A/N - Forgive me? Please? BUT... Lord have mercy, grant him peace on my aching soul... IT IS HERE. I honestly want to send my deepest apologizes to all my readers/followers. I have been SO very busy with family and of course, Christmas like usually... busy. I don't want you guys to think I have given up on the story because I haven't, I love it more now than ever and it is CONFIRMED, there will be a third installment to this. Would you guys like that? Let me know, lovies! But... I'm not quite done with this one yet of course. This Chapter is full of a lot of different little things. Writing Katniss as a mother is one of the toughest things I have done... honestly! I want to stay truthful to how Suzanne Collins wrote her characters. I love them the way they are but of course, she never gives insights on how Katniss would have acted as a mother (nor Gale). So, you can see my difficulty there AND my slowness in writing. I want to make these characters as truthful to the original as I possibly can and sadly, a little more writing time is needed. Okay...

THANK YOU TO: Firework7, Bellabear, LuckyDuckypomluv, CatnipGirlOnFire, ImaginationStation00, Jillis, Ephesians613, Princ3ssOfQu33nS, district101, Animes5423, Heslen, "Guest" and MadHatter0542 for reviewing! I love you guys like Peeta loves Katniss.. ha! CatnipGirlOnFire- Remember, Katniss is stubborn ;) ;). Princ3ssofQu33nS- I'm not sure yet, I would love to add a tiny, glimpse of a moment where Peeta completely moves on from Katniss, and by that, seeing that she now has her own family. So if so, if will most likely be in the next installment :). Good question! Animes5423- Thank you :D! Heslen- Thank you for pointing out the gramma/word corrections. I think I fixed the "barley/barely" area and other stuff. I am using my (new) laptop which has an automatic autocorrect (gr!) but I am looking into possibly getting a Beta Reader(?) for my next installment, just with my late postings already, I really don't want anything slowing my down at the moment. Sadly.. I did not get to proof read this one.. opps! Thank you for your help ;). MadHatter0542- ... :|... YOU KNOW I understand! ;) ;)! Your words (as well as everyone) mean so much to me. To be compared to Suzanne Collins herself... amazing! That uplifts me so much! And don't be afraid to ask any questions, anyone can feel free to! Fangirl away...fangirl away...

Well, this chapter, like I said kind of covers a wide range. A little more with her mother, a little more about Katniss being a mother herself, a little Posy!, of course Linden! and then, the main attraction... Gale. I really tried to add some key moments between Katniss and Gale in this Chapter. And for some of you, I know you'll love some ' ;) ' scene like the one in here. This Chapter, or near the end really, is more of a complete set up to what I thinking will be the final Chapter for No Sad Goodbyes. The next Chapter is going to make you Fangirl(or boy) so hard you'll see stars and hate me for eternity! Well, I don't want to put too much more expect to please feel free to leave reviews! They are amazing and I love the feedback to see what you guys love, hate and any questions. Chapter 35, I'm thinking, will be up sometime in the middle of January. It should be slower but I have two family birthdays that month, so that might, maybe, could slow me down just a tad. Right now, I'm shooting for January 18th!? PLEASE check the Facebook page for all the updates! :) Anyway, you guys deserve this... so much! Enjoy and I would love to hear what you thought? Enjoy my beautiful readers! - Macayla

**Warning: Strong Sexual Scene! Feel free to skip.

I unofficially call this Chapter: "Trust."

Why is all the way down this road, Daddy? Away from everything?"

The question surfaces immediately to my mind as I walk hand in hand with Gale, Linden tucked in the crook of his free arm as we walk down the dirt road to the Church, along with a dozen of other quiet, seldom citizens. The question surfaced my mind when Gale had quietly asked, or more, wondered why the Church was so far and secluded away from the town and square. I wasn't going to answer his question, not with the tension still ever strong between us. I'm really still unsure of what exactly my feelings are toward him. All I can manage is hurt at the moment.

Nothing else.

I decided, last night, after we finally got Linden to sleep (after hours of crying) that I was going to have to banish any thoughts of the possibilities that Gale was at the blasted "military" meeting to get any sleep myself. Gale said he wasn't there, though. He wouldn't lie…

Would he?

Banishing the thought didn't work… much anyways. Everything screamed in my dreams last night. More realistic than ever as the screams and wails seemed ever real, mixed in with Linden's own cries and Gale's grunts and sounds of protest from his own haunting nightmares last night.

What did he have nightmares about?

What does he have nightmares about?

I had to banish that thought too for my own sanity. Gale didn't offer me any type of condolence when I repeatedly woke screaming, so why should I had? And that morning, when we woke early for Church service, it was then that I never had the urge so badly to smack him as I did after he asked a simple question.

"Sleep well?"

I didn't answer, barley looked up from buttoning the few buttons on my dress.

"Katniss?!"

I hear my name gently but urgently called through my heavy thoughts. I had almost lost myself in my own 'little world' that I nearly forgot we are almost at the little Church building, still walking along the dirt road as the spring, late February wind blows my loose hair from my face. It's oddly chilly against my bare legs. My black dress is far too thin. I forgot Gale's question, although it's coming back to me-

"What?" I ask, avoiding each other's gaze like we have been all morning.

"I asked, why is it so secluded? Away from the District?" He asks, keeping his head down.

Now it all floods back to me.

"Why is it all the way down this road, Daddy? Away from everything?"

