Author's note: Are you ready for some more Everlark? How about a little Cressida/Johanna? Yeah, that's a thing in this world! I'd love to know what you think of all of this.
Much thanks to my beta Everlylark! We've had some really great talks getting all this in order and I very much appreciate it! Go check out her stuff!
Happy reading!
Chapter Three
Gale's phone rang as the family started out the door for the school carnival. Katniss recognized it as the tone he'd assigned to his father and she heaved a sigh, which was echoed by their daughters in the exact same tone. It was frightening how much they were like her sometimes.
Becca said, "Doesn't Grandpa know that today is the carnival?"
"Just give me a minute, kiddo." Ruffling her hair, Gale answered the phone. "Hey, Dad. What's up?"
"Go load up, girls." Katniss said as she handed over the keys to the truck.
Sam grabbed them up and ran out the door with her little sister hot on her heels yelling, "I'm sitting behind Daddy!"
"No, it's my turn." Becca argued as Sam slammed the door open.
Katniss shook her head and then stepped toward Gale as he hung up the phone. "Please don't tell me—"
"I have to go in." He cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead. "Just for a bit. Someone came here from three states away to have a consult on a kayak."
"A kayak?" Katniss groaned rested her forehead on Gale's shoulder. "Can't your dad do that? The girls were really looking forward to today."
"I'm the watersports guy." He rubbed her back. "I'm sure it won't take long. And then the girls go home with Prim and Rory tonight." He lifted up her head and brushed a kiss over her lips. "Happy anniversary."
"Yeah, 'Happy anniversary, I have to go to work.'" She patted his chest. "I'm depending on you, Gale. Don't be a million years, okay?"
He nodded and gently squeezed her shoulders. "I'll do my best, Catnip." He lifted the keys to the SUV off the hook by the door and walked out. "I'll meet you there later." He promised as they shared a quick kiss.
"Text me, please? Let me know what's going on?" Katniss asked as she stepped toward the truck.
With a nod, he opened the back door of the truck. "I have to go to work for a bit, girls. But I will try to make it to the carnival in a bit. Okay?"
Sam nodded while Becca protested. "Daddy, you said you'd win me a fish."
"And I will. As soon as I get done. I love you." He assured them. "And I will be there as soon as I can. Listen to your mom and be on your best behavior."
Katniss waited until Gale was out before she made her way in the opposite direction. The Hawthornes ran a sporting goods empire making custom and special edition sporting equipment. People called and traveled from all over to get The Best in Sports. Katniss was in charge the archery division and had been since before she and Gale were married.
It had been a saving grace when they asked her to take over after her father died. She'd barely been eighteen at the time, but had spent all her life at her father's elbow watching him string bows and craft the perfect arrow tips. He painted with a far more precise hand than she ever did, but she'd gotten better over the years. Thank goodness most of her custom orders had to do with speed and precision and not with the beauty of it.
"Mom, why did Daddy have to work?" Becca asked, breaking Katniss out of her thoughts. "Grandpa could have said no."
"Because someone traveled a long way, baby girl." Katniss said. "I don't like it either."
Sam asked, "Is it going to take him long?"
"I hope not, Sam-Sam." Katniss miraculously found a place to park. Despite there still being an hour to the official start time, everyone had already started showing up.
Katniss ushered the girls inside and found Annie sitting at the door looking uncomfortable and pointing out where things needed to be set up.
"Girls, don't get in the way." Katniss warned as her daughters ran off to look around.
"Sure, Mom." Sam called.
Becca simply waved over her shoulder.
Annie chuckled and pointed across the gym. "My girls are over with Finnick. He'll keep an eye on yours."
"Thanks." Katniss said. "So where do you want me?"
Annie chewed her lip a moment before she said, "Could you help Peeta with the bake sale table? He's a great baker, but he's dismal with money. And you're the best I know."
Katniss nodded and made her way slowly toward the table where Peeta was busy getting things put in order. He looked like he was much better at that particular task.
"Hi." She stepped toward him slowly like he was an animal who would easily be spooked. "Annie said she wants me to help you."
Peeta cursed under his breath and glared toward where Annie sat and then smiled kindly at Katniss. "Good. I suck with the money."
"That's what Annie said." She stepped toward the cash box. "How is next weekend?"
"What about it?" He asked, adjusting the box of chocolate chip cookies for the third time.
"For a play date? Callie and Becca?" She was so nervous about being so close to him. What she wanted most of all was to reach out and touch his arm so that she could feel that spark again.
