I know it's been forever. I'm so sorry. Things are getting crazy now that school's starting back up. But I'll try to post new chapters as often as I can! This chapters short but I'll be updating much sooner!

Chapter 4: Gale's sorrows.

Before I could throttle Cressida, Plutarch explained to me that it had to get out sometime. The people of Panem would be "angered" if they didn't know. Panem had sure "angered" me plenty of times. Why should I care? But after much coaxing between him and Peeta, I calmed down. The footage was live anyway. No taking it back now. Plutarch also scheduled us an interview tomorrow. An interview where we would be all made up. Just like in the games. I sat on the edge of the bed in the bunker we had been assigned. Which was away from everyone else thankfully. Peeta came into the room with a smile on his face, but after noticing my expression he frowned and sat beside me.

"I was just visiting with Beeta." he says.

I nod and stare blankly at the wall. He kisses my temple.

"It's just one interview, Katniss. We've done millions of them. Besides we get to be truthful, no more lies. Just you and I sharing our happiness with the world."

I grin at this which makes him smile too. Peeta and his way with words.

"You look so much more beautiful with a smile." he whispers in my ear.

I try to hold back a little shiver when he does this. But I know he noticed anyway.

"I have something for you." he whispers.

I look up at him as he pulls a ring out of his pocket. Upon further inspection I notice it was my pearl. Peeta's pearl. The one he gave me on the beach, mounted on a simple gold band. I turn it over in my hands over and over again. This pearl survived everything. The quell and the explosion. I still hold it very dear to me, after all these years. Peeta's blue eyes bore into me with uncertainty.

"You like it, don't you?" he asks.

"It is beautiful." I say.

"A friend of Greasy Sae's at The Hob made it for me. I know you never wanted a capitol wedding ceremony. But I thought you could maybe wear it to symbolize a wedding ring, like the people of the capital do."

I outstretch my left hand to him.

"Aren't you going to put it on me husband?" I ask.

He grins and slides the ring on my finger, then kisses my hand. I stare at the pearl. After all these years, it still was as beautiful as the first day Peeta found it. Before I know it I'm wrapped up in Peeta's warm arms, holding each other under the blankets. We stay like this for awhile. I listen to the sound of Peeta's steady heartbeat, before he kisses me, and then kisses my stomach.

"I love you Katniss." he says.

He's tired. I can tell by his voice. I smile.

"Goodnight Peeta. I love you too." I say.

He smiles and kisses my forehead before settling in beside me. It's not long before I hear his steady breathing. I toss and turn a few times, then stare down at my stomach. I really do hope I'm ready for this. I hope that I'll be a good mother just like Peeta says. I sit up and slowly untangle Peeta's arms from me before stepping out into the hall. It's dark, the halls only lit up with torches on the walls. I decide to head toward the hospital wing. Maybe my mother is still up. Before I can take another step I feel a strong hand on my shoulder. I tense up and spin around ready to strike with the only weapon I have. My fist.

"It's just me."

"Gale?" I say and lower my fist.

He leans in closer to me.

"Ready to punch me, eh?"

I smell a scent to familiar on his breath. A scent I've smelt on Haymitch's many times. Alcohol. I push him back.

"Gale? Are you drunk?" I exclaim.

He puts his finger on my lips. I move away instantly.

"Shh." he whispers.

"Why are you roaming around the halls anyway?"

"I'm drinking away my sorrows Katniss." he says.

I grab his arm and start to lead him in the opposite direction.

"I'll take you to your room. Let's go." I say.

He grabs my arm and roughly spins me around. I look down at his hand then stare up at him.

"Did you choose this Katniss?" he asks.

His gray eyes are burning into mine.

"Choose what?" I whisper letting anger seep into my tone.

"This."

He touches my stomach. I immediately shove his hand away.

"Did you choose this? Did you choose him?" he asks forcefully.

I stare at him for a moment.

"Yes." I whisper

His hand tightens around my arm. His eyes light up with fire.

"I don't believe that Katniss. I don't."

I rip my arm out of his grasp before running back to my room. I hear him yell my name but I don't care. He's to drunk to catch up to me anyway. I shut the door behind me and find Peeta still asleep. I crawl into his arms and hope everything that just happened was a dream. Then suddenly I'm being shaken. I open my eyes feeling disoriented. Light fills them and I see Peeta hovering over me.

"Katniss, what happened to your arm?" he says angrily.