I had asked the question to my own father, when we were returning from a morning inside that building. The storm clouds were rolling in and mother was home sick with an ill Prim. It was only my father and I, walking, more like running, down the road and to the seam. I was only nine and my curiosity was at it's peek. I always hated that dirt road when I was younger, how the little pieces of gravel would wedge themselves in my nice(er) sandals, causing pain with every step. It was when I was becoming frustrated with the feeling, running and trying to beat the dark storm clouds that I asked my father this question. He answered back breathlessly as he clutched my hand tighter-

"Well dear, in the old days-"

"The Dark Day's?" Remembering them from school. He chuckled.

"Yes, the Dark Day's… after the Dark Day's. Panem was more cruel than ever, making it impossible to worship any type of God or gods. It wasn't allowed and the Peacekeeper's were harsher. They would have been arrested and killed…" My father lowered his voice as we began to enter the square and town- "So they built the building away from the Peacekeeper's and authorities. So they could worship freely."

"Did they get caught?" My father paused at my question but began to walk faster as the first few rain drops began to fall.

"Yes." He said quietly, barley speaking the words, looking straight ahead with a dead pan expression.

"And then what happened?"

"They eased up and began using the building again." The words were spoken evenly, no emotion.

"Oh."

It startled me that at my 'oh', my father stopped walking and stood straight in front of me, stooping down to my eye level and clutching both my arms in his large hands tightly-

"You never speak of this though. Understood?"

I only shook my head, rather startled at my fathers harshness. With only a light kiss to my forehead, we were back to running towards home (we never did make it to the seam before the storm clouds pounded us with it's force of water).

"Earth to Katniss?" I hear Gale's voice ring through my heavy thoughts, again. A gentle squeeze run's through my hand that's being held.

"Sorry… sorry." I say hoarsely. "No… not really."

He doesn't ask for anymore of an answer as we began to approach the large but yet small building. It look's as though it's only a one room building. The red, faded brick stands out among the dark, green mountains in the distance and the white steeple is no longer white but rather a matching dark green with ages and years of slime and dirt on it. The little cross that use to sit on top is missing. The large, wooden front doors that I use to love as a child are no longer there also. There's no longer any door. We follow the flood of people inside the building. It's rather cozy, and look's nothing like you would imagine. Both coming from a building that's so old and a building within our darker, muted color District. It is indeed a one room building, with two very long rows of wooden, rotted church pews on either side of the long ail. A large hole sits on the tall roof, above the small wooden podium. I assume something glass use to be in place of the hole, I can't seem to remember anything ever being there as a child. The large, opened windows on the tops of the wall offer the beautiful sun rays to filter in along with the new spring breeze. People are chatting loudly, making their way to their seats. We stand off to the side in the back for the moment, to let the flood of people behind us in.

"Do you see Prim?" Gale asks while scanning the large, crowded room.

After Prim visited last night, she was filled with joy when I informed her about Gale and I taking Linden to church the next morning. I tried to play it off as though we we're going for Linden. She bought in to it (for the most part) and asked if she could join us. I couldn't say no.

"I'll meet you there." She said as she left.

I clearer my throat before answering Gale, scanning the room also.

"No." I let out hoarsely again.

At my voice, Linden begins to shift uncomfortably in Gale's large arms. His face beginning to turn beet red. I hadn't thought about taking a newborn into a what will be a quiet building. I'm about to mention to Gale, right as Linden begins to cry, that I'll go back home with him when suddenly I feel a light tap on my shoulder. I turn around quickly and at my movements, so does Gale.

My vision is greeted by an older woman, smiling from ear to ear gently. I've never seen her before, neither has Gale by the polite smile he is giving off. Her long, curly, grey hair falls past her shoulders and looks light as a feather. She claps her hands quietly, below her chin and gestures to the baby with one of her fingers. Her smile widens more and I can't help but notice how white her teeth are. I assume that the woman is deaf, on the note that she obviously hasn't or can't speak.

I remember a girl in one of my first grades at school. She was deaf and rarely anyone tried to make friends with her. I ended up sitting with her at lunch, and partnering up with her for various projects. She was quiet and I liked that. Only a small number of people know/knew how to speak to the deaf, but the girl began to read my lips at the few words that we ever spoke to each other. I feel bad now, because once I started to befriend Madge Undersee, she was left to play on the swing set by herself again. I always meant to apologize once I got older, but I never saw her again after middle classes. She was the source of the 'Dark Horror' story that was passed around in the higher classes. That a monster was loose in the District, torturing and eating anyone that was 'defected', and it already claimed it's 'first victim'. I never believed it… no one did. We were all too old for such fake stories. The night that it took me hours to calm Prim down from a nightmare, I hated the damn story ever since.

"Will he be a problem?" Gale asks to the smiling woman hesitantly. His words snap me out of my thoughts… again.

I assume now that the woman isn't deaf, not when she shakes her head violently 'no'. Her smile fades though as she watches the crying Linden, running the tips of her fingers together in thought. After a few seconds, she smiles and claps her hands together quietly again. Pointing to Linden, then slowly dragging her finger to my arms that are clutched around my side bag straps. Gale's eyebrow raise and he chuckles for a second-

"He's crying because he wants his mother?" Gale asks slowly. The woman squeals with delight, clapping her hands again.

