Author's note: Two chapters in one day? I haven't done this in a while! Enjoy! (I'm on Tumblr as booksrockmyface if you're interested)
Happy reading!
Chapter Six
"I don't want to go, Mama!" Caleb whined as Katniss pushed his shoes on his feet.
"We have to. And we need to be out the door a little earlier this morning because we have to pick up Callie." She picked up her things by the door and waved him on. "Please, baby, we gotta go."
He heaved a dramatic sigh and followed her out the door. Katniss always strove for punctuality. In her pre-Caleb life, she was always at least ten minutes early to everything. Once she had another human to get ready, she was lucky if she was two minutes early anywhere. But she was never late if she could help it. Definitely always on time at the very least.
She pulled into the bakery fifteen minutes before she was meant to be at the camp to open everything up. She lifted Caleb out of the back seat and hauled him inside. Callie made her way through the crowd and greeted them.
"Sucks that Finnick is still sick." She said.
"Yeah." Katniss said. "So where's your dad so he knows I have you."
"I'm right here." Peeta said as he made his way over. He held out a plate of donuts. "Want one? First one's free."
Caleb reached out his hand and then stopped. He asked, "Mama, can I have one?"
"If Peeta is offering it, you can. Thank you." She picked one after Caleb chose his. "I really liked those cheese things Finnick brought the other day. I'm not big on sweets." She took a bite. "But these are delicious all the same."
"The cheese buns are a best-seller."
"I can see why." She smiled. "We have to go. I'm sorry. I have to open up the buildings."
"No, I understand." He wrapped an arm around Callie's shoulders. "Make sure you thank Katniss."
Callie wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. "Love you, Dad."
"Love you, Cal." He kissed the top of her head.
"I should be back around five-thirty. That's when we close it all up."
He nodded. "Sounds good. Have a good day."
"You too." Katniss smiled.
"Thank you for doing this, Katniss." He slipped another donut to Caleb as they all started to walk away.
The boy beamed at him and took a large bite.
"No problem." Katniss smiled at him. "Thank you, Peeta."
"You're very welcome."
Katniss and the kids loaded into the car and made it to the camp just as Gale pulled in. Callie and Caleb helped them set up as much as possible, but there wasn't a whole lot they could do. When the counselors and other campers started arriving, they greeted their new friends. Caleb was like the little brother to almost everyone. They didn't mind having him around most of the time. Katniss figured part of that was also that he was the co-owner's son, but he was such a sweet kid that there were few people that didn't like him for just being Caleb.
"Well, hello." A smooth male voice said from behind her as she watched the crowd swallow her son.
She turned and froze. "Cato."
Her ex-husband smiled and nodded. "One and the same. How are things?" He looked over her shoulder. "So where is Caleb?"
"Why are you here?" Katniss made discreet eye contact with Gale who moved away swiftly. She saw him scoop Caleb up and leave out the back as she listened to Cato grumble about not seeing his son.
"So where is he? I know he's here."
"You can't be here. Not just to see Caleb, but to even be this close to me is a violation of a court order."
"Calm your tits, all right? I'm dropping off my stepson for the camp. His dad enrolled him last week, but my wife and I have him for the rest of the summer. When he said it was your camp…" He gave her the smile she fell in love with and very quickly had started hating. "Well, I thought I'd take a chance."
"From now on, drop him off at the gate. If you don't, I will call the cops and you will be arrested." She stared him down. He didn't move right away. She turned and walked to a table. She picked up her bow and an arrow and shot it into the bullseye with only a fraction of a moment to aim. She turned back to Cato. "Want to try me?"
He laughed and put up his hands. "Just remember that you never took away my rights when you should have. A protective order isn't a guarantee." He walked away, clapping a young boy on the shoulder as he went.
"Who was that guy?" Rue asked.
"Caleb's dad. If you ever see him out of a car, call the cops immediately."
The young woman nodded.
"And never let Caleb go with him or anywhere with him. Pass that on."
"You got it." Rue walked off.
