"You have three minutes." A peacekeeper's gloved hand holds open the door and the rest of the family follows behind me. My son is standing by the window. He turns and walks toward us.

His brothers put their hands on his shoulder.

"You're strong, Peeta, don't count yourself out."

"Yeah, let this be the first year someone dies from frosting or something."

Peeta doesn't say anything at first. He just lets his eyes roam hungrily on all of our faces. I want to say so many things. About how he brings the steadiness to the family. About his presence in the kitchen. How I know he no longer relies on me like he used to. Doesn't have the same faith that is so beautiful in younger children. I want to tell him I'm sorry that I've let him down as a father and that I really do love him. About how much I'll miss him. Too many things to say and not enough time. Besides, I'm not good with words. Luckily, he is.

"Look, you guys don't need me, really. It won't be easy, but you still have four of you and the bakery - you're managing a lot better than others in this district. I'll be okay. My last few days will be spent being fawned over in the Capitol. These Games - they're just like all the others. Dead children. But you've gotten through years of them - what's one more? Just, try to understand and don't waste time crying over me." Despite this advice, his eyes are not dry. In fact, tears are threatening to spill over.

His older brothers ruffle his curls. "Peeta, you'll come home -" they start to say, but are cut off by my wife.

"Who are you kidding? He's not going to be able to kill that Everdeen girl. His knees wobble every time she's within twenty feet of him. And I doubt he'd know how to anyway. She's strong. Maybe District Twelve will finally have a winner. She's a survivor that one."

Though the time isn't up, she turns and leaves the room. I want to follow her, but I can't leave without saying one last thing to my son. A final goodbye because I know that he won't come home. I can't let him leave without knowing that I tried.

"You go on," I tell the other boys. "I'll be right there."

They give Peeta a final clap on the back, then exit the room slowly. The door clicks behind them and I try to organize the thoughts spinning around and around in my brain.

"Peeta," I say quietly. "Peeta, don't let what your mother said hurt you. She's upset, but she's wrong -"

"No," he says, really crying now. Peeta can always tell when I'm lying - when anyone's lying come to think of it. "Dad, she's not wrong. I can't kill her and you know it. So, I'm going to ask you a favor."

"Peeta -"

"Go say goodbye to Katniss. Tell her you'll watch over her sister and mother. You loved her mother, didn't you? Don't let them starve and don't let our family starve. Please, Dad."

"Why?"

"Because it's my last gift to her."

Suddenly, he's five years old, giddy with pleasure as he looks at his strudel that he made for Katniss. He never could let her go. I nod.

The clock is ticking so I choke out a few words. "I - I know I wasn't perfect, but - I did try to be a good father. I want you to know."

He looks at me, his eyes wanting so desperately to believe me. "You didn't ever protect me. You just let her hit me over and over. You stood and watched because you were scared."

"I know," I mutter. "It was wrong."

"And - and you always let your fear get the better of you. You're - you're -" he struggles for a moment, but I know what he's trying to say.

"I'm a coward?" I ask, giving him a sad little smile. It's true. "You're right. I am. I just wanted - needed you to know that I failed you as a parent and it hurts."

Peeta blinks hard, holding back tears. I don't know if he'll respond, but I hold out my arms. He looks at me for a moment, deciding, and then walks into them for the first time in years.

"Goodbye Dad," he chokes out. "Thanks for - everything."

I blink back tears, holding on to him so tightly I worry the Peacekeepers will have to pull him from my arms. I never want to let him go. The family needs him. I need him.

I lean down and whisper into his ear. "I love you." Now that I think about it, I can't remember the last time I said this to him. All those years when we had nothing but time.

He pulls back, his blue eyes meeting mine for what I'm sure will be the last time. "Me too." He stays in my arms and I run my hands through his blonde, soft curls. The warmth from his body rushes into mine, but for once, it doesn't heat me up. I wish I could say more. Peeta deserves more. He still has so much to offer this world. His beautiful, steady piping skills. The way he can manipulate words with such ease - string them together into something beautiful. I recall all the times when he would bury his nose in fresh bread after a difficult day and the look in his eyes when he was really focused on something. I reach down to brush a tear from his face, but the door opens before my hand reaches it.

"Time's up."

Arms pull me from the room. The last thing I see is Peeta standing in the middle of the room, his arms still hanging in the air, the tears still wet upon his cheeks.

Outside the room, the Peacekeepers push me forward until I've met up with the rest of our family.

My wife hands me a bag. "You forgot to give him these."

I tune her out, staring at the gift I'd forgotten. Cookies. His favorite kind, too. I turn to the guard, pleading. "Please, just let me give these to my son."

"Your time is up, sir. Move along."

"Please!"

The guard shoves me farther from the door. "Sir, we must ask you to leave. You had your time."

My wife rolls her eyes and starts down the hallway. "Well, no point in hanging around here anymore." The words themselves are harsh, but her voice lacks the usual anger. As she turns away, I see the tears in her eyes. My wife, who yells and beats our children, is actually crying. Maybe she did care about Peeta and he never knew. He'll die thinking she hates him. It's this thought that turns me back to the Peacekeepers.

"Just one more thing," I promise.

My son's last request of me still rings in my ears.

It's my last gift to her.

The guard is still blocking the way to the other rooms. "May I please say goodbye to Katniss Everdeen?"