With an easy transition, I take the crying Linden in my arms. As soon as he settles against me, the crying stops immediately. The woman smiles widely, matching Gale's that I can see from the corner of my eye. When she motions for us to follow her, we do. She takes us to one of the pews, located in the smack dead middle of one of the long rows to the side. She sits on one side of me, with Gale on the other as an older, skinny man takes the small, wooden stage.

I take a deep breath.

XX

Knock, knock, knock.

I give Gale another blanket for Linden from my bag as we both wait on the front porch of my old home, waiting for Prim to answer the door. After she never showed for Church, panic set in before anything else. I knock loudly again, shouting for Prim-

"Prim? Are you hom-"

Before I can finish, the door opens and a pale woman stands on the other side.

My mother.

She acts like I'm not even there as almost immediately her eyes land on the sleeping Linden in her son in-laws arms. I realize this is the first time she has ever seen her grandson.

And I hate it.

I keep my gaze down and pretend to cough. No one talks and there's no movement or sound behind her in the house, so I speak-

"Where's Prim?" I ask evenly. From the corner of my eyes, I see my mother look at me finally.

"She's at Mrs. Anderson's, helping with a sick child" I can hear the smile in her voice.

"And you couldn't?" My mouth takes over before my brain and I spit the words out sarcastically.

"No…" I know the smile fades. "I have a lot to worry about right now." I see her shake her head, but I don't look up. Her voice sounds nothing like herself.

"Let's go." I motion my words to Gale, flying down the few steps before I change my mind and guilt will set in.

When I don't feel him right beside me, I stand there, my back to the door and porch as I wait. Anger floods, more with Gale, for not following me just now and anger with my mother, for making young Prim do all her work for her. I remember the nervous breakdown Prim had after helping her with the ill miners months ago. I cross my arms and wait as I hear my mother speak quietly to Gale and Linden. Seconds later I hear the door shut and he nudges me on the shoulder.

With that, we walk quietly to our home with a tight scowl written across my face.

XX

I slowly make my way up the stairs to change as Gale tucks Linden in his crib in the nursery. Only mere seconds later Gale joins me in our bedroom as I strip the dress from me, leaving me in nothing but my too-small bra and underwear. I begin to braid my hair back, using the small, wall mounted mirror above my dresser when he speaks-

"She doesn't sound well. Your mother." He says as he strips his shoes and socks from him.

I see him behind me in the mirror, sitting on the bed and keeping his gaze heavily on me. I don't answer him. More of nothing to say rather than not wanting to speak. A few seconds pass before I see him stand directly behind me, my bare back touching the fabric of his shirt-

"I think you need to be a little easy on her." He says. The gaze we have on each other through the mirror is the first time we've looked at each other in the past twelve hours. "Now isn't the time to take out your frustration on-"

I whip around quickly-

"Really, Gale?" Anger begins to take over me. "You want me to have pity on her don't you? Just like you want me to have pity on you!" I whip back around, tying off the end of my braid with the rubber band loudly.

He doesn't answer and by his expression, I know he's confused. It only make me more angry. I drop my gaze and begin searching for the few pins I have left, pinning back the loose hairs from my face-

"You can't hide things from me, Gale." I finish and snap back around to face him. "People don't do that." I pause and drop my gaze to the rise and fall his chest makes with every breath. My next words are whispered-

"Not people who love each other."

XX

The sound of the night crickets outside match the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears, as Gale and I lay on our backs in bed, staring at the dark ceiling while listening to those crickets and the heavy, sleeping breathing of Linden in his little crib. The only words that Gale have spoken all night was, 'I do love you. You know that, right?', over dinner. But now the quietness seems so empty. Like there's words floating in our heads but neither of us are brave enough to grab them and speak them. I sigh heavily when soft words finally begin to fill the room-

"Katniss?" I hear Gale call my name through the dim lit room. Only the moons light reflects the outside shadow of a tree over our feet on the bed.

"Hm?" I answer back, closing my eyes for the first time tonight. He pauses before speaking-

"Have you been… thinking about… what Pastor Glavan said this morning?" He asks slowly, pausing with every few words. I open my eyes again and answer truthfully.

"I don't know." I pause, too. "Not really."

"Oh."

"Why?" I ask.

"Did you get what he was saying?" He asks me, avoiding my question.

"I don't know, Gale." I turn my head to see him staring back at me. "Why are we having this conversation?"

"Because…" He sits up on one arm, facing me. " he talked about trust. Having faith."

"So?"

"So…" He pauses for a long time, dropping his gaze to my folded hands that are over my stomach.

I notice how the crickets sound louder, in the returning silence. As though a hundred other's have joined in with the chorus. I return my gaze back up to the ceiling, giving up on a answer from him. He takes a deep, loud sigh and I can't help but return my gaze back to his. The look of pure disappointment is clearly written across his face.

"What is it?" I ask, letting panic set in for the second time today.

Is he going to tell me he's been cheating on me? That he has been going to those damn meetings behind my back? That… I don't know! Tell me something bad? He finally speaks-

"Do you trust me, Katniss?" He asks quietly, his eyes welling up with silent tears.

Suddenly I am filled with the memory of only Friday night, when Gale had asked me this in the kitchen before bed.

"Do you trust me?"…

"No, Gale. Sometimes… I don't."

