Chapter 6
Katniss' POV
I can honestly say that this is somewhere I never expected to be again, yet here I am, waiting in the wings for Caesar to call me on stage. Effie cried when she saw me, hugging me and saying, "I promise, you have Peeta's full attention right now." It was bittersweet, yet comforting, to think of Peeta in Heaven and watching over little pearl and I.
It takes a moment to register that Caesar has called my name, and the applause is deafening when I walk out on the stage. Caesar's first words are drowned out by the crowd, and we almost have a moment of deja vu from my first games. I take his hand, and allow him to help me into my seat.
I wave to the crowd, and blow a few kisses, and the crowd goes wild again. I've decided that I will spend the rest of my life being the twirling, giggling girl from my first interview. I will lock away the true part of me, deep inside, spending the rest of my life keeping Peeta's child safe and happy. Caesar's face is frozen in a mask of good humor, but I can see frustration flashing in his eyes as he waits for the crowd to die down.
"Hello Katniss, or is it Mrs. Mellark?" Caesar croons.
"Oh, Caesar, we're old friends, Katniss will do." I reply cheekily.
"Speaking of Peeta, I'm so sorry for your loss."
I feel my heart breaking again, and take a second to compose myself, "Thank you, Caesar," I say softly, my voice breaking a little at the end. My hands are shaking, and I place them in my lap hoping that no one will notice. "I guess we truly were destined to be star crossed lovers." My vision is blurry, and Caesar is kind enough to give me a moment to blink back the tears. Off stage, they appear to be having a technical difficulty, and I'm thankful for an extra moment to compose myself.
My smile is bittersweet as I look at him. "That's not why I'm here today." I'm still blinking back tears, desperate to get this interview over before the tears begin to fall.
"Oh, really?" Caesar queries.
"I wanted to share with the people of Panem that I am expecting."
"Expecting what, my dear?" Caesar asks, confusion apparent in his expression.
"A daughter." I reply, watching as it dawns on Caesar what I'm saying.
"Well, heartfelt congratulations to you." Caesar says, taking my hand in his.
I feel tears welling up again, then I see a flicker of Gale on screen, walking around the rubble of District 12's Justice Building. It cuts to Prim with my mom, animatedly talking about something. They're all wearing odd uniforms. The camera man is desperately signalling Caesar to wrap up the interview. In my confusion, I almost miss hearing Caesar.
"I hear that we'll see you next month, Katniss."
"Yes," I reply with a wistful smile, twirling a lock of hair around my fingers. "You've all been invited to hear her heartbeat with me."
And with that, the cameras pan out, and the Panem anthem begins to play. I break down in tears before I'm completely offstage, and I allow myself to crumple in the wings, abandoning myself to my grief.
Effie places her hand on my shoulder, calling for someone. I feel myself lifted off of the ground, and look up to find myself staring into Darius' face.