A/N - WHEW! IT'S HERE! And... It's a LONG Chapter! Hopefully not too long for all my wonderful readers, but you guys deserve a lengthy Chapter! I have been BEYOND busy, staying busy is an understatement, but after this week things will finally be settling down! Thank's everyone for the reviews on my previous Chapter(17)! I LOVE each and every one!

My writing schedule should be back on mostly normal, I may have a small vacation coming up but nothing's official so I'm not worried about that right now. I DEEPLY apologize for TWO things... All these delays these past two weeks AND ANY grammar/spelling mistakes with this Chapter(18), I haven't got much time to reread it and change errors, Forgive me for both please!

Anywho, I REALLY hope you enjoy this nice long Chapter (over 5,000 words!)! Also, I added a nice little ";)" scene between Gale and Katniss for you all, I needed to see that between them... I let my fingers so wild there! (So you have been warned to my readers who don't like to read that.) Well, I am planning right now to upload Chapter 19 either Saturday OR Sunday... Most likely Sunday afternoon/evening (U.S. EST.). Check the Facebook page for any updates and special previews. ENJOY! YOU DESERVE IT! I L-O-V-E Reviews.. They keep me going! Much, much love - Macayla

Confusion. Shock.

Those emotions immediately appear on her face. She opens her mouth, but closes it. Seconds are ticking by with only a plain, unmoving emotion. Is she upset? I'm almost positive she is now. She goes to open her mouth again, only closing it… this time replacing it with a….

Smile.

A grin. I find myself grinning too. A mad or angry person doesn't smile.

She's happy.

I wish only she would confirm it to me.

"Prim?" I say through my own grin, getting her attention.

"I'm going to be an Aunt!" She shouts, a bit to loudly.

"Sh! Not everyone knows yet." I say quietly. She immediately jumps at my words, giggling to herself.

I look up to the tree line above, just in time to see a lone Mockingjay land on a branch. A Mockingjay by itself is rare, they always fly with a mate. I go to open my mouth, to whistle an old four note as Prim giggles at her mistake, before I do though, the bird beats me to it. Singing the note I was just about to whistle. My mouth must drop open, Prim stops giggling immediately, looking at me with concern. She follows my gaze up to the bird, starring in amazement like myself. I haven't whistled that note at least shortly after Father's death. Prim smiles again, my own to follow… listening to the old note.

"It's Dad." Prim says gently, dropping her gaze from the bird to me. "He's proud of you."

"For getting knocked up?" I joke, smiling wider, knowing Prim is right. That bird. It's Father.

"No. For the person you are. Strong. Brave." She responds, whispering the words gently, as though not to disturb the bird.

"How am I brave Prim?" I ask, starring at the beak of the bird as he sings the beautiful note over and over.

"Look at you. Look around Katniss. Look at what you just told me. You took care of me when I was doomed for the Orphanage. You kept Mom alive when she was dead." She laughs a little before her next words. "You kept yourself alive when you were easily as dead as Dad! And you recovered. You met Gale. You learned how to survive with him, taking care of all of us." She says, indicating with her hand to the group of giggling people in the Lake. "Then you married him…" She adds, pointing to Gale.

I follow to where her finger is pointing to. He stands there in the lake, at waist deep water with a laughing Posy on his shoulders, trying to tickle her. I smile again. Posy's laughter intertwines with the birds song.

"… and now. Now your having a baby. You haven't let the death of our Father, Katniss stop you. Yes, it's slowed you down. But that…" She points to the bird. "That's Dad. That's why he's proud of you." She finishes, squeezing my hand.

Prim of course and most certainly is right, but why would she tell me this? I only told her of my pregnancy. I voice the question to her with a smile.

"Why are you telling me this now Prim?" I ask, gently. She laughs silently.

"Because I thought you should know. I've been meaning to tell you that for a long time, and I thought now, with the bird and the amazing, wonderful news that now would be the time." She answers.

Prim. She's wise beyond her years. Too wise. Too big.

"Your not my Little Duck anymore are you?" I ask, grinning and speaking honestly. She's not the starving, helpless, fatherless seven year old anymore.

"I'll always be your Little Duck." Prim answers, pulling me into a hug and resting her head on my shoulder.

