I loved you first
Part Ten
"You realize how much you're taking on, Peeta?"
Grant joined them at their dining table along with Jo, who handed Katniss a cup of tea to settle her stomach. This pregnancy seemed harder than Adeline's, but his wife had handled it like the trooper she was.
"I…" Peeta turned to look at Katniss, who was caressing her swollen stomach. "…we understand. I've been working towards this transition to CEO. It's what's best for our family."
Jo looked to Katniss. "And you? How do you feel about this?"
Katniss looked surprised at the inquiry. She straightened; her grey eyes contemplative as she thought about her mother-in-law's words.
"We've just graduated, and the baby is well on his way," she started slowly. "I supposed it's just the natural order of things."
"Katniss, you're due in just a couple more weeks," Jo intoned. "Honestly, I don't think that it's the best time for Peeta to be transitioning into CEO. You need his support. I've talked to your mother and she's noticed that you've been a little more…sensitive this pregnancy. Not just emotionally but physically."
A rush of cold hit Peeta's spine and he turned to his wife.
"What is she talking about? You told me that the last check-up went fine."
"You've been busy working at the bakery in-between classes. I didn't want to bug you," Katniss told him. "Effie noticed a rise in my blood pressure, but I thought it was just stress from classes and graduation." She turned to her mother-in-law; expression heated. "I don't need you or Mom prying into my pregnancy! Excuse me—"
Standing, Katniss stood up and walked out of the room.
Jo looked stricken, her eyes going to the open doorway.
"I shouldn't have pushed her," she said. "Alice is just so worried about Katniss having to juggle getting work and having another baby. At least, Addie is already in preschool so she can get a break—"
"I'll check on her," Peeta told his mother.
Stepping out into the hallway, he headed upstairs and went into their bedroom. Immediately, Peeta walked into the closet, his eyes zeroing in on Katniss seated in the corner.
Sitting beside her, he took her hand. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I really did think it was stress," Katniss replied. "I mean, I was never in such a bad way when I was pregnant with Adeline. This one seems to enjoy making trouble, just like his parents."
"Maybe we should hold off on me taking over—"
Katniss turned to him vehemently.
"No! You've sacrificed so much to get to this point. You could've been drinking with your college friends. Instead, you're married with two children and on the cusp of taking over a potential billion-dollar company. This is your dream."
Peeta reached, taking her face in his hands. "You…the kids…you're my dream."
Katniss grinned. "So cheesy."
"Well, it's true," he replied, putting an arm around her. "The company is just a job. Your health and our son's health are number one priority."
"I know we are." Katniss leaned over, giving him a soft kiss. "We'll be alright if you always remember what your priorities are. Speak with the business lawyers, I've always wanted to make out with a CEO."
Peeta snorted. "Well, good for you. You'll be spending the rest of your life with one."
"I think I'm in love," Aaron muttered under his breath as he gazed at Madge.
As if they needed any more problems.
Peeta shook his head before looking to the candidates once more.
"Now that I've introduced everyone, it should be obvious that Mellark Bakery is, at its core, a family business," he told the three candidates. "Although I took over as CEO, my family along with Katniss' are both heavily involved, despite having their own respective jobs and companies. Family is important to our brand name and mission statement. Having said that, I would like to begin to talk about the next part of your interview process."
Delly stood, going to each candidate to give them each a portfolio.
"During your respective interviews, you each talked about your ideas to uphold our brand and mission statement. We would like you to expand and present your concepts to our employees. In your portfolio, you have your team—made up of our board members—as well as your budget. You will have until the end of the month to complete and then present your presentation. Our employees will vote as well as our board members on who they believe will be best for the position. The final say will be between myself and Delly."
Thresh raised his hand.
"Not to sound like I'm being suspicious, but what would stop the board members from voting for their own team?"
"I'll answer that," Delly said. "I, along with IT, will be creating the voting site on our intranet. It will be programmed so that for each board member, they would only have the opposing teams as their voting choices. I'd like to continue to say employee votes will count for about 75% of the vote, so it's important that you impress them—not the board."
"Each of you has been given two board members for your team," Peeta continued. "Because we wanted it equal, Alice Everdeen will not be participating." He turned to his mother-in-law. "What are you going to be doing instead, Mom?"
"Spoiling my grandchildren and probably irritating Katniss," Alice quipped with a grin.
Everyone chuckled at her response immediately lightening the room.
