Okay this is the second to last chapter. The next chapter will be the epilogue. I know I said I was back and I would be updating but I was busy. I was determined to get this chapter up today, so it would be sort of a Christmas gift. Once this story is completed, I think I am going to stick to one- shots so that I do not have to worry about updating. Please look out for any new stories I may post. :) This chapter switches POVs several times.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games or 'I Look at You' by Miley Cyrus.
Once Again, PLEASE REVIEW! I really do appreciate the reviews and they give me inspiration. Think of it as your gift to me. Looking forward to what y'all have to say.
Chapter 13: I Look at You
~Everybody needs inspiration
Everybody needs a song
A beautiful melody
When the nights are long
'cause there is no guarantee
That this life is easy
Yeah when my world is falling apart
When there's no light
To break up the dark
That's when I, I
I look at you
When the waves are flooding the shore
And I can't find my way home any more
That's when I, I
I look at you
When I look at you
I see forgiveness
I see the truth
You love me for who I am
Like the stars hold the moon
Right there where they belong
And I know I'm not alone
Yeah when my world is falling apart
When there's no light
To break up the dark
That's when I, I
I look at you
When the waves are flooding the shore
And I can't find my way home any more
That's when I, I
I look at you
You appear just like a dream to me
Just like kaleidoscope colors that cover me
All I need
Every breath that I breathe
Don't you know you're beautiful
Yeah yeah
When the waves are flooding the shore
And I can't find my way home any more
That's when I, I
I look at you
I look at you
Yeah
Whoa-oh
You appear just like a dream to me~
Katniss' POV
Nine Months Later (Christmas Day 2016)…
"Auntie Katniss. Auntie Katniss." Rose repeats as she tugs on my baggy Christmas sweater as I finish putting the final touches on the present I just finished wrapping.
"Yes sweetie?" I ask as I bend down to her level.
"We need to go to the hospital right away." She squeals.
I panic, "why? Rose, what's wrong?"
She looks at me with wide eyes, "I have cooties."
"Why do you say that?" I laugh, relieved.
"Brayden kissed me and my stomach felt all weird, like butterflies were flying around. Auntie, am I going to die?" she asks worriedly.
I chuckle, "You're not going to die. You'll understand why you felt the way you did when you get older sweetheart. Now why don't you go tell everyone that we are ready to open presents." She squeals happily and runs into the kitchen then outside yelling to everyone that it is present time.
Slowly everyone gathers around the Christmas tree in the living room. Presents surround the bottom of the tree, the colorful wrapping paper contrasts against the cream carpet. One by one everyone grabs the presents labeled with their names. The two kids waste no time at all tearing open all their gifts. Peeta is short one gift but I promise him that he will receive his gift later. Gale is just about to open his last present when someone knocks at the door. I already know exactly who it is, so I ask Kaylee if she can open the door.
Kaylee's POV
I get up off the couch and make my way to the door. Who would be knocking on the door on Christmas? I slowly open the door and I immediately crumple to the ground crying tears of happiness. Before me stands my husband, dressed in his Marine uniform holding a bouquet of red roses and a Santa bag filled with presents. He sets the presents down on the floor and makes his way into the house, closing the door behind him. He bends down and I throw my arms around his neck, my lips meet his in a passionate kiss. We stand back up and the two of us walk back into the living room hand in hand.
Brayden looks up from the toy train he got and I watch as his eyes light up when he sees his father. "Daddy, you're home!" He yells excitedly as he launches himself at his father.
Once things calm down a little I take Pat aside, "How long are you home for?"
He takes both of my hands between his, "Forever."
"What do you mean forever?" I ask, not willing to get my hopes up.
"Kaylee, they discharged me from my tour of duty early. An agreement between the two countries was made so we were sent home and because of my former shoulder injury they decided to honorably discharge me. I'm not going back Kay, we finally get to live a normal life." He says with a smile, "We can really settle down now. Have more kids, grow old together, live the life we always dreamed of living."
I laugh as a stray tear falls from my eye, "We're going to need to get a real house then and an SUV. Soccer Mom-dome here I come."
Katniss' POV
"Peeta be quiet, I can't hear what their saying." I whisper yell at my husband as he walks loudly up the stairs. I have my ear pressed to the door of the extra bedroom, so I can hear the conversation between Kaylee and Pat.
Peeta stares at me, "Katniss Mellark, are you eavesdropping on my sister-in-law and my brother's conversation?"
I smile sheepishly at him, "No…"
He pecks my forehead before leaning his ear against the door also, "If you're going to listen in, I might as well join you."
"What do you mean forever?"
"Kaylee, they discharged me from my tour of duty early. An agreement between the two countries was made so we were sent home and because of my former shoulder injury they decided to honorably discharge me. I'm not going back Kay; we finally get to live a normal life. We can really settle down now. Have more kids, grow old together, live the life we always dreamed of living."
"We're going to need to get a real house then and an SUV. Soccer Mom-dome here I come."
I jump away from the door and drag Peeta to our bedroom, "Peeta, I have an idea! Remember the money Volt gave us awhile back? I think I finally figured out what he meant by you'll know when to spend it. They are going to need the money, they deserve it."
"How are we going to give them a million dollars without them trying to return it?" Peeta asks.
