I wake up wrapped in Peeta's arms still on the roof. Townspeople are out and about starring at Peeta and my embrace. I laugh and shake Peeta awake, "Peeta, I think we have some company."

He opens his eyes and looks down at the laughing kids, sighs and waves. All the little ones from below dash around giggling. "Katniss, why don't you want a kid? The Games are over, we will protect them together."

I huff, he's right. But, I don't think I'm ready the protect another child. When I was taking care of Prim and protected her at the Reaping the result was the Capitol hating me. But their is no overpowering Capitol anymore. I think to myself. Why was making this choice so hard now? "I'll think about it Peeta. It looks about 6am. I'm sure we can go home and make some breakfast before we have to open the bakery again." Peeta nods and he takes my hand, leading us out of the bakery and down the road.

I can't seem to concentrate on anything. My thoughts bouncing from Peeta to Prim to Rue to my mother to Madge to Finnick to people that I haven't thought about for weeks and months. I just poke around the eggs Peeta made. He takes a seat on the arm of my chair in silence. I didn't notice we have gotten mail until Peeta plops it on the table and walks away quickly.

And I understand why.

On the envelope, the return address belongs to Gale.

I take the envelope in my hands. It smells of Gale, of the forest, of my old best friend. I take a deep breath while fumbling to open it because I'm trembling. Why now? What has happened? Where is Peeta when I need him? No Katniss, you are strong enough. You can do it.

The first two words kill me: Hey Katniss. Katniss, not Catnip. I feel weaker than ever, being hurt by such a small thing. I now what my weakness is: Memories.

Anyway, the letter goes on:

Hey Katniss,

I live in 2 now, I see your mother around sometimes.

I miss you, but I have a good life here I guess. No unfair Capitol, things finally go my way.

I can yell when I want, hunt when I want, love who I want.

Speaking of love, I'm married. Sorry for not inviting you to the wedding, only so many people were around to show up. Her name is Bowly Japling. She's gorgeous and funny, she can even hunt. How's Loverboy? Still hanging on to him?

Whatever, I'm writing this letter because I need a godmother for my coming son.

Write back,or call at 304-635-734D.

Gale.

I reread the letter, thinking harder and harder about every sentence.

I live in 2 now, I see your mother around sometimes. That's great Gale. Why are you mentioning her?

I miss you, but I have a good life here I guess. You're thinking about me? Why? And a good life you guess?

No Capitol, things finally go my way. Good for you Gale.

I can yell when I want, things probably about the old overpowering Capitol.

Hunt when I want, I miss hunting with you sometimes.

Love who I want. Ouch, is that a dig about the star-crossed lovers from District 12?

Speaking of love, I'm married. Thanks for writing a letter to me about THAT Gale.

Her name is Bowly Japling. Bowly? Seems really close to bow and arrow.

She's gorgeous and funny, she can even hunt. Seems like you found the perfect replacement of me.

How's Loverboy? Peeta, is fine.

Still hanging on to him? Been loving him more lately. We depend on each other. He needs me, I need him. I am not hanging on, I'm buckled in for the ride.

Whatever, I'm writing this letter because I need a godmother for my coming son. So you are married and your wife is pregnant already. How much time has passed for this to happen? And a godmother for your coming son? I wasn't invited to your wedding. I invited you to our wedding and you said you loved it. I don't know your wife. You basically killed my sister. Why is this what you want from me after all these days?

Write back, or call at 304-653-734D. I understand that.

Gale. Do you understand how screwed up this letter is? Why haven't you talked to me? Told me you were married? Gale, I don't know you anymore.

This one word is bouncing around my head: Married. That one word hurts the most. How come you didn't invite or even tell me about it Gale? You were Peeta's best man and gave me your blessing. We danced and laughed, but you understood I love Peeta. Why didn't you tell me?

I'm scared for a second when I realize I'm talking to Gale in my head. I get up and walk to the phone. Just in time to see Peeta closing the front door heading off to the bakery. I dial Gale's number. After about two rings a woman picks up.

"Hello? Hawthorne residence. Bowly speaking!" This girl is jubliant, oozing happy, like Effie Trinket. Gale would hate her, which confuses me a lot.

"Uh... Hi Bowly," I say Bowly like it's a curse, "This is Katniss."