"Along with Delly, I will be here if there are any questions." Peeta looked to the three and then to each side of the table. "How about everyone get into their teams and do some quick introductions before you three take off for the day? I'm sure you're all completely overwhelmed."
"Don't worry, we're not all mean," Aaron told them, smirking at his brother. "We leave that to Peeta."
"I'm only mean because you and Otis tortured me when we were kids," he retorted with a grin. Peeta turned back to the three. "Don't listen to any of them. Now, get to work."
The three candidates quickly sprung to their feet, looking over their portfolios before breaking off into their teams.
Thresh made an immediate beeline over to Prim, who held her hand out firmly for him to shake as he introduced himself. They were joined by his father and the three quickly sat down and went to work as Thresh explained his idea to the two.
Madge was already with Aaron and his mother. They had taken the table where the candidates had been seated and his brother had made sure to sit next to Madge. His mother looked amused at the developed, taking notes as Madge began to speak.
"Should you tell Aaron?"
Peeta turned to find Katniss beside him, her eyes on his brother and Madge.
"I can see he's interested in her, but I don't feel like it's at a point where I should interject," he replied. "We'll just have to wait and see." Turning to her, Peeta gave her a wry smile. "How are you feeling about this?"
"I think it's going to be awkward as balls if something comes to play," Katniss said. She threaded her arm through his, her head going his shoulder as they looked around. "You and Delly did well; I think that this is going to be a productive time for Mellark Bakery. Also, you'll be able to make a better decision on who you're leaving the role to."
His eyes went to Finch, talking animatedly to Otis and his father-in-law, excitement in her eyes. She seemed to be sketching something out to them as they listened intently and took notes. Though Finch had little experience in leading a team, she had a charisma that would take her far.
"Thanks for being here," he told Katniss, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I'm looking forward to when we make this decision, and I can put all my energy into getting you to marry me again."
"Don't forget about setting up the nursery, bringing me all the food I want, and giving me foot massages," Katniss added with a smile. Her hand went to her rounding belly, her eyes brightening. "The baby is moving. He or she must be excited."
Peeta pressed a light kiss to her lips, his own hand going to her stomach.
"You know what? So am I."
Contrary to what Peeta, or even Katniss, believed, Madge did not apply to Mellark Bakery for him.
She had been in a rut for months, feeling unchallenged by her job, and could feel in her bones that it was time to move on. Madge immediately got in touch with a headhunter to help her find a job that might give her the rush that she needed.
It had taken a month when the job posting had come in for the Mellark Bakery.
Her immediate instinct was to refuse, but Mary, her headhunter, thought it was the perfect job for her. She urged Madge to read over the job description, look over the company website, and really think about how she might put her stamp on the company.
As Madge read through the description and objectives, she felt that rush of excitement travel up her spine. She could do this, ideas on how to increase productivity and sales already pouring out of her mind.
It was all put to a halt when she looked over the website and saw Peeta Mellark's photo under the title of CEO.
Madge had known that it was his family's company, but she didn't know that he was the person in charge of it all. Also, that he had practically taken over when he was a kid.
There had been extraordinarily little talking during their one night together. She had seen a handsome yet tortured-looking man at a bar and had gone in with the thought of commiserating with someone as bored as she had been during the convention.
Yes, she had kissed him first and had led him to her room—but in the middle of it, it began to feel…wrong.
Peeta wasn't all there, and he looked miserable with her. She had thought of how much he might've drunk before she joined him, and it was obvious it was more alcohol-driven on his end.
He hadn't even said her name during.
Instead, the name Katniss had escaped his lips before he had succumbed and passed out.
Madge had laid thereafter, embarrassed and with her head aching.
Whoever Katniss was, she had definitely done a number on him.
And when she awoke the next morning, Peeta was gone.
Presently, Madge was more than a little surprised that she was here, sitting with his older brother and his mother explaining how they should have limited edition packaging by local artists, or even compostable packaging to help with their carbon footprint.
His mother, Jo, seemed like a no-nonsense woman. She asked good questions and pointed out how some of her ideas might not work for the budget they were given. Aaron seemed more interested in finding out everything about her, about her previous jobs, as well as other things that were not necessary to the project.
Like what kind of cuisines, she liked.
"I'm not sure how that would pertain to our project," Madge replied stiffly.
Aaron shrugged easily, blue eyes twinkling at her.
