Chapter 7: Welcome to the Family

One improvement of living in District 13 as opposed to District 12: no more living arrangements with ten or more people.

The entire Mellark brood is subdivided into our nuclear families and given apartments near each other: Mom and Dad; Leven, Madge, Bannock and Damper; Rye, Delly, Injera and Manny; and Katniss and me. My Hawthorne in-laws are one level above us, and my wife goes to visit Rory, Prim, Chrysanthemum, Badan, Gladiolus and baby Yarrow as often as she can.

Alone in our little apartment, Katniss and I spend whatever free time we have in bed together, making hot, raw love. A slight swell has begun to show in my lover's belly, imperceptible to most other people, but not to me as I gradually become an expert in knowing her strong, svelte body.

Several weeks after arriving in District 13, I am surprised when it is my mother who asks that I bring Katniss by for a large family dinner. When I tell my Katty this, she frowns, as if sensing a trap, but agrees to come and meet the family she married into.

We are standing at the door to my mom and dad's place when I realize it is more than just mistrust of my mother that has my bride so concerned. She is bunching the folds of her blue Reaping dress, getting the fabric hopelessly creased, and gazing into her grey eyes, I can see that she's scared.

"What if they don't like me?"

"Everyone will love you."

My wife cocks a ruffled eyebrow. "Your mother hates me."

"OK, everyone but her will love you," I amend. I slip her hand into mine and squeeze it. "Even if she does, it doesn't matter. I love you, and that's what counts."

Katniss beams, pecking me lightly on the lips. "I know. I love you too. Stay with me?"

"Always."

My siblings and all my nephews and niece are excited to meet the famous Victor Katniss Everdeen. Dad kisses his new daughter-in-law on the cheek, and even Mom is surprisingly civil.

Damper is blushing as we all sit down to eat. "You were really good in the Games, Aunt Katniss. I would have sponsored you."

Katniss blinks, smiling softly. "Thanks, sweetie." And she kisses him on the forehead, causing Damper to look as though he's going to faint dead out of his chair. Bannock is trying not to laugh.

"Can we call you Aunt Katniss, then?" Injera asks, bouncing baby Manny, who is giggling and reaching for our pretty dinner guest.

"Cat-piss! Cat-piss!"

My wife's lips don't seem to know whether to smirk or frown, as Bannock finally loses all control and begins to hoot loudly. Leaning into me, Katniss murmurs, "Gale used to call me Catnip. I daresay I like it better than what our nephew has chosen."

I squeeze her hand under the table, beaming. Our nephew. But to Injera, Katniss says, "Of course you can. Auntie Katniss works just as well too. That's what my sister's kids call me!"

"I like Auntie Katniss better! It rolls off the tongue!" Bannock declares.

"So, Katniss:" We all hush, our heads swiveling to Mom, who blinks at the scrutiny. Next to me, I can feel Katniss stiffen, bracing herself. "When will the babies be due? I understand there is more than one."

"Twins," Katniss gushes, running a hand over her belly with love. "I never thought I wanted children, but now that there is a rebellion…. They'll be due in April, in the spring. One boy, and one girl."

Injera seems relieved. "Finally! I won't be the only granddaughter anymore!" We all share a good laugh.

I groan, jerking my hips up to meet her as Katniss furiously rides me. Her second trimester hormones have been a boon, leaving her horny for sex all the time, and we've been making love every night.

Saturday nights are the hardest, as those have become the evenings we Mellarks all sit down for a family meal. By the time Katniss and I arrive back at our apartment, we're usually tearing at each other's clothes, half-dressed.

Katniss finally comes with a whimper, and collapses on top of me, brown curls sweaty and windswept. She traces lazy patterns on my chest, eyes soft and so full of love. But there is also a tinge of…. sadness to them.

"I haven't been completely honest with you," she murmurs. Chin on my chest, she gazes at me. "You weren't my first time when we made love in the Justice Building."

I cock my head, curious. My heart constricts, fearing who did take my wife's virginity. "Was it Gale Hawthorne?" I ask, bracing myself for the answer.

