A/N: Hello all! Here's the next chapter of "It Was A Lie". Thank you so much for all the positive feedback. I'm glad people are getting a kick out of this story. It's a lot of fun to write. If you have any suggestions, or want to see anything specific, please feel free to let me know. I'm not just writing this for myself, after all.

This chapter jumps ahead a bit in time, so be aware of that while you read it. Peeta and Katniss make some changes to their relationship, hopefully for the better.

Enjoy!

One month. One month of complete, utter, spellbinding bliss. It's been four weeks since Peeta and I got together, and it's been the best thirty days of my life.

Ever since that first time, I've stayed at Peeta's every single night. We get nightmares occasionally, but the other one is always there to help with comforting words and embraces. We've only grown closer, and Peeta swears that I've changed. For the better, he tells me. He claims I'm more open, affectionate, and touchy-feely. At first that scared me a little, but when I thought about it, and talked to Prim about it, I realized it's actually a good thing. Peeta is helping me to become a better person.

Gale has tried talking to me a few times since our confrontation that night during dinner. The first time I was alone in the square, and he tried to corner me. I brushed him off and hurried away. The next time I was at Peeta's, and Peeta answered the door. When Peeta refused to let him in without my permission, which I wasn't going to give, Gale raised his voice and said some choice words to Peeta. I thought they were going to come to blows until Peeta calmly asked Gale to leave his property and shut the door in the middle of Gale's ensuing rant. The last time scared me. Gale got me alone again, in the woods this time. He must have been following me, because I was in a part of the woods I didn't even know about. He ripped my bow out of my hands and I was left with nothing to defend myself with. He kept trying to get closer to me, and I kept backing away until my back was up against a tree. The look in his eyes frightened me, and I found myself wishing Peeta was there to protect me. I reminded myself that I was a Hunger Games victor, and proceeded to kick him in the balls. I left him writhing on the ground, asking him yet again to either be happy for me or leave me the hell alone.

That was a week ago. Peeta told me he's seen Gale lurking around town a few times, always in the distance, and always with anger on his face. He tells me not to worry, but I can't help it. I love him too much.

Peeta went back to the bakery soon after the fight with his mom. They don't talk now unless absolutely necessary, but the rest of Peeta's family seems to welcome me with open arms. His dad hugged me tightly the first time I saw him after we became a couple. His brothers have gotten to know me better, and joke around and tease us constantly. I love visiting Peeta at the bakery, watching him work and interact with the customers. Sometimes his mother will come out from the back and scowl at me, but I can give it as good as she can, and she still hasn't tried confronting me. I hope she knows my threat was serious. She hasn't touched Peeta since.

Our relationship has only gotten stronger. We talk about everything under the sun, from our childhoods to memories of the Games. We find talking about it helps us to move past it. We agree we'll never be able to forget, and neither of us want to, but we know we must move on with our lives. I'm glad I have Peeta by my side to help me, because he makes me happy. We keep no secrets from each other, and when Peeta asks me a question, I answer as honestly as I can. I don't care how personal or nosy it might be. He deserves nothing less from me.

Slowly I've been moving clothes to Peeta's. I got tired of going home and packing a bag every night. So one day, I went into Peeta's bedroom, and he had cleaned out a couple drawers for me without me asking. They're full of my clothes now. My toothbrush has a permanent place next to his on the sink. My shampoo and soap are in the shower. It's the little things Peeta does that make me love him all the more. The fact that he started putting out two towels next to the shower. He does our laundry, and if I'm around when it needs to get done, I do it. He's brought me breakfast in bed at least five times, and when I ask him why, he shrugs and tells me he loves me. Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough for him, but he won't hear any of it. I just try and be the best girlfriend I can, and hope that it's good enough. Apparently, it is.

Today I'm running home again to grab some things. Peeta's still at the bakery, and should be home around time for dinner. I am going try cooking him a full meal, including dessert, tonight. I walk in and Prim is the only one home.

