17- Forever and Always.
KATNISS POV
I wake up with one thought on my mind, Mrs Katniss Mellark. I'm married and to Peeta of all people. For the past year I thought that I already had my future planned out. Marry Rye, Have kids eventually. Live in the housing part of town. Visit Peeta on weekends, as he was my best friend. I never thought for one minute that I would be married to Peeta and never visiting Rye. Well I did picture being married to Peeta but only when we where kids, because I didnt think anyone would want to marry me and secretly I've known that Peeta is in love with me for the past 10 years. He thinks I've only known for a couple of years but I found out one day when I walking in on him and Leaven have a conversation about a girl that Peeta 'loved'. I didnt know it was me at first but after that, I kept picking up he would stare at me, similar to the way my mother stared at my father, and vise versa. The way he would always sneak me a stolen cookie and his father would pretend that he didnt know. His father knew all along, I know that now. I actually think he was trying to help Peeta out. I guess he doesnt need that anymore. I'm his forever and always.
I glance over at the clock, lost in thought. 6:45am. Holly is coming back at 11 which gives me and Peeta plenty of time to relax and take in the fact that we are now married. We start moving in my stuff tomorrow but I have enough clothes to last me until then. "Katniss stop staring at me when I'm sleeping. Go and find something to do." Peeta says, making me jump. I didnt actually realise I was staring at him, or that he was awake.
"Sorry..." I reply with a laugh and turn to slide of the bed, my feet almost touch the cold floor when I come up with a better idea. I turn back around and lean in real close to Peeta, my face inches from his.
"Stop it!" He says quite loudly.
"Not doing anything." I reply, trying to sound like I'm still lying down but it doesnt work as I am also trying to hold in a laugh.
"I'm trying to sleep." Peeta mumbles.
"Me too." I reply, imitating his really cute tired voice.
"Katniss." He says, attempting harshness.
"Peeta." I mumble in the same tone.
"I hate you." He says.
"And I hate you too." I reply, leaning in and kissing him hard on the mouth whilst his eyes are still closed. He reacts almost instantly as if he knew it was coming and before I know it, he has me pinned down to the bed, the kiss getting more heated.
I can feel it, right now. The hunger that makes me want more. The hunger that I havent felt with Peeta since that night for his birthday, the night that changed my life. The night that made me realise what I really want and who I wanted to be with. The hunger that I never felt with Rye. Never. Everytime I kissed Rye, It was nice but it wasnt anything like that. All I feel is love. Not his mouth, or his tongue, Pure, Unimaginable, true...love. "Peeta... I love you." I say to him, the truth spilling from my mouth. "I cant imagine my life without you. You are my one true love and I'm sorry I didnt realise that earlier. I'm sorry you had to watch me and Rye like it didnt hurt you at all when I know it did." He smiles down at me and I smile back but mine is a smile of sadness, his is a smile of love and passion and a future that I cant wait for.
"Katniss, I really do not want to talk about my brother, your ex, on our first day as husband and wife." He says with a small laugh which I easily return. "You are my first, my last, you are my everything..." I cant stand it one more second. That line right there, fills me up with so much love that I feel like I'm going to explode. I pull him down and kiss him more deeply than I have ever done before with anyone. His hands buckle underneath him and he slowly lies on top of me, not long after he rolls over, taking me with him so that I'm straddling him. He pulls away and I sit up, looking down at him, feeling electricity from where his hands touch my bare skin under my top. His fingers slowly trace up towards my growing belly, causing Hope to wake up, her kick is obvious and Peeta's face breaks out in a smile. "This litte fighter is ours and I will make sure that nothing ever happens to her, I couldnt stand the thought of losing either one of you." He smiles again and I lean down, his hands leading me part of the way.
Just as I'm about to get to his lips, the phone rings. I groan and roll of Peeta to get the phone. He doesnt want to let me go though and when I place the phone to my ear, I can feel Peeta traling kisses up my spine. "Mellark residence." God that sounds awesome. "This better be good, you just interrupted Husband and Wife time." I say joking. The Caller ID says 'Bakery' so I know I'm talking to someone who will probably laugh at me. That is until I dont hear a laugh. "Hello?" I ask.
"Katniss, Its Leaven. Look I am very sorry to be interrupting your paradise but we have a situation and I need you and Peeta to go somewhere other than that house." He says and my smile fades, Peeta looks up at the mention of his name. He always did have pretty good hearing.
