Happy June! It's me and Hubbs' birthday month!

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

Fated to Love

Part Two, Part Fourteen

They walked in silence, hands still entwined.

It felt right, the quietness of them and this state of being content. Katniss looked to the man strolling next to her, his profile striking even in the deepness of the night. It was well past midnight and they were both bone-tired yet filled with anticipation of what was next.

She and Peeta could start again.

They just had to figure out how to go about it.

Her eyes suddenly went to the familiar building and Katniss halted before turning to him.

"This is me," she said and removed the tuxedo jacket that he placed over her shoulders, handing it to him.

Throwing the jacket back on, Peeta looked over the two-floored building in the quiet neighborhood that was only walking distance to his office and into the downtown area. He made a note of the address—she was definitely getting flowers—fucking bushels of them.

"I like it," he replied with a smile. "Gives me a chance to drive past this way whenever I get off work."

"It's my studio, too," Katniss informed him. "So I'm usually painting here. Oh—and I also just landed a deal with some handbag company to work on my own line."

"That's exciting!" Peeta was immensely proud of her. "You deserve it…" He looked down at his shoes bashfully. "I can't wait to see your designs—if you'll let me see them."

"Of course," she breathed out as a small titter escaped her lips. "I mean I would have never had the chance to draw if I was still working under Seneca…I would still be serving coffee and picking up dry cleaning."

"Maybe you should be thanking Gale. I mean, he is your teacher." Peeta examined her carefully. "Just your art teacher, right?"

Katniss snorted at him, both amused and slightly exasperated by his jealousy.

"Gale was my art teacher and now my business partner—though I'm in control of the finances—but don't expect him to be very happy to see you. He's protective…" She tilted her head at him, gauging his cool façade before concluding that there was nothing for her to be worried about. "…like a brother is towards his sister."

"I'm sorry I'm acting jealous. I know I haven't been the greatest," he said quietly. "I don't expect forgiveness from you."

She reached for his cheek, savoring how he still felt the same—that familiar sharpness still etched in the elegant lines of his face. Her stomach twisted in pleasure feeling his strong jawline; the one that she used to press her mouth to during those cloying nights spent in their marital bed.

"We just have to begin again, Peeta," Katniss concluded. "Though I have no idea how."

"I think I might." Peeta looked to her earnestly, his cheeks coloring.

Her heart leapt seeing that old boyishness of her once-upon-a-time husband. Their last encounter at Arena was met with haunted blue eyes that took over her dreams during those first few weeks when she had returned to Panem.

"And, what is your suggestion?"

Peeta took her hand, pressing a kiss to the top of it.

Katniss felt her knees slightly buckle at the sensation of his lips pressed to her skin. Her eyes drew up to meet his stare, dark and heady in the moonlight.

"I intend to woo you, Katniss Everdeen." The pads of his fingers teased along her chin, causing a small smile to grace her face and Peeta's breath caught in his throat at the loveliness of her expression. "I want to do this right. I want to earn a little bit of space in your heart."

"Not all the space?" she questioned.

Peeta shook his head. "No. The rest of it belongs to Toad."

"Ugh." Johanna sat down on the couch of Peeta's office. "Do you have an antacid?"

Peeta nodded before reaching into his drawer and taking out the small packet. He grabbed a bottled water labeled with the Mellark Corporation's logo then joined his cousin.

"You okay?" He plopped down on the couch next to her before handing her the antacid and water. "I hope you're hungry. Rue went a little crazy when she called the café."

"I'm great," Johanna assured him. "I've just had this stomach thing going on, must be the stress of getting everything together. But, I can eat." Reaching into her open leather suitcase, she handed him the portfolio. "The latest numbers for 'Panem Walks' and the estimated budget for the upgrade from the engineering team."

Peeta looked over the summary, seeing that there had been an increase in downloads. Seneca had suggested that they join in with some touring companies around the globe as well as in Panem and have them use the app. It had caused a significant increase and Johanna was in negotiations with some major museums—she would be flying out to Paris in a few days to sign their contract with the Louvre.