A shiver runs through me. A cold, hard one that I can't help but to physically shake. He notices-

"Katniss, I mean really trust me? Trust me with your life? With Linden's, Prim's? Our family?" He asks, correcting himself. "Answer honestly." He whispers.

I sigh, returning my gaze back to the ceiling. Gale wants the truthful answer? What is the truthful answer? God, Katniss. I close my eyes tightly, somehow finding that answer that I didn't even know was there myself-

"I guess…" I open my eyes. "It's hard, sometimes, when you don't know what's going on… to trust that person with something so valuable."

I hear him open his mouth to speak but I cut him off, returning my gaze to him as I see a single, silent tear fall down his cheek. I wipe it off with my hand while speaking-

"But when it come's to the people I love… you are the only person I trust with them."

My words shock me, leave me filled with wonder… but they were truthful. They are truthful. After my words, Gale leans over, wrapping his arm around my waist (the best he can while I'm laying down) and tilts his head down, letting his lips graze mine as he speaks his next words-

"Then I need you to trust me… this one time, Katniss. Just this one time." He whispers. "Please."

I feel my gaze and my heart begin to drop, he's wanting me to trust him when he won't tell me the truth? What kind of person trusts a person like that? I do.

I trust a person like that.

"I do, Gale."

It's when our lips meet, that I melt into him. That night we fall asleep in each other's arms and I fall asleep repeating the last words he spoke to me before sleep over took him-

"Everything will be reviled soon. Everything. I promise"

'I promise'.

XX

Linden.

I just love the word. The little joy that comes with the simple name.

The week come's and is full. Everyday there is something new about Linden. A new sound, a new facial expression, a new little movement of his tiny limbs. Everyday he surprises me and brings me such a joy that I never thought I would expect to find. A type of joy that I've never had. A type you could only get knowing that you are holding your own flesh and blood, a child that was born out of two people loving each other so deeply.

Gale.

After our 'trust' conversation, I realized Gale wasn't going to tell me anything new… not anytime soon anyway. It didn't mean that I was going to let it pass and excuse everything, but I had to put my trust in him. I was right, there is no one I trust more than him. And I know Gale would do nothing to hurt me… not intentionally, not purposely. There's still slight anger, a slight grudge that I will never shake off until the truth is 'reviled' (whatever he means by that), but I no longer look the other way when he returns home every night. I know that he knows the grudge is still there, but it doesn't stop him from pulling me into his lap one night, showing kisses down my neck, or letting his hand slip between my legs in the darkest of night. I don't stop him, for the affection feels so impossibly good.

It's a Tuesday of that week when finally something… exciting finally happens. It's not good (at all), but it differs from sitting around the house, sweeping the floors for the hundredth time. I'm in the nursery, changing Linden's dirty diaper while blowing raspberries on his tiny tummy, trying for a crack of a smile (all I get from him is a fist full of a few strands of my hair he yanked from my braid) when there's a soft knock. I call for the person to come in, knowing it's Hazel. She comes into the nursery, a large bag and Posy in toe-

"Hello, dear." She comes over to the changing table, placing her hand on the top of Linden's head, causing him to look at his grandmother. "And hello, sweet Linden!"

"Hey, Mrs. Hazel." I say quickly as I hold Linden up, reviling a string of drool pouring from his mouth.

"I, ah…" Before she can get anymore words out, Posy interrupts her-

"I really get to stay with Gale and Kat, ma!?" She blurts out. I turn around, tucking Linden in my arms and making sure I heard her right.

"What?" I ask quietly.

"Oh, Posy! Hush!" Hazel blurts out, yanking her gently by her shirt collar. I would laugh if I wasn't confused. "Gale didn't tell you. Did he?" She asks with a sigh. More confusion floods me.

"No."

"Damn, Gale!" This time, I allow a smile but it quickly fades.

Why did Gale not tell me Posy is obviously… staying with us and why? I can't say I'm totally against it, it should replace all the bordness while Linden takes his naps. But why? Before I can say more, she speaks again after another loud sigh-

"I asked Gale if she could stay with you guys, just for a day or two, while I make rounds of laundry and work on the loads a while." She pauses for a second. "Rory is ill and we need the extra money for the medicine." She says quietly, a tight, sadden smile on her aging, graceful face.

Any type of illness is nothing to take lightly in District Twelve. The slightest of a cut can lead to infection and death or the slightest of a cough can lead to a chest infection and death (and so on). With our malnutrition bodies, climate and environment, our bodies fend nothing off with ease. Over half of the people die here if they are 'ill'.

"Of course she can. You know that." I smile slightly, making sure she knows my words are genuine.

"You're such a blessing, de-"

"Can we play outside!? Pretty please!?" Posy jumps up and down, cutting her mother off again.

This should be fun…

XX

So we play outside.

I gave in when I did indeed realize how warm and crisp it was outside. Chilly enough for boots and pants, but no longer any jacket or long sleeve shirt to shield the wind. Posy was persistent on playing in the small water puddles that formed from last nights light rainfall. I found that she packed her worn rain boots, so I allow it. I sit in the rocking chair on the porch, laughing each time Posy falls. More of laughing at her out bursts of cackling. Linden sleeps comfortably in between his feeding times. I think he enjoys the outdoors as much as his parents.

It brings a smile to my face.