"Just in case we have a late night, and we need to get dinner."
"I like to be efficient," she told him stiffly. "So, I highly doubt that we'll need to stay late."
"Aaron, please be a professional," Jo scolded, giving Madge an apologetic smile. "This is for Peeta and Katniss."
During their drunken conversation at the bar, Madge had known that Peeta was divorced and on later thought, she had realized that he was still in love with his wife—the infamous Katniss.
Madge couldn't help but egg him when Delly introduced them at her interview. She had never dealt with a situation like this, and her walls had been raised seeing him. After, Peeta had laid it all out there for her, explaining that he and Katniss reconciled, and she respected him for explaining himself.
She could even see the allure of Katniss Mellark, who was beautiful and as far as she could see was a Jane-of-all-trades. Wife, mother, businesswoman: she did them all and did them well.
Madge still felt a chill, remembering Katniss' warning about staying away from Peeta. Her grey eyes, so open and sweet to Glimmer, had gone rock hard at the sight of her.
Katniss Mellark was a woman you didn't want to mess with.
Madge had no intention to.
However, she had something to prove—and Madge hoped that a job position would be waiting at the end of it.
"Everything is looking good," Effie informed them with a cheery smile as they watched over the screen. The baby was currently sleeping after moving a bit for Katniss and Peeta to see. "The baby is developing nicely and on track with his or her weight." She looked to Katniss; gaze serious. "However, your blood pressure is slightly elevated. Nothing to worry about but we'll keep track of it. If you feel anything out of the ordinary, I want you to call me."
"I'm surprised because I've been trying to keep myself healthy and at the same time, not really because this has happened before," Katniss replied, gripping Peeta's hand. "I know I'm older, so we'd definitely have more things to watch out for. Do you think I need to reduce my work hours?"
"I don't think that's necessary at the moment," Effie told her. "Just don't push yourself. If you have an 8-hour shift, keep it at 8-hours. Take your breaks. Keep up with your vitamins and make sure that Peeta takes good care of you."
"That's the plan, Effie," Peeta told her. "Do you think we can get some pictures of the baby for Addie and Luke?"
"Of course. How is Adeline doing at school?"
"She's getting settled in," Katniss told her. "Started her classes so she doesn't get to talk much during the weekdays. We do a Friday story-time with her so the baby knows her voice."
"That is so sweet!" Effie clapped her hands in excitement. "Speaking of which, did you two want to know the sex of the baby so you could tell Adeline during your next call?"
The couple looked to one another.
"I don't know if I want to know," Katniss admitted.
"I do," Peeta replied. "I mean, you're pregnant with my kid and we're divorced. That's pretty much all the surprise I can take at my age."
Katniss grimaced. "We're not that old, despite this being considered an older pregnancy."
"Before I start a fight—" Effie reached into a nearby drawer pulling out a piece of paper and envelope. "—I'm going to write down the sex of the baby on their paper and seal it up." She turned away from them, pulling a pen from her coat pocket and writing quickly. The doctor then folded the paper and placed it in an envelope before quickly sealing it. "You two decide, at home, whether to open it or tear it up."
Effie gave the envelope to Peeta.
"You're handing me something very loaded," he told her. "Our families are already placing bets on the baby's sex."
"Except for Johanna, who is saying hermaphrodite," Katniss said with a roll of her eyes.
"All I can say is make the best choice for yourselves and not your family," Effie advised.
Peeta snorted. "Well, you've never met our mothers."
"I see what you're getting at," Primrose Everdeen told him. "However, your budget wouldn't allow for advertisement at the level."
"Well, I'm not asking for advertising time on networks," Thresh argued. "I'm thinking social media; Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, reels on Instagram. We could also run ad campaigns on streaming services."
"The idea has merit," Prim relented, giving him a bright smile. She tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder and he watched, admiring how it fell gracefully onto her shoulders.
"I agree," Grant Mellark added. "What do you visualize for the advertising?"
"On Twitter, we can ask people what their favorite Mellark baked good is? I'm on your Twitter and it looks like your social media is still getting the hang of it. You need to push for folks to actually re-tweet from the account. Advertise your daily specials…feature a story behind a bread…or even open it to letting departments do a Twitter takeover."
"I've never really looked at our Twitter," Grant admitted. "I will now."
