Katniss pov

I wake up with ragged breathing and my heart pumping so fast it feels like it's going to hop right out of my chest. It was just a nightmare, I tell myself... only it wasn't. This actually happened. It was a nightmare about when Peeta was hijacked. I look over at my boy with the bread sleeping peacefully. I'm surprised my screams didn't wake him up. Normally they do, but he had a long day at the bakery so I don't blame him for being so tired.

I stroke his soft cheek and press a kiss to his forehead. Then I run my fingers through his hair lovingly. He grunts in his sleep, snoring even louder after that. He only snores this loud when he is really tired or sick. I smile at him then slowly make my way out from under the covers. It's the break of dawn. Perfect for hunting. I need to clear my mind anyways.

I quickly scribble out a note for Peeta. He'll probably sleep in late today. I might even be back before he wakes. I just don't want to scare him but I want to be out before he wakes or else he'd never let me go.

I swear he is so overprotective sometimes.

I slip on some hunting pants big enough to accommodate my growing stomach and a sweater. Then I put on my father's old hunting jacket. It barely zips. Very soon I won't be able to even close it. The I braid my hair and quickly grab a cheese bun to eat on my way out.

The walk is familiar and it brings back good memories. Like when dad and I would walk into the woods on chilling spring mornings. Or warm summer evening when we would be returning home from the lake. I miss days like that. I can't wait to bring my own children out here.

In a way I already am.

Now that I'm a little more...limited, I take a break halfway through the path between what use to be the fence and the cabin.

The morning mist is still on the lake when I get to it. It's so beautiful that I get lost in it. I haven't been out here in a while. I crouch down buy it and examine the shore line. Katniss tubers are spurting up at the edge.

I close my eyes and take in the feel of my surroundings. The breeze is cool and the water my fingers touch is chilly. The smell of trees fills my nose with each gust of wind. And the song of birds echo in my ears.

That's when I start to sing.

I haven't sung in a while.

The birds hush their own song to listen. Something I only thought happened when my dad sang.

His familiar voice brings me out of my trance.

"Beautiful, Katniss,"he says in his deep cozy voice. Just like when I was little. His hand lands on my shoulder as he brings me into a warm embrace. "Thank you, dad,"I say into his chest.

"Only a voice as beautiful as yours could bring the world to peace."

The movement in my stomach pulls the thought away from my mind as I was about to speak. My father must feel it too because he chuckles and says,"looks like you have yourself an early bird."

"I guess it's a little bit expected when your father is a baker and is a hunter."

"Speaking of Peeta, does he know you're out here?"He asks.

"Not exactly. I left before he woke up, but I left him a note. He'd probably freak out and not let me go. He acts like I'm dying, not pregnant!"

"He just cares about you and your child. I use to freak out just as much as he did when I found out tour mother was pregnant with you. I was a little bit better with Prim but not so much. He's new to this whole father thing. It's expected."

"Well he needs to chill a bit because he freaks out if I go alone."

"I actually agree with him on that,"my father says.

"Dad!"I say annoyed.

"You're a strong girl and you don't need anyone to watch out for you. But it would make me feel better if you went hunting with someone." He says.

I sigh and look down at my stomach. I don't like being pregnant.

"Fine..."I say.

"Thank you,"he says,"now let's hunt."

I follow my dad down our paths as we hunt. We each shoot a couple of birds and decide that that is all today has to offer us. Hunting is becoming more of a sport now that we don't need it to survive. Although I do crave some fresh meat from time to time. And I know Peeta enjoys the fresh squirrels I shoot.

But we try to limit our killings. Even the forest is still trying to mend itself after the war. My dream comes back into my mind as I skin and pluck the bird.

"Something on your mind, Katniss?" My father asks.

"Just a dream I had."

"Nightmare?"He asks.

I nod. "Yes, except this one was real. It was about Peeta's hijacking."

"Does he still have flashbacks?"

"Yeah...We don't know if they will ever go away. But they seem to be farther and farther apart."

"Just be careful, okay? I know you love him, but if he ever has a flashback and tries to kill him you have to protect yourself. And that could mean hurting him. Especially now that you have a baby on the way."

"I hate Snow. How could he do that to him. He was the only good person to ever win the games. Now he's not even himself all the time."

"It's a horrible tragedy,"my father agrees.

Glancing out the window, I say,"he'll be waking soon of not already. I should be going."

"Let my walk with you,"he says smiling at me. Pride and love shines in the eyes of my father as we walk back into town.

A/N a cute little chapter for y'all. So I've decided to story Outskirts of Panem. I feel like it had a really good plot but the writing is just absolutely horrible so I've decided to completely start from scratch. I wish this is one I would have put off doing because I absolutely love the story behind it, but I was too immature in writing so it was really bad, but hopefully this time it will be more detailed and complete. If you haven't read it, I don't recommend reading the original. But if you have read it, well I'll just straight up apologize. So please keep an eye out for the new and updated story for it! Thanks guys