Author's note: So, there are only a couple more chapters after this and then an epilogue, I think. Thank you for sticking with me and I hope you will like what I have left in these next few chapters.

There's a bit in here that I'm really happy with here at the beginning with Haymitch. I'm planning on a little one-shot of Haymitch/Hazelle/Posy at home. Keep your eyes out for that one. I still have to write it, but I have good ideas.

Happy reading!

Chapter Sixteen

"Katniss, we have company." Peeta called as he walked into the living room.

She looked up from the TV and smiled as Haymitch rounded the couch and sat beside her.

"Hey, sweetheart." He said with a smile.

Her husband kissed the top of her head. "I'm going to the bakery for a while." He patted her bulbous stomach. "You two behave."

"Which two are you talking to?" She teased.

"I'll let you figure it out." He kissed her again and then left.

Katniss rubbed her stomach and turned back to the TV. "They always make me seem like some god."

"Hm?"

She gestured. "There's always some documentary on 'The Mockingjay' and they never get me right. They make me seem like I'm so much better than I am." She clicked off the set. "So how is married life?"

"Not too much different from before except now they don't leave when it gets dark." He chuckled. "And how are you?"

"Well, I can't hunt. But other than that, I guess I'm fine."

"Can't hunt?"

"I don't know how much you know about pregnancy, but I have to pee every five minutes. Not so food for sneaking up on game. Not to mention pulling the bow can cause strain that Peeta doesn't think I need." She rolled her eyes. And I really can't get down to empty and reset snares."

"But everything else is good?"

"Has my husband been talking to you?" She pressed her hand to her stomach just under her ribs. "Hey, now."

"You okay?" Haymitch was alarmed.

"Just getting abuse from daughter." She took his hand and pressed it to the spot. "You feel it?" She smiled. "She's real."

"Of course she's real." He said in awe.

She looked at him. "You can tell everyone not to worry."

He sat back. "Now what makes you think—?"

"Haymitch, I know that they are. No matter how many times I tell Peeta I'm fine, he doesn't believe me. Yeah, it's hard, of course it's hard. But I'm making it." She hoisted herself off the couch. "You can tell my husband and everyone else that if they're concerned for me, they can ask me themselves."

"What if it was me that was concerned?" He sat reached out and pulled her back down on the couch. "Look, Peeta did mention that you haven't been sleeping well. But my concern is for myself. You're like…"

"Like what?"

"I've watched you grow up." He said awkwardly. "I don't know how to open up to people, you know that."

"We're the same in that way."

"So, you see, you might as well be mine." He smiled.

She smiled back. "You got plenty of kids."

"And I count you among them, sweetheart."

She nudged his shoulder. "Are you and Hazelle going to have any of your own?"

He shook his head. "We're both too old. And we have Posy for a while longer."

"And grandkids."

"Thanks for making me feel even older." He teased.

She laughed. "You're the one who said you were too old to have more kids." She rubbed her stomach. "I'm just so glad she doesn't have to worry about death all her life."

"I'm glad Posy and Vick never had to go to the Reaping as participants. And my grandkids will only learn about it from school."

"Have you heard from Annie and Gale?"

"Yep. They are doing fine. Pearl is fine." He had a note of pride in her voice. "They'll come visit in a few months."

She looked sideways at her old mentor. "You really do love them all."

"Of course I do." He looked away awkwardly. "And you too, Katniss." He leaned over and kissed her forehead and then he got up. "If you need anything, call or come over."

"I will. Thanks."

Peeta came home and found Katniss curled up on the couch. He draped a blanket over her and kissed her cheek.

Her eyes fluttered open. "Hey."

"Hey." He smiled. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay. I didn't even plan to fall asleep. I just wanted to rest my eyes for a while."

"Yeah. So what would you like me to make for supper?"

"It's my night to cook." She stretched and started to sit up.

He gently pushed her down. "Rest."

"I won't break, Peeta." She brushed off his hand and stood. "You should make some biscuits. I'll fry up some of that venison I put to thaw last night. And we'll have mashed potatoes, too."

"Okay. Whatever you want, sweetheart." He rubbed her stomach. "As long as you're sure you'll be all right."

She put her hand on top of his. "I will be."

