Hello again guys! First of all, I just want to give a big thanks to everyone who reviewed my last chapter, I really appreciated all the kind words you left me! Congrats on making it to the 30th chapter of A Flower from The Ashes! I know many of you have been with me from the start and I'm so proud of us for keeping with it! Now let's get into some reviews!

Zzzarsa- So that they really understand the rebellion that started happening, r u gonna let them watch the victory tour? Maybe in history class or smth. Also I absolutely love this book. I've been following it since the first few chapters and whenever i see u updated it, it brings a smile to my face. Don't stop writing bc u have such talent

I hadn't thought about the Victory tour in terms of them watching it, but it's a fun idea! They will definitely hear about it, but I may just have them learn about it verbally. ANd thank you, that means so much to me!

Krazyasibe- I wonder if Kat katniss or peers would have kept a journal of times after the first games and the quarter ? Be neat if their daughter could read it for their side without sending them into flashbacks...

Love your story dying for more...

I love this idea, and I'm honestly considering bringing it in, so thank you haha! I need more brains for this story lol. And I think that both Katniss and Peeta are getting better at dealing with everything, even if they do still slip up once in a while. Only time will tell!

Reader29548- Wow, I love this story. It's so well written and detailed. I have an idea, maybe after they finish the quarter quell Katniss and Peet's could show her the book they made after the war of the people they'd lost.

Thank you! And that's a beautiful idea, thank you so much! Wow you guys are way better at coming up with these things than I am haha.

Now, let's get into the story! I have a special treat for the 30th chapter, enjoy!

~Jillian

Xoxo

(Peeta's POV)

"How in the world did you teach her how to do that?" I bark out in a laugh. Kaden sits across the table from me, the growing Trixie in between us.

"Again, again!" He cheers, holding up a small treat above the small cat's head. Trixie leaps, batting at Kadens hand with her paws, and successfully getting her treat. Granted, it was only one or two inches over her, but the two of us cheer and clap like she jumped a whole 10 feet.

"Extraordinary!" I smile, ruffling my son's curls.

"I know," Kaden says, preening, "and to think it only took me two weeks!"

I chuckle, rising from my chair to stretch, as Kaden gently placed Trixie back on the ground. "How was school today Kade?" I ask, pouring myself and him glasses of water.

"Fine," he shrugs, taking his from my outstretched hand, "same people, same classes, same rumors…" he clears his throat, taking a sip from his glass.

I can't help but look down at my hands awkwardly, catching his insinuation. "Are people giving you a hard time?"

"No," he answers, shaking his head, "infact, they've been nicer to me. Today I asked my friend for a piece of gum and six people offered me a stick! It's just annoying having so many people know something about my life that even I don't know… you know?"

"Right… listen Kade, you're just going to have to trust me when I say you aren't ready for everything yet. Look at your sister, it's been so hard on her to learn so much, and she's older than you. I don't wanna put you through that."

"I get it okay," Kaden frowns, "And I do trust you. It just makes me sad that you and mom don't trust me."

"What?!" I sit up straight, "Where on earth did you get that idea from?"

"It's a big deal I get it, you don't trust me to be able to handle it-"

"Kaden, no," I lean forward, making a point to keep eye contact with him. "We trust you completely, but we know how harmful everything is to learn and hear about. We are trying to protect you for as long as we can."

He swallows, "I guess that makes sense. I'm not a baby though."

I smirk, "Whatever you say son."

The barely there sound of Katniss walking down the steps alerts us about her presence. Kaden slouches back into his chair, doing his best to look natural. I almost laugh when I see how quickly Kat notices something is off.

"Hey boys," she says, quirking an eyebrow as she walks past us. "Whatcha gossiping about today?"

"The fact we haven't gone to get ice cream in a week," Kaden says, smiling cheekily up at his mom.

Katniss scoffs, leaning against the back of my chair, "Do you have ice cream money?"

