Standard Disclaimer in first chapter.

Baby Steps

Winter

"Do you think that Vi is growing at a good pace?" Madge asked as she bathed the little girl in the tub, her knees on the tile floor. She looked to Gale, who sat on the closed lid of the toilet. "I mean, Regina is three months old and she's almost caught up to Viola."

"Haymitch is a tall man and Johanna is pretty lanky herself," Gale reasoned. "Of course, their kid is going to be the Amazonian type."

"I'll be sure to tell Johanna that." She carefully lifted Vi from the tub as Gale handed her a towel. "Though she wouldn't care…unless it so happened that when Regina was of legal age, you tried to make a move or something gross like that."

"By the time Regina is of age, I'm just hoping I'm on my first hip replacement," Gale told her with a wicked grin. "I plan to get my kicks in while I can. How about you, Miss Cobwebs?"

"That joke is old," Madge said as she stood. "You need to focus. Do you think that Vi is okay?"

"Give her here." Gale lifted Viola from her arms, bouncing her. "You look just the right size to me. Perfect for Uncle Gale to hold…" He stopped suddenly. "…and you just pissed all over me." Viola chuckled, clapping her hands. "You think that's funny, huh?"

"I think it's hilarious," Madge told him as they walked out of the bathroom and into the nursery. "By the way, I have to stay late tonight at the studio."

"This is the second time this week," Gale told her as he placed Viola on the changing table and Madge handed him a diaper. "You're overworking yourself."

"I really have to catch up," she argued. "That two-month leave to get everything settled with the court and here at the house—the studio just took a hit and I have to pay the rent."

"Okay, but right after you get home, I have a date." Gale powdered Vi before lifting her hips carefully to slide the diaper under her rump.

Madge nodded, trying to clean the mess of clothes scattered in the nursery. They had not done a very good job when it came to the upkeep of the nursery, much less the house. Both she and Gale lacked the domestic skills that their friends had; Peeta had been a whiz at home maintenance while Katniss ran the house like a well-oiled machine.

It paid off in a meticulous house—which Gale and Madge managed to destroy in the three months.

"Did you tell her about the two ladies you'll be leaving at home?" Madge asked.

"Yes, that's exactly the pick-up line I use," he retorted as he picked up Viola again. "I have a one-year-old and a nit-picky housemate who treats me like a slave while not letting me take a peek at the goods."

"Just close your eyes and think of Santorini." Madge went to him and patted his cheek. Her phone rang and she frowned seeing the reminder. "I'm late for a shoot…" She went over to Viola and gave her a kiss. "Be a good girl, darling."

Gale pursed his lips. "What about me?"

"I only fell for that once and it was because I was in such a rush," she said quickly. Madge looked to him. "No girls over and none of those movies—Prim found the DVD the last time she came over to babysit. Try explaining to a teenager that 'One Night in Paris' is not a Parisian romance."

"Fine…fine…"

Gale waved her off and Madge dashed down the stairs. He waited for the door to slam before looking to Viola who was currently trying to put her foot in her mouth.

"So what do you think for movie night? Showgirls or Wild Things?"

"Tilt your head…a little bit more—" Madge took the shot and put her camera down. "Perfect."

Glimmer sighed and gave her an exhausted smile. "I never realized how hard headshots could be."

"You have a great look—very wholesome." Going to her computer, she looked at the last shot. "So what is this for?"

"A television series," Glimmer informed her. "I'm flying out to Los Angeles tomorrow and we'll go from there." She looked to Madge. "You look exhausted. How's it going with Viola?"

"She's beautiful and perfect." Madge sat down at the desk chair. "But, I'm a mess and so is Gale. Thank goodness Delly was so understanding that first visit or else we would've never been approved for custody."

"And, how is that hot mancake?" Glimmer picked up the photo of the three and let out a whistle. "Why have you not hit that yet?"

"I have other things on my mind," Madge said simply. "We might have had a chance once, but he blew it."

"I'd love to hear that story."

There was knock on the door and Madge looked up to see Cato entering with a bright smile. He walked up to her desk and nodded at Glimmer.