"Whats up?" I ask. It must be serious if they are interrupting us today, they promised they wouldnt.
"Its Rye. He was drinking last night. Holly accidently spilled the beans about you two getting married and Rye is pretty pissed that he didnt know. I've never seen him like this. He couldnt even stand up straight. All I got from what he was saying was that he wanted to kill Peeta and your baby. Brooke says you should get to the woods until we can calm Rye down." I glance at Peeta to see him shrugging his shoudlers.
"Look, Lev, I dont care what he says, He wouldnt hurt me, which he has to do to get to this baby. I'm not scared of him and I never will be. If it helps, I'll just lock the door but I am not leaving this house, not for him, not today." I say. "I am not going to let Rye ruin today." I hear Leaven sigh and then silence.
"Okay fine. If he actually makes it to yours without passing out, ring me back and I'll come straight over." He says and I'm about to agree but I feel bile rising up in my throat. Damn this baby. When its born I'm gonna be so happy that I dont have to throw up anymore, or crave strawberries.
I drop the phone onto the bed and make a run for the bathroom. Its not long before I am throwing up everything in the toilet. I flush it almost instantly, I know that if I look at it then I'll just throw up more and I dont want that. "You're making this really hard for me." I hear from the doorway and turn around to see Peeta standing there in just his underwear.
"Hard for you?" I ask. If anything this is hard for me.
"Yeh." He walks over and takes a seat on the floor next to me, bringing me into his arms. "I love you so much. I love the baby and oddly enough, I love Rye. He was my best friend. After everything that he has done to you, I dont know what to do about him anymore. Lev just told me that Rye says the he hates me and I dont know how to take that because I dont want to have to give you up to him just because he hates me but then again, I dont want him to hate me. He is my older brother after all."
"How is that my fault?" I ask. Now feeling more sick than before.
"Why did you have to come into my life and turn everything upside down?" I know he is joking but it really does hit me hard. Even if he does love me and I love him, I cant split Rye and Peeta up, they used to be like 2 peas in a pod. Rye always took him to the parties that he was invited too. Rye tried to teach him to talk to girls when they where younger, and I know because they used to practice on me. I can't be the reason that they arent together. Could it be that I just made a terrible mistake by marrying Peeta? Not a terrible mistake, just an amazing, wonderful mistake. But a mistake none the less. Peeta needs his brother more that he needs me. "Come on, I'll make you some cheese buns." He helps me up off the floor and leads me down the stairs to the kitchen. Then again, it cant be all bad, can it?
"25 weeks pregnant." I say to Peeta as I analyse the Calender. "Can that really be true?" I ask. I'm more than half way through my pregnancy.
"I guess it is. Wow." He replies, coming up behind me and kissing my neck. I feel his arms wrap around my waist and I smile at the sheer brilliance of it all. He really knows how to make me feel weak.
Me and Peeta have been married for 2 weeks now. It has been an amazing 2 weeks but I still have doubt in my mind. Of course, I havent told Peeta that and he doesnt need to know right now. He will know when the time is right, but right now I just want to enjoy the moment. Rye hasnt been seen since he was meant to some round this house but he didnt. Atleast I dont remember him coming round. I was too busy enjoying my day. Peeta has been going to work everyday and he hasnt even showed up to that. Peeta wont let me leave his side because for once he is actually worried about what his brother might do even though I assured him that he wont do anything to me.
"You're showing too much now, we cant hide it anymore... are you sure you dont want to leave school because I can pay for one of the teachers to teach you here if you want?" Peeta asks and I just laugh at him.
"No, I want to go to school. I need to go to school. Gina has told everyone that we are married and everyone looks at me like I'm some kind of freak but I know its only because most of them girls want you, but I got here first and they used to look at me like that anyway, there is nothing new. I need school, it makes me feel better some how. Like I still have some sense of normality in my life, even if I am throwing up on teachers shoes now." I laugh at the memory. Last week, Miss Phelps walked past me and I just remember throwing up the remains of my lunch all over her shoes. Luckily she just laughed it off, knowing that I'm pregnant. Just like every other student and teacher in that place knows. I dont care what girls say about me though because I know that they would like to be me. There is not one girl in my entire year that wouldnt love to be in Peeta Mellarks arms. I thought people where annoyed with me when I was dating Rye but as it turns out everyone wants Peeta instead.