"Oh, Katniss, Katniss! GALE, HONEY I BELIEVE THE PHONE IS FOR YOU!" Bowly shouts into the phone. Gale must've talked about me a lot because Bowly seems quite fine when she hears the name Katniss. I expected her to feel alien and hurt. In the background, through the phone, I hear Gale thumping done the stairs rapidly. He says to Bowly, "Thanks hun, I got it from here." Then clacks from her heals stampede away.

"Yes Katniss?" Gale says casually. It makes me angry.

"How was your WEDDING?" I respond very sarcastically.

"It was great Katniss. Too bad you weren't invited." He says it like a snake, like President Snow, I shudder at the remention of his name.

"Damn you Gale. You are acting very childish. 'Too bad you weren't invited.' What is that supposed to mean?" I taunt back.

"Well, I wanted you at the wedding. But, my wife said no way. She said it was payback for her not being invited to your wedding." He says.

"Gale, I had no idea you even had a girlfriend. We haven't spoken. You haven't written. It's like you don't care." I say.

He pauses, "Do you know how immature we sound right now? Fighting about what happened in the past. Get over it Katniss. I gave you my reason and that is final. Anything you wish to say now?"

"If your deary wife, Bowly, who sounds just like Effie Trinket-"

"It's not her fault she was born in the Capitol." He yells.

Gale married a woman from the Capitol. That is a huge twist in his story. So unlike him. "A woman from the Capitol? Why? That is totally not something I would expect from you." There is a long silence, "Gale?"

"Catnip," Ah, my good old nickname. "I only married her because she reminded me of you. She has gray eyes that reflect the greens of the forest. She only laughs when she is with me. She is gorgeous. I didn't invite you to the wedding because I thought you would figure that out. I only love her-" His voice is almost at a whisper now, "because she reminds me of you. I want you my child's godmother because I want a piece of you with me at all times. I hope you understand that. I don't love you like I love her though. I don't love you but I always will. Goodbye Katniss." And he hangs up. Leaving me with that. I curse and find water on my face. I look up looking for a leak in the roof and find out I'm being stupid because I'm crying. I need Peeta. I feel lonely and weak.

I dial the bakery's number.

"Hello? Mellark Bakery. Visi speaking." Visi is an 18 year old who works at Peeta's bakery.

"Visi, I need Peeta on the phone now. It's Katniss." I try to say, holding back tears.

In less than 3 seconds Peeta is on the phone. I'm not afraid to let the tears pour down my face now, "I need you home. I know you're at work-"

Peeta says quickly, knowing I am hurt, "I'm coming home. Stay put, don't hurt yourself farther." In the background he yells for Visi to take control of the bakery for now and he hangs up.

I slide down the wall, crying heavily. Peeta is going to ask why I am crying. I don't even know myself. Will bringing up Gale's love for me ruin Peeta's love for me? Will Peeta pull away, untrustingly and close me out? No, he won't, he said 'Real.' When I asked him if he'd stay through everything with me. My face is drenched in tears. I am weak, I hate that. Last night I was fearless and now that feeling is completely gone. I hate this feeling. I depend on Peeta to change it.

Soon enough, Peeta comes bursting through the door. Confusion has swept his face. He finds me in the corner of the kitchen, drowning myself in tears. He comes up, scoops me up and carries me upstairs. He plops me down onto our bed and dresses me in new clothes, more comfortable ones. Then he holds me like I am a baby and plays with my hair. He finally speaks, "Darling, I'm not sure of what happened. But, I do know it is something about Gale. First, I am sorry I wasn't here when you read the letter. I should've known."

"Peeta, it's not your fault you left. You had to work and you have a grudge against Gale. I understand why you reacted the way you did." I say. Peeta always puts the bad things on him. Like it's his fault.

"Okay, we don't need to talk about what happened unless you want to Katniss." Peeta says, very nicely. I feel like I am wrapped in my father's warm, reassuring arms.

"Not right now Peeta." I want to spend the rest of the day wrapped in Peeta's arms like this.

Eventually, I do fall asleep, fairly happy knowing all the things that happened. I have my head on Peeta's chest, just close enough to hear the sound of his heart beating. His heart does not block out the painful knocking at the door. The loud, rapid knocking. I scurry downstairs from adrenaline, waking Peeta up in the process. I open the door to see my mother.