Author's note: I just decided to go ahead and publish this one because it's got some really great moments that I couldn't wait to share with you. Please let me know what you think.
Happy reading!
Chapter Thirty
Peeta's phone rang Friday night. He smiled when he saw Katniss's number. "Hey, it's my Girl on Fire."
"Hi, my Boy with the Bread." He could hear the smile in her voice. "I'm sorry, but Prim and Gale are going away for the weekend and I don't like Caleb sleeping over at friends' houses. So I'm going to have to cancel our plans."
"We don't have to completely cancel them. You and Caleb can still come over here and hang out for a while. If you want."
"I think Caleb will be over the moon with that one. We'll rent a movie and pick up some snacks and be right over."
"Good. I'll start cooking some burgers and fries and we should be able to eat as soon as you get here."
"Caleb is wasting away with hunger. I'm sure he'll appreciate that." She chuckled.
Peeta laughed. "I'll be sure to make extra."
Katniss said something to someone on the other end. She laughed and said, "Caleb is so ready. We'll see you in about twenty minutes."
"I'll be ready." He turned on the oven and got to work preparing hamburgers. He stuck fries in the oven. His phone rang as he got the burgers ready. He put it to his ear. "Hey, baby girl!"
"Hi, Daddy! I was just calling to let you know we made it."
"I'm glad. Do Grandma and Grandpa have plans set or are you just going to wing it?"
"Grandpa said something about decorating for fall."
"It's going to look great. Your grandparents always do such a good job. Fall was always their favorite season. Your mom's, too."
"What's your favorite season?" Callie asked. She was definitely in a chatty mood.
"I like fall and winter. Baking pumpkin pies and apple pies and covering things in cranberry sauce." He chuckled.
"I like your apple pies."
"I'll make dozens just for you, Cal."
"So what are you doing?"
"Katniss and Caleb are coming over for supper."
She groaned. "I want to hang out with Katniss and Caleb."
"There will be plenty more times to hang out."
Callie asked tentatively, "Are you and Katniss dating?"
"No, sweetie, we're not. She's just my friend."
"But you kiss her. And I know you like her."
"Grown-ups are complicated, Cal. And one day when you're older you'll understand it. I hope. But I also hope it's not so complicated in a few years."
"Like you'll really be dating her?"
"I guess we'll see." There was a knock on the door and he walked over to open it. "You could have used your key." He said in greeting.
Katniss shrugged. "We were being polite. Is that Callie?"
"Yeah. Want to talk to Katniss?"
"Yes, please!" The girl exclaimed.
Peeta handed the phone over. "She wants to say hey. Caleb, why don't you help me finish supper?"
"Okay!" He ran off into the kitchen.
"Hey, Calliope." Katniss said. "You with your grandparents this weekend?"
"Yes. And I'm so jealous. I want to hang out with you."
She chuckled. "We'll get together all of us again. You get to spend time with your grandparents. That's a very special relationship you get to have, Callie."
"Yeah." Callie said. "I should let you go. Grandma said we could go get some supper. Wherever I want."
"Choose something great, kid." She bit her lip and watched Peeta and Caleb in the kitchen a moment. She turned away and said softly. "Callie, I, uh." She took a breath and let it out. "I love you, kiddo. Just know that, okay?"
"I love you, too, Katniss." She said easily.
"I'll give you back to your dad. I'll see you later."
"Bye."
Katniss handed the phone back to Peeta and started gathering plates.
"You have fun this weekend, baby girl. And I'll see you Sunday."
"Okay, Daddy. I love you."
"I love you more." He smiled. "Bye." He slipped his phone into his pocket. He placed his hand on Katniss's back and she turned. He leaned in and whispered, "I heard what you said to her."
She smiled and looked away. "You say it to Caleb. I only thought it was right."
He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Don't feel obligated."
"I'm not. I feel it." She placed her hand on his chest. "It's easier for me to feel it and accept it from certain people. And you aren't those certain people. Okay?"
He smiled and nodded. "I know."
"I trust you, though. And trust is more important than love with you."
Peeta cupped her cheek and pressed another kiss to Katniss's lips. "Thank you."
Katniss helped Caleb assemble his plate and then made her own. She sat and watched Peeta move around the kitchen. She loved watching him dance from one thing to another so smoothly. He was made for a kitchen. She caught his hand as he moved around her to take a seat. She kissed it and then let it go.
"Peeta, Mama let me pick a movie and I picked one with a really cool car on the front."
"The Fast and the Furious. Or whichever one is out now." Katniss clarified.
"Oh, cool, I like those movies." Peeta smiled. "I look forward to it."
"Then Mama picked one that she said is funny, but there aren't any talking animals. And movies with talking animals are always funny. So I don't know what to think about that."
Peeta chuckled. "You're not wrong."
"We'll just see." Katniss said.
"Yeah, we will." Peeta rested his hand on Katniss's knee. "I'm so happy you're here."
Katniss smiled and nodded. "Me too."
Caleb chattered almost non-stop through the entire meal. Then he continued on through the clean-up.
Peeta put the movie in the DVD player and then sat in the open spot in the middle of the couch between Katniss and Caleb. The boy curled up and rested his head on Peeta's lap. Peeta combed his fingers through Caleb's hair. Katniss curled against his side and kissed his cheek. He wrapped his other arm around her and rubbed her arm. He loved this family time. He only wished Callie were there with them. And that it were a more official family, but that part could wait a while.
"I think he's asleep." Katniss said softly after the movie ended.
Peeta looked over. "Yeah, he is."
"We should probably head home then."