"Looks good," he told her and closed the file. His cousin was already in the middle of her meal. "By the way, I talked to Katniss."

Johanna nearly choked on the massive sandwich that she created. "You're just telling me now?"

Rue suddenly poked her head inside the office. "Did you just say Katniss?"

Peeta chuckled. "Yes, nosey—I said Katniss." His assistant sat next to Johanna, grabbing a bowl of chips and putting it in her lap. "We both went to Victors' Village for Toad's death anniversary at the same time. We got to talking…actually more like crying and talking…but the conversation ended with a promise to woo her."

"That's really sweet," Rue gushed, her brown eyes rounded and grin on her lips.

"Yeah…I'm not itching to throw up—at the moment," Johanna added. "So that was two days ago?" She looked to her cousin. "Have you done anything?"

"I've sent her some flowers," he supplied and his brow furrowed in thought. "The problem is that I don't know what else to do." Peeta looked to Rue and Johanna. "Any thoughts?"

"I haven't been on a date in a long while, but I've always found that doing things that interest her really help," Rue told him and he nodded, mentally noting to visit the local museums with her. Maybe they could even take a flight out to New York to check out some galleries.

"You could also ask to see her studio," Johanna added. "I know that a lot of her never-before-seen work is there and I think she'd enjoy showing you her new pieces."

"You're right," he told his cousin. "She mentioned that she's starting to design a new line of handbags for some fashion company. Thanks for the suggestion."

"No problem. Anything to get you two crazy kids back in your quarters and keeping the house staff speculating," she replied. There was a sudden ring on her phone and Johanna looked at the number before standing up quickly. "I have to take this."

She rushed out of the office leaving Rue and Peeta alone.

"I didn't mention this around Johanna…" Rue drawled. "…but what about the whole Mamie thing? You're using a phone with a dummy number and lying to Katniss."

"I know." He shook his head before meeting her eyes. "I just got her to finally talk to me and if I tell her, she's going to be mad. Not just mad—she's going to be pissed!"

"Well, keeping it from her is only going to make her madder," his assistant countered. "Tell her."

Peeta nodded. "Even better, I should probably show her."

'I haven't been feeling well. Don't worry. It's just a cold, but I'm going to take a few days off to recover. Don't be surprised if I can't respond to your texts as much. Hope you're doing well!'

Katniss replied quickly, 'Please get some rest. Take care of yourself. We'll talk when you're better.'

"Is that Mamie?" Gale asked as he looked over the portfolio on the small round table in her studio.

"Yeah. She's not feeling well," she replied. "I told her to get some rest. Also, I do need some time to work on my pieces for Flickerman Design. Wasn't Caesar some television host?"

"Yes, a few years back," her partner said. "But, he's been really into designing lately and his fame from the show really helps to sell the bags. He's looking for a more youthful approach—and that's where you come in."

"I have a few concepts…" Katniss rifled through one of her sketchbooks. "Maybe something very floral against the leather?"

"Hey, Katniss?" Gale's stare remained on her portfolio though she could see the darkening against his olive cheekbones. "How do you know Madge Undersee?"

She felt her whole body turn to ice and she went to her partner, sitting down in the chair across from him.

"How do you know Madge Undersee?"

"Her apartment is the one across from mine," Gale explained. "She's a bit of a prickly girl. Doesn't talk much and not very friendly, but I helped her out once when she got locked out of her apartment. The day that she was there, she saw your picture—and, she told me that I shouldn't trust her." He met Katniss' eyes, a clear blush on his face. "Then, Madge told me to ask you why."

It was obvious to Katniss that her friend had a crush on Peeta's ex. However, part of her wondered how he would feel knowing that Madge obviously still cared for Peeta. Her ex-husband had told her that he occasionally took Madge to lunch at his Uncle's request though Peeta could not stand the sight of her.

She understood the feeling. In fact, just the thought of Madge Undersee made her stomach lurch.

Finally, Katniss met Gale's eyes coolly.

