Thank you so much for your patience!

The characters of The Hunger Games Trilogy do not belong to me.

Fated to Love

Part Five

Dear Toad,

It's me—Mommy.

Actually, why don't I properly introduce myself? My name is Katniss Everdeen Mellark. I am 23 years old and from Seam Island.

I wasn't actually expecting you or your Dad. You both came into my life very suddenly and I was definitely surprised. However now, I can't imagine my life without either of you.

I suppose that you want to know how your dad and I met. Well…

Katniss stopped, putting her pencil down, and let out a sigh.

That story was a complicated one.

Her gaze went to the open door of their bedroom where Peeta slept. After the party and Johanna's grand entrance, they had spent the rest of time greeting Uncle Snow's guests. Most of them were cordial, their felicitations full of sincerity and warmth, but there were others who looked at her in suspicion.

Her husband stayed by her side the whole night. Peeta wanted to protect her from the whispers, but he also wanted to make up for their fight. For someone who exuded such confidence in public, Peeta could be unbelievably insecure over personal matters.

In the limo, Johanna dominated the conversation telling her father, Peeta, and Katniss about her time in Japan. She was researching some of the country's newest engineering endeavors in Tokyo and, in-between that, making trouble with the Harajuku crowd.

Behind the snark, Johanna was actually a very business-oriented person. She spoke to her father about her finds with her head on his shoulder. It was obvious that despite the occasional exasperation with his daughter, Uncle Snow adored her. Peeta was excited to see his cousin and the two got along like they were siblings.

Katniss' stomach growled and she looked down at the bump.

"You're hungry, huh?"

Closing the journal with her barely-written words but abundance of drawings, she rounded the counter and went to the fridge. She wasn't quite sure what Toad was looking for, but she figured that the baby would just tell her on sight or by scent of it.

Inside the fridge, Katniss found an array of food selections, but nothing seemed appealing. She remembered that there was a main kitchen, so she threw on a robe and walked out of their section of the house and down the hall to the elevator. It had taken her two or three trips to find her way to the main house, but now her feet led her easily out of the elevator at the ding and to the right where the kitchen was.

The large kitchen was empty; the staff had long retired for the night. Her eyes found the restaurant-grade fridge and she went to it, quickly opening the door.

Scanning its contents, nothing looked appealing and her eyes filled with tears.

Oh God, this was upsetting and Toad was starving.

A strong scent suddenly invaded her nostrils and she bent down to the bottom shelf, removing a large plate of ham and sticking her head inside. The large metal bowl called out to her and Katniss pulled it out eagerly to inhale the pungent scent. Her mouth watered at the wilted leaves and salty smell.

"Fork." Searching, Katniss found a fork in a nearby drawer and sitting on the kitchen island she started to engulf the salad. Shrimp paste assaulted her tongue and the texture of peanuts made her eager for more. "Toad, this is totally disgusting but totally good."

At the moment, she was sure that even if she remembered the sex that she had with Peeta, it would not be as satisfying as this.

"Then my cousin must've really sucked at it." Katniss turned to find Johanna at the doorway. "I'm still on Tokyo time and couldn't sleep." The dark-haired woman hopped onto the counter, sitting across from Katniss and handing her a napkin. "You're going to get indigestion eating that fast."

"I can't help it." She looked at the smelly salad. "I don't even know what this is, but it's delicious."

"It's tea leaf salad from Burma," Johanna informed her. "I'll tell the staff to make some more tomorrow and have them put it in your fridge."

"Thank you." Katniss examined the woman in front of her; there had been little chance to during the party and it had been dark in the limo. She had shoulder-length hair, deep-set oak eyes, and a long face. There was very little of Uncle Snow in her, so she assumed that Johanna looks came from her mother. "And, thank you for defending me."

"That's what family is for," Johanna told her with a smile. "You don't fuck with a Mellark, a Snow, or a Mason."

"That's not as many people as everyone thinks." Katniss chuckled. "I still feel very much like an Everdeen, too."

"My Mom was like that." Johanna folded her legs as she watched Katniss continue to eat. "Dad loved a rebellious nature and Mom had it in spades. Even when they were together, she kept her maiden name and refused to conform to what people thought about her. We'd walk barefoot through the gardens here and go swimming." She met Katniss' gaze. "I miss her every day."

"I didn't see her picture in the gallery," she said to the woman.

"I think the sight of her hurts Dad," Johanna replied. "Sometimes I think even looking at me is painful for him." She looked to Katniss. "Is it weird that I'm talking to you about this?"