Katniss called everyone's attention and asked them to all gather into their groups to start the day. She found Gale and Caleb in the cafeteria. They were each drinking from a cartoon of chocolate milk and Gale was telling jokes that made Caleb spew his milk everywhere.
"Who's ready to start archery?" She asked.
"Me!" Caleb jumped up and met her near the door.
Gale threw away their cartons and walked with them to the range. "Everything okay?"
"He's Alexander Smithson's stepfather. I told him he had to drop his stepson off at the gate and then leave. And I told Rue he wasn't aloud outside of his car or she needed to call the police. And that Caleb was never supposed to be around him."
Gale wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed briefly before letting go. "We'll keep an eye on him."
"And I need a favor. Can you handle these guys for a bit? I need to call a lawyer."
"Why?"
"I never completely stripped his rights, remember? I was just given full custody. He always refused to sign them over and I didn't think I could handle the stress of the hearing. But I can now. And I need my son to be mine completely." She watched Caleb go inside the building. "I thought he'd just stay away. He didn't want anything to do with him, but he refused say he wasn't Caleb's father."
"You know we would have helped you, Catnip."
She smiled. "I know. But Prim was still in high school and Mom was…Mom. And I had an infant and a fledgling career as an archery coach. There were more important things. And we had the protective order."
Gale nodded. "Do what you have to do. I have this."
"Thanks." Katniss said gratefully.
"And I'll keep an eye on Caleb." He promised as he went inside.
Katniss called the lawyer who handled her divorce and explained the situation. He said he remembered her and asked her to come in for a meeting that afternoon. She finished her morning and slipped off after sending Caleb with Rue for the afternoon hike.
Plutarch shook her hand and asked her to take a seat. "So you are here for parental rights removal?"
"Yes." Katniss said as she settled in.
"I took out your file. I remember we discussed this, but you said you knew he would fight it. So we petitioned for sole custody. You got it. He was supposed to pay child support. Has he?"
"Never."
He nodded. "And you said today he violated the protection order." He looked at her over the top of a pair of reading glasses. "He could be arrested for that right now if you're scared for yourself or your son."
She shook her head. "I know my son is fine and I am, too."
"Then we will ignore that one as long as you're sure."
She nodded.
"All right, I have some paperwork you need to fill out for the termination of rights. Once we have these filled out and filed with the court, we can send them on to him and get this ball rolling."
"Thank you." She filled out the papers while he helped explain them. She left a short time later to let her lawyer handle the rest with a promise to call when he had it all sorted out.
Caleb ran to her when she walked into the range and threw his arms around her. "Uncle Gale said you were gone somewhere important, but I was worried."
She dropped to her knees. "Why were you worried?"
"Because of that man this morning. He was smiling a lot, but you were mad and scared. And his eyes weren't very nice."
She smoothed his hair down and kissed his forehead before she pulled him into her arms. "He's not supposed to be here. If you ever see him and he wants to talk to you, find me or Uncle Gale or Finnick or anybody else. He's not a nice man."
He looked in her face and whispered, "Is he my dad?"
Katniss nodded. "Yeah. He is."
Caleb looked down. "I want a dad who's nice."
"Well, you have Uncle Gale and Finnick. They are both really cool, nice guys who like you and like spending time with you and like helping you with things. So you don't need a dad at all. You have a mom and you have them and that's all that matters. Okay?"
He nodded and wrapped his arms around her neck.
She stood and he wrapped his legs around her like a monkey as she walked toward her students that Gale was addressing along with his. All these kids were on a similar level, so it wasn't difficult. Katniss sat Caleb down and handed him his bow and a set of arrows.
"Show us all what you got, kiddo." She said as she walked a few more feet to see how her students were doing.
Caleb grumbled and tried hard for a while. None of his arrows even made it close to the target for a long time. Finally, one hit and stuck on the outer edge. The next three landed in various places all over the target, but they stayed too.
Katniss handed him a bottle of water and rubbed his shoulders and wrists. "You did a good job, baby. No more for today, okay?"
He nodded and sipped his water. "I like Peeta." He said suddenly.