They went to work together in the kitchen. Peeta stopped occasionally to kiss her cheek or lips or just to gaze adoringly at her. If his hands weren't covered in flour, he would touch her. But he knew she would prefer not to have her clothes covered in the white dust.

He put the biscuits in the oven and leaned back against the counter.

Katniss sat down heavily on a chair, rubbing her stomach.

"You okay?"

"Everything hurts." She said with a strained smile.

"I'll finish this. You stay there."

"Only a few more weeks."

"And?" He went back to cooking.

"I'll be relieved when she's finally here."

"Me too, but I think for different reasons."

"Yeah, probably."

"So, I've been thinking about names."

"We said we'd wait."

"I know. But we know we're having a girl. So, I started thinking."

"So tell me, then. I know you're dying to."

"Primrose." He said softly. "Primrose-Rue. Like both of them together. I know it's a mouthful, but we can think of nicknames. Both of them were so important to your life."

Katniss wiped at an unexpected tear. "I like it."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

He smiled.

"You always get your way with me, Peeta. Do you know I do everything for you?"

"Sometimes it takes a little convincing, you stubborn woman." He chuckled. "I love you."

"I love you." She sat back and lifted her feet up onto the opposite chair. "More than I can ever show you."

"You're having my baby, Katniss. That's proof enough."

She nodded. "After her I don't want any more."

"Okay."

"Don't just say 'okay' like it's fine."

"But it is. A little girl I can dress up in ruffles and bows and show off to everyone. She's all we need."

"Don't you want a boy to carry on the Mellark name?"

"And why would I want that? If our daughter is anything like her mother, she'll probably end up insisting any man she marries to take her name."

She smiled. "Well, then." She rubbed her stomach. "Haymitch said Annie and Pearl were fine. That they're planning on coming for a visit in a few months."

"We should call after supper."

"We should." Her face contracted in pain and she pressed a hand to her lower stomach.

Peeta started putting plates on the table. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"

"Just having those false contractions again."

"Are you sure they're not real?"

"I've still got a few weeks. And they're not that strong."

"Maybe we got the calculations wrong. Or maybe the baby wants to come early. It happens."

"And maybe it's too soon." She looked a little worried. "It's like the last time. They're not real, Peeta. I'm fine."

"Just—"

She grabbed his arm. "Stop. Just stop. I'm fine. We're fine."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Peeta let out a long breath and then pressed a kiss to her lips. "Keep me informed."

"Like I wouldn't." She smiled.

He kissed her again.

"No, please." Katniss woke herself up when she said it. She panted and looked around the dark room. Peeta was still asleep beside her. She brushed a hand down his cheek.

He mumbled something and turned his face away.

The dream started to fade. She didn't even remember now what it was, but the feeling was still there. The feeling of loneliness. She moved closer to her husband and draped her arm over him.

His hand came up to rest on her stomach. "You okay?" he asked.

She was sure he was still asleep, but she answered anyway. "Yeah."

His arm came around her and he pressed his lips to hers.

"Peeta?"

"Katniss?"

"I'm scared."

His eyes opened. "Of what?"

"Everything." She said softly. "Hold me tighter."

He tightened his grip on her. "I'm here, Katniss."

"Don't ever leave me." She begged.

"What is all this about?"

"I'm scared." She said again.

He rubbed her back. "I'm here. It's okay."

She clutched at him. "I don't… I can't…" She sat up suddenly gasping for air.

He sat up beside her. "Katniss?"

"I can't breathe."

"Relax." He rubbed her back. "It's okay. Relax."

Her breathing eventually went back to normal. She turned her head. "I had a nightmare."

"About what?"

"I can't remember. I just feel like you went away from me. I don't know why."

"Better now?"

She nodded. "The baby, too. But I think I scared her as much as I scared myself." She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. "Do you feel her? Every time I feel her move… "

He kissed her. "Yeah." He rested his forehead against hers. "It's life renewed after so much loss."

"I'm sorry I fought for so long."

"No. The time wasn't right before." He pulled her back down on the bed. "Let's try to get back to sleep."

"Okay."

Sleep came easily for him, but not so much for her. She tried, but even though she was accepting this and was now starting to feel excited about the birth of her daughter in just a few weeks, she was still scared.