"Yes. Yes you will." I respond, closing my eyes and pulling her more against me.

"I'm so happy for you and Gale! Does he know yet?" She asks.

"Know what?"

I look up just in time to see the words flow right out of Gales mouth. I hadn't truly even thought of how he'd feel about me not waiting for him. I feel an uncomfortable chill run through me. Gale doesn't hold back his emotions much, epically not angry emotions. The bird stops singing and fly's away. What could that mean?

"Know what?" Gale asks again, pressing harder for an answer but not harshly… yet. I sit up more, untangling me and Prim from our embrace.

"About…" I stutter for a second. "The baby." I blurt out, avoiding eye contact. I brace myself for Gale's next, expected emotions.

"Oh." He answers flatly, taking a seat on the other side of Prim. "Excited?" He asks her.

I would say Gale did not get angry and decided to blow it off, but I'm sure he is though. Only keeping it hidden for now for the sake of my sisters presence.

Gale and Prim make small talk about the baby for the next minute or two, I will myself out of the conversations, having not even thought of half the stuff Prim is bringing up. Like…

Names.

Prim turns her attention to me about the subject first, I only answer with a shake of my head and a shrug of my shoulders. But when she asks Gale, that's when she gets my attention-

"What about you?" She asks him, innocently. It's amazing how she can change her tones to sound like a fifty year old, educated woman to a simple five year old asking her mother for a piece of candy.

Gale laughs slightly at her question, dropping his gaze to the piece of grass he's fiddling with in his hands.

"I don't know Primmy." He takes a deep breath before his next words, pausing as though to second guess speaking his idea. "Amethyst. I like that name for a girl." He answers, appearing nearly cold as he drops his gaze again to the piece of grass, twisting it almost angrily.

Angry?

Why would Gale be angry at his own words. Something about his tone, expression and emotion doesn't add up to me. But with Prim still present, now is not the time to mention anything. Of course, Prim doesn't catch it and continues-

"I like it! What about a boy?" She asks giddily, bringing some type of color back into Gale's face. He looks up and grins at her.

"A boy?" He questions.

"Yeah, you know, the opposite gender?" She jokes, laughing to herself. "You either get one of the two!" She adds, holding out both her hands. I join Gale in laughing.

"No. It's a girl. I know it." Gale answers, folding his arms.

For the next minute (which seems longer) they jokingly go back and forth between Gale thinking it's a girl and Prim telling him there's no way to be certain. I hold in my laugh until Prim try's her next tactic to make her point. She jumps up, starling both Gale and I-

"Gale!" She shouts "It's an embryo, it doesn't even have it's…" She stutters for a second, stretching the top of her head. "It's…parts!" She shouts again, more serious then ever.

Gale and I laugh in unison, starring at the serious but yet funny thirteen year old before us, trying nothing more then to disprove Gale. Although I agree with her, I still finding myself mimicking Gale's uncontrollable laughter.

"Alright, alright. Your right. But I got a feeling it's a girl!" Gale responds, Prim goes to open her mouth but he cuts her off. "Hey! You weren't there for this child's making…"

"And thank God for that!" She says, this time cutting him off, she runs off and dives into the lake before he can respond.

"She's toughie." Gale says in a whisper like tone, speaking more to himself then to me. I grin.

"Are you mad?" I ask, hoping… praying he's not.

"No." He answers immediately, turning his attention to me instead of the lake. "I, ah… was hoping you weren't mad at me." He says, stretching over the edge of the blanket and picking a new blade of grass.

"Why would I be mad?" I ask him, confused and honestly. He laughs gently, a deep, hearty laugh. He doesn't stop though. "Gale!?" I shout, finding myself grinning.

"I ah, kind of got ahead of myself and told Rory and Vick…" He answers, leaning back on his elbows.

"Without me!?" I shout, anger slowly rising.

Wait.

Didn't I do the same thing to him? Telling Prim about the baby but not waiting to tell her with him like we both promised? I wish I could take my words back… at least my tone.

"Yes. I'm sorry, I hope your not mad." He says, pouting out his bottom lip, obviously hiding his grin.

"No, I'm not mad." I answer, rolling my eyes at Gale's face.

"Alright, good!" He comments, leaning back on his back and grabbing me by the arm, pulling me down on top of him.