"We aren't going to give them a choice. I was already thinking about doing this before. Annie is a real estate agent, I've already called and had her help me find them the perfect house. I just payed off the house completely and the rest of the money I deposited in a bank account in their name. Volt let me know it is okay to contact him again, so I had him help me out. Don't worry Peeta, I had this all figured out. Now we just have to tell them." I say with a smirk.
He smiles, "You're an evil genius."
I lean up and kiss him, "and that is why you love me."
Kaylee's POV
When Pat and I finally go back downstairs, Brayden is passed out on the couch. I pack up all of his Christmas presents and put them in my car. I don't see Pat's car so I assume he took a Taxi. I re-lock the doors of the car and go back inside to say goodbye to everyone. Johanna is sitting on Gale's lap on the love seat; Rose is laying all snuggled up on Gale's chest. They look like a perfect little family.
Peeta and Katniss make their way downstairs, both smiling stupidly. Peeta hugs me and his brother. He stays hugging his brother for a little longer than usual, happy to have him home. Katniss gives Pat a hug and a kiss on the cheek before coming over and giving me a big hug. We bid our goodbye's to the Hawthorne family and Pat picks up Brayden and carries him out to the car. I unlock the doors and help him get Brayden all buckled in. Pat offers to drive and I accept happily, I hate driving at night.
We are only about a mile out when I hear my phone ding with a new text from Katniss: Go to 8975 Sea Ridge Drive, San Diego, Ca. Text we when you get there. I tap the address and the map on my phone brings up directions. I tell Pat what the text said and then tell him the directions. It only takes us about 20 minutes to arrive at the destination.
In front of us is the most beautiful house I have ever seen. It is right on the beach, the house must have at least 5 rooms. I see a balcony extending from the back of the house over the beach. The moonlight shines off the water making the scene almost magical. I snap out of my trance long enough to text Katniss: I'm at the destination. Whose house is it? It's beautiful.
My phone dings a minute later. From Katniss: Yours. The key is in your jacket pocket. Surprise, Merry Christmas! I drop my phone and Pat reads the text, his jaw drops and I can tell he is as surprised as I am. Eventually I regain my thoughts and dig the keys out of my pocket.
We walk into the house with a groggy Brayden and I find it fully furnished. On the brand new dining room table sits a note and two silver debit cards.
Kaylee,
I knew you and Pat wouldn't accept our money to buy a new house for you to settle down in so I bought you a house. The mortgage is completely paid off, thanks to Volt's contribution. The rest of the money is in a joint savings account. The account information is attached. Think of this as a belated wedding gift. You two deserve this.
P.S. Peeta has no idea I did this yet but he will by the time you read this. He loves you guys a lot, and would want you to have all of this.
Enjoy. Love Always,
Katniss Violet Mellark
Pat leans in and whispers in my ear, "Do you know what this means Kay?" I look up at him with a smile. He kisses me, "We finally get our happily ever after."
Katniss' POV
Gale and Johanna left for their hotel about an hour ago, finally giving me and Peeta some alone time.
We sat on the couch for awhile watching stupid Christmas movies and eating popcorn. Peeta changed into his pajamas. I stayed in my leggings and baggy Christmas sweater. I start to get tired and my eyes feel heavy. I really want to go to bed but I have one more surprise for Peeta. One I think he will be very happy to receive.
Peeta realizes not long after that I am falling asleep on the couch so he turns the television off and walks beside me up the stairs. Peeta tosses me the oversized nightgown I have been wearing lately but I put it back and pick out something a little more fitting. He hasn't seen me in anything but baggy clothes for awhile, so chances are he will enjoy the change.
Peeta gives me a funny look but I just smile. He will know soon enough. I change into low rise forest green pajama pants that sit low on my hip bones. I strip off the rest of my clothes and then slip on a green and white striped tank top. The tank top clings to my body and I have to pull it a little harder to stay down over my stomach.
I finally turn back to Peeta who is turned around setting the alarm clock. "Don't you want to know what your last Christmas present is?"
Peeta chuckles as he finishes fixing the clock, "I really hope it's you naked."
"Turn around and see for yourself."
Peeta turns around and his eyes drift down my fully clothed body and freeze on my abdomen. The material of the tank top stretches over the slight swell of my stomach. He moves his hand out and places it on my stomach. His gaze meets mine, silently questioning if this is real. I nod and perhaps the biggest smile I have ever seen spreads across my husband's face. It was always Peeta's dream to have children; it took me awhile to agree that I wanted children eventually. I had planned to wait for a few years after we were married to start a family but obviously that didn't happen. I was surprised when I found out, I was told several times before that I might not be able to have children although that assumption was wrong.
Peeta asks how far along, and I answer him with four months. He is surprised to say the least. I had planned to tell him sooner but Christmas seemed like a better idea. Peeta helped me pick up the pieces of my life and now I get to repay him. This child is an unexpected gift, and our Christmas miracle.
When we lay down, Peeta rests his hand across my stomach protectively. He plants a kiss on my neck. Right before I fall asleep Peeta asks quietly, "I am going to be a father, real or not real?"
I smile in the darkness, entwining my fingers with Peeta's, "Real."
Thank you again for reading. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it. Happy Holidays to everyone else. :) I will see you next chapter for the epilogue.
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Love Y'all. –THGgoddess4ever.