Thank you for your kind words. Y'all are lovely.

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

Fated to Love

Part Seven

"Madge."

Her name sounded foreign on his lips.

Peeta straightened, his eyes narrowing as he approached her. His ex-girlfriend stood up, smoothing her form-fitting white dress and giving him a smile. He looked over his desk, wondering how long she had been there and his eyes went to the wedding photo that Rue had not-so-subtly placed on his desk, just two days ago.

He stared at the stranger in front of him. "How did you get in here?"

Madge held up a ring of keys from her index finger. "You gave me a set of keys for the office."

Peeta took a short breath, steeling his features, before meeting her eyes.

"Put them on my desk. We have no business with one another—anymore," he told her evenly.

"We were together for years, Peeta," Madge responded, rounding the desk and walking over to him. Her stilettos clicked against the marble floor as she approached, stopping only when they were less than a step apart. "Don't act like that."

"Madge, you broke up with me," he stated simply. "It was hard, but I learned to live without you. I'm better now, especially with the baby and Katniss—"

"Yes." Madge's mouth thinned out at his wife's name. She took the photo of Katniss from his desk. "Your wife." She examined the photo before giving him what he used to think was her sweetest smile. "She's very…different. Does she know how serious we were?"

"The operative word is were," Peeta told her bluntly. "We are not together. I am married to a good woman and Katniss does know about us. She was a very good friend to me after…" He smiled to himself, remembering that first evening at the Odair Resort. "She got me through. In the end, it turned out for the best."

Madge frowned at his words, placing the frame down. "I'm a little hurt that you got over us so easily."

"Well, so did you," he responded in a steely tone. "You made your choice and I've made mine."

"And, if I regret my decision?" she burst out, her sky-blue eyes filming with tears.

"Then that's your cross to bear." There was a buzz at the door and Rue stepped inside. She stopped short, seeing Madge practically pressing herself to Peeta. Peeta stepped back and looked to his assistant. "Rue, please escort Miss Undersee out—"

Madge retreated, giving him an easy smile. "I'll escort myself out."

She turned and made her way towards the door.

"Madge."

The woman swiveled, a hopeful grin on her pink lips.

He took another steady breath before speaking, "Please leave your keys on Rue's desk."

She didn't respond, only turning back and walking out the door.

Rue looked to him, her wide eyes shocked. "I'll go and make sure that she's gone."

His assistant rushed out the door, her own heels snapping rapidly along the floor.

Peeta's gaze went to Katniss' photo, beaming beautiful and bright at him.

How did things go from wonderful to utter crap in just a matter of minutes?

Rue ran back into the office, gasping for breath.

"Madge left her key," his assistant reported. "However, I've alerted security that she is no longer allowed in the building. I think that we should also change the locks. You never know."

Peeta nodded numbly. Walking to the couch, he sat and put his face in his hands.

A hand went to his shoulder and he drew up to meet Rue's worried eyes. "Are you going to tell Katniss?"

"I don't know," he told her. "Her health isn't the best with all the fainting and we've just gotten to a good place. I don't want to hurt her."

"Wouldn't it hurt her more to find out from someone else?" Rue pointed out.

"No." Peeta shook his head tersely. "I will take care of this and Katniss won't be bothered." He slapped his hands against his thighs. "Now, let's go over the day."

Rue shook her head at his final words. "Alright, I'll pull up the schedule." She stood up from her seat, looking down at him. "But, let me just go on the record and tell you—keeping Katniss in the dark is a dumbass idea!"

His assistant stomped out of the room before he could respond.

"You look happy."

Katniss looked up from her sketch to meet Prim's eyes. "What?"

"There's a glow." Prim tilted her head, her loose gold waves moving with her, as she examined her sister. "You seem more content and a lot calmer than last week." She sat back in the patio chair and her hands went to her stomach. "What's going on?"

Johanna strolled into the garden where they sat, giving Prim a kiss on the cheek and patting her belly.

"Didn't you hear?" She sat down in the chair, adjacent to Katniss', and winked at her. "Mr. and Mrs. Mellark spent their whole weekend locked in their bedroom. The staff had bets on who would be taken to the hospital for exhaustion."

"You're over exaggerating," Katniss informed her cousin though she couldn't stop the blush from invading her cheeks. "But yes, I had a very, very, very good weekend."

