked, spotting him.

"Nearly. I'm getting ready to close up. Jo, would you mind just wiping down the tables in there? Katniss, if you could clean a few of those dishes, I can do the rest tomorrow." Both girls nodded and Peeta moved to the bread. But the sound of the bell made him stop and Johanna's voice rang out through the bakery.

"Mr. Mellark, you're needed out here please!" He rolled his eyes and went to greet the customer.

A young woman with long blonde curls and huge blue eyes smiled a dazzling smile as he approached.

""Hi, welcome to Mellark Bakery. How can I help you today?"

"Well I had heard such wonderful things about the cookies and pastries in here but they never said how delicious the baker is." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Johanna freeze and give the woman a cold glare. Peeta cleared his throat nervously and started to gesticulate with his left hand, hoping she would take the hint.

Unfortunately, she didn't. She leaned over the counter and her low-cut shirt practically fell open. Peeta gulped and kept his eyes focused on hers. The woman kept giggling and touching his hand while she contemplated what she wanted. Johanna kept shooting her disgusting looks but Peeta did not want to be rude to a customer and patiently waited for her to order. Johanna threw down the towel and stomped toward the back. The busty blonde let out a shrill giggle.

"Oops. I don't think your wife likes me too much."

"Um…she's, she's not my wife."

"Oh! I was told you were married but I thought they must be mistaken! I hadn't heard anything about you getting married anyway and your face has been all over Panem news for years now, hasn't it? Why wouldn't it? A handsome face like yours." She reachd out to stroke his cheek and he jerked back, clearing his throat.

"Do you, um…do you know what you'd like to order yet?"

"How about a big helping of you to go," she said with a wink.

"I'm um…I'm sorry but I AM married…to-" he stammered. The woman didn't seem to hear him and she rested her hand on his. He jerked away but she leaned over the counter again, her breasts exposed to their air and to everyone who would look. Not that Peeta was looking but he went red and averted his eyes. He heard the door slam and he whirled around to find a very angry Katniss.

"Katniss! I was just talking about you. Come here, sweetheart, meet…umm…I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?"

"Diana. I work at the Jewelry store down the road," she said, flashing him another smile. He nodded nervously, draping an arm around Katniss's shoulder and practically pulling her to him.

"Diana, meet my wife Katniss."

"Oh my god! Katniss Everdeen! The Girl on Fire! You did get married after all?"

"Yes, yes we did and we're very…happy," he said, his smile faltering at the look on Katniss's face.

"We're closing up. Do you want something or not?"

"Katniss!" He bit his lip and turned to Diana, his face very red.

"I'm sorry. It's been a very long day for all of us."

"Oh I'm sure! I heard a rumor that you just had a baby! Don't new mothers need plenty of rest? You look simply exhausted." Peeta reached for Katniss's hand but she flung it away from her. He gulped.

"Well, I'll just take a few of those cheesebuns that I've been hearing so much about."

"Coming right-"

"We're out," Katniss snapped.

"Oh that's ok then, I shouldn't be eating them anyway. Have to watch my figure." Katniss's eyes flashed.

"Then why did you come to a bakery?"

"Katniss, please," Peeta muttered.

"I should be going anyway. Nice to meet you both! I'm sure I'll see more of you, Peeta!"

"Not if you want to keep watching that figure," Katniss threw at her as she was exiting. She let out a shrill giggle before the door closed and Katniss turned and shoved the door to the kitchen open. Peeta sighed and picked up a rag to clean up the counters and finish wiping down the tables. When he was finished, he glanced at the clock and yawned. He had promised to make dinner but he was so dead on his feet that he imagined he would just fall into bed, shoes on and everything. He pushed the door open and frowned when he saw only Haymitch, holding Willow up in the air.

"Where's Katniss?"

"Oh she left."

"Left? What do you mean, she left?" Haymitch lowered the baby and gave Peeta a condescending look.

"Do I really need to explain what happened?" Peeta groaned and shook his head.

"Please don't tell me she was jealous!"

"Hey, you know your girl better than I do. But she looked pretty angry. I wouldn't go looking for her. I imagine she grabbed her bow and disappeared to the woods."

"Typical Katniss," Peeta muttered angrily. "Disappear before we have a chance to talk about anything. Sulk and throw a fit."

"I wouldn't exactly tell her that right now," Haymitch said with a raised brow.

"Ok well I'm not apologizing because I didn't do anything wrong! I'm tired of her blaming me for shit. I'm her damn husband and she won't even talk to me about things. Just runs off with her fucking bow."

"Alright steady kid. Don't want anything bad happening."

"I'm not going into a flashback," he snapped. "But I am going to go find her! Can you watch Willow for me?"

"I told her I would. Johanna tried to calm her down but she ran off. I think Jo went back to my place."

"Ok, thanks Haymitch. I'll be by to pick up Willow later." Grabbing his coat, he watched Haymitch climb into the wagon and he locked up before he started to run back toward Victor's Village


hehehe, jealous Katniss is fun. Be prepared for some serious language and yelling and maybe even making up in the next chapter ;) I'm going on vacation tomorrow but I'll try to post some while I'm gone! Plz keep leaving those reviews, cause they mean the world!

Love and pixie dust to you all!