Companion
AN:
Katniss fears losing her chance.
Special thank you to my dear friend, GinnyGinervaWeasley, for betaing my story.
P.S. I love the Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins owns everything!
CHAPTER 9
The season moves forward, and Peeta continues his weekend visits. He leaves District Three three hours before midnight on Friday's then arrives at Twelve two hours past midnight on Saturdays. He always gets a sandwich from Ripper and chats with her while he eats. Katniss never locks the door, so Peeta never needs a key. She moved his mattress to her room, and it's situated on the floor beside her bed. It's a playful gesture, like children having a slumber party where friends bring their own sleeping bags to cocoon in. The first time he saw a literally empty bed frame, Peeta resorted to sleeping on the living room couch, puzzled about the change in setup. He woke up to Katniss screaming and ran up to her room. He tumbled forward as he approached her in the dark of the bedroom, tripping heavily on the oddly positioned mattress. His crashing on her bed did the job of waking her up from her nightmare. After that evening, Peeta just lets himself into her house, then into her room. Katniss' hand is always out on her side for him to take, and he entwines his hand with hers as if they grew up doing it since they were children. They both sleep better with their hands fused together.
Work at the orphanage becomes a routine, and Peeta tries to steal pockets of time to be alone with Katniss. A half an hour under the sun in the meadows, a quiet conversation in the swing during nap times. A lesson on knitting over lunch. Sometimes they take a quick stroll in town for errands, and on Saturday afternoons, they fold fresh laundry together. The moments feel like decadent excuses to spend their limited time in each other's company. Katniss and Peeta share their lives during their strewn time, and their relationship grows deeper and begins to slip forward. They sit closer than usual, arms comfortably brushing one another and exchanging warmth. Katniss learns more about Peeta's past, including his two girlfriends when he was young, and Peeta asks more silly questions about Gale. They spend Saturday mornings in the woods, Peeta gathering plants and fruits, while Katniss hunts for game. One misty morning, Katniss chances upon a buck and takes it down with one clean shot. Peeta admires her as she gives her thanks to the animal before mercifully taking its life with a clean cut. Peeta hauls the deer to the butcher, surprising Katniss with his strength. He could easily throw hundred-pound flour sacks over his shoulders, she thought.
Peeta learns more about the orphanage and how everything is run. It's more like a family than an institution, and it warms his heart to see the children receiving so much love and care. Delly and Christa are formally trained as social workers, and they are the ones who process adoption applications. A few couples visit to enlist for adoption, and Delly and Christa are very strict with their process. The well-being and future of the children are their topmost priority, and they take their job very seriously. Peeta learns that several psychologists visit the orphanage during weekdays, giving sessions to all the children. A certain Dr. Aurelius is one of the regular doctors. Psychotherapy was one of the first aspects of improving mental health that Delly and Christa were adamant about. The children were traumatized by the war. The loss of their family and friends, the relocation to another district, fears from the Reaping, and watching the mandatory hunger games all contribute to their mental instability. Each child was hurt one way or another, and they all must find healing and resolution. The younger children go through play therapy while the older ones go through regular sessions. Some therapists do art, some do movement, and some use music. Every child is properly documented, and Christa is meticulous in her filing system.
The older teens participate in an apprenticeship program around the district when they turn thirteen. When the opportunity arises, some of them go to other districts for a longer apprenticeship during breaks. Gale's position in the government helps them greatly on this program, and it is one of his most valuable contributions to the orphanage. The apprenticeship teaches young adults life skills and exposes them to the outside world. Several went to be hired full time by the owners themselves, while others continued learning in other districts. There is no university in District 12, and eighteen-year-olds study either in District One, Two, Three, or Six. Eleven has an environmental program that will soon be turned into a university course. Panem is recovering well in these aspects. Freedom in education is what peace and democracy could bring, and all the citizens are keenly aware of the rewards of what they have fought for. In honor of Prim, Mrs. Everdeen started a scholarship program for aspiring doctors. Primrose died serving as a medical nurse during the rebellion and could have been a doctor if not for Snow's oppressive regime. Since its beginning, two children from the orphanage had been trained as doctors.
"Hey, James. Hey, Sarah," Peeta greets his good friends from the train station. They've been married for five years but do not have children. They came to Twelve to place an adoption application.
Delly and Christa receive them at the office then Peeta leaves them for their interview.
"So, tell us about yourselves and what made you decide to apply for adoption," Delly asks in a formal tone, but she is smiling softly at them. Christa sits beside her and offers everyone tea.
"I'm James Mitchell, and this is my wife Sarah Aster-Mitchell," he begins. "We live in District 3, but we are originally from Eight. We relocated after the war as my Sarah is an engineer. She works with Peeta, though not on the same projects. I'm a grade school teacher, and my current class is in the third grade."
"We've been married for five years," Sarah says as she takes over the conversation. "We've known each other since before the rebellion, but we got married during the height of the war. Best decision we made as the thought of losing each other was unbearable for us."
"We started trying to conceive about four years ago now," James continues. "But we finally got the medical diagnosis two years ago that we couldn't have children. The condition is for both of us, and we were devastated. We've been trying to heal from it since."
"A few months ago, something changed though, and James and I felt like we had something to offer to the world again. That our love could be shared with a child who is not entirely our own. Then Peeta told us that there is a wonderful orphanage here in Twelve, and we just took it as a sign. That's why we're here," Sarah finishes politely. There's so much hope in her eyes.
