Author's note: I am so sorry that it took so long to get this to you guys. And that I promised over and over that it was going to happen and then it didn't for so long. Let me tell you, it is all finished! I'm going to try for publishing the rest of these chapters weekly, but a few of them are going to need to be rewritten and sent back to my beta. We'll see how it all goes from here.

Speaking of my beta, LavenderVanilla is a great support and a fantastic writer. Go check out her work ASAP!

Thanks so much for sticking with me. I promise it will all be worth it in the end.

Happy reading!

Chapter Fifteen

The afternoons were starting to warm enough that Annie could be outside on the beach for longer periods of time. The water was still a little too cold for her to step in. Not to mention that she seemed to get dizzy when she stood and she feared passing out and drowning.

But one afternoon, just as she was waking her way back to the house to lie down after a particularly frightening spell, she collapsed. She didn't know how long she was out, but she awoke to Peeta patting her cheek and calling out her name over and over. His voice was full of fear.

She opened her eyes. "Peeta?"

"Oh, Annie." He pulled her into his arms and hugged her close for several breaths. "Let me get you inside and then I'll get Mags."

She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck as he slipped his arm under her knees and the other around her waist.

"You're going to be okay." He said softly. "I felt the baby moving around when I was trying to wake you. He seems just as concerned as me." Peeta let out a nervous chuckle.

Annie tightened her arms around his neck. "I wish you could send someone else for Mags. I don't want you to leave."

"I'll be quick." He sat her down on the bed and kissed her quickly. "I promise."

Annie closed her eyes and draped her hands on her belly. She could feel the baby moving normally. His foot nudged against her hand and she started to relax. Everything would be okay.

"Peeta, hurry." She begged softly.

Mags shuffled into the room what felt like hours later. She examined Annie and determined that she needed to stay in bed.

Mags patted Annie on the shoulder and assured her, "Don't worry, child, sometimes they come early." Mags assured her.

Annie hoped so. Staying in bed for a whole month wasn't something she looked forward to.

Three weeks in bed. Still no baby.

Johanna walked into the room holding a plate with a sandwich in one hand and a cup of water in the other. "Peeta said I had to feed you." She sat the dishes on the table and helped Annie sit up.

"Just following orders?" Annie asked. "I thought you liked me." She took the offered food and scrutinized it. "Peeta would have made a prettier sandwich."

"I've never been good slicing bread." Johanna said with a shrug. "You can still eat it."

Annie took a bite to set the promise and nodded. "Good."

Johanna stood and looked down at her. "Need anything else?"

Annie said softly, "This baby out."

Johanna patted Annie's stomach. When the baby moved, Johanna pulled her hand away like it was on fire. "What the hell?"

Annie laughed. "Jo, there is an actual human growing in me. Did you not expect it to move?"

"No! They move?" Johanna was staring, slightly horrified. "I didn't think they moved until after they came out."

Annie grabbed Johanna's hand and placed it on her stomach. The baby was now kicking just under her ribcage. "Do you feel it?"

Johanna's look of fear turned to wonder as the baby shifted under her palm. "Amazing." She breathed.

Annie patted her hand and went back to eating. She smiled when Jo's hand followed the baby's movement. Annie said, "Thank you for staying."

Johanna shrugged. "I have nothing better to do. Living a life of leisure is tough. Might as well keep an eye on you so Peeta can work."

"Yeah, must be hard living alone in that large house your husband left you." Annie said softly.

Johanna shrugged. "He was old. And a jerk. I'm glad to be out from under him. In every way."

"So why stay with me? Live here if you have that big house?"

"Bad memories there." Johanna said vaguely.

Annie knew that some of the parties Finnick had been forced to work at took place in that house. She wouldn't want to be there either.

Annie finished her sandwich and reached for the cup of water. "Do you know anything new about Finnick?"

"News is taking longer to pass back and forth." Johanna said. "A new war is brewing and the rebels can't take action right away. Fighters are moving and people are getting out of the worst places, if they can."

Annie sat forward, slower than she wished she could. "Does that mean Finnick and Katniss could be coming here?"

Johanna rubbed Annie's stomach and moved back. "I'm not sure yet. I haven't heard much about them in a few weeks."

Annie felt her heart clenching. As long as he was safe, she could be content. And with Katniss. Peeta hadn't said much about her in so long. Was he giving up hope? She couldn't hold on much longer if he gave up.