"Wow." Prim smirked at her. "Peeta literally banged a smile on your face."

Katniss placed her sketchpad on the table. "The thing is…"

"What?" Johanna leaned towards her. "It's doesn't go slightly to the left, does it?"

"No!" Katniss flushed at her words. "Also, why would that effect anything?"

"And, why are you interested in your cousin's junk?" Prim retorted with a chuckle.

"I'm not interested in Peeta's junk!" Johanna protested. "Not since we were little kids and our nanny made us bathe together, anyway." The two sisters stared at her in question and she growled in exasperation. "I asked why Peeta had a knob and I didn't. I also asked what the deal was with the bags right under it."

Katniss burst into a fit of laughter. "Poor nanny!"

"Anyway," Johanna said in faux-annoyance. "What's going on?"

She sighed before responding, "Peeta has never said that he loves me. I know that it shouldn't be a big deal and he definitely shows it. But, there's something inside that wishes he would just say it."

"Oh, Katniss." Prim placed a hand over her sister's. "I'm sure he does. But, you shouldn't be afraid to tell him how you feel about him not telling you."

"He's a tough cookie to break," Johanna added. "I mean he thought he loved Madge and I think he put himself a little too much into that relationship. Then when she dropped him just like that—" She snapped his fingers. "He had no idea how to pick up the pieces. I think he tells himself that if he says those words to anyone else—they'll leave, too."

"I guess that makes sense," Katniss mused for a moment. "I just don't like hiding things from one another. The worst feeling in the world is being left in the dark, unaware and blindsided." She let out a breath. "But, I do understand his feelings."

"You're one hell of a wife," Prim told her.

"True. It's not easy being Peeta Mellark's wife," Johanna said.

They went silent for a moment, lost in their own thoughts.

"So how long did you and Peeta bathe together?" Prim suddenly asked.

"Oh shut it, little mother." Johanna's eyes went to Prim's belly. "Your mother is a terror. If I were you, I'd stay in there."

Prim's eyes went wide and her hands grasped her stomach.

She looked to Johanna and beamed.

"I guess he's decided to not listen to you."

Katniss sat up in attention. "What do you mean?"

Prim met her eyes.

"My water just broke."

"Katniss!" Peeta rushed over to her in the long corridor of the hospital. "Are you and Toad alright?"

She smiled benignly, taking his hand and putting it to her stomach. "We're perfectly fine."

"I just got this message from Johanna to come to the hospital and I thought the worst—"

"No." Katniss led him down the hall. "She was probably just freaking out herself. When Prim's water broke in our garden, Johanna went grey."

"Prim had the baby?"

They continued down the hallway, hand in hand. Peeta watched as Katniss smiled to herself, her hand contently on Toad.

The small niggle of guilt seeped into him, urging him to tell her about Madge. He had a feeling that his ex was still around, waiting for the best opportunity.

"Katniss, I need to tell you something. Something important."

They stopped and his wife turned to him, her expression furrowed with worry. "What's going on?"

He took a calming breath. "You see—"

"Peeta! Katniss!" Hani walked over to them, her expression bright. She gave them each a hug. "Prim and Cato are looking for you two. They're all cleaned up and ready to see you now."

Peeta grasped his mother-in-law's shoulder. "Wait—in there?"

His eyes went to the double doors leading to the maternity ward.

"Of course. How else are you going to meet your nephew?" Hani replied with a grin.

"You're going to have to get used to this." Katniss pulled him towards the doors. "We'll be here soon enough."

Pushing through the doors, Peeta became faintly aware of how the sounds of the hospital ceased. Everything was calm...peaceful. His eyes went to the windows where the nursery was and he saw a group of new fathers gathered as they looked at their children.

He saw himself in that group—he'd be the one handing out the cigars and giving the nurses gift baskets. Rue knew someone who was great at creating them. He saw himself inviting Dr. Paylor for dinner at Arena, courtesy of himself, Katniss, and Toad.

"This is it," Katniss said as they stood in front of a door. "We're going to meet our nephew."

Squeezing her hand, they entered the room after Hani and Peeta waved to Haymitch who was taking photos on an old Canon of Prim holding the baby. Cato sat on the bed beside her and when he saw the two, his brother-in-law beamed.