"I also think that you could do a TikTok or Instagram reel featuring the bakery," Thresh continued. "Ask employees what their favorite baked good or even who their favorite Mellark is. Make them feel like they're getting to know the "family" because that's what this company is—at the root, a Mom-and-Pop bakery."
"Great idea." Prim wrote something down. "Maybe we could do a day in the life of one of the bakers or even someone in HQ!"
"Exactly," Thresh replied. "I'm glad you both see my vision."
Thresh had always known that he had the charisma to go places.
From the day he was born, his mother had told him that he had charmed everyone in the labor and delivery unit. Sheryl Baker had been sent home with an obscene amount of free formula, diapers, and bottles for her adorable son and his dimpled smile.
In grade school, his teacher made remarks on his rambunctiousness and his ability to get his classmates to do his work for him. There was no doubt that Thresh was smart, but his mind was always running with ideas on how to do more with the least amount of work.
As Thresh progressed into high school, he charmed teachers, making them forgive him for being tardy. However, he never skimped on doing his work, being one of the top students in his class and one of the more popular boys. Thresh would've been valedictorian if not for missing one week of school to take care of his mother after her first round of chemo so his Dad could work.
Thankfully, his mother recovered and was still around. She watched his graduate magna cum laude and get his first job, continually remarking on his charmed life.
Presently, Thresh found himself in a situation where he couldn't use his charms—both professionally and personally.
This project was all work. In his mind, he was already inquiring with Delly on which employees she thought would do well in their advertisements or coming up with questions to ask for their spotlight employee on YouTube.
It would all be charming and fun—signature Thresh Baker.
His charms, however, did not seem to work on one Primrose Everdeen.
In fact, Thresh had found himself tongue-tied the moment the graceful blonde walked into the room—all power and sexiness rolled into one. The more he got to know her, the more he liked, and yet, this made him suddenly lacking in his charms.
Charm would not work on Prim nor would it get him the job.
But without it, who was he?
Peeta was jarred awake by the sudden shaking.
"What's going on?" He sat up, realizing that Katniss was wide awake. Picking up his phone, looking at the clock. "It's 3 am! Are you okay?"
"I need to know."
Peeta laid back down, resting his head back on the pillow. "Know what?"
"What we're having," Katniss replied, her hands on her stomach. "I know I said that I didn't want to know, but not knowing is driving me crazy!"
"You also told me that no matter how much you begged or cajoled that I shouldn't cave," he told her with a smile.
"Please…" Katniss leaned down, her hand going to his chest as she pressed her mouth against his lightly. She ran her tongue along the inner line of his lips, causing a groan to escape him. "I'll do anything."
"You also told me to refuse all sexual favors," he replied weakly. "You threatened castration if I did."
"That was two days ago," she reasoned, straddling his waist. "Come on…" Her hands went to the buttons of her pajama top, undoing the top two. Katniss ran her hands along the sides of her breasts before cupping them, full pair that they were. "They're so sensitive now. Don't you want to make me feel better?"
"This isn't fair—" His hands reached to joined hers before suddenly pulling away abruptly. "—no! I can't…" Peeta let out a tortured sigh. "I really hate myself right now."
Katniss leaned down, her lips brushing his ear.
"Well, I love you—" She bucked against him, feeling his length along her center. "—but I'd love you more if you told me what we're having."
"I can't," he told her. "I mean I really can't."
She sat up quickly. "Why?"
"I thought you would do something like this," he told her. "So, I mailed the envelope to Addie so I wouldn't be tempted."
"Oh, you're good," Katniss replied, her mouth widening in a grin. "Sometimes, it's a little annoying how much you know me."
Peeta reached, his hand cupping her cheek. "Sweetheart, do you actually want to know?"
"I really do," she told him. "My mom has been on my back about painting the nursery and what I want the theme for the baby shower to be. Apparently, she detests the thought of a unisex baby shower. Also, you're right. I'm pregnant and we're divorced. That's enough of a surprise."
"I will call Addie tomorrow," Peeta told her as his hands went to unravel the rest of the buttons of her top. "Now, can we pretend that you're still trying to convince me?"
"Well…I'm fully awake now." Katniss shrugged, her lips twitching in laughter. "Might as well."
Peeta guffawed as his palms moved along her arms, sending bolts of electricity to her sensitive nerves.
"I'm sorry I'm such a burden."
She leaned down till their faces were a breath away, her lips just brushing against his.
"I'll always take you on."
Finch March was different.
She liked order. She liked structure.
