A/N - :D Hello my dear, faithful readers! Chapter 30 is... here! Whoop Whoop and I would like to apologize for the delay! BUSY week and I had Night of Joy at Disney Friday. First off, I would like to thank and let it be known how much I appreciated all the feedback/reviews on my last Chapter. I went back and read them over again when I thought I wouldn't get this Chapter up until NEXT WEEK but you guys made me pull through! GAH you guys are wonderful! Anyway, This Chapter kind of concludes the Capitol trip some, it surprised me and I wrote it! Also though, it kind of... skips all over the place, if that's the right word? I added alot of different emotions in this Chapter, along with some FLUFF! ( "It's so fluffy!" What movie did I just quote? (; )I felt like though the 'fluff' was needed because the next Chapter and really, the rest of the story will be very... chaotic should I say? ;) ;) Also, I'm only saying this BUT... there are some 'hidden' things in this Chapter that are hinting to what some of the next Chapters will entail. It might be hard (it will...) for you to find but it's pretty obvious to me (of course!). ;)

I would like to give my BIGGEST THANK YOU'S to: autumn-robin, Ephesians613, Firework7, MadHatter0542, Swifty22, Natureislife, CatnipGirlOnFire and Bellabear9898 for the AMAZING, WONDERFUL reviews and feedback on Chpt. 29! God I love you guys SO much! You REALLY don't know how much they keep me going and encourage me through this... HONESTLY! Ephesians613 - Thank you for noticing that I keep Katniss in her written(by S. C.) character, I hate when Fanfics will make the characters different than who they are. I love Katniss' personality and I don't/didn't want to change that. And thank you for your words of encouragment! Love to you! Firework7 - Yes, I actually don't know exactly what I'm writing when I sit down at my laptop, I let my fingers do the typing while the scenario plays in my head, like a movie almost;) MadHatter0542 - I'm glad you love the story and the humor I try to add... who doesn't love humor? Swifty22 - I hope you are feeling better.. or get better soon!:( Natureislife - Your very.. very welcome! Thank you for making me squeal when I get a plus number on my review!;) Bellabear9898 - Girl.. I know the feeling! I stay up reading Fanfics when I need to be "ZZzz"! I actually did consider her having twins but... I can't put that much on Katniss' plate?:( And thank you to everyone else that reviewed, I read every one of them!

Anyway, I really hope you enjoy this Chapter, it's got alot of different little things. Also, I apologize again for the delay, I was so busy:( NOW... Chapter 31 will NOT be up until NEXT WEEK, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY the 20th OR 21st. The remainder of this week will be busy and you know... you know what the next Chapter is... BABY! So really, I could use the extra time to write the important Chapter anyway:) Give's ya some anticipation!;) I'm going to keep the Preview VERY simple because I don't want to give anything away but please, trust me, this will be the BEST CHAPTER YET... It's a Galniss baby!:D Anyway, I hope you enjoy this Chapter, I wrote it quickly but I thought it turned out 'Okay':\ Do I need to stop being hard on my Chapters? Feel free to tell me!;) Anyway's, Enjoy my lovely readers, you deserves it. Would LOVE to read/hear thoughts on this Chapter.. Review! Much love - Macayla

I unofficially call this Chapter: "Expectations."

*Some Strong/Mild sensuality in this Chapter*

Expectations.

I hate the word.

And the meaning.

Maybe I never truly, deeply knew what this whole 'Capitol-Trip' would hold. Maybe I expected it to go better, but maybe worse. After I had yelled uncontrollably to the shocked, open mouthed, Capitol Woman, a near by Peacekeeper excused me from the trip. Gale wasn't letting me go home alone.

And neither was Prim.

I open my closed eyes, the sight of District 7's lumber fields passing out of the train window. I turn over, wiping the old tear stains from my cheeks, expecting to see Gale sitting next to me but I don't.

No surprise.

