The train ride home was different. Haymitch's remarks no longer were heard throughout the bar car was empty and Effie was lonely. I had not gotten over Haymitch's death and I don't think I ever will. He sacrificed himself for me. That is a debt I will never be able to repay. Haymitch gave me my life.
Peeta and I spent the entire ride home together. I never left his side and he never left mine.
"Thank you Peeta," I said the day we were supposed to arrive back in 12.
"For what?" he asked.
"For forcing me to be allies with Finnick and Johanna. For protecting me in the arena," I answer.
"I did everything I could to make sure you survived," he said and grabbed his gold medallion that Effie had given him. "I wore this every second you were in there, hoping you would make it out."
He opened the pendant. Inside were pictures of me and him. It was a locket.
"I love you so much Peeta," I say.
"I love you too," he says.
"What do we do when we get back?" I ask.
"We settle down," he says. "And prepare for the baby."
The baby. That might have been the only thing that kept my allies from killing me. The fact that I am pregnant probably saved my life.
When we pulled into the station I could see thousands of people waiting for us to get off. When I stepped off the train thousands of people cheered for me. Peeta came up behind me and took my hand. I scanned the crowd and searched for my family. When I spotted them I ran to them. I fought my way through until I reached my mother and Prim. I hugged them so hard.
"You did it," Prim said softly.
"I did it," I said back.
Back at Peeta and I's house, we finally had alone time. A place without cameras and people trying to interview us.
Haymitch's house stood empty. I only went there once. The smell of liquor still hung in the air. I could still hear his voice.
Everyday that I went home to Peeta I knew I was safe. Safe from danger, safe from the Games, and safe from Snow.
I am so glad I chose the boy with the bread.
Check back to my stories in a few days. The sequel is coming.