Chapter 14

Calls and Confirmation

(Katniss's POV)

I pace back and forth nervously as Peeta holds the phone up to his ear a couple of days later, after I find out that Gale was an asshole and called a Capitol reporter on me just to get back at me. I've yet to confront him on the matter, fearing that if I walk outside I will be bombarded by Capitol Cameras flashing in my face, pictures would be taken of my swollen stomach and questions will be shouted in my direction, it's so bad that I avoid windows for fear of having someone look inside and study me. Peeta says I'm just being paranoid, that he's been keeping watch every once in a while and there has been nobody lingering in our yard, probably because it's freezing outside and fluffy snow has started to stick to the ground. Winter has begun and it's going to be a bad one, The Capitol News is calling for a Blizzard that will last a couple of days, it will definitely put the rebuilding on hold for a second. I don't know much about what is going on with the rebuilding, only that they have cleared out a lot of debris in the past seven months, the structure of the new justice building and town square are being turned into blueprints and laid out. Peeta says it's actually coming along nicely, he also tells me that once this transfer request is done, the baby is born and things start to get better in our District that he is going to claim the empty lot that his family's bakery used to sit on. He said it was a good way to financially stable ourselves which we really don't need money to begin with. Winning the games ensured us a financially stable home for the rest of our lives. We really have more money that we need.

Peeta taps his foot impatiently while holding the phone firmly against his ear. They either have him on hold or he hasn't gotten through yet, either way I'm frighten to the very core. What kind of questions were they going to ask us? Would they say hell no we aren't going to let the crazy girl who shot president Coin into another District. Our goal is District 4 with my mother. I roll my eyes as I think about her, She left earlier this morning to bring Haymitch something to eat, breakfast she has cooked lies on the counter in the kitchen, bacon, eggs, toast, sausage, where does she even get all this food from. District 12 certainly doesn't have a food market yet, maybe she is just ordering from the Capitol, I forgot that 12 gets shipment and donations from other Districts considering we are far worse off than anyone else. I pray that I don't have to spend the winter here, have this baby here in the cold. I love my home with a burning passion, but their right raising and having a baby here is not the best idea and it's taken me awhile to realize that.

The sound of footsteps entering my house puts me on alert. The door opens and closes and the sound of feet padding against the ground fills my ears, all to familiar voices talk in a hush tone of voice. Haymitch and mother enter the kitchen and take in the sight of Peeta, the phone pressed against his ear and an impatient look on his face, we've literally been trying to get through for an hour now. I guess President Paylor is on busy woman, of course she is, she has the entire nation to run, new laws to pass, people to take care of, she doesn't have time for a pregnant crazy Mockingjay.

"Still haven't gotten through I see" Mother says in an irritated voice.

"I'm trying, I've been on hold for an hour now" Peeta replies impatiently

"We don't have all day" My mother mutters.

I really wish she'd get off his back and stop hovering over him like he is incapable of calling the Capitol and making a request on my behalf. My mother casts her blue eyes in my direction, our gazes meet for a split second and then I'm the one that looks away, breaking eye contact and frowning. We haven't spoken to each other since I said all those mean, but yet true things to her, and its good because I'm pretty sure she has stayed over at Haymitch's house to avoid me. Which is not a bad thing, at least I don't have her slinking around the house picking pointless fights with me, telling me how unstable Peeta and I are to become parents.

Haymitch suddenly burps loudly and breaks the intense silence that has settled between the four of us. "Oh yeah Sweetheart, I forgot to tell you that there is a Capitol package sitting on your front porch this morning. I was going to carry it in but my back is aching and my head hurts this morning from lack of booze, damn Capitol shipment hasn't arrived this week and it's irritating how late they are. People like myself need their booze."

"Or people like you need to stop drinking" Mother comments "You know alcoholic beverages are the number one leading cause of liver disease "

"Did you know I don't give a shit, it makes it easier to deal with old hags such as yourself" Haymitch back talks her and I can't help but let a small smile appear across my face. Least he defends himself against her when she is brutally attack him with her words. I on the other hand am way to emotional to defend myself. One little thing and I cry my eyes out for hours. It's hard to believe that Peeta is able to deal with my mood swings and for that I'm thankful to have him here with me. He has taken good care of me these last few weeks since he walked back into my life. I think he's making up the last six months he's been away. He cooks for me all the time, rubs my aching feet and back, We even decided to request a large amount of paper from District 7 in order to start on our memory book that we agreed we should work on. The Capitol Shipment Haymitch was complaining about should have our paper and we could start on the book today hopefully.

"Okay I think it's going to be awhile, so Haymitch you want to hold the phone while I bring that package inside?" Peeta asks.

