NOPE.
THAT did not happen.
OH. MY. GOSH.
54 reviews... WHAT!
IM GETTIN STRAIGHT TO REVIEWS!
MiaBelles - HAHAHAHA YOUR REVIEW! I did have to mention Finnick... I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW! Im sorry! You have every right to be upset. It was literally heartbreaking for me to write this chapter. But I really wanted to incorporate the meaning of family in this story! Yes she got to meet nephews of the famous Finnick Odair (and just to make it worse, Im going to make them have the same sort of attitude) LOL! YAY PEETA IS ALIVE! Thank you so much dear!
Topazflowerxox - YOU LOOK FOR MY UPDATES? aklsjdflajsl;kdfjl;asjdklf Oh my gosh! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I cannot wait to show you the next installment! YAYAYAYA! Im in the editing process of that one right now so hopefully it will be as good as y'all say this is! These next few chapters we really see a lot of everlark! Thank you so much for taking the time to review and talk to me! YAY! XOXO
missilovepeetamellark - YAY! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Yes she is finally opening up... but remember... she is opening up SLOWLY! Thank you so much! I really want y'all to get the picture I am trying to paint with each character and the environment around them. Its important to me to show you what I see. And to answer your question yes ma'am :) She is in district 4 like in the books. THANK YOU AND NO YOU'RE AMAZING!
Suze18 - HA. I knew I would get somebody! "Finnick Odair was my brother." GASPPPP! I COULD NEVER KILL PEETA. Like I said in another response, I could never kill. Not even for the shock factor. I can't. SO PEETA WILL NOT BE DYING. EVER. In this series... (that doesn't mean I may or may not have him suffer). He is exactly what Katniss needs ... and we are just sitting here waiting for her to stop being stupid! LOVE YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Guest - Awww I wish I knew your name so I could than you personally. I guess this will have to do. BUT THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH! That means so much to me! It was very emotional. Katniss being hysterical about Peeta's near death experience and her tears over everything else. I try not to make her cry too much, but she is finally letting everything out that she was supposed to and never did. THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEW DEAR! xoxo
Goddess of Idiots - BEFORE I SAY ANYTHING... your name makes me laugh. Because its awesome! Okay, moving on! FOR REAL! The moment I start to sound like Effie I know FOR SURE that I have gone mad! JUST BECAUSE YOU SAID PLEASE (dang it) HERE IS THE UPDATE! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR REVIEWING!
Bellakpotter3 - HA. I KNEW YOU WOULD TRUST ME! Haymitch is a father figure to both of them! ITS SO SWEET! There are a lot of precious moments between KatnissXHaymitch and PeetaXHaymitch and KPXHaymith so its soooo sweet the way he fathers them sometimes! OHHHHH A CURIOUS ONE YOU ARE! Well There is a hint at the A/N at the bottom ;) Maybe you can figure it out. YES I TYPE ON CAPS BECAUSE IM EXCITED IM SO GLAD YOU UNDERSTAND! Its is necessary for me! The unconditional love we witness between the both of them for each other is literally one of my favorite things to write. The way they grow is UGH IT GIVES ME FEELS! THANK YOU SO MUCH LOVE! XOXO
love mangas - YAYAYAY! I knew you would be happy! Thank you so much! Yes, I had thought of that idea wayyyyyy before the story had even began to take shape. So be prepared for those types of little bombs here and there (not relational ones just surprises)! I'm so glad you are enjoying this just as much as I am writing it! THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR YOUR REVIEW!
Thgfangirl - LDJFLKSJDLKFJKSLHf EVERLARKKKKKK! THE FEELS! I'm so glad you loved it! I LOVED IT! I just cannot get enough of Peeta and Katniss. Just ugh! The way he loves her is perfect and the way she loves him is perfect! I JUST CDJFSJDLFJSLDJFLS The feels are so overwhelming! You can't wait for the update? pSH THEN WAIT NO LONGER! HERE IT IS! As always THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEW XOXO!
volleyball1020 - WHY HELLO THERE! I play volleyball! Middle and outside positions! WOW totally off track here! OK HI! OH MUH GOSH I LOVE YOU! LOL IM SO HAPPY YOU LOVE IT! But please do try and stay afloat and not drown... YOU NEED TO FINISH THE STORY! Im so truly happy you love this! I AM UPDATING VERY SOON! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEW! XOXO
Natalie5678 - OMG YOU'RE SO PERFECT! I update rather quickly, though starting next week its going to have to be strictly Mondays and Thursdays (it kills me to say it) Im going to be on vacay for 3 weeks and all. BUT HAVE NO FEAR! It will all be okay! Thank you so much! Im so happy that you love what I write! OHHHH GOODIE I CANNOT WAIT TO SHOW YOU WHAT AWAITS! HERE IS THE NEXT CHAPTER JUST FOR YOU! Thank you for reviewing!
