Happy Birthday, Graceland! Well, I'm a couple of days early. I was so excited to share this with you guys I honestly couldn't wait anymore! THUS BEGINS PART III! Sadly, part III will be the last part of Graceland. If I keep extending it, the story will just become cheesy. No one wants that!Review responses are probably going to take just as long as the chapter itself, just because there were 6 pages of reviews! Guys, that is flipping amazing! That is almost 90 reviews in the previous chapter and the chapter sneak peek alone! That is freaking terrific! Hopefully the nearly 4,000 word chapter is worth the wait (though the first 1,000 words were in the sneak peek...). Let's get started!
MiaBelles: Please don't cry! Have you gotten to see The Fault in Our Stars yet? It was the most book accurate movie ever!
Buttons301: Sorry, but Katniss is back this chapter :)
X The mad girl back home X: Oh my gosh, you are so nice! I love hearing that I get to y'all, though I feel really awkward because I don't feel like I'm that great... You're too sweet!
TheWomanWhoCodesAndWrites: You are totally hitting the nail on the head with Johanna and Gale! I agree with you with the whole Finnick thing. It his so sad for him, though. I have never see I am Legend... We shall see about Katniss... :)
TARDISRose: And thus comes the chapters with everyone's POV's! I'm sorry about the sadness. Hopefully this makes up for it? Maybe?
Epicblonde52: I'm so glad you like it! Thus begins the chapters with everyone's POV!
HazelEverdeen: I'm so glad you like the story! :D
Fire Kitty 12: The genie says you have two more wishes ;D
ILoveCandy11: You're welcome! :)
pumpkinking5: I'm so glad you enjoy it! It is terribly fun to write! I'm glad I got the OMG reaction, to be frank.
MewWinx96: I mean, I didn't help you hide hide body or anything. What? Lol. Good on you! Ten dollars is great! GOSH DANG IT KATNISS! POOR PRIM HAVING TO DEAL WITH YOUR CRAP! Connor Toby because I like the name, but Julietta Kate because my pen name is Juliet's Shadow and my real name is Katie... mwahahahaha! The song was "Story of My Life" by One Direction. Gale is a good person in this story. I needed Jojo to have a beau ;)
NARENKAPZ: Glad you liked!
booklover1334: I'm sorry! I'm glad you liked it though. :)
Whatsupitsemma: *passes a tissue*
Whatsupitsemma: I have not read The Book Thief...
SunriseDestined: I like your reviews like the white hot passion of a thousand suns, while said suns are in the super nova, and then some! Not creepy at all! You're so sweet! Thank you so much! :D
LSU Sarah: PM me if you ever need anything at all, sweetheart! Anytime!
ExplodingAaron: So sorry about that... Glad you caught up though! :D
7NationArmy: I know the feeling... I'm glad you like it!
MiaBelles: If I'm honest... I can't even remember what all they've been through...
I love Finnick: Glad you like! And Annie's mom just wanted custody and won. The Dad lost... Don't have a logical explanation to be honest...
whatsupitsemma: Very glad!
whatsupitsemma: OMG LOL XD XD XD
peetagrl3: I am so glad you like it! I'm so sorry but my fingers are going to fall off and you left about two pages of reviews and I love you so much for that! I'm so glad you enjoy the story and I appreciate everything you said! You are incredibly sweet and I think it is amazing you have the patience to review every chapter after they have been written! Good on you, girl! :D I will tell Mikey his writing is boss, BTW :) I did read every single review by the way. :)
billieRueXSmurf: Oh yes! Cookies! And I love reading your reviews! Each one is special and I really appreciate it. I can't imagine author not reading their reviews! The idea makes me so sad!
Guest: Update!
SunriseDestined:...sorry... :(
iGenesis: I'm a total Pokemon fan... My real name is actually Katie, not Juliet, but whatev's! :)
Lily: Oh you are so sweet! thank you so much! I'm very glad you like it!
peetagrl3: Surprise! Early update! :)
X The mad girl back home X: I felt so bad that everyone thought I was. It's my baby. I never would!
MewWinx96: As always... your reviews make me laugh so hard!
MiaBelles: Surprise! It's early!
LivLuvHG7273: Aww you're so sweet! I can't even read this story once and you've read it three times?! I'm so flattered!