I ask Gale how his brothers took the news, Vick of course happily and similar to Prim's reaction, but it's Rory's reaction that catches me a bit off my guard. We both agreed he'd be the one that's… 'bothered' by the news, as he's the one that's always closest to Gale. He say's he responded by more or less blowing it off, joking that he finally got my 'clothes off'. I roll my eyes when Gale tells me this.

"And Prim's the toughie?" I joke. We both laugh in unison again.

I lie there, with my head on Gale's bare chest while his hands fiddle in my unbraided hair. The mixture of birds singing, children's distant laughter, the sound of the wind rustling through the trees and Gale's slow, steady, strong heartbeat nearly rock me to sleep. But Gale speaks when I just begin to drift off, his voice silently startles me-

"Something's bothering me." He says flatly.

We both agreed, in the dark, brief night before our wedding that we'd never go to bed with something bothering us… little or big. Especially if it was between the two of us. Even though it's not 'bed time' (not even 'lunch time') it doesn't matter. I lift my head up, scooting my arm under me for support.

"What is it hon?" I ask gently, moving my free hand to his hair, brushing away a lose piece from his forehead.

"It's… it's about Mr. Hawk. I know it's stupid Katniss, to let it 'bother me', but it is." He answers, taking a deep breath after his words. Starring into the tree line above.

"Gale, it's not stupid! It has me a little bothered too." I respond honestly.

"If it bothered you why didn't you tell me?" He snaps back, a little too harshly for my liking. I remember that's he's upset though, and seeking me out for comfort.

"I guess just not that bad." I answer sweetly while gently twisting my fingers in his hair. It seems to calm him of some sorts. "Look…" I begin, sitting up a bit more. "I'll go to the Justice Building first thing after work tomorrow, I'll ask the Mayor. Alright?" I offer, hoping to ease him of his bothering.

"No. I don't want you asking anyone there." He says.

"Why?" I ask, more harshly then I intended. He sits up, causing me of course to sit up with him.

"Because, that man has… had close ties with the Capitol. I don't want you going and asking anyone with big authority about him. It's just not safe for you, Katniss." He answers, defending his argument.

"Why?" I protest again, the words almost catching in my throat.

"I just told you! Sorry but your not going!" He answers, folding his arms over his knees.

"But I want to fix this Gale! Your bothered!" I protest again, trying my best to keep my voice down.

"So. You can't fix everything about me Catnip." He answers again, trying to hide his slowly raising anger.

"Then why'd you even mention it to me then?" I ask, anger clearly showing in my voice.

"Because! You know why!" He shouts, slowly losing his patience with me. Obviously mentioning that agreement. I must make some type of face though- "You can scold at me all you want. I love you and your not going. That's final." He says sternly.

And with that he gets up, walking the short distance to the lake and joining the others in the water. I take a deep, angrily breath. My jaw clenches up before I can stop it.

The rest of the mid morning is nothing more then me watching the others swim. I find myself using our 'bathroom bush' more then one time… all in a ten minute time span. I find myself more angry then ever, plopping myself back onto the blanket after a third bathroom trip. I mumble something to myself, but I don't even catch my own words.

After another few minutes they other's join me on the blanket for our small, (again) unfilling lunch. By the grace of my dead Father no one mentions anything about the baby or anything remarkably close to it. I sense Gale's eye's on my a lot, but I'm careful to avoid them. Also avoiding much conversation. Fifteen minutes later lunch is done. Gale goes off to hunt some while the others swim. I lean back on the blanket, somehow finding a dreamless nap.

I wake up (and sit up) just in time to see Gale coming through the bushes, his game bag full. He calls for the others, mentioning it's getting late. I look up to the bit of sun coming through the tree line, judging it around two o'clock.

"Nice nap?" Gale asks me nicely while throwing our wet sibling's towels. I only answer with a shake of my head.

We pack up. Throwing all the lose items back into the basket. Gale takes Posy by the legs, throwing her over his shoulder last, causing her to laugh hysterically. I only smile, feeling only some what refreshed after the nap.

I stagger behind the others, listening to Posy's story of how she killed the 'Sea Monster'. I watch from behind as Gale asks her questions about it, making it sound more fascinating then it is. Again, I'm reminded of our child growing inside me, realizing that will be Gale with his child and not his sister anymore. Is that why Gale wants a girl so bad? Because she would remind him of Posy? I shake my head quickly at the though, does it even matter anyways?

