As I lay in bed, my eyes make their way to Gale, who remains asleep. I snuggle up to him, my head resting on his chest. I feel and hear his heart beating. Thump, thump, thump… I see his eyes flutter open and he smiles. He reaches down and kissed my forehead.
"Good morning, beautiful, " he says, his voice still groggy. He sits up, and I do too.
"Lets get up, I'm hungry," I laugh.
"Aren't you always?" he joked. We got up and went downstairs. I opened the refrigerator and peeked in, looking what we could possibly eat. I then looked at Gale with one of those what-should-we-eat expressions. He shrugged and walked to the pantry, where I found some oatmeal. I took it out and motioned to Gale, "Want this?" He nodded and I took it out of the package, inspecting it closely. I never really liked packaged and processed food, but I guess oatmeal is an exception. When it was finally done, I poured the goop into two bowls and called Gale from the living room.
"Looks good, especially for you," he teased, while picking up his bowl and walking to the table. I gave him a glare although I knew he was just joking. He let out a laugh and I joined him at the table.
"What shall we do today?" I asked in a perfect Effie Trinket accent.
"Hmm… what shall we do?" he said in a response.
"Here, follow me," I gestured, putting both of our bowls in the sink and pointed to the stairs. We went up and I changed into my new everyday outfit, since I was pregnant- my hunting jacket, which didn't zip up over my belly, a long t-shirt, stretchy yoga pants, and my hunting boots. Gale dressed as well, looking handsome, as usual. I extended my arms out to him and pulled him in tight. I buried my nose into his shirt, smelling his masculine scent. He tried not to pull me in too tight because of my belly, but I just held him tighter.
"Come on, let's go get some game!" he yelled cheerfully. I kind of half skipped, half walked towards him, grabbing his hand. We then walked down the stairs and walked out the door, making sure that it was locked. Then we walked towards the fence that separated District 12 from a safe haven. I climbed under the hole and Gale did in suit. We went to out usual hunting spot and checked a few of the snares. We found a rabbit, two squirrels, and a turkey. I managed to shoot two birds, and soon enough we were making our way to the lake. When we got there, I saw some blue eyes that I knew all too well.
"Peeta! What are you doing here?" I yelled. I watched his tear filled eyes shoot up to mine.
"I've…I've been wait.. waiting for you," Peeta mumbled, his eyes looking down at my feet.
"Peeta, you need to get home," I said.
"Why should I go home? You're mine! He took you away from me. That. That monster, right there!" he sobbed, pointing at Gale.
"Please, Peeta," I said, "Here, lets go together." I pulled his hand into mine and let him rest his head on my chest. I looked back at Gale, motioning for him to stay and that I would be back. We walked back into town and down the path to the Victor's Village. I took out the key to his house and unlocked the door. I took his soft hands and pulled them up the stairs and into his bedroom.
"Why don't you love me the way I do?" he begged.
"Peeta, I never stopped loving you. We just grew far apart." I said, and didn't know what else to say, so I kissed him. When I pulled away, he looked at me, frazzled. He opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off before he could speak.
"Shhh… Go to sleep. I will come over here and check up on you tomorrow. Okay?" I whispered and kissed him on the cheek. I then continued down the stairs and back into the woods. When I returned to the woods, I couldn't find Gale.
"Gale? Where are you?" I shouted.
"I'm right here," he said, his head between his knees. I kneeled down beside him and sat on the log he was on. I cupped his face in my hands and pulled his face so he was looking at me.
"What's wrong, my baby?" I groaned.
"Him. He called me a monster. Katniss, am I a monster?"
"Gale, honey, you are not a monster. Listen to me. You are the exact opposite of a monster. Why would you ever believe what he said? He was just saying it on impulse." I reassured him. He looked at me and I kissed him, not letting go for minutes. He held my face in his hands, while my hands drifted up to his silky hair. When I pulled back, I saw a tear roll down his face and before our lips met again, I said, "Gale, I never want to see you cry. It kills me."
When we decided to go back home, Gale pulled the sac of game over his shoulder and wrapped his other arm around my waist. Before heading home, we stopped at the Hob to trade some game. We returned home and it was time for dinner. Then we ate some leftovers from the night before. Finally, we headed upstairs into our bedroom. I changed into a nightgown and he changed into just a pair of pajama pants, leaving his chest bare. We jumped into bed and I lay on my back. He turned my head with his hand and locked his lips with mine. That's all I remember, but I could swear he said, "Never let go of me, Catnip." After that, I had drifted into a deep, deep sleep.