As I watch Posy enjoy herself, and the joy so strong within me, I can't help but to have flashbacks of when I was a child. Running out in the rain (against my parents wishes) and playing for hours in the water left behind. I don't know why this thought comes to me. Maybe it's the fact that, from behind, Posy couldn't look more like I did at her age. I assume it's the long, dark braid down her back.

We play outside all afternoon. Once the sun begins to lower itself near the mountains to the North, I walk back inside to start a small pot of soup, using the lynx Gale caught while hunting last night. I tuck Linden into his crib, knowing I'll hear him if he cries by leaving both the nursery and front door open. When I walk back outside he's home. Gale is jumping in the puddles with Posy, adding dirty, muddy water to his coal infested mining uniform. I lean against the rotted porch pillar, smiling at the scene. It seems like an eternity before he turns around and spots me. When he walks over to the bottom porch step and holds out his arms for me, I don't hesitate to enter them. Although the grudge and slight anger is still there (and will be), a piece of sanity and peace have been slightly restored between us. Before my foot is off the last step, he swoops me up, making my feet dangle.

"Hey!" I protest while a giggle. I wrap my legs around his waist and he holds me as though I'm as light as our own son. He crashes our lips together quickly. "You didn't tell me we were having a visitor…" I whisper after the kiss, giving him the best stern look I can manage, without being completely serious.

"Oh…" He lets out. "I think I forgot." He grins widely.

"Well a warning would have been nice."

"You know I've been forgetful lately."

"Since when?"

"Since all I can think about is how beautiful you are every waking seco-"

"Don't flatter me!" I joke, slapping his shoulder playfully. He laughs.

He sets me down and leans his own self down to my level, letting our lips meet once again passionately. For a second, I completely forgot the world around us until-

"Ew! Gross!"

Posy brings me back into reality.

XX

"There's nothing you can do to stop her."

"If you nudge her again, maybe she'll stop?"

"I already tried that."

Gale and I whisper our words to each other in the darkened bedroom. The sound of Posy's ever 'growing-in-volume' snoring filling the quiet room. She's nestled between Gale and myself… snuggled and tucked. We've been trying to fall asleep for the past two hours with absolutely no luck. I begin to contemplate sleeping on the couch, but than I realize I'm not the one that has to be up in five hours to work deep beneath the earth.

"Come on." I whisper to Gale, slowly and quickly easing the covers off of me, standing and letting my long, bare legs be exposed from underneath my small nightgown.

Gale doesn't question me, or even give me a stern look. Instead, he follows me down the stairs and into the living room. I'm getting ready to retrieve a blanket and pillow from the basket in the corner, but before I can, I feel Gale's hands on my hips from behind. It has been so long since he has done this tiny gesture… too long. Long enough that I forgot the pure effect it has on my body. He's holding my hips the way he does when we would make love, tight and gentle but in control. He moves his hands slowly, easing them up my back, to my shoulders and grazing the tips of his fingers down the back of my exposed arms. It feels so good, so… so, so good but I know I must put a stop to it-

"Gale, we shouldn't." I speak softly. My voice gives way though as he repeats his hand movements on my back, shoulders and arms. "It's too soon."

"What?"

I turn around, ceasing his movements. Through the dark I can see Gale's eyes are dilated to black… filled with lust.

"It's too soon." I repeat myself. "I just gave birth barely a week ago, Gale." He shakes his head.

"But why'd you want me to come down here then?" He asks quietly.

"Because…" I pause and walk away to grab the blanket and pillow. I throw them onto the couch. "To make you a bed, so you could get some sleep." I answer, shrugging.

"Oh." He replies, sounding (and looking) embarrassed for his misunderstanding.

"I'll take care of Linden tonight." I say quietly, dropping the gaze I had on him. He comes and stands in front of me, wrapping his arms around my small, cold frame.

"Thank you." He kisses me one last time before plopping down on the bed.

I tuck him in, nearly like a child before making my way back upstairs, tucking the covers around my own self.

I don't sleep well that night and neither does Linden, but Posy…

She sleeps fine.

XX

The next morning, despite her good night of sleep, Posy is in the worst mood I have ever seen on a five year old. She grumps and growls as I pull her by her feet of the bed and I get an even worse reaction when I try to coax her into brushing her teeth. Thankfully, Linden takes this rainy morning as a time to make up the lost sleep from last night. I'm grateful for it, as it seems Posy is more of a handful than a newborn baby… almost.

I plop the plate of scrambled eggs (the few we have) and a slice of toast in front of her at the kitchen table, her tight scowl getting even tighter as I move back into the kitchen. It takes me a few seconds as I begin to heat my own toast on the stove that Posy isn't eating. I look her way and find her sitting with her arms crossed over her tiny frame, scowl and all.

"What's wrong?" I ask quietly, flipping my piece of bread over in the small skillet. She shrugs.

"I don't want it." She says just as quietly.

"Why?" I ask. "You have to eat." She shakes her head a few good times.

"I'm not hungry." She answers, unfolding one of her arms to scoot the plate of food further away from her.

I try to rack my brain for ways to her to eat. She's much too old to do the 'train' thing with and she's still a little too old to make any childish games out of it. I continue to rack my brain as I slip my piece of toast onto my own plate, making my way to the table. Finally I remember something-

"You know…" I take a seat directly across from her. "…when I was little…" I take a bite into my mouth, chewing a little before speaking more. "… my father always said that if I didn't eat, I'd shrivel up like a rotten tomato." I lie.

