Leaving for vacation tonight! Not sure how much time I will have to post-my sister and I are heading to North Carolina where the first HG movie was filmed and we are doing the Hunger Games Movie Tours all around District 12. I'm SUPER stoked!
Explicit content ahead. You know the drill. Don't read it if you don't want to ;) and this isn't a cliffhanger so I'm not a terrible person for leaving yall for a few days. Keep up those reviews and I'll see you all soon!
XOXOXO
On Christmas morning a delicious aroma, along with delicious sensations in my feet, wake me up. I lean up to see none other than Santa Claus sitting at the foot of my bed, with my feet pulled into his lap and his talented fingers working at my arches. I giggle and he peers over his round glasses.
"Well Merry Christmas to you, Mrs. Mellark."
"Merry Christmas, Santa," I let out another girlish giggle. He sets my feet aside and brings over a tray that is laden with my favorite breakfast foods. Chocolate chip pancakes, cheesebuns, eggs with cheese, bacon, fruit, and a big glass of fruit juice. I look up at him and fight a smile.
"Santa this really is too much."
"Nothing is too much for you, my dear. You have been a very good girl all year long, you know."
"Well thank you. I do try." I dig into my Christmas breakfast and smack my lips in apprecation.
"You know what I really want, Santa?"
"What's that?"
"For my husband to be here to enjoy this perfect breakfast with me." I see his dimples with his smile and he clears his throat.
"Well then. I think that can be arranged. I've been keeping him busy with all my toy deliveries."
"Toy deliveries? Isn't that your job?" He raises a brow.
"I thought some time off would be nice and Peeta volunteered to help me out a bit."
"Mmhm. That sounds like my Peeta. He'll do anything to help anyone, including Father Christmas." I see his cheeks flush and he stands up.
"I'll send him straight to you. Merry Christmas, Katniss."
"Merry Christmas to you, Santa Claus. And thank you for the best Christmas present anyone could ever get." He pauses, his brow quirked.
"Remind me what present that is, my dear?" I grin as I push the tray aside and stand up on my knees.
"My loving husband, of course." His eyes light up and he yanks the white beard and wig off. My hand goes to my heart as I wince.
"Oh my god, the illusion is shattered!"
"Oh I'm sorry. Should I have stepped into the closet to change?"
"Yes! I'm still a child at heart you know." Chuckling, he hurries into the closet and I hear the heavy boots clunking against the floor. When he comes out, he's dressed in faded blue jeans and with his feet and chest exposed. I suck in a breath as he walks toward me, my eyes raking over his muscles and I drink in my fill. I've always thought Peeta was handsome. Seeing him fill out before the Quell was pleasant and then it took awhile for both of us to regain our strength and muscle after we returned to 12. The first time I saw him naked, I thought he was extraordinary. But he was just becoming a man, becoming a husband at 18 years old. It's strange to think that I was a wife that young, especially since I never thought in a million years I would ever call myself that. 6 years later and after years of lifting and such at the bakery, his form could be described as godlike. Indeed, I still see many of the women in town giving my husband flirtatious looks and nothing makes me happier than when he spins me into his arms and kisses me in front of them. It's like a huge smack in their faces and Peeta understands that I can still get jealous quite easily. He leans down, his powerful arms holding him up, as he leans over me and kisses me deeply. My hands rake down his chiseled frame and I cup him through his jeans. I love how his stomach jerks when I get too close and I break our kiss to smirk up at him. He runs his fingers over my lips and I take them into my mouth, sucking and moaning, to drive him crazy. It works, as I see his face flush and his eyes darken and he bites his lip. I work one-handedly at his jeans until I have them loosened and my hand dives in to find his hard flesh straining against the material. He gasps as my hand closes around him and he throws his head back.
