She was probably just a couple of weeks from delivery. Thoughts of her and their child filled him at nearly every moment, day and night. He was crazing about her. She was his confidant, his best friend, and his lover. He stopped on the porch and looked to the sky, taking time once again to thank both God and Haymitch for bringing her. He had his ideal woman already picked out in his mind but the two of them had definitely known better.

She was putting the finishing touches on breakfast when he entered. He helped her move a few things to the table and she waddled over with their plates. She ate like a fiend and he watched her with amusement.

"What?" she asked, swallowing the last bite of her third flapjack. "She's hungry."

He chuckled, not at her reasoning but because he had finally convinced her, at least subconsciously, that their child was a girl.

"Delly is coming in a couple of days" he said, the mood sobering. The time was drawing close and their friend planned to stay to help with the birth.

"I'm glad she will be here" Katniss said. "But I'll miss my time alone with you."

Peeta was a gentleman and when Delly stayed at the cabin he let the women share the bed. At first he had insisted on sleeping in the barn, but towards the end of her last visit they convinced him to bed down on the floor.

He snorted. "I don't think there will be a lot of that going on at this point anyway" he said good naturedly. "You are much too far along."

Katniss smiled. It was a sinful smile that made him squirm, but he liked it. "We'll see" she added cryptically.

His groin tightened. He was about to ask her what she meant when she completely changed the subject.

"Have you ever tried to get in contact with Thresh?" she asked, seemingly out of nowhere.

He tilted his head and then shook it in confusion. The topic change was too sudden and his mind was still on what he might have to "see" about. "Huh?" he asked.

"Thresh" she repeated. "You said that he ended up serving in the colored troops. Have you tried to get in touch with him? To write a letter and tell him what you have been up to? Find out how he is?"

He shook his head again. "What is bringing all this up?" he asked.

"I don't know" she said. "The baby I guess. Other than Delly, we haven't really had anyone to share the good news with and you said that you aren't going to tell your family. I've been thinking about him and wondering what became of him. I just thought you might want to know too."

Peeta propped is elbow on the table and let his chin rest in his hand. "I don't think so" he said after a time.

"Why?" she asked with a hint of sadness.

"Think about it Kat?" he challenged. "We played together as kids and had a lot of good times together but my family owned him. We kept him and his parents and brothers and sisters as slaves. He finally ran away to freedom. I don't think he wants to hear from me again."

It was Katniss's turn to shake her head. "You don't know that Peeta. I know your relationship with him is complicated but it was real. Both parts of it. Besides, you know what happened to his mother after he left. You know she had a peaceful passing. It might be good to share that with him. It couldn't hurt."

But it could hurt, Peeta thought. It could hurt him more than his well-meaning wife would ever know. There were four people in this world who Peeta believed had ever cared about him. One was sitting across the table from him and he loved her more than life itself. The second was coming in two days to help deliver his child. The third was buried outside of his cabin last winter. The fourth was lost to him forever by time, space, and society.

In most ways, he wanted to leave it that way. It was easier to treasure fond memories of the boy from his youth than to deal with the grown man that might harbor more resentment than goodwill. Peeta wanted to believe that he had one true friend growing up. One person who knew what was going on in is life and who suffered along with him. He didn't want the heartbreak of discovering that he was just a convenient means to an end or worse still that the relationship had been forced upon the other boy. It was something that was better left in the past.

She got up and walked over to him, taking his head and laying it against her middle. He nuzzled their baby and it kicked him in the head.

Katniss laughed. "See, she thinks you should write to him too."

"He has the right not to speak to me again" Peeta argued.

"I agree" Katniss conferred. "He doesn't have to answer you. But I doubt he has the means to make the first step. You can open that door for him and then he can choose whether or not he wants to walk through it."

She noticed how her husband remained solemn as he kissed her and returned to the chores. Her chest swelled as she watched him go. He took her whole heart with him. She loved him so much and she wanted to tell him. She wanted to show him. No one else ever had. He had constantly given his best only to be mistreated or abandoned.

She thought of her father. Steadfast in his desire to fight for a cause that he believed in. One that he thought would bring himself and his family a better and brighter future. He had been wrong. She admired him for his determination and resolve but he wasn't right about the war. It hadn't made them stronger. It hadn't served as a protection against the Yankees. It hadn't saved their way of life. It had killed them all. Katniss may have survived but she lost her innocence. The young lady who grew up on her family's plantation was dead.