I feel slightly bad for him. He's been running from one end of the train to the other for the past four and half hours, With hopes of claming my crying and calming Prim's broken heart as the trip was cut far to short. It's only the three of us in the train, the calm voice of Gale fills it through the silence. I haven't been able to look at Prim. The feeling is neutral for both of us right now I guess. Gale gave up trying to comfort me an hour ago when I started to ignore him.

I rub my protruding belly in small circles, I guess every pregnant woman does this gesture. The baby sits violently as my complete five hours of unease since the incident with the woman this morning. Each kick reminds me of her words, one part that strings the most-

".. she would be ashamed of herself!"

Maybe that's why I snapped so quickly? I did feel ashamed at exactly her words, for bringing a child into the messed up world because Gale and I couldn't keep our hands to ourselves. But I was just beginning to feel a peaceful, reassuring calmness I didn't know truly existed. It was Gale's words just the night before, cuddled together in the soft, hotel bed, Gale's head resting gently on our baby's dwelling-

"I'll never let anything hurt the two of you. Ever."

His remark was heavy with sleep, but I plunged into no nightmares like I thought. The first night in the Capitol and all. And it wasn't Gale's only time getting me this reassurance. But it was that night that I felt like I wasn't fully responsible for creating this child in the world we live in. I felt like, and I know, Gale was right. There is nothing Gale loves me than his family. He's a protector.

Just like me.

With the two of us, our child, our family, will never be in danger more than he or she can handle. And for the first time, I didn't feel ashamed. I nearly felt… joyous that our babies arrival is fast approaching. But of course, that was until the next morning. How ironic?

The soothing circles do nothing to sooth the baby. I'm not sure how I feel now, about the whole 'being ashamed' thing. Do people really view it that way? People in our own District? Does Greasy Sae and Darius think that of me? Do the rest of the people in the Hob think that? What do they think when they see a seventeen year old, 28week pregnant girl, with barley enough game and money to feed her and her husband, let alone her family and soon to be child? Maybe the smiles, polite questions and the still coming 'Congrats' are all fake? Maybe Greasy Sae's comment's about baby sitting the 'pumpkin' are all fake too? Maybe Mrs. Mildred's, "Can I help with anything?" comment is fake? Maybe even the teachers smile's at the school is all fake and put on? They're probably talking about me behind my back.

Wouldn't surprise me.

But what does?

XX

Somehow I found sleep.

Don't ask how.

But Gale helps me stand as I assume we arrive back home, in twelve.

Home!

I can feel the slight smile fold on my lips despite the train cabin being near dark from the nightfall fast approaching. They mentioned they contacted my mother, the Peacekeeper's about our early arrival home.

I guess it's true when I see her wearing a slight frown as I'm helped off the train. I spot Dawson standing next to her, wearing the same frown. I instantly think of Homer. He asked me to keep an eye on him.

Maybe I'm the one that needed to be 'eyed'?

My mother wraps me in a hug, to tight for my liking. She doesn't ask anything. Doesn't say anything as she folds both Gale and Prim into hugs after me. It's silence. Our walk back home. Dawson doesn't say anything and I feel the urge to mutter him an apology. But I wonder why he's sticking around? Maybe he expected Homer to be with us too, instead of staying with the group like everyone else.

Expectations.

I hate them.

XX

The warm sensation and pressure on my feet wake me from my slumber. I don't really remember coming home last night, I don't remember getting in my bed and I don't remember changing into my nightclothes. I open my eyes, my head resting upward on my pillow, immediately the late morning sunlight blurs my vision for a few seconds but I spot Gale, sitting at the foot of the bed and rubbing my exposed feet.

"Good morning, baby." He says gently, keeping his hands on my feet but leaning far over me for a kiss. I return it without hesitation.

"Good morning." I mutter afterwards, still heavy with sleep.

It silent for a long time. The baby doesn't kick and I feel myself on the verge of sleep again with Gale still rubbing circles on my feet. I'm almost there again when he speaks.

"You were restless last night." He says calmly, staring at my swollen feet.

I'm not sure how to respond, no doubt my RLS acting up. RLS stands for Restless Leg Syndrome and I absolutely hate it, I think Gale does more though. My mother says it should fade when the baby comes and I hope it does. I shake my head though to Gale's words.

