Guys, I'm so sorry it took so long! I wanted something interesting to happen in this chapter, and I kept getting writers block. I didn't want it to be just a boring filler. So, I hope the wait was worth while. Enjoy, and don't forget to leave a review!
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When I wake the next morning, it's still early. The sun is barely on the horizon when I find myself wrapped in Peeta's arms. He stirs at my harsh movement, and I suddenly still myself, not wanting to interrupt the rare dreamless sleep he seems so enveloped in. I just lay there, letting the moment seep through me, enjoying every bit of it. Unfortunately, My bladder seems to think that moments like this aren't very imported, so I lift myself away from Peeta, only to be brought back down to him. "Leaving so soon?"
I have to give him credit. He does have a way with words. "Of course not," I smile, giving him a peck on the cheek. "Just going to the bathroom."
He lets me up, and soon I am back with him. I don't want to leave his side ever again. Though, much to my dismay, I have to, as we have finally arrived in the Capitol, and we have to be prepped for the opening ceremonies.
Having been prepped by my oblivious team numerous times, it should really just be an old routine to survive it. I hadn't anticipated the emotional ordeal though. At some point during my prep, each of them burst into tears at least twice, and I can barely keep myself from joining them.
It turns out my prep team really has become attached to me, and the thought of me returning to the arena has unhinged them. I find myself in the position of having to be the one to comfort them, and considering I am the one headed for slaughter, it is somewhat annoying, and I find myself wanting to knock their heads together.
By the time Cinna arrives, I am way over irritable and exhausted. I'm on a rampage, in my head of course. God forbid the capitol's precious tribute's feel any emotion at their own foreseeable death. I stand in the middle of the room, my thin robe wrapped tightly around my body, with my stinging skin and heart, I know I cant bear even one more look of regret. Before he's even entered the room completely I yell, "I swear if you cry, I'll kill you here and now," and I am balling like a baby. Stupid hormones.
"Had a damp morning?" He asks, his attempt at playful sarcasm barely reaching me.
"Shut-up," I say, huffing.
"I'll talk to them," He says, giving my shoulder a reassuring rub. "I brought something for you."
"You didn't have to bring me anything, Cinna. Your presence alone makes my day better." I say, wiping the remaining tears from my face, and take him into a hug.
"Well, I just thought you'd like to be absolutely sure. About… You know." Understanding spreads across my face as he holds out a small package. A capitol pregnancy test.
"How do these work?" I ask. Of course I want to know for sure. That thing I felt on the train could very well have just been an upset stomach, and I could just be growing old sooner than I should. Stranger things have happened.
"Uh, there are instructions there, on the back, see?" He says.
"Oh, okay. I see them now. Be back in a minute," I say, and rush off to the bathroom.
I fumble with the little box, hurrying to open it. In some ways, I hope to higher powers that I'm not pregnant. That's one less mouth I have to worry about feeding if I actually end up coming home, and in a way, I also hope I am, because I think I have finally convinced myself that I do love Peeta, that I do deserve him.
"Submerge tip in urine for twenty seconds, wait three minutes for results. One line on the display screen means negative result. Two lines means positive result, congratulations! You're pregnant!" I quickly read to myself.
Yay, I think sarcastically. I'm not sure being pregnant is something to congratulate in my position.
Trying to pee when you don't actually have to is a difficult feat, and I end up sitting there for five minutes before even a little trickle will come. Thinking fast, I grab a mouthwash cup from the counter, and fill it with the little urine that will come, then submerge the stick and wait. Twenty seconds pass, and I replace the cap, and nervously set the test stick on the counter and retreat to the prep room.
We sit in silence, drumming our fingers against the table, waiting as the time tick's slowly by. When I am done waiting, hoping at least three minutes have passed, I rise and return to the bathroom, pick up the stick without looking at it, then go back to the prep room and hand it to Cinna. "You read it," I say, turning away. "One line, or two?"
Cautiously, he takes the test from my hand, then looks at the screen. "Two," he sighs. "Is that good or bad?"
"Crap, its crap. I mean's there is definitely a little human-ish thing in there," I sputter, pointing to my belly.
"Okay. Well. We can work with that. I mean, we'll get you some vitamins, a doctor-"
"Cinna, it wont matter. I'm going back into the arena, and there's no way around it. Pregnant or not, the Capitol still has to have their Games…" My heart drops. I am carrying Peeta's baby. A baby he will never get to meet. A baby that will never see the outside of me. "So, changing the subject, what will we be wearing for the opening ceremonies? Headlamps or fire?"
"Something along those lines," he says as our lunch arrives.
The arrival of fresh food instantly brightens my mood, and our conversation ceases. There's pheasant with a selection of jewel-colored jellies, and tiny versions of real vegetables swimming in a butter sauce, and potatoes mashed with garlic and parsley. For dessert we dip we dip chunks of fruit into a pot of melted chocolate, and Cinna end's up having to order another pot, due to the fact that I've just gone at the first one with a spoon it's so good.