He thought a moment and then said, "Saturdays aren't great for me. Sometimes I'm lucky enough to get out of the bakery for things like this. But my brother Graham isn't happy that I flaked out on two Saturdays in a row. Even if the last one was for our nephew's birthday."
"Oh." She flexed her fingers to keep from touching him. God, she wanted to so bad! She never felt this need to touch Gale. What was that about? She realized that knot was back in her chest and she'd moved a little closer. "So an evening after school? I can be a little flexible with my schedule. I can pick Callie up when I get Sam and Becca."
"I'll think about it. It's mostly family and really close friends I trust her with." He looked around and then ran his finger over the back of Katniss's hand.
She took in a sharp breath when she felt the tingle spread up her arm and through her body. She let him draw circles on her hand for a minute before she pulled away reluctantly. She opened her mouth a few times, trying to think of something to say.
Thankfully Annie waddled over and saved her. "Okay, you guys. I'm really sorry, but I have to leave. And Peeta, I need you to keep an eye on the kids until Jo and Cressida can get here to take over."
Peeta looked down at Annie's stomach. "Baby time?"
Annie nodded, a relieved smile on her face. "Baby time. Finnick is getting the car. The kids are over there." She pointed to the other end of the gym. "Brendan and Sam both said they'd watch the younger ones." She grabbed her stomach and let out a groan.
Finnick ran over. "I'm here! People were cussing me for parking where I did. Let's go have a baby." He wrapped his arm around Annie's waist and led her away.
"I'm sorry, guys! Clove is in charge." Annie called over her shoulder.
"Clove." Katniss made a face and was satisfied when she heard Peeta snort. "That hag has had it out for me from day one." Katniss said softly.
"Yeah, one of those my-kid's-better-than-your-kid people." He sighed.
"She always turns her nose up at me and the other working mothers when we say we can't volunteer during the day. I mean, I could if I want to take up my evening working."
"Heaven forbid someone should want to work all day." Peeta grinned. "Alex loved staying at home with Callie, but she also loved to work. She was counting down the days until Cal was in school so she could get back in the office."
"I'm sure if Clove knew, she would have shunned your wife as much as the rest of us."
He snorted again. "Probably more. She doesn't like single parents either, have you noticed?"
Katniss shook her head and leaned closer. "I never noticed that." People were starting to show up for the festivities, but she hoped they would stay away for a while so she could keep talking to Peeta. Her hand drifted toward his on the table, but she kept a few inches between their skin.
He nodded. "Annie doles out jobs to whoever is there and willing. When Clove is in charge of something, she gives the good jobs to her stay-at-home mom friends who are married. The rest of us get the worst ones."
Katniss found herself smiling in a way that she only did with Gale. Maybe it was this connection, but she was comfortable with him out here in public, unlike other times when she would stand in the crowd wishing she was back home.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she pulled it out to find a text from Gale. Tell me why I answered the phone? This jerk is so demanding! I promise to be there as soon as possible. Tell the girls I'm sorry.
I will. And don't worry. They're running around with friends now, so you'd probably just be the bank. She clicked send and then looked toward Peeta as he leaned down to talk to his daughter and her youngest as well as both of Annie and Finnick's.
He held up Pearl's hand, examining it for a boo-boo that he couldn't seem to find.
"But Mags steppeded on it." Pearl cried.
Peeta kissed it. "You should be all better now."
The little girl sniffed and wiped at her eyes. "I guess."
Peeta smiled. "Come have a seat over here and you can eat a cookie while the big girls play." He sat her down behind them and handed over a snickerdoodle. "I know these are your favorite."
Pearl smile hugely and took a large bite out of the cookie, her pain a thing of the past.
The three other girls each accepted a cookie and scurried off once more.
Peeta pulled some bills out of his wallet and handed them to Katniss, their hands brushed and Katniss tried to hide her smile from Pearl's round green eyes. She was watching everything.
They didn't talk much for the next several hours. People were all abuzz about the baked goods. And when you tell kids there are cookies, the parents don't hear the end of it until they get one.
A young woman sauntered over later in the afternoon. She had short brown hair that was styled into a Mohawk. Just a few steps behind her was another woman with a shaved head and vines tattooed in place of hair. The tattoos continued down her neck and underneath her shirt, reappearing on her arms. Katniss marveled at them. She'd discussed with Gale getting matching tattoos of their daughters' names, but had never followed through. Both were nervous about needles. God, they were so much alike.
"Peeta!" The brunette said happily. "How the hell are ya?"
Peeta chuckled and looked around. "Watch yourself, Jo, this is a family gathering."
"Oh, shit, sorry." She covered her mouth. "I'll just get the kids and get out of here before I drop an f-bomb."
