A/N: I'm going to apologize about my grammar lately...I'm stressed. It's actually really embarrassing,because I'm in Honors English (which is too easy) and both my mom and both grandmas were teachers. So just forgive me,and as long as you can fix it in your head,we'll all be fine,right? Even though I'm not planning on making any more major errors.
*EDIT- I'm going to try re-updating this. Nobody reviewed the new chapter so I'm just going to assume that fanfic messed something up and you all weren't ignoring me...
Peeta
Dr. Penn leaves us alone in ultrasound across the hall. It doesn't take a genius too see that he isn't happy about our decision. No,Katniss's decision. I had nothing to do with it. She's convinced she can handle it. Finally,after about 20 minutes,a stressed looking ultrasound tech comes it. She smiles at us,but I can tell Dr. Penn has been venting to everyone at his office. She just goes through the motions,and Katniss finally tells her that explaining everything isn't necessary,naming Adara and Orion. This seems to come as a relief,and the room stays silent for a few minutes.
"Everything looks normal so far..." The tech says finally,still intently studying the monitor. "and by the looks of it,I'd say you're only about 10 weeks along." She looks over at Katniss and I. Katniss has my hand in a death grip,but still looks outwardly calm. I can only imagine what I look like,probably along the line of what I am- a nervous-wreck,father of 2,with another on the way. She looks at me and shakes her head. Suspicions confirmed. She switches off the machine and hands Katniss a paper towel.
"I'm sorry about Dr. Penn. He's had a busy day-really had to squeeze you two in." The woman explains,handing me a few printouts.
"It's not a big deal,we've gotten rather used to him." Katniss responds,shaking her hand,as the tech leaves the room.
I flip through the cards as Katniss wipes her stomach off. At least the pictures from the sonogram would make telling Haymitch and the kids a little easier.
Katniss
"I think we should tell Haymitch today." I said as we walked out to the car.
"The kids,too. We're going to have to tell them sooner or later. Might be easier all at once." Peeta added,as he turned the key in the ignition.
"Yes,probably. Maybe go over to Haymitch's house after we pick the kids up?" I asked,glancing at the clock. School always let out early on Fridays,and it was about time to get the kids,anyway.
As Peeta pulled up to the curb at the front of the school,I noticed both kids walking out the door.
"Just in time." I said,as the kids ran toward the car. Peeta smiled and unlocked the car.
"Hi,Mommy! Hi,Daddy!" Orion chirped as he climbed into his car seat. Adara said the same as she buckled herself in.
"Hi guys." Peeta and I said as we pulled out of the parking space.
When we pulled up out front of Haymitch's house,they were both confused.
"Why are we at Grandpa Haymitch's house..." Adara asked.
Peeta
"We've got something we have to tell all of you." I answered. I looked at Katniss,who suddenly looked nervous. I took her hand and squeezed it lightly,and she smiled slightly. Orion ran up to the door and knocked,Adara following close behind. I kissed Katniss's cheek quickly before following the kids up the stairs.
"What are you all doing here?" Haymitch asked,picking up Orion,surprised by our arriving at his doorstep.
"Mommy and Daddy have something to tell us." Orion said.
"Oh really?" Haymitch replied,leading us into his kitchen. The kids raided his stash of cookies before joining the rest of us at the rest of us at the table.
"So,what is it you wanted to tell us?" Haymitch asked,pulling Orion back in his seat, since he had eaten all his cookies.
"Well..."Katniss started,as I pulled the pictures out of my back pocket,putting the small stack face down on the table. Orion immediately reached across the table,but Adara smacked his hand. I slid the pictures to Haymitch who held Orion off with one hand,while examining the first of the pictures with the other.
"Orion,come here." I told him,and he reluctantly obeyed. I pulled him up onto my lap to keep him out of trouble.
"This isn't a joke,is it? Because if it is,you two have a sick sense of humor." Haymitch finally said.
"No...I really am pregnant." Katniss whispered. I put my free hand on top of hers. I looked over at Adara,who must have heard. Haymitch handed her the pictures,and she and Orion both spread the set out on the table in front of them.
"Wait...whats going on?" Orion asked,looking up at me,after a few minutes had passed.
"We're going to have a little brother of sister." Adara answered.
"You kids go outside,play with the goats for a few minutes,ok?" Haymitch told the kids,the looked about ready to protest,but Haymitch gave them a look that made them quickly hurry out the back door.
"How long have you two known?" He sighed.
"Not very long,day and a half,maybe." I replied. Katniss had taken the opportunity of the kids leaving to move over so she was practically in my lap,and shut down again. Haymitch must have remembered this from the past two times we've told him about pregnancies,and decided not to direct any questions at her. He simply slid over next to her on the other side and ran his hand up and down her back.
"It's alright,sweetheart..." He mumbled. From the look on his face,it was obvious that it was taking all his willpower to not go to the Hob for liquor.
It took a full hour before we could coax Katniss to say anything. I made Katniss lie down while Haymitch and I helped the kids with their homework,before we all went out for an early dinner.
At 5,we all got in the car and drove into town,and I pulled into the first restaurant we saw. Nobody argued,so we just went inside. I vaguely remembered going there before,but couldn't remember much about it.
"Why was Mommy so sad earlier?" Orion asked,looking up from whatever he was drawing with the set of crayons he had gotten when we walked in. Katniss buried her face in her hands,which diverted my attention. As I tried to calm her down,I noticed Haymitch getting up and dragging Orion behind him. Adara looked slightly uncomfortable,and excused herself to go to the bathroom.
I finally managed to calm Katniss down,just as Haymitch returns with the kids. Orion was sniffling,and Haymitch looked like he needed a drink,and the way today has gone,I don't blame him. In fact,I'd be the first to join him.
Orion wedged himself between myself and Katniss and reached up to hug her and kissed her on the cheek,before sitting back down next to Haymitch. The rest of the meal stuck mostly to small talk,or complete and utter silence. Sweet,blissful silence. When we got home,Katniss took the kids in the house,but I stayed outside.
"What exactly did you say to Orion?" I asked,following him until we got to his front porch. He turned to face me and explained matter-of-factly.
"I explained everything to him. Adara,too. It was the only thing I could think of. I went around the details,but I did tell them the main point."
"And what is your idea of the main point?" I asked,terrified that he told them that Katniss could potentially bleed to death,if things went horribly wrong fast enough.
"You know exactly what my point was,Mellark." He grumbled.
"You probably scared them both to death!" I yelled,before quickly realizing my poor choice of words.
Haymitch cracked up. "Calm down,kid. I told them that would only happen if she wasn't careful." Before I could further question his reasoning-or sanity-he closed the door in my face. I walked home,mumbling every obscenity I could think of.
I found Katniss in our room,curled up on the bed. I just crawled in next to her and held her tight. After a while,Katniss asked what Haymitch told the kids. I gently explained it,and before I could even finish-I was dealing with another panic attack.
A/N: And I leave it at that. Keep you coming back for more. I'm finding this strangely easier to tell from Peeta's point of view. Some things are easier from Katniss's POV,some things Peeta's. I guess it's easier because Peeta is better with feelings,and there are a lot of those here. Anyway,tell me what you think!