LizzEverlark3thg - LIZZZZZZZ AHHHH YOU FOUND ME AGAIN! AHHHHSLKDJFLKSJDFKLJSL I'm fangirling so hard! If anyone else reads this, Lizz has been here since the first chapter of the original story (so she knows what happens and the name of the sequel SHHHHH keep it a secret Lizz)! AWWWW DON'T CRY! Well they are tears for EVERLARK so I guess its somewhat acceptable! I'm so blown away by your love and support that you have given me! Thank you so much! I want to capture their characters and focus on some of their characteristics that didn't get so much attention! LOVE YOU TO PIECES! AHHHHH ANOTHER ONE FOR ME? KSDFKLJSLKDJF I cannot handle this! THANK YOU SO MUCH LOVE XOXO!
ForceFiend - HAHAHAHHA I shall tease you endlessly and evilly. You will hate me at some points for leaving you where I do. Trust me. Like Chapter 10 ... you will hate me. For sure. AHHH Yes Geneva! I wanted to tie Finnick in here somewhere because to me he was more than just a memory. He was Finnic Freakin' Odair. GLAD YOU PICKED UP ON THE FORESHADOWING! Chapter 9 is here and ready! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEW DEAR! XOXO!
ALRIGHT DEARS! YOU KNOW THE DRILL!
READ AWAY MY LOVELIES!
(I don't own THG, but I do own my characters)
STAY BEAUTIFUL
- CE
The following days became a blur. Finnick's sister coming to District 12, Peeta almost being fried, Haymitch having a few bruised ribs, and Peeta moving into my home. The transition process was endless. Dr. Aurelius arrived in District 12 a day after the fire, and unfortunately, the burn on Peeta's right leg is so severe it requires Capital attention. That particular conversation did not go over well. Even more particularly on my part. Needless to say, I was so… enthusiastic about the issue that Haymitch threatened to have me sedated if I didn't shut up.
"I'll be back Katniss, I promise." Peeta tells me two days ago as he is boarding the train with Dr. Aurelius. I look down; my silence the past few days indicated my opinion of Peeta leaving for the Capital. "Don't worry, I will come back in a couple of days and I will be good as new ok?" I nodded and he stepped on the train using a crutch so his right leg doesn't require so much support. With only having half of a left leg, he seemed to struggle just a bit, and it made me want to laugh, but I don't say so. He turned to look at me and quickly pulled the back of my head and pressed his lips to my forehead in a protective manor. I held onto his forearms and closed my eyes, breathing in his scent. Cinnamon and vanilla invade my nose and I exhaled a sigh of defeat. He had to go. A flash of memory came to me and we are on the train during the Victory Tour as he protected me from the nightmares that haunted my sleep. The feeling of his warm lips on my forehead gave me the comfort I so desperately needed to let him go for a few days. As the train began to move forward, he pulled away and waved goodbye, and I waved back in response. I tried to put on my best winning smile, but it was no use - I was going to miss him. I went straight home and sat in the rocker where I had grieved for so many months. I have come to conclusion that Peeta's presence, whether appreciated or not, keeps me sane. However, there is no argument that it is not appreciated.
But like I said, that was two days ago. Peeta has called every evening and updated me on his recovery. They had to put him under to clean it because it was such a bad burn, in addition to a little patchwork. That wasn't the greatest feeling when he came out of sleep, and it made him very tired, just in the same way he feels after a flashback. But no flashbacks have occurred, so he should be released soon to come home. But still, even though I had Peeta's arrival to look forward to, the rocker was my sound place.
This morning, Greasy Sae comes in and sees me in my selected state and sighs. She usually just says kind words and encourages me to move around and make sure the blood is still being pumped through my lifeless veins. But today she says nothing. Basilia follows closely behind her holding on to her grandmother's hand, but she isn't her chirpy self as per usual. For some odd reason, this snaps me back into reality.
"Hi Basilia!" I smile, standing from my rocker. Sae smiles at me, but Basilia hides further into her grandmother's skirt. My brain fights off confusion only fueled by the curiosity in the change of Basilia's behavior. "Basilia, its ok. Its just me, Katniss." I bend down to the child's level and offer out a gentle hand for her to take. She hesitates, surprised by my persistence, then the tables turn and it is my turn to be surprised. She jumps into my arms sobbing knocking me to the ground to sit.