Most would find her organizational skills an asset. However, for her, Finch found that her rigidity was sometimes a burden.
She had always been like this. As a child, Finch lined up her dolls and stuffed animals in order of height then color. Her parents found it adorable, this quirk. Until by happenstance due to one of her older brothers messing with her or even the nanny moving things around, things were put out of order.
Finch would be in utter turmoil, melting down into tears as she frantically got her toys back into their places.
As an adult, it had manifested into top-notch planning skills. Finch had a way of anticipating the needs of her employers before they did, quickly creating whatever chart or pivot table without them asking. She was a great assistant.
However, after being passed up again for the promotion she knew she deserved, Finch had enough.
Doing the one rash thing in her life, she left without looking back.
And thankfully, her interview with the Mellark Bakery had come at an opportune time.
The project had thrown her for a loop. She was used to staying in her safe little box and writing reports or pulling up budget statistics. What the Mellarks were asking was way beyond her comfort zone. She didn't know how to interact with people or work in a group.
She was liked at her previous jobs, but she wasn't known for her social skills.
The Mellarks were all about communication; it showed in the easy banter between the family.
"I never asked," Paul Everdeen started. "How did you think of all of this? I mean, the concept of the at-home baking kit is ingenious."
"And custom baked goods delivery," Otis added with a friendly smile. "I mean I know a lot of people would love this where I'm teaching. We don't have a Mellark Bakery around there."
Finch felt her cheeks grow warm; no one had ever asked her about her ideas. Her former colleagues would just thank her before continuing with their own conversations.
"Well…" She tried to pull out her words carefully. "I suppose the reason I thought of the at-home baking kit was because I enjoyed baking when I was a kid. However, we never had anything besides chocolate chip cookie ingredients."
Baking was easy; you simply had to measure and follow instructions, which she found soothing. On bad days, she often found herself pulling out an old recipe book to make whatever called out to her—even if it meant going to the 24-hour grocer.
"Do you still bake?" Paul asked.
"Not as much as I would like," she replied. "The thing about baking is that the recipes are finite, which works for someone who is as—excuse my words—anal, as I am. I appreciate order. Baking is really the only time I go outside the box and…it soothes me."
Otis smiled at her. "You sound like Peeta. He often baked to express himself; it was his own living journal."
"I like that," Finch told the man. She found herself surprisingly relaxing in the presence of the two men. It had only been three days into the project, so this was a breakthrough for her—seeing as it took her six months at her last job to feel comfortable. "A baking journal—" There was a sudden ding in her head. "—Peeta should consider making a cookbook. Make it look like a journal and it can have little handwritten notes from him…that would sell."
Finch wrote the idea down in her notebook, never noticing the approving nods from her teammates.
"Why isn't Adeline answering my texts?" Katniss looked up at him from her spot on the carpet, phone in her hands. "Have you heard from her?"
"How many texts have you sent?" Peeta responded as he read over the instructions for the new crib that his parents had brought over. The opened box laid at his feet, wood pieces sticking of the box.
"Not too many."
Her gaze, however, darted down to the floor.
"Twice a day since last weekend." Luke stepped into the room with the paint samples for the nursery. "It's a little excessive, don't you think?"
"How do you know how many texts your mother's been sending?" Peeta asked in amusement.
"AJ has been texting me to just check in," Luke told his parents. He joined Katniss on the rug, handing her the swatch. "I would go with dove grey."
"My own daughter is deliberately avoiding me," Katniss moaned. "This is the beginning!" She laid back on the floor, her hands rubbing her belly. She looked to her son. "I'm really sorry."
"Dad—" Luke looked to the man, who was currently pulling the pieces of the crib from the box. "What is she talking about?"
"About this time, your mother gets a teensy bit…moody," Peeta explained, turning to Katniss. "Is that the right word?"
"That's a nice way of putting it," Katniss told him. "Does this mean I'll never find out the sex of the baby?"
"You'll find out eventually," Luke said sympathetically. "I mean, he or she will be out in 20-ish weeks."
"Yes, please." Katniss scowled at their son. "Keep reminding me that I have 20 or so weeks of hormones, swelling, and gas in front of me. Also, let's add the heartburn and insomnia."
Luke turned to Peeta. "I see what you mean." He kissed the top of his mother's head before slowly standing up. "I'm going to go do my homework before I anger you even more."
Katniss grabbed his hand. "You know that this isn't really me, right?"