Standing, Cato approached and Katniss gave him a hug. "Congratulations, Dad."

"Did I ever thank you for inviting me to dinner during our school break?" Cato said to her.

Katniss gave him an amused smile. "Why would you thank me for that?"

"Because if you hadn't, I would've never talked to Prim," her brother-in-law replied. "I would've never been able to discover how one-in-a-million she is. We would never be here." His eyes went to Prim, cooing over their son, before looking to Katniss and Peeta. "I could only wish the same for you both."

"Thank you, Cato," Peeta said and they embraced one another. "We married some special women."

"Really, these Everdeen girls—they get you right in the heart." Cato looked over to where his wife watched Katniss take hold of their son. "Come meet Jace. I think you'll like him."

"Jace?"

"After my Dad," Cato replied. "He passed away when Katniss and I were still in high school." The man looked to Peeta. "Since we found out we were having a boy, it just felt right to name him Jace."

Peeta went to Prim and kissed her cheek. "Congratulations."

"Thanks, big brother," she replied. His sister-in-law looked exhausted but thrilled. "Soon this will be you." Prim looked over to her sister who was cradling Jace in her arms. "Even if Katniss doesn't even look pregnant."

"I'm sure it will be one of those last-minute things," Hani replied. "She'll just wake up and not be able to see her feet."

"I'm standing right here," Katniss called out softly so to not bother Jace. "And, if you think I don't look huge, don't worry because I feel huge." She rocked herself over to Peeta. "Isn't he beautiful?"

Jace was round-faced with thick flaxen hair. His lips were small and pink. Curiously, Peeta put his finger to Jace's cheek and the newborn immediately perked in a snoozing smile.

"He likes you!" his wife exclaimed. Katniss moved toward him. "Your turn."

Peeta shook his head in panic. "No, I can't."

"Yes, you can," Katniss replied firmly. Slowly, she lifted the baby and maneuvered him into Peeta's reluctant arms. "Just support his head in the crook of your arm." She smiled gently at him. "And don't forget to breathe."

"You're enjoying this a little too much, Mrs. Mellark," he responded.

"It's nice to see you in a tizzy." His wife rested her head on his shoulder, her hands going to move the bundling from Jace's face. "Makes you more human."

He smirked. "Less robotic?"

Katniss shook her head, her smile amused. "More imperfect."

Peeta kissed her gently before pulling away and looking to the little boy. "I can't wait, you know."

She grinned prettily. "Neither can I."

"Everything is looking good," Dr. Paylor told them. She looked over Katniss' chart, writing some notes from the latest sonogram. "I have noticed that there is a jump in your blood pressure. Anything going on?"

Katniss shook her head. "Things have been busy with our families. My sister just had her baby…"

"So I'm just going to keep an eye on it," the woman replied. "However, you're going to have to keep yourself stress-free. I don't want any chance of preeclampsia occurring." Dr. Paylor looked to Peeta. "Your job is to keep the Mommy calm, Dad."

Peeta grinned, giving Katniss' hand a squeeze. "So be at her beck and call?"

"Without a doubt," his wife told him. "But really, I feel great. No need to worry."

"I'm going to worry," Peeta retorted. The doctor excused herself so Katniss could get dressed, leaving the two alone. "Maybe you should pull back on working on the app and going to board meetings."

"No." Frowning, Katniss got off the exam table and went behind the changing divider in the corner. "I really am alright. What is stressing me out is that I'm being dictated to!"

"Hey now!" Peeta rushed behind the divider, his hands going to her bare shoulders. "We're on the same team. I'm not doing this to bring you down. I'm doing this to keep you and Toad healthy and stress-free. I'm doing it because I care and because…"

Katniss moved forward, pressing herself against him. "Because what?"

He lifted her chin. "Because I—"

"Mrs. Mellark?" A nurse burst into the room. Her eyes widened seeing them behind the sanction. "I'm sorry!"

The door slammed behind her.

Katniss sighed. "I better get dressed. You better go set up my next appointment."

Peeta chuckled. "Dr. Paylor is going to have words with me about her terrified nurse." He leaned down and kissed her. "I'll be outside."

As soon as he stepped out, the realization hit him.

He had almost told her that he loved her.