"How about a little time by the water?" Johanna asked softly, pulling her out of her thoughts.

Annie nodded and Jo helped her down to the beach. Mags had agreed that it would be all right for her to take some time in the surf as long as she didn't go alone.

"Finnick will be furious." Annie said as the water lapped at her ankles, her hands supported her belly. "When he finds out about the baby."

Johanna nodded. "Probably."

Annie snorted. "You're supposed to say something different. To assure me nothing bad is going to happen."

Johanna patted Annie's back. "He loves you, Annie. If he wants you happy, he won't show his anger. No matter how upset he may be. That's who Finnick is."

Annie just stared at the water. A strong pain started at her back and ran around to her front, just under her hands. She'd been feeling these pains randomly for weeks, but Mags said it was just her body preparing for the delivery.

But this one was different because she'd been experiencing the same pains since before Peeta left for the bakery. And they were growing closer.

"Jo, I think I need you to get Mags." Annie turned and started waddling back toward the house.

It took Johanna a moment to process the thought before she wrapped an arm around Annie's back to help her the rest of the way.

Peeta pulled out a fresh loaf of bread and passed it across the counter. "I just pulled that out of the oven fifteen minutes ago, Mrs. Davis. It'll be perfect for your dinner tonight."

The older woman smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Mellark. Please give Annie our best."

"Oh, I will." Peeta promised. "And come back tomorrow for that pie. I won't forget." He winked and the woman nearly fainted.

He watched her leave and then Johanna ran through the door. "Annie's having the baby." She panted.

Peeta immediately went into action. "Will you close up?" He ran out the door before he got Johanna's answer.

He weaved in and out of people milling about the middle of town. A few grumbled about the manners he must have learned back in Twelve, but he didn't have time for that. Annie was delivering their baby. He was going to hold their bundle in his arms soon.

He tripped over a rock and went sliding, ripping a hole in his trousers and scraping his knee. He cursed under his breath and then continued on, waving off help from an older man.

Peeta heard Annie screaming in pain as he got in view of the house. Bursting through the door, he called her name. But it was drowned out by another scream, this one from a much smaller person.

He stepped into the bedroom as he heard Mags announce, "You have yourself a son."

"A son?" Peeta asked from the doorway.

The baby wailed and Peeta felt tears fill his eyes.

"Annie?" He walked around the bed and picked up the cool rag to wipe at her forehead. "Hi."

"Hi." She said softly, her entire body was limp with exertion.

Mags worked on cleaning and performing a preliminary examination on the boy.

Annie lifted her head and asked, "How is he?"

Mags smiled. "He looks just fine." She had wrapped the baby in a blanket and placed him in Peeta's arms. "Now, your wife still has some work to do, so will you please give us some privacy?"

Peeta, his eyes transfixed on the infant in his arms, nodded mutely.

Annie raised her hand up and brushed her fingers along the baby's bald head.

Peeta knelt down and held out their son. "Do you have a name in mind?"

"Adam." Annie whispered, marveling at the tiny face. "Can we name him Adam?"

"I like it." Peeta kissed Annie's forehead and then looked back down at the boy. "Welcome to our family, Adam." He stood. "I'll let Mags finish in here and bring him down to the water."

Annie nodded and collapsed on the bed.

Mags said, "Don't stay out long. It's still pretty chilly out there."

Peeta dropped a kiss onto the top of the older woman's head. "Thank you, Mags." He walked out of the house and straight to the water, chattering to the baby in his arms. "I'm your daddy and I'm so happy you're here. I've been talking to you and feeling you move around for months. You are a beautiful little boy, Adam. You look just like your mama."

He stepped up to Annie's favorite spot on the beach and turned so that Adam faced the water. "This is our home, baby boy. District Four." He looked down and saw the baby's blue eyes were wide open. "Mama loves the water. And I'm sure she'll take you out here every chance she gets."

He kissed the baby's face several times. "I love you so much, Adam." He smiled when Adam's mouth opened wide in a yawn. "I'm sure Mama is ready to feed you and cuddle you. Let's get back to the house."

Mags helped Annie back into the bed as Peeta walked in. She looked even more exhausted than when he'd first come in the room.

Annie smiled and held out her arms. "Adam, come to Mommy."