"No, I don't mind, if you don't mine me sharing things with you," Katniss replied. "Peeta is great…but sometimes he confuses me. Sometimes, it's hard to know what exactly to tell him. He got so jealous over Gale and it's utterly ridiculously because I lo—" She cut herself off. "I want to make this work."

"Peeta told me everything." Johanna grinned at her slyly. "So you were that messed up on cold meds, huh?" Katniss nodded. "Does it bother you that you can't remember your first time?"

She looked to Johanna in interest. "Did I miss out on much?"

Johanna shrugged. "Everyone says that their first time sucks, so probably not."

"Peeta is a pretty good kisser," Katniss mused as she scooped the last of the salad into her mouth. "I can't help but be a little curious about it. But, sex tends to complicate things as far as I've heard."

"You can say that again," Johanna said. "And, as much as I love Peeta…it's so gross to talk about his kissing habits."

"He still loves Madge," Katniss concluded. "I can't compete with a memory."

Johanna shook her head. "There's no competition, Katniss. Peeta always looked at Madge through rose-colored glasses. But you…he sees you clearly and adores you with all the imperfections that you think you may have. Love is being able to look past faults and still be loyal to a person. I know that he's not perfect either but you take him with all those quirks. That has to mean something—the start of a successful relationship maybe."

"You don't even know me," Katniss said to her. "Why are you being so nice?"

"Because the last time that I remember Peeta smiling so big was when we were kids—when his parents were alive," Johanna replied. "You and your baby brought that smile back. Not even Madge could draw that out of him."

Katniss moved off the counter and went to the sink to wash her dish. "It's all Toad." She rinsed the bowl easily before placing it on the drying rack next to the sink. "Nothing to do with me."

"Mrs. Mellark, don't underestimate yourself in the slightest." Katniss turned to Johanna. "You'd be surprised about the effect you can have. My cousin is proud of you. Dad told me how you've completely turned your company's app around. I mean it is the highest rated, top downloaded, and your new features have only been recently implemented."

"It's just work," she replied softly. "That's not love in the slightest."

Johanna went to her, a hand going to her shoulder. "But it could be the beginning of it."

Katniss nodded. "Thanks…soon-to-be Aunt Johanna."

"By the way, your breath reeks of that tea leaf salad," Johanna suddenly said. "You might want to brush before going to bed."

The two burst into laughter, the sounds echoing through the kitchen.

From behind the doorway, Peeta smiled before heading back to their quarters.

"How is married life?" Rue asked as she sat in the chair in front of Peeta's desk for her 1-on-1. "Is Mrs. Mellark handling everything well?"

"She's made fast friends with Johanna," Peeta replied. "And, I am a jealous ass. I freaked out over her handsome art teacher."

Shaking her head at the man, Rue noted to herself to start an account with the local florist as it seemed that Peeta would be sending a lot of apology bouquets.

"No, it looks like Madge is being a jealous ass."

Rue opened the cover of her tablet and unlocked it, showing him a guest's photo of Clove standing in front of Katniss, anger evident on her elfin face. On the sidebar was a picture of Madge with a small note about her being his former girlfriend.

"The press is all over the Clove/Katniss confrontation. Everyone is buzzing over the fact that Clove revealed Mrs. Mellark's pregnancy, too. I've managed to have PR respond with a 'No Comment'."

"But, that's pretty much a confirmation," he stated and his assistant nodded. "Katniss is not going to be happy with this. She craves privacy especially when it comes to Toad."

"Toad?"

"It's what we call the baby," Peeta told her off-handedly. "By the way, we'll need to get to work on the nursery."

"I have a decorator coming in next week," she reported. There was a ding on Rue's phone and looking at the message, she immediately stood up. "Mrs. Mellark is coming up."

Peeta stood from his chair. "What's going on?"

"I just got a message from security that she's coming up the elevator!" Rue rushed out of his office. "I have to go greet her!"

Was something wrong with Toad? Or, did she hear about everything going on with the press?

Katniss had crawled into bed after her talk with Johanna, her breath minty and her movements gentle. She had fallen asleep quickly and remained slumbering when he left for the office earlier that morning.

There was a knock on the door and Rue stepped in with a smile. "Mrs. Mellark, sir."

His wife entered the room in a sweet burgundy dress and her hair in its usual side braid. When their eyes met, Katniss gave him a tentative smile and his own lips rose at the motion.