"Sorry." I say, meeting his bright, grey eyes. He smiles and leans over to kiss me again.

"Don't be." He says before our lips meet yet again.

The kiss isn't over passionate, or overly heated but it has a charismatic charm to it I haven't felt from a kiss from Gale in quite some time, at least weeks, a month. Maybe two.

Hungry.

I can't say Gale and I have done much since the bump has fully consumed my daily activities. It's not the either one of us doesn't want to, but between my work, preparing for the baby, my crazed emotions, symptoms and mess up sleep schedule and between his mess up time with hunting more, trading more, teaching Rory to hunt and trying to prepare for both the baby too and what was the Capitol trip… there just hasn't been time. But right now, in the late morning time, while Gale's mouth is working on mine I decide screw whatever we needed to get done today… if we needed too.

He ignores my feet now and slowly drags his hands up my body, even touching the large, raised bump in a sexy but loving way. As soon as I feel his tongue grazing my bottom lip, I allow his tongue to enter my mouth. My eyes fly open and I can't help the moan that escapes my lips at the taste of Gale. Orange and game. I'm sure it would be a turn off for most girls, but I'm not like most girls.

It drives me crazier.

XX

I find myself in what must be the worlds most awkward, uncomfortable position as Gale begins working in a rhythm in me. My loud moans and Gale's loud grunts surface the quiet bedroom, I regret the open window. I have every damn pillow in the house stacked behind me for support as Gale slams into me with passion but gentleness. We are both near the edge, a release I've never been more excited to find, when there's a loud, frantic knock at the door.

"Damn it!" Gale curses through his winded breathing, slowly down but not stopping

I lift my head from my pillow when a moan escapes my lips at Gale's doings.

"Who would…" I moan again. "… be here?" I ask, sounding just as, if not more winded than Gale.

"Your sister." He tells me, pulling out and kissing me quickly.

Prim.

I had nearly forgot she's more mad at me than a donkey is to his owner, whatever that means(my father use to use the slang). We haven't spoken to each other since the incident and I assume this is why she's here. Gale gets up, throwing his nightclothes back on in a flash. He comes over to help me but Prim knocks again on the door frantically. She must think I'm ignoring her. The thought breaks my heart.

"Go get the door. I'll be down in a minute." I tell him. He's gone down the stairs in yet another flash.

I pull my own nightclothes on fast, pulling my oversized t-shirt over my belly just in time to see Prim running into the room. Her hair is sticking my all over the place and her face is red from running.

"Mom wants you to come over! Now!" She shouts at me, grinning like a bobcat.

I'm confused, but I don't have time to respond before Prim's is grasping my hand tightly, assisting me down the stairs as Gale looks on even more confused.

"What's going on Prim?" Gale asks, holding back a yawn.

"Just come on! You too!" She shouts to Gale as we pass him.

She drags me out the door and into the street before I can protest, the chilly early December air makes me realize the start of winter is upon us. My long black pants and dark blue, oversized shirt do nothing for the cold. The baby kicks in protest.

As Gale and Prim are helping me up the steps of Prim's and my mother's home(which is really unnecessary), I stop dead in my tracks. I quickly realize exactly why my mother wanted me to visit 'right now'. I can hear agonizing moans and shouts coming from inside through the opened front door.

"It's okay, Katniss." Prim lowers her voice. "Mrs. Asker is having her baby. Mom just wants you to see it so you know what to expect." She finishes with the sweetest of smiles.

I look over to Gale, maybe for an answer, for a thought on this whole situation. I know Gale doesn't want to witness it, I'm sure no man does if it's at least not their own baby. Prim nudges my shoulder and Gale only looks at me blankly. My next words spill out before I can stop them.

"Alright."

XX

I watch from the kitchen, to scared to enter the living room. I have a pretty good view from here anyway. Gale stands with me, holding my hand tightly while his other arm is around my waist. Prim stands with me for the moment.