"Please Katniss! Don't let Peeta die! Please! He makes me the best treats and only HE can make them. And… and…I love him very much…" she hiccups in between words. She continues to sob into my shoulder. Her hot tears being caught by the fabric of my robe. I am startled, but somehow my body reacts before my mind can comprehend what just occurred. I scope the weeping girl into my arms and carry her around the house in patterns to soothe her tears. She maybe only seven, but she is small for her age.
"Oh Basilia, shhhh, Peeta will be just fine. He isn't going to die! I promise. And you know what?" I ask in a tone that ANY child could never resist.
"What?" she whimpers.
"I even think he is bringing you surprise from the Capitol!" I say with enthusiasm, which to be honest I have none of, but something in this girl brings out the worst in me. She nods and continues to cry a little more. I sit on the love seat, gently humming a tune my father would sing when I would cry. These gestures remind me so much of Prim. My precious Prim, she would still cry in my arms no matter how old she would get. I shed a few tears myself. I know that there was one promise I made to myself, and it was the only one I couldn't keep, and that was to keep Prim alive at all costs. But now, I embrace this small child in my comforting arms and soothing her repulsive fear. Peeta always greets her with joy and lifts her up onto his hip, while she giggles and laughs in pure delight. She throws her tiny arms around his large shoulders and neck and embraces him with such love and adoration. I can see how this would destroy her little spirit.
"That is a first." Sae says quietly.
My eyes meet hers in confusion, "What is?"
"That is the first time you have sang to anyone since that little girl in the arena died."
That is not entirely true, I hummed to Prim every so often in 13; but I have not dared open my mouth since she died. It seems as though Basilia herself has brought out what I thought was laid to rest.
But that's not all. It has to be Peeta.
Buttercup, who has been recently hiding from me, comes out from behind the large couch against the wall, and curls his body against mine. What is with this bipolar cat? He gently paws at Basilia's leg and she looks down at the now fluffy cat that has spun onto his back, begging her to pet and play with him. Stupid cat. But there is one thing that tags my memory, he would only do that with Prim, no exceptions. I sit down with the child sitting in my lap gleefully acknowledging that cat. The sight of him purring and Basilia now giggling and drying her left over tears, makes a few of my own tears begin a steady stream down my face. Prim would be delighted to share Buttercup with someone else. I stand and ruffle Basilia's curly brown hair and walk into the kitchen to help Greasy Sae with a dinner soup. As I wash the vegetables, Sae speaks up.
"Katniss." She says in a small quiet voice. "Thank you." She whispers and lets a single tear run down her face. I smile at her and place a comforting hand on her shoulder. Some times, between friends, there is no need for an exchange of words. For Sae and I, it is exactly like that because we truly understand each other. After a few moments of silence, she speaks up about the fire and Peeta. Wait, can we not have a tender moment and just leave it at that?
"Did he ever explain the fire to you?" she asks.
"No." I say quietly.
"Do you remember when you told him to go bake something back during the winter? I apologize if I resurface any unpleasant memories."
"Yes, I do, and don't worry." I sigh.
"Katniss, all that boy did was bake." She says. I stop chopping the green peppers and stare at her.
"What are you saying?"
"You noticed how his appeared less and less in public correct?" she asks and I nod. "Well, he poured himself into baking and painting, it's all he did."
Suddenly, a pang of regret and guilt rush through me.
"He was trying to master one of his father's recipes and every time he failed, he would have a flashback. He would throw things, speak of terrible things, but I would always go into the other room when this would happen. After I knew he was calm I would slowly make my way back into the kitchen. He would apologize without cease, until I sent him to bed. However, with the fire, he hit his head when he fell from the flashback and left the oven on. An unattended oven leads to flames." She says tossing the chopped vegetables in to a large pot. Suddenly, my legs have lost heir ability to stand and I sink to the floor leaning against the cabinets for support. Could it be that my hash and destructive words be the cause of that fire? Well, at least a root of it. It doesn't surprise me.
"Katniss, he would be very upset if you knew, so please don't show an indication that you are aware of what has happened in the past. That boy will do everything in his power to protect you, even if it means staying away from you." She bends down and looks at me.
"But why?" I ask.
"Oh, now that I cannot tell you. He would be more than upset with me." She gives me a sly smile.
"What do you – "
"Oh hush child and help me with the rest of dinner." She laughs. All I can do is smile and accept that hand that she offered to bring me off of the floor. After dinner, and after Basilia and Sae have left for the night, the phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Katniss! How are you?" Peeta's sweet voice fills my ears in pure delight.
"Fine Peeta. Listen, before you say anything. I need to ask you a favor."