"So why adopt? Please don't take any offense to my question. We're here to make sure that you are well-informed in your decision," Christa asks honestly.
"We've thought about it a lot. We could just volunteer to a cause or help out our relatives' children," James answers. "And we have been in the past few years, but somehow we also want to build our own family. You know, something we could call our own? And we both thought that family isn't just formed by blood."
James takes his wife's hands as she begins to speak. "It's like we have more to give, and there's a real desire to give for the both of us. Our love, you see, is more than just for the two of us."
Delly and Christa nod in understanding, and they continue the interview. They tell them about the whole process and the waiting time - that there will be more interviews, home visits, background checks, and volunteer work for them to do. They want to make the best possible decision for each child and family. Placing a child in the care of another takes an emotional toll for both the new parents and the child, and the last thing they want is to add trauma by making a wrong placement.
Once done, they take the couple for a tour around the orphanage. Christa joins Sae in the kitchen while Delly takes them around.
"And this is our woodwork room," Delly tells the couple. "And that is their teacher."
"Hi, James. Sarah." Peeta meets his friends by the door. He's been helping Katniss build a new shelf for the library while enjoying their alone time together. "Katniss, these are my friends," he introduces them cheerfully.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Katniss Everdeen," she says as if they didn't recognize her already. She shakes their hands, and Sarah is awestruck.
"I'm sorry, I'm just too excited to finally meet you," Sarah says before letting go.
"She's used to it," Delly banters. "Now, shall we go to the next room? Lunch will be served in about ten minutes."
"They look very young," Katniss comments to Peeta after the couple has left the room. "And they seem light and happy. Good energy."
"A little too much energy sometimes," Peeta replies with a smirk. "They do all sorts of sports. They are especially good at cycling."
"Momma, lunch!" Annie shouts from the door and leaps towards Katniss' arms. She steps back from Annie's spirited jump, and Peeta catches them. Annie is giggling like crazy.
"Oh Annie," Peeta says, holding them both in his arms.
Sarah and James are out in the garden watching the children play. They're enjoying the afternoon sun and the cold breeze from the mountains. Winter will soon come upon Twelve, but today is a good day to stay outdoors. The children run around playing tag and kickball, some are playing house in the new treehouse built by the tenth graders, and some are reading books under the apple tree.
Peeta and Katniss walk outside to join the couple. They sit on the grass as Peeta begins the conversation.
"How do you like it in Twelve so far?"
"It's been good. We love the fresh air and the greenery. There's still a little too much pollution in Three after all these years," James answers, then fixes his eyeglasses.
"What's her name? That girl in green trousers and a white shirt. I love her long red hair," Sarah says.
Katniss looks to where she is pointing and realizes that Sarah asked about Annie. Her heart skips a beat as she sees the longing in Sarah's face. She can't possibly let go of Annie.
"That's Annie," Peeta begins. "She's five."
"She's lovely," Sarah comments.
"Energetic too. What does Annie like?" James asks.
Peeta takes a quick look at Katniss and notices the slight change in her demeanor. He knows what she is thinking of.
"She likes to knit," Katniss replies softly. "She likes to knit stuffed animals. She also loves to read and sing. She's stubborn at times, but all five-year-olds can be. Her favorite dessert is ice cream. Her favorite color is green, just like her trousers now, and her favorite flower is a dandelion."
The couple takes in what Katniss said, and Peeta notices their eyes grow ardently as they continue to observe Annie. They ask about the other children, and Katniss describes them a little more easily. They're curious and seem to be genuinely kind people. Katniss thought that they would be good parents. They talk a little more until it's time for the couple to leave. They've rented a room at the tailor's shop and will have dinner in one of the few cafes in the district.
"You could tell me, you know," Peeta says to Katniss as they sit in front of the living room fireplace. After the conversation with Sarah and James, Katniss has been quiet all evening. She barely spoke a word and has kept Annie close by. She gave her an especially long hug before tucking her in for bed.
"I don't think I could let her go," Katniss begins softly. She's been staring at the fire for a long time now. "But a family will be good for Annie.
Peeta pulls her to him, and she cries loudly against his chest. She's been holding it in all evening. She's hiccuping after just a few minutes, but she needs to let all her feelings out. Katniss has loved Annie since the day Delly put her small and fragile body in her arms. She didn't realize it then, but she had fallen in love with the red-haired and green-eyed baby. Now that there's a possibility of her being adopted, she couldn't bear the pain of losing her.
"Ssssssshhhh, it's okay, Katniss, just let it out. You have every right to cry. You love her so much," Peeta consoles her.
"I'm such a coward, and now I might lose her," Katniss says bitterly and sobs into his chest. His shirt is soaked in her warm tears that don't seem to be ending.
"You can do it, you know?" he whispers in her hair. "I've seen you with Annie. You will do anything for her. I know you will take care of her and support her and love her fiercely." He pulls her off of his chest to look into her tear-filled gray eyes before saying, "You will be a good mother to her, I know it."
Katniss studies Peeta's bright blue eyes and finds only truth in them. He kisses her forehead, and she wipes her tears with the heels of her hands. She settles back into his chest and stares longingly at the fire.
"I want to be."
"The key to valuing something is to lose it and then realize how rare it was - after which you pray like mad to regain what you foolishly lost. The value of an item often depends upon how hard it is to attain."
- Richelle E. Goodrich