She thought of Peeta. Other men had rushed to the cause to defend their honor, family, and homes. Gale thought that Peeta had shied away from that duty, and for a while she had too. But what Peeta had done was harder in some ways. He had given up his honor, family, and home. He didn't do it because he was frightened. She was sure that he was scared, just like any sane person would be. But she knew that Peeta would fight to the death for the people he loves. She let her hand fall to her belly. No, he had given them up because he wouldn't fight to keep those things from others.

She remembered Cecilia. She tried to imagine Thresh. She recalled all the times that her mammy had laid her down as a little girl when her mother was too busy. They deserved their rights too. Peeta just saw that more clearly than others. He had reasoned it out much earlier than she had.

Perhaps it was because he could identify with them. He had always been out of place in his household. Unwanted and abused. A second class citizen when compared to his brothers. The cruelty he endured should have snuffed out the good in him. But instead he allowed it to give him amazing empathy for others. His words to Gale about their Indian neighbors were adept. While others were narrow minded in their pursuit of the good, Peeta had a much larger vision. She just needed to prove to him that he was as deserving as everyone else.

That evening after dinner she asked him if he could haul water for her to bathe in. She could see the fatigue in his eyes as he agreed but he never let it alter his expression. She shook her head as he trudged toward the well. Like she didn't see how hard he was working every day. She knew he was nearly exhausted.

After Peeta had filled the tub with hot water, he returned to the barn to finish caring for the animals. "It's a good thing that I love her" he muttered to Smokey. He sighed. Sure she had just taken a bath yesterday but he shouldn't begrudge her the comfort. She was getting close and he knew that her muscles had to be hurting. Still, handling nearly all the chores was more difficult than he had remembered. He would be glad when she was able to help him again.

His thoughts drifted to their coming child and he smiled. Katniss had already made a cloth sling for them to carry her in. She would be a little farmer in no time. Since the bulk of the harvest work had already been completed he had been working on a wooden cradle and it was nearly finished. When the snows began in earnest they would have down time to get her adjusted and hopefully sleeping through the night before planting season began again.

He stopped outside of the cabin and braced himself. He hadn't been gone that long and he was positive that she was still in the tub. He wasn't sure he could handle seeing her right now since he needed to keep his hands off.

When he entered he found his wife sitting beside rather than in the tub. Her hair was brushed out and she was already in her nightgown. She had lit more candles than normal and the towel he had laid out was still sitting on the chair, undisturbed. He looked down at her and instantly hardened. Delly had given her the new gown to accommodate her expanding belly and so that it would be easier for her to feed the baby when the time came. The cut was low and he could see the tops of her swollen breasts.

"Did you already take your bath?" he asked.

"No" she said quietly. "It's for you."

She managed to get herself up, very awkwardly and she came over and began to undress him.

It caught him by surprise and he reached out and stilled her hands.

"You don't have to do that honey" he said. "You can take your bath. I'll wait. You should be relaxing, trying to rest to keep your strength up."

"I've rested plenty today" she said dismissively, resuming her earlier task of removing his shirt. When she reached the buttons that were tucked into his pants he turned away.

"I've got it Kat" he said. "You don't need to undress me. I can do it."

"Peeta" she said and her serious tone made him turn around. "Let me" she told him, moving her hands to the front of his belt. "I would have drawn your bath myself but I couldn't. Let me do what I can."

His expression was pained, reflecting the mixed emotions that lie within. He wanted to let her. He was dying for her love and affection. He yearned for her care and attention. But she was his wife and she was heavy with child. He should be the one caring for her.

When he was naked she brought his face down and kissed him. Her gentle smile made his heart skip a beat.

"Listen to me love" she whispered in his hear. "This isn't a chore. I'm going to enjoy it very much. This is what marriage is about. You always cater to me when you can. Tonight, I'm going to serve you."

It was such a sweet thing to say, but her tone was so sexy that his erection was standing at attention and pressing against her. He took a deep breath as she took his hand and led him over to the tub, only to let it out when he sank into the water. It was still warm and his aching muscles began to relax at the combination of heat and the feel of his wife's hands as she got to work rubbing his upper back and shoulders.