The remaining bit of afternoon I help Gale skin the game in the kitchen of our home. He apologizes for his actions but explains it's for my own good, thanking me for the offer to ask though. I accept it, voicing it to him, but still the mystery of 'Mr. Hawk' has me bothered too.

Could I?

Could I still go even though Gale asked me not to? But I'd be disobeying my own husband. That's not what a good wife should do. I feel as though I have the 'good option' and the 'bad option' weighing on each of my shoulders. Thankfully Gale doesn't read my emotions as I accidentally skin the rabbit to deep, causing a gashing hole in the meat.

"Why don't you go wash up before dinner?"

Is his only response to my doings. I take up his offer though, quietly walking up the stairs and washing quickly. Pulling on my nightgown and braiding my hair.

At dinner it's quite, I'm reminded that Hazel (and Posy) are still yet to know of the fetus growing inside me. Should I make some type of face, telling Gale now's the time? Kick him under the table? Yes I'm not quit as upset with him anymore, but maybe now wouldn't be the best time. I sigh… wondering if I'll ever find that perfect time.

Gale and I clean dinner up as the others, Hazel, the boys, Posy and Prim bid us goodnights. Going off into the assigned bedrooms. I would love nothing more then to have my own bed back right about now. I'm leaning over the sink, scrubbing a pot clean when I feel Gale's hands on my shoulders from behind. Making small circle's with his thumbs at the base of my neck. I can't decide if the warm chill is from the pleasurable feeling or simply the touch of my husband. Both most likely.

"Does that feel good?" Gale asks me, almost hissing the words in my ear. Just the right hint of seductiveness showing.

I answer with a slight moan. Gale does this while I finish the pot, pressing down gently, hitting the right nerves at times… causing the warm feeling to tingle down past my stomach. I have an odd ach for Gale's hands to be on other places of my body. I'm drying the clean pot when Gale does just that. Scratching his nails gently down my back through my thin, black nightgown. I grip the counter for support as my eyes manually shut. I moan more loudly then intended. It only seems to egg Gale on more as he brings his hands up my side, squeezing softly.

He must notice I've finished the dishes… He gently brings his hands to in front of me, resting then sweetly on my stomach.

"Show me where you want my hands." He hisses in my ear.

I swallow hard at his words. We've never done something like this, asking a question like this sort… epically not out of the blue.

Where do I want Gale's hands?

I reclose my eyes, imagining his strong, hands (and fingers) anywhere on my body. Sexual fantasies isn't something I have too often, not ever. But I paint a clearer picture in my head, taking myself by surprise.

"Show me." He adds after a few seconds.

I swallow hard again as I move both my hands over his, but I pause, unmoving.

"Don't be afraid." He tells me.

I swallow yet again, managing a small laugh from Gale. But his words click inside me, doing me in. Giving me that extra bit of courage I needed. I grip both of his hands tightly, letting my own make destinations of their own. I slowly, at a snails pace, guide one of Gale's hands up the rest of my stomach, resting it on top of one of my breast.

"Good choice." He says, afterwards planting small kisses on my neck and shoulder.

His hand slowly and romantically caresses my breast, and I'm reminded of the remaining hand left on my stomach still. Gale flinches it slightly, getting my attention to it. I 're-look' at the picture I had painted in my head, nearly knocking the wind out of me. I contemplate it… for several seconds before making my decision. I decide to screw being a baby… I grip Gale's hand even tighter as I guide it to the exact spot I want it. I slowly(again) guide it below my stomach, trailing it down to where I want his fingers to be more then his hand. It rest on the exact spot, but fabric is in between.

I sigh, realizing how I could have made it a lot more romantic. It doesn't take him back though, his hand takes a mind of it's own, going to the hem of my nightgown that sits well above my knees, and brings his hand under it and up. He gently pushes my underwear to one side as he pushes two fingers into me… hard. I cry out, gripping the counter again, turning my knuckles white. I continue to moan as Gale finds a nice little rhythm, nearly sending me over the edge immediately. I begin to rock my hips in unison, wanting nothing more then to find a sweet release. Between Gale's fingers in me, his hand on my chest and his lips kissing my neck, I'm surprised I've managed to not come yet. A minute or so much tick by before I feel almost there, right as I'm about to tell Gale this…

Knock, knock, knock.