Whatsupitsemma: I'm glad!
TributeWhovianPotterhead: Oh hey! Love the new name! I understand all those fandoms!
shyscarletteletter: He is so cute!
: I did update sooner... just not by much... Lol sorry! Glad you like it though!
SunriseDestined: And thus, PART III *wiggles fingers like Jack Sparrow at the end of Pirates of the Caribbean Four*
MeaganOneDirection: I missed you! Glad you're back!
MeaganOneDirection: Lol sorry girly!
MeaganOneDirection: Surprise! It's early!
Katniss-candy: We will see! :) and here is an update!
radubecca: Tbh... I have never been to Georgia. I might have flown over it before? Maybe? Idk...
radubecca: It's early! Lol :)
Anon: Sorry :(
radubecca: It's all good! Here is the next chapter and all of your questions are answered!
Part III Chapter 1- July 28th
Finnick
"Oh Finnick!" I feel her fingernails digging into my shoulder as she reaches her climax. I never reached mine. I found the girl I am currently sharing my bed with outside the Seven Eleven I often frequent. I was walking out with a Snickers bar and a Dr. Pepper when she tapped my shoulder.
"Listen, you look like you need a good time. That's why I'm here," she said pulling me aside. Before I knew what happened, she planted a kiss on me and refused to let me escape. One thing lead to another and before long her and I were sharing a bed. I don't even remember her name. Did she even tell me her name?
Eventually, after our sex, she rolls away from me, panting. "Wow. That was some of the best sex I have ever had in my life. Where did you learn that?" Where did I learn that? I bolt out of bed and start to put clothes on. "What did I do? Get back in bed!"
I shake my head. "I can't! Seven months ago I had a girlfriend!"
She rolls her eyes and looks at me like I've gone crazy. "Seven months ago, Finnick. She is gone. She doesn't love you enough to come back."
I shake my head. "She didn't leave because she wanted too. She left because she had to."
The girl gets an angered expression on her face. Obviously she has forgotten about the sex. I wish I could. "It would be in your better judgement to get back into bed. I don't threat often, but I can call the cops. I can tell them you raped me. I'm sure they would believe me. I know a couple of cops."
I shake my head. "I don't care what happens to me, now. You are not worth the gum on my shoe. My girlfriend is one hundred times the person you could ever be."
She spits in my face. She is vile, now. She was as beautiful as a Greek goddess just moments ago, but not it is as if she became a companion to the sharks. "Finnick, she left you seven months ago! When are you going to realize she doesn't want you?" I say nothing. This girl knows nothing. She doesn't know my life, Annie's life, why she isn't in my arms now, instead of the witch. She just backs away with a frown on her face. "It's not even worth it, you know? I'm going to go. I need to find someone who will actually remember my name. You don't remember it do you?" My silence must be enough of an answer for her. "It's Kelsey. Good luck finding a girlfriend while you are pining over that Annie girl!"
I'm so sorry, Annie. I miss you so much. I was hoping that if I could just imagine she was you, then it would all be okay. There was only one problem with that. She wasn't you. I just had sex with some random girl because I couldn't be patient enough to wait for you. Well, never again Annie. I'm so sorry.
Johanna
"Look at me, Gale! I'm the size of a blimp!" My back hurts, my feet hurt, my everything hurts. I'm a little past due and this baby hasn't popped yet. If it doesn't pop soon, I'm going to.
Gale just looks at me with an expression of amusement. "Come on, Jo. You're pregnant. You can't expect to not be blimp sized when there are two of you." I simply cross my arms. My husband of about five months is not making a very good case. I simply cross my arms, awkwardly, over my huge belly, and, even more awkwardly, jut my hip out. "Do you want me to carry you up the stairs?" I nod. "Alright."
I hold my arms out and he picks me up in his arms, bridal style. We are up two flights of stairs when I feel something wet come out of me. Gale must feel it too, because he gives me a look. I just nod. "Yup, my water just broke."
Full chaos ensues. Gale runs down the stairs to alert Haymitch and Effie, then runs up the stairs to get my hospital bag, then runs down the stairs again to get my bag of snacks and runs up the stairs again, though this time I'm not entirely sure what he is getting. Eventually he makes it back to me and scoops me up in his arms bridal style, once again, and runs down the stairs as quickly as he can. "Get in the car. I'm going to get you to the hospital. Everyone else will meet us there."