"Madge Undersee is Peeta's ex-girlfriend—the one who caused the whole mess, the one who caused our break-up in the first place." She folded her hands on the table stiffly. "On the other hand, maybe she just knew how to poke holes in Peeta and my relationship. She certainly knew how to break me."

"Oh." Gale reached over and placed a hand over hers. "I'm sorry." He looked to her shamefully. "Whatever she did has had an effect on her, too. Her family doesn't talk to her and apparently her Dad had a heart attack—"

Katniss slammed shut the notebook that she was looking through and met his eyes.

"I'm sorry, but I don't feel any sympathy for her," she told him harshly. "I won't stop you from befriending her, but I can't possibly care for her well-being. Madge cared very little for mine."

The two went silent. This was their first argument—besides the ones they had about her talking to Peeta—and it struck a nerve in both of them.

"I don't want to fight with you," Gale finally told her. "And, I even understand why you don't want to acknowledge her." He let out a breath. "But, she is my friend…at least I think she is. And, I'd never ask you to choose between friends. Please don't make me, because I care about you, too."

She remained silent, shimmering in her anger.

It was difficult for Katniss to treat Madge like an equal just because she had never done the same. However, Gale was her friend and business partner, and Katniss didn't want to lose him. She had already lost so much.

Gale stood up. "I'm going to give you some time." He kissed the top of her head. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

He headed over to the stairs going down to her front door.

"Gale?"

Turning, he found Katniss looking at him, tears in her eyes.

"Do you think she feels an iota of guilt over her actions?"

Gale thought for a moment, remembering the regret in Madge's sky-blue eyes before nodding.

"I believe so. But, I've never really approached her about it."

Katniss nodded slowly before turning to the vase of white tulips from Peeta.

"Then the next time you talk to her—" She let out a labored breath. "—you should ask her."

It was as much a truce that Gale would get on the subject.

"So you're meeting up with Peeta after this?"

As she put Sparrow back onto the floor, Katniss turned to Delly, who was sitting on the couch with the seating plan for the wedding reception on the coffee table in front of her. The wedding was a month away and after that Katniss would be on Sparrow duty for two weeks as the couple went off on their honeymoon.

"Yes, I'm taking him to my studio to see some of my designs," she replied off-handedly, her eyes on the little boy attempting to grab a nearby box of tulle that Delly was looking at for reception favors.

"That's all?" Delly looked to her with a smile. "I mean, you're all alone and there's a bed…"

Katniss blushed as she put Sparrow back in her lap. "We're not even close to that. Not to mention, nothing has been down there for about four plus years—that's enough time to declare my vagina legally dead."

"Am I interrupting?"

They both turned to the doorway to find Peeta grinning at them as he walked into the room.

"No, we were just talking about…the wedding," Katniss said as she stood up with Sparrow in her arms. Her face was on fire but she managed to give him a smile. "So, are you ready?"

Peeta nodded, taking Sparrow who was reaching out for him.

"Yes, Seneca is just finishing some things with accounting and he's going to hand me the final invoice for the upgrade." He turned to Delly. "Busy with the wedding, huh?"

"Yeah. If I had known it was going to be this much work, I would've just settled with living in sin," she told him with a grin. Delly held her hand out, admiring her ring. "Then I look at this gorgeous ring and then at my gorgeous fiancé and come off that ledge." She looked between the two. "Did Katniss tell you that she'll be taking care of Sparrow while we're on our honeymoon? Maybe you can join her. We allow boys in our house."

"Way to be overbearing, Delly!" Katniss said before looking to Peeta in embarrassment. "Do not take any of this seriously—"

"I wouldn't mind," Peeta told her. "I mean if you're willing to have a co-sitter then I'm up to help."

Delly stood up and took her son from Peeta's arms. She gave her son a kiss to which he let out a giggle before she looked to the couple.

"You two should take off. I've embarrassed Katniss enough. I don't think there's a darker shade of red than the one on her face." Delly winked at her friend before pressing a kiss to her cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow, doll." She gave Peeta a one-armed hug. "Thanks for keeping the blush on my friend's cheeks."

