Chap6

***DISCLAIMER!***

I do not own anything! Every title and name and place used in this book is owned and credited to Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games Trilogy.

The only things I own are the plots used in this story. Again, all titles used in this story are Suzanne Collins'. Thank you.

***DISCLAIMER END***

"Katniss, open the door. Now!" Screams Gale.

"I'll take care of this, baby. I promise." Says Peeta.

"No." I say. "He wants to talk to me so; let's give him half of what he wants. He can talk to both of us. Fair?" I say.

"Sure."

I open the door slowly. "Gale. What a nice surprise. Look Peeta, it's Gale!" I look at Peeta to show him that I'm afraid; come over here.

Peeta stands up and calmly walks over to me. "Gale. This is a surprise. "

He looks angry. "Drop the act. My mom let you know I was coming." He slips the gun into his pocket.

I smile. "Come on in."

He barges in past me. He starts pacing around the floor. "Katniss, of all the things you told me, I always thought this would be the deal breaker for you. But now you're saying that you want kids, you want to be married. You have to be kidding!"

I sigh. "Look, Gale." I start, "I didn't want kids with you. And I thought you were the only guy who might consider me as his girlfriend. You always said you didn't want to be tied down with kids and a wife. You might, if you didn't live here. Do you remember the fight we got in to over that? And then, the Games came between us. I fell in love. And you couldn't understand. And it turned out that you wanted more than I could give."

He shudders. "But Katniss, I can give you more than he can. He's convinced you that this is what you want! You don't want this! There's still hope. I can get you out! Come home with me. Please, Katniss, I'm begging you."

"No." I say with tears streaming down my face. "I don't want you, Gale. I never wanted you like that. You're supposed to be my best friend, not my lover. What happened to the guy that was nice, who wanted his best friend in the entire world to be happy? Huh? Why can't that be the guy who is standing here talking to me?"
He pulls the gun out and points it at me. "Because, I'd rather you were dead than to watch you be someone you aren't! I'll kill you myself!"

Then he rushes over to me. I'm pushed against the wall while his hands seek my ass and his tongue slips into my mouth. His kisses aren't sweet like Peetas', they're angry and hurt.

"Gale. Gale, stop it!" I scream. And then I punch his face. He backs up and I can see the anger swell in his eyes. I cover my stomach, trying to protect my baby from the impact that's about to hit, but it never comes. I then hear Peeta screaming at Gale. I look and they're behind the couch, with Peeta obviously winning this brawl. Shots ring out and I see bullets fly into the wall.

"Stop!" I scream. They stare at me with wide eyes. "Gale Hawthorne, I want you out of my house this instant or you will be hearing from both the police and my lawyers. I will not tolerate this kind of behavior here. It's not good for my baby. And Peeta," I stare into his eyes. "I will be up to join you in a moment. Please go up stairs." He shoves gale once more, then proceeds to our room. "Gale, out. Now."

He rushes out the door, howling and screaming obscenities. "I hate you, Gale Hawthorne. I will never forgive you for this. The next time I see you, it'll be your funeral!" I start to cry. I run upstairs and fling myself on the bed. Peeta rubs my back while I sob.

"Shhhh. Baby, its gonna be okay. I promise." He says in a soothing voice.

Sobs wrack my body. "I'm a horrible person. I'm a bad friend, and an atrocious wife. I'm so sorry Peeta!"

He looks appalled. "Katniss Mellark, look at me." I stare into his gorgeous blue eyes. "You are not an atrocious wife, or even a horrible friend. I'm extremely lucky to have you, and he's just a jerk who's mentally unstable. I love you for you. You're not a bad person, so don't think you are. Katniss please don't cry. You have nothing to be sorry for."

I smile in spite of myself. "I will never deserve you Peeta Mellark. Not in a billion years."

He pulls me into him and kisses me. We spend the rest of the day in each other's embrace. Then I have an idea. "Peeta?" I ask.

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to call and make that appointment." I say. I call district twelve's new hospital and make an appointment for two weeks from today.

"Okay. My first appointment is for June 29th. Will you be accompanying me?"

He thinks a moment. "Yes. I'll just have to get someone from the bakery to take my shift. But I promise you that I'll be there." Then he adds. "Are you excited for this baby?"

I smile. "Yes. Extremely so." And an odd thought runs through my head. This time, I do want this baby. I never thought I would but I do. And now, it seems foolish that I could've ever thought differently. I reflect on a different version of myself. The sixteen years old who never wanted any of this. It wasn't all that long ago. Just over a year. But I'd changed so much. I didn't have to be afraid anymore. I had a loving husband to protect me, and a child that soon would know my voice. I had a perfect life. Then Gale Hawthorne came along and tried to change it. But that didn't matter. All that mattered was that I was one month pregnant and in two weeks I'd get to see my baby. "Peeta. Do you know how much I love you?" I ask.

"This big?" he stretches his arms as wide as they will go.

I smile. "Even bigger."

He then says, "Are you hungry?"

My stomach grumbles and he laughs. "I'll take that as a yes." He makes his way downstairs and I hear him start the blender. I look at my nightstand and see a picture of Prim and I on her thirteenth birthday. She looks so happy, wearing the necklace I bought her.

Oh, Prim. I think. If only you could've been there. You missed out on so much. Can you believe I'm married? And pregnant to top it off. Why did they take you from me? I sigh.

"Katniss you have a visitor!" Peeta yells excitedly from downstairs.

My heart stops. I feel nervous, thinking it might be Gale but quickly dismiss that thought from my head.

I make my way downstairs, and I'm delighted by the next voice I hear.

"Well, Katniss, it sure took you long enough to get down here!" I smile.

Cinna.