"What? No," Katniss blinks. "It…. He was Capitol."

There is silence. I sit back and listen as she explains.

"It was during the Victory Tour after my first Games. Snow ordered me to prostitute out to wealthy sponsors. He…." Her grey eyes shimmer with tears. "He said if I didn't, he would hurt Prim. I had no choice. I was whored out for years, always under the threat of Prim's safety, and then Rory's and eventually the kids. And…. even though it was never stated, they threatened to hurt 'my lover.' Snow seemed convinced I was in love with someone back home, but he never said who. I don't think he ever truly figured that out. But when he threatened… in my heart, I knew who I needed to protect…." She gazes at me with deep love. "It was you. Every time I let someone else touch me, let someone else fuck me…. I told myself I was doing it to protect Prim. To protect you." A pause. I watch her searching my eyes, biting her lip. "Do you hate me?"

In answer, I kiss her deeply. "Never. I love you so much, Katty."

"Enough for us to get married again?"

Remembering what she told Haymitch in the arena, I kiss her again. "Yes. And this time, everyone we love will be there."

Manny is the ring bearer. Chrysanthemum is the Flower Girl. Injera is touched when she is asked by her aunt to be a bridesmaid along with Prim. As is District 12 custom, Katniss and I toast a bit of bread and share it. Then we each exchange rings and vows. Dalton, a cowhand from District 10, marries us.

When we are pronounced husband and wife, I tenderly lift Katniss's veil. Her wedding dress is a gift from Effie, who of course, managed to flee the Capitol with an entire wardrobe. My bride and Haymitch had a good laugh about that.

Speaking of Haymitch, he looks a little teary standing next to Effie after giving Katniss away. The old drunk put the fear of Snow into me, but gave Katniss and I his blessing. I promised to always do right by her.

And I intend to keep that promise, as leaning in, Katniss and I share a deep kiss, smiling into each other's eyes, as all our family bursts into applause. Katniss laughs when I sweep her off her feet and carry her bridal-style across our threshold while our guests sing the traditional District 12 wedding song.

Once we are alone in our apartment, Katniss pushes me down onto our bed and sultrily moves to straddle me.

"Katniss…." I whimper.

"Peeta…. I really do love you. I've loved you since you threw me that bread when we were children. I was just too blind to see it." Leaning in, she kisses me lightly. My lips chase after hers and we deepen the kiss, our arms winding about each other.

"Undress me," Katniss whispers, and my shaking fingers peel back the zipper of her wedding dress. "Show me you love me…."

Shimmying out of her bridal gown, Katniss nudges the garment off her immaculate body and the dress rustles with a whisper to the floor at the foot of our bed. Clutching each other close, I feel my erection straining, but Katniss guides me to her entrance.

"Please, Peeta…. I want you inside me…. I need you inside me…."

With one thrust, I take her, and we undulate against each other, tenderly and emotionally making love. Katniss's moans ring in my ears.

"Ohhhh… Huhhhh….. Uhhhhh….. Mmmmm….. Hmmm…..Peeta….."

When we come together with happy cries, I know I have never felt such bliss.

Eight months later, Katniss is in the delivery ward in Thirteen, screaming bloody murder.

I was the only one allowed back, as her husband, though I can hear seventeen other members of our blended family (including Haymitch and Effie) all shouting at the hospital staff and demanding to be let in.

It's a good thing Prim has been working in the medic unit as a Healer. I find it rather fitting and touching that she is the midwife who will be helping her older sister deliver our babies.

Katniss's emotions are erratic. One minute, she is screaming at me and at Prim; the next minute, she is bursting into tears, which I kiss away.

"I'm…. Mmmm…. I'm sorry…." My wife whimpers as I finish kissing her. "I didn't want to… be weak…."

"You're not. And you won't be. You won't do anything except welcome our babies…"

"Our babies…." Katty murmurs dreamily. "I…. Oh, Panem, it's really happening…."

Prim tells Katniss to push, and push she does, crying out in pain and with tears streaming down her face. My wife's cries are soon joined by the wails of our twins – a squalling boy and a girl.