To soon I have to be readied for the parade, and Cinna does me up wonderfully. He shows off his new braiding skill, the one my mother taught him, and covers my face with dark shadows and deep purple lips. I'm in a black jumpsuit, with a heavy metal crown atop my head. He pushes a button on the inside of my wrist, and I slowly come to life. I look as if I am a glowing ember, taken straight from the fireplace.
Then he is telling me that I need to do away with the kisses and waves from last year. I must look like I am bored, like I don't even care that I am about to die. Cinna leaves me for some other duties he must attend, and I escort myself down to the bottom floor of the remake center. Peeta and Haymitch haven't arrived yet, so I sit on what I suppose is the District Twelve chariot, hoping to get some time alone.
Mere minutes have passed when none other than the half naked Finnick Odair arrives, and he is close to me, asking if I'd like a sugar cube. I wave him off, and rise, hoping to find another safe haven, and he's following me, trying to keep the conversation going, asking me why I've done away with all of my girlish get-ups, telling me that I would have done well in the Capitol. I'm not really paying attention to him though. My mind is elsewhere.
I little flutter of movement in my abdomen takes me away from the world. This poor baby. Maybe by some insane chance, it's life will be spared. "What did Finnick want?" I am startled by Peeta's sudden appearance, and he sees the frustrastion on my face. "Sorry," he says, holding up his hands in a calming motion.
"Oh! No, I don't remember. Uhm. I think he asked If I wanted a sugar cube?"
"Are you okay?" He asks, feeling my forehead. "You're not sick are you?"
I playfully slap his hand away. "No! Of course not." I say, kissing him full on the mouth, pulling away only seconds later; I forgot about all the make-up.
The parade is beginning, so Peeta carefully helps me onto the chariot. "Holding hands this time?" I ask.
"I think they've left it up to us this go round," he answers, and our hands find each other without question. I do as I am instructed, and stare into space, thoughts wandering. I catch an occasional glimpse of us on screen, and see just how spectacular we look. Another kick, and I am back in dream land. I wish I could tell Peeta. I wish he could marvel in these feelings with me.
The chariot ride is over, and I cant believe I've missed the entire thing. Peeta is dragging me from the chariot when I realize I am just smiling stupidly at nothing in particular. "What is with you today? You never smile like that, not even for me."
"Hmm?" I am completely oblivious to the outside world.
"Never mind, you two. You guys were spectacular, show stopping." Cinna says, and ushers us toward the elevators. He doesn't get in with us, and we end up riding with Johanna Mason, Chaff, and Seeder, and before we've even gone up a whole floor, Chaff has wrapped his arm around me, giving me a big wet kiss, and Johanna has stripped down, standing in the elevator stark naked.
"Ugh," she gripes. "I wish I'd gotten Cinna, you two look marvelous. Seven's stylist has been dressing us as trees for forty years." Is she trying to chat me up? Who knows. I wave her off like no big deal and she just huffs, then tries talking to Peeta. The whole way up she's just standing there like there is nothing wrong with being naked and chatting up someone's fiancé. I mean, really. Obviously he's taken. Why are you even trying?
We finally reach the seventh floor, where Johanna reluctantly leaves us, and I sigh loudly. A quiet ride up to the eleventh floor, and we are left alone as the doors close behind Chaff and Seeder. Two seconds pass, and Peeta is barely even attempting to control his fit of laughter. "What?" I say, alarmed at his manner.
"It's you Katniss, cant you see?" he says.
"What's me?" I ask, confused.
"Why they're all acting like this. Finnick and the sugar, Chaff's kiss, Johanna stripping down. They're just playing with you. You know, because your so… pure." He says, unsuccessfully trying to keep a serious tone.
"I am not!" I protest. "Practically every time there's a camera around, I've been ripping your clothes off!"
"Well, for the Capitol, you're pure." He says, seemingly trying to soften me up. "But for me, you're perfect. I like you just like this. Well, not this kind of mood, but when you are just you. that's when you are perfect."
"Shut-up!" I say, slapping him a good one in the ribs. "They're just laughing at me, and so are you!" I say, feeling the tears form, readying themselves to fall from my now fearless eyes. Really, these hormones have got to go. Peeta gets a good look at me, and suddenly finds I'm not having a laugh at my own expense, and takes me into a comforting hug.
"I'm sorry," He whispers into my hair. "I knew you weren't okay. Tell me what it is." He insists, pulling me away from him. The elevator doors open, and I wipe the un-fallen tears from my eyes. Haymitch and Effie are just coming from the other set of doors looking pleased, and then Haymitch's face grows hard.
Oh god. He must see the tear streaks. Ugh. I think, but then I notice he isn't staring at me or Peeta. He's looking just past us, and then I hear Effie say, "Oh, it seems they've brought us a matched pair this year."
I turn and see the redheaded Avox girl, and beside her stands another redheaded man. That must be what Effie meant about matched pair. A chill runs through me as recognition sets in, and I am vomiting all over the floor, unable to staunch the flow of bile from my stomach. I know him. Not from sneaking glances at random passers by, but from years of easy conversation in the Hob, joking over Greasy-Sae's concoctions.
Our new Avox is Darius.