Author's note: Wow, the third chapter this weekend! I think this is my favorite chapter so far in all this. I've got a lot of plans! So keep your eyes out for all the cool stuff. And I think I'll write a little drabble for Tumblr of a Gale/Prim thing that's hinted at in this chapter. So if you follow booksrockmyface, you'll probably see that.

Thank you so much for reading, favoriting, following, and reviewing!

Happy reading!

Chapter Seven

Callie sat down on the sofa in the Odair home beside Finn. "I'm ready to kick your butt at Mario Kart."

Finn chuckled. "You're going down."

Peeta ruffled her hair. "Be nice."

She looked up. "I'll try."

He chuckled and kissed the top of Callie's head.

The doorbell rang and the last of the company arrived. Caleb stood with his backpack on and watched the two older kids play their video game. Katniss combed her fingers through her son's hair as she talked with Annie and Rue.

Peeta kneeled in front of him. "Hi, Caleb."

"Hi, Peeta." He said with a smile.

"I'm sure Callie and Fill will let you sit with them if you want." He said.

"Maybe." He looked up at his mother and she gave him an encouraging smile.

"Go on." Katniss said. "You have all your stuff."

He nodded and wandered off. Peeta stood.

Rue said, "I have everyone's numbers. I'll keep you all posted. Have a fun, kid-free evening."

Katniss said, "If he wants to call, let him call. But don't let it happen every five minutes because he gets a little worried sometimes. But if you distract him with popcorn and a little candy, he should be fine."

Rue laughed and asked, "Does he have a bedtime you want me to follow?"

Katniss shook her head. "Tomorrow's Sunday. Maybe if he stays up late, I can sleep past eight."

Everyone chuckled. "Good luck with that one." Finnick said.

Annie slapped his arm. "You never got up with Finn."

"I did. Once or twice."

"And I did every other day." She smiled kindly.

Finnick shrugged. "Peeta, help me out, man."

Peeta chuckled. "I had full-time on my own. No sympathy from me." He looked over his shoulder as Caleb and Finn both cheered and Callie groaned in frustration.

"You suck." Callie said.

"Don't hate the player, hate the game." Caleb said.

"Hey, Caleb, be nice." Katniss scolded.

"Let's get going." Gale said. "Rue can handle these three."

"Are you sure?" Katniss asked.

Rue looked over the three kids on the couch. She nodded. "Yeah, if I can handle a whole camp of kids, I think these three will be a piece of cake."

Katniss nodded. She walked over to couch and kneeled in front of Caleb. "Listen to Rue. Be respectful. Don't annoy Callie and Finn."

"Okay, Mama. I'll miss you." He hugged her.

"I'll miss you, too, baby. But you'll be okay. I'll be back in just a few hours and we'll go home." She kissed his cheek and stood.

"Goodbye, Callie." Peeta said a few feet away.

"Bye, Dad." She said without looking up.

Finn mumbled his goodbyes and his parents shook their heads. They left and piled into Finnick's SUV. It was the largest and they could all fit comfortably. Annie slipped her hand into Finnick's as he drove. Katniss looked over her shoulder to see Prim had moved to the center of the back seat and curled into Gale's side.

She looked to over to Peeta who smiled awkwardly.

He said, "So how are things at camp?"

"Going really well. Callie has really gotten better. She almost got a bulls-eye yesterday."

"She told me. She asked me if I could buy her a bow and arrows." He chuckled. "I told her it would have to wait until I see her at the end-of-summer showcase and see if she still likes it."

"Well, if you do think she'll keep up with it, I do coaching the rest of the year." She suggested.

He nodded. "I think she'll like that. As long as she keeps up with it."

"Yeah."

There was silence between them. Prim giggled in the back seat as Gale mumbled something in her ear. Up front, Annie complained to her husband that the baby was making her feel off. He asked if she wanted to go back home and she shook her head.

"I'll be okay once I eat. Baby's just hungry." She said.

Peeta asked Katniss, "What about Caleb, how's he doing?"

"Huh?" She smiled. "Oh, he's doing really well. The arrows stick more often now. He's very proud of himself."

"As he should be."

"I'm proud of him, too. He's my world." She smiled and looked away awkwardly.

Peeta watched her and was struck by her beauty in that moment. He took a deep breath and looked away himself.

Prim cleared her throat. "So, Peeta, Posey has been telling us all about the bakery."

He turned. "Yeah, she's learning the ropes. Kinda sad it's only for the summer."

Gale nodded. "She's pretty bummed, too. But school takes up a ton of time. She's on the dance team and in the band and I think she's going to squeeze in drama club this year."

