Author's note: I'm so sorry it took so long to get this to you. Just so you know, there is some Everthorne sexy times. There will be a bit more in the coming chapters.

BUT there are some nice Everlark moments. And some cute kids. Ever heard of Shopkins?

Many thanks to my beta Everlylark for helping get this chapter polished. Go check out her stuff.

I also want to thank writingbutunpublished for listening to me ramble about this and all my stories.

Happy reading!

Chapter Six

Katniss watched hungrily as Gale walked into the kitchen. She would be lying if she said she hadn't been tempted when he pulled her on top of him. Her dreams had become more and more graphic and had increased her sexual urges so much more than when she was pregnant with Becca.

Katniss wrapped her arms around Gale from behind as he filled a plate. She kissed his neck and whispered, "Want that kiss now?"

After a moment, he turned in her arms. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. He lifted his head and whispered, "We should play hooky."

"Both of us have projects pending." She whispered back.

"Yeah, well, my project for you is pretty big."

Katniss threw her head back and laughed. "I'll think about it."

Gale sat down with the girls to eat. Katniss poured him a cup of coffee and kissed the top of his head as she sat it in front of him.

Becca made a face. "Ew! Kissing!"

Sam just shook her head and averted her eyes. She mumbled something about parents being embarrassing.

"I need to get some socks. Twenty minutes until we leave." Katniss kissed each of her girls on the temple, and pressed her lips to Gale's cheek, before she hurried out of the room.

Katniss reached into the bedside drawer and took out one of their condoms to stuff into her pocket. Hopefully it didn't fall out at an in appropriate time.

Gale got to work on the kayak as soon as he got into the studio, but was interrupted by his phone going off with Katniss's tone.

Come here. Now. There isn't much time.

Gale dropped his tools and casually made his way down the hall. He let himself into his wife's office.

Katniss grinned and pressed him against the door. "You have ten minutes." She pressed something into his hand and he looked down to see a condom.

He laughed. "Are you serious about this?"

She nodded, rubbing him over his pants. "Look, I know that I've been a little cold and the last few years have been sort of obligation, but I do like making love to you."

"Ten minutes is a little shy of making love."

"Then a quick, hard fuck is in order." She unbuttoned his pants. "Nine minutes now. I have a meeting with your dad."

He ripped open the package while she pulled his length free. "Just a reminder, Catnip, I don't care if it's once a week or once a year."

She grabbed the condom out of his hand. "You're horrible with time management." She rolled it on. "We can't make a lot of noise."

"We can't make any." He pushed her jeans down and then twisted her around, bending her over at the waist.

Katniss braced her hands on the desk. "You should lock that door."

Gale reached over and pressed the button. He quickly entered her and immediately started moving. It was invigorating to be doing something so risky. When they were still dating, they'd snuck into a supply closet to make out and gotten caught. That had resulted in a very uncomfortable tongue-lashing from Hazelle. It hadn't helped that Katniss had been topless at the time.

Now that they were married, there was no telling what sort of punishment they would get if they were caught. Hopefully none since they wouldn't.

Gale could feel himself growing close. He had to grit his teeth and grip Katniss's hips tight to keep from crying out as he met his climax. He felt her contracting around him, so he knew that he wasn't the only one to receive pleasure.

He pulled away and removed the condom. "Better wrap that up."

She laughed and offered a tissue before she pulled her pants back up. "That was fun."

"What was it you said the other day?" He buttoned his jeans. "It's always fun." He pulled her in for a deep kiss just as someone knocked on the door. "Duty calls."

Gale opened the door. "Hey, Dad." He clapped his father on the shoulder and walked down the hall to get back to work.

After he'd been working for a while, his shop door opened and Katniss came in. She leaned against the table and watched Gale work for a few silent minutes.

Eventually she said, "You want to take a weekend away? Just us?"

He turned and watched her a minute. "Are you on something?"

She snorted and stepped closer. "No. Maybe it's hormones."

He paused a minute and started counting on his fingers.

"Not pregnancy hormones." She said quickly. "I wouldn't know that for at least another couple weeks anyway." She trailed her hand over his chest. "Something has shifted in me and I don't know what it is. But I just really-"

"I'm so sorry." Madge said from the doorway.