"Damn it!"

I let out before I can stop it. Of course Gale turns his attention to the person behind the front door, pulling his fingers out of me and removing his other hand as well. Gale kisses my neck one last time, telling me he'll be back… seductively. From where I'm at in the kitchen, I can of course see the door perfectly. So I watch as Gale strides over, only peaking the door open. I watch as Gale squints at the person on the other side, hidden from my view. He must know who it is, he opens the door wider and says-

"Mrs. Everdeen."

My mom.

I sigh angrily, realizing it was her that ruined the moment between Gale and I.

"Hello Hon, I know it's late but I forgot to bring these books by today for Katniss. Could I leave them with you for her?" My mother asks sweetly, obviously not seeing me standing in the kitchen. I had forgot myself about the pregnancy books.

Gale answers yes, taking the books and bidding each other goodnight, but before she leaves, as she's walking off, she stops (out of my view now)-

"Gale?" She says.

"Yes mam?" He responds.

"Take care of Katniss through this all, I'm worried about her." She sighs before her next words. "You heard my story… I don't want her to end up like me." She steps closer to the door again, making visible just her shadow to me. "Her father was the only one to keep me sane. She needs you Gale, she needs you now more then ever. She loves you so much."

Gale stutters for a second, clearly searching for the right words to her comment. I find myself too unspeakable. So my mother adds-

"Goodnight sweetheart." And with that, she walks off.

I'd laugh at the fact my mother called someone like Gale (tall, strong and looks like a thirty year old man) sweetheart if it wasn't for such a tender moment. My mother is right, I do love Gale… something I tried denying to myself.

Gale shuts the door, slowly and quietly before turning around and setting the books on the counter. He walks back over to me, our eyes locked on each other, and stands in front of me.

"I'll always be here for you Katniss." He says, showing me a softer side of Gale I don't see to often.

"I know." I answer, smiling.

I take both his hands in mine, and stand on my tip toes, letting our lips meet in a kiss that sends shivers down my spine.

That night we retire to our make shift bedroom and finish what we started(plus more).

XX

Bang.

I'm jolted from my dreamless sleep my the early morning light hitting my face. But what the hell was that noise. I look over to the couch, of course Gale is gone… it's Monday, he has work.

Work!

"Damn it!"

I say loudly, forgetting that I myself have my own work, as well as getting Prim to school.

Bang.

I hear the damn sound again. It appears to be coming from outside, rather then in the house. But judging from the light coming in, I know I'm already late for work at the school. I jump up, throwing the covers off of my and to the floor, running over to Prim's bedroom, throwing the door open.

"Up Prim! School!" I shout, she answers with a wave of her hand.

I run up the stairs and into the bedroom, trying my best to be quit for the sake of Hazel.

"Come on boys, school!" I whisper, shaking both of them.

Vick springs up, nearly knocking me to the ground.

"Are we late? I can't be late! I have an exam!" Vick shouts, rousing Hazel.

He doesn't give me time to answer as he runs past me, violently throwing clothes from his suitcase. Rory gets up slowly, yawning as he walks into the bathroom. I shake my head and jog over to the dress, frantically ripping my nightgown off (un caring about the eyes around) and pull on a pair of black, Capri pants and a teal mid-sleeve top. I quickly fasten the necklace my mother gave me on my wedding day, hoping to add some type of normalcy to my most likely chaotic look. I use the stand-alone mirror and unbraid my hair, quickly combing it through with my fingers.

"Hurry up boys!" I yell.

I fly down the stairs, only imagining the wrath I'll get from Principle Maddox. I run into the kitchen, joining a ready-to-go Prim as she searches the brown paper bags for her lunch, I quickly help her, finding the right one. Right as the boys are coming down the stairs, and I'm pulling on my game bag and checking for my music sheets I feel…

Nauseous.

Enough where it must show.

"It's okay Katniss, just breath through it." Prim tells me, rubbing small circles at the bottom of my back.

I shake my head in answer, closing my eyes. After a few seconds it fades away and I practically push everyone out the door and down the seam road.

