Some time ago….

Margaret turned the corner and nearly screamed as a gnarled face came into view.

"Don't do that you old hag!"

"I need to speak to you," the old woman ignored the insult. Margaret scowled.

"What could I possibly have to speak to you about?"

"Your son." Margaret's scowl deepened.

"As you undoubtedly know, I have already told Everdeen that I don't know why Peeta is the way he is. It certainly does not come from my family."

"Your son is destined to end this war," Greasy Sae deadpanned. "And when it is over, he will live a long happy life without ever seeing you again."

"One can only hope. I'll be going now."

"Wait! Your surname… it's Farville, aint it?"

"You know it is."

"As in Lorne Farville?" Margaret's brow raised.

"He was my great, great, great grandfather. Did you know him?"

"How old do you think I am, woman? I know OF him, of course. Lorne was the Chieftain of his tribe. A very powerful Chieftain." Margaret's face darkened.

"I know where you are going with this–"

"Peeta's power comes from somewhere in your family," Sae said patiently. "A twice blessed child abused by the one who is supposed to love him could mean bad

things for said person. Perhaps it explains why you are so miserable all the–"

"I am NOT miserable," she snapped. "I have dealt with a great many things in my life. No one can blame me for being less than happy."

"Oh yes," Sae said drily. "A successful business, a devoted husband, three healthy sons. Who could blame you for being sad?"

"You know nothing about me or my life," Margaret said heatedly, rising up to her full height. "You Seam trash, you're all the same. Always begging for scraps or

pressing upon the Merchants because you don't know how to handle your money." Sae snapped her fingers, which caused Margaret to jump.

"What the–"

"Enough. You have a cold heart, and you always will. When Peeta returns from this war, do not attempt to reconcile with him. It will end badly. He will live happily with his love and it will take many years to heal from the trauma YOU caused. Leave him to heal. Stay away from him, or Katniss will deal with you herself. When a daughter is born to the son you have turned away, you will not be a part of the girl's life. You have sealed your fate, Margaret Farville. And your life will be as cold as your heart." Sae snapped her fingers again before turning and walking away. Margaret frowned after her, wondering why in the world the old woman hadn't even tried to speak to her.


There was a tentative knock and Violet glanced up. He always looked so nervous, she noted. Probably always living on edge with that woman. He had been such a happy and talkative boy when they were young. A little shy, perhaps, but eager and always smiling. Despite living in the harsh conditions in 12, Bran Mellark had always been a ray of sunshine.

Something his youngest son had inherited, Violet noticed. It was something her solemn daughter needed in her life.

She smiled and moved to embrace him but he deliberately sidestepped her. Her smile faded and she crossed her arms over her chest defensively.

"Vi… can we talk?" She motioned for him to come in and he crossed the room.

"I um… well, I just… I just spoke to Margaret." Her brow raised, waiting for him to continue.

"I, um… I told her…that we… that is… that you and I… well…that we are… um…" Violet uncrossed her arms and her face softened. He looked completely lost at sea. He wrung his hands nervously and his teeth were digging into his bottom lip.

"Bran." She said it gently but he winced as if she had screamed.

"I told her I still have feelings for you."

"And?" He was avoiding her eyes and she took a step closer.

"Bran? What did she say?"

"She asked me to come back to 13."

"And you said?" He inhaled sharply and ran a hand through his curls. His hair had once been thick blonde curls but had faded with time and Violet found herself

missing its luster.

"I said I'd think about it."

"WHAT?" He flinched again and she threw her hands into the air.

"Bran, what is there to think about? She mistreats you. She mistreats her boys. She's cold and cruel, and–"

"She's had a hard life, Violet. And she has lived with this… this secret for so long. She wants to heal. She wants to move on. And she wants to try to move past it…

with me."

"You never loved her, Bran," Violet shook her head. "Why go on pretending?"

"Because she's my wife, Violet. Because I will never measure up to Ash and I don't want to try. I'm not particularly happy in my relationship with Margaret but I'm… comfortable. And now we have the chance to really move on. Don't I owe it to us both to try?"

"After everything that woman put your son through," she said, her voice becoming a dangerous whisper. "You heard Katniss. You saw those reports with your own eyes. They would have turned him into a mutt. Your SON. Your precious, sunny Peeta. Because she was too cowardly to take the blame herself. She sold her son

to the Capitol and you want to go back to her. What kind of man are you?"

"Not the kind you think I am," he said quietly. She shook her head in disgust and crossed the room to yank the door open.

"That much is obvious. I suppose you are going to keep lying to Peeta, then, aren't you?"

"I'm not ly–"

"Have you told him he has a sister?" Bran fell silent and Violet nodded, fuming.

"You had better tell him, Bran. I don't care how you do it but you had better tell him. Before Prim does."