"Hello!" She held up a basket. "I brought lunch." Katniss reached into the basket and handed a small Tupperware to Rue. "I heard that you were a vegetarian from Enobaria so I made this for you."

Rue took the small pack and smiled, a blush on her cheeks. "Thank you, Mrs. Mellark."

"Katniss, please," Katniss insisted before looking to Peeta. "Are you busy?"

He shook his head in disbelief. "No, not at all." He went to the coffee table and reached to clear off the magazines. "Let me clean up—"

"I got it, Mr. Mellark!" Rue grabbed the magazines from him. "Will you two need any silverware?"

"No, I've brought everything we need, Rue," Katniss assured his assistant.

Rue glowed at her. "You know my name?"

"Of course. Peeta tells me that he wouldn't know what to do without you," Katniss told her. "You're his right-hand woman."

"I try…" Rue went to the door. "Please let me know if I can get anything for you."

"Thank you, Rue," Peeta called out.

His assistant mouthed at him, 'I love her.'

He wasn't too surprised.

Katniss looked to him when the door closed. "I hope you weren't busy. I got bored at the compound after my lesson," she informed him. "So I started helping the kitchen staff with food prep and Enobaria caught me."

"I bet she wasn't very happy," Peeta replied as he took the basket from her hands to place it on the table.

"I think that everyone was surprised that the new Mrs. Mellark was so handy in the kitchen. However, she insisted that I have Brutus drive me over and feed you." Sitting down, Katniss began to unload the basket. "I used to help my father bake in our kitchens and eventually my mom taught me to cook. The more talented cook, however, is Prim. She and Cato are actually thinking of opening up a restaurant."

"Cato told me about that." The table was filling rapidly with Tupperware. "They're trying to buy a spot here in the city, right?"

"Yes." Plates and silverware along with napkins were being set neatly down in front of him. "Very close to my old office."

"That's exciting." His stomach growled and Katniss turned to him, her grin amused. "I guess that I'm hungry." He clapped his hands and awaited her explanation. "So, what do you have?"

"Pick a cuisine." She waved her hand over the stacks of food. "I've been trying to find something else less unappealing than Toad's craving, but it doesn't seem to be working."

"What does Toad crave?"

"Tea leaf salad," Katniss explained. "It tastes incredible, but smells so strong." She took a small Tupperware and held it up. "This is it. I'm sorry if it stinks up the office."

"Can I try?" he asked.

Katniss lifted the lid and the scent immediately sprang forward. Peeta held his grimace in but attempted to smile as she scooped a portion onto his plate.

"Eat up," she told him cheerfully. "Because if you don't then I will. Don't worry, I brought a toothbrush."

Taking a fork, Peeta examined the dark salad before taking a portion and shoveling it into his mouth. It was definitely salty-tasting due to what he knew was shrimp paste, but the crunchiness of peanuts and shredded lettuce definitely added a fresh element to it. He enjoyed the combination and finished off his portion.

"It's actually very good," he told her. "Do you usually like Burmese food?"

"I've never had it," Katniss said as she ate. "Except for this."

"Maybe we can go to Burma one day…after Toad is born." Peeta smiled at the idea, thinking of their hands holding the little one's as they traveled the world. "Our first family vacation."

"I forget that you're Peeta Mellark and you can do things like that." Katniss looked sheepishly at him. "Just travel the world and such."

"You're Katniss Mellark and can do the same thing," he pointed out.

"Ah…yes. The press is constantly reminding me," she said quietly. "I'm sorry if there was any trouble with the press for Uncle Snow's event."

"PR is taking care of it." Peeta opened the lid of a random Tupperware to reveal linguine in pesto sauce. "Wow, this is very multi-cultural. From Burma to Italy."

"I told you, I had a lot of time on my hands."

"Tell me about your art lesson," he said as he twirled his fork into the pasta.

"You're not going to get weird, are you?" she asked doubtfully. "I know that Gale isn't your ideal teacher for me."

"Yes, he's no Van Gogh but if he is actually teaching you then I shouldn't have problem—contrary to my behavior."

Katniss reached over to wipe his mouth. "You know that Van Gogh shot himself, right?" She chuckled and he felt his throat tighten hearing the sweetness in it. "I don't think you'd want him as my mentor."

"But that's how talented I think you are," he said to her. "And, I didn't mean to pry but I noticed the open book on the counter with all the little doodles."

"It's a baby book for Toad," she explained. "Kind of a journal of everything that we're going through, physically, emotionally, and food craving-wise."