Kaden huffs, "If I had money do you think I would be sitting here talking to dad instead of getting ice cream?"

My mocking gasp syncs with Katniss' unashamed peal of laughter. I hold up my hands in surrender, "Alright, I see how it is," I sigh, speaking over both Kaden and Katniss' giggles. "I guess I have no choice but to leave and go get ice cream for me, myself, and I."

…

"Wait!"

Lily gets home even later than usual, a while after Kaden's been forced to bed. My little girl looks both relieved and distraught, so I'm guessing she must have finally finished the tapes of our first games. She walked in the front door, moving so slowly it barely creaked, and planted herself on the couch next to her mother, for now choosing to stare at her hands than talk to us.

Katniss shoots me a look, a face that is both amused and worried regarding Lily's behavior. It seems she's finally come to terms with the idea that Lily doesn't hate us, she only hates that we kept a secret from her. If Lily had done this a few weeks ago, I'm positive Kat would have been out of her mind panicking. She's always been a pro at jumping to conclusions, specifically the conclusion that someone hates her.

Another silent minute ticks by, marking the quarter hour point, when I decide enough is enough. Someone's gotta start a conversation, and that someone usually ends up being me, whether I like it or not.

"Lily… Flower?" I ask, leaning forward. Her eyes meet mine, and for the first time I notice they are not tear filled but analytical, like she's thinking rather than mourning. "Flower, what are you thinking so hard about? Has something happened?"

Lily takes a deep breath, tucking her feet under her in that way Katniss does, before meeting my gaze once again.

"I finished it, dad," She admits, confirming my suspicions. Katniss lets out a breath, revealing she must have been thinking the same thoughts as me.

"The tape?" Katniss asks.

Lily answers with just a nod this time, still not answering my original question.

"So, what is it then, that you are thinking so hard about? The mystery is over, isn't it?" I can't help but fidget with a loose thread on the bottom of my shirt, a habit formed after my stay in the Capitol. Finnick used to share his rope with me sometimes and now a piece of string will do in times of anxiety.

Lily heaves a sigh, finally relaxing her stiff posture against the back of the couch, "I just… I feel kind of guilty."

I'm taken aback, that's not what I was expecting at all. "Lily, what could you feel guilty about?" I fight against the urge to join her on the couch, which is too small for the three of us.

She scoffs, slapping her hands against her lap, "I was so ridiculous! Over everything!"

Katniss scowls, turning towards Lily and grabbing her hands, "Your feelings were not ridiculous, and they are not ridiculous now. We did a bad thing-"

"No mom," Lily cuts her off, "you only did what you thought was right! I get it now." Lily draws her hands away, gently, and curls into herself, "Watching that tape… it was so hard. I can't even imagine-" her voice breaks, and I'm up in an instant.

Kneeling in front of her, I pull Lily into my arms and she reciprocates immediately, burying her head into my chest.

My heart feels like it's being squeezed as I listen to the sound of her soft sniffles. Katniss moves in closer to us, rubbing Lily's back softly.

"Oh Flower…" I whisper, holding her tighter.

"You were just sixteen," she cries, gripping the back of my shirt, "you were only sixteen."

I meet Katniss' eyes over our daughter's head, thinking the same thing. This is what we didn't want to happen. We didn't want the pain that comes with knowledge. Not for her. Not about this.

"Lily, honey," Katniss coos, "We're okay now. It's okay."

Lily pulls away, "It's not okay! I was awful to you! Both of you!" Lily's tearfilled eyes seem to glow when she looks at me, her meaning clear. "I was cruel and I accused you of awful things. Untrue things."

Lily stands suddenly, wiping angrily at her eyes, "I'm sorry, I don't know why I just got so upset. It's like I was fine before but suddenly I'm…"

"Overwhelmed," I offer, "like it's all hitting you at once." She nods silently, sinking back down to the couch.