Peeta turned to Katniss. "Should we head over?"

Shyly, she nodded. "Yes, let's go."

After a final wave, they headed out of the office and Peeta took her hand. "You okay?"

"Seeing as Delly has finagled you into babysitting duty, I think I've reached my embarrassment threshold," Katniss replied as they walked towards the elevators. "So tell me about the meeting."

Peeta could tell that she was not in the mood to continue talking about the wedding and babysitting. He could understand, especially since he had heard just that bit from Katniss about her lack of a sex life.

While he would be glad to assist with her celibacy problem, it wasn't that time for them yet.

If that moment would come up at all.

As they headed over to her place, Peeta told her about the upgrades and their contract with the Louvre. Johanna had just left for Paris, grumbling the whole time as he drove her to the airport, about having to get up so early and because of how much weight she was going to gain from the vast amount of boulangeries.

"You might want to look into San Francisco, too," Katniss told him as they reached her front door and she unlocked it. "They have some great museums. Also, the SF MOMA just reopened and would probably want to be added to the app."

"Good idea," he replied. They both walked through her open door and he closed it before they ascended the steps towards her studio. "I'll be sure to have Delly look into that when they get back from their honeymoon."

Katniss placed her purse down on the leather trunk by the stairs.

"Well, here it is." She walked further into the room, full of nothing but canvases. In the far corner was a neatly made bed and across from it was a small kitchenette with the door to her bathroom next to the dining area. "It's not much, but it's mine."

"It's perfect," Peeta replied. He was amazed by the sheer amount of work around him. Those beautiful doe-like eyes of her paintings stared at him warmly and he could feel her tenderness in each piece. They were almost like her children, each drawing carved in her image and holding a piece of the woman in front of him. "I can see why you're so wanted and loved."

She looked to him. "I'm loved for my work—and for no other reason." Her grey eyes were clouded for a moment and Peeta went to her, lifting her chin gently.

"You are loved, Katniss," he told her, his blue eyes never leaving hers. "Longer than you've realized."

She gave him a tired smile. "Can you just do me a favor?"

"Of course," Peeta replied. "You don't even need to ask."

"Just hold me." Katniss sighed, her shoulders slumping in exhaustion. "I've been working for three days straight and was nervous as hell about seeing you…now I'm just tired."

Peeta chuckled, his arms reaching to pull her close enough until their chests were pressed and he could delight in her nervous heart beats—or maybe they were his.

"I like you this forward," he whispered into her ear and Katniss suppressed the need to groan in delight at the feel of his hard planes along her body. Even now, she felt so perfectly carved into him, as if they were two pieces of a puzzle. Peeta nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck. "You never have to ask me to hold you, Katniss. You just have to allow me to."

"Fair enough," she replied into his suit jacket. "I should probably show you those designs now."

"Katniss?"

She raised her head up to meet his gaze. "Yes?"

Peeta smiled down at her, the corners of his eyes crinkling in the warmth of his stare.

"Can we just stay like this a little longer?"

Katniss nodded, tightening her hold on him.

"I'll allow it."

"My concept is to depict foliage on each bag, maybe showing the seasons, but I want the design to look like it's growing out of the bag."

Peeta examined her designs on the small round table that they sat next to. Besides the drawings were the remnants of their lunch delivery—sandwiches from a nearby deli and open soda bottles.

After detangling themselves from one another, Katniss took him on a small tour of her work, showing him her early assignments at art school to her more current projects. He was proud of her accomplishments and it seemed that there had been much improvement since the last time that they had seen one another.

Katniss herself had become a more grounded artist—assured of her talent and what she wanted to get out of her work.

"What media do you think you'll be using?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," Katniss said, her eyes on the drawing in front of her. "Caesar wants a more fashion forward look—young and chic—and so I'm looking into trying something different…spray paint…tattoo ink…who knows?"