Katniss dropped her hand. "I have orders pending."

Gale grabbed her arm. "I think a weekend would be good. You start research and we'll talk tonight. Maybe for New Year's."

"Okay." She kissed his hand and left the room, waving at Madge as she passed.

"Katniss?" Madge called.

Katniss turned and gave her a forced smile. "Yeah?"

Please, Madge. Please don't. Gale begged.

"Do you have anything I can update on the site?" Madge asked. "You always finish things before I can get there."

"I'm about to start. You should come chronicle the whole process." Katniss gestured toward Gale. "His projects take so long, it's easy to catch him."

Madge laughed and looked over at him. "That's true." She raised the camera and snapped a shot. "Progress." She followed Katniss to her office.

Gale worked the rest of the morning while worrying that Madge would spill the beans.

Katniss really liked Madge. The two had been casual friends in high school and had lost touch when Madge left for college a short time after Katniss's parents had died. Their lives had gone in completely different directions.

They'd moved to their current building three years before. There were times in the past where Katniss would see Madge look at Gale with an odd sort of longing. She brushed it off. Now that they worked in the same building and were seeing each other every day, Katniss was more than convinced Madge was in love with Gale. And it seemed to be more evident as the days passed.

Madge snapped pictures as Katniss looked over a printed order form. "So how does it work?" Madge asked.

Katniss looked up and smiled. "Well, most of it is pretty straightforward. They fill out a form with measurements and tension specifications and all that." She pointed to the wall where several standard bows hung. "I use these as templates."

Madge took a picture.

"Then I add color or stain and send it off." Katniss moved toward the wall and picked a bow. "So why have you really been avoiding me? You've been in charge of social media for almost a year now."

Madge shrugged. "I didn't want to get in your way. I remember from school that you keep to yourself. Don't let a lot of people in." She took some pictures as Katniss made some measurements. "And I also kind of saw this as your sacred time. Because of your dad, you know."

Katniss felt a tightening in her throat and averted her eyes until she trusted her tears wouldn't fall. "Thank you. I'm really proud of my work. I know Dad would have been proud of it, too."

"So what's this bow you're working on? Anything fancy?"

Katniss laughed and shook her head. "Not fancy. The person requesting is petite and she's had trouble in the past getting a bow that was the right tension and size. Most of the bows that she can handle are sized and designed for children, so the tension isn't right or they're too flimsy."

"So you're just making a standard bow at a smaller scale?" Madge made a note on her phone and set it aside to start taking more pictures. "Perfect time to chronicle your work."

Katniss chuckled. "I can show you pictures of the one I just made for Gale. I usually take a lot of process shots." Katniss wrote down her measurements and waved Madge toward the computer. "His anniversary present. It's good that I work fast because I used up quite a bit of company time to get this done."

Madge laughed. "Perks of being the daughter-in-law of the owners. I'm sure they wouldn't get upset."

Katniss clicked around on her computer until she sound the process shots. "I had Becca and Sam write their names, then I made a stencil, and I painted them on."

"That's so cool. Have you done something like this before?" Madge leaned forward to look at the pictures.

"With quotes a couple times, but never names." Katniss really was proud of her work.

Katniss went back to her project and Madge followed with her camera. Except for the clicking of the shutter, it was quiet in the room. Katniss moved around, thinking about the events of the morning and wondering how Madge would react if she knew she was standing where Gale had stood with his pants around his ankles earlier that morning.

As she worked Katniss's mind ran away with her. She was on the verge of asking, "Are you in love with my husband?" so many times that she imagined half a dozen responses.

They ranged from laughter at the absurdity to pleading forgiveness for indulging their desires in Madge's office.

At lunch, Gale stuck his head in the doorway and asked, "You want to go home for lunch or go out?"

"I could really use a burger." Katniss said, straightening up from leaning over her drafting table. "Madge, you should come along."

"Oh, I brought something from home." Madge said dismissively.

"It'll still be there tomorrow." Gale said. "Or, you already have supper that way. It's on me. We'll walk across to the diner."

Madge thought about it a minute and then nodded. "Let me put the camera up."

Katniss grabbed the front of Gale's shirt and pulled him in for a kiss.

"What's that for?" He asked.