Peeta placed the bundle in her arms and sat on the edge of the bed. Lifting up a hand to smooth down her hair, he asked, "How are you feeling?"

Annie shook her head. "You don't want to know." She moved her nightgown aside and held the baby to her breast as Mags instructed.

Adam latched on quickly and Mags let out an impressive sound. "Some babies take a while, but it looks like yours isn't one of those." She finished gathering the soiled clothes and stepped out of the room.

Peeta rubbed Annie's leg. "Is Adam...?"

"Finnick's middle name." She looked up. "Is that okay? We can come up with something else?"

Peeta shook his head. "I don't mind. But can we name him for my father, too? Adam Conrad?"

Annie nodded. "I like it." She smoothed a hand over their baby's head. "Adam Conrad Mellark."

"A lot of big shoes to fill." Peeta commented.

Annie looked up, her eyes huge with emotion. "Especially yours."

"Annie, I don't feel worthy of that." He said, trailing his fingers over the baby's arm. "I just keep thinking about Katniss. I love someone else and it's not fair to either of you."

She took his hand and kissed his fingers. "You still love me. You love me enough. I don't care that you think of Katniss because I think about Finnick a lot. I wonder what they're doing. If they've grown to care for each other like we have." She looked back down at Adam. "If they have babies."

Peeta leaned his head against hers. "I wonder that a lot too. If I know Katniss, though, I doubt it. She doesn't let people in very easily. That's what makes me feel even more guilty."

Mags came back into the room. "Okay, listen up. I'm going to stick around for a bit to make some supper and keep an eye on you two. After that, you let Jo take care of some stuff and you heal up, Annie."

Annie nodded. "Take him a second." She held Adam up and waited for Peeta to take him. Slowly, she moved down on the bed and pulled the blanket up. "I'm tired."

Mags chuckled. "I'll leave you two be." She walked out of the room.

Peeta walked around the bed, placed Adam in the center, and then got in beside him.

Annie smiled, her eyes were nearly closed. "He's beautiful, isn't he?"

"Just like his mother." Peeta said with a smile, smoothing his hand over her hair. He then patted Adam's stomach. "That nose is the Mellark nose."

She forced her eyes open and chuckled. "Is it? You don't have it."

"No, but my dad and brothers do." He paused. "I unfortunately got my nose from my mother's side."

Annie's eyes were firmly shut, but she still managed to say, "It looks good on your face."

"Thank you." He kissed her forehead and whispered, "You and Adam rest and I'll help Mags." He smiled down at the baby now fast asleep, wrapped in the blanket. "Daddy loves you so much, Adam. So much." He kissed Adam's tiny cheek and got out of the bed.

Peeta tried to help Mags, but she shooed him out of the room. So he returned to the bedroom and picked up his sketchbook to draw his family.

The more he looked at Adam, the more he felt his heart swell. Several quick sketches later, he sat on the chair and started a more detailed drawing. He started with that familiar nose. It was so cute on his tiny little face.

He looked into Annie's face and picked out the little features she'd passed onto their son. He was taking aback as he looked at her soft features. This was a woman who loved and trusted him and was here. He'd made many promises to himself that he'd move on.

But this time he leaned over Adam and whispered, "I told you this is our home, Adam, and I promise to love you and your mother until my last breath." He kissed the baby's forehead and then sat back down to draw.

Annie woke up to the familiar sound of Peeta's pencil scratching away at paper. Then she registered the pain and groaned.

"Annie?" Peeta's pencil stopped moving.

"Get Mags. It hurts." She groaned again, screwing her eyes shut to will the pain away.

Warm, soft hands touched her face and she slowly opened her eyes to see Mags leaning over her. "Where does it hurt, child?"

"Everywhere." Annie gasped. She couldn't tell where it started because her whole body really did hurt. It had been through a great deal.

Mags helped her drink down some water. "I put some powder in there to help a bit."

"Peeta?" She rolled over and placed her hand on Adam's tiny belly. "Peeta!"

"I'm here." Peeta sat on the side of the bed and rested his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's okay."

She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the tiny face close to hers. Adam's eyes were open and staring at her intently. "You're so serious, little one."

Adam's face contorted then and he started mewling softly. Annie lifted him to her breast and he refused to latch on. But he at least stopped his crying.

"Did you just need your Mama?" Annie asked softly as she settled back in. The pain was finally starting to go away. "Were you drawing him?"

