A/N: I'm sorry it has taken me so long to post the next chapter of the story. As we all know our Muse likes to go off in a different direction from time to time. I will do my best to get new chapters to you guys as quickly as possible. I hope you will continue to read and review.
Chapter Five: New Beginning
Peeta's POV
I feel Katniss shaking beside me, and when I glance down at her she gives me a smile and shakes her head. I get the message loud and clear. This would be a conversation spoken in private. I glance over at Darius Thatcher again as he and Paylor approach us. If he tries to hurt my family in any way, I'll kill him myself.
"We wanted to give you both our congratulations before we returned to the Capitol," Paylor said hugging Katniss.
"Thank you, President Paylor," I say shaking Thatcher's outstretched hand.
"Yes, thank you for coming. I'm sorry you can't stay for the reception," Katniss said leaning into me.
"As am I Katniss, but there is a lot of work ahead of us," Paylor said as Kat and I nod our heads in understanding.
"Have a safe journey back, I say as they pass by. "It's almost over," I whisper in Kat's ear before kissing the side of her head.
"It's not over with him by a long shot," she returned.
I didn't want to agree, but I knew she was right. Darius Thatcher had plans for us and when he felt the time was right to act then and only then would be when he attacked us. He was determined to destroy the freedom we've acquired especially Katniss's freedom. We would have to keep our guard up until Darius Thatcher was completely out of our lives.
"Are you ready to go to the reception, Mrs. Mellark?"
"I'm very ready, Mr. Mellark. I want to see the wedding cake," Katniss said smiling up at me.
"I thought you would," I say smiling down at her as I led her over to the reception area of the meadow. "Plutarch has out done himself I think."
"I think it's absolutely beautiful. I love the twinkling lights mixed in with the wisteria. Besides, he had to go all out for the wedding of the Star-Crossed Lovers of District Twelve didn't he?" she teased.
"Well, when you put it that way I suppose he did," I agree as we reach the table where the bread for the toasting was placed. "Katniss, I have waited my whole life for this moment. There were a few times I thought we wouldn't make it, but here we are. I wouldn't change any of it since I'm standing here beside you as your husband. I love you," I say as I break off a piece of bread.
Katniss smiled and took a deep breath. "Peeta, I have spent my whole life having one goal and that was to keep my family safe. Because of the Hunger Games, I never wanted to get married much less have kids. You have showed me that no matter how bad life gets it can be good again. We have a long road ahead of us, as long as you are by my side I know I can face anything. I love you," she said breaking off a piece of bread.
We proceeded with the toasting before the wedding cake was brought out. The expression on Katniss's face told me everything I needed to know. She loved it, but the kiss she planted on me confirmed it. The cake frosting was a deep forest green and the layers were covered with tons of edible trees. The top layer had a waterfall that flowed past a concrete house that resembled the house in the forest. Standing beside the house is a figurine resembling Katniss with her bow and arrow poised to fly from her hand.
"Where are you?" Katniss asked nudging me in the ribs.
I laugh and wrap my arms around her waist. "I thought it was the perfect touch just having you on the cake."
"I wouldn't have minded sharing the top layer with you," she stated.
"I know, but you are the Girl on Fire as well. Do you really like it?"
"Well, you are the Boy with the Bread. And yes, I love it."
"I'm glad," I say as I pick up the knife to cut the cake.
"I love everything you make. You know that," she said picking up her piece of cake.
"I do," I say picking up my own piece of cake.
We feed each other the cake to lots of cheers and laughter. Even the twins join in laughing and squirming around in Effie and Mrs. Everdeen's arms. I watch them a minute before looking up at Katniss's mother. She really wasn't Mrs. Everdeen to me anymore, but she clearly didn't approve of my marrying Katniss. There may be a day when she finally welcomes me into the family. Until then I would have to call her what ever she felt comfortable with.
"I think these two want a taste as well," I say laughing at their toothless smiles.
"Only a small taste or I'll let you stay up all night with them," Katniss warned.
"Yes, ma'am," I say as I give a small taste of the sweet green icing to each child. "I think they like it," I say wiping my hands on a napkin.
"Of course they do, they are my children after all," Katniss bragged turning her twinkling gray eyes toward me.
"I see. Well, in that case I think I will give the first dance of the night to little Miranda," I say as I slowly bend down to pick up the laughing girl.