Katniss sighs, "Oh honey, we never wanted to see you get hurt. That's why- well, I'm sorry that you did anyway."

Our daughter simply nods, her expression plain yet telling us all we need to know.

Forgiveness.

The three of us sit, the tense quiet slowly but surely becoming more comfortable to sit in. Lily leans into my side, and I hide a smile.

I know what healing feels like, and this is it. It's like the first real day of spring, when the breeze is just a bit warmer and doesn't have you clutching your coat tight. Like after exhorting yourself and your muscles start to feel sore in a good way. Like getting energy in the morning after weeks of being exhausted all day. It's nice.

I look over at Katniss, catching her smile. "Hey Lily," she whispers.

Lily picks up her head from my side, looking curiously at her mom, "What?"

"We got you ice cream."

Lily smiles.

For a moment, we have peace.

I've always loved playing with Katniss' hair. She always gets so relaxed, like she can finally take a full breath again. Over the years, I've grown addicted to the feeling of her raven waves, of running my fingers through them or braiding intricate knots.

Kat lays in my lap in our bed, eyes closed, as I twist two locks of hair together. The two of us were still processing the conversation with our daughter that went surprisingly well.

"One down," I whisper.

"One to go," she finishes, her dark eyes lashes brushing her cheek.

"I'm proud of you Katniss," I admit, "I feel like this was hardest on you, and you've managed to come out the other side even stronger than before. Just like you always have, and always will."

Kat smiles slightly, before slowly sitting up to look at me at eye level. "I'm proud of you too, Peeta," she says, brushing a curl behind my ear. "I don't know how you do it."

"Do what?" I ask in confusion.

"How you're so… calm. I've been a mess for months, and for most of all this horribleness and stress, you've done your best to be there for the both of us, me and Lily. You never let your own fear get in the way of you trying to comfort others."

I shrug, my mind immediately flashing back to that awful moment where I couldn't stay calm, no matter how hard I tried-

"Don't. Don't think about that," Katniss commands me. "That was not your fault. None of it was."

I roll my shoulders back, "I know. But still-"

"Still nothing," Katniss places a hand on either side of my face, cradling my head, "You have the kindest, most loving heart. The sweetest, most beautiful mind. And the strongest, most unbreakable soul."

I'm entranced with her, this woman in front of me. She's not usually one for words, but when she is…it kills me. For once, I'm rendered speechless.

Katniss smiles at the effect she has on me, no doubt reveling the lovestruck look in my puppy dog eyes. She leans in, pressing her lips softly against mine. That's all it takes to snap me out of my daze. Before she has the chance to pull away, leaving the kiss as something sweet, I grab her waist to keep her in. Katniss giggles, threading her fingers through my hair.

We roll over, so that I'm looking up at her. With those dark locks I was playing with hanging over one shoulder, Katniss looks like a goddess.

"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," I say, tracing her jaw with my finger.

Katniss rolls her eyes playfully, leaning down again to capture my mouth in another kiss.

"I love you," I mumble against her lips. She smiles, breaking the kiss. Her eyes shine, and I'm compelled to keep going.

"I love you more than anything. You are my heart, mind, and soul. You are my everything." The silver in her eyes has washed over me like a spell I never want to be broken. "You have given me life and love in so many ways. You brought me back from the dead and you saved me from Hell. You have given me two perfect children. With you, I am home.

"Oh Peeta," Katniss says softly, voice trembling, "You are the love of my life. My rock, and my guiding light. My dandelion in the spring. Without you, I would have died inside and outside. With you, I have hope."

And so we lay and fall asleep just like that; wrapped in each other's arms and whispering words of love. I could die here a happy man, but I'd miss so much I long to see.

Xoxo

Hi guys! I know this was short, but we got Peeta's POV!! I hope you guys liked this little shake up. Next chapter will actually get into the Quarter Quell! Don't forget to review and follow to keep up with updates! The next chapter might be up in two or three weeks!