I watch on, as the woman is bent on all fours on the floor, screaming into one of the pillows scattered around. My mother rubs soothing circles on her back while her husband paces the room. I stare at him intently for several moments before I notice he's staring back, the tight scowl on his face can't be missed. We look away at the same time.

"They divorced last week, at the Justice Building." Prim says to me in a whisper. Divorce is common in twelve, it doesn't surprise me. But it does that she's pregnant and her young age.

But the matter would describe why he's not trying to comfort or calm his wife any, not that I would really know what the husbands do in this situation. When I was young, I would always stay clear of my mothers work with birthing. The screams and shouts of pain would tare right through me, reminding me of the pain my father must have felt as he died in the mines. I even seemed to handle gory, bloody work my mother did/does better than what I'm witnessing right now. I would always run when I saw a pregnant woman come to my mother. It never surprised Gale and his family when they would wake up and find me slumbering on their couch the next morning, they knew why. Running is what I feel like doing right now as the woman curses loudly through a painful scream, a scream loud enough that I know people around could hear. Gale grips my hand tighter as he senses my unease. The baby sits repeatedly. Between the kicks, screams of the woman and Gale tight grasp I decide I can't take it anymore. I bolt out of the house as the first tear leaves my eyes. Running isn't an option for me currently, but I quickly make my way to somewhere. Not home.

The Woods.

XX

The winter is harsh this year, harsher than ever. The children return a day early from their Capitol trip, something to do with Airgusta threats. I only roll my eyes at Principle Maddox. Mrs. Mildred has fully taken over the Music program for me now, I can't walk to that side of town now without some symptom from my pregnancy getting in the way.

The days turn into weeks, harsh, cold weeks as December progresses. I never leave the home and I never see Gale. Hunting during winter has never been easy, even when we were both hunting together but now it's even harder. Gale leaves early in the morning to hunt and trade until late afternoon, only to resume hunting at dusk. I see him for two, three hours before I head to bed. I'm usually asleep when he comes home.

Things have never been quite the same since I witnessed Mrs. Asker delivering her baby… between Gale and I. He found me that afternoon, crying under the old oak tree we normally take our hunting breaks under. I don't know how I managed to get around the fence with my belly, it seems like such a blur. It seemed like he would never find me, and when he did, somehow we found ourselves arguing… but I don't know why. Our opinions differed on the matter of rather or not the birth of a baby is a beautiful thing or disgusting. The differ was harmless until I became irritated… and so did Gale. We made up, but with him being home so little, it never truly seemed like we did.

If I couldn't possibly be any more miserable I am. Thirty two weeks in is pure hell, especially when my mother starts to monitor my pregnancy less and less, only making quick stops every so few days and keeping the conversations at a minimal. Back pain and mood swings return. I feel bad when I yell at Gale one afternoon for getting the blood of a water fowl all over the dinning room table… like we always do. It made the guilt even worse when I watched Gale go the next three days without eating for the sake of making sure I and the rest of our family have enough to eat. I tried making it up to him, after he got into bed, even though I wasn't fully in 'the mood'-

"Not tonight." He said flatly, rolling back over.

I sit now though, at the table, sipping on the tea he made before leaving for hunting as I wait for my mothers once-a-week pregnancy visit. Judging by the late morning sunlight coming in through the open window, she's nearly an hour late for her normal time. I sigh and it takes me a good five minutes to get up from my chair, I grunt when I feel the weight of the baby. I reach the sink to put my empty mug in right as there's a soft knock. Everyone, being Gale and I's family, know to let themselves in if I'm home alone, as most of the time, it could take me a good ten minutes to shuffle myself from the living room to the front door.

The baby gives me several good kicks as I watch the door open to be greeted by a smiling Prim.

"Good morning." She says, wrapping her arms around me the best she can. I return the hug but was not expecting her.

"Hey, Little Duck." I reply, kissing the top of her head.

"Whoa! The little ones active, huh?" She comments as I assume she can feel the baby move from underneath her arms. She backs up some, placing her hands on my large, huge belly. The gesture doesn't bother me anymore… the kicks still do.