"So…I'm guessing you hate coffee," he said to Madge.

She stared up at him. "What?"

"It's been awhile since my invite," Cato explained. "I invited you out for coffee and you agreed, but you disappeared. Thank goodness that I had all my patients or I would've been hurt by your lack of response. So what do you have to say for yourself?"

Despite his words, his playful tone was enough to bring a smile to her lips. Her eyes went to Viola and Madge remembered her talk with Gale about the little girl's development.

"Are you taking any new patients?"

The blonde smelled of cinnamon.

Gale opened his eyes, seeing the woman fast asleep in his bed, and sighed. This was always the hard part and Madge always gave him so much crap for this.

Why was he even hanging out with women like this, knowing that the woman he wanted was asleep across the hall?

Oh yeah, it was because Madge detested him.

He couldn't blame her; Gale had never given her any reason to trust him. He messed up their first date, he teased her, and flaunted his paramours in her face.

Yet she took it with beauty and calm dignity—most of the time.

They were just like grade school kids who would mess with each other to show how much they liked one another.

Well, that was his method.

"Hey handsome." The blonde was up and purring. "Should we go grab some breakfast?"

"Actually…" Gale gave her a smile. "I have a meeting coming up and need to get ready. So, I'll have to take a raincheck."

The woman...her name was Eve, he believed, nodded before grabbing her gold dress off the floor and shimmying it onto her slender body. Before Gale knew it, he was bidding her goodbye at the front door and closing it as quickly as he could without being a total ass.

He leaned back against the door and took a breath—he was getting too old for this.

Opening his eyes, Gale was greeted by Madge walking down the stairs with Vi in her arms. She was grinning at him, all bright teeth and gorgeous eyes.

"She looked...sweet," his housemate remarked before heading to the kitchen.

Gale gave Vi a good morning kiss before meeting Madge's eyes. "She sure as hell didn't act sweet."

"Maybe you didn't give her a reason to," Madge told him. "Come on. Breakfast time for Miss Viola. Coffee and regret for you."

He followed, admiring the sway of her hips, and Vi turned to look at him. The dark-haired toddler stuck her hand out with a happy wave and sweet laugh.

His heart clenched at the sight of them—the two women he loved were right in front of him.

"What excuse did you give her?" Madge asked as they entered the kitchen and she placed Vi in her high chair.

Gale sat in the chair adjacent to Vi, pulling the high chair closer, while Madge took a bowl from the fridge to heat up for Vi before sitting across from him.

"Meeting," he replied. "I actually do have a meeting—" He looked at the kitchen clock. "—in about five minutes." Going to the sink, Gale wet his hands before running them through his hair. Then going to his laptop, which was charging next to the kitchen phone, he grabbed it before sitting down once more. "Now, I'm ready."

"I envy your ability to just roll out of bed that way." Madge sighed, running a hand through her golden locks. Yawning, she gave him an exhausted smile. Gale frowned seeing the dark circles and the tired tremble in her pale lips. "I better get ready for work."

"Why don't you stay home?" He looked her over worriedly. "You're about to keel over."

"Because there's a whole bunch of editing that needs to be done," she pointed out.

"Stay here," he told her. "Stay with me and Vi and our piles of laundry, unwashed dishes, and lack of propriety."

"Maybe," she drawled out. "I have some of my work on a flash drive—"

"Perfect." Gale leaned across the table and kissed her cheek. "I'll make breakfast after my meeting—" His boss' face appeared on the screen. "Hey Effie!"

"Please don't tell me that I'm interrupting another tryst," Effie replied good-naturedly, her light eyes glittering in amusement.

He turned to point the computer's camera at Madge who was falling asleep at the table and Vi, who was waiting expectantly for her breakfast.

"Nope, just having breakfast with these two lovelies."

"Oh God, get Madge a napkin," his boss responded. "She's drooling on that gorgeous table!"

The microwave beeped and he quickly stood up to grab the bowl of warmed cereal. Grabbing the toddler's spoon, Gale placed the bowl by him to wait for it to cool down. Vi whined, her hand reaching for her breakfast and her lips pouting.