Haymitch doesn't reply, just takes the phone from Peeta, pressing it against his ear and flipping back his bangs that have fallen in his face, all the while giving nasty looks towards my mother. Peeta passes me and heads towards the door, I follow him, ignoring the blue pair of eyes that belong to my mother, that are boring into the back of my skull. Peeta fumbles with the doorknob for a second then pulls it open, letting the cold chilly air enter the house. I'm hesitant in getting to close to the front porch. The Capitol guy could be anywhere, watching and waiting for me to appear. I know I probably should venture out into the District soon, just to get fresh air. Fresh air would do me some good. It's hard to believe its been months since the last time I decided to get any fresh air. I inhale the heavenly scent of the cold chilly air and sigh. I do miss my woods and if I could I'd venture out there for a walk.

"Wow, That's an incredibly large package" Peeta comments from the porch. I watch him crouch down, his pants are baggy and reveals part of his boxers as he bends over to pick up the box from the porch. I can't help but take a moment to check his ass out. He has an incredibly nice ass on him and I bite my lip, resisting the urge to grab hold of it. The box is so large and heavy, it strains Peeta, his face reddens as he carries it inside and sets it down firmly on the rug. I look at it in curiosity, taking the plain note attached to the top.

I guess I got a little carried away, but oh well. I hope you enjoy and please tell me what you are having I cant wait to buy clothes - Effie

Peeta pulls a knife from his back pocket, I gaze at him in bewilderment, I'd never guess he'd carry something like that on him. He cuts the top of the box open and pulls away the tape. We both dig into the box and my heart catches in my chest, there are so many baby bottles, cups, diapers, formula that will last us a very long while, a couple of toys, two pairs on shoes one for a boy and one for a girl, a baby monitor, which I never heard of one of those before, we have so many bibs all different colors.

"She is too much" Peeta smiles happily "I can't believe she got all this for us."

"That's Effie for you, she is amazing" I say as I pick up a pair of mittens and two pairs of socks, one pair is pink and the other is blue.

"Our baby is so spoiled and She isn't even born yet" Peeta grins.

"She's be here so soon though and You know she is going to have the best daddy ever."

"She's have a fantastic mother too" Peeta says with a bright smile.

Peeta leans in to kiss me, we are inches apart when Haymitch's voice booms through the house "They've answered" He has shouted from the kitchen and we waste no time in hiking back into the kitchen to join my mother and Haymitch. Peeta hikes and I waddle more than anything, Haymitch has the phone against his ear and is talking in a professional tone of voice, one that makes my mother roll her eyes. I know what's shes thinking and that is 'this drunk has custody of my daughter, I'll do anything to get it back.' Haymitch has pressed the speaker button so everyone in the room can hear what is going on.

"Para Paylor's personal assistant, My name is Avarice, please reveal you identification number"

Haymitch sighs heavily, obviously he hates dealing with these bubble-headed Capitol idiots "Abernathy, Haymitch, ID number 1967834."

We hear her typing quickly on the other end, punching the numbers in what I am guessing to be a computer. That's all we hear for a couple of minutes is her fingers tapping against the keyboard. Then she speaks in an almost hyper-active, happy tone of voice, it's kind of sickening if you ask me, how happy and cheerful this woman sounds, she almost sounds fake.

"And what can I do for you this fine evening, Mr. Abernathy." Avarice asks with a smile.

"I'm calling on behalf of Miss. Katniss Everdeen" Haymitch says.

He doesn't get another word in, Avarice speaks before he can "Identification number please."

Haymitch looks over to me "8097492" I say to him, its funny how I was able to remember something like that. Our ID numbers were something that the old Capitol gave us as soon as we were born, it was a way for them to keep track of us, most people felt as though we were a tax number for them, that this ID number was completely pointless which in a way they were right, but it was something the new capitol kept.

"8097492" Haymitch repeats in the phone.

I grab Peeta's hand as soon as we once again hear her fingers rapidly tap the keyboard. My body fills with nervousness and I begin to tremble, Do I really want to do this, alert the capitol, have all this attention drawn to me? I would rather stay in the dark shadows, have the Capitol forget all about me, but no this is something that needs to be done for the baby's sake. If I want her to be born safely into this world I must go through the Capitol first. This isn't about just me anymore, it's about the baby, everything I do I do for the baby.

"Alright Mr. Abernathy, Miss. Everdeen is in your legal custody correct?"God this woman is too bubbly.

"Correct" Haymitch confirms.

"What would you like to discuss regarding Miss. Everdeen?" Avarice asked.

