December 24th

The lights on the gigantic tree in the Mellark's formal living room were blinking in time with the classic Christmas stylings of Bing Crosby's 1942 hit, Happy Holidays, from the movie Holiday Inn. It was a catchy song that he heard every year, and Peeta snapped his fingers and sung along with the tune even though he didn't feel very festive.

He was alone in the living room, save for a few second cousins playing monopoly at the coffee table, and he preferred it that way. Everyone else was in the kitchen, drinking, eating, laughing and catching up with what happened during the last year.

Peeta had already encountered a few jokes and punches in the arm at not having a girlfriend for the fourth year in a row. He much preferred that to the "awe's" and sympathetic pats on the back the female attendees had given him. He contemplated letting everyone know he was seeing someone but she wasn't able to come with him, however, Miche, Peeta's middle brother, had put an end to that quickly when Peeta tested the story on him.

"Really, Peeta? You couldn't come up with anything better than that? Just invite a dude already, bro. Mom will hate it, which is why I'm all for it, but you know Dad'll be cool with it. We just want to see you happy, man." Miche had uttered the words as if it was already a proven fact. Peeta didn't want anyone else catching on and squashing what little joy this holiday had brought him thus far, so he had decided no news was better than his hopeful good news.

The 'we' to which Miche was referring did not include their mother. She couldn't care less if Peeta was happy or not. The only thing Mrs. Mellark lived for was her first born son, Ezekiel, who had made everyone excited and giddy with the Christmas announcement that his wife, Rachel, would be delivering the first Mellark grandchild in mid-summer. Through all the congratulations and and joyful tidings to the young couple it had been easy for Peeta to slip away unnoticed, finding himself dazed by the blinking lights of the twelve foot majestic fur tree.

Downing his last bit of egg nog, laced with bourbon to take the edge off and make this evening bearable, Peeta felt his phone receive a message. He had been receiving plenty of holiday wishes from friends near and far all day long and wasn't surprised to get more. At least it gave him something to occupy his time.

Curiously, it was from Jo. Peeta didn't think she was the well-wishing type, but he was intrigued at how her words would play out on the screen. Maybe her rude, crude Christmas greeting would make him laugh instead of cringe,

J - Yo Peet! What's up? I found a little something I thought might cheer you up at the store yesterday. What's your address so I can drop it off?

While he appreciate the gesture, he wasn't quite sure he wanted to give Jo his parents address. He would have to be a gentleman, inviting her in, and he was quite sure his mother would prefer a man for him rather than a rough-edged woman like Jo.

He couldn't very well turn down something from her, though. Peeta knew he would certainly face her wrath over it at some point, so he sent her the house number and street name and decided to play a quick game of flappy bird while he waited.

Another text came through, effectively jiggling his hand enough that he pressed the up button a smidge too hard and killed his blue bird just as he was about to break his record of 54 pipes.

J - it's on your doorstep

Curious as to why she would just leave it there, Peeta went to the front door, swinging it open, his eyes trained on the porch floor expecting a small box or bag of some kind. Instead he found himself staring at brown riding boots, which were attached to gray skinny jeans, which were below a fitted red sweater with a neckline that allowed a tiny bit of cleavage to peek out,but left plenty of room for the imagination. Atop the shoulders wearing the red sweater was the face Peeta most longed to see today. Katniss' face, with her smoky, gray eyes and dark, braided hair that hung over her shoulder. Her cheeks were rosy, either with uncertainty or the frosty chill of the air. Peeta couldn't tell which, but he hoped it was the former.

"Katniss?" He asked incredulous at finding her at his door.

"Hi, Peeta. I was wondering if it was too late to accept your invitation for tonight?" Peeta could barely hear the words, so soft spoken and hesitant they were. He snapped to the realization that he was standing inside a warm, cozy home while he left Katniss to freeze in the winter elements.

"Please, come in," he said, still in a state of semi-disbelief, as he opened the door wider and stepped back to allow her entrance.

"I hope I'm not intruding, but, um, when I told Jo yesterday about this she pretty much forced me to come." Peeta's face fell at her admission that she was here against her will.

"No, no! Not like that," Katniss exclaimed with a look of disgust over her choice of phrasing. "I told you, I'm terrible with saying things." Peeta looked at Katniss hopefully, waiting for her to continue.

"I mean, I wanted to come, I just, well, I'm not good with words or people. Or animals. Or just life in general." Peeta smiled at her rambling and it seemed to ease both their nerves. "I'm good at killing things," she blurted out. Peeta was sure his face contorted into a strange mix of awe and confusion. "No! Again, that's not really what I meant."

"What else does that mean exactly?" He questioned her with a mischievous grin and a nervous laugh.

"Nothing really, I just, I think I like you...too," she drew out thoughtfully, echoing Peeta's sentiments from their lunch date. Peeta closed the front door and turned to her with a huge smile on his face, enough strength in it to lift his ears.

"There's some people I'd like you to meet," he said as he took her hand and led her into the bustling kitchen.

THE END! I know it wasn't last night, but it's still Christmas! I was pooped yesterday, but it's all finished! Better late than never, right? I've received a few requests for a New Year's check-in on this little story. I will definitely consider it. Leave me suggestions for what exactly you want to see... and can I get some closing reviews? As a Christmas gift to me? :) Thank you for reading, favoriting, reviewing and following! You're awesome! Merry Christmas, Pbg