"Yeh, I see your point. I guess thats why I still work at the Bakery... About that. Dad says that he is officially handing the business down to Leaven." I turn to him and smile.
"Really?" I ask.
"Yeh. He asked me if I want it but I didnt think you would agree. Lets face it, however much I absolutely hate this place, Hope is going to have a better life here than living above a Bakery. I know that place is home but you are here and thats all that I care about." I smile at him and peck him quickly before wriggling out of his grasp.
"I have to get ready for school. I'm borrowing one of your tops again." I say, running off up the stairs. I know its impossible to hide my bump now but with Peeta's tops its easier to do. My tops are old and tight. Everyone knows but I dont like them staring. I take a left down the hall to Holly's room to see her still asleep in her small bed that Peeta ordered from the Capitol. "Holly?" I ask, shaking her slightly.
"Good morning." She replies, opening her eyes.
"Hey, you gonna get ready to go and see your daddy?" I ask her and she smiles. I'm surprised she's not annoyed with having to walk to the Bakery early ever morning and then not coming back until 5 but atleast she has a couple of hours to do what she wants before bed time.
"Okay!" She beams and jumps out of bed. I leave her to herself and walk back down the hallway to mine and Peeta's room. Across from it, a door is slightly ajar. I step into it and I just catch a glimpse of the colour orange when the door is slammed shut and I'm stopped by Peeta.
"You promised that you wouldnt go in until I'm finished." He says with a sarcastic smile. He wants the nursery to be a surprise and all I've seen of it so far is the door and the colour orange apparently. He really doesnt want me to go in though.
"Sorry." I reply with a small laugh, turning away and walking into my bedroom to change. Peeta walks off down the hall to check on Holly, locking the nursery door behind him and pocketing the key because he knows that I'm too nosy to just 'stay out'.
Eventually, I'm ready for school after getting angry with quite a lot of clothes because I can no longer hide my bump. I hate it. I hate the fact that everyone stares at me. Its not unusual to get pregnant at this age in the Seam but its hardly ever with someone from Town. Especially someone that every other girl wants.
I walk down the stairs to see Peeta and Holly sitting at the dining table waiting. Waiting for me probably, as it normally is in the morning. I'm taking longer and longer to get ready these days. Its a bit annoying actually but I dont realise how long I've been getting ready until Peeta shouts at me for it. He knows that I just shout at him back though I think thats why he just sits there and waits now. If we are late, then we are late its all my fault and I'm the only one going to school anyway. Masan doesnt mind if Peeta is a little late for work. Infact he encourages it because he still believes that Peeta has been through too much to work at the Bakery, he is still trying to talk him into quitting and letting them hire someone else. Its quite funny actually watching their arguments.
We set off through the Victors Village towards the Town Square, to drop Holly off before Peeta walks me to school. Holly normally complains about her feet hurting and Peeta is tired of carrying her around everywhere, she is getting heavier apparently, I wouldnt know, I dont carry her. I'm not actually allowed to.
On the way to school, we run into Uncle Haymitch who was out for a 'walk', he looked pretty shifty to me though. Come to think of it, he has been showing up a lot recently, is this meant to be his subtle way of keeping an eye on me or something? He still says that he will walk with us anyway. Obviously he is trying to keep an eye on me. Its as if I'm gonna drop dead right here right now.
At school, we encounter another person. We where bound to come across him anyway but hardly anyone has seen him for a while now. Rye. He's sitting on one of the benches, staring at us both. His eyes flitter towards my stomach and I nudge Peeta, pointing Rye out to him. He nods at m but then shrugs his shoulders as if he doesnt even care. I glance up at Uncle Haymitch and he smiles down at me, obviously noticing Rye. When I look back at him, he's stood up and walking this way. I feel the need to pull Peeta away and get him anywhere but here but I know that he wont move.
"Hey Brother, How are you this morning?" Peeta asks as Rye gets close enough to hear. I've never known him to call Rye 'brother' before. I sense another argument coming on.
"Oh, dont 'brother' me. Why didnt you tell me you where married." I can hear the anger in his voice, probably trying to get a rise out of Peeta but he stands tall and doesnt take any of it.
"I think the better question is, why did you tell Gina? Its none of her business." Peeta replies.