"I was thinking," Peeta began. "Why don't you try flower meanings? For some of your designs?"

She turned to him, curiosity in her greys. "What do you mean?"

"Like the white tulips I gave you," he explained. "They mean 'forgiveness'. So you can make smaller designs for coin purses or wallets—if Caesar is tapping into the teens or young adults then maybe the designs can be transferred onto stationary or notebooks. You'll have an array of choices if you use flowers with meanings."

"That is true," Katniss mused. She turned to him, her elbow on the table and her cheek resting in her palm. "We work well together."

Peeta smirked. "I always thought so."

"Speaking of flowers, I miss the gardens at Mellark Compound," she said. "There were some beautiful gardens in Paris—but I always found myself missing that particular garden." Katniss wrapped her arms around herself. "Maybe because it was the only place I ever felt free."

"Why don't you come to the Mellark Compound?" he suddenly asked. "I know that Enobaria, Brutus, and Sammy would love to see you again. Also, you have to meet Lacey."

Katniss tilted her head at him. "Lacey?"

"Yes, the unexpected arrival that came about two years after you went to Paris," Peeta informed her. "She's kind of your doppelganger."

"Oh, really?" Katniss laughed. "Then I will have to see for myself." She reached for her phone to look at her schedule. "I'm free on Friday."

"How about I pick you up after work and you have dinner with us? It's Sloppy Joe night with the kids," he told her. "Then, Lacey will probably introduce you to all her dolls and tell you who her favorite Minions are."

Katniss raised her brows. "Minions?"

"It's from a kid movie…" Peeta took her hand. "So will you please come to the Mellark Compound so you can sit with me when Lacey makes everyone watch that Minions movie for the thousandth time?"

She laughed, squeezing his hand before placing a quick kiss to his cheek.

"It's a date."

Peeta grinned before faltering when Katniss went to answer an e-mail that came up on her phone.

He hoped that she would be forgiving enough when he showed her the portrait that was residing in what was supposed to be Toad's nursery.

"Hey."

Madge turned to find Gale by her side in their apartment hallway.

Putting her keys into her coat pocket, she crossed her arms and frowned at the man.

"So how much do you hate me?"

"I don't," he told her. "But I need to hear your side."

Madge turned the knob and pushed open her door. "I don't think that it's necessary."

Gale yanked her door shut, the bang of it causing Madge to jump at the motion.

"You're my friend and it is necessary to hear," he argued.

She pounced on him, her blue eyes growing hard.

"Why is it so important?" she questioned. "Why do you, the wannabe-hero Gale Hawthorne, need to know what happened between Katniss and me? Tell me—are you concerned because you have a thing for her? Well, let me be the first to tell you that it's not fun to be the person that the other doesn't want!"

Madge sneered, her anger and hurt sweltering. It had been a shit day and she wasn't in the mood to deal with someone who needed to rescue her.

"How does it feel?" Her stare burned into the man before her. "It hurts, doesn't it?"

Quickly, Madge opened her door and slammed it behind her. She rested back against the door, her eyes closing to keep the tears from falling.

"Madge." His voice came clear through the door and straight through her chest. "It's not Katniss that I have the thing for."

Then there was a click of his own apartment door closing.

She didn't know how long she stood pressed against the door, remembering his words.

"Oh my God, Katniss!" Enobaria embraced tightly. "It's so good to see you." The woman pulled away, still holding on to Katniss' shoulders. "You've grown up, haven't you?"

"I've come a long way from that 23-year-old you knew," she replied with a grin. Her eyes went to Brutus and Peeta, who were chatting a few steps away. "We've all come a long way."

There was a rush of footsteps and Katniss let out an excited shout seeing the wiry, dark-haired boy followed by a pixie of a little girl, her hair in pigtails. They stopped short at the sight of her before the boy ran over to Katniss and threw his arms around her waist.

"Hi Katniss!" Sammy beamed as he looked up at her. He was just about a head shorter but she could tell that he would be towering over her in a year or two. "It's me—Sammy!"