Peeta was in heaven as he lounged in the wash tub and let her touch him all over. She massaged everywhere she could reach, including his feet and injured leg. Her love and devotion clearly on display to be going to such lengths for his comfort at a time when it was clearly difficult for her to manage it. She left little kisses on his skin as she traveled from one part of his body to another, giving each one her full and complete attention.

Over time, her movements inevitably caused the water to splash and slosh over the side and by the time she grabbed the washcloth, parts of her nightgown and the tips of her hair were damp. He couldn't recall her ever being so lovely. She lathered his hair first and then his body.

"Thank you" he said quietly as she bathed him. She answered with a kiss to his temple. "I mean it" he asserted. "It means a lot to me when you take time to…" he couldn't finish. He didn't really know what he was trying to say.

"Touch you" she supplied. And her comment took him by surprise. He was both startled and deeply moved by how well she had come to know him. "Make you feel special" she added. He nodded, his head bowed. "You are special Peeta" she told him, lifting his chin.

Her eyes were a mix of emotions he had never seen before, but one of them was clearly passion. She hadn't just come to care for and respect him. It was much stronger than that. "A few weeks ago I was frightened" she admitted. "But I'm not anymore. I know that no matter what happens, I've already experienced the best this life has to offer."

He returned her gaze, his mind full of questions.

"You" she managed, her throat constricting with emotion. She took a deep and cleansing breath. "You are the best man I have ever known and even if something doesn't go right, it was worth it to belong to you and to make sure that this world gets another part of you to hold on to. Our baby will have you and there is no one I trust more to raise a child in truth and in love. No girl will have ever had such a father."

He knew what she was saying to him and he could hardly believe it. She had placed him on an even higher pedestal than the man she had idolized her entire life. He felt himself becoming stronger and more powerful under her gaze. Like he was being transformed into something other worldly. Katniss truly loved him above any other.

Her breath was coming faster as she watched the play of emotions on his face and her hand slipped below the water to stroke him. He was swollen and firm in her grasp and he closed his eyes as she worked him gently. After a few minutes he grunted in frustration. She was being too gentle. He needed her to grip him tighter, her pace needed to be faster. When he opened his eyes again he saw the mischievous look on her face. His feisty little Katniss was playing with him. He almost grabbed his own cock, the force of desire that hit him was so strong. He wanted to bend her over one of the pieces of furniture.

Instead, he settled for following her lead when she stood and allowing her to towel dry him in the candlelight. The top of her gown was wet and he could see a straining nipple through the white cotton. She was as turned on as he was.

When she had finished wiping his chest, she took her sweet time handling his privates. He had never realized how arousing being dried off could be. She couldn't bend over, so when she reached his legs she knelt before him. He still had a sizeable erection and when she continued, it bumped her on the cheek. He froze and she stopped the motion of her hands. She looked up to him and when their eyes met her decision was made.

She grabbed him and felt him pulse just once in her hand before she slipped the head into her mouth. She had been thinking about it for weeks, but hadn't had the courage to bring it up. He had put his mouth on her like this several times and it always brought her the most exquisite pleasure. She wanted him to experience it too. She also had the strangest yearning to fill herself with him in every way possible. She closed her eyes and took him in as far as she could. His cock was full and thick and scrapping the walls of her throat. It was so exciting and satisfying that she let out a moan of her own.

Peeta resisted the urge to let his eyes close. He was overwhelmed with the sensations that her mouth was creating but he had also never seen anything so erotic and he didn't want to miss a moment of it. He wasn't a saint. He had imagined her doing this since they married…ok, since he had first seen her on the prairie. He knew that it would feel good and that her mouth would be warm. He had never conjured anything even remotely as amazing as the heat in her as she moaned all over his dick.

She tried to take him deeper and gagged a bit and he pulled her back in concern. She coughed and he saw a moment of insecurity as she glanced up at him. He could read her thoughts as they had once been his own. I did something wrong. I won't measure up. I've been a disappointment.

"You're fucking perfect Kat" he told her as he slipped his fingers into the hair at the back of her head and pulled her to him again. Her confidence returned and she gripped the base in her palm and experimented with her lips once again. She discovered that he liked to have the underside licked and that his head was sensitive when she sucked on it. His grunts and swearing made her feel sexy and powerful. She might be the one on her knees, but she was controlling this situation and giving what she wanted him to have.