She looked unbelievably like Peeta whenever she did that. He used to do the same thing whenever he wanted the last piece of pizza.

"It's so weird to see you domesticated," Effie remarked. "I like it! However, I do have an assignment for you…in Tucson."

"When?"

"Spring. There is a great festival happening that I need you to cover." Effie gave him a conspiring wink. "Maybe you could make it a family piece."

He looked at the sleeping woman across the table. "Ah…we're far from being a family."

Effie shook her head at him. "I think you're closer than you think."

"So this is the famous Viola." Cato smiled at Madge's Goddaughter, who sat on her lap. He held out his hand to her. "Hello sweetheart."

Holding out his hand, Viola reached out and took his finger before putting it to her nose.

Madge chuckled. "Vi! You can't use someone else's finger to pick your nose!" She smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. I think Gale may have taught her that. Or, maybe Katniss—she and Gale had the same kind of humor."

Cato looked to Viola's chart. "Gale is Viola's Godfather?"

She nodded, giving him a tight smile.

"Yes. We both have custody…since Katniss and Peeta—" Madge felt the sharp pain hit her gut. "It's still hard to think that they're not here. They were great people and loved this little girl like crazy."

Cato reached over to the counter and took a tissue from the box atop it. "I'm real sorry."

Madge took the tissue and quickly swiped at her eyes.

"I'm okay," she said before looking to Viola. "But, I hate to think that she'll forget about them. That they'll miss her first words or her walking. I just feel like I'm barely making it with her…I don't know if I'm doing a good job…or if she is healthy…"

"You are doing a great job. Viola is perfectly healthy," Cato assured her. "She is a normal sized one-year-old and you have nothing to worry about." However, he pulled out a pad from his white coat and began to write. "This…is for you."

She looked at him in surprise. "You're prescribing me something?"

"No, I'm writing down the days that I'm free," he replied with a grin. Cato held out the paper to her. "Any of these days look good for dinner?"

Madge gave him a tentative look before Viola stuck her finger out to touch the paper.

Cato grinned. "Well, I guess it's decided."

She found herself smiling back. "I guess so."

"So I'm going out on a date."

Gale looked up from his plate of store-bought pasta in surprise. "With who?"

"Cato. He's the pediatrician that I took Viola to see?" Madge took a careful bite of her lunch before meeting his eyes once more. "Would it be okay if you watched Viola this Saturday?"

"Yeah, sure." Gale picked at his food awkwardly before turning to Viola. "Want to be my date?"

The little girl banged her spoon on the surface of the table.

Madge reached to wipe a glop of spinach from Viola's chin. "I guess that's a yes."

A knock on the front door suddenly sounded through the house.

Their heads shot up and Gale met her eyes. "You expecting anyone?"

Madge shook her head. "You?"

He shook his head.

"Shit…" She stood up abruptly. "It's Delly!"

Immediately, Gale grabbed their plates and put them in the sink. "I'll clean up the living room!"

Madge smoothed down a wrinkle in her button-down before picking up Viola. "We'll go get the door!" She looked to the toddler and gave her a nervous smile. "It's Delly, sweetheart. Try not to yank her top down this time."

They rushed down the hallway, narrowly missing a stuffed animal thrown on the ground, and hurriedly opened the door.

Delly gave her a smile before stepping into the house. "Cleaning up for me, huh?"

The woman always knew how to unnerve Madge. She could tell, however, that the social worker had the best of intentions though it was wrapped in a dry sense of humor.

Delly peeked into the living room to see Gale bent over as he gathered a bunch of Viola's toys off the carpet.

"Hey Gale."

He turned abruptly, dropping some of the wayward toys, and giving her a weak smile. "Hey Delly."

Sighing in exasperation, Delly nodded her head at the couch. "Both of you have a seat."

Madge looked to Gale before going to the couch and sitting down with Viola in her lap. Gale followed after putting the toys in the trunk next to it.

"Families are messy," Delly told them as she sat back in the armchair. "I understand that you're still getting your bearings. I don't mind the mess. But I do mind that you both seem like you don't know what you're doing when it comes to each other. You're not working together."