Katniss gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"I could tell it was you by that mischievous smile!" Ruffling his hair, she hugged Sammy once more before putting an arm around him and then looking to the little girl who was hiding behind Enobaria. "And, who is this?"

The little girl suddenly hopped boldly from behind her mother. "I'm Lacey!"

Kneeling before the girl, Katniss smiled gently at her. "Hello, Lacey. I'm Katniss."

"I know you! You're Uncle Peeta's favorite princess! Your favorite color is green!" Lacey held out the skirt of her ivy-colored dress to present it to Katniss. "I wore this dress when Uncle Peeta told me that you were coming to see us."

"It is lovely," Katniss said quietly. "But, I think you're Uncle Peeta's favorite princess." She looked over the young girl to see Peeta watching her, the blueness of his eyes making her breathless and achy. "Will you allow me to draw a picture of you and your brother one day?"

Lacey jumped into her arms excitedly and Katniss took in the sweet scent of the little girl.

"Will you really?"

"Yes, but you'll have to stand really still," she instructed as she stood up with Lacey in her arms. The little girl wrapped her legs around Katniss and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Do you think that you could do that?"

"I can!" Lacey nodded excitedly. "I will!"

"If you could get her to stay still, then you're my personal hero," Brutus said as he went over to the two. He gave Katniss a kiss on the cheek before taking Lacey from her. "Come along, my little Mona Lisa. It's time for us to get dinner ready and give your Uncle Peeta and Auntie Katniss a chance to hang out."

Enobaria put an arm around her son. "And, you need to work on your homework before dinner."

The Sloans left for the kitchen, leaving Katniss and Peeta in the entryway.

"It looks like you've made a fan," Peeta remarked as he walked over to her.

"You're right," Katniss replied. "I looked at Lacey and saw myself as a little girl. She's smart for her age. I almost think—" She stopped, her eyes clouding over, before shaking her head. "Never mind."

He took her hand, leading her from the entryway, and gave her a sad smile.

"You're thinking that if it had all worked out—if Toad were alive—then maybe we would've had a kid about Lacey's age."

She nodded, her throat stuck with tears. "Her eyes would've been blue."

They found themselves at a familiar door and Peeta presented the speaker to her.

"Do you want to say the password?" he asked, his gaze tender. "It was programmed for you while you were here."

Katniss looked to him for a moment before leaning into the voice box and whispering, "Always."

The door clicked and Peeta held it opened for her.

She could still remember the room like it was yesterday; the soft quiet, and the safety of being part of the Mellarks. Her eyes went to the front display case where her former mother and father-in law's picture stood.

Behind their picture were photos of her father and grandmother and Katniss looked to Peeta in shock.

"I asked your Mom for them awhile back…it was going to be a surprise—after Toad came," he told her softly. "I put them up recently since I was going to take this out."

He reached into the shelf below and took out a mug.

Katniss put a hand to her mouth, covering the sob that threatened to escape.

Her Toad mug. He had glued it back together.

"This was our first picture of Toad." Peeta cradled the mug to his chest before holding it out to her. "The way you saw him in your dreams and the way I saw him in mine. You should have this back. Toad should be with his mother."

Taking the mug, she traced her fingers over that sweet face before looking to Peeta. Her free hand went to the nape of his neck and Katniss brought him close, her forehead touching his.

"Thank you for taking such good care of our son."

Peeta touched her cheek, his finger tracing over her chin, and Katniss let out a shaky breath.

"I want to kiss you," he told her. "But not when we're both on the verge of crying…" Katniss nodded in agreement. "When the time comes, will you allow it, Katniss? Will you allow me to kiss you?"

She blinked, letting the tears slide down her face, before giving him a hopeful smile.

"Yes."

"Auntie Katniss, which one of the minions was your favorite?" Lacey asked as she sat in Katniss' lap.

She mused over the question before looking to the little girl. "Um…I think the one with one eye?"

"That's Stuart!" Beaming, she turned to Peeta. "He's Uncle Peeta's favorite, too!"