By saying we make it to school by a land slide would be an understatement. I quickly run into my classroom, thankful for the extra two hours I have before my first class.

XX

We finish lunch. I walk back into my classroom to finish the remaining thirty minutes I have with my youngest grades. They pick up easily the tune I play on the piano, and I contemplate telling them of the Harvest Festival idea. We must not be back in the classroom for ten minutes before the door swings violently open.

"Class dismissed early!" Shouts a stocky built woman from the doorway, looking between myself and the teachers.

I shake my head in answer but something doesn't strike me well about her appearance. Not that I haven't seen the woman before, I have once, I know she's the Principle's assistant, but it's her attitude and her swaying from foot to foot. The children get up, following their teachers out the door. I go to call for the woman, to ask her what is going on but before I can, she runs out the door, her heels clicking down the hallway. I hear her swing open the classroom door beside us, shouting the same thing.

I quickly shake my head, thinking no more of the situation but only being grateful for the extra twenty minutes I'll have at home. I grab my game bag, swinging it over my shoulder, joining the other parents in the hallways, searching for their children. I find Prim in her classroom, gathering her bag and books. She asks me why were let out early, but I only answer with a shrug of my shoulders. We collect Vick and Rory from the other side of the school and slowly make our way down several hallways, heading toward the exit.

"Oh, this note if for you." Prim tells me as were going down the second story stairs.

She pulls out a little yellow folded not, handing it to my with a confident smile on her face.

"Did you get in trouble?" I ask jokingly, knowing Prim never gets 'trouble notes' as we call them.

"Just open it!" She shouts, skipping stairs and getting ahead of myself.

I open it, slowly myself down from walking. I begin to read it-

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian,-

I stop there, thinking this is meant for mom and not myself. But then I remember, shortly after our mother went into her haze, I switched myself over as her legal guardian instead of my mother… never switching her back. I continue to read, starting over-

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

We would like to inform you that your child, Primrose Everdeen, has made excellent grades and attendance through this year. She/He has made District 12 Community School Honor Roll. With that, on behalf of the Honor Roll students, a special field trip has been planned. We ask that all legal Parent(s)/Guardian(s) be present for the meeting on the 12th of September in the gathering hall for more information. Please don't let your child miss out on this amazing opportunity.

Thank you,

Principle Maddox

"What do you think?" Prim asks me giddily as she hold's the front door of the school open for me and the boys.

"Oh Prim I'm so proud of you!" I answer honestly, knowing how much she deserves this.

Prim always keeps up good grades and only misses school if she's sick… and that's death door sick. I am proud of Prim… but something scratches at the back of my head, sending an odd, uncomfortable feel about this note, about this 'field trip'. I am familiar with this 'Honor Roll', I of course though, never made it on it. But I don't remember there every being a 'field trip', if I remember right when Madge made it on it, they would only have a special ceremony during the Harvest Festival, stating how these well educated young men and women are the future 'bright people' of District 12, giving them a certificate.

I look over the note again, rereading it as we make our way in town. Vick speaks up saying he got the same note, Rory doesn't though.

"…of the Honor Roll students, a special field trip has been plann-"

Bang and Bam.

I hear that damn, loud noise again… but this time feel it.

Feel it?

I turn around and see a frantic, fuzzy haired Madge that just ran into my backside.

"Katniss!? Katniss!?" She shouts quickly, completely winded.

"What?" I ask, giving her an odd look.

She bends over, placing her hands on her knees, trying desperately to catch her breath.

Bang.

The noise hits again, this time sending people in the town running. But why and to where?

"What's going on Madge?" I ask, panic slowly being present in my voice. I feel the boys and Prim grab on to me out of uncertainty of what's going on.

"The…" She gasps for air. "Ai… Airgusta." She throws out. "The mines!"

And with that, the only thing I can think of before the paper falls from my hand is….

Gale.

Chapter 19 Preview: What will happen with Gale? What's going on deep in the mines? Will Katniss's nightmare become a reality? How will Katniss start acting when she starts to experience other pregnancy symptoms? And what will take place when Katniss takes the "issue" about Mr. Hawk to the Justice Building behind Gale's back?

A/N - *I just want to state I am not killing Gale off!