"I keep telling her to slow down, but she won't listen." Prim said.

Katniss chuckled. "This from the girl who was in science club, Spanish club, 4-H, and still somehow volunteered at the hospital at least three days a week all through high school."

Prim chuckled. "I'm talking from experience. You remember how dead I was."

"I do."

Finnick stopped the car and put it in park. He kissed Annie's hand and got out to run to the other side to open her door as the rest piled out into the parking lot. Finnick wrapped his arm protectively round Annie's waist and kissed her temple. He whispered something in her ear that made her smile and then kissed her again.

Prim and Gale held hands. They smiled lovingly at each other. Prim adored Gale and he all but worshiped the ground she walked on. Katniss was happy they had fallen in love.

She looked to Peeta who walked beside her. They both laughed awkwardly.

Peeta said, "Constantly feeling like a third wheel is hard enough. Now we're both third wheels."

Katniss nodded. "Inside here they're going to assume we're a couple."

He nodded. "I'm not a bad date. I promise. Though, I haven't actually been on a date in about ten years, so I don't know." He laughed.

She chuckled. "It's been about that long for me, too."

"We can sit so that it's not like we're a couple." Peeta suggested. "Especially with these four."

She chuckled. "Good plan."

They were seated and handed menus. Everyone ordered drinks. Prim made a point of ordering something non-alcoholic along with Annie when the men and Katniss ordered bottles of beer.

Katniss looked to her sister and asked, "Are you serious?"

Prim smiled and nodded. "I'm joining the club."

"How far along?" Annie asked.

"We figure about five weeks. Still not confirmed by a doctor, but three home tests say positive."

Gale grinned. "She was satisfied with just one. I made her take two more."

"And then he fainted." Prim giggled. She pulled him in for a kiss.

Katniss and Peeta exchanged an uncomfortable look across the table where he sat between Finnick and Gale.

Annie got up and walked around Katniss to hug Prim. "Pregnancy buddies. We can call each other and complain about swollen ankles."

"I look forward to it." Prim said as she sat back in her seat.

"When Alex was pregnant she always had me massage her feet." Peeta said with a sad, fond smile. "She said they always hurt."

There was a short silence. Katniss gave Peeta a sympathetic smile. He returned it.

Katniss asked, "So you're delaying med school?"

Prim nodded. "I've already talked to the school. They're holding my admission, which is really kind of them. I'm just really looking forward to kicking back and not being stressed about school for a while and taking in all the other stresses and annoyances that are coming my way."

"Do you remember that breakdown I had?" Katniss asked her sister.

"Oh, yeah. Just after you found out. Cato took off and you couldn't find your shoes to follow and you called sobbing about the shoes."

Katniss nodded. "I was upset he'd gone, but all I could focus on were those damn shoes."

"Hormones." Annie sighed. "I broke down when I was pregnant with Finn because Finnick smiled at me and I became so overwhelmed with love that I sobbed for a half hour."

Gale cringed. "I am so excited." He said softly.

"But then there's this cool little human you made that you get to name and dress up and play with." Peeta said with a fond smile.

"Katniss already chose the good names." Prim pointed out.

Katniss smiled. "Sorry, first kid, first name choice."

"Dad would be so proud."

"But you could have a girl."

Prim nodded. "Iris Hazelle." She gave Gale an expectant look.

"It's far too early to worry about names." Her husband said. "Let's just get through the pregnancy."

"We've already got our name." Annie said. "We had one for each with Finn. So if we have a girl, like I hope, we have a name. I suppose we'll figure it out if we have a boy."

Katniss watched Peeta a moment and asked, "How did you pick Callie's name?"

He smiled sideways. "Alex chose it." He said nothing else and took a long pull from his beer.

Finnick asked, "So how is the bakery business, Peeta?"

Peeta smiled at his friend and was about to answer when the waiter came back to take their orders. After the man was gone, he said, "I have wedding cakes coming out of my ears. It's enough to make me never want to get married again." He chuckled. "Good thing I don't plan on it."

"Never say never." Annie grinned.

He chuckled. "I guess not."

Katniss's phone started ringing and she stepped away from the table. She didn't recognize the number and answered it.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing, Katniss?" Cato demanded.

"Cato, you need to speak to my lawyer." She said calmly.

"No, I need to speak to you."

"My lawyer." She hung up and leaned against the wall.

Peeta appeared in front of her. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. My ex." She shook her head. "I'm going to call to check on the kids." She looked through her contacts. "Feeling abandoned over there?" She asked.