"How's married life, Mrs. Mellark?" Delly said as they sat in her new office. "You're barely showing! I look bigger during my premenstrual cycle!"

Her hands went to the slightness against her Gucci skirt, Katniss could feel the small flutters beginning. They were becoming a lot more frequent. Even if no one could feel Toad, he or she was there.

"You're crazy." Katniss chuckled. "I mean, you look beautiful! And, this office—" Her eyes went around the large cream-colored room with red accents. "It's great. The app is doing well from what I've heard in the last board meeting."

"I hear that you have them cowering in their seats," Delly said with a grin. "Since you first suggested the upgrade, those old boardroom gents have been wondering just how useful they are."

"Like I thought, this all just needed a woman's touch." Katniss looked to her friend. "How are you?"

"I'm happy," Delly gushed, her cheeks brightening. "I have this great job, thanks to you, and I've been able to pay off my college loans. I'm looking for a new apartment. Then, there's guy…"

Katniss leaned closer. "A guy? Now that's new." It had been so long since she got to catch up with Delly. She missed seeing the exuberant woman in her daily life. "Tell me about him."

There was a knock on the door and Seneca peeked inside. "Delly, are you ready?" His eyes went to Katniss sitting in the chair adjacent to Delly. "I didn't mean to interrupt, Mrs. Mellark."

"It's Katniss." She gave him an easy smile. "Not that you'll forget now."

Seneca offered her a roguish grin before meeting Delly's bright eyes. "Delly will never let me forget."

He nodded at the two before closing the door.

Katniss looked to her friend, finding her cheeks a startling shade of scarlet. Slowly, she put it all together—remembering Delly's excitement over a new guy…Seneca's gaze at her friend…the current flood of color currently residing on Delly's cream skin…

"Oh crap!" She swiveled to look at her friend. "Delly—no!"

Delly nodded frantically, her hands over her mouth. "Yes!"

"How did that happen?" Katniss asked. "I mean, the last time I saw you two you were yelling at him for just being in your vicinity."

Her friend blushed. "Yeah well, one late work evening, he got a little too in my vicinity—and other things."

"Wow, how the tables have turned," Katniss said. She smiled at Delly. "Stranger things have happened. I lost my virginity and gained a baby, then a husband."

"And, I got a promotion and found out that Seneca is actually a really good man," Delly replied. "I really like him—maybe even love him. You know how that is, Katniss. When you know, you know."

Actually, Katniss didn't know.

She thought that Peeta was going to say something of that sort at the hospital, then at her appointment. However, nothing had come to fruition and both times they went home to have dinner with Uncle Snow and Johanna before going to bed.

"I guess you're right," Katniss said. "Delly, has he told you that he loves you?"

"Yes, last night." She tried to keep Delly from seeing her grimace. "I know…and he asked me to live with him. We were actually going to meet our realtor during our lunch break."

Who was she to judge?

So, Katniss took her friend's hands—and she lied.

"I hope you have all the love that Peeta and I have."

Because she did want Delly to have the love she had. She just didn't want it to be one-sided.

"How do you know you're in love?"

Johanna looked to Peeta. "Come again?"

They sat in the solarium of the house. It was Johanna's favorite place to work since her mother had loved it so much. The roses planted were grown by Perdita Mason herself and Peeta knew that it made his cousin feel a little closer to her mother.

"How do you know you're in love?" he repeated. "I know that this started out as some sort of arrangement, but lately—"

"Like everyone in this house, you've fallen in love with your wife?" Johanna shook her head, going back to the paperwork on the table in front of them. "Katniss is not that hard to love. She is sweet and unselfish as well as strong and smart. Who wouldn't find that ideal?"

"Then why am I so scared to tell her how I feel?" Peeta fiddled with the cufflinks on his wrists. "It shouldn't be this hard because she is perfect."

"Well, maybe it's because that she-beast Madge held you in her furry, clawed grasp for so long, then played kickball with your heart, till you had no ability to feel," Johanna countered. "Maybe it wasn't love in retrospect, but that kind of disrespect for someone's feelings can linger."

"I saw Madge," Peeta suddenly revealed. "She came to the office. Actually, maybe more invaded the office."

"Bitch can't help it," his cousin scoffed. "Un-fucking-believable. I can't stand her and how she hurt you. Now look at you!" Johanna waved a hand at him, ink from her pen flying on the papers. "You're like a wounded puppy who got kicked by its master."