"Aunt Cress!" Pearl exclaimed and threw her arms around the tattooed woman.
"There's my Pearl!" The woman said happily as she swung the girl up into her arms. "How are you?"
"Fine. Mommy's getting the baby out!" Her declaration was a happy one.
The woman smiled at the girl in her arms. "I heard. Are you excited?" Her question was directed at the other two children as they stepped closer.
Pearl nodded and then rested her head on the woman's shoulder. "We go home with you."
"You sure do." Jo said, draping an arm over Brendan's shoulders and resting her hand on top of Maggie's head. "And guess who's already there?"
"Uncle Castor?" Maggie asked anxiously.
"Yep." Johanna glowed at the mention of Castor. Katniss was so confused.
Peeta indicated Katniss. "This is Katniss Hawthorne, but the way." He pointed to the brunette. "That's Johanna and her wife Cressida." He made a motion to the other woman still holding Pearl. "Jo is Finnick's sister."
"Nice to meet you." Katniss said softly. Okay, now she was even more confused.
An arm slipped around her shoulders and Katniss jumped, looking up into the familiar face of her husband. "I'm so sorry. That took way longer than I was hoping. But I get to make a really sweet kayak." He kissed her temple and turned to the others. Introductions were made all around just before Sam and Becca attacked their father around the waist.
"Daddy, will you please try to win me a goldfish now?" Becca begged.
Gale heaved a sigh. "What if I let your mother have some fun with you and I help out here?"
"No, Dad, we've been waiting for you." Sam protested.
Katniss nudged him with her hip. "Go on, Dad. I've got this."
Gale nodded and kissed the top of her head. "Come on, who wants a goldfish?"
Johanna and her wife exchanged a look before Jo said, "We'll take these yahoos out of here. Thanks for keeping an eye on them for us."
"Yeah, we owe you." Cressida said. "Castor showed and I couldn't get Johanna away. I almost had to come on my own."
"I never make you come on your own." Johanna said with a wicked grin.
Cressida gave her a sideways grin and shook her head. "Small ears."
Johanna whispered something in Cressida's ear and then threw her head back and laughed happily. Giving one more wave to the others, they made their way out.
Peeta gave Katniss an unsure look. What was he thinking? After serving a few more people he leaned close, letting his fingers brush over her hand just a moment. "Johanna and Castor are like us."
Katniss looked down at her hand were his fingers had just been. There was still a small spot that felt like it was buzzing. "Like us?"
He nodded. "I understand if you don't want to talk about it, but…"
Becca and Callie both came running over with a fish in each of their small fists.
Callie exclaimed, "Look, Dad, Becca's dad got me two fish!"
Gale was just a step behind. "If you don't want her to have them—"
"No, it's fine." Peeta said. "Thank you."
Katniss smiled gratefully at her husband. They both liked helping people. It was in their nature. When you had more than others, you helped. Hell, you even helped when you barely had enough for yourself. Katniss remembered many times her father did without so that she and her sister could have more.
"How much longer, Mom?" Sam complained as she leaned on her mother's shoulder. Even at nine, she was already almost the same height as Katniss. Sam was going to be tall like the rest of the Hawthornes.
"Not much." She indicated the gym. "Everyone's starting to clear out. We'll just clean up and go. Maybe another hour."
Gale said, "Why don't you take the girls to your sister's and go home? You can get yourself ready so I can pick you up like it's a real date."
Katniss laughed uncomfortably and looked over to Peeta before her eyes went back to her husband. "That sounds great."
She handed off the money box to Clove as she went around to each of the booths. They shared an antagonistic look before Clove walked away.
"Come on, girls," Katniss said, "Let's go see what Aunt Prim and Uncle Rory have planned for your sleepover." She looked over to Peeta. The line was taut and she wasn't ready for the snap again as soon as she was out of his sight. "We'll figure out this week? With the girls?"
Peeta nodded. She could see the conflict in his eyes. "Yes. I'll get in touch."
Gale was already across the room breaking down tables. Katniss handed Sam the keys. "Go to the truck. I'm right behind you."
Sam took Becca's hand and headed out.
Katniss stood close enough to Peeta that their words wouldn't be heard by anyone else. She spoke quickly. "I'm married. So nothing can happen."
"I wasn't planning on it." His voice was just as quiet. "I just want to be friends. After my wife died, I lost touch with so many people. We won't go any further. I promise."
She nodded and turned on her heel, resisting the pull in her chest trying to send her back into that gym. The twang of the break was almost audible and she had to stop a moment. She rubbed her chest when she started walking again. This would be one of the hardest things she ever did.