"Hey, Prim."

"Hey, Katniss."

"What ya up to?"

"Not much. Waiting for Mom so we can make dinner. How about you?"

"Just picking up some stuff to bring to Peeta's, and then I'm going to try and cook him dinner."

"Good luck!"

"Thanks, little duck."

"Katniss, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"Why don't you just move in to Peeta's?"

Her question catches me off guard. I won't lie and say I haven't thought about it, because I have, but isn't that a big step in a relationship? We've only been dating a month, and we're still technically kids. The Games made us grow up a lot faster, sure, but everyone else still views us as children. Plus, I have no idea how Peeta would react to me bringing it up.

"Um, I don't know Prim….," I stutter.

"Katniss, think about it. You stay there every night. You only come home to grab things and have the occasional meal. It's already like you live with him. Why not just make it official? You're not worried about Peeta, are you?"

Wow, my little sister is wise beyond her years.

"I don't know," I quietly mumble. "Do you think he'd want me to?"

"You're joking, right?" Prim laughs. "That boy looks at you like you're the most precious thing in the world. He would literally do anything for you. Hasn't he proved that already? I know you're worried about what other people will think, because you guys are young, but you shouldn't Katniss. Just think about you and him and what you want."

"I think you might be right Prim. But it's his house! I can't just demand to move in, can I?" I question, slightly agitated.

"You said you're making him dinner tonight, right?"

I nod.

"That's perfect. He comes home from work, and the girl he's in love with has made him a home cooked meal then proposes to move in together. I think he'd be over the moon, honestly."

"What would I do without you, little duck?"

I erase the space between us and hug her tightly, kissing her on top of her head.

When we part, I tell her one important thing.

"You know if I do move in with him, this doesn't change anything about us, right? You'll always be my little sister, and I'll always love you."

"I know, Katniss. It was my idea, remember?"

We laugh together.

"What about Mom?" I ask.

"She's coming around," Prim says. "You've done whatever you wanted for so long, I don't think she could stop you even if she wanted."

"That's true. But I don't want her being mad at me or Peeta. Or thinking he forced me into anything."

"She won't. I'll make sure."

"Thanks Prim. Really. For everything. I'm gonna go now, I'd better start dinner."

With that, I say goodbye to Prim, run up to my room, grab what I came for, and head to Peeta's. I can't help but to feel excited about the prospect of maybe moving in. Hopefully Peeta is receptive to the idea. Either way, I'm fairly sure I can talk him into just about everything.

I cook a simple meal, but for me it's quite an accomplishment. Peeta taught me how to make rolls, and I actually succeed. I also make some squirrel stew, which we both love. The squirrels are fresh – I shot them just this morning. For dessert, I try my hand at making an apple pie. I think it comes out well, but I'll have to wait until Peeta tastes it to know for sure.

The table is set, and the newly-found romantic in me causes me to put a single white candle in the middle and light it. Peeta should be home any minute.

"Kat, I'm home!" I hear from the front door.

In my excitement, I rush out of the kitchen and down the hall and throw myself into his arms. He's caught surprised but catches me nonetheless.

"Hey, honey, what is it?" He asks, concerned.

"I just missed you," I tell him honestly, then give him his welcome home kiss. We never miss one.

"I missed you to," he replies after we kiss. "What smells so good?"

I smile wide. "I made you dinner."

"Baby, you cooked for me?"

"Mmhmm," I nod.

"You're the best girlfriend ever," he gushes.

I blush deeply, and he kisses my red cheeks.

"Come on, I wanna try your cooking," he says as he takes my hand and leads me back to the kitchen.

He gasps when he sees the romantic setting, and turns to me to smile. I look up at him shyly, hoping he likes it.

"Wow, Katniss, this is perfect."

"Really? You like it?"

"How could I not? You did it, therefore it's amazing. C'mon, let's eat."