"Katniss," he whines my name as I work at him slowly. I pull my legs up and use my feet to push his jeans and boxers down his legs. I love the way his cock springs forward and he hisses as my hand brushes against it. He leans back and his hands go under my legs, pulling my underwear down and kissing every spot of exposed skin as he does so. His hand massages my inner thigh as his other hand quickly unbuttons the buttons of his shirt that I am wearing. He doesn't take it off, rather he keeps it open and tweaks my nipple as he leans down and takes one of my breasts into his mouth. I arch my back as my eyes slam shut, giving in to every delicious wonder that my husband bestows. His hand on my thigh moves south and my legs fall open even wider as he makes slow circles between my legs. He releases my breast with a wet pop and he kisses a trail down my stomach, across my belly button, and even further down. My hands grasp at his golden curls as his head disappears between my thighs and I try to lean up to watch him. I feel his tongue flick across my clit and I moan his name loudly. I open my eyes to meet his and our gazes are locked on each other. I am bucking my hips so wildly at this point that he keeps his mouth still and lets me grind against him. I come screaming his name and he refuses to let up. He tilts my hips upwards so that my feet are almost wrapped around my head. Good thing I'm so limber! I feel his tongue at my other hole, before he moves up and thrusts into my folds. He fucks me with his fingers and his tongue and he is relentless until I come again. I try to catch my breath as he kisses his way back up to my mouth, and he turns on his back and pulls me over him.
"Ride me, Katniss. Ride me fast and hard." I gulp at his dirty words. The way my eyes light up let him know his speech has his desired effect on me. I sink on top of him and grind forward, jumping at how sensitive I still am. His hands rest on my hips and he helps move me up and down before he starts to thrust upward and lets me collapse on his chest. He holds me tightly as he bucks his hips, driving into me. His breathing is ragged, his curls are soaked, and I love the way his skin glistens in the morning light.
"Katniss," he pants. "God, yes, Katniss!"
"I love you Peeta. So damn much." He lets out a strangled groan as he jerks inside of me and I fall forward. When I look up, he looks disappointed.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen so quickly. You didn't-"
"It's ok Peeta. I don't have to finish every time you know. Besides you gave me two already." He pushes my damp hair out of my eyes and shakes his head.
"What makes it worth it for me, Katniss, is seeing you get off. Now get up here." He pulls me up to his face and my knees rest on either side of his head. He pulls the edge of the sheet to clean me up, then he grips my thighs as his tongue thrusts up into me and I let out a high pitched wail. I was so close that it doesn't take long and pulls his mouth away and rubs fast and hard until I am squirting all over his face. It took me a long time before I was comfortable with this…no, I take that back, I still flush from head to toe whenever this happens. But Peeta has explained time and time again that he is so damn proud of himself when he makes me do this and one of his secret loves in bed was when I come on him. We ended up having that dreaded talk not long after our anniversary last year. He convinced me that we needed to know what the other liked and didn't like and I learned a lot about his dominant side. Likewise I discovered some things about myself. I'm still not comfortable talking about it but Peeta has definitely opened me up to entirely new worlds in our intimacy. I fall backwards and he catches me in his arms and lowers me to the bed. He reaches down and pulls a towel from under the bed and wipes his face and my legs clean. He pulls me to his chest and I bury my face in the crook of his neck.
"I feel kind of dirty having done that on Christmas." A low rumble in his chest lets me know he is laughing.
"Why is that?"
"You know. The whole, Santa is watching me thing. Kind of creepy."
"Didn't he say you were a good girl this year?" I lean up and meet his eyes. He's smirking at me, his eyes still smoldering from what we had just done.
"Yes but he should know I have been pretty bad too." He nuzzles my cheek and tugs my earlobe with his teeth.
"Maybe he likes that." I screw up my face and shake my head.
"Ew! Peeta, no!" He chuckles and squeezes his eyes shut.
"Ok, you're right, ew. Forget I said that. I like that you have been a bad girl. Forget what Santa likes."
"Did you really finish all the toy deliveries?"
"You doubted me? I was able to visit all the houses in 12 last night. Only had a few homes in Merchant Circle and was able to go to those this morning before you woke up."
"I wish you had waited for me. I like being Santa's little helper." He grins as he kisses my nose.