"She wouldn't–"

"You don't know my daughter," she cut him off. "Luckily, she is more like her father in that sense. Her real father." She spat the words and pain shot across his face.

"He did the right thing, even if he knew it would hurt someone. I asked him to stop being a rebel and he didn't. He carried on because he knew it was the right thing for his country, for his family. He wasn't a coward. He was brave and strong… and he didn't lie to his daughters."

"Didn't he?" He glanced up at her and his eyes were sad. "He never featured Primrose in those promos. Only Katniss. Because he knew he only had one real daughter."

"Get out." He sighed heavily and crossed the room, past her.

"I'm sorry, Violet. I don't think I will ever stop loving you. I'm not capable. It's like asking me to stop breathing. But you're right. I'm nothing like Ash. I'm a coward. I couldn't even keep my son from being beaten. I couldn't stop him from being taken. I still can't look him in the eye and tell him the truth."

"It's not too late," she said stiffly. "You can still do the right thing. But until you do, I don't want to see you again." He looked miserable as he shuffled through the door. She didn't even wait for him to turn around before closing the door sharply and huffing, she pressed her forehead against it.

Fine then. If he wanted to move on, she would too. Her younger daughter had just told her she was staying in the Capitol to go to school so Violet would find a job and settle here. Make a new life.

She deserved to move on, she decided. She couldn't understand how Bran could keep going back to Margaret but it was time to let him go for good.

She would try. She owed it to herself to try.

Sighing, she turned back to the suitcase she was packing. She cocked her head for a moment then moved forward and started to fold the clothes that lay on the bed.


"Peeta?"

"Hey, I'm in here," he called from his study. She peered in and leaned against the door, allowing herself to appreciate the view for a moment. Her husband was shirtless, propped on a stool and muscles flexing as he covered the canvas with paint. The sun was streaming into the room and made him glow like some kind of angelic being. His hair looked to be spun of gold and his eyes danced as his focus never wavered from his work.

Finally, he glanced up at her and his lips quirked at the sight of her staring at him, her teeth digging into her bottom lip.

"Can I help you, Mrs. Mellark?"

"Woke up to a cold bed. What happened to having a lazy Saturday in bed?"

"Got restless," he shrugged, leaning closer to the canvas. "Didn't want to wake you so I came in here to paint." She moved off the door and around the canvas so she could see what he was working on.

It was just colors at the moment. Bright, colorful streaks that covered the white canvas with no real subject.

"What is it?"

"Not sure yet," he hummed softly. "Just needed to keep my hands busy."

"I know how you can keep your hands busy." His brow raised as he smirked up at her.

"Really now?"

"Uh huh." He grinned as he reached out for her, tugging her closer. She stood between his legs with her arms crossed.

"What'd you have in mind?"

"Cheesebuns of course." He snorted as he tugged her closer, pressing his cheek to her toned stomach.

"When we finally have a baby, it will be made of cheese."

"Probably," she smiled down at him, caressing his cheek. He blinked up at her, his eyelashes catching the light and making her heart jump. His arms wrapped around her as his chin dug into her belly, his eyes soft and tender.

"We haven't really talked about…" he trailed off and she hummed lightly as she fingered his curls.

"Should we talk about it?"

"I mean… I'd like to," he whispered, as if speaking too loudly would frighten her. "We've been back in 12 for almost six months and things are getting better. Rye keeps dragging me to the store to buy things for the baby and I have to admit, I'm getting a little… jealous." She tilted her head as she cupped his face in her hands.

"So? I mean… can we at least talk about it?"

"We can," she pressed her lips to his forehead and his eyes fluttered closed. "But you should know that I stopped taking my birth control." He inhaled deeply and pulled away, his eyes shooting open.

"What? You did?" She nodded excitedly. "When?"

"Last month. I wanted to tell you, I just… didn't know how. But I see the way you look at Madge's stomach and you are so good with Phoenix and you're right, we are doing better. I've never wanted children… but I want them with you." His eyes were glassy as his arms tightened around her.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Are you upset I didn't tell you?"

"Katniss, I know that words aren't your thing." He rubbed his cheek against her stomach and sighed. "Oh my god, my baby could be inside here."

"Well…not yet," she looked crestfallen as she bit her lip. "I started my period this morning. But we can try again. Madge oh so helpfully designed a chart to help me track when I'm most fertile. So we can try soon."

"Oh my god." He strained his neck to kiss her, his fingers digging into her hips. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," she giggled. She pushed her hair out of her eyes and straightened up. "Hey, just so you know, Prim called this morning. She is coming for a visit in a few weeks."

"Oh that's great," he picked up his brush again and settled on the stool. "Is your mother coming with her?"

"I'm not sure. She doesn't talk about Mom too much. Ever since your dad went back to your mom, Prim says she's been kind of surly and weird."