"The both of you." Peeta showed her the picture he had been working on.

He had been mainly focusing on the baby, but Annie was in the sketch too. Her face was soft and relaxed. No pain or worry etched her features.

"I love you." Peeta said softly.

She looked over the book he held. "I love you."

He closed the book and asked, "You feeling any better?"

She took a moment and realized all that was there now was a dull ache, no more of the sharp pains. And now she could pinpoint the source of the pain. "Much better. But this baby has caused a lot of pain."

Peeta put the sketchbook aside and reached a hand out over her stomach. "May I?"

Annie shook her head. "I don't know if that will be good. Everything below my navel is all ache." She swallowed. "And I feel like everything will fall out if I stand up."

He nodded and cupped her cheek. "It's probably going to take a long while to get better." He sat back.

Adam started fussing again and nudged against her chest. "Hungry now, Adam?" She pulled her nightgown aside. "Here, sweet baby." She stared lovingly down at the baby in her arms. Her heart was so full of love that she was about to burst and she felt tears falling from her eyes. "Is this what real love is? Trust? Compassion?"

"I think so." He said softly.

She looked up, her eyes streaming. "I'm so scared I'm going to mess this up."

Peeta leaned forward. "You can make it."

"But I'm going to fail him, Peeta." Annie wailed.

He smiled and kissed her forehead. "He was just born a couple hours ago and he's still fine, so I don't think we have much to worry about."

She shook her head. "Two hours out of thousands, Peeta!"

He stroked her cheek with his thumb. "How about we just worry about the right now?"

She wiped her eyes with a free hand and nodded. "Okay."

His voice was soothing. "So right now, he's fine. Right now he's eating and you love him and he adores you."

"He has to. I just gave birth to him." Annie said with a smirk.

Peeta slanted a kiss over Annie's lips and then kissed Adam's cheek. "I'm not going to make the same mistakes my parents did."

"Me too." She smiled down at Adam. "You hear that, baby boy? Mama and Daddy are going to love you take care of you and keep you safe. Here with us forever." She stroked his head and kissed his face.

Johanna sauntered into the room. "Where's the new addition?"

Annie pulled Adam away from her breast. He was fast asleep. "This is Adam Conrad."

Johanna looked down at the baby and nodded. "He's sweet." She sat back. "The shop is closed up. I left all the extra bread covered. That's what you do, right?"

Peeta nodded. "That works. Thank you, Johanna."

"You're welcome." Johanna straightened up with a sigh. "I promised Mags I'd help her finish supper." She stroked the baby's cheek and smile spread on her face.

"Aw, look who's softening up." Peeta commented.

Johanna shot him a scowl. "Some people are worth going soft for." She turned on her heel and walked out of the room.

Peeta stroked his finger down Annie's arm. "You want to sleep a bit more until it's time to eat?"

Annie nodded, lifting Adam away slightly. "Will you stay close?"

Peeta took the baby and kissed Annie's forehead. "I promise."

Johanna walked in the room with a plate in one hand and Adam in the crook of her other arm. "Guess who made Mama some lunch?"

Annie chuckled as she pushed herself up on the bed. "Thank you, sweet boy."

"Well, Aunt Jo-Jo had to help a little. One-month-old babies aren't the best at slicing bread." Johanna handed over the plate and then placed Adam in his bassinet.

Annie looked at the bread on her plate. "You're not much better."

Johanna stuck her tongue out at Annie and then hurried form the room. She returned just a moment later with two glasses of water and a plate of her own. "Mind if I join you?"

"Of course not." Annie took the glass from Johanna and took a sip. The water was cool and she let out a long sigh. "I was so thirsty."

"You could have called for me." Johanna gave her a hard look as she sat on the edge of the bed. "You're stubborn, but you also know better. I'm here to take care of you and Adam while Peeta is at the bakery. I won't get much gratitude from Peeta if I let you go thirsty."

Annie nodded. "Well, thanks, Aunt Jo-Jo."

Johanna chuckled. "Do you mind? I know we weren't all that close until I was stuck here with you before Adam was born. But I feel like he's someone special and I want to be part of it."

"I don't mind." Annie smiled and reached for her hand. "Adam is someone special, Jo. Thank you. You have no idea what it's like inside my head sometimes and having you here really helps."

