Author's note: First, I'd like to address why I feel like Peeta calls Katniss "sweetheart." One reader expressed some confusion about it since it started as Haymitch saying it and that's what one goes to automatically. For me, I feel like for a while it was a joke. But over time, Peeta just felt natural saying it. And I don't think Katniss uses terms of endearment. It just doesn't seem natural to me.

In other news, I'm so happy when I get the emails for a new reader adding this to favorites or alerts. And I get really excited to see those reviews. I appreciate all the feedback. Thank you so much for all the positive words. I hope you continue to like this.

Shameless self-promotion: If you're interested, I've started a new Hunger Games fic called Bittersweet Dance about Finnick and Annie. Check it out! (Will be very smutty as is deals with Finnicks time in the Capitol.)

Happy reading!

Chapter Five

Peeta paced the hotel. He'd been able to leave the hospital wearing his new leg. They wanted him to wear it for an extended period and then return in two days for a final evaluation and any adjustments that needed to be made. Katniss hadn't known. It was a decision made today. He was more worried, though, about her visit with her mother than her seeing him standing on two legs.

The doorknob rattled and he hurried to greet his wife.

Katniss walked in and sat her key on the table beside the door with a sigh. She smiled slightly at Peeta.

"How did it go?" he asked as he walked over.

"Fine." She said softly. "She wants us to go over to have supper with her before we leave." She finally got a good look at him and her eyes widened. "Oh, my god! How does it feel?" She asked as she walked over to meet him.

"It's good for now. I've been walking all over the place. Probably should take it easy." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly. "So, supper with your mother? When?"

"I said I'd talk with you and then call her."

"Would she let me make some fresh bread in her kitchen?" he asked hopefully.

She smiled. "I think she'd love it. Tomorrow?"

"Yeah, tomorrow."

"So I guess you're going to make me spend a day there?"

"What else do we have to do?" He smoothed some hair away from her face. "And anyway, sweetheart, I like your mother. She adores me. And she loves you dearly, despite your differences."

She nodded and then pressed her eyes into his shoulder. She sighed. "I know she does."

"Hey." He turned his head and kissed her hair. "What's wrong?"

"I want Mother to be different. Like Hazelle. I want her to be strong."

"She is strong. But I doubt there's anyone like Hazelle." He gently scratched her back. "Maybe you come close."

She raised her head and smiled. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." He smiled and kissed her. It was more lingering than their kisses had been lately.

She pulled away. "Peeta." She said in warning. She stepped out of his arms.

"I'm sorry." He reached out a hand and ran it down her arm. "I just don't want you to be like you were after…"

"After which time? The Games we won together? After my sister was killed? After I lost our baby?"

"Every time." He said gently. "Everything bad that happens you take it so much on yourself. It's not your fault. I love you. Your mother loves you. There are so many of us who do. And you don't even seem to think you deserve it, but you do. You give so much of yourself."

"Peeta, why are you saying this?"

"Because I feel like you need to hear it right now." He placed his hands on the side of her face. "Losing the baby wasn't your fault. I know that's what's bothering you."

"That's not what's bothering me. But thank you for bringing it up." She walked around him and plopped down on the couch.

"Then what is it?"

"I don't know." She put her face in her hands. "I don't know." Her shoulders shook as she sobbed.

"Katniss." Peeta said as he sat beside her. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry." He wrapped his arms around her and rested his forehead on her shoulder. "I wanted that baby. I wanted that baby so much. I know you were struggling, but I've always known what I wanted. I want to be like my father. I want to give something to the next generation. There's so much in me that I want to pass on. And there's so much in you." He kissed the back of her neck. "I love you. I want a little girl just like you."

She lifted her head and looked at him. "And a little boy like you." She smiled and blinked the tears from her eyes as she wiped her face. "I'm going to lie down for a while."

"I'll order some room service and bring it to you." He kissed her. "And feed you if you want."

She laughed, "I'm not that pathetic, Peeta." She walked toward the bedroom. "Feel free to come join me."

He smiled. "My arms have been aching for you all day."

She walked back and grabbed his hands. "So come to bed with me." She pulled him along. "I always feel better when you're there with me anyway."

"Aren't you hungry?"

"Not just yet. I feel like kissing my husband for a while." She kissed him. "And having you hold me."

He swung her up into his arms and carried her the rest of the way to the bed.

"Hello, Mrs. Everdeen." Peeta greeted her. He kissed her cheek and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Please, Peeta, I'm your mother-in-law. Call me Iris." She demanded as she stepped back.

He smiled. "Iris." He sat a bag of groceries on the counter. "You don't mind me using your kitchen?"