My father did not speak those words, or nothing like that of any sorts. When I was Posy's age, I never questioned the food that was placed in front of me. I would devour any and all food I could get my little skinny fingers around. I let myself assume that Hazel's spoiling her in the area of letting her choose what to eat. No one in twelve get's the privilege… rarely anyone, I should say. The thought nearly makes me angry when suddenly my mind wonders to Linden, how one day, he'll be Posy's exact age, trotting around the kitchen and asking what I'm making for him. If he asked for a particular food, I would try my hardest to make that happened. Suddenly, I know exactly where Hazel is coming from now.

You'll do anything for your child.

I'll do anything for my child.

I'm about to laugh at Posy's deadpan reaction (and yet another scowl) when suddenly the house fills with the television alarm, alerting us of some kind of important news report or emergency. Posy's hands fly immediately to her ears at the loud pitched sound. I make my way to the living room, taking the remaining bit of my toast with me.

A woman that I've seen before sits behind a desk and a moving red banner moves across the bottom of the screen. I don't read the words yet, but pay attention to what the woman is about to say. She looked frazzled, frightened as she begins the news story. She seems to be trying to have a straight, calm face but under her blaring makeup and sea form green wig, her face is blotchy red. I stuff the remaining toast into my mouth as the image changes into a tall building. It's top and windows have smoke and flames billowing and pouring out. People are running in which ever direction, but the camera is too far to make out any faces or features. The woman voices over the image and breathlessly she informs us of a bombing in a District Nine Hospital. No doubt, she says, from Airagusta. I can't help but let me mind wander to the innocent people trapped. People who are already dieing, hurt or even (and I'm sure) woman who are giving birth to new life. I shake my head at the sound of Linden's soft cry from upstairs.

I turn the volume down on the remote and go to fetch my crying son.

XX

The week drags on so slowly, that I nearly cry myself to sleep one night with the idea that this week is never going to end. Rory gets well quickly, so she leaves the next day. But things don't go back to normal, no where near it. It's in this time, that I'm glad Gale and I have returned a sense of peace. We watch horrified as the death toll rises to over a hundred and nearly all of District Eight is burning down in flames from Airagusta. It's Thursday of the same week when President Snow makes a national emergency, declaring the first war since the Dark Days. Gale says everything will be alright, that they won't harm the most weakest District, they will go for the stronger ones first. He tries to conform it to my even more when President Snow also mentions that all District Military Recruits will be transported and begin training in the 'Capitol Armed Forces' by the end of this week, beginning of the next.

"See, everything will be fine." He reassures, kissing the top of my head as we are cuddled on the couch late at night, watching the news report together. I wrap my arms around him tighter, finally releasing some weight off my chest with my next words-

"I'm not scared for ourselves or anyone else…" I say sheepishly "I'm worried about Linden." I add quietly.

Gale leans down, brushing his lips against my ear. I can't help but to close my eyes at the touch of his lips on such a delicate part of my skin.

"Trust me." Are the only words he whispers before leaning in front of my, kissing me gently.

I allow myself some small freedom as we lie there together, kissing gently and soothingly. His right hand begins to touch different parts of my body, gently and calmly. Nothing overly… 'sexual', more calming. I loose myself in our embrace,

But nothing else happened that night.

XX

"Come on!" Prim rushes me.

It's finally Saturday that week, a near end to this week that I call a disaster. I was looking forward to spending this whole day with Gale and Linden, enjoying some time together as a family (words I never thought I'd get to say), when Prim rushes over that early afternoon, demanding we take a walk into town to enjoy the nice weather.

"Prim, I don't feel like getting Linden all-"

"I'll take care of him." Gale interrupts, stepping into the kitchen where we are and grabbing the gurgling Linden from my grasp.

Prim looks at me, raising her eyebrows. A smirk. I shrug, realizing it will be the first time I've left Linden with anyone, anywhere. Gale, who is the only true person who can read me, must see this in my face, or maybe how stiff I realize my body is.

"Katniss," I feel him place his free arm on my waist. "I'm quiet capable of watching my own son."

'My' he used, not 'ours'. I think about the words, and how I've spent nothing more than spending my own quality time alone with our son. Why shouldn't Gale be awarded the same kind of privilege. It's not like he's gone from him for twelve hours out of the day. And to be honest, I would love nothing more than some alone time with my sister. I would like to see how all this Airagusta and war stuff is taking on her. I allow a crack of a smile.

"Okay."

He kisses me, gently at first but when I return the kiss, he immediately deepens it.

"Alright, stop before I need to excuse myself to barf." Prim jokes with a smile, slowly walking towards the door.

"I'll see you soon." He whispers.

I grab my bag off of the coat hanger, joining Prim at the door. Her gaze is set over my shoulder and she winks. I turn around to find a grinning Gale. I turn back to her-

"What?" I ask, turning back around to my husband (grinning husband).

"Oh nothing," She says causally. "Just messing with the worlds cutest nephew."

XX

"I'm home."

I announce quietly, at the possibility that my son could be sleeping.

The walk and visit to some people in the town was nice. Prim was as bubbly as ever. I couldn't help but realize how much older she is and looks… yet again. The way her chest sticks out from under her shirt and the way her hips curve out… boys will be after her before she knows it. If they're not already.