She shrugged. "Just felt like it." She slipped her hand into his and led him out of her office.

Peeta waved at the last customer as he locked up after him. "Hey, Dad, I have to get Cal. What else do I need to do?"

Conrad boxed up the last of the chocolate chip cookies and handed them over. "Take those. When you get back, I need you to inventory the cake decoration tools. I know we're running low on some stuff. I'll put in an order first thing."

Peeta nodded. "Thanks." He hurried out the back door and across town to the Hawthorne home. He'd been thinking all day about seeing Katniss again. And talking to her about those dreams.

He pulled into the driveway behind the SUV and strolled up to the front door. Before he had a chance to do more than tap a knuckle on the door, it swung open to reveal Katniss standing there.

She smiled and held out her hand for him to shake.

He slipped his hand into hers and they stood there for several silent moments as the pulse radiated between them.

Katniss pulled away first. "Come on in, I was just about to get something from the car." She waved him through the door.

"Really?" Peeta asked with a sideways grin as he passed her.

"Really." She bounded down the steps and he couldn't help but glance back just before he was tackled around the middle by his daughter.

"Hi, Daddy! Do we have to leave right away?" Callie asked. Her voice was full of joy and a little breathless.

Peeta smoothed her hair back from her forehead. "I'll give you five more minutes."

"Thanks, Dad!" The two little girls ran away.

Gale stepped into the room drying his hands. "Hi." He said with a smile.

"Hi." Peeta held out the white box. "My dad sent cookies."

"Awesome!" Gale took the offered box. "I was just about to fire up the grill. You guys want to stay for supper?"

"Can we, Dad?" Callie asked, sliding down the hall on her socks.

Peeta chuckled. "Sure. Let me send my stepmom a text so she knows we won't be there."

"Super sweet, Daddy!" Callie giggled as she and Becca took off down the hall once more.

Peeta shook his head. "Are you supposed to be doing that?"

"It's fine." Gale waved Peeta into the kitchen. "Come in."

Peeta nodded and followed just as Katniss came into the house.

She said, "I looked and I cannot find the buns. Are you sure you even bought them?"

"I know I bought them. I told Sam to get them." Gale paused. "But she was on my phone messaging a friend."

"Bread for buns it is!" Katniss sighed.

"Sorry, Catnip. Shopping with an almost-10-year-old." Gale shrugged.

Peeta made a gesture to get their attention. "If you have yeast, flour, and vegetable oil, I can throw together some buns in less than an hour. And they definitely taste better than you get from the store."

Katniss and Gale exchanged a look and then nodded. "Sure." Gale said. "It takes a bit, anyway, since I'm doing charcoal." He pointed to Katniss. "She'll get you all you need. Thanks, man."

Peeta listed all the things he needed and Katniss got him the ingredients. Mixing it all together was second nature, so he went to work and got a little lost in it. He could hear the girls laughing and playing in the other room.

Katniss broke into his thoughts. "Have you been having dreams?"

He slowly turned his head. "Yeah." And what lovely dreams they are. He swallowed and leaned in to whisper, "Steamy ones."

She rested her hand on his arm where it was covered by his sleeve and tilted her head. She moved her hand down and he jumped at the spark. "Must have to be skin-to-skin."

"Yeah." Peeta's breathing grew labored and he moved away. "Look, I can't... I won't mess with your marriage."

"I'm not planning on it." She said quickly. "But what does it all mean?"

He shrugged and divided the dough into equal size balls. "I always had this weird obsession with Ancient Egypt."

She smiled. "Me too."

He covered the dough and leaned against the counter beside her. "So what do you want to do, Aida?"

She shrugged. "Probably best not to call me Aida. I haven't said anything to Gale yet." She paused and said, "Radames."

He gave her a concerned look. "I haven't told anyone because I was waiting for you to. It's probably not good to keep this sort of thing from him."

"I know." She touched his bare forearm again and smiled. "I think I like this."

He pulled away. "I do too. So you should probably stop."

"About the dreams—"

Sam walked in and paused. "Oh, hey. Mom, can I go to Hayley's for a while?"

"Maybe tomorrow. We have company." Katniss walked toward her older daughter. "Play your cards right and you may get a sleepover."

"You're joking. I never get to sleep over at anyone's house."