"Its completely her business. She is my girlfriend now or hadnt you heard that?" Rye asks, I cant see his face but I can hear the smirk playing on his lips.
"I believe I did here that actually. Cheated on Katniss to get Gina." Peeta replies sarcastically. This only angers Rye more and he steps closer to Peeta, their chests almost touching.
"She cheated with you first!" Rye shouts. A couple of head turn our way and Uncle Haymitch is very slowly stepping infront of so I dont do anything stupid.
"Actually, you have been sleeping with Gina for probably about 8 months now? Is that right? Which is disgusting by the way." Peeta says calmly. "And me and Katniss didnt cheat, it wasn't meant to happen at all. But of course you know what it is like to be drunk and stupid. I'm guessing thats how you first slept with Gina? And If I'm right, you thought it was a good idea to keep sleeping with her?" A small smile is playing on Peeta's lips now as he gets one over on his brother. "See, I'm different. I wouldnt do that to my brother, or my girlfriend for that matter. You see, If I had done something like that and carried on sleeping with her behind your back then I would deserve this which I dont, but you Rye, you do deserve this. All this depression you're feeling, all the pain, all the loneliness, you deserve everything that is coming your way because you are just disgusting and petty and you leave and sleep with someone else just when things get a little bit rough now why dont you just leave me and Mrs Mellark in peace so that we can enjoy our marraige and not have to deal with people like you. Maybe if you grew up and started acting like my older brother, I'd give you a chance but right now I cant even stand to look at you." Peeta starts to push past Rye to get to me but just as he starts to move, Rye's fist collides with Peeta's jaw. A gasp comes from the people around me and I move to stop it. Uncle Haymitch stops me and stands in the middle of them both.
"Now listen to me both of you. You shouldnt act like this! You're brothers. You're grown ups. Peeta you went through the games, you know better and Rye, I thought you where 18? Not 8? Now cant you see what you are doing to Katniss. You're fighting over this girl and every second that this happens, she is growing further and further away from you both. Now are you going to carry on acting like children or are you going to grow up? Oh and just so you know Rye, if you hurt Katniss again, I will hunt you down." Then he lets go of them both and Peeta stumbles Past Rye, where I catch him before he falls.
"Its alright." I say to Peeta as Rye leaves. I pull Peeta up so that he is stood infront of me and as I see the red patch where Rye's fist hit him, its like a switch goes off in my head, this is all my fault. I cant do this anymore. I'm gonna have to end it with Peeta. Its the only way I can do this. I'll move back in with my mum and I can raise Hope without all this madness and maybe, just maybe Rye and Peeta can be friends again. "You get home and put some ice on that. I need to get into school. I'll see you later." He nods before kissing me and I follow the crowd into the school, glancing behind me to see Peeta walking out the school gates with Uncle Haymitch. Could today get any worse?
Apparently, the answer to that question is yes. At around 1pm, when I am in History, I start to get a tingling sensation in my stomach. I think nothing of it until it turns into the the feeling that someone is pressing down on my stomach. Automatically, my hand flies up into the air. "Miss, I need to go to the toilet." I say and she nods. One of the good things about being pregnant, I can go to the toiley anytime I want. I pick up my bag off the floor and flee from the room. When I make it to the toilet, the pain is worse and I cant help but cry out. I need Peeta. There is no one else I can go to. I could go to Rye but thats not going to happen ever.
Once the pain has ceased slightly, I pull myself up to my feet. If I can only make it to the school office, I can ring the Bakery, assuming that the office is closed of course. On the other side of the Bathroom door is an empty hallway. Good, more of a chance of the office being empty. I take a few steps and the pain comes again, bringing me to my knees in the middle of the corridor. When its gone, I pull myself up and try to make it to the office as quick as I can, sitting down on the empty chair next to the phone. Come on Katniss. I reach over to the phone with a shaky hand and bring it to my ear, dialling what I know to be the Bakery. The screen flashes with 'Bakery'. Obviously they know the number.
"Hello? Mellark Bakery?" I hear Leavn say through the phone and I have to catch my breathe before I answer. Another wave of pain hits but eventually I get out my words.
"Leaven! Get Peeta!" I shout as loud as I can but it still comes out quietly.
"Katniss... You alright?" He asks.