His thrusting was becoming erratic and she knew that he would cum soon. His grip on her hair tightened just as she wondered what his balls would taste like. He would welcome it. There was no part of himself that he didn't want her to nourish. It would have to wait until next time she determined as he muttered her name along with a curse.

This can't be happening. That was all he could think as he watched the scene that played out before him. No woman could ever love him like this. His own mother wished that he had never been born. But there she was. This strong and gorgeous woman was submitting herself to him in the most base and sexual way. She was servicing him on her knees when she was 9 months pregnant and she was loving every minute of it.

He intended to pull out when it was time. He didn't expect her to take it into her mouth, although he had to admit that the idea appealed to him. But as he drew close she saw her pull the top of her gown to her waist. Her hands moved to her breasts and she cupped and fondled herself. Her fingertips found her nipples and she tugged on them. Her corresponding moans vibrated his cock and he exploded inside of her.

Katniss dropped her aching breasts and gripped him as she sucked his quivering member. If it was anything like what he had done to her in the field, he was probably experiencing the best orgasm of his life and she wanted it to last as long as possible. His grip on her hair tightened to the point of pain and she felt even more moisture flood drawers.

Peeta watched in amazement as she sat back and lowered herself to the wooden floor. A dribble of his semen hung at the corner of her mouth and she snatched it away with a finger and began to rub it on her swollen clit. This was the best night of his life.

He stared at her unabashedly as she used that single finger to build her excitement. She rubbed the tiny bud with expert precision. She had done this before. Many times. He knew that she was innocent before their first time together, even of herself. This skill had been developed recently. She read his thoughts and answered them.

"I can't help it" she squeaked, barely capable of speech. "I can't stop thinking about you" she confessed. "About the things we do together." The admission made Peeta feel 10 feet tall and as she achieved her climax she reached for his hand and laced their fingers together. Her excitement and pleasure belonged to him and his to her.

When Delly arrived two days later, Katniss was already in labor. Peeta met her at the door and she could see in in face that things were already underway.

"Delly" Katniss called from a rocking chair that Peeta had brought from Haymitch's abandoned cabin. "The pains have started. My baby is coming."

She was more excited than frightened and she continued to rock and rub her belly.

"How far apart are they?" Delly asked in concern.

"About every 10 minutes" Katniss answered and Delly let out a breath. No wonder the younger woman was so calm. They had some time, the real show hadn't even started. Things progressed well through the afternoon and in a couple of hours she had Katniss in a nightgown and in bed where she belonged. The mother to be was in good spirits and was tolerating the pain very well despite the fact that she was tiring.

Peeta was a bit of a wreck though. He wouldn't stop pacing and Delly thought at one point that he would bite clean through his knuckle. She tried to shoo him outside but he would only agree to leave for a short time while he tended the animals. He absolutely insisted that he would be present to hold his wife's hand at the birth. "The two most important people in my universe are in this room" he announced. "There is no way that I am leaving."

Delly nodded and continued to count the time between contractions. They were definitely getting close enough to have her start pushing. She instructed Peeta to stay with Katniss and hold her hand.

"Katniss honey, you are doing great" she encouraged. "You are fully dilated and coming along fine so I want to have you to start bearing down when those contractions come."

Katniss nodded and did her best not to cry. She was in so much pain and getting more and more tired by the minute. When the wave of pain returned once again Delly urged her to push. She clung to Peeta's hand and did the best that she could. She needed to get her baby out. When the contraction ended she collapsed back onto the bed and Peeta came and wiped her face with a damp cloth. He was doing his best to keep her comfortable but she was completely soaked with sweat.

The cycle of pain and effort continued for what felt like hours to Katniss but could have only been one or two at the most. It was still light outside. She could see the strain that it was taking on her friend and her husband too. They were hungry, weary, and worried.

When she had endured the most grueling contraction yet Delly finally announced that the baby had crowned. Katniss managed to laugh through her agony. It was almost time. How on earth had she ever done this alone? She thought of that last time and the child she had lost as she bit back her anguish and pushed and strained through the next several minutes. It gave her the strength she needed to deliver. She would hold this baby tonight, safe and sound.

Peeta couldn't stand to watch his wife endure any more pain. She was hurting so badly and there was nothing he could do to protect her. No remedy or source of comfort. All he could do was stand there and pray for God to keep her strong. She had his hand in a vice grip but that was a good sign. She still had the energy and stamina to exert that kind of pressure.