"Yeah." Is all I reply, closing my eyes tightly.

"Sorry." She mumbles, barley heard.

She spends the next thirty, forty minutes doing exactly what my mother does to me. Checking the movements, asking me endless questions, giving me advice for this and that, checking my pulse and the list could go on. When were down, I follow her into the nursery… my new favorite room in the house.

"How's Gale?" She asks me as I take a seat in the rocker as she goes around the room. Looking. I sigh at her question.

"Good. I guess." I reply sheepishly. "I don't get to see him as often." I reply quickly but realize how pathetic that must sound. "You know, with winter and all."

There's no need to explain what I mean by 'winter'. It's the harshest, most difficult time of the year for the whole district. She shakes her head and inspects a picture Gale put in the room just like week. His Father. I rub my belly and rock as the baby begins to calm down some. It silent for a while.

I watch Prim.

She's not little anymore. Not the little toddler I use to watch my parents fuss over. Not the little girl clinging to my legs everywhere I took her with me. Not the little girl crying when I would drop her off at school. She's bigger now. Her long, blond braid stretching down her back, her bright blue eyes becoming beautiful instead of 'cute', her growing lady figure(I try not to think of what that means), her height… she almost as tall as me now, the scars on her hands. Not ones matching mine… matching our mothers.

"How's mother?" I ask her suddenly, wishing to take back the words for some odd reason.

She turns me way but still stars at the picture of Gale's father in her hands. She shrugs her shoulders and I notice the dark circles under her eyes. She almost shrugs again, appearing to hold back a scowl.

"It's mom. What do you expect?" She says simply. I take notice that it's one of the only times I have ever heard Prim talking down or bad about our mother.

"Not much, I guess." I reply flatly. The sound of the front door opening rips through the awkward silence. I assume it's Gale home early from hunting.

I don't ask Prim more questions though, as I have a pretty good explanation to her answer. Our mother is obviously slipping back into one of her oblivious states. I laugh to myself, caring less that Prim sees. When we, I needed my mother the most, after the death of my father, she left me. Blacked out. Left me to find for myself. And now. When I need her yet again with this pregnancy, weeks shy of giving birth, crying myself to sleep every night by myself… she blacks out again. I turn my gaze back up to Prim, realizing how much, this time around, I need her.

"Hey, I'm home."

I hear the words through the doorway and turn my gaze to find a tangled hair Gale. Looking back and forth between myself and Prim.

"Everything alright?" He asks, coming in further. I take note to the two turkeys he's holding in his hands and the wide smile plastered across his face.

"Fine." I answer, forcing myself to smile.

I am happy, somewhat, that Gale obviously got those two turkeys. We never have that type of game during this time of year. He comes over to me and I give him a genuine kiss. He mutters my favorite words, despite what I feel towards him or despite my emotions-

"I love you."

XX

The second week of January comes quickly. All bets are confirmed on my mother when it's Prim who begins taking over my pregnancy. I don't try to talk to her, but she doesn't either. Nor do I want to.

Gale helps me as we both dress in some of our nicest dress clothes we have to attend Vick's Science Fair at the school. I dress in a soft, baby blue, knee length dress that displays my bump proudly. I decide to wear my ever growing hair loose. I move it to the side as Gale helps zip up the small zipper in the back. When I feel Gale press his lips to my exposed neck, I can't help the moan that escapes my throat. We haven't done anything since Prim interrupted us over a month ago. He deepens the kisses on my neck, working his way to my ear and muttering-

"I'd rather have this dress off of you." I crane my neck around and our lips meet quickly. "Just my opinion."

I push my weight off of him, turning around and giving him a quick kiss. He frowns in disappointment.

"Well…" I give him one more kiss, more for me than him. "I'm pretty sure Vick won't want us to be late and there's no telling how long it will take me to get to the school." I answer, placing my hands on his chest, the bump in between us.

He sighs and I find myself holding in laughter.

"Just a quickie?" He says, grinning and winking.