"You get Peeta!" I shout back and then I here silence. Either he is thinking up a reply or he is getting Peeta. I only have to ponder it for a moment before something else it said and its not Leaven, its Peeta.
"Katniss?" He asks.
"Peeta, something wrong!" I mumble through the phone. I think I can hear footsteps down the hallway and I dont want anyone to know that I am in here. They will send me to the school nurse and I dont want her I want my Mother.
"What do you mean something wrong?" He asks, I can hear the worry in his voice.
"I dont know, Its hurting." I say and this time it feels like someone is standing on my stomach and I cant help the scream that comes out of my mouth.
"Oh god! I'm coming to get you. Meet me outside school. I'll get dad to ring the school." The the phone beeps, telling me that he has hung up and I pull myself back. Oh please please please dont let it be labour. Hope wouldnt survive this early.
PEETA POV
I run through the Bakery, pulling off my smock as I go. Dads is near the ovens with Rye and I know because I was just there. "Dad!" I shout, running round the corner into the kitchen. They both look up at me, startled and I catch my breath. "I need you to ring the school and tell them I'm going to pick up Katniss." I shout a little too loudly.
"Whats wrong Peet?" He asks, a little too calmly.
"I dont know but its something to do with the baby. Katniss kept screaming. I've got to go and get her now." I say, turning to leave, also waiting for an answer.
"Okay, I'll sort the school, you just get her back to her mother." Dad says and I'm about to leave when Rye steps forward.
"I'm coming."
"No, you are not going anywhere near her again. If this is because of all the stress you have put her through, you better watch your back." I hiss out before running out the back door of the Bakery, completely forgetting about my coat. The cold air hits me but I dont really pay attention to it as I run faster than I have ever run in my life. There is no way she is going to be outside by the time I get there, I'm gonna have to go in for her and by my guess she was in the school office ad I think that is the only place with a phone.
I make it there in less than 2 minutes and as I suspected, Katniss isnt there. I run straight through the door and into an empty hallway. Just as I'm setting off down the hallway, in search for Katniss, the bell rings and students filter from doors all around me. Just my luck, how am I going to find her now. A couple seconds later, I spot River walking down the hallway with Delly. "River!" I shout catching up to them. He turns towards me.
"What are you doing here?" He asks.
"I'll tell you later. Where's Katniss?" I ask. He must have seen her. He is in her class after all.
"I just saw her sitting in the cafeteria by herself. She had her head resting on the desk, looked upset." I nod in thanks and set off running through the students to get to the cafeteria. Its lucky that she is there because at the back of the Cafeteria is the exit to the school that hardly anyone ever uses, I can get her out without anyone seeing her.
I get to the cafeteria doors and just in time in hear her let out a cry of pain again. "Katniss?" I ask, stepping through the doors.
"Peeta?" The voice comes from behind me. I turn to see her sitting in the corner with her head on her knees. "Please make it stop." She says and I fall to my knees next to her, my hands falling on her stomach. Evelyn had told me that if she was in labour, her stomach would be rock hard. And it is but its not completely rock hard. I feel a quick movement and Katniss cries out in pain again, rippling through my head like she just stabbed me.
"Right, can you walk? We need to get you to your mother." I say to her but she starts shaking her head.
"I wont make it, just you go and get her, I'll meet you at the Bakery. Get Prim from outside. She's normally out there." She mumbles and I'm off again. Running back down the now emptier hallway and flying outside. Prim normally meets Katniss outside here, by the oak tree at the end of the school yard. Outside is mostly empty, so its not hard to spot Prim under the tree picking at a daisy.
"Prim! You need to come with me now." I shout and she looks at me confused until running over to me. "Its Katniss. I need to get yor mother but someone needs to get her back to the Bakery." She nods. "She's in the cafeteria." She runs past me and I carry on out the door and out the gate to get to the Seam.
I dont know if today is meant to be my lucky day or something but I catch sight of Evelyn just as she is leaving the square. "Peeta." She says nicely but I run up to her and lead her off to the Bakery without another word. "Whats going on? What are you doing?" She asks as I push past Leaven and take her into the back. "Is it Katniss?"
"She needs help." I say, truthfully.
"Where is she?" Evelyn asks, flipping the switch into healer mode where she isnt scared of anything.
"Prim is bringing her now." I say to her and Dad and Rye show up at my side. "I dont know what is wrong with her. I think its to do with the baby. Her stomach is going hard like you told me it would."