Gale starts to drive and I have my first contraction. It hurts, but I simply shrug it off. The contractions are still far apart. I don't to stress Gale out anymore, anyway. Behind us a cop turns on his lights. I didn't realize how much Gale was speeding. When the cop comes over, Gale is frantic. I tell him Gale is my husband and he is freaking out because I have gone into labor. Because of this, Gale is left off with a warning. We make it to the hospital in another five minutes and I get checked in. I'm then carted off to a room and Gale follows me in close pursuit. Eventually I'm situated and it is just us two. Gale is pacing like a madman. "Will you stop?" I laugh. He is making a complete fool of himself.
He shrugs and shakes his head. "Stop what?"
I can't believe I'm married to this idiot. "Gale, you're freaking out. You're freaking out a ton."
He glares at me, then realizes he is glaring and gives a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Jo. You can't blame me, though. I'm worried."
I roll my eyes. "Don't be. We're headed to the hospital so I'll be fine. It's not like I'm the first girl to have a kid. I severely doubt you were ever this worried when your mom had your siblings." Gale sighs in defeat as the hospital comes into view.
Peeta
Dear Katniss,
Prim and I really miss you. Everyone at Graceland misses you. We're counting the days until you get out of rehab. It's really a bummer that we cannot go visit you, but hey, rules are rules. These letters are getting through, I hope? I hope they are. You haven't written me back yet -do not feel guilty for that- so I have no idea if the letters are actually getting to you.
I'm going to try my best to catch you up on what has been happening the past couple of weeks at Graceland. Currently, I'm at the hospital. Nothing bad is happening; quite the opposite, really! Johanna is having her baby. Right now Finnick and I are playing baby sitter with all the kids. Hunter is done being the practice baby, after today. Johanna and Gale will have to care for Connor Toby or Julietta Kate on their own. They never cheated on deciding the gender.
Posy and Daliah are ecstatic to have a, I kid you not, "new doll" to play with. They might be the most naive children ever, but aren't all children completely innocent? Louis is just chasing the girls around, doing whatever they do.
Thea is still the cute, quiet little prankster you remember. Ever since we had her play Finnick and Gale's daughter at the doughnut shop, she has steadily progressed to a real devil. Even worse, she has got Daniel in on her crimes. I think Daniel has a crush on Thea, because he love playing the part of 'fall-guy.' As soon as the two of them get caught in the act, Daniel insists it is his fault. Noble of him, isn't it? Vick and Toby have been sitting around nervously, just because they know they are going to be uncles. I guess becoming an uncle can be terrifying, especially when you are as young as those two. Posy is becoming an aunt, but she thinks her nephew/niece will simply be a new, long awaited toy.
Eloise and Daisy have taken charge of wrangling the youngest kids, them having noticed how busy Haymitch and Effie have been. The two girls are so incredibly sweet, though they still tend to avoid the books. The girls are also the best siblings Finnick could ask for. I'll get to that in a moment.
Rue, Prim and Rory have taken command of the chores around the house, making sure everything is ready for the new baby (although with Hunter here, a lot of their work is rendered unnecessary). Prim has also looked into infants as much as Johanna, if not more. Prim has the real makings to be a doctor when she is older, believe it or not. She misses you a lot, by the way. She has been looking into ways to help you get better, in between the baby books that is. Don't tell her I said this, but I think she was honestly lost without you around, for a while that it. She has sunk into helping Johanna and you, which really makes her happy.
Gale and Johanna started to go apartment hunting, soon after they got married. Only Finnick, Effie, Haymitch and myself know they are planning on moving out of Graceland. Effie is also making them take their time, though. She doesn't want them to "settle for anything less than perfection." Perfection has a price tag though, doesn't it? As soon as they leave, though, it'll just be Finn and me on the top floor, until you get back that is.
We haven't heard a word from Annie. It's driving Finnick insane. He would be better as soon as he got even a phone call, text or even email from her, but it hasn't happened. It's making him go crazy with worry. Frankly, I'm worried myself. Seven months with no communication? Eloise and Daisy are the ones who have been able to drive him out of his depressed slumps. They have taken him to the mall and movies more times than I can count. They convinced him to take them to see The Fault in Our Stars. Sources (Eloise and Daisy) say he cried more than anyone at that movie, but I know it's because Annie was the one who had him read the book. It looks like he has gotten worse the past couple of days, and he won't tell me why.