"Not so fast, Peeta Mellark," Katniss continued in her playful demanding tone.
"Yes..."
"You are dancing with me first," she stated.
I smile as I kiss Miranda on her forehead. "You get the second one, Princess," I say as I stand up straight and turn to face Katniss. "I'm all yours, Mrs. Mellark," I say holding out my hand to my bride.
"That's more like it," she said taking my hand as I pull her against me.
I spin her around the dance floor relishing every movement of her body against mine. As promised, I give the second dance to Miranda while Katniss takes Josh around the dance floor. The night passes quickly and one by one our guests bid us fare well until only Haymitch, Effie, Annie, Johanna, Gale, and Mrs. Everdeen remain. Katniss held Miranda while I held Josh knowing everyone would be leaving soon.
"With Thatcher gone, is it finally over?" Johanna asked.
"I don't think so, Johanna. If anything I think it's all about to begin," Katniss answered.
"All we can do is keep our guards up," Haymitch said placing a protective hand on Katniss's shoulder.
"We'll be here when you need us," Gale added, but his words clearly didn't reach his eyes.
Katniss sighed but smiled seeing what I saw. "Thank you all for everything. We'll call if we need any help," she promised.
"Please do, Katniss. That's what we're here for," Annie said as she adjusted her hold on a sleepy Finnick.
We nod our heads as we all parted ways. We reach the house and I quickly ask Katniss not to move. I take Josh inside before coming back for Miranda. I finally come back for Katniss she is smiling but shaking her head at me.
"It's tradition for the groom to carry the bride over the threshold of the home. We've followed all the other traditions, so we're going to follow this one too," I say as I easily lift her into my arms.
"Peeta, I'm too heavy," Katniss protested.
"No, you're not, Kat. You're perfect," I say walking into the house before placing her gently on her feet.
"Thank you," she said picking Miranda up from the play pen to take her upstairs.
I lift Josh up and follow behind her. "You're welcome."
I help Katniss out of her dress before tending to the twins. Together we wash, change, and lay them down for the night. I wrap my arms around Katniss and gently pull her out of the room. We walk across the hall and before I know it Katniss is in my arms. I laugh as I lay her down on the bed. Her smile grows as we help each other undress. The rest of the night is spent rediscovering each other and enjoying the comfort of being in each other's arms.
The next morning we bid a final fare well to everyone and Katniss and I find ourselves completely alone except for Haymitch. The following month flew by for both of us and with it came the uneasy feelings. Thatcher had left us alone when we both expected him to attack us in some way. What was he waiting for? The thought of that man making plans to hurt Katniss made my blood boil. All I wanted to do was kill him if to only rid ourselves of his threats, but that wasn't my way.
The problem was my way wouldn't work on a man like Darius Thatcher. He was a man of violence. He thrived on it having seen it first hand myself. When he attacked it would be with violence and he would enjoy every minute of it. As my eyes closed for the night, I prayed I could keep my family safe from harm.
"Peeta, wake up. Something is wrong," Katniss said shaking me before jumping up from the bed.
I quickly reattach my prosthetic leg and climb out of bed. We were out of the bedroom and across the hall the same second a window shattered in the twins room causing them to start crying. I don't even hesitate as I throw open the door to find glass all over the floor and the cribs empty. I stare out the window at the sneering face of a man I have never seen before. The hovercraft carrying the man and the twins lifts silently into the air.
"Joshua...Miranda," Katniss screamed lunging forward before I grab her around the waist. "Peeta, let me go!"
"I can't do that, Katniss. You'll slice your feet open on all that glass."
"We can't just stand her and do nothing, Peeta," Katniss insisted.
"I know that," I say my voice cracking with emotion. "We have to call for help," I insist pulling Katniss from the room and downstairs.
"We was that man in the hovercraft?"
"I don't know. He must work for Thatcher though," I say as I grab the phone. "Thatcher wouldn't be stupid enough to do the job himself," I continue as I wait for someone at the Justice Building to answer.
"What the hell is going on around here," Haymitch demanded as he walked into the house without even knocking. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?" he asked as his anger quickly faded.
"They're gone, Haymitch. He took them," Katniss spat as I slam the phone back on the receiver.
"And our so called new and improved Peacekeepers are useless!"