"Gale!" I shout, slapping him on the arm. Remembering the last time we tried a 'quickie' a few months ago, only to be walked in on by Rory.

He laughs and the conversation is quickly dropped as I begin trying to put my black flat shoes on. I hold the other one as Gale tries to stuff my overly swollen feet into the other. Finally, Gale manages to get my shoes on. I was about to reward him with a kiss when he scurries off, saying 'stay put'. I laugh when he's down the stairs, knowing there's no where much I can go without help anyway. He comes back up fairly quick, holding something in his hands. I notice that it's a freshly blossomed flower, a few small little ones attached to a small leaf. He holds it out to me, not for me to take it but that I can see it. I instantly recognize it, despite that I haven't hunted in months. The little, light yellow blossomed flowers attached to the bright green leaf is no other than a Linden Flower. They grow on Linden Tree's by the lake and we make our tea sometimes from them. The smile that forms on my mouth is nothing buy pure joy and happy. Linden Flower's aren't my favorite(They're not the prettiest either) but flowers never grow at this time of the year. I have the urge to ask him, 'How in the hell did you get that?' but I hold off for the moment being. He helps me stand and I watch as he places the little flower behind my ear.

"Something beautiful for the woman who's even more beautiful." He speaks quietly.

I would laugh, at his romantic, cheesy remark but I don't. The smile only widens as I watch as he backs away, taking a good look before he turns, walking towards my dresser. I loose my smile, not by my emotions but my confusion. He comes back over quickly, holding up my little childhood mirror that I had brought with me to the Capitol, the one my father gave me when I was only five. I'm not sure if Gale knows the story exactly of this mirror. That I don't use it all the time, that I don't look into the reflection unless I'm utterly feeling down or depressed… the opposite of what I feel now. My smile though somehow returns.

I force myself to look into it though. Noticing how different I look yet again. But for the first time, since my fathers death, there's no depressed Katniss, sadden, dark Katniss, crying, painful looking Katniss. Instead I find a smiling, young, beautiful pregnant Katniss, smiling because of her husband.

I turn my gaze back up to Gale, thinking that maybe, just maybe he did know about the history this mirror holds and he did this on purpose, to show me that I can be happy again… despite I'm pregnant, married and fatherless at seventeen. I smile even more wide at him, gently taking the mirror from him and placing it on the nightstand behind me. I wrap my arms around his neck tightly and his arms quickly find me. He buries his head into my neck and I smell the most comfortable, amazing scent. The scent of oranges, game and woods. The scent of Gale. He hugs me tight and I ignore that fact we are already five minutes late to the school.

"I love you, Katniss. So much." He says, hugging tighter.

I return the words, meaning them more than ever. I never thought I would say those words to him… to Gale. At least, not in that way, not saying it while carrying his child inside of me. I always loved Gale, from the moment I met him… maybe a few weeks after(to be honest). But I never knew exactly how I loved Gale until (to be honest again)… after I married him. I would never tell Gale this, and I don't plan to. Not to hide it, but I don't want him to judge me on it. I love him now and that's what matters. My next words are genuine despite any humor involved. The words are muffled out by Gale's shirt but he hears me-

"You're not getting a quickie."

XX

That evening of the "District 12 Community School Science Fair" was nothing but exactly what I needed. Even though it took me a near fifty minutes (twenty extra minutes) to get there, I wouldn't take the miserable walk back for nothing. The pure joy on both Vick's and Hazel's face made up nicely for it. Nearly half of the District, rather they had children participating or not (or even of they had kids), came out for the event. The Science projects were nothing fancy. Just simple things strung together by house hold, trash. Of course, a few of the more wealthier, merchant children dolled up their projects with paint or colored putty. I was proud of Vick's solar system made of garbage. I wasn't lying when I told Vick it was nicely down and actually… pretty. The way he had the aluminum cans and such set up nearly made it look like a piece of strange, captivating art. You could tell it was a solar system, even though you couldn't tell what plants were which.