After his carriage accident he had waited for days to see if they were going to be able to save his leg. He had thought at the time that nothing could ever be more terrifying and stressful than that. He was wrong. It was nothing compared to the moments of silence that passed after Delly announced that the baby was coming. Nothing…nothing and then…a piercing cry.

"It's a girl" Delly called in delight. "A beautiful baby girl."

Katniss closed her eyes and wept in relief. Should could feel Peeta's head come to rest on hers and she felt him trembling. He was crying too. Delly worked quickly to cut the cord and then wrapped the baby for warmth and handed her to Peeta so that they could have a look at their child while she delivered the afterbirth.

Peeta placed the little bundle on his wife's chest and they stared at her in wonder. Her crying had died down to persistent mewls and her tiny fists were clenched. Katniss couldn't believe how perfect and strong she was. They tried to see what color her eyes were but she refused to open them. Peeta took one good look at her dark mat of hair, miniature scowl and stubborn attitude and bursting out laughing. Katniss gave him a sideways look and he laughed all the harder.

"I was right" he announced. "She is a little Kitty Kat."

Katniss just shook her head and held her baby closer. At least she tried to. It was getting more and more difficult for her to support her meager weight. In fact, it was all she could do to keep her eyes open. Peeta saw her waning state and took the baby back again. Katniss looked as though she might faint.

"Something is wrong" Peeta called to Delly. "She's getting woozy…she's not doing well."

Delly let out a breath. "She's lost some blood" she confirmed. Peeta thought that he might lose consciousness as well.

"But not much more than usual" she continued. "I need to get her stitched up and then we need to get some fluids into her. Peeta, I want you to stay up there with her and hold the baby so Mama can see her. Katniss, I need you to stay awake alright? Stay with us and just focus on that little lady you just brought into the world."

Katniss did her best to stay awake and concentrate on Peeta and the baby. What Delly was doing was painful but she knew that it was necessary too. She could also see the tremble in Peeta's normally steady hand. She was his love and she knew that he feared for her. She gritted her teeth. She would be alright, she had everything in the world to fight for and live for now.

By the next day she was still extremely sore and tired but she was gaining strength. Thanks to the two most wonderful people ever, she was clean, fed, dressed, and nursing her ever eager newborn baby.

"What are we going to call her?" Peeta asked from his seat nearby. He was immensely relieved at how quickly his wife was recovering. She was so beautiful sitting at the head of their bed feeding their child. Motherhood agreed with her.

She stroked the baby's cheek as she answered. "The violets were lovely this year. So much a part of the beauty of the prairie. I want to name her for something in Kansas. Something in the here and now."

Peeta looked thoughtful. "Violet" he repeated. "Very small and yet it brings so much color and vibrance to the landscape. That's a great name for our daughter." He came and sat at the foot of the bed. "You were incredible yesterday" he told her. "The way you powered through all of the pain and had our baby. It was just very humbling to be there and see it. It also made me think of everything you must have gone through the last time and how you were all alone…and then to lose him…I just can't imagine."

He was surprised by the strength of her tone when she answered him. "I wasn't alone. I had the memory of my family with me. They were great people and who loved me and what they gave me when I was young helped sustain me through that difficult time. That's why I want to name my first child for them. I'm going to name him Everdeen." She reached out and took his hand. "Everdeen Mellark."

"You will let me have him too?" Peeta questioned.

"Yes" she answered. "Everything I am and have is yours: past, present and future. And now that he has a proper name and family, I think I can feel better about letting him be laid to rest…along with Prim and my folks."

A few tears streamed down her face. "I need to let them go Peeta" she managed. "I need to let them go so that I can have all of my strength to hold on to you and Violet."

He noticed that his hand was resting on his injured leg. Even after everything they had been through and all of her confessions and acts of love, he was still self-conscious about it. He lifted his arm so that he could cup her cheek. He had finally found what he had been looking for when he had headed west. The faithfulness and devotion of a true family. Memories of his childhood still made him doubt it sometimes. He had things he was prepared to let go of as well. Katniss was right. They had each other and they were stepping out of the shadows of the past and running head long into everything they could have together. Neither could have imagined just a short time ago the joys that awaited them in this little cabin out on the prairie.