"She was never my master!" Peeta argued.

"Oh, Madge was," Johanna stated bluntly. "She said fetch and you did. Why do you think I stayed away so long? I did not like her—and you cared so much about her happiness that you changed who you were. You weren't always so uptight. You used to bake with the staff and doodle during business meetings. Then one day, she told you that you needed to be a mogul and you did as you were told. You can blame Dad for making you a work robot, but you gave him the tools to steer you that way."

Peeta was shocked at her words. He settled back, thinking about how he had blindingly followed Madge's pretty smile and beckoning blue eyes.

Slowly his hand went over Johanna's. "I'm sorry if I made you stay away so long."

"Me too." Her eyes were wet, making the darkness of them glitter. "I missed being home. I just couldn't see my family deteriorate in the Mellark Corporation." Johanna offered him a weak smile. "But, every time I see you with Katniss, I feel the old Peeta come back. She is good for you. You need to show her that."

Nodding, Peeta stood up and kissed his cousin's cheek before walking out of the solarium.

He knew that his wife was in their room, resting after a meeting with Delly.

Finding his way to their part of the compound, he entered and found it empty in the living room.

Katniss was in their bedroom, asleep on the bed, still in her work outfit. She hadn't even taken off her shoes.

Chuckling to himself, he went to the edge of the bed to pluck the black heels with the red bottoms off her feet before marveling over the smoothness of her tanned legs. Beside her was the baby journal, her glasses, and a clay Mason jar, all resting on his side. He took the book and jar to place at the end of the bed before putting her glasses on his side table.

"Hey."

Peeta looked to find rapturous smoke eyes gazing at him.

"Hey," he greeted before removing his own shoes to climb onto the mattress. "You look like you had a productive day."

"Oh you know—meeting, meeting, meeting with Delly," she told him offhandedly. "Oh and there's the whole growing-a-human-life thing."

Peeta moved next to her, his hand reaching to brush her cheek. "You're lovely."

"It must have been the nap." She smiled at him. "I see that you wrote in the journal." Her eyes went briefly to the book that he moved to the edge of the bed. "What is this whole thing about not being a good man?"

"I don't know," he told her. "I was mean to you the first time we met...and I haven't done anything remotely humanistic—until you came along."

"It was there, Peeta," Katniss said to him. "All those beautiful qualities were always inside. Toad just brought them out. Children can do that, they can make you a better person."

"Not just Toad, never just him," he told her in a hushed voice and she beamed. Peeta moved his lips over hers and she pressed against him willingly. "Close your eyes, Katniss."

She did what she was told and Peeta stared down at the woman—beautiful freckled skin, dark hair framing her heart-shaped face, and rose-colored lips. How could so much beauty radiate off of one person? It wasn't just outward, but all the goodness and pureness in his wife seemed to glow from within her.

Peeta kissed her once more, peppering her skin with kisses along her jaw then down her neck. Katniss arched, a small moan escaping those pretty lips of hers. His hand moved to unbutton the ruffled top she wore before going to her parted thighs. He could feel the heat on his fingers immediately and he searched for that warmth emanating from his wife.

He groaned finding her wet and ready for him.

"I like hearing that," Katniss whispered shyly. "I never thought that I could want someone or have someone want me the way you do."

"I'll always want you," he told her. "I'll always need you."

Slowly, Katniss sat up as he rested back on his knees. She straddled him, deftly unzipping him and seeking his cock, hard and eager to be in-between her legs.

Her slit teased the ridges of his length and she met his eyes. "You really are at my beck and call."

"Come on, Katniss." Peeta arched up, capturing himself in her warm, wet sheath. Her jaw dropped at the sudden, explosive pleasure of their joining. "Don't tease." He thrusted up as his arm wrapped around her waist and the other went to the back of her head to weave through her thick hair. Katniss let out a guttural cry, her forehead falling against his. "That's right, sweetheart. Just look at me…"

He looked into her hungry eyes, knowing his own reflected that same feeling.

Peeta was not good with words, he knew that without a doubt.

But, he could show her he loved her.

Oh God, he was so in love with her that the thought alone made it hard to breathe.

So Peeta would show her, even if he couldn't say the words.