Although the walk/visits were nice, I feel bad for being gone so long. The sun is well into setting already by the time I've made it home. I must be so tired, or maybe just down right oblivious to the smell of something… amazing cooking. I seem even more crazy when I finally spot Gale in the kitchen, whistling as he sets two plates on the table, steam rising from them.

"Just in time." He speaks happily, not looking at me yet.

"What's all this for?" I ask with a small smile while hanging my bag back up on the rack by the door. Usually I cook, most of the time.

"Something for my beautiful wife." He says, turning to look at me with a smile (not a grin).

It's not that Gale hasn't ever talk to my that way, or said the words, but they are usually accompanied by a flirty grin or deep, 'sexy' voice. But this time, their spoken seldom and quiet. Met with only a smile and not a grin of any kind. I slowly walk closer, taking in the nice candles he has lit throughout the kitchen and table. Once I'm close enough, he wraps his arms around my waist and the way he places his hands there, it takes all I can not to blurt out a simple request from him.

"Where's our son?" I ask, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Sleeping?" I tilt my head up, to meet his eyes.

"Possibly." He replies. My face falls. "He's with my mother." My heart sinks.

"What!?" I shout, removing my hands. I try to take a few steps away but his hands keep me planted.

"You're mine tonight…" He pulls me closer. "And no one else."

It takes him several, several minutes of talking and coaxing for me to finally agree to let him spend the night with Hazel and the kids, although I think he's far too young to be away from his parents so soon. But I trust Hazel, so that calms me… a little.

While we eat, it's not silent like usual, Gale cracks nearly every joke in the book and I can't help but to almost fall out of my chair a few times in die heart laughter.

No one ever makes me laugh like this.

But him.

While he speaks of a story in the eighth grade, when he embarrassed himself in Science class, I can't help but to take in his features. I feel almost guilty, but I've paid little attention to Gale in this way like I use to. The soft candle light reflects every feature and makes them more noticeable. He has grown, honestly. He's always looked like a man, a grown man but now… he looks, not old, but middle aged almost. His face is deeper and darker and a fine line of a growing beard (stubble) shows on his cheeks and chin. It doesn't look bad and it's not quiet yet grown into any kind of beard, but he only looks like he hasn't shaven in a while. His eyes seem darker and I can't help but notice the ever so present bags under his eyes. Stress and lack of sleep. Although I can't see his whole body from our spots at the table, across from each other, I notice the swells of muscle on each of his upper arms. He's always been lean, fit and cut but never overly muscled. I guess the work in the mines have paid off in that area.

I'm not complaining.

I begin to fill the sink with water, to wash our dirty dishes when he stops me. He yawns as he drags me into the living room.

"They can wait until morning." He informs. I can't help but to notice how deep(er) his voice sounds, too.

He pulls me next to him on the couch, my knees draped over his legs and my arms swung around his neck. I sit sideways, facing him and he rests his chin at the top of my head, soothing my unbraided hair. I close my eyes, basking in his warmth and smell. I allow myself that freedom again and I let out a quiet, but somehow loud moan as the relaxation state I am in. Gale laughs.

"I love when you make that sound." He says quietly and deeply.

Instantly, at his words, I feel a warmth run down my core, straight to the area between my legs.

No.

I can't allow myself to get worked up of any sorts. My body, I know, can't be anywhere near ready to be physical again. Nor do I feel particularly pretty, in several areas. It's a turn off for me and it's working… until-

"I like it better when you make those sounds because of me."

Damn it. The warm feeling returns and I laugh at his words. His hand that's sprawled across my back begins to move, slowly. The tips of his fingers run down my back, right over my spine. He stops when he reaches the top of my jeans. He goes back up though, repeating the process a few times. I allow it, it's just a simple touch. But that simple touch turns into move as he shifts to face me a little more. Avoiding eye contact, he moves his other hand and places it on my hip, squeezing gently but hard enough to feel through my thick jeans.

"Mm." I let out with little effort.

He begins to run his hand over my hip and down the side of my leg, stopping every few seconds and squeezing with the same feeling. My legs, that were laid of top of his each, part against my will. Gale smiles as he leans his forehead to mine, rubbing his hand back up my leg-

"Turned on, huh?" He whispers with that deep, sexy voice. If I wasn't, I am now.

"You did this on purpose." I whisper back. I hide all emotion on my face.

"Maybe." He replies but he barely gets the words out before letting our lips meet passionately.

I can't help but feel an instant tug. Like a magnet almost. I'm not sure who even deepens the kiss even more, but bets are that it's me. His hands urgently begin to roam my body, feeling and squeezing everything his hands can touch. I moan into his mouth repeatedly, wishing I had the will power to stop this whole ordeal. I can't do this… my body is not, and will not be ready for this type of physical action for still some time. But is that what's really making me want to stop this all?

To be honest, I would never deny sex with Gale. He's my own husband, yes. It's feel so, so good, yes. But I love Gale. The connection of us and the thought of literally being one with him, while making each other feel that strong love… It can't be more amazing. The love is stronger than anything, and even if it hurts a little, my body can suck it up for one night with my husband. Then what is still keeping me worrying?

I don't know.

I'm forced to zone back into reality when Gale slowly begins to sink to his knees in front of my, grinning as I shift so that I'm on my back, my legs parted and hanging off the couch. He positions himself directly between them, grinning from ear to ear. I allow a tight smile as my hands go above my head, gently holding on to the top of the couch. He begins to undo my jeans, unzipping them. I don't stop him.