Peeta looked up from the chess game that he played with Sammy to nod in agreement. He winked at Katniss before going back to the board.

The four sat in the garden while Enobaria and Brutus washed the dishes. The dinner had been a busy affair with Uncle Snow joining and attempting to eat a Sloppy Joe with a fork and knife, much to everyone's amusement.

Lacey had clung onto Katniss, even sitting next to her instead of Peeta during dinner. Her ex-husband, however, had taken it all in stride and instead sat next to Sammy to go over the baseball game he had played in the previous weekend.

After dinner, it was Peeta who suggested that they all hang out in the garden since it was Katniss' favorite part of the compound.

"Auntie Katniss, when will we do our picture?" Lacey asked.

She looked to Peeta. "I suppose the next time that I come back to the Mellark Compound."

"You used to live here, Aunt Katniss," Sammy said, his eyes looking for a counter-move on the chess board. "And, I'm sure Uncle Peeta will have no problem letting you come over whenever you want."

"Just remember to say please," the little girl advised. "It usually gets you what you want."

Katniss laughed, kissing the top of Lacey's head. "I'll be sure to do that."

"Kids, I think it's time to head to our place," Brutus announced as he approached them. "Say goodnight."

"Goodnight Auntie Katniss." Lacey hugged Katniss quickly before hopping off her lap. "Don't forget to say please." Then she went to Peeta. "Don't forget to say, 'Yes'."

"Will do, sweetheart," Peeta replied.

Katniss stood up and Sammy went over to give her a shy hug before rushing into the house in embarrassment.

"Goodnight, you two," Brutus called out as Lacey took his hand. "Keep warm."

When they were alone, Peeta sat back down, holding his arms out in offering.

Katniss snorted before going to him and sitting on his lap.

"May I stay a little longer?" she asked him. "Please?"

Peeta chuckled, his arms wrapping around her waist. "Stay forever." However after a moment, he let out an anxious breath. "I have to show you something—down in our rooms. Then we should talk."

She looked to him in concern. "What's wrong?"

"I just think that this is something you should see," Peeta explained. "Maybe it's better if we go down there now."

Katniss stood up and took his hand. "Alright."

Together they headed into the house and Peeta could feel his heart beating in his ears. She was going to hate him.

This was exactly what had gotten them in such trouble before—

The front door opened and Johanna rushed in, slamming the door shut and dumping her luggage on the floor. Peeta looked to her in surprise, his cousin had not been expected until the following Monday.

Johanna's eyes flew over to them and relief flooded her gaze.

"Thank God!" She rushed over, taking Katniss' hand. "I need to talk to you both, especially Katniss—"

"We were about to head downstairs," Peeta argued, clinging to Katniss' other free hand. "I have something important to tell Katniss—"

"So do I!" Johanna said, her voice rising. "I need your help!"

The two cousins pulled at Katniss, both determined to win the tug-of-war.

"Whatever it is—" Peeta said to his cousin. He needed to tell Katniss about the painting or he would never get the chance. "We can talk about it in the morning, okay?"

"No, we can't!" his cousin yelled. Her sharp eyes were suddenly full of tears and he raised a brow at the emotional display—so not Johanna. "I mean…I can't—"

Katniss put a hand to her shoulder. "Johanna, what is going on?"

Johanna let out a watery breath before looking between the couple.

"I'm pregnant."

Welcome back to the drama. I miss it. Didn't you?

If you're watching the series, we have completely deviated which is why I was always sort of against having people watch the series until after this story was over. Most people can't help but compare—and we're so far away from it now.

So is Johanna's news definite? Yes.

I wanted to see how Katniss and Peeta would react to such news together—how they will deal with this as a couple. Because as you can see, children are a bit of a sore spot for them.

And, I know—Peeta didn't tell her…again. When will he learn?

Thanks for your patience. I had a great vacation/anniversary and I appreciate your love.

As always, feedback is appreciated and keeps me motivated whenever I feel like poop.

Until Part 15, JLaLa