"But thats impossible, she cant be going into labour she's only half way through." Evelyn says, fear flashing in her eyes.
"I know but what if its not labour, what if the baby's dying?" I ask, trying to hold the tears in.
"She needs to be here for me to have a look." Evelyn says and I nod.
5 minutes later, Prim shows up, leading Katniss through the door. She looks more calmer than she was before, now she just looks tired. Prim helps her over to one of the sofa's and she lies down, allowing her mother to look. Evelyn's hand explore Katniss' belly proffessionally and I find myself pacing the room near the door. Leaven, Dad and Rye are stood on the other side of the door frame and everytime I walk past it, I can see them all looking in. I can tell they are worried, well Dad and Leaven at least. I'm not quite sure what Rye is feeling anymore. Either way, I'm glad they are all here, incase the worst happens. I dont think we will be leaving the Bakery anytime soon which probably means that we will staying over here. Which is fine, I dont mind it.
"Right." Evelyn says and I turn towards her. "Katniss is fine but she just experience Braxton Hicks contractions. Its a kind of practice for Labour and from my guess, Katniss experienced it bad. That would be because of everything that has happen. The babay being in distress not long ago didnt help at all. Infact that would be what made it worse but right now all she needs is rest and food. Peeta if you dont mind, would you be able to carry her upstairs to get some sleep?" I nod and walk past her to get to Katniss.
"Hey." She mumbles to me.
"Go to sleep." I say to her, sliding my arms under her and standing up.
"I love you so much." She says, I can see her falling asleep, I dont think she has any idea what she is talking about.
"Yeh, I love you too. Just go to sleep." I say as I pass my family and make for the stairs.
KATNISS POV
It hurts to just open my eyes. I still feel like I'm going through whatever pain that was early. Braxton Hicks or whatever my mother said. Thats the last thing I remember before I went to sleep. The first thing I know now is that I need to take it easier. Plus, I need to talk to Peeta about everything. And Rye and Masan. Maybe I could do it now If I could get the hell out of bed. Getting downstairs is going to be tricky but I know that I can do it.
After a minute or 2 of complaining to myself, I finally climb off the matress.I'm pretty sure its Leavens and Brookes matress. I look around to see if there is anything of mine and see my shoes and my jacket lying on the only chair in the room. I quickly grab them and put them on and leave the room, tears now forming in my eyes over what I'm about to do. Every single one of the Mellarks have been there for me all my life and have stuck by me no matter what and what I'm about to do is going to stop that and only one question keeps going round and round in my head, Can I see a life without the Mellarks?
I get to the bottom of the stairs quickly and notice how quiet everything is. Why have they shut the Bakery? It cant already be late can it? Maybe they shut early? If they have they are going to pay for that of Thread.
"Katniss?" I hear someone ask and I look up, not realising that I'm already in the sitting room. "How you feeling?" Its Peeta, standing infront of me, pulling me into his arms. I feel the tears coming and I squirm out of his arms quickly. However much I want to hug him right now, I cant. "You scared me to death." I nod and tries to hug me again but I just move out the way before he gets a chance, He looks hurt and I cant stand it, so I turn my attention to Masan instead. Everyone is here. This is the right time.
"Why isnt anyone working?" I ask.
"We ran out of stock. I dont know how he exoects us to work until 10pm when we dont have anything to work with. At the moment, we have the bell out the front and taking orders." Masan replies and I nod.
"Look, I need to talk to you all. It really important that I say all this and I just want you to know how incredibly hard this is for me to say but it needs to be said." I say to them, catching all of their attention as Peeta takes a seat next to Brooke on the sofa. Even Holly looks at me and she seems more intune to 'Sammy', her teddy when I walked in.
"Whats this about Katniss?" Masan asks, clearly quiet scared about what I'm going to talk about.
I take a slow breathe and begin, trying to look away from Peeta in fear of me crying more. "Over the past month, I have created a fude between your family and I know that I'm tearing your family apart, I just cant stand that I'm coming between two people who care about eachother so much-" I'm cut off by Peeta and I'm forced to look at him.
"Katniss what are you trying to say?" He asks, now on the edge of his seat.