Luke grinned. "I know. But, any way you are, I'm still going to love you."
He walked out of the room, leaving the couple alone once more.
Peeta joined her on the floor and Katniss scooted, resting her head on his lap.
"We raised a good kid," she told him, her eyes misting.
"They're both good," Peeta replied. "I think that it's more to do with you than me. I made a lot of mistakes when it came to the three of you."
"We both made mistakes," Katniss said. "Remember that first bath that we gave Adeline? We were so afraid that of getting water in her ears, or her choking on the bathwater. I don't think that I've had a workout that's made me sweat as much as that first bath."
Peeta chuckled. "For me, it was the first time that the kids got in a fight," he recalled. "We were at one of those soft-play places and they were in a ball pit. I had to dive in and hold them apart. Addie's crying…and Luke is shouting—and I felt like the world's worst dad." Peeta ran a hand through her hair. "I don't doubt that we're still going to make a mess, but we're going to do it together."
Katniss met his gaze, smiling softly. Her hand reached to caress his cheek.
"I love you."
He leaned down and kissed her. "Love you forever."
Katniss pouted. "Do you think Adeline will ignore me forever?"
"We went to Effie's on Monday. When did you start texting her?"
"Right after the appointment," Katniss admitted sheepishly. "I was really excited."
"Well, tomorrow is Friday," he told her. "Maybe she'll have forgiven you by then."
"Maybe—" Katniss bit at her lower lip. "—but I don't blame her for being annoyed."
"Being persistent is just one of your many endearing qualities," Peeta said.
"What are my others?"
"Helping me figure out these instructions for this damn crib."
"So, how is it going?" Katniss said as she sat down at the table with Finch, her Dad, and Otis.
As soon as she finished with her morning shift at the store, Katniss had headed over to the Mellark Bakery HQ. Peeta was sitting in on a few meetings when she arrived so she went right to the conference room where the teams were working.
She made a point to sit in with every team to get a gauge on how each person was doing as well as their working style. Beginning with Madge—personally, the hardest one—Katniss listened to the woman's idea and how she was going about on the new packaging. Madge was admittedly organized and prepared, showing her team the financials for her project.
She had even presented Katniss with the limited-edition packaging that would potentially be for the holidays. The design was created by a local graphic artist, Cashmere Joy, and it was a beautifully done pattern of snowflakes made with gold foil.
It was impressive and lovely. Katniss even told Madge so.
The woman beamed at her approval, thanking her quietly. In turn, Aaron had smiled adoringly at Madge while her mother-in-law chuckled in amusement. So far, her son had been striking out with the blonde but didn't seem to be deterred.
Thresh has made Katniss laugh, going over the potential questions that would be featured on their Instagram channel.
"I'm thinking that I could do a little video mock-up with some willing employees," he told her excitedly. "Just ask them the questions super quick style, similar to Billy on the Street."
"I've watched that show; it's hilarious," she responded. "I'd be willing to volunteer but I'm not an employee."
"You're the wifey of our illustrious CEO," Thresh said. "Of course, they're going to want to know about you…or better yet, how much you know Peeta."
"I've known Peeta since I was in Kindergarten," Katniss replied. "I don't think there's anything about him that I wouldn't know."
"We'll see about that," he countered jovially.
Behind him, Prim blushed when Katniss caught her staring at the man while her father-in-law looked over the questions.
Now, she was sitting with Finch, along with her father and Otis.
"What is this?" Katniss asked as she took the medium-sized box. She looked over the rose-colored package with the hand-drawn irises. "It's lovely."
"Well, I thought I'd make a sample of the custom baked good boxes," she explained. "This is a prototype for Mother's Day. I decorated it with irises for my mother…her name is Iris." Finch opened the box and Katniss gasped. "They're not exactly Mellark Bakery cookies, but this is just how I visualized it looking."
Inside was a variety of sugar cookies, each decorated masterfully as a different flower. Katniss could see how this would be a big seller, instead of a flower delivery—a cookie delivery.
"May I?" Finch nodded shyly. Picking up a daisy cookie, Katniss took a bite. "Holy shit!" The room silenced abruptly, and she looked around. "Sorry—" She turned to the red-haired woman. "This is delicious!"
"Thank you," Finch said. She presented the box to Otis and Katniss' father. "Please, try."
Each man took a different cookie and took a bite.