"We're trying!" Madge said in a rushed voice. "I've pulled back my hours and Gale works mostly from home—" She felt the stirring of tears. Her eyes went to Viola, staring up at her in innocent worry. "Don't take her from us, okay?"

Gale put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "I'm not going to let that happen."

Delly looked at the two for a moment. "Honestly, how is it going?"

"It's hard," Madge admitted. She looked around the house, seeing the pictures of their friends around them. "Because we miss them every day. The studio is behind on business and rent. I worry that Viola is going to grow up and realize how much we don't know…"

"We do know that we care about her," Gale told Delly. "That we love her. I always believed that love could get you through anything. If there's anything that Katniss and Peeta taught me, it was that. I intend to tell Vi that when she's old enough to understand."

The social worker smiled at them.

"Now there you go." She looked to Viola, who was pushing herself up from Madge's lap and into Delly's held-out arms. "Viola seems perfectly fine." The woman brought the little girl onto her lap. "It's you two who are a hot mess."

"Then what do you suggest?" Madge asked tiredly.

"Start with the house," Delly suggested. "Clean it up. Make it your own." She looked to Viola, who was playing with the buttons of the woman's suit jacket. "The rest will just follow."

Delly eyed them warily, bouncing Viola, and earning a musical giggle from the toddler.

"And, you were supposed to be my easiest family."

"She's right, you know."

Gale's gaze went to Madge from where he sat on the living room floor. Viola crawled around him, rearing every once in awhile.

Madge hugged the throw pillow, looking over at him. "What?"

"We need to get it together," he replied. "Look at this place. It's like living in a mausoleum devoted to them."

"They were our best friends, Gale," Madge responded tersely. "We can't just act like we didn't lose them."

"But, we can't act like they weren't ordinary, living breathing people, either. We're acting like we'll never live up to them when they struggled as much as we are right now." Gale sat up and took the remote from the coffee table. "I found this while I was cleaning up one day and was waiting for a bad day to watch it again."

Turning on the television in the cupboard in front of them, Gale set it to streaming mode.

It was a recording of their friends. Katniss was holding Viola and from the looks of it, their daughter was only days old, swaddled in a yellow blanket. They were inside the nursery and Madge watched Peeta zooming in to look at Viola's sleeping face.

"Look at this gorgeous face!"

"Goddamnit, Peeta! Did you even air out the place before we came home?"

The camera was placed down and Peeta walked over to his annoyed wife, shoulders slumped, and expecting a thorough chewing out.

"This is everything that you asked for! Soft yellow…bunny wallpaper…I did everything you asked!"

"I didn't ask for Vi to spend her first night in a chemical-scented room. Did you even wash the crib beddings?"

"Fuck Katniss! I washed the beddings!"

Katniss wagged her finger at her husband.

"Don't you curse in front of our daughter!"

The camera shut off—the battery was most likely dying—and Madge let out a laugh.

She shook her head. "God, they were a mess."

"But, they got it together," Gale responded, a chuckle falling from his lips. "We have to stop living like they're going to come back and we're just babysitting."

Madge sighed. "How do you figure we do that?"

"Well, first of all, you take a nap because you're about to fall apart," he responded before crawling over to Viola who was lounging against a giant teddy bear. "Little Miss Mellark and I will figure it out."

When Madge awoke from her nap, the house was cleaned and the laundry was being done.

And, there in the entryway was a photo of her and Gale with Viola—the very one that she kept in her office.

"So it was you, Gale, Katniss, and Peeta…who are Viola's parents."

Madge nodded at Cato, her hands in her pockets, as they walked down the empty alley and away from the restaurant where they had just finished dinner.

"I met Katniss and Gale in grade school. They were bussed in from another district to the school near my house. Then in high school, Gale met Peeta and they became best friends. They were on the wrestling team and one day, I was assigned to cheer for a match. Katniss came along to support me. She and Peeta just fell for each other—actually, I think Katniss fell more in love with his ass that day."

Madge laughed to herself, remembering the light in her friend's eyes seeing Peeta smile at her that first time.