Katniss smiled. "Yeah? He was really nice to give you those donuts today."
"Do you think he'll let me have some more when we bring Callie back?"
"We'll just have to see. But don't ask, okay?" She warned.
"Okay. But I hope so." He smiled.
Caleb's smile warmed Katniss's heart. It was so much like her father's and Prim's. It connected three generations of Everdeens. She kissed his forehead and then walked over to give the students one last set of instructions before she sent them on their way.
Parents started arriving to pick up their kids. Katniss kept herself and Caleb inside the range. She told him she needed his help to put everything away and clean up. He liked feeling useful, so he didn't argue.
Callie came in when most of the rest were gone and helped a little, too. "I hope Finn is okay tomorrow."
"Me too." Katniss said. "It's hard when your best friend isn't around."
The girl nodded. "Has Gale been your best friend all your life?"
"Most of it. We met when I was twelve and he was fourteen. Our dads worked together and were pretty good friends."
"My dad and Finnick have been friends since high school."
"Is that so?"
She nodded. "Dad was friends with Annie first. Her and my mom grew up together. And then dad started dating mom. And Annie dated Finnick before he went off to college. Annie graduated the year before my mom and dad were supposed to."
Katniss caught the "supposed to," but wasn't sure how to handle that. She just nodded. "Yeah?"
Callie nodded. "My mom got sick after I was born. And she died. Dad quit school to take care of me and help in the bakery with his dad, but my grandpa made him take the GED course when I was a little bigger."
"That's good. I bet he wants you to finish school since he didn't."
"Yeah, he does. And then I want to work in the bakery with him."
Katniss smiled. "That sounds great." She scratched Caleb's head as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "You two ready to go?"
"Yes." Caleb said. He asked, "Callie, will your daddy give us more donuts?"
"Caleb!" Katniss scolded.
"You said not to ask Peeta. You didn't say not to ask Callie." He said very seriously.
Callie laughed. "If there are no donuts left, I think we can at least get cookies."
"Okay, let's go!" He grabbed her hand and dragged her to the door. "Are there snickerdoodles?"
"There might be."
"And chocolate chip?"
"Always."
"What about white chocolate macnadamania nuts?"
"Macadamia nuts." Katniss corrected as she locked the door.
"That's what I said. Macnadamania nuts. Callie, are there any?"
Callie nodded. "Usually."
"I want all of them!"
Katniss tickled the back of his neck. "Don't demand all the cookies. If you are offered one, you take one and that's it."
"Yes, Mama." Caleb said. "But, Callie, can I have a bunch."
"That's up to my dad." She said as she got in the car.
At the bakery, Caleb threw himself out of the car and all but dragged Callie into the store with Katniss on their heels. He pressed his face to the glass and inhaled. "They all smell so good."
Peeta chuckled and leaned down so he could see through the other side. "Want one?"
"Please? Mama said if you offered I could have one." He pointed. "I want that one right there with all the chocolate chips."
Peeta chuckled and took out the one he pointed to and got another out. He sat them on top of the counter and watched as the kids each took one. "And for Miss Everdeen." He took out a cheese bun and walked around the counter to hand it to her.
"How much do I owe you?" She asked.
"It's payment for being a taxi service. Finnick said he's feeling lots better today."
Katniss nodded and swallowed a bite of cheese bun. "Yeah, and I am glad. Hey, can we talk cake? Do you have time?"
"Sure." He plucked a clipboard off a hook and waved them to a table in the back.
"So, I'm kind of thinking cupcakes. Kids like cupcakes and that also cuts down on someone having to stand around cutting a cake instead of enjoying their afternoon. And we can do different flavors more easily."
"Cupcakes can work." He made a note. "Callie, no more cookies after that. It's almost time for supper."
She froze. "Do you have eyes in the back of your head for real?"
He turned. "You and Caleb aren't nearly as quiet as you think you are." He smiled. "And you should probably ask Katniss before you give her son another cookie."
"Mama?" Caleb pleaded.
"Just one more." Katniss said.