"You don't have to rush off." He picked up the end of her braid and tickled her cheek. He whispered, "Stay with me tonight."
"We can't." She whispered back.
"Why not?"
"We just can't." She moved away from him and shut off the TV.
"Please don't run from me." He pleaded softly.
She stood and motioned him to follow her into the other room. She filled a glass with water and leaned against the counter to sip it.
He leaned beside her. "What's wrong?"
"My son's here. Asleep on your couch. It's just not right."
"I get it. I just need to hold you, Katniss. I haven't slept."
"Neither have I." She admitted. She turned her head and saw him looking at her. She stared at his lips. "I do like kissing you."
"We could definitely do more of that."
She leaned in. "Yeah?"
He leaned in. "Yeah."
She moved in a little more.
He smiled and met her the rest of the way. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. She sat her glass on the counter and wrapped her arms around his neck. She sighed and broke the kiss.
Peeta gently scratched Katniss's back. "I'll help you get him in the car."
"No, I think we'll stay. If I can borrow clothes again."
"Sure." He kissed her again and stepped away. "I'll get a blanket for the kid, too."
"Thanks." She kneeled down by Caleb on the couch and kissed his forehead. She whispered, "Baby, we're staying here tonight. I'll be asleep in Peeta's room if you need me."
"Okay." He mumbled and rolled over.
She chuckled and took the blanket Peeta offered and draped it over Caleb. "I love you, baby." She walked around the back of the couch and took the extra clothes he held. "Appreciate it."
They were just settling in when Caleb appeared in the doorway. "Mama?"
"Hey, baby. Come here." She looked over her shoulder at Peeta. "Is it okay?"
"Yeah, of course." He moved over and let her move closer.
Caleb climbed into bed beside Katniss. He immediately went back to sleep.
"Thank you for staying." Peeta said.
"Thank you for asking for us to stay. I like that we're turning into a bit of a family."
"We could be more."
"Not right now."
He pulled on her shoulder. "Hey, listen, I'm patient. I'll wait. I was just making a suggestion and letting you know what I wish for."
"I know. I'm just not ready." She reached up and touched his face. "I don't have to say it to feel it, you know? I just need some more time."
He watched her a moment and then leaned over and kissed her softly. "I know." He kissed her again and then wrapped his arms around both of them. "Goodnight, my love."
"Goodnight." She whispered.
They didn't see the smile that spread across Caleb's face.
"Mama, wake up. Peeta's making pancakes from scraps." Caleb shook her shoulder.
Katniss opened an eye. "What kind of scraps?" She asked with a grin.
"You know? Flour and sugar and stuff."
"Scratch, baby. And I'll be in there in a minute." She rolled over and stretched.
"I want us to be a family, Mama. Us and Peeta and Callie."
She sat up and combed her fingers through his hair. "I know you do, baby. But right now we're not a family. We're friends. Really good friends. Okay?"
He nodded. "I'm going back to help Peeta with breakfast." He sulked out of the room.
Katniss went to the bathroom and then stood in front of the mirror. "I am an idiot." She said to herself.
She walked into the kitchen and watched as Peeta patiently coached Caleb through flipping a pancake. It fell half over the side of the pan. Caleb groaned, but Peeta assured him it was okay and helped him flip the next. It was still a little sloppy, but it stayed in the pan. The last was nearly perfect.
Peeta picked Caleb up off the chair he stood on and spun him around while he cheered. Caleb giggled and wrapped his arms around Peeta's neck.
"I love you, Peeta." Caleb said as he held on tightly.
"I love you, Caleb." Peeta squeezed him and kissed his cheek before he sat him down. "Good morning, Katniss. I made tea. But if you want coffee, I can make some."
She shook her head. "Tea is fine." She made a cup for herself as the men went back to work on the pancakes.
Peeta dipped his finger in the batter and dabbed it on Caleb's nose.
The boy giggled and returned the gesture.
"Don't make a mess, guys." Katniss scolded.
"Yes, Mom." Peeta said in a mocking voice.
Caleb repeated it in the same tone and then started laughing uncontrollably.
Katniss ruffled her son's hair and kissed the top of his head. Then she cupped Peeta's cheek and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Thank you." She whispered.
"You're very welcome." Peeta whispered back.
Katniss stepped away and watched them finish making breakfast while she sipped the rest of her tea.
Peeta made a plate and handed it to Caleb to bring to Katniss. The look of concentration on his face was almost comical. Katniss proudly took it from him.
"Thank you." She turned around and took a bite. "Perfect, guys."
"Peeta did most of the work." Caleb walked back to the stove and took the plate Peeta offered. "Thank you for letting me help, Peeta."
"I appreciate your help, buddy." He leaned down and kissed the boy's forehead. "Now, eat up, you two. They aren't nearly as tasty cold." He made his own plate and sat down with them. "So do you have plans for the day?"
"I need to go to the range and practice a little." Katniss said. "And Caleb needs a little, too."
Peeta nodded. "I have cakes to decorate." He made a silly face. "The work of a baker and cake decorator is never done."
"Probably should have been over there already." Katniss said.
"Probably." He said. "But I had a pretty girl in my bed this morning and I couldn't make myself leave." He kissed her cheek.
Katniss blushed. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." Peeta squeezed her leg. "I'm going to miss you guys today."
"We'll miss you, too." Caleb said. "I mean, I know I will."
"I will, too." Katniss leaned over.
Peeta smiled and met her the rest of the way for a kiss.
Caleb grinned. "I like to see you kiss each other."
Katniss sat up and smoothed her hand over Caleb's hair. "It's nothing serious."
Caleb nodded. "But it's still nice to see."