Johanna smiled and squeezed her hand.

The pair ate in silence, watching Adam stare at the ceiling. His hands were still up by his face and his legs curled up to his chest, but he was starting to stretch them out little-by-little.

"He looks so much like Peeta." Annie said as she put the plate on the bedside table.

"He really does." Johanna said with a grin.

Annie turned and dropped her legs off the side of the bed. "I want to spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach."

"That is a great idea." Johanna helped her get up and dressed.

Annie scooped Adam into her arms and walked slowly toward the door. "You want to go to the beach for a while? We can wait for Daddy to get home from the bakery there."

Johanna followed closely, but not too closely.

They spent a quiet afternoon together. After a while, Johanna looked off toward the trees and then made some mumbled excuse about checking on Mags before making her way down the beach.

Annie fed Adam and then reclined on the sand, holding the sleeping baby against her chest. She hummed softly to him as they both dozed in the warming sun.

Peeta stepped into the house to find it quiet. Looking out the window told him why. Annie and Adam were lounging on the beach.

Johanna walked toward them just as Peeta made his way out the door. She said something to Annie and the other woman sat up, a smile growing on her face. Annie raised a hand and waved.

Peeta returned the wave and hurried out toward them. He gathered both in his arms, pressing a soft kiss to Adam's cheek before he kissed Annie's lips.

"Glad to see you out here." Peeta whispered softly.

"It feels good to be here." Annie whispered back.

Johanna pointed toward the house. "Can we go inside? I need to start supper. And I have news."

"News?" Peeta asked, looking toward Johanna. "What sort of news?"

"I'd kind of like to be inside for this one. I feel far too exposed out here."

When they got inside, Annie asked, "Is it about Finnick and Katniss?"

Johanna nodded. "They're coming here."

Peeta's head snapped to Johanna. "They're coming here? When?"

Johanna nodded. "They're trying anyway. I don't know when or if it will actually happen. But they are trying. The war will break any minute, so they may not make it even if they can leave Twelve."

"So what does that mean for us?" Peeta asked.

"Do you know how to shoot a gun, Peeta?" Johanna asked.

He shook his head.

Johanna nodded. "I can make sure you get a good gun. You need to learn quickly, in case you have to defend your family."

Adam gave a soft cry.

Peeta looked at the baby in his wife's arms and then into Annie's eyes. They were full of uncertainty. "What are you thinking?"

Annie grabbed his hand. "Don't just up and leave. Please don't take him from me if they ever get here."

Peeta squeezed her hand. "They're not even here. And we don't know if they ever will be."

"But I know you." She said softly. "And I know how much you love Katniss."

"And I know how much you love Finnick." He shot back.

Annie looked over at Johanna and held out Adam. "Will you take him, please?"

Johanna took the baby, leaning over him to speak softly. "Your parents have a very complicated relationship. And I will tell you everything, my dear Adam."

The baby let out a soft coo and it momentarily relieved Peeta that Johanna seemed so comfortable with Adam. Maybe that would bode well for the future of their little mixed-up family.

Annie led Peeta into the bedroom, pulling him down onto the sofa. She slipped her hand into his and said, "I can't even begin to think of what would happen if I saw Finnick again."

"I can't either." He stared at the floor.

She had a look on her face that Peeta knew meant one of her episodes was right around the corner. "It's like a tidal wave. Everything is coming all at once."

He squeezed her hand. "Stay with me, Annie."

She nodded, taking in a few deep breaths and letting them out slowly.

Peeta rubbed her arm. "And how does Adam factor in?"

Annie shook her head and pressed her eyes into his shoulder. "I just don't want you to run back to Katniss."

"And I hope you won't just give me up for Finnick." His voice caught. Turning his head, he whispered, "I'll love you forever. And I love Adam. We're a family, Annie, and I plan on honoring that. If Katniss and Finnick make their way here, we'll figure it all out. And if it never happens, then we have nothing to worry about."

"Peeta, they're going to hate us so much." She whispered.

Peeta pulled her close and said, "Maybe. Maybe not. They could have children."

"Johanna would have said something." Annie pointed out.

"Unless she doesn't know." He smoothed a hand over her hair. "They'll understand. They've together as long as we have. Babies or not, they must understand the connection."

Annie shook her head and sniffed. Peeta continued to hold her. He didn't believe his words any more than his wife.