He chuckled. "Finnick and Annie are acting as ooey-gooey as Prim and Gale. I don't know how long the other couple have been together, but Finnick and Annie dated for three years in high school before marrying just after Annie graduated a decade ago."

Katniss laughed. "They started dating early last year and got married in December. But he's known us since she was little. It was weird at first." She looked into Peeta's face. "Callie's told me a little about her mother. I know my situation is a little different, but I understand. So, if you ever need to talk…"

He nodded. "Thanks. I'll let you call to check on the kids." He stepped away. He turned back. "Calliope."

"What?"

"Her full name is Calliope Athena Mellark. Alex had this thing for mythology. She picked the name just before Cal was born and I respected her wishes." He smiled sadly and walked back toward the table.

Katniss watched him before she finally dialed Rue's number. "Hey, Rue."

"Hi, Katniss. Caleb was just asking to call you."

"How is he doing?"

"He's doing great. He played a round of Mario Kart, but lost and gave up. He took out his coloring book and has been working on that for a while. I was just about to get them together and make some homemade ice cream."

"Oh, I bet he'll love that. Thank you, Rue, for looking after them."

"No problem. They're all good kids."

"Can I talk with Caleb for a minute?"

"Sure." There was a pause while she handed the phone over.

"Mama, Rue is going to let us make ice cream." He proclaimed.

"I am so excited for you, baby. Are you having fun with Callie and Finn?"

"Yeah, I played Mario Kart, but I died and it wasn't really fun to play, but it's fun to watch. And I colored."

Katniss smiled. "You sound happy. And that makes me happy. I'm going to go back to eat and you go back to having fun. I love you."

"I love you, too, Mama. Bye."

Rue got back on the phone and said, "We'll see you after a while, Katniss. Don't worry about a thing."

"I trust you, Rue. Thank you." She hung up and returned to the table.

"How are the kids?" Peeta asked.

"Being little angels, according to Rue." She smiled. "She's about to make ice cream with them."

"Good." Peeta chuckled.

They made small talk the rest of the meal. Peeta kept looking over at Katniss, even when she didn't say anything. She felt a little uncomfortable about it. Was he trying to flirt? She was never good at flirting. And she definitely didn't need to date anyone. Caleb was her man and she didn't need anyone else.

Annie drove home. Finnick had overindulged and was currently giggling about everything. Annie smiled affectionately, but she also seemed a little annoyed.

Conversely, Gale had consumed just enough to be amorous and Prim was very reciprocal. They were making out in the back seat. Katniss nervously avoided looking at either couple. Peeta was doing the same.

He turned and reached out to touch her arm. "Hey, you want to hang out again sometime? Without being third wheels?"

She smiled and nodded. "Sure."

"Maybe you can take me and Callie to the sporting goods store and show me what sort of bow and arrows she needs. Targets and all that stuff, too."

She nodded. "That will be great. Caleb and I could both use some new arrows. Want to go tomorrow?"

"Sure. I close the bakery at four-thirty Sundays."

"Caleb and I can swing by and get you then. There's a really good sporting goods store just a few blocks from your bakery."

Annie pulled into the driveway and hurried around to prop up her husband as he stumbled out of the SUV. Prim and Gale quickly bid the others farewell and got in their car. Katniss was sure they would barely make it into the house.

Caleb was curled up asleep on the recliner when they walked in. Finn and Callie dozed on either end of the couch. Katniss scooped her son up into her arms and kissed his forehead. "Let's get home." She whispered. She took Caleb's bag from Rue and handed her some money in exchange. "Thank you so much Rue. Enjoy your Sunday."

"It was no problem, Katniss. Bye, Caleb." She rubbed the boy's arm.

"Bye, Rue." He mumbled against his mother's chest.

Peeta guided a sleepy Callie toward the door. "We'll see you tomorrow, Katniss?"

"Tomorrow." She nodded.

"What's tomorrow?" Callie asked.

Peeta said, "Katniss is going to help you and me pick you a bow and some arrows."

This woke the girl up. "Really? Thank you, Katniss."

"Caleb and I will be by to get you and your dad after the bakery closes." Katniss said. "Got to get this guy to bed. I'll see you two tomorrow. Annie, Finnick, Finn, goodnight." She walked out the door and put Caleb in the car.

He opened his eyes as she buckled his seatbelt. "Mama, is Peeta your boyfriend?"

"Peeta's my friend. Just like Gale is my friend."

"You sure?"

"I am." She kissed his forehead and closed the door. She saw Peeta watching her. She waved and got into her car.