Chap 8

***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***

Authors note: hey guys! Sorry about not updating as fast as I usually do. Today at least chapter 9 will also be up! So read review and enjoy! BEHOLD THE AWESOMENESS!

I yawn and sit up in my bed. "Good morning, Peeta!"

"Katniss." He says shortly.

"What's wrong honey? Are you alright?

He glares at me. "You would know."

"Peeta why are you being so mean to me?"

"You killed my baby! That's why!"

I'm confused. "No, I didn't. I'd never do that."

He growls. "Mutt! I knew you wanted to keep him from me!"

'Oh, god'. I think. 'An attack.'

"Not real, Peeta. Not real. I love you and this baby. Not real."

He calms down, or so I think. Then he lunges for my throat.

"Gah!" I gasp. "Peeta?" I whisper.

"Hmmm?" he says with his face pressed in the pillows.

Peeta hasn't had an attack in almost a year. I think worriedly. Why did I have such a horrible dream?

I quickly dismiss any doubt I had about Peetas' progress.

Two weeks have passed since that early morning when Gale ruined my walls with bullets. Today is the day of my first OB appointment. I have an assortment of emotions going on inside me. Excitement. Fear. Worry. Happiness. All of which have me feeling very conflicted.

The new hospital is named Everdeen Memorial, after my mother and Prim and all the hard work they did as apothecaries in our district. I've never been inside for two reasons; one, because it reminds me of Prim, and two, because I have a fear of hospitals and needles.

"Peeta," I shake him. "Peeta, wake up!" When I don't get a response, I start kissing his chest, continuing farther down until he shakes out of his slumber and smiles at me.

"What are you doing crazy?" he says.

I grin wickedly. "Waking my sexy husband up so he can make me breakfast…" I smile the smile he knows means 'cravings alert!'

He smiles and puts his hand on my stomach. "And what is our little one hungry for this morning?"

I think a minute. "Ummm…" I think a little more. "I think chocolate."

He frowns. "We're out. I'll go to the store and get some. Call me if you want anything else."

I smile. "Okay." I kiss him longingly. "Maybe, when you come home, you'll have a surprise waiting for you…"

He grins. "That sounds fun."

I smile. "Then you better get going." Then it hits me. "Peeta!" I yell.

He rushes to me. "Yes?" he says.

I frown. "Now I want pretzels and pickles too."

He laughs at my chagrined expression. "And is the chocolate still on the list?" he asks.

I smile. "Yes! Add that stuff to the list." Then I pause, "Peeta?"

He stops. "Yes, love?"

"Could you get me some Sprite, too? And some saltine crackers?" I say. Sprite and saltines disgust me. But my mother always told me they helped you get rid of queasiness.

He smiles. "Anything you want is what I'm getting. Just call me when you think of something else."

"When? What happened to the 'if'?" I say in annoyance.

He shrugs. "I know you. You'll think of something by the time I get to the store." He leans down to kiss me. "I'll be back. I love you."

I grab the remote and smile. "I love you too."

I surf through the channels, looking for something interesting to watch. Then I freeze. The district thirteen news station is showing Gale. Not the real Gale, but pictures of him. Then pictures of me and Peeta. They merge them together to where I'm in the middle, between Gale and Peeta.

"And tomorrow, we'll be having an interview with Gale Hawthorne, getting his take on the newly announced Baby Mellark!" says the stupid-looking blonde anchor woman.

I gasp. How do they know? I think stupidly. Then it hits me. Gale told them, because he's still mad at me. Even though I know that he knows that I'm happy, he just won't consciously admit it.

I pick up my phone and hit speed dial one. I'm calling Peeta.

By the time he answers with "What's new on the menu?" I'm sobbing frantically.

"God, Peeta, they know!" I cry.

I hear his eyebrow cock. "Who knows what, Katniss?"

I let the sobs wrack my body. "Everyone in the entire world knows now. They know that I'm pregnant!"

"Katniss, baby, it's not the end of the world. I won't let them put you in too much of a spotlight if you don't want." Then, hesitantly, he adds, "Was there anything to add to my list?"

I laugh. "Well, maybe some Peanut butter? That sounds pretty good, to be honest!" I giggle, and then sigh. "Peeta, I'm sorry I keep bothering you. Really, really sorry."

He laughs. "Katniss, you're fine. I'm at the checkout lane, okay? I'll be home soon. I love you."

I smile as a few tears roll down my face. "I love you too!" I wail.

He sighs. "Honey, I'll be home soon. I promise, okay? Just let me pay Delly, 'kay?"

"Okay! See you soon!" I smile and hang up. I sob. I realize just how lucky I am to have Peeta for a husband. If I ever lost him, I… I'd die. I'm sure of it. The thought of our baby growing up without his daddy kills me.

I'm not sure where these thoughts come from, but they appear and make me sad. It hits me that being pregnant must shake up your emotions. But I can't let Peeta leave me alone in this house ever again.

I make my way downstairs and lay on the couch. I cry a lot, and wish that I wasn't sobbing when Peeta walks through the door. He rushes over to me with a panicky look on his face.

"Katniss, baby, what's wrong?" he asks concernedly.

I bawl. "Peeta, you can never leave me in this house by myself while I'm pregnant ever again! Promise me you will never leave me alone in here again!" sobs wrack my body to the point where I can't breathe.

"I promise, but please tell me what happened."

I shake. "I just started thinking about 'what if I lost you?'. What would I do?" I cry. "I just couldn't take it."

He holds me. "I will never leave you. Not ever. I promise."

I grimace. "Never?"

He smiles. "Never."

And he kisses me.