Haymitch takes a deep breath, a lot is riding on him right now, if he doesn't chose his words very carefully then I might be stuck here giving birth in a graveyard. A sudden urge to be on the sandy beaches in District 4 passes through me, and I've come to realize just how badly I want that. Peeta suddenly takes me in his arms and holds me in a comforting way, regardless of my mother narrowing her eyes at us.

"I request a conversation with President Paylor herself regarding Miss. Everdeen's banishment being either revoked or transferred, due to health issues"

Avarice taps her keyboard again "President Paylor schedule is booked for the next 6 weeks, I'll type you in at the bottom of the list and hopefully you will be able to speak with her in the next couple of weeks. If it is a serious issue then I can transfer you to the department of justice and see if they are able to get your banishment revoked or transferred."

"Can you please do that then" Haymitch asks almost sounding polite, but the look on his face indicates frustration. Haymitch is never the patient or polite type. The lady says 'please hold' in a chipper tone of voice and annoying Capitol music blasts from the phone, causing Haymitch to pull it away from his ear and tap his foot impatiently against the ground. It's not long before another voice greets us and asks for our ID numbers. Haymitch gives it to them and impatiently waits for him to start speaking, I know if we do this any longer Haymitch is going to explode in a fit.

"Department of Justice, Vagor speaking how may I help you."

"Yes this is Haymitch Abernathy I was calling on request to get Katniss Everdeen's banishment to District 12 either revoked or transferred. She is under my guardianship and it is necessary for her to seek medical attention immediately. District 12 does not provide the necessary equipment to help Miss. Everdeen's condition." Haymitch explains.

There is a silence and the man on the other end taps his fingers against a keyboard like the woman did, it doesn't take long for him to respond to Haymitch "Miss. Everdeen's banishment to 12 most definitely cannot be revoked due to the concerns of her sanity, She was placed under Abernathy, Haymitch care, patient shot and killed President Alma Coin, found guilty due to insanity and depression. I cannot grant permission for banishment to be revoked."

I give Peeta a concern look, but he waves it off and holds me tighter in his arms. Haymitch can convince them I know he can. He has my best interest at heart. All he needs to do is tell them I'm sick and need medical attention, which is true, although I don't think having a baby counts as being sick. They must not know anything about my pregnancy.

"Can't you grant her permission to enter another District. She will be under my watchful eyes along with her mother Lynn Everdeen."

"Sir, I will not be able to give you a straight answer right away. I must contact the head official of the department of justice to get his full opinion on the matter, only then will I be able to grant you permission in leaving your District. If you cannot wait, then you may try to contact President Paylor herself" He suggests.

"Well how long until you can reach your official?" Haymitch questions, rolling his eyes and gripping the phone so tightly that his knuckles are turning white.

"Those are answers I cannot give you. We are very busy ensuring the safety of this nation. We don't have time for minor situations such as this. Now I am needed elsewhere, you have a wonderful day, Mr. Abernathy" With that the idiot hangs up the phone leaving Haymitch flustered and frustrated. He slams the phone back on the base and heads towards the fridge in search of booze that we don't have. Mom looks worried and Peeta looks just as irritated as Haymitch does. I don't know what we are going to do now that we know my banishment cannot be revoked. They don't trust me at all, I get that I understand that I shot their president and they are weary of me because of it. They think I'm crazy and unstable that's why they sent me here.

"What are we going to do?" I ask snuggling into Peeta's warm chest.

"If worse comes to worse We'll have to have the baby here" Mom answers "Which home labor is very difficult and I hate the idea. The baby needs to best we have to offer, and you haven't even had a check-up yet, so many things can be wrong with her and we wouldn't know it. We need to get you out of here. Look, Katniss maybe you should tell the truth, if they know the truth then maybe they will allow you to transfer."

I shake my head multiple times "No We've been over this no cameras. Nobody is to know my baby exists. Besides what will they think if they discovered the crazy, insane, emotionally unstable girl is pregnant, the same thing you think and that is I will be an unfit mother."

Peeta gently butts into the conversation, rubbing both my arms in a comforting way "I think we all need to rest and take a break from this. We'll call back in a couple of days."

For some reason I snap and it's because I'm tired of everything "I don't want to rest Peeta, I'm tired of resting, I'm tired of carrying this baby, tired of the district laying in ruins, tired of everything. I just want to have this baby and stop having to worry about everything!"

"We will I promise. I'm here for you We're going to get through this." Peeta assures me. "Even if we have to do a home labor because they wont let us leave, We'll get through it, I'll never leave your side again."

I lean up to kiss him quickly on the mouth, despite my mothers blue eyes boring into the back of my head. When we part I lay my head against his solid and let him hold me, rock me back and forth. Something about his words frightened me, he'll never leave me again, if only that were the truth, nothing is ever guaranteed.

To be continued...9