6 weeks later...
Peeta stood on the tribute stage, the last of the 24 to be interviewed.
"Katniss and I have been luckier than most. I wouldn't have any regrets at all if it weren't…uh…" Peeta broke off.
"If it weren't for what?" Ceasar pushed him to finish. The crowd was silent.
"If it weren't for the baby," He said finally.
There were many audible gasps in the audience.
Cinna raised his eyebrows at the announcement. Leave it to Peeta to throw another wrench in the Capital's well-oiled gears. Clever ploy. Very clever. A smile ghosted on his lips. And then he saw Katniss.
Katniss had never looked more shocked. All the color drained from her face and her gray eyes went wide. How? How did he know? This was madness! She felt lightheaded but then remembered where she was and how many people were watching. She quickly put her mask back on but couldn't stop a single tear from rolling down her cheek. She searched the crowd and locked eyes with Cinna, silently trying to convey what he had just realized. She really was pregnant and Cinna was the father.
After a few seconds someone shouted 'Call off the games!' More people followed the lead and soon the stadium was chanting "Call off the games! Call off the games!"
Haymitch clapped heartily and whistled as a Peeta climbed the stairs to stand next to Katniss. The look on his face said Take that! He glanced at Katniss, who wouldn't meet his eyes and looked positively ill. The tributes all held hands to show solidarity and then they were whisked offstage as the lights went out. The whole thing was a blur to Katniss. All she could think was that she needed to find Cinna. And possibly throw up.
Peeta was suddenly at her side.
"Sorry I didn't warn you first but I needed you to look surprised. Haymitch didn't even know this time. You did amazing!"
Katniss put her hand over her mouth as she felt her stomach churn. Peeta's face fell as he registered her reaction.
"Is the thought of being pregnant with my child really that disgusting to you?" He asked softly.
But Katniss was already running in the other direction. She ducked into an elevator and slammed her hand on the 12 button.
A few minutes later Katniss was draped over the toilet in her room, crying softly. She heard the sound of a door open and close. She flushed the toilet and quickly splashed some water on her face and rinsed her mouth out. She opened the bathroom door. Cinna stood quietly across the room.
"Hi Cinna," She said softly, her voice raspy.
"Hi Katniss," He replied.
As Katniss stared into his eyes, her mind flashed forward showing quick glimpses of what could be; a beautiful toddler with her dark hair and his green eyes, the three of them holding hands as they strolled in the woods, her on one side, Cinna on the other, together as a family, happy, carefree. The way it was meant to be.
She came back to the present to see Cinna still staring at her, his eyes full of love and concern. She was so completely happy and yet terrified all at the same time. Her lip was quivering and tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she fought to keep her emotions in check. And then asked herself what for?
She ran the few steps that separated them and jumped into Cinna's waiting arms, almost knocking him over. She clung to him, sobbing, as all the emotions of the last month came pouring out. He held her patiently, stroking her hair and whispering to her that everything would be ok. After a few minutes, she gently pulled free and looked up at him.
"We're gonna have a baby," She said with the most brilliant smile.
"I know." He said, and smiled right back.