Chapter 24: Reuniting

(KATNISS POV)

We were at The Capital, about to be perfected. All I cared about was Cato and Melody. I couldn't wait to see them.

"Katniss," Cinna said walking in. "I'm so sorry!"

"Just hurry and dress me," I said a little rudely. "I need to see Cato and Melody!"

He quickly dressed me and walked me to the chariots. I kept looking around every turn to try to find them. The whole walk over, I didn't even stop to find out what I was wearing. I was about to look at my outfit when I heard my name being yelled.

(MELODY POV)

Cato warned me about being "perfected," but it still hurt like crazy. I just wanted to see Katniss and Prim. They were like the sisters I never had. I was in a beautiful white dress with gold flowers on it. It was basically the same as last years costumes, but modified to fit our ages. I was a goddess. As my stylist was putting the final touches on me before I went on the chariot, she stopped and smiled at me.

"Look," she said pointing behind me.

"KAT!"

(CATO POV)

I was right next to Melody. Her yell scared me, yet made me turn too. There she was. She was dressed in a fire dress, red with gold and orange flames and black around the bottom and sleeves. She was beautiful.

"MEL! CATO," She yelled running over to us.

Before Melody got half way to her, she was in my arms. She was the reason my heart beat. She was my love, and we had to fight to the death again.

(KATNISS POV)

I was so relieved to see him. We had a lot to talk about, well I had a lot to tell him. I should have told him when he got off the train at Two, but I was scared. I had to tell him now, before it got any later.

"PLACES EVERYONE," Someone yelled.

So much for telling him. I was pulled away and forced on the first of the two Twelve chariots. I watched Cato and Melody ride off together, and listened to the crowds roar. Right before Twelve went out, we all got lit. My dress, Gale's hair, Prim's gloves, Jacob's shirt and Kenny's pants. Or was it Kenny's shirt and Jacob's pants. Didn't matter really, I didn't know them.

(CATO POV)

Finally the Tribute's Parade ended and we were able to go to our rooms. As soon and Kat and Prim got off their chariots, we all walked to the elevators. Could we go home, or did we have to go with the rest of our district?

"You can go home," Effie Trinket whispered to us. "I asked President Snow on the ride here if you all were allowed to because you lived here and he said yes. Invite people over if you want. You can form an alliance, and find a way out. Don't tell anyone I said anything. Good luck."

(KATNISS POV)

We all went home. I was happy to be back in my own place again. The only difference was that we had four avox with us instead of two. We weren't supposed to be nice to them, but we were. They upset The Capital, not us.

"Cato, we need to talk," I said after dinner. "It's important and can't wait any longer."

He looked worried, which he should be. We walked into our room, locked the door and sat on the bed.

"I love you, but we have a serious problem on your hands," I said looking at him.

"I know. Only one of us can come out and-"

"Cato," I said interrupting him. "Just let me talk and you can respond after, please."

"Alright," He said looking even more worried.

"We got married just about nine months ago," I started. "And I've loved every minute of it, but we have a huge problem. I can't be in the games. I don't mean I can't so it's easier for who come's out, but I can't because of another reason. If I die, so does another."

"Katniss, Effie's here," Prim said knocking on our door. "I wouldn't be bothering you if she didn't say it was urgent."

I sighed and walked out of the room. Effie wouldn't say it was urgent if it wasn't. Not nearly as bad as I first thought she was. I just hoped and prayed it wasn't something I wouldn't think was urgent.

"Katniss, everyone is talking," She shrieked. "So, I told them I would find out the truth behind the rumor. Are you PREGNANT?!"

I gasped. How did they all know when I was barely showing? Yes, I was about eight months, but I was one of the lucky people who don't get super huge! How the heck did they know?!

"Katniss," Cato asked looking at me.

"Yes," I sighed. "I was trying to tell you and I don't know HOW they found out! I'm barely showing!"

"I knew it," Effie shrieked. "There's a glow about you that just screams pregnancy! Congratulations! How far along? I must know to tell EVERYONE!"

"Effie," I said looking at her. "I'm about eight months pregnant and about ot enter the games! What if I go into labor during the games? I can't fight and kill people while taking care of a baby!"

"I'll talk to the gamemakers! There's no WAY they'll let you be in the games when you're so pregnant," She said running to the door. "I'll be back in the morning to bring you to the training center."

I sighed and just went to bed. That was NOT how I wanted Cato to find out that I'm bursting at the seams with a baby on the way! Well, at least Effie might be able to help me get out of the games. I immediately fell asleep as my head hit the pillow.

(EFFIE POV)

"But she's eight months pregnant! Why put her in the games and let her DIE when she's carrying another life! She CAN'T be in the games in order to save her baby," I cried to the gamemakers. "I'll go in for her, just don't put her in! Don't let her AND her baby die!"

"Rules are rules," the head gamemaker yelled. As soon as everyone else left he spoke to me softly. "She must go in the games unless she goes into labor before the game starts. She has one week to give birth, so do everything you can to make her have that baby. I don't want her in the games, but I can't say no unless there are extreme circumstances, which child birth is."

"Thank you," I said running out.

Katniss has a chance to live. She has a CHANCE! I just have to find out how to make her go into labor before the games start in a week. Not too hard, people here do it all the time, even having there babies at three months if it makes them too big. I could do it. I could save Katniss! I just had to act fast!

UNCLE UPDATE: He was admitted the the hospital. I cried, then bawled, then calmed down, then way able to hold myself together. My parents came up, we saw him, then my dad rode home with me so I wasn't alone. "I love you Unc," I said before I left the room. "Love you too kid," he said in his raspy and wispy voice. My uncle is in good hands, I just hate how bad this is getting. It all became real when the head nurse guy told me he was being admitted. I held it in, but lost it when I was outside, alone.