"No, of course not." She awkwardly patted Katniss on the arm. "Hello, Katniss."

Katniss smiled, "Hello, Mother." She kissed her cheek. "Can I help with anything?"

"We're on hold until the bread is ready to bake. I have everything else set to go."

Katniss nodded and sat back to watched as her husband and mother worked together in the kitchen. He had them both covered in flour by the end of it. Katniss laughed at them. It earned her a face-full of flour from her husband.

She sputtered and wiped off the excess. "I'm not cleaning this up." She said.

"No, I will." Peeta said. "I always clean." He wiped more flour off her face and then kissed her. "But you can help me." He said sweetly.

"Don't try to sweet-talk me, Peeta. I know it's Mother you want." She teased.

"I think I would marry your mother. But she'd never have me." He winked. "Would you, Iris?"

"Oh, I don't know, Peeta." She blushed. She looked at her hands. "There's actually something I didn't tell you yesterday, Katniss."

"What is it, Mother?" She asked, fearing the worst.

"I've been seeing someone. And I invited him to supper. I want you to meet him." Her voice shook with worry.

"That's great." Peeta said enthusiastically. "Isn't it, sweetheart?"

Katniss shook herself out of her shock. "Yes, Mother, it is."

She visibly relaxed. "Then you don't mind?"

"Why would I mind?"

"I'm not replacing your father."

"You never could. But he's been gone almost twenty years." Katniss fought with herself, as though she didn't completely agree with her own words. "Is he good to you? I mean, I'm not going to have to threaten him or anything?"

She smiled. "He knows who you are, Katniss. He knows you would kill him if he mistreats me."

"I suppose I need the rest of the facts, then." She walked to the corner and picked up the broom. She started sweeping the mess she swore she wasn't touching. "What's his name? We'll start there."

"Alexander. Alexander Ross. He's a doctor."

"Ross?" Peeta asked. "He's my doctor."

"I know." She said guiltily. "And he knew the entire time. He said it was killing him not to say anything to you." She looked at her daughter. "To both of you."

"It's not like I was very forthcoming with being here." Katniss pointed out. "I'm sorry I avoided you." She put the broom to the side. "So when is he coming?"

"His shift will be over in about an hour. He said he'd be here not long after." She walked over to the refrigerator and started pulling out several different ingredients. She started working and talking. "Since you already know him, what do you think?"

Katniss stepped up beside her and fell into work along with her. "He's confident. He knows what he's doing. He already gets along well with Peeta." She smiled ruefully. "He's perfect for you. I bet you curl up on the couch together and talk about medicine and treatments for all sorts of ailments."

Iris laughed. "Actually we talk a lot about you." She walked over to the cabinet and took out a pan. "I hope you like him in this context. He's always wanted to meet you."

"Always? How long has this been going on?"

She hesitated. "About a year."

Katniss was shocked into silence.

Peeta took over the conversation. "But you like him, right? And he really is good to you?"

"He is. And he's good for me." She smiled. "I love him. He loves me."

"Good. Right, Katniss?"

"Yes. Right." She wiped her hands. "I need some air." She walked out the back door and leaned against the wall.

Iris walked outside and leaned beside her. "Are you angry with me?"

"No, Mother, I'm not angry. I'm overwhelmed." She looked at her. "Do you feel like this is what you want?"

"Yes."

"And you do love him?"

"Very much."

She turned and looked her in the eye. "If he ever lays so much as a finger on you, you tell me. I don't care what excuse you want to give. I'll be here to put an arrow in his leg as a warning."

She smiled at her daughter. "I know you would. But he's a good man. I promise you."

Katniss sighed. She moved a little closer to her mother. Before she realized what she was doing, she wrapped her arms around her.

A while later Alexander Ross arrived at the house. He pulled Iris into his arms and kissed her before he greeted the other two.

"How's that working for you?" He asked Peeta, pointing to his leg.

"Are we going to do the exam right here, Doctor?" Peeta teased.

Alexander laughed, "No, I don't suppose so."

Peeta laughed with him. "Well, I feel great."

They sat down to supper. Katniss was quiet for a while, just watching her mother and Alexander interact. She could tell they really cared for each other. They made every excuse they could to touch each other. And he just glowed in Iris's presence.

Katniss put her fork down. "All right."

All eyes turned to her.

Iris asked, "What?"

She clenched her teeth and then said, "My blessings to you." She pointed her finger at Alexander. "You treat her right." She warned.

"Don't worry." He promised. "I will."

They finished the rest of the meal more relaxed. Katniss joined in and teased her husband a little. He teased her right back.