I can't complain when I say it was nice to see people I haven't seen in a while. I'm not a 'people person' (everyone knows that) but I haven't seen half the people in several, several months… since the Harvest Festival. Greasy Sae was my favorite person to see, talking non-stop about the baby, asking me a billion and one questions. Maybe she doesn't think I should be ashamed of myself? She asks me how far along I am now and I answer with a confidence-

"Thirty three weeks."

Madge fusses over my bump for nearly an hour. Ranting on and on about names, clothes and everything else you can think of for the little 'runt' (her words, not mine).

"Babies are just so cute…" She says, too loudly for my liking. "Their chubby cheeks and all!" She changes her voice as though she's actually talking to a baby. I hold in my laugh. "Damn, Katniss! Now I want one!" She lets out.

I always forget that Madge is more foul mouthed and wild than what meets the eyes. Her curly blond locks, toddler looking face and small figure hide it perfectly. I only shake my head and smile, wishing Gale would come back quickly from taking Posy around the tables of projects and talking to his work friends (I try to avoid the fact he goes back next week).

"I've been trying to find a man but I've had no luck." She says with a frown. I hold in my laugh again. "I tried making a move on the three baker's sons but I only got a one night stand out of one of them."

I nearly choke on the water I was sipping on in my hands. She see's this and starts laughing. It doesn't surprise me, Madge having 'one-night-stands' but it does with the innocent sons of the baker. I only can think of one in particular.

"Which one?" I find myself asking before I can stop myself. I don't care. I don't care if it was Peeta Mellark. But why am I asking? She laughs again.

"You're married, Katniss!" She says, as thought she thinks I'm asking for another reason. Her grin widens.

"God Madge I know." I snap back, mad that she would think that. "But which one?" She sighs before answering.

"The hot one." She replies quietly as a group of people walk past us, her grin getting even wider than before. I rub my belly with my free hand as the baby starts kicking.

"And the hot one would be?" I ask again. To me, all the Mellark's look like older versions of themselves… triplets.

"Really, Katniss?" She asks, cocking her head to the side. I'm confused and she does the same thing with her head again, pressing her lips together tightly.

I finally get what she's indicating and follow her gaze to where a group of boys are talking. I spot exactly who she's talking about and it isn't the youngest of the Mellark's.

I spot only the oldest, laughing at a joke the group must have told. I find myself sighing with relief… but why? I realize she's hasn't said his name for the sake of how close he is to us.

I turn my gaze back to her and she raises her eyebrows. I only shake my head at her, lost for words. She mouths her next words though

'He was good.'

And with that, she walks off. Walking past him on purpose.

"What'd she want?" I hear from behind me.

I turn around and see Gale and Posy, their hands interlocked with each other. I contemplate for a second, telling Gale she wanted nothing (which is the truth) or messing with him. I decide the latter and I grin at him, standing on my lip toes so my lips graze his ear and whisper-

"She told me how good the bakers son can fuck her."

Even though I might have… over exaggerated Madge's words, the shocked face Gale gives me is absolutely priceless. I laugh but find myself maybe regretting it when I look down to see Posy looking up at us, laughing too.

The rest of the slow evening is wonderful. The babies kicks are mineral and I find myself relaxed sitting in a chair and striking up a conversation with Bristel, Darius, Madge (who returned to 'hang out' with me), Prim and Homer while Posy sleeps in my lap, her arms cuddles around my belly.

Soon enough though the evening begins to turn to night and the children begin to pack away their little projects. Gale and I say one last goodbye to everyone we know, including our families before heading out. We take the shortest rout home to which happens to be the rout through town. The last bit of sunlight shines on the old, rusted buildings and shop's that are turning their signs to 'closed'. I notice the Quarter Quill Posters plastered on the buildings, stating various things about the upcoming Games involving past Victors-

"Support Your Favorite Victor!"

"This Will Be A Game Never Forgotten!"

"Even The Strongest Can Not Overcome The Capitol!"

Then there's even posters of the Tributes… Victors plastered along the buildings as we continue to walk. Only a few stick out to me though-

"Johanna Mason | District 7."

"Finnick Odair | District 4."