"This is amazing!" Otis said immediately. "We knew that you liked to bake, but these are top-notch!"
"They do taste great, but they're also works of art," Paul added.
Finch bowed her head. "Thanks. Like I said, this is just one prototype. We could have a school edition that would essentially be care packages for parents to send to their kids. Or Superbowl Sunday edition…the possibilities are endless. I also think that a gluten-free version would be a big seller."
"I know we've had a lot of requests for gluten-free as well as diabetic-friendly baked goods," Delly said as she neared their table. "Maybe I should put a box out in the breakrooms asking what other baked goods we should consider."
"That's a good idea," Otis told her. She eyed him for a moment. "Maybe we should talk about it…over dinner?"
"Maybe," Delly replied before walking off to check on Thresh and Madge.
"Yes—" Otis high-fived Katniss. "—where should I take her?"
"There's this great Italian place near Katniss' store that I took her for date night." Peeta suddenly joined them at the table. He leaned down to give Katniss a kiss. "Sorry, I got tied up during the development meeting."
"It's alright," Katniss told him. "We better head home though. We'll miss our call with Adeline."
"Actually—" Peeta went to a lone table where a laptop sat. He opened it and typed quickly. "—we don't have to worry about that." He then reached for a remote that was next to it and pressed a button, lowering a screen in the front of the room. "Because—"
Adeline's pretty face was suddenly on the screen while at the bottom of the screen was everyone in the conference.
"Hi everyone! Am I coming in clear?" she called out.
"We hear you, loud and clear, Addie," Peeta replied. He stood and looked to each of the candidates. "This is our daughter, Adeline. Adeline, meet Madge, Thresh, and Finch."
Adeline nodded at them. "Nice to meet you all." She waved to everyone. "Hi Delly! Hi Aunt Prim! Hi Uncles Otis and Aaron! Hello Grandparents!" Then her eyes searched until she found who she was looking for. "Hi, Mom!"
"Adeline!" Katniss joined Peeta in front of the laptop. "I'm sorry if I've been bugging you."
"It's fine," Adeline replied and snorted. "Honestly, I was surprised that I didn't get a little bribe."
"Um…" Peeta looked at her, eyebrows raised, and her face heated. "…that green sweater that you saw downtown before you left should be there tomorrow."
"Oh, Mom…" Adeline beamed at her. "Anyway, I know that you're desperate to know the sex of the baby…so go outside and look down at the ground floor."
"I don't understand," Katniss replied.
"You will when you see it," their daughter replied. "I'll talk to you later tonight. I love you!"
"We love you, too, Addie," Peeta told her.
With a final wave, her face disappeared from the screen.
"Peeta?" Katniss turned to him. "What is going on?"
Peeta didn't say a word, only taking her hand to lead her out of the room. Behind her, she could hear the rest of the group scrambling to join them as they headed down the long corridor.
Katniss knew exactly where they were going; between the offices and conference room was a walkway that looked out directly onto the ground floor.
"Should I tell you to close your eyes?" Peeta asked, grinning at her.
She shook her head excitedly. "I've waited long enough."
They made their way to the walkway, stopping right in the middle. Below it looked like every employee of Mellark HQ had gathered below. In each of their hands was a whiteboard.
"Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad!" Luke stepped out from the crowd, smiling up at them. "You ready?" They nodded excitedly and he held his whiteboard above his head. Everyone followed, raising their boards. "On my signal…turn!"
At Luke's command, the boards slowly turned revealing the image of a large pink heart.
It's a girl! Any of you think it was a girl as well? The moms will definitely start planning the baby shower!
Besides this, I hope you enjoyed a little peek into the minds of our three candidates. Not sure if this changed any of your opinions on them, especially Madge, but I'll continue to have a few peeks into their heads in the upcoming chapters.
Anyone you liking in particular?
Also, looks like we have some crushes happening…
Billy on the Street is a game show, hosted by comedian Billy Eichner, goes out on the streets of New York to ask random people questions about pop culture. Sometimes he even has a celebrity join him. Check it out if you haven't.
As for our couple, it looks like it's been smooth sailing…so far. However, as Katniss said, she's getting into a much a harder part of her pregnancy—so Peeta better watch himself.
Anyway, thank you for your patience as I took a little break. I'm feeling better now though I've had a hard couple of days.
Comments are welcome on posting sites as well as Tumblr (jlalafics—come say hi!)
Until the next chapter,
JLaLa