Chapter 16
My life is a train wreck.
I'm convinced I'm supposed to be dead, because only dead people attract trouble like this.
My day started with "Good morning, my beautiful bride. How is our child today?"
And as I went to answer, the doorbell rang.
He laughed at my bewildered face as I glanced at the clock, seeing it was 6 am.
"I've got it." He said.
So I got out of bed, and as I was getting dressed, I heard "KATNISS! IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG, BIG, BIG DAY!" chiming up the stairs.
"Oh. My. God." I said through my teeth.
Effie dashes beside me and says "It's common courtesy to send an announcement when your baby is due soon. So when is the baby due?"
I sigh. There's really no way to avoid this and go back to sleep. "November 22nd." I say groggily.
"Wonderful! Marvelous!" she squeals.
She sets out 6 kinds of paper, each with a different texture and shade of blue, 6 types and colors of ribbon, 6 pictures of Peeta and I, and 6 bottles of perfume.
"Now pick one of each."
So I pick a paper that feels like silk and is a sky blue, a satin periwinkle ribbon, a picture of Peeta and I at our wedding, and a perfume that smells like orange blossoms, lilac, roses, and freesia.
"Katniss, wonderful selection, deary! I will send these to Cashmere." She runs out the door.
I groan and fling my head into the placemat on the table.
"I made you some cheesy buns for breakfast." Says Peeta.
My head flings up like an animal I saw in the woods once called a bloodhound.
He smiles and sets the plate down, and he must be able to read my mind because he says "After breakfast you can go back to bed. I've got things down here."
I get up and grab my plate. I smile and walk upstairs.
"Oh, Katniss? We have dinner with Cinna, Effie, and Haymitch tonight."
So I groan "Okay." And go back to bed.
I wake up from a dreamless sleep feeling rested and energetic.
It's been only a few hours, but it feels like I've slept a whole day away. I get up and go to my bathroom.
I straighten my hair, apply a little mascara, some eye shadow, and then some perfume.
I open my closet and select a yellow gown that makes me look like a princess. I put on some silver high heels and go down stairs, saying "I love you baby." the whole way.
"Wow, you look great!" I say to Peeta. He has on a beautiful black suit.
"Not too bad, yourself." He says with a grin. I roll my eyes.
We walk through the cold next door to Haymitchs' house.
The evening passes quickly. Until a toast is made.
"To the girl on fire and her smoking hot husband!" Cinna says.
Then there is a chorus of "Cheers!"
Suddenly, I feel like I'm peeing my pants.
Oh. God. No. I think.
I can't control it.
"Oh God!" I say.
"What's wrong?" says Peeta.
"Uhh…" I don't know what to say. "I think my water just broke."
There is a silence. Then "Come on, baby, I'll take you to the hospital."
I suppose everyone should be here for this, but it feels cramped in our Trail Blazer.
We drive to the hospital, and I feel the chaos unravel.