But the one that sticks out the most-

"Haymitch Abernathy | District 12."

I stare at the poster for a second but continue walking when I feel Gale push me a little. I don't ask him my question, about what they'll do since we don't have a female victor for them.

The posters continue down the side of the buildings for sometime before they change into something different. I knew they were gathering men to join the Capitol Army to fight Airgusta if needed, Gale had signed up before he knew I was pregnant but he got out of it. But now there are posters reading various things about this topic. One poster sticks out to me as well-

" Join and fight with the Capitol against Airgusta!

Visit your local Justice Building for more information."

The words are accompanied by a picture of a large Army with enough gear on to cover their faces and bodies completely. A large explosion is photo shopped in behind them. It's Gale who I have to nudge to keep walking this time. We arrive home, speechless at the various posters we saw around her District. I decide to try to cheer up the new found… 'quiet mood'… 'down mood'?, we have found ourselves in by giving Gale what he wanted earlier before we left. But he declines to my utter and complete surprise-

"I'm going to bed." Is his only response as I begin making a trail of kisses down his neck this time.

He pulls away and I watch him ascend the stairs quickly.

Disappearing in the darkness.

XX

The next week that follows is hell.

Pure Hell.

Gale goes back to work. The baby gets heavier. Winter gets harsher. My mother gets worse. Posy gets sick. Food gets scarce again. I'm forced to Hunt again and more posters of both appear everywhere now, covering the whole District.

The night that Gale came home after one am, drunk as a skunk and trying to get me to have sex with him I decided I couldn't take it anymore. I lost all self control, locking myself in the bathroom and crying until the sun came up. He said he'd never make it up to me.

And I believe that.

The next week comes quickly and were only shy of February. Things start to brighten up some. Posy gets better, to an existent, the weather warms up a tad bit and I find myself catching more game than last week. It's not easy to hunt with a thirty five week protruding belly in the way, physically and mentally but I make ends meet. Gale does everything in his will and power to make up coming home drunk to me. He gets off at four in the afternoon now (how he manages to, I don't know) and cooks for me, rubs my feet and back without me asking and compliments me constantly. I would find it funny, but I'm still beyond pissed at him. I'm grateful for his gestures and that his new time schedule allows him to hunt at dusk, minimizing the time I have to hunt right now. He says I shouldn't be at all, and I agree but it's still winter. He frowns when I remind him.

The next morning I find myself waking with a yawn and an awful kick from the baby to my ribs, enough that I grunt loudly.

"Alright, alright." I reply to the babies kick. "I'm getting up." I throw the covers off of me.

I change into my hunting clothes quickly, knowing I lied to Gale last night when I told him I wouldn't hunt this morning, but with the babies arrival only weeks away and winter still, we need the extra food.

I make my way to the fence quickly, listening for the hum I never hear. I begin to climb it with careful, baby steps, being sure I don't loose my footing. I almost fell once… but only once.

I retrieve my bow and arrows from their log and begin making my track in the woods, getting the game from the snares and fishing nets(which isn't much) before actually hunting. I find a high but easy tree that I can climb and I nest myself on the lowest branch. I decide to wait and take it easy, hoping for any game to pass by. Usually I can get a few rabbits by doing this during winter.

Somehow I dozed off. I wake up with the early afternoon sun warming my cold body but I realize I was woken up by something. The tight, cramped, painful feeling in my lower abdomen and back immediately puts me on the alarm. I cry out a little when the feeling tightens even more and I drop my bow to the ground bellow.

I know instantly that this isn't good . . . . . .

Chapter 31 Preview: Katniss has found herself in a bind, being high up in a tree, in the middle of the woods. Is Katniss going into labor early or could it just be a fathom of her imagination or something worse? But what will Katniss do? With Gale at work, Prim at school and her mother back into a depression, what will she do to seek out help? Will Hazel be home next door? And what will happen when nothing goes as Katniss planned... as anyone planned? Complications will arise, heart-felt conversations will be shared! Read the most important Chapter yet Saturday the 21st!