"Do you think I can read it one day?" Peeta placed the now-empty Tupperware on the table. "Wow, you're a great cook."

"Thanks, but it wasn't all me." She put her own empty case on the table. "I'm expecting you to contribute to the book. I don't know too much about you."

Peeta took her hand. "Of course." He looked her over. Katniss rested her other hand on the bump, her grey eyes contemplative as he caressed the soft skin of the top of her hand. "I heard your conversation with Johanna—about us and how neither of us remember that first time."

She stood up abruptly and rushed over to the window, her stare choosing to focus on the view ahead of her instead of responding to his query.

Peeta slowly rose from his seat to join her. He could see her faint reflection in the glass of the window. Her legs were unbelievably long and made longer by the shortness of her sundress. His arm wrapped around her waist and she relaxed against him.

"I make you nervous," he stated.

"You're my husband," Katniss reasoned though her breath was shaky. "We sleep in the same bed. Why would I need to be nervous?"

"Because you've thought about what it would be like if we did remember." Peeta pressed his nose to her shoulder, feeling soft linen and smelling sunlight. "I'll admit it. I've searched my memory for that moment." His lips went to her neck to sample a little bit of that sweet skin and Katniss sucked in a breath. "I've wondered if you enjoyed it despite me being inebriated and you hopped up on cold meds."

"Sometimes I think I dream about it," Katniss admitted, her voice just above a whisper. "I always take the lead."

His free hand moved along her side, searching for bare skin and finding it at the edge of her skirt. He felt her breath hitch when his palm found the rich skin of her outer thigh.

"My wife—leader in the boardroom and apparently the bedroom," Peeta trilled into her ear. He was excited by the thought of her boldness, inflamed by her soft skin and willingness in his hands. She was his and this hunger between them was only kindled at the thought. "We can try again, but only if you want, and only if you're willing. I want you to remember me."

Katniss whipped around, her usually sweet smoke eyes now burning with something akin to hunger.

"How could I forget you?" she murmured tightly. The longing in her tone caused his chest to jumpstart. Her body pressed to his and even through his suit, her center was hot. "Even when you piss me off, Peeta, I want…I want…"

He tightened his hold on her, feeling their little one against his abdomen, and Katniss' grasp on his arm.

"I'll give you everything you want. You need only ask."

There was a knock on the door and Rue quickly entered.

Katniss attempted to pull away but he held her close.

Rue colored at seeing them in a provocative position. Peeta suspected in her few minutes with Katniss that his assistant had developed a bit of a crush on his wife. He didn't blame her because Katniss was indeed very enticing when she wanted to be, glasses and all.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but Enobaria called to remind Mrs. Mellark of her prenatal appointment," she informed them. "Brutus is downstairs with the car."

"Oh!" Quickly, Katniss went to the couch to grab her tote bag. "I'll come back and clean all this up after!"

"Don't worry about it, Katniss," Rue assured her. "I'll have it sent back to the Mellark Compound."

"You have a prenatal appointment?" Peeta said suddenly.

Katniss nodded. "I mean, I should be going to an appointment. I'm over three months already if you haven't noticed. I know I have."

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked her.

"I thought that you'd be busy," she responded. "It's the middle of the day and you're in the office—"

"Cancel my afternoon meetings!" Peeta took her hand and they went to the door, rushing pass Rue.

Rue held her hand up in confirmation. "Will do, Mr. Mellark! Bye Katniss!"

"Bye!" Katniss looked to Peeta, surprise in her eyes. "You're coming with me?"

He grinned at her. "I wouldn't miss the official introduction of Toad for anything in the world."

"Don't play with that," Katniss scolded Peeta from where she sat on the exam table, clothed in a hospital gown and nothing else. "God knows where they'll be inserting that thing."

Peeta put the long-stick Q-tips back on the tray in front of her before sitting back down. "Yes, Mom."

"You're such a child," she responded. "Please sit down and stop looking in the drawers or touching things that might go into my vagina."

"You've gotten cranky," he remarked as he sat down. "Anything I can help with?"

"I'm nervous." Her eyes circled the sterile peach-colored room. "What if something is wrong with Toad? I mean, now that I think about it, there could be a hundred things wrong. I'm not that far along and things happen—"

Peeta jumped from his seat and rushed over to her. "Hey now. What's with this panic?"

"I don't know," she said earnestly. "Call it motherly anxiety."

He reached over to hold Katniss' chin to steady her. Warming blood rushed through her and it was all traveling south at the sight of him, his blue eyes full of her concern for her and Toad. Why did he have to be so cute?