But I should.

But I don't.

I raise my bum off the couch and he easily slides them off of me, throwing them beside him. He sits up on my knees as he helps me with my shirt. It joins my pants on the floor. He sinks back down and neither one of us says anything… I'm almost curtained because of fear that we'll stop this with words. He runs his hands gently over the top of my thighs, above my knees. My legs are completely parted, as far as they will go. He has full access to whatever he pleases on my lower half. The thought excites me, making me begin to ach, but it also frightens me. But why?

He begins kissing my knees, above them, until his face is even with my sex. He slowly trails his hands completely up the side of my thighs and I moan loud… too loud. He inserts his thumb at the top of my underwear, tugging them. I hesitate this time with lifting my bum so they can slide off.

"Katniss-"

"I don't look the same down there." I say quickly, almost embarrassed that I have to speak those words. He only smiles encouragingly.

"You will always be beautiful to me, Katniss." He kisses the flat (or not so flat) of my stomach. "Always."

With that, I lift up and they come off before I can fully sit back down. If I look different down there, it really doesn't matter to him, or he's not showing that at least. He doesn't give himself much time to admire the view before his fingers are working his magic down there, his mouth follows almost just as soon. He's having his way down there and making me moan his name over and over, right as my back arches, he stops.

"Not yet." He says without eye contact, taking a seat roughly beside me on the couch.

His turn,

I think to myself. Although it has been months since we have done this to each other (being that I wasn't in the mood during the last few months of my pregnancy), it never has worried me(much) since after my first few times. I lean towards him and begin to undo his heavy pants. His hand already finds it's way in my hair and his head is already leaned back. He aids my in kicking in pants and boxers off in one swift move, his shirt joins the growing pile, too. By his fast paced actions, he's hungry for this. He's already completely hard and I stoke him for a few good minutes before he interrupts me with his hands and a moan of my name. He begins to stutter briefly-

"I…."

Need you. I finish his sentence in my head. I mount myself on top of him easily and he guides me in this position by his strong, lean hands over my hips. I know he wants me do this, to set the pace with the sore and flared body I still have. He positions himself at my entrance, but let's me take it from there, returning his hand back to my hip and waist. I take a deep breath and sink onto him. There's no pain but a blinding sensation of pure pleasure. Gale and I have matching moans at that moment. I work slowly, at first, placing my hands of his shoulders for support. He whispers quiet words to me, about how hot I look but to be honest, I ignore those words. The sensation turns me on more than spoken words ever do. Minutes later, I'm pounding on top of him, moaning loud enough that it echoes in the dark, quiet home we have. His grunts almost match my own volume. And before I know it-

"Oh God!"

I'm over the edge. My eyes squeeze shut and my hands give away. I fall on top of him, gasping for air as wave after wave of pleasure course through me. Gale finds his own release minutes later, but not in me. It's too risky. I stoke him until he comes.

How long we lay there, I don't know. We embrace each other, covered in our sweat and love making. We laugh when our breathing evens out. We stand up, collect our clothes and make our way up stairs.

No doubt… to start all over again.

XX

The sun seems bright, too bright as it beams in through the opened window. It feels good though and I smile as I feel Gale's steady arms wrapped around my naked body, the sheets tangled and wrapped around both our bare forms. I thought I might be the first one up, but his thumb begins to rub small circles on my stomach. I sigh loudly… happily.

"How did you sleep, my love?" I hear Gale's voice through the darkness of my eyelids.

"Wonderful after…" I'm cut off by both our laughter's. Quiet laughs.

We are quiet again for quite some time and I almost had thought he had fallen back asleep, his hand slowly trails between my legs and to the bundle of nerves there. I jerk with the sensation and a moan escapes my lips.

I feel like in this moment, right now, I could live forever. With the one person I love and trust. I'm almost and contemplating voicing this to Gale, to, for a change, tell him how I feel but I don't get the chance. A loud and persistent knock comes from downstairs-

"Who the hell could that be?" Gale asks, slowing his movements down on me. I begin to shrug but stop and sigh loudly-

"Linden." I speak the one word and feel almost ashamed that I had not thought of him yet this morning. "Your mother." I correct myself.

"Anyone home? Gale!?" We hear the voice coming from outside, deep and stern… not a woman's voice.

It's as though a light dings in Gale's head. One second he's beside me and the next he's flying off the bed, throwing his clothes and rushing down the stairs as though his life depends on it. I begin to dress myself, but I'm not nearly as fast as him. I'm just pulling on my robe when Gale shoots back up, urgently and quickly (very quickly) yanking clothes out from his dresser.

"Who was it?" I ask calming at first, despite his actions. "What are you doing?"

He doesn't answer, doesn't even look my way as he grabs clothes from his dresser and shoves them in his old, worn and barely used hunting bag.

"Gale!?" I try to get his attention. What in the hell is he doing?

He throws a few more stuff into his bag, not bothering to look at me as he finally speaks-

"I'll be back tomorrow morning. Alright?" He says and asks breathlessly.

"Wha-" I don't even have the power to finish my sentence before he's already at the top of the stairs.

Finally he turns around, making the first eye contact with me since his fierce actions-

"Trust me." He says. And with that and a slam of the door downstairs,

He's gone. . . . .

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