"Are they even coming to investigate?" Haymitch demanded.
"Oh, yes, Mr. Mellark, we will send someone to see you," I say mimicking the man on the other end of the phone. "They don't see the urgency of the situation!"
"No, Peeta, they don't see you as a citizen who matters," Haymitch said shaking his head.
"The longer they take the farther away Thatcher gets with our kids," I snap.
"The system is far from perfect. It probably will never get to the point it needs to be."
Five minutes and another phone call later, a Peacekeeper stands in the nursery. "What exactly happened, Mr. Mellark?"
"I all ready told you what happened! Did you not hear a word I said?"
"There is no reason for the tone, Mr. Mellark. I can't help you if you don't help me."
"Help you...that's all I've been trying to do, but I've gone over the story three times all ready!"
"Please Mr. Mellark, help me help you."
"Fine! My wife and I were awoken to the sound of breaking glass and our three month old twins crying. We rushed in to find the cribs empty and a hovercraft right outside their nursery. The hovercraft had no recognizable markings on it. We were forced to watch it lift up into the air and fly away taking our children with them. Now they could be anywhere and you're doing nothing but wasting time!"
"Oh, I assure you Mr. Mellark, I'm not wasting time," the Peacekeeper stated. "We will find your children. Was there anything else?"
"No, that's what happened. What now?"
"Now you and Mrs. Mellark, just let us do our job. And before you know it you'll have your children back," the Peacekeeper said as he walked out of the room and down the stairs.
"So, you want us to do nothing?" I ask as we reach the front door.
"We want you to allow us to do our job and return your children to you safe and sound," the Peacekeeper said as he walked out of the house.
I slam the door and shake my head. "Like hell am I just going to sit around and do nothing. If they aren't going to help us, we'll find them ourselves," I say turning around to see Katniss leaning her head against Haymitch's shoulder.
"If Paylor wouldn't allow Katniss to leave the district before, she won't let her leave now," Haymitch said quietly as he rubbed Katniss's shoulder.
"This is different, Haymitch. Our children have been kidnapped," I insist as I kneel in front of Katniss. "Paylor will allow you to leave, so we can find Josh and Miranda."
She nods her head, but I can tell she doesn't believe me. And to be honest I don't believe me either. Haymitch was right about Paylor. As much as I want to disagree with his logic, I had to be honest with myself. It didn't matter what the reason I knew Paylor wouldn't allow Katniss to leave District Twelve. I also knew I had to at least try to convince her to lift the banishment.
"Peeta, I'm so sorry about your children, and I hope they are found quickly. You know I will help all I can, but that is one thing I can't do."
"Paylor..."
"No, Peeta, I can't lift Katniss's banishment even to search for her children. I told you before with us just winning our freedom I can't start my presidency showing favoritism to a killer."
"You know damn well why she killed Coin, Paylor," I demand.
"Yes, I know why, and I'm not saying it was wrong. But the fact still remains she killed a person. Her punishment is banishment to district twelve. If she ever leaves she will be brought to the Capitol to face a harsher punishment for her crime against Panem. I won't be able to protect her," Paylor stated.
"I understand," I say as I hang up the phone. I turn around to face a withdrawn Katniss.
"She isn't going to allow me to leave is she?"
"No, she said if you did you'll be arrested. She won' be able to protect you if that happens," I say wrapping her into my arms as she breaks down.
"What am I supposed to do? Thatcher has our children, and she expects me to stay here?"
"That's exactly what you have to do if you want to continue living," Haymitch said coming up behind me and Katniss.
"But, Haymitch..."
"There are no buts, Sweetheart. You have to stay here while Peeta goes to look for the kids. I won't leave you to face this alone. I promise," Haymitch said as the phone rang.
"Thank you, Haymitch," Katniss said softly pulling out of my arms and sitting down on the couch.
I watch Haymitch follow Kat to the couch while I was over to the ringing phone. "Hello," I answer hoping it was Paylor calling to say she had changed her mind.
"Mr. Mellark, this is Darius Thatcher. My fellow representatives and I just received a disturbing phone call from President Paylor. Is it true your beautiful children have been kidnapped?"
"Yes, it's true. They were taken this morning," I say clenching my fist so I wouldn't yank the phone from the wall. How dare the man call us after what he had done.