"Close your eyes," he instructed.

Katniss gave him a withering stare before closing her eyes.

"Everything will be alright." Katniss could feel his warm breath against her skin and her body hummed in longing. "Toad is fine because you have been doing a great job keeping him nice and warm. I don't expect anything different from Katniss Mellark."

Then there was a gentle press to her lips and her jaw relaxed tasting that little bit of Peeta.

Her eyes opened and she chuckled. "That was nice because of the kiss but gross because pesto and tea leaf salad are not good together."

"I agree," Peeta said to her, his smile soft.

"You two look cozy." They looked to the door where a young dark-skinned woman with piercing coal eyes entered the room. "I did knock but you were distracted." She gave them a smile as she approached. "I'm Dr. Ananda Paylor, your obstetrician."

Walking briskly to them, Dr. Paylor shook Peeta's hand and then Katniss'. There was an authoritative yet gentle way in her approach. She appeared young but there was a wisdom in her gaze as she quickly did an once-over of Katniss.

"I looked over your chart, Mrs. Mellark," she started as she sat on the stool in front of Katniss' exam table. "Your blood pressure is good and weight is fine. I understand that you've fainted before?"

"Please, call me Katniss. And yes, I have fainted before—once during a meeting and the second time when Peeta proposed to me."

Dr. Paylor chuckled. "Sounds right. Any symptoms that have been out of whack?"

"I heard that the vomiting is normal," Katniss replied. "I've had a great love for tea leaf salad and I'm tittering before weeping then laughing like a maniac. Not to mention—" She looked to Peeta abruptly. "Can you go outside and count to a 100?"

Peeta look to her. "But—"

"Just do it." Katniss fixed him with another stare before he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. She looked to Dr. Paylor. "I really, really want to…"

"You want your husband more than usual?" Dr. Paylor suggested and Katniss nodded. "Perfectly normal, hormones can cause more blood to certain areas causing bursts of arousal. Sex is something that can be done during pregnancy though it can get tricky later on, so you'll have to restrict yourself to certain positions." She smiled at Katniss. "Though Mr. Mellark is adorable and he clearly loves you so I'm not surprised by your need for him."

If only this woman knew.

"Can I come in now?" Peeta yelled from behind the door.

"Yes, you may!" Katniss responded.

Peeta quickly entered and rushed to his wife's side. "What were you talking about?"

"Nothing." She took his hand. "Just a woman thing."

"You're lying but because you're carrying my child, I'll let it slide," he responded.

"Now that Katniss has asked her questions, do you have any Mr. Mellark?" Dr. Paylor asked.

"Uh...is there anything we can do about the morning sickness? I don't want it to cause any health issues with Katniss." Peeta looked to her. "She had a bad spell after our wedding and I just want to make sure that we're covering our tracks."

"There is nothing to do but keep her hydrated," the doctor informed him. "Make sure that you have dry foods around like toast and crackers in your pantry to settle her stomach. If it is very bad to the point that she's unable to make it through the day, then give me a call."

Peeta nodded. "Duly noted."

Reaching to the machine on her left, Dr. Paylor started to type in Katniss' demographics. "So, let's check out this baby." Standing, she went to wash her hands before putting on examination gloves. "You're just over your 12 weeks so I'm going to try out the ultrasound wand on your belly. Just lay back."

Katniss did as the Dr. Paylor instructed and she adjusted the blanket on her lap. Her eyes went to Peeta. "Hold my hand, Peeta."

"Of course," he said and took her hand as Dr. Paylor moved Katniss' gown to expose her stomach. His gaze was drawn to the slight swelling of her stomach. "Look at that."

"Yes, my little tea leaf belly," Katniss responded. The doctor placed the warm gel over her abdomen. "Does this harm Toad?"

Dr. Paylor looked to them with a grin and shook her head. "Toad?"

"The baby's nickname," Peeta informed the woman.

"I like it!" Dr. Paylor placed the wand to Katniss' belly. "Now let's look for your Toad." She moved the wand along Katniss' skin, one hand on the wand and the other writing notes in a chart. A smile suddenly lit up the doctor's face. "There you are…"

Katniss pushed up on her elbows and looked to the screen, her eyes focusing on the delicate profile of Toad and the thick mass of a body. "That's…Toad?"

"Amazing," Peeta breathed next to her. "Toad definitely has my profile." She turned to see him turning his head to the side. "What do you think?"

"Sure, Peeta." Katniss smiled at the pride in his voice. "Toad has your profile. Also, something tells me that Toad will have your eyes."