As for me? I'm doing pretty alright. I miss you like crazy, but I've been able to busy myself. Prim and I have gotten incredibly close since you've been gone. I'm sure you know this, but your sister is among the nicest human beings I've ever met.
Katniss, I hope you are doing well. I hope you get this letter. I haven't ever stopped loving you, these past seven months, just so you know. I hope you get out soon. I love you.
With love,
Peeta.
Katniss
I put the most recent letter Peeta has sent me down. I appreciate the letters, seeing in writing everything that has happened. The letters started off with nothing but good news, everything negative being left out. Slowly, he has started to add in bits of negative information, Posy is sick with a fever but is going to get better soon was the worse of the information sent at the beginning. Now he is willing to open up about everything, it seems like. I'm incredibly excited that Johanna and Gale got married and that the kid is on the way, but he does tell me the bad news as well, like Annie not ever calling or Finnick being depressed. The way he keeps me updated with everything going on, I feel like I never left. I also feel like a new person.
When I first got the letters I was angry. Ask me now why I was angry, I couldn't tell you. I just was. Maybe it was because of the freedom Peeta had while I was stuck here. Maybe it was just because I was tired of hearing only good things. I wanted to hear crap occur in people's lives. I wanted to hear something bad. I never hear anything bad here. I don't know when I changed, but it was like I was awaken from a nightmare. I felt great and I was anticipating the letters from Peeta instead of dreading them. I've wanted to write Peeta back, tell him how I've been, but every time I put pen to paper none of the words would form. Peeta has always been the one that was good with words. I'm glad to hear he isn't angry that I haven't written him back, just concerned that I haven't received the letters. I have them, Peeta, I have them. I'm not going to make a sorry attempt to write a letter this time, though. I'm going to be let out of here within the week. The top floor of Graceland will have almost all of us back, for however a short time that may be. Gale and Johanna moving out would be good for them, I know it, but staying at Graceland for a little while longer would not hurt them at all.
I look at my dresser and open the top drawer, placing the letter on top of the other papers. There has got to be at least thirty letters in here. Thirty letters, each one ending with "I love you." People tend to give up on people like me. They tend to send us off to solitude, sending us spiraling into depression. Goodness knows I've seen plenty of that in my time here. Peeta hasn't given up on me. I can tell that his writing is sincere. I'm lucky. I got concerned when he hadn't written to me for a couple of weeks. I was worried that he had given up on me. That letter that came in was the one thing I needed. I'm sure the reason he stopped writing for that time was because of stress or because he seriously thought I wasn't getting the letters. Everything with Peeta is so genuine, even in his writing. I don't know what I did before him. He has allowed me to hope. He is everything I needed.
Annie
Mom is asleep. She passed out on the couch after I put crushed sleeping pills in her milk, hoping it would knock her out before the house went into total lockdown. Just by looking at me, one couldn't detect a change. I'm the same weight as I was when I left Graceland, making sure to stay my body size for Finnick's sanity. I know if I want to lose weight then I should do it under his caring eye, knowing he'll make sure I stay healthy, and not become the anorexic stick my mom wants me to become. The only reason I haven't become one is because I have stolen money from my mom in small increments. A dollar here, two dollars there, it doesn't matter though. Apparently, despite her being in jail, she is loaded. I don't want to imagine how she gets that money, though. Probably along similar terms to how Finnick got some all that time ago. I don't let myself imagine beyond that.
When I take the money, I save it up and sneak out of the house and grocery shop Wednesday evenings from eight thirty-seven to ten eighteen, and keep the food under my bed. I noticed mom always leaves the house on Wednesday evenings from eight thirty to ten thirty. I have no idea where she goes. I know it isn't church. I miss church. I don't remember the last time I've been, but I miss it. I'll be sure to go as soon as I get back to Graceland.
I used to try to use the phone at this time as well, but I have no cell phone and there isn't a pay phone at the grocery store I'm at and I can't send a letter at the risk of Finnick trying to write me back. Finnick... I miss him.