We sit down and dig in. Peeta is constantly praising the meal, and I don't think I stop blushing once. I'm getting more and more nervous about bringing up the topic of moving in, and I decide to wait for an opening.

My chance comes when we start eating the apple pie, which Peeta confirms is delicious.

"I'm thinking of painting my bedroom," he says. "Maybe a dark blue or green."

"Green's my favorite color," I reply. "Dark, like the forest."

"Somehow, that makes sense," he nods. "Well, what do you think?"

Here goes nothing.

"Peeta, how would you feel about painting our bedroom?"

His jaw drops. I can't tell yet whether that's good or bad until he speaks.

"What do you – do you – what?" He stumbles. I chuckle.

"Peeta, I'm here every night, I shower here, I eat here, and most of my stuff is already here. Why not just make it official? I know it's a big step and everything, and we've only been together for a month –."

He interrupts me by darting around the table and drawing me into a fierce hug.

"Of course I want you to move in, Kat. I think it's a great idea."

"Really?" I ask, still not believing my good luck.

He nods and kisses me.

"I would love nothing more than to have my beautiful girlfriend live with me."

"I would love nothing more than to live with my handsome boyfriend," I smirk. "But what will your family think?" I ask.

"My dad will probably pat me on the back. My brothers will tease me, as usual. I could care less what my mom thinks."

"Peeta, I hate that I've caused your relationship with your mom to be so strained."

"Honey, it's not your fault. Honestly. You know what she's like, and she's been like that for years. If I really wanted to repair my relationship with her, I'd have to break up with you. And that is something I am never willing to do, even for my own mother."

I let out a breath. This reassures me greatly. Peeta is willing to forgo relationships with his own family to be with me. He truly is perfect.

"Thank you baby," I say honestly. "You have no idea how much that means to me. I love you so much."

"I love you too," he whispers as our mouths inch closer and closer, ending in a sweet kiss.

"So did I do well with dinner?" I say sarcastically.

"Dinner was perfect," he proclaims. Damnit, I can't stop blushing tonight. "Especially the part when the love of my life asked me if she could move in."

Wait. Did Peeta call me the love of his life? This should scare me. This should send me running for the hills, swearing off men for eternity. This should set off all kinds of alarms and warning bells. But all it truly does is make me all warm and gooey inside, and hope he never stops calling me that. I can't help but smile as wide as I can at him. Wow, I have changed.

I do realize what me moving in symbolizes. I'm well aware of the natural progression of adult relationships. It's something that's always scared me, something I always swore I'd never be a willing part of. But my boy with the bread changed all that. It just seems right, me moving in. We are so comfortable with each other already. We help each other so much, especially with our shared nightmares.

I can honestly say if Peeta was to ask me to marry him right here and right now, my answer would most certainly be a definitive yes. This is a huge change from my outlook only a mere month ago. If he had even mentioned marriage, I probably would've freaked out majorly. I remember something I thought about on that first night, when Peeta told me I'm his first girlfriend. I thought "and I'll be your last". That should've given me some indication of how serious I am about this relationship. How far I'm willing to really take it. It has nothing really to do with me wanting to please Peeta or thinking about what he expects from me. It has everything to do with me actually wanting it. I sometimes daydream about being married to Peeta. Having a toasting. Calling him my husband. Him calling me his wife. Being bonded with him for eternity, knowing that he is mine forever and I am his. Giving him all of me. It does magical things to me, just the mere thought of it.

Of course, all of these thoughts lead to me inevitably thinking about children. That is something I always told me myself would never happen. I would never bring kids into this world, into this country where kids are forced to murder each other for entertainment.