"My dad's a dumbass," he sighed, turning back to his tray of paints.

"I didn't say it," she shrugged.

"I still don't get it. They seemed… happy when we were in the Capitol. Why would he go back to her?"

"I don't know, Peeta, but it's his life. Maybe he saw it as a fresh start and they are actually doing well."

"He keeps trying to get us to come visit," he shook his head. "As if we actually want to hear anything she has to say."

"Well you know I don't but that doesn't mean you can't go see them," she said softly.

"If she wants to talk to me, she can come here," he said automatically. "I don't need to leave my wife alone at home to go see my mom who hates me."

"Maybe she wanted a fresh start too," she said thoughtfully. "Maybe… she really does want to make peace with you." His nostrils flared as he mixed his paints. She watched him for a moment before shrugging.

"Well since you refuse to feed me, I guess I'm going to hop into the shower." He chuckled as she sauntered out of the room. When she was gone, he hastily covered his paints and washed and dried his brushes. He made his way down to the kitchen where his baking materials were still laid out on the counter.

Peeta's favorite thing about the giant house was the kitchen. It was almost like the bakery in itself. So much room to move around and Katniss knew it was his domain. He uncovered the cheesebuns he had made that morning to make sure they were still warm, chuckling to himself at the look Katniss would give him when she got out of the shower. Deciding that they needed something more substantial than cheesebuns, he checked the fridge and pulled out some of the meat from last night's dinner.

It hadn't taken Katniss long to return to her woods. She knew she didn't have to provide food anymore but she still enjoyed spending the afternoon outside. Peeta was fine with it, as long as she came home before dark. He would spend his days in the kitchen and would only complain if Katniss got blood all over his clean kitchen. She would clean her kills outside and took them to the market in town to sell. Peeta had started to sell baked goods along with her meat and people often asked them if they planned to go into business. Peeta knew he wanted to reopen the bakery eventually but at the moment, he was content with selling a little bit at a time.

He heard the water stop as he was pulling the meat out of the oven and he quickly warmed up the cheesebuns and plated the food. She entered the kitchen wearing nothing but one of his shirts, the sleeves rolled up and buttoned and her long hair soaking the back. He stared as she pulled one of the chairs out and reached for a cheesebun.

"What," she asked, her mouth full.

"You're beautiful," he said simply. She grinned and tore apart the pastry with her teeth.

She loved how simple things were. Peeta's declarations of love came often and they no longer disarmed her. She knew how much he adored her and he knew her love was real. They didn't need much more than that.


As they were finishing up lunch, the phone rang and Peeta went to answer it. When he returned, he was a bit pale.

"Everything ok?"

"Dad's coming to visit. Tomorrow."

"Oh, that's soon. Did he say why?"

"No, he… he didn't even mention coming but then I told him that Prim was coming for a visit soon and he got really anxious. Said he needed to see me and talk to me. I can only assume he got nervous about Prim visiting."

"What? Why?"

"No idea," he shook his head.

"Is your mother coming with him?"

"He didn't say. I don't think so. But… I have no idea. He ended the call pretty quick. It was weird." Katniss frowned as he automatically reached out and picked up a cheesebun but instead of biting into it, he merely stared at it.

"It'll be ok, Peeta," she said reassuringly, covering his hand with hers. "He's still your dad."

"It's been six months," he shook his head. "What could he be so anxious about that he has to come to 12 to tell me?"

"Don't focus on that. You and Bing and Rye can have a nice visit with your dad and show him the renovated District. It'll be fine." She gave him a smile which he tried to return. She rubbed his shoulder before getting to her feet and clearing the dishes.

"So, what did you want to do today?" He turned and draped his arm over the chair. He was totally captivated by her beauty, by the sheer domestic bliss he was basking in. He tugged on her hand and pulled her toward him.

"A lazy day in bed actually sounds pretty good," he smiled up at her.

"That's good cause I'm starting to hurt a little," she winced as she rubbed at her pelvis.

"I'll grab a heating pad and some salve and meet you upstairs," he leaned up to kiss her. "And later we can take a warm bath together."

"What did I do to deserve you," she smiled, draping her arms around his neck.

"A lot, actually. Too many things to name. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and I aim to give it to you."

"You already have, Peeta Mellark," she rubbed his chin with a tender smile. He kissed her fingers and stood.

"Go on, Mrs. Mellark. I'll be right up." She smiled and made her way back up the stairs while Peeta dug into the cabinets for the herbal remedies they kept for cramps. He draped the heating pad over his shoulder and jogged up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

He would worry about his father's visit later. Right now, the love of his life needed him.


I'm so sorry guys... I wanted to have this up last week but Covid finally got to me :( I'm going to NYC next weekend so I will try to have the next one up ASAP!

XOXO!