Hey guys! Thanks so much for reading my story! I hope you're enjoying reading it as much as I'm enjoying writing it. Please R&R, can we get to 10?
6
Katniss
We're back at the Cornucopia, just finished eating dinner. Cato is gathering our stuff together, ready to climb on top, to sleep. We are finally ready. He gives me a boost and passes the stuff up, the food first then the weapons and finally the blankets. I pull him up and soon we are both up there, looking around for the slightest sign of movement. Suddenly, there are two cannon shots and I look around horrified. Rue and Peeta both come staggering out of the forest followed by two muttations. I scream and bury my head in Cato's chest as they are mauled to death. Suddenly, there is a bright light and a booming voice echoes around the arena, announcing, "Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you the winners of the 74th Hunger Games! Katniss Everdeen and Cato Hadley, our very own star-crossed lovers!" I turned to Cato, kissing him passionately and looking to the sky, waiting for the hovercraft to come.
Cato
We did it. We won. I am so happy. We are waiting to make our way onto the stage to have our interview with Caesar. Well, I am. Katniss is keeping me waiting as usual. Suddenly the doors swing open and I turn, expecting to see her smiling face. But no. She's crying, worse than I have ever seen her cry before. Cinna is supporting her as she sobs. She collapses onto my chest and I look for answers in Cinna's face. Before he can explain, she bursts out, "Cato. I'm so fucking sorry. I'm having a baby. I'm pregnant," and she starts to sob again. I lift her chin up so that she looks me in the eyes and I whisper, "That's the greatest news I've heard since you said you'll marry me. We're gonna be a proper family." She looked at me, and the tears leave her eyes at once. She asks, "You don't mind? Serious?" and when I shook my head, she laughed, the happy sound that I loved so much. I picked her up and spun her round. She hooked her legs round my waist and we laughed together. I don't think I've ever been so thrilled.
Haymitch
It's time for the victors' interview and I'm nervous as shit. Apparently Katniss has some big announcement to make that even Brutus and I don't know about. She says that only Cato and Cinna know. Why not me? There she is, leading Cato on stage. They're holding hands and the crowd is going wild. Oh crap, I almost forgot to applaud. She looks right at me and winks. I can't help myself, of course I wink back. It's like she has some hold over me, a hold she has over everyone she meets. I can see it in Cato's eyes, Caesar's, even Brutus, who is hard as hell. You just can't help but love her. Oh, time to listen as the applause finally dies down and Caesar begins to speak.
After a few questions, Katniss and Cato are finally shown the recap of the games. They watch as the screen Peeta kills Clove, as Thresh murders Glimmer and Marvel for attempting to kill Rue and as he throws himself in front of a spear again aimed at her, thrown this time by Foxface. They watch as, in his dying moments, he kills her and then as Rue cries over his body. Their struggle in the flash flood is shown and of course Cato's proposal, and the whole audience soften at the scene, especially Katniss, who touches her ring and takes Cato's hand. Finally we watch as the muttations appear and as Rue and Peeta are killed. Again Katniss can't watch, burying her head in Cato's chest in horror. I see her sadness, and I just want to run up there and comfort her. Then the video ends and Caesar questions them some more, asking about the skills they had and what they had got from the experience. This question is a brilliant crowd pleaser – as they both answer "Each other," I think the crowd is going to explode. They love them so much and as Caesar is just about to wrap the interview up, Katniss interrupts him. "I have an announcement to make, if you don't mind, Caesar?" Caesar shakes his head and looks to the audience, bewildered, making them erupt with laughter. She chuckles softly and continues, "Well, Cato and I have literally just received some news. Umm…" I am on the edge of my seat, why is she dragging this out? She looks anxiously at Cato and he nods at her, willing her to do it. She looks directly at me, as if no-one else is in the room and says, "I am… I'm going to have a baby." The crowd is stunned into silence for what feels like forever and Cato slips his arm around her shoulders, cradling her. Then I begin to clap slowly and the audience joins in. All of a sudden, there's cheering and screaming and they sound like they will actually blow the roof off. Caesar is speechless, applauding with the rest of the Capitol and shooing them offstage. Brutus and I hurry back where Katniss and Cato are talking excitedly with Cinna. They turn as we enter and she runs into my arms. "Sweetheart, congratulations! I can't believe you made me wait through that whole interview though! That was harsh, baby!" She laughs and apologises hurriedly before turning to Brutus and having a murmured conversation.
Meanwhile, Cato turns to me and extends his hand. I hesitate for a moment before shaking it firmly. "You know, Cato," I say graciously, "At first I thought you were using Katniss for your own selfish needs." He looks at me strangely and replies, "Gee, thanks." I laugh and shake my head, continuing, "That's not what I meant. I mean, I thought that at first but now I realise that you really care for her. So look after her. And if you ever hurt her. And I mean ever. I will hunt you down and hurt you so bad, training for the Games will seem like playground fun. We clear?" He looks at me seriously and whispers, "I love her more than life itself and I just know that I will love this baby just as much. And if I ever hurt her, I will bring myself to you and let you beat me because no pain will ever make up for the guilt. So yes, we're clear." I shake his hand once more and I know in that moment that she is in safe hands. I just wonder how her family will react…
OK, next chapter will be the first part of the Victory Tour - meeting Cato's family.
PS. Wasn't sure what Cato's surname was but the internet told me Hadley, and I think it suits him. See you next time xx