"There's always next year." I love this tradition that we have started. Ever since he played Santa at the orphanage, he insists on doing it every year. Several years ago, it expanded into taking toys to the little ones around the district and not just the orpahange. Now everyone knows of Santa Claus and the joy he brings with his bag full of toys. Effie and I love to pick out the toys and goodies to go into his bag and Haymitch helps him load it up into a sleigh and rides around town, delivering his gifts. It's just one more reason to love him.
"So Santa had time to make all those deliveries and make me breakfast this morning?"
"Oh don't let him fool you. The breakfast was all me," he says with a grin. I laugh as I pull him in for a kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him up so that we are leaning against the wall, kissing.
"Speaking of which, everything is probably cold now."
"Mmhm. Santa's little helper decided to be a little naughty this morning." He cups my chin and gives me a soft kiss.
"You weren't complaining. I need to get up and start getting ready anyway. Annie said she would come over early to help me with Christmas dinner. Why don't you take a nap up here? I'm sure you're exhausted after all those deliveries."
"I'm alright. And I need to get started on the cookies anyway. I promised Finn and Posy we would have some to decorate." I roll my eyes at my boy with the bread, always baking whether at work or at home. He kisses my nose leans over to open one of our drawers, pulling out a small box wrapped in green paper.
"One more delivery," he says softly.
"Peeta," I start. We'd agreed we wouldn't do lots of presents for each other this year and focus on the kids at the orphanage as well as Finn and Posy. He shakes his head.
"I know what you're going to say. But it's for both of us. If you like it. I was looking through a catalogue and it…they jumped out at me. I had to add to it, of course. Open it." I pull at the wrapping and hold a red velvet box in my hand. I glance up at him and open it with a creak. The box holds two rings, both so beautiful and the way they capture the light streaming in from our window makes them look like they are spun from the purest gold. The bands are about the same size and together form a silver heart. I lift one from the box and turn it to see the letters "Alw". He takes out the other and brings it next to the one I'm holding. Together they form a heart and the word "always". I look up at him, biting down on my lip. I don't notice there are tears in my eyes until he is brushing them away and kissing my cheek. I close my eyes and feel his lips on my eyelids and nose.
"You don't have to wear it," he says and my eyes shoot open. "I thought they were pretty and-" his words are cut off as I throw my arms around his neck and slam my lips onto his.
"Peeta," I breathe. "They're perfect. They are beautiful and I love them!" I hold out my hand and he smiles as he slides the ring onto my finger. Likewise I take his hand and put its counterpart on his finger. I feel like we are getting married all over again. We clasp hands and he cups my chin to kiss me.
"Merry Christmas Mrs. Mellark."
We take a quick shower together and manage to keep our hands off each other long enough to get dressed. I love that we still act like this. I hope this playfulness never fades from our lives. Many people tell us we still behave like newlyweds. The last time my mother visited us she said she had never seen me smile so much. Peeta looked immensely pleased after that.
Peeta makes us more pancakes for breakfast while I start on the enormous turkey I shot, and we eat quickly before we are moving around the kitchen. Annie and Finn knock on the door about noon, and Peeta grunts as Finn runs into his arms. Our little godson has gotten so big but Peeta still carries him around like he is a child. I still see the longing in his eyes but he has not mentioned children to me in a really long time. Perhaps he has just accepted that I won't change my mind. This makes me both relieved and immensely heartbroken. He pecks Annie on the cheek before he and Finn disappear into the living room so Finn can show his uncle what Santa brought him for Christmas. I catch Peeta's eye before he leaves and he gives me a sly wink.
There are several more knocks at the door and Johanna and Effie join us in the kitchen. I hear the men talking in the living room and Effie lets out a squeal.
"Katniss, what a beautiful ring!"
"Oh yes thank you. Peeta's Christmas present for me." Annie makes an "awwwe" sound while Johanna takes my hand.
"That's nauseatingly adorable, brainless. You two kids make me sick with your devotion to each other."
"Oh Johanna leave them alone," Annie scolds. "They deserve it after everything." Johanna rolls her eyes and goes back to mashing the potatoes.