"This is terrible. Let me assure you Mr. Mellark, we will do everything we can to find those precious children. I know Mrs. Mellark must be very upset."
"Which is to be expected," I say in as calm of a voice I could muster.
"Yes, I agree. Please pass on our sympathy and our promise that the Mockingjay will have her children back soon," Thatcher said before hanging up.
"I'd rather get a bullet in the head then pass on your damn lies," I growl slamming the receiver down.
Katniss looked up at me from the couch as I walk up to her and Haymitch. "That was Thatcher wasn't it?"
"Yeah, it was. He promises to do everything he can to ensure Josh and Miranda's safe return."
"This is crazy. I have my own contacts in the Capitol. Let me call them and see if I can find something out. We will get them back, Sweetheart," Haymitch said climbing to his feet.
I take his place on the couch beside Katniss and wrap my arms around her pulling her close to me as she begins to cry. "They will be all right, Kat. I know you want them here with us and I do too, but Thatcher isn't going to hurt them."
"That's not the point, Peeta. The longer they're away from us the longer he can poison them against us," Katniss insisted.
"I know," I say gently.
"Peeta, you can't wait for Haymitch's Capitol contacts. You have to start looking for Josh and Miranda now," she said looking up at me with her tearstained gray eyes.
"I know I do. I just hate leaving you here alone."
"I won't be alone. I have Haymitch here for me. You will be the one who is alone."
"I'll be fine, Kat."
"And so will I once I have my babies safely in my arms. I just can't believe it's starting all ready."
"We will change it, Katniss. We won't forget about Josh and Miranda or die after Rue and Finn are born."
"I know we will. The first step is finding the twins. We know Thatcher won't leave them in District Twelve. We know it like the back of our hands. No, he'll take them somewhere unknown to us."
"I'll search every district of Panem if I have to in order to find them," I promise.
"Just like any good father would," Katniss replied. "I know you can get help from everyone we know in each of the districts."
"That's not a bad idea," I say shaking my head. "I don't know why I didn't think of it myself."
"That's what mothers are for. I know you don't want to leave me here alone, so I'll call my mother in District Four and ask her to come stay with me while you are gone," Katniss suggested with pleading eyes.
"I have no problem with your mother coming to stay with you, Kat. I would feel better if she did come here while I'm gone," I say.
"Then it's settled," Katniss said as Haymitch re-entered the house. "What did you find out?"
"Not much but my contacts will keep an eye out for the twins. I'm sorry. I wish it was better news."
"It's all right, Haymitch. I need you to do me a favor," I say rising to my feet and walking over to Haymitch.
"What's that, Kid?" Haymitch asked rising his eye brows at me.
"I need you to stay as sober as possible. Katniss is going to ask her mother to come stay with her, but if they need a quick escape I want you there for them."
"I promise you Peeta, I will stay as sober as I can. You know I will always be there for you and Katniss."
I nod my head as I clap Haymitch on the back. "I know you will be, Haymitch. I just had to say it for my own peace of mind."
"I understand, Peeta. I'll meet you outside when you're ready to go to the train station," Haymitch said heading for the door.
"Thanks, Haymitch," I say leading Katniss toward the stairs.
"Sure," he said as he stepped outside and closed the door.
Katniss and I come back downstairs twenty minutes later having showered, changed, and packed a bag. We step outside hand in hand, and I watch Haymitch sigh as he joined us. I know he is beating himself up just as much as Katniss and I. We knew the kids would be taken, but we just didn't know when. And knowing Haymitch the way I do, I know he feels he should have done more to keep Josh and Miranda safe. We walk to the train station in silence, but once we reach the ticket stand I pull away from Katniss and step in front of Haymitch.
"This isn't your fault, Haymitch. What's done is done. All we can do now is fight to get them back. Stop blaming yourself, and you do not retreat into that place I found you in after Prim died," I say turning toward Katniss. "Do I make myself clear," I say to them both.
Katniss nodded her head as she wrapped her arms tightly around me and buried her face in my chest. "Just bring them home, Peeta."
"I second that," Haymitch said nodding his head.
"I'll find them and bring them home," I promise as I kiss Katniss then let her go to buy my ticket. "They will be fine," I say as I board the train. I take my seat as the train leaves the station. As the land flies by my window, I wonder how in the world I'm going to find Josh and Miranda knowing they could be anywhere in Panem.