Katniss shrugged. "Your dad and I have been talking. You're old enough to maybe start." She kissed Sam's forehead. "Go help Dad with the grill."

"Yes, ma'am." Sam left the room.

Peeta turned to the oven and twisted it to the right temperature. It was one of those that you had to punch a button to start it.

Katniss commented, "Most people take forever to figure that out."

"I've seen my fair share of ovens." He straightened up. "Do you think we'll ever figure out what that darkness is all about? You know, in the dreams?"

She shrugged. "I'm more concerned about the ones that are happening right now."

He snorted. "Well, at least you have some help in that department."

He watched as her cheeks reddened. "It's been wild, to say the least."

Gale came in with Becca and Callie wrapped around each of his legs. "My feet are crazy heavy." He said. "I don't know what happened. I just walked through the door and all the sudden, it's like walking through syrup."

The girls giggled and then Sam jumped onto his back.

Gale laughed and grabbed her arms to hold her on. "Oh, no! Weight on my shoulders. I can't last!"

Katniss hurried forward. "My love, I never thought I'd lose you like this." She cupped his cheeks. "I'll never forget you."

"Avenge me, Katniss." He pressed his lips to hers briefly.

"Ew, they're kissing!" Becca squealed and released her father's legs.

"Gross!" Callie ran after Becca as she left the room. Peeta could hear their feet pounding up the stairs.

Sam kissed her father's cheek and then dropped to the floor.

Peeta caught Gale winking at his older daughter and then he pulled Katniss close, whispering in her ear something that make Katniss smile.

Peeta was filled with envy. After Alex died, Peeta was in such a fog that he hardly knew what was up or down. He did know Callie. And his daughter, with her bright, inquisitive nature, helped pull him out of his grief enough to keep going.

However, as he healed, and the full impact of Alex's passing sunk in, he realized he'd never have moments like the one he'd witnessed. Delly and Ryan were just as playful with their brood. It was a real punch to the gut when the family got together. Plus, with so many family members, there was always something to celebrate. He couldn't get away from it.

He slid the hamburger buns into the oven and the sound must have broken the family apart.

"How long do those need to be in there?" Katniss asked.

"Probably about twenty minutes." Peeta said. "We'll keep an eye on them."

Katniss nodded.

Callie came in and tugged on Peeta's hand. "Daddy, you have to come see Becca's room. She has so many Shopkins!"

Peeta laughed and looked between Katniss and Gale. "Do you mind?"

Gale shook his head.

Katniss said, "It's fine."

"All right, Cal." He followed his daughter up the stairs.

It was a decent size house, about as big as the one he now shared with his father and stepmother. Becca's room was the first one at the top of the stairs. It was messy, but Peeta could tell that was from normal play. Along one wall was a bed that was made by child's hands, the corner of the comforter under the pillow didn't quite go all the way to the edge of the mattress.

"Lookie, Daddy." Callie held open a shoebox that was about half full of Shopkins.

It was a relatively new trend to him. Little foods and shoes and other things with faces and punny names. They were cute. And he'd be lying if he said he didn't like the trend. He was really fond of the baked goods.

"Wow." Peeta said, kneeling down to get a closer look. "That's a lot."

Becca nodded. "Everybody got me Shopkins for my birthday. And I got money, too."

"And you bought more Shopkins?" Peeta asked.

The little girl nodded again. "I got a lot of doubles. Mama says there are people on the internet that will buy the ones they're missing. And then I can get more!"

"That sounds like a good plan." He handed the box back. "Which one's your favorite?"

Becca started lining her favorites up on the top of her bookshelf, naming all of them. He recognized a few.

"Daddy, can I get more Shopkins?" Callie asked when Becca paused to take a breath.

Peeta pulled Callie in and kissed her temple. "Sure thing." He straightened up. "I'm going back downstairs."

He felt the tug in his chest as he started making his way down the stairs. Katniss was alone at the stove. After a slight hesitation, he walked over and gently grabbed her wrist. He felt the energy radiating between them and felt a calm wash over him.

She smiled and then removed her arm from his grasp. His eyes followed her everywhere she went the rest of the evening, trying to be discrete about it. He wasn't sure if he succeeded or not, but since Gale never called him on it, Peeta was sure he was.