Prim cleans up her niece and nephew. Katniss's entire expression collapses in love as she holds our daughter first.

"Amaryllis."

I smile in approval. It's a family tradition for the Everdeens to be named after flowers, and when Katniss and I discussed it, I whole-heartedly endorsed the idea. We compromised on the middle name, which will follow the Mellark tradition of being named after bread: Focaccia.

As for the boy, well, there really was no debate for Katniss.

"Haymitch Gale Mellark. Mitchy," Katniss decides that's what we'll nickname him, to avoid confusion with his famous surrogate grandfather.

Prim finally lets the rest of the family back. Mom is overjoyed to have two more grandchildren and especially another granddaughter. Though she bristles a little at the name we gave our son.

"Haymitch Gale?" And she side-eyes the elder Haymitch distastefully; the drunk makes a face at her. "But that's…"

"Haymitch Abernathy and Gale Hawthorne are the reason I am still here. The reason my babies even exist. I wanted to repay both my district partners in some way, and this is how," Katniss states firmly.

Haymitch is clearly moved, but tries to cover it up with a good laugh. "Well, Effie, looks like we have grandchildren!"

Effie smiles softly. "I'm glad, Haymitch. We always did say we wanted to grow old together."

"And here I thought you took that as an inside joke," Haymitch smirks at her with a wink.

Beaming down at our children, Katniss and I lean in and kiss tenderly.

"I love you."

"I know."

Katniss's POV

My many nieces and nephews – both Mellark and Hawthorne – play in the Meadow. Rocking my son in my arms, I watch my husband as he gamely allows himself to be pummeled, chased, and tackled silly. Chrysanthemum is prancing around with Yarrow on her shoulders; Badan, Gladiolus and Damper are all playing tag. Even Bannock is having a good time, trotting around like a horse with Manny on his back.

Next to me, Injera is feeding baby Amaryllis. My one niece on my husband's side has been very helpful, and has been talking with Prim about becoming a Healer herself one day.

An old song floats through my mind just then as I gaze down at my baby:

"Today's a day like any other, But I am changed, I am a mother, oh, in an instant. And who I was has disappeared; It doesn't matter, now you're here... So innocent…. I was lost for you to find, And now I'm yours and you are mine.

Two tiny hands, a pair of eyes. An unsung melody is mine for safekeeping… And I will guard it with my life. I'd hang the moon for it to shine on you sleeping. Starting here and starting now, I can feel the heart of how…. Everything changes. For my heart's at the wheel now, and all my mistakes,they make sense hwne I turn them around. Everything changes. What I thought was so permanent fades, and I swear I'll remember to say we were both born today. Oh, and it's true…. What did I do….. to deserve you?

I didn't know, but now I see: Sometimes what is, is meant to be… You saved me. My blurry lines, my messy life come into focus and in time, maybe…. I can heal, and I can breathe, 'Cause I can feel myself believe: Everything changes. Oh, my heart's at the wheel now, And all my mistakes, they make sense when I turn them around. Everything changes. What I thought was so permanent fades, and I swear I'll remember to say we were both born today. Oh, and it's true…. What did I do….. to deserve you?"

Mitchy suddenly stirs, whimpering, against my breast.

"Oh, sssssh….. ssssh….." I bounce him, calming him down. "Did you have a nightmare?" I whisper. "I have nightmares too. Someday, I'll explain it to you. Why they came…. Why they won't ever go away. But I'll tell you how I survive it. I make a list in my head of all the good things I've seen someone do. Of all the moments I've felt love. Every little thing I can remember. It's like a game. I do it over and over. Gets a little tedious after all these years, but… there are much worse Games to play."

Peeta, my devoted husband, saunters over to me. Cuddling into my side, we smile and kiss lovingly. I never thought I could safely have a family, allow myself to be loved by a man who cares for me deeply. But having Peeta and our children, even all our nieces and nephews, it makes me realize that all I did, all I fought for, all the games I played to have this life with them were worth it.

Because, after all…. there really are much worse Games to play.