Peeta hands me the basket full of breads we made as we walk out into the cold. He shuts and locks the door, putting the keys in his coat pocket as he walks over and takes the basket from me. I smile at him and start walking. Our walk home is the same way as it was on the way there, only this time Peeta has a strong hold on my hand, which he wouldn't let go of for anything. I can't pinpoint why, but for some reason this reminds me of our first opening ceremony. Half way home, I glance over at Peeta, who is staring and smiling at me. A giggle escapes my lips before I can stop it. Peeta doesn't say anything, he just keeps smiling, and we just keep walking.
When we arrive, Pearl is on the couch napping, of course. I'm sure she had a busy morning with Haymitch. She's laying across two cushions, and Haymitch is sitting on the one above her head, reading a book. I walk a little closer and realize it's my book. My Mother's book of knowledge of healing, my Father's survival skills, and Peeta and I have added a little bit of everything.. memories, life skills we've learned from the Hunger Games, fallen tributes.. friends. It's our book of healing also, but in a different way than my Mothers. I notice his eyes are welled with tears, still focusing on the pages contents.
"Katniss.. this has become some thing.. extraordinary." He shuts the book and sets it on his lap, then quickly wipes his eyes before the tears spills over. He stands up and walks towards us.
"Since i'm feeling all sentimental now, why don't we go have a talk in another room, before I head home.." Haymitch says in a low, and somewhat raspy voice, making sure to be quite and not wake Pearl. I notice his face is emotionless, just as mine and Peeta's are. I don't know what it is he wants to talk about, suddenly I feel the worry rising in me. Even though Haymitch has come around a lot and been there for us through it all, he still isn't open with his feelings to us. This can't be good..
"I'll make lunch." Peeta says while taking my hand and leading us to the kitchen. He pulls out a chair at the table, suggesting I rest while he makes the food. I would have anyways, my feet are starting to ache from all the walking we did this morning. Peeta cooks voluntarily most of the time anyway, since he loves to. I'm getting better, but I will never be as good as him. The boy with the bread.. and the girl with the squirrel with an arrow through an eye.
Just as earlier, a chuckle makes it's way out of my mouth before I can catch it. Damn it, Peeta. He is the only person who can always make me laugh, without even trying. When I look up, Haymitch and Peeta have both stopped what they were doing, and are staring at me. Waiting for an explanation, I guess.
"Nothing. Just excited to see Annie and Junior tonight." I say with a smile and cheerful voice. Haymitch grabs a drink out of the fridge, then has a seat across from me. Peeta grabs a big pot and sets it on the stove, then goes over to the fridge and grabs a big bowl of already made soup. Since our many stays in the Capitol, Peeta has learned a lot of new recipes. On the Victory Tour when there were so many dishes that I couldn't even take one bite of every one, Peeta took note on which were my favorites. Over the years, he has perfected them. To me they're better than the Capitol, but I could just be biased.
"I want you to know how proud I am of you two. The obstacles you've overcome in your life, and how high you've come out on top is inspiring. You are the kids I never had.. so to speak." Haymitch adds with a laugh.
"But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about.. Annie is coming here as a messenger. She is bringing me news, unfortunately I cannot tell you anything more than that. I-"
"Haymitch, you can tell us anyt-" I say hastily.
"I'm sorry Sweetheart, I want to get the facts straight before I drag you two into anything. I just needed a reason for Annie to travel here. Don't you worry though.. not yet." he takes a drink.
"Okay. Well, this is a good thing, we get to see Annie, and we finally get to meet Junior." Peeta says happily, while preparing bowls and utensils for three.
"I'm not hungry." Haymitch says quickly before Peeta gets everything together for a third person.
"Are you sure? I made enough for all of us" Peeta says, continuing to stir the soup, while it cools and thickens. I can detect the disappointment in his voice.
"Yeah.. had a big breakfast, and I should get going soon." Haymitch replies, giving me a shrug once hes finished telling Peeta what he had. Peeta likes to prepare meals ahead of time, then refrigerates them so they're ready whenever you need. Making it easy for even the worst cooks to prepare meals. Like the soup in which he made a big batch last week, making it simple when we want a quick easy meal.
He fills Haymitch's fridge and freezer every week with these meals, making it inexcusable for him not to cook and eat. I know Peeta wanted to hear what he had to say about the soup. Haymitch still wants nothing to do with the Capitol, of course he doesn't want a mockery soup. This doesn't stop me from getting irritated with him though, since he has upset Peeta.
"Alright. Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?" I say to Haymitch, knowing there is since he's not eating, but he's still here. I shouldn't be harsh to him, I know his reasoning for refusing the soup. I just don't like to see Peeta hurt, and I know he is.
"Actually, there is. Now, you both know that I'm not going to be around forever," I look at his receding hairline and wrinkled face to confirm he is talking about his aging. His 60th birthday passed a few years ago.. he's no spring chicken, but he's as healthy as he's ever been. "and I want to make sure my grandkids have the safest and best life possible. Tonight will determine a lot of things, which could be life changing.. but like I said, no further questioning until I have the answers myself. So.. is there anything I can do for either of you in the meantime?"
"No, I think we can manage. Thank you, Haymitch." Peeta says in a genuinely caring voice.
"Best of luck tonight, and you know where to find me if you need anything." he says before he gets up and walks out of the kitchen, and leaves. A few moments later, we hear his front door shut. Peeta doesn't hesitate another second.
"What do you think he's talking about?" He says frantically.
"I don't know, but he didn't seem to be that worried or upset about it. I don't think we should be either.. not yet. I mean, we don't even know what he's talking about. It could be something good." In my heart I know it can't be good. Haymitch has never opened up to us like that. I can't afford to lose Peeta though. We're still unsure if there is a possibility a stressful situation could reactivate the Trackerjacker hallucinations.
"When do we ever get good news, Katniss?" He says, clearly making his point without needing any further explanation.
"Let's just wait and see. After all, we have been safe this long. I don't think anything is going to happen."
He sets a bowl of soup down in front of me, then sits in the chair next to mine. Just as I knew it would be, the soup is delicious. I shovel half of the bowl into my mouth before I stop for a breathe of air. Peeta swallows a big spoonful, then laughs.
"You love me unconditionally, real or not real?" he says, catching me off guard. A game us Star soldiers of District 13 started twenty years ago to help in Peeta's recovery, still helps us to this day sort out whats real or not in life.
"Real, and that will never change."
I'm interrupted by a knock at the door. Is it already time for Annie and Junior's arrival? My heart stops as I think of the upcoming happiness.. or horror. Peeta gets up to answer the door, as I hurry up to my room to retrieve the letter from Finnick.