"They seemed like a really cool couple," Cato said.

She took a short breath, trying to calm the watering in her eyes, and reaching to wipe the corners. "They were."

Cato's hand suddenly reached for hers and he gave her a hesitant smile. "Is this alright?"

Madge squeezed his hand back. "It is."

They stopped and he reached to brush a finger against her chin, his blue eyes warm as he gazed at her.

"Would it be okay if I kissed you?"

She stopped for a minute.

Dinner had been fun and Cato had been so sweet. Kissing him seemed like the next step towards an actual relationship.

But inside, there was hesitation—like some invisible force keeping her from moving forward.

Cato stepped back and she knew he could sense her indecision.

"We can wait. Because I think you're worth it, Madge. I think we could have something great, just like Katniss and Peeta had. But only if you want it."

Well, wasn't it what she wanted?

And, wasn't Cato the perfect person to have it with?

Carefully, Madge approached and her arms circled his neck.

She made her decision and leaned in to press her lips to his.

Quietly, Madge closed the door as she walked into the house. It was well past midnight and Viola was probably asleep.

However the light in the living room was on and when she looked into the room, her heart leapt.

On the couch, Gale slept with Viola, who laid across his torso.

They had been watching some videos and Madge sat down in the armchair, reaching for the remote to press play.

"It's prom night!" Katniss in her burgundy sequin dress, beamed at the camera. "Come on, let me show you this gorgeousness." Her friend moved through the crowd, finding her, and putting an arm around Madge's younger self, dressed in a navy chiffon gown. "This is my bestest friend in the world, Madge!"

"How much did you have to drink?" she asked on the video. Katniss was giving her kisses on the cheek as she laughed. "Sweets, I don't think Peeta wants us to be getting this close!"

"I wouldn't mind a little kiss!" The voice came from behind the camera. "No tongue though!"

Katniss swiped at the camera, her smile pretty and hazy. "Perv!"

"We had a bet going on whether or not you two would actually do it." Madge turned to see Gale sitting up, a sleeping Viola cradled to his chest. "I lost, however, and ended up going home alone."

Madge paused the video, laughing softly. "Me and Katniss did our kissing before prom, thank you very much."

"What I would've done to be a fly on that wall," Gale said under his breath. "Come sit with us."

Getting up, Madge joined them and turned the recording back on.

She watched as Katniss hugged her and they chatted, unaware of Peeta filming them. They looked so opposite, like night and day, yet Madge always felt like Katniss was the sister she had always wanted.

The camera moved over to Gale and she tilted her head, seeing him watching her and Katniss.

He looked pensive…nervous almost.

"You were just so beautiful." It came out in a timid whisper, very unlike Gale. "I knew I messed up and I just wanted one moment…to just tell you I'm sorry and explain what had happened before our date."

Madge turned to him, the sounds on the video fading into the background. "What happened?"

"I was so nervous," he admitted. "So I went to the flower shop and was telling the girl about how I was going to go out with this girl that I had a crush on since forever. The next thing I knew, she was closing the shop and then I was late to get you."

Gale looked to her, his grey eyes pained.

"I'm so sorry, Madge. I fucked up. I'm not perfect and I know you don't like me. But every day I regret never telling you how beautiful I always thought you were, inside and out."

Madge sucked in her tears at his words. They felt so real, wrapping her insides in a warmth she never knew could happen with anyone.

"Cato kissed me," she told him abruptly.

"Did you like it?" Gale asked, suddenly closer.

"I don't know," Madge breathed out. "I have nothing to compare it to."

Gale laughed roughly. "Then let me help you."

Her eyes closed when she felt the first brush of his lips to hers. The kiss was soft—tentative—but it left her aching to the core. Madge pressed forward, her mouth opening to taste Gale and that small bit of hope of what they could become.

They couldn't be Katniss and Peeta.

But together, they could just be them.

Her eyes opened as Gale pulled away, making sure that Viola wasn't disturbed.

He stared at her in question. "What do you think?"

Madge sat back, her gaze on him and a singular thought in her head:

She was fucked.

End of Part Three