Both let out a triumphant sound and picked their treats and then walked toward their parents. Katniss gathered Caleb onto her lap and Peeta moved over to accommodate Callie on the bench beside him.
"Do you have any design ideas?" Peeta asked after he wrote several notes on flavors.
"Maybe they can be arranged like a target." Callie suggested.
Katniss smiled. "That's a very good idea."
Peeta made a note. "Okay, I think we can do that. When do you need them?"
"The party is August first. It's a Saturday. We're done on the thirty-first. That gives families time for vacations and to settle into their routines a bit before school."
Peeta nodded. "Good, an extra pair of hands in the bakery." He chuckled.
"I'm going to sleep in." Callie said.
"You are?" He put his hand over his heart in feigned shock. "No way!"
She laughed and nudged his shoulder. "Shut up, Dad."
Peeta wrapped his arm around her shoulders and asked Katniss, "Anything else you can think of for this?"
"We have a couple kids with food allergies. Can you accommodate that?"
"Depends on what it is. We have nuts in the shop, so if the allergy is severe, it could do harm. But I can make eggless cakes and gluten free and we can avoid the nuts as much as possible otherwise."
She nodded. "The nut allergies aren't too bad. We've done peanut butter sandwiches for the kids and had alternates for the ones with allergies and they had no problems. It's just eating nuts that are dangerous."
"Okay, good."
"And there's one with a gluten intolerance and another that has an egg allergy, but his parents say it's different when they are in a cake. But if you can make a few eggless as an option, it would be much appreciated."
He made a few notes. "Okay, how about chocolate and vanilla cakes and I can alternate vanilla and strawberry frosting on them, but arrange them on the platter so they make a bullseye."
"That sounds really awesome." She gave him the number of kids and counselors.
"Then I'll multiply that by three for two guests per person, so there will be plenty." He made another note.
"That's a lot of cupcakes." Callie said as she looked over the paper.
"Yep. And you're going to stay up late that night helping me finish decorating them." He winked.
"Katniss says I need my rest for optimum archery results."
Peeta sighed. "Fine. I'll frost them all myself."
Katniss and Caleb laughed at the exchange. Katniss said, "You two have a lot of fun, don't you?"
Callie nodded. "My dad's the coolest. Followed closely by Finnick."
"My mama is cool." Caleb said.
"Oh, yes. Really cool." Callie turned to her father. "Daddy, she can shoot an arrow with just barely aiming."
Katniss shrugged. "My dad always taught me that if you overthink it, you miss every time. Just look, aim, let go."
Peeta watched her a moment and then nodded. "Yeah, that's a good lesson."
Katniss looked at her watch. "I promised Aunt Prim we'd be there for dinner tonight." She sat Caleb on the floor and scooted out of the booth.
Callie and Peeta followed. Peeta held out his hand. "Thank you again for picking up Callie and bringing her back. I do appreciate it."
She shook his hand. "Not a problem. And I can't wait for those cupcakes."
Peeta followed them to the door and then locked up behind her.
Callie started singing, "Peeta and Katniss sittin' in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
Peeta put her in a headlock and rubbed his knuckles into her scalp as she laughed. He let her go and started turning out lights. "Don't project your hopes on me, Cal."
"Do you like her?"
"She's nice. She's your archery coach. She's a friend. That's all."
Callie sighed. "You're no fun, Dad."
"I'm loads of fun. But I'm also not going to date Katniss."
"Is she not your type?" she persisted.
"My type is not dating anyone right now, sweetie. I've got too much on my plate. We've talked about that. Can you please drop it?"
She nodded. "Okay."
He sighed. "Look, if you really want me to date, I'll join a dating site or something, but Katniss isn't an option."
"Why?" She demanded.
"Because she just is." He snapped. "Okay? I don't want to hear you say anything else."
"Geez. Fine." She sulked out of the shop and into the back.
Peeta finished closing. He did feel a bit of a pull to Katniss, but pushed it away. The last time he ever opened his heart to someone, she died. He wasn't going to even attempt that for himself again or his daughter.