He leaned down to kiss her forehead. "As long as Toad has your hair—thick, wavy, and dark as night."

"You can be very sweet when you want to be," she whispered, her hand reaching to cup his face.

"So…do you two want to hear the heartbeat?" Dr. Paylor asked as she watched the two.

Katniss nodded excitedly. "Yes!"

"Always," Peeta added, taking Katniss' hand once more and pressing a kiss to it.

Dr. Paylor turned the sound on.

Dear Toad,

Today, we heard your heart beat.

It's amazing to know that you're in my stomach with a heartbeat that's your very own. You're in there with your own personality, your own thoughts and dreams. Are you a dreamer like me? Or are you ambitious like your Dad?

Your Dad thinks that you have his profile. I don't mind. He has graceful lines and a turned-up nose with long lashes that shine when the sunlight hits them. However, your dad and I hope that you'll have my hair. My coloring came from my maternal grandmother as did the dark hair.

God help you on rainy days though.

"That's a nice drawing." Peeta sat next to her on the carpet as he looked at the doodle she made in the book. "Is that Toad?"

She nodded as she taped the sonogram below the drawing. "Based on our imaginations."

"Like I said, you're really good," he told her. "Can I write something?"

"Of course." Katniss moved the notebook on the coffee table towards him. "We should both be doing this together."

Peeta grinned at her. "Just like the parenting class?"

Dr. Paylor had suggested that they take a parenting class, handing them a list of recommendations. Rue had already booked them a class for next week.

"I can't wait to see you learn how to change a diaper," she joked.

"Yeah…yeah…"

Peeta began to write, his blocky penmanship a stark contrast to her cursive words.

Contrary to what your mother says, she has lovely hair. I remember when I first met her, I wasn't very nice and I didn't seem like I was intrigued, but I was. Her braid looked soft at the tip and I wanted to reach out just to feel that bit of her hair.

And, her eyes…they are the loveliest shade of grey. You can't help but notice them.

Trust me, when you are looking at her, you will find yourself entranced. I know I was a goner.

"You don't have to lie," Katniss told him. She was flattered by his words, but they weren't real. "Toad will see through it."

Peeta met her eyes, truth within the blueness of them.

"I'm not lying. I would never lie to Toad…or you."

Suddenly, Katniss launched herself at him, her arms encircling his neck and her mouth pressing to his. She didn't know how she found herself atop his lap, her center grinding on him and her body goaded by the hardness under her.

This wasn't real.

None of this was real—

"Stop!" Katniss ripped herself away, standing up with a gasp. "We shouldn't be doing this…"

"Why not?" Peeta questioned in response.

"Because I don't want to be someone's second choice," Katniss told him. "I'm already your second choice in this marriage. I don't think I could be your second choice here, too." Her hand went to her chest. "I can get hurt too, you know."

Peeta rose from his place, putting his hands to her shoulders. "I know." She fell against him, willing herself not to cry. "I'm sorry. I was out of place."

"We both were," she agreed. "I think I need to get some rest."

"Go to bed," he told her. "I'll clean up here."

Katniss nodded before trekking towards their bedroom.

Peeta looked down at the open pages, his finger tracing over the doodle of Toad before closing the book.

JFK-Manhattan

The click of a woman's heels echoed against the floor, causing the men in the waiting area to look up as she walked gracefully toward the gate.

"First class?" The attendant asked and she presented her ticket which was quickly scanned and handed back to her. "Have a good trip, Miss Undersee."

Madge looked to the uniformed woman in front of her and gave her a determined smile.

"It should be."

Don't you love a good drama? I swear that this story has it in spades.

It has also deviated very much from the original storyline. If you've watched the series, forget most of it now.

I know I wanted to get into the parenting class but it didn't feel right in this chapter's timeline.

And, no Madge either—but she is well on her way.

The temptation seems to be getting to the marrieds, but will they succumb? We'll see.

You don't even know but I have a love for Tea Leaf Salad. My sister makes it for me and I actually sit by myself to eat it out of the metal bowl that she leaves it in. It is smelly as hell but well—there are a lot of foods that I eat that look gross.

Thank you for your reviews and comments.

They keep me nourished and feeling good. I've been going through a lot at work and my poor dog has been really sick. I'm a doggy mom and it's been painful to watch my pup suffer.

Next, Part Six—the parenting class, another art lesson (under Johanna's watchful eyes) and finally…Madge.

Until then, JLaLa