I know I haven't changed weight, but I know I have changed subtly in appearance. There are purple bags under my eyes and my legs have acquired even more scars. My hair is longer, but it is also constantly greasy. I only shower on Tuesday because that is the only day mom will let me. I'm disgusting by the time Monday rolls around, but Wednesdays, when I do leave the house, I look somewhat presentable.
Mom hasn't stopped experimenting, though. This time she does it where people wont be able to detect any scarring. Right now there are at least four long scars on my back and six on my stomach. I don't know what she did to me, but I haven't died. Yet.
Getting out of the house was the hardest part of the night. I had to climb out the window, even though it was a good distance off the ground. Mom's apartment was a second story apartment. When I managed to climb out the window and land, rather ungracefully, on the ground below, skinning my knee in the process, I ran off to find the nearest pay phone.
After walking for about forty-five minutes or so, I came across an old gas station that had exactly what I needed. Nervously, I put in the quarters I had and typed in Finnick's cell phone number. Please pick up. Please! "Hello?"
"Finnick? It's Annie."
Gale
I looked at Johanna after the doctors whisked away the baby she had just delivered. She was drenched in sweat and looked really tired. I don't doubt it. I had been up with her through this entire process. Currently it was two in the morning. "You did it, babe," I said.
Though she was tired, with bags under her eyes, she gave me the most luminescent smile I had ever seen, her white teeth seemingly glowing. Johanna herself seemed to be glowing. "Gale, thank you."
I give her a small chuckle. "For what? What did I do?"
"You're giving this kid a dad. Heaven knows I'm not going to be a fabulous mom, but I do know you are going to make a terrific dad. I mean, just watching the way you handle the kids at Graceland is enough proof of how great you are. It doesn't matter if they're your family or not. You love them all the same. This kid isn't your kid but I know you are going to be the best dad ever."
I lean down and kiss her on the forehead. Who knew Johanna could be so sentimental? Of course I would do everything I could to help her. On July 28th, at one fifty-three in the morning, Johanna gave birth to a seven pound, five ounce baby girl named Julietta Kate Hawthorne. Hawthorne. That is the name she put on the birth certificate of her daughter. No. Our daughter. We each held her for a moment before the nurse took her away to be cleaned. When I held that little girl, I seriously could care less if she was actually mine by blood. All that mattered was from a horrible event one November night, something great happened. That is all that matters.
When the nurse brought her back in, sporting a pink little hat that could maybe fit my fist, everyone started to come in. Effie didn't want to overwhelm Johanna, so she only brought two of the kids out at a time, Posy and Daliah being the first, so they could quickly go back to Graceland to go to sleep.
Haymitch sent in Vick and Toby next so they could meet their niece. They stayed in longer that the little girls previous and Johanna actually let them hold her. Soon all the kids came in, each getting to look at the new baby and see the newest addition to the family. Haymitch and Effie took them all home, telling Peeta and Finnick they needed to be back by noon the next day. Peeta was the first of the four teenagers to speak. "Julietta Kate, huh? That has a nice ring to it. How did you two come up with the name?"
Johanna shook her head but I spoke up, laughing a bit. "I couldn't come up with a boy name and Johanna couldn't find a girl name so we decided I would pick the name if it was a girl and Johanna wiuld pick the name if it was a boy. As you can see, I won that."
Johanna fell asleep quickly, within ten minutes of Julietta being taken the the nursery, so Finnick, Peeta and I stayed up, sitting on the couch, watching some TV. Eventually we fell asleep until we heard a phone ring at about five in the morning. IT was Finnick's. He groggily picked up his cell phone, looking annoyed. "Hello?"
We couldn't hear who was on the other line, but his expression changed and his eyes mirrored fifty different emotions in a matter of a second. "Annie?"
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH IT'S UP! I'm totally going to get better at updating. Remember how good I was a year ago? Hopefully I can be almost that good again! This time I have a job... and multiple stories... though this is my favorite one, I'll admit!
I had a couple things I thought I should address:
1) the song from the Part II finale was "Story of My Life" by One Direction
2) The name Julietta Kate actually is a total spin off of me. My Pen is Juliet's Shadow (as you all know) and my real name is Katie so I squished the two together and it sounded actually kind of pretty, in my opinion.
THANKS SO MUCH TO MY 153 FAVORITERS AND 180 FOLLOWERS! You are all seriously the best and I love you all so much from the bottom of my heart!
-Juliet