"Sure, anything. Is something wrong?"
"No! Of course not!" I laugh. "Look, Basilia has been completely undone by your injury and absence. She cried hard today and to keep her spirits up, I told her you would bring her back a surprise." I say hesitantly so he wont' be upset. I didn't ask him to do it before, so he would have had the option to say no, but now a little girl will be expecting a surprise from the Capital from a blonde-headed boy. But instead of frustration on the other end, I hear laughter.
"Of course I can do that Katniss. I am glad someone misses me." He says, and he doesn't try to hide the smirk in his voice.
"Well there is no need to be obnoxious." But I secretly do miss him.
"I am not being obnoxious Katniss, just stating the truth, what is so wrong with that?"
"Nothing, just your sarcasm isn't hidden as well as your skill to paint."
"Point taken." He laughs. "I just wanted to call and say I will be home two days after tomorrow, and suppose tomorrow will be the day I have to find a gift for my leading lady." He chuckles, tying extra hard not to sound sarcastic, but I know him better than that.
"Look Mellark, just don't mess it up!" I laugh.
"All right, all right Katniss you win. How is everything in 12?" he sighs.
"Normal," I say, "Well as normal as it could possibly be."
"I see. And what about you?"
I'm stunned, "What about me?"
"I'm coming back to you. I promised." He nearly whispers. How is it that this boy can completely see right through me?
"Peeta, I – " I stammer.
"I don't want you to hide, I won't leave you. You know that."
He's right, I do know that, but the pain of missing him right here and now is so much to bear alone.
"I miss you." I say softly. There, I said it.
I can almost hear him smile on the other line, "I miss you, too. I promise I'll come back to you as quickly as I can. I have to go though. I'll see you soon, okay?"
"Okay, I-" I cut myself off immediately. I was just about to say three words I know I would regret.
"You what Katniss?"
"Nothing. I'll see you soon."
"Mhmm, okay Katniss. Bye." And with that he hangs up. I place the phone back on it cradle and walk upstairs to bed pondering on what almost came out of my mouth. Those words can never be taken lightly. I almost said them unconsciously, what was I thinking? Those words are meant for two people who are deeply, passionately in love with each other. No regrets of ever letting the words slide of the lips of lovers.
My feet drag themselves towards my closet where I hang my robe up and I make my way to the bad where I climb in wearing only m undergarments. The cool sheets tickle my nerves, and spread pleasure throughout my body, causing and ah to escape my lips. I stretch letting the day roll of my stress-abused body and let the tensions fall into the past. Buttercup jumps onto the bed and curls up beside my right leg. The tension leaves my fists, my arms, shoulders, back abdomen, thighs, calves, ankles, feet and finally my toes, the pressure being pulled from my body. Peeta would return in a couple more days. But before he returns there is something I need to do. Actually a few things that need to be accomplished before his arrival, which I want to make special. A dinner I suppose would be nice, with Sae, Basilia, Haymitch, and maybe our new neighbors from District 4, but in order to do that, you need something to feed the people. Tomorrow, once again I will face what I haven't been able to do in months. Tomorrow I hunt.
Stillness. Silence. The quiet in the moment of concentration. Focus. Determination. The will to press on. I have been hunting everyday since Peeta called and I told him I missed him. Although, precaution is something I am leaning towards due to the last time I pushed myself further than needed. He isn't here to save me if I need it. Step by step, even if they are small. The sun is playing hide and seek on the horizon and because its still spring there fog on the ground its is a bit cool this morning causing my warm breath to clash with the crisp air. No doubt it will warm up later though. Peeta is coming home today on the five o'clock train. The thought brings a smile to my face a fills my heart with warmth. That feeling that I got in the cave and on the beach. Peeta.
Peeta Mellark comes home today.
YAYAYAYAYAYYAYAY!
Okay, so a lot of you were really looking forward to the sequel to this... well... I cannot tell you the name because it is in the text of the next chapter (TWICE) so if you miss I will need to question you personally. LOL JUST KIDDING!
BUT... I WILL GIVE YOU A HINT
****HINT****
It is the name of a Michael Bublè song. That song also inspired some of the story line sooooo :) and it is a more happier song as well. SOOOOOO yeah.
OH AND LIZZ... shhh you can't tell them what it is. LOL If you figure it out, you can message me and I will tell you 'yes' or 'no' :D
**** END OF HINT****
LOL THANK YALL SO MUCH! I got 13 reviews alone on the last chapter! :D I'm so happy! Y'all make me solo happy! THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!
Leave me a pretty little note and I'll respond like I always do :)
STAY BEAUTIFUL
- CE