Chapter 31: Lovers Reunite

Katniss's POV

District 12 now possesses the energy of a madhouse. Today is the day that - after 25 years of waiting - a tribute of ours will be coming home alive. As the train's arrival draws nearer and nearer, people are beginning to flood the streets, scale the rooftops, to catch a glimpse of our newest Victor.

I am not at the train station, unfortunately. Ever since Peeta's win, a contingent of media have been based here, prepping me and baby Riley for a TV reunion for the ages. The plan is this: Peeta will be paraded from the station, through Twelve, with my house as the very last stop. Then, I am to rush into his arms -the poor Seam girl welcoming her Merchant demigod prince - and present our baby to him. My Capitol prep team gushes that it will be the most romantic moment in all of Panem's history.

Dressed and ready, I stand vigil by my - our - bedroom window. Suddenly, the roar from the crowds below reaches a fever pitch, and my heart begins to hammer in my chest. The train has arrived.

The loudest portions of the throng drift closer and closer, following Peeta in what I have been told will be an open-canopy car: first at the station, then the District Square, then the Merchant area and finally, the Seam. At last, the jubilant shouts draw near and I scan the mob below. Bobbing above the other heads like a buoy on the sea, I spy a crop of golden hair.

I turn back to my sister excitedly. "There he is, Primrose! Peeta! Peeta!" I happily call his name as I throw red flower petals from the window, following the example of other women in their homes.

"PEETA! PEETA!" The crowd amplifies my chant. At last, the car is pulled up beside my door. I happily gather Riley up in my arms.

"Come on, let's go see Daddy!" I run down the stairs and throw open the door.

And there he is. My God, the Capitol has made him beautiful again! When he sees me, his eyes widen and he steps out of the car, holding my gaze. His smile holds the power of a million watts.

"Katniss, it's me! I'm back!" He takes my hand.

I playfully frown, looking skeptical. I run my fingers through his blond curls, pretend to examine his well-toned body. Then, I gaze into his eyes - eyes as blue as a summer sky…..

I beam, unable to stand it any longer. "It is you! You're home!" I fling myself into his arms and he kisses me passionately. Oh, how I've missed this! The crowd erupts into cheers.

As instructed, I present Riley to her father when we break apart. He happily takes her from me, talking to her, laughing at her smile. Then it's one last photo-op for the cameras before our happy little family is swept into the house to at last be left alone.

Our well-earned privacy allows me to express all the emotions I could not while on TV. I hold Peeta to me tightly and begin to sob.

"I thought I'd never see you again!" I weep. "But you came back; you won! You won….."

Peeta gives me a tired smile. "I told you I would."

I stare up into his face, blinking back tears. "Peeta, kiss me," I beg.

Something shifts in him, barely noticeable. There is a guardedness about him now, a hesitancy. Is it fear? Did the arena do this to him? I don't know, but I don't want to focus on it right now.

"Just do it!" I cry, as if I might die without his lips on mine. And he kisses me, permitting me to swoon in his arms and forget the world.

A/N: OK, and that is the last time we change perspectives for only one chapter! Thanks for being such troopers! Review, review, review!