He'd show her over and over.

Dear Toad,

It's me...Dad.

I thought I'd tell you a little more about myself. I was born here in Panem. Your grandfather and grandmother met at a gala run by the Mellark Corporation. Your grandfather was heartbroken at the time because the woman he had been in love with since he was a boy had married someone else. Your grandmother helped him through it, they struck up a friendship, and inevitably fell in love.

Funnily, the woman who broke my father's heart turns out to be your maternal grandmother, Hani Everdeen. So fate worked out that I would end up marrying your mother.

Life is strange like that.

When my parents passed on, I locked myself away for a long time, Toad. I know that doesn't seem likely for a little boy but it's what happened. I told myself that love would only hurt you in the end and that the pain was just too hard to bear. I was just a child but I wasn't stupid—so I kept myself hidden.

I'm not a good man. I've made mistakes—a lot of them towards your mother, but I try every day to be a better person and a better man for you both. Your mother deserves that. So do you.

Katniss put the baby journal aside and let out a slow breath. She could feel him radiating off the pages with his words.

There was love in there—in them. She hoped.

Taking a sip from her tea cup and looking out onto the street in front of her, Katniss didn't notice the elegant figure approach her in Prim and Cato's restaurant.

"May I sit down?"

She looked up to find Madge Undersee standing before her, graceful and poised in her baby blue dress.

Katniss nodded once, steeling herself, before extending her hand to the chair in front of her.

"Please, have a seat."

"You're just as pretty as your pictures in the papers—" Madge remarked, her blue eyes roving over Katniss in her own burgundy dress and single braid. Her glasses were perched delicately on her face. "—though the way Peeta described you wasn't at all how I imagined you would be."

"Did you see Peeta on your way here?" Katniss asked calmly.

Inside, her stomach was churning but she refused to let this woman see her anguish.

Madge shook her head, smiling at her and revealing perfect white teeth. "No, I saw him last Monday." She looked around before meeting Katniss' shocked stare. "Didn't you know?"

It was obvious that she didn't. "My husband wouldn't keep something from me."

Madge toyed with the edge of the plate in front of her.

"That's a very lovely picture that he has of you at his desk, you're such a natural bride. And, Rue even added that new closet space opposite his desk. It's a good thing; I used to buy him all these button-down shirts and they needed space."

Katniss took in a sharp breath at her words. She wasn't lying.

But, Peeta had.

He had kept something from her and the realization was worse than a hundred knives coming at her, because at least she would've seen saw that coming.

"Men lie, Katniss," Madge said simply. "Peeta included. I mean, when Peeta had my father draw the codicil before he showed it to me, I was shocked."

Her mouth went dry. "What codicil?"

Madge reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope with the Mellark Corporation logo on the front of it.

There it was, plain as day, and Katniss reluctantly reached out to take it from the woman's hand. She read through the simple document—typed on Peeta's stationary—and quelled the urge to vomit.

This couldn't possibly be real.

But the cold, hard fact that Peeta had not told her about Madge's visit was also something that she never expected.

"In the simplest of terms: you two get divorced, then he gets the baby." Madge mused for a moment before meeting her eyes. "Or, what did he call the baby? Toad...I think?"

She nodded numbly, her heart beating erratically in her ears.

"I would never want to be in that kind of marriage." Katniss remained silent, her eyes still on the document. "I should go. My parents are expecting me for lunch."

Madge stood up, her cool blue eyes looking around Arena.

"Peeta told me I would really like this place."

With that she left, leaving everything in her path destroyed.

Insert graphic expletive for me here.

My husband had a few just reading the beginning of this.

So many things still unanswered and I think you will find it interesting that the next chapter starts from Madge's POV of this very meeting. She explains a lot of how this all went down.

If you're not sure, a codicil is almost like an addition to an official document like a will or a pre-nuptial agreement.

Did anyone catch the Seneca/Delly thing? To me, it was kind of setup from the start. Katniss just spearheaded the relationship without even realizing it.

There is a bit like the confrontation in the series along with some weird storyline that I'm not bothering to put into this story.

Oy, I feel trouble brewin'.

We are 2-3 chapters from the end of Part One, I think.

Feedback is love, even if you probably hate me right now.

I'll see you in Part Eight, JLaLa