"Don't listen to her, Katniss," she whispers softly. "She's so happy for the both of you. She just doesn't like people to know she has a heart." I grin as I watch my friends move around the kitchen and we start to set the table. Hazelle, Rory, Vick, and Posy arrive a few minutes before we all sit down and Posy gives me a big hug before she runs into Peeta's arms. She's gotten big too. I can't believe all of the children I know are growing so quickly. Rory and Vick are the same height now and Rory is starting to grow a bit of a mustache. I know Peeta has teased him about it, trying to look all manly but Rory fires back that Peeta can't grow one. I don't think it bothers him anymore, whatever the prep teams did to us to make sure we are hairless. It used to bother me but I suppose we'll both just look young for a long time.
"Thank you for doing this, Katniss," Hazelle says as she hugs me. "Gale says thank you for the invitation but Ghilda invited him to spend it with her family." I notice how her jaw flexes so I don't say anything more and invite everyone to sit. As I am sitting down, we hear another knock and I look around, confused. Everyone we have invited is here.
"Um, I'll be right back." I open the door and let out a loud gasp as little arms fling around me.
"Kitty-kat!"
"Lara?" I sink to the ground and gather her in my arms, clinging to each other. I glance up and see her brother standing in the door way looking slightly uncomfortable.
"I'm so sorry. I'm Katniss," I try to lift my hand to shake his but Lara keeps me pinned down. He chuckles.
"I know. Lara won't stop talking about you. I'm Logan. And this is for you," he holds out a lumpy looking package of cookies and I smile as I disentangle myself from Lara and take the cookies.
"Thank you, that's so sweet of you. Won't you both come in?" I have absolutely no clue how they got here or when they arrived but I close the door and see Peeta has come to check who is at the door.
"Mr. Peeta," Logan says quickly, shaking Peeta's hand.
"Hello Logan. Glad to see you didn't have any trouble getting here."
"No sir, the train was on time. Thank you again." My eyes widen as they rest on my husband, who lowers to the floor to hug Lara. She leaps into his arms and she kisses his cheek.
"Thank you for my Christmas present, Peeta."
"You're welcome, Miss Lara. Why don't you and your brother come in for some Christmas dinner? After dinner we will decorate some cookies!" Logan takes Lara's hand and leads her into the kitchen but I stop Peeta before we follow them.
"You bought them train tickets to come visit?" His eyes are sparkling.
"Surprise. I was hoping they would make it here before dinner. Logan called here a few weeks ago while you were out and was saying Lara really wanted to visit. So I arranged for them to come in on the train and be here for Christmas. Is it-" I fling my arms around him so suddenly that we are both nearly knocked off our feet. I kiss him hard on the lips and feel him gasp.
"I take it you like your Christmas surprise."
"Peeta this is so wonderful. You…you really are too perfect." He smiles as he plays with my braid.
"You're perfect, Katniss. And I thought you'd like to enjoy your Christmas with all your loved ones." We walk hand in hand back to the kitchen where Lara and Logan are waiting nervously. Annie ushers them into a seat and Finn waves at Lara across the table. I kneel beside her chair and quickly introduce everyone. She and Logan are shy but Posy and Finn and Rory bring them out of it quickly. After dinner, Peeta sets up a separate table to decorate cookies at and the adults watch while we all sip on coffee or tea. Hazelle chuckles as Posy and Lara smear frosting all over Peeta's cheek.
"That boy will make a great father one day," she says non-chalantly. I feel everyones eyes on me and I sip at my tea, keeping silent. Hazelle pats my hand.
"Oh honey. I know how you used to feel but times have changed. You see how good Panem is being to our kids now? I can watch my kids work away from those deadly mines. And there will never be another Reaping bowl again." Effie sips at her coffee loudly, and Haymitch squeezes her hand. I sigh into my cup and glance over at the cookie table. Peeta is laughing and talking to the kids but I see his eyes are glancing sideways at me. I clear my throat and start to clear the dishes. Johanna jumps up and helps and we continue to watch the kids decorate…Peeta more than the cookies.