"Peeta, I love you so much and for the past couple of weeks whilst we have been married, its felt like I've been falling. Falling more in love with you than I ever thought possible but then I hit the floor and it caused me to realise that however strong our love is, it will never be as strong as the love you feel for your family. I cant come between you and Rye anymore." I say and his face turns to sadness but I can tell he is trying to keep it all in. I've seen him cry enough times to know that he just wants to cry right now but Peeta has never been able to cry infront of his brothers. I start to slide the ring off my finger and I know that Peeta wont take it so I place it down on the coffee table infront of him.
"What about Hope?" He chokes out.
"I can do all this without you and you know I can. You can come and see her whenever you want but we cant be together and I dont think we should see eachother at all until she is born." I say. I believe that I can do this by myself, plus I'll have my mothers help and Prims.
"Wait, today is proof that you need me and I need you." He reaches out and grabs my hand and thats when I can no longer help the tears anymore. I squeeze back and let the tears fall freely from my eyes. My legs are turning to jelly.
"I'm sorry Peeta, I really am. But I cant so this anymore. I asked Mum and she agreed to let me have the rest of my pregnancy off school. I'll be fine and I want you to forgive your brother and get on with your life." I say and I watch his head drop. I take this as my chance to let go of his hand and turn to Rye. "Rye, I'm sorry for everything I ever did or said to you. I did love you once. I really hope you enjoy your time with Gina. I just want to see you happy. I already fargave you for what you did and I know that we would have been able to be friends again." He smiles slightly but I can tell that he is sad too. I cant believe I thouht this was a good idea but there is no way I can go back on my idea now. "With that being said, Masan, I quit." I turn away from the 2 youngest Mellarks and over to Masan.
"What! Why?" He asks.
"Because its not going to help this whole situtaion if I carry on working here. So this is goodbye." I quickly turn as the sobbing starts, dissapearing out the door before they have a chance to stop me.
PEETA POV
The room is silenr for quite a while after I hear the door slam. My eyes are glued to the gold band on the table. I cant believe she just broke up with me and left. I just lost my wife. Katniss Everdeen, the most important person to me, just walked out my life forever. I look up to see everyones eyes on me and my eyes and hurting from trying to keep the tears in. I'm leaving the room when someone catches my arm. I turn to see Rye sitting there watching me.
"Peeta! You need to go after her." He says, taking me back. He reaches forward and grabs the ring off the coffee table, handing it to me and standing up infront of me.
"What?" I ask him, staring down at the ring in my hand.
"God damn it Peeta, I dont care about any of it anymore. Just go after her." He grabs me by the shoulders and begins pushing me towards the door.
"You serious?" I ask him, I'm surprised that Rye of all people would be telling me to go and get her. But strangely, thats just what I needed.
"Just go and get her! And can I give you some advice?" I nod at him and he carries on, "If you do get her, dont let her go, that girl is special and I blew my chance with her, dont blow yours." Now I'm in real trouble fo crying. I throw my arms around Rye in a brotherly hug, something that I havent done in ages, or what feels like ages. All the fights, all the arguments forgotten and he hugs me back with the same intensity. When he lets me go, I pat him on the shoulder and smile which he returns and I turn, running out the back door to get Katniss.
When I get to her house, her mother assures me that she isnt in yet. She offers for me to sit inside but I know that Katniss would comletely ignore me and go to bed but If I block her off at the door then I can talk to her, so here I am sitting on Katniss' doorstep at 7pm, hoping that she gets back before dark. It normally goes dark at about 9 so she should be back by then. Knowing Katniss she went for a walk to clear her head.
By the time she gets back its 11pm. Already dark and I'm falling asleep against her door when her voice wakes me up. "Peeta? What are you doing here?" She asks. Her eyes are red from crying and her arms are tightly around her stomach.
"Katniss..." I start, pulling myself to my feet.
"Peeta I meant what I said..." She says before I can even get anything out.
"Please, just take your ring back. Me and Rye made up. Please?" I ask, holding out her ring. I dont think I have let go of it since Rye handed it to me.
"Peeta... Its just going to cause problems." She , pulling me to the side so that she can get to her house. I'm too weak and volnuerable at the moment to stop her though. And before I know it she has the door open and has stepped inside.
"Katniss I cant do any of this without you." I reply quickly trying to catch her attention but it doesnt work and she starts to shut the door.
"I'm sorry." And then she's gone and I'm left to walk home by myself in the dark when I'll probably be shot down if I'm seen.
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