But when I see Peeta with the District's kids at the bakery, sneaking them cookies or letting them lick some extra icing, I can't help but feel like I am supposed to bring his children into this world. Like he was sent here for a purpose – to convince me to bear his children. Silly, I know, but it helps me. And it's obvious how wonderful of a parent Peeta would be. Me, I'm not so sure about, but I remind myself how I basically raised Prim for all these years, and I feel better about the whole thing. If there's two people in Panem who would be able to protect their children, it would be me and Peeta. Nobody would mess with the children of two former Hunger Games victors, especially if Katniss Everdeen was their mother. I am slowly warming to the idea, but I am still a ways away from even bringing it up with Peeta. Hell, we just agreed to move in together five minutes ago.

Peeta and I was the dishes side by side, just like every night. Tonight we joke and flirt, and stop what we are doing multiple times to kiss. I love kissing Peeta. I can't believe I willingly went without his kisses for two weeks. Stupid me.

When we're finished, I turn to head upstairs and change out of my jeans when Peeta grabs me around the waist.

"Peeta!" I shriek.

He lifts me up with ease and plops me down on the counter facing him. My legs automatically wrap around his torso and I pull him closer. His lips attach to mine and we are soon worked into a frenzy.

This past month has been amazing for me and Peeta, but we have still yet to make that one last major step in our physical relationship. He knows it, and I know it. We both want it, we know that, but we have agreed to wait until we are both sure and ready. Every time we make out like this, though, we are tempting fate.

Peeta's hands are gripping my waist, and mine are threading through his hair. I feel his right hand leave my waste and inch its way up my torso. When he brushes the bottom of my breast, he leans back and gives me a questioning look, silently asking permission. I stick my chest out towards him, nod, and crash my lips back into him. When I feel his strong but gentle hand cup my breast, an involuntary moan escapes the back of my throat. Soon his left hand joins, and I'm not sure how much longer I can last until I'm ripping his clothes off.

"Peeta," I breathe. "Peeta!"

"Mmmm Katniss," he groans. I laugh into his mouth.

"Peeta, stop for a second," I ask him.

He reluctantly pulls back slightly and rests his forehead on mine, one of our go to moves to talk intimately.

"What is it baby?" He asks with that sweet, concerned tone.

"I'm ready," I tell him.

I don't have to elaborate. It's obvious to him what I'm referring to, considering our current situation.

Peeta doesn't say another word, Just grabs onto my hips again as I lock my ankles around his back. As we pass the front door, I reach over and lock it, ensuring we won't be disturbed. Peeta even takes the phone of the hook. We make it to the bedroom, our bedroom now, and he gently puts me down on the bed on my back, gazing down at me with awe. I feel so beautiful when he looks at me like that.

We take it slow, considering it's the first time for both of us. The miniscule amount of pain at the beginning is soon replaced by a tremendous amount of pleasure, joy, love, and an insatiable need to be as close to Peeta as possible. He is gentle but firm with me, always considerate of my needs before his own. I now know the true meaning of making love, something I used to scoff at. I thought it was for suckers. Boy was I wrong. I know this is a monumental shift in our relationship, that there is truly no going back now. Not that there ever really was a chance of that happening.

When, hours later, we finally collapse in a mess of sweat, tangled sheets, and intertwined limbs, I can't even begin to count how many 'I love you's were shared between us. I am sure that this, right now, is the very highlight of my life, the happiest I have ever been. And it's all thanks to the blonde baker who I am currently lying on top of. If I had ever been self-conscious about my chest, the attention Peeta paid to it has demolished any of those residual feelings. He treated my body and me with such tender love and care, it was like he thought I would break. I wasn't really sure if I was doing the right things to Peeta, but by the way he was moaning my name and the looks on his face, I must have done something right.

I start to fall asleep, still naked, with my head on Peeta's bare chest. I can still smell the after effects of our lovemaking, a distinct scent of our two bodies coming together as one. I can still feel fire where he touched me, where he kissed me, where he loved me. I am tingling all over, and I never want it to stop.

Just before I drift off into a dreamless slumber, I tell Peeta one more time how much I love him, and tenderly kiss him.

Today really was the best day of my life.