Thank you for your patience! I know it's been a long wait.

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

Fated to Love

Part Two, Part Fifteen

"What do you mean?"

Peeta cocked his head, examining his teary-eyed cousin. She didn't look pregnant, but the dark poncho she was wearing could certainly hide a baby bump. Next to him, Katniss stood frozen, her mouth slightly agape by Johanna's revelation.

"I mean I wasn't feeling well so I took a pregnancy test in Paris," his cousin replied in exasperation. "And, the directions were in French, but I know enough to distinguish that the plus sign means 'Oui'."

"Are you sure?" Katniss asked. "There can be false results."

Johanna gazed between them. "I'm scared."

Peeta wrapped his arms around his shaky cousin; Johanna was not one to show her feelings much less reveal that she wasn't as invincible as she wanted people to think. She could make mistakes and have fears.

They were family and he wanted to assure her that it would work out.

"Don't worry," he told Johanna. His eyes met Katniss' and she gave him a warm smile. "We'll be here for you."

"Thank you," his cousin sniffled. Pulling away, Johanna looked at the couple awkwardly. "I totally messed up your date, didn't I?"

"No, we're fine," Katniss said before reaching over and giving her a hug. "We just want to make sure that you're alright." She took in a breath as she rubbed Johanna's back. "First thing's first, let's get you another pregnancy test—an English one."

"Were you scared when you took your pregnancy test?" Johanna asked as she stepped out of her bathroom.

"Yes. I was in my cubicle when I realized that I was late and took the test in a café restroom," she replied, smiling in remembrance of those first memories of Toad. "Then, Delly called to tell me that Seneca needed coffee for a meeting, which Peeta was happened to be heading."

Her eyes scanned the room; Katniss had never been in Johanna's bedroom when she lived at the compound. It was all grey and blue, serene and comfortable. She sat on the couch looking around when something suddenly caught her eye. Standing, she went to Johanna's bedside table and picked up a silver frame with a black and white photo.

Perdita was a beautiful woman, made even more lovely by the glow in her eyes as she gazed at her little daughter.

"Oh, I can only imagine what she would think if she knew." Johanna sat on the bed, her eyes on the photo. "I really messed up. I swear, I was so careful. And it…has been going on for years. I thought that this would never happen—at this point, anyway."

Katniss joined her on the bed. "Are you going to tell…the father?"

Johanna turned to her, a grim smile on her pale lips. "I don't know."

"When did you realize?" Katniss asked. They had some time until the test processed the results and she could tell that Johanna was on the verge of either bursting into tears or vomiting. "I mean, were there any signs?"

"Probably," Johanna answered. "I've never had a regular period so I can't really remember when my last one was. I eat anything so I can't distinguish whether or not I've had cravings—and I'm naturally a bitch so a mood swing is like a regular day."

Katniss chuckled. "I guess if you are pregnant, it'll be a cakewalk."

Johanna snorted. "That's the nicest way to say that I've totally fucked up my life." She stood up, looking to the bathroom. "I guess I better solidify that fact."

She stood up and took Johanna's hand. "I'll go with you."

Johanna squeezed her hand in return. "Thanks."

Katniss half-dragged her friend to the opulent bathroom with its clear glass shower and marbled sinks. The toilet was in a separate room, door partially opened with the lid closed and the test on top of it.

Johanna suddenly whipped around, her dark eyes filming with tears.

"I can't do it! If it says yes, then it'll all be too real."

"Okay…okay." Katniss placed her hands on her friend's shaking shoulders. "I'll look."

Quickly, she slipped into the room and picked up the test, looking at the result.

Earlier, Peeta had gone out and bought the test, buying one with a digital reader to make it easier on everyone.

Johanna was not going to be happy.

Katniss turned to her friend, holding out the test. "It's positive."

Taking it, Johanna stared at the little plastic screen with the word 'Pregnant' on it. She walked in a slow daze before turning and heading into the bedroom to sit back on the bed. Katniss followed her as Johanna went back to her mattress, her eyes going to her mother's photo once again.

"Do you think that I'll be a good mother?" Johanna suddenly asked. "As good as her?'

Katniss sat down, her arm going around Johanna's shoulders. "That's up to you."

"I'll try." Johanna looked down at the test in her hands. She broke down, her head falling as she sobbed. "I-I really fucking will…" Her glistening eyes went to Katniss. "I know that this is going to be hard on you, but I need your help…Peeta's too."

"We're family," Katniss assured her. "Of course we'll be here for you." She took the test from Johanna. "So I'm going to throw this out and you're going to lay down. Tomorrow, we'll go to Dr. Paylor and find out how far along you are." She gave Johanna a smile. "Change into your pajamas. You need to rest."

Johanna nodded numbly. "Okay."

Going to the bathroom, Katniss threw the test in the trashcan before washing her hands. After, she turned off the light in the bathroom and went back into the room. Johanna was sitting on the bed in the same spot, except now she had pajamas on.

Johanna looked exhausted and Katniss' heart leapt out for her.

"Get in."

She pulled back the comforter, making Johanna lay back before tucking her in. In the large bed, she looked so small; as if Johanna could be swallowed up in the king-sized mattress and its abundance of blankets.

Motherhood made Johanna so very vulnerable.

Without a second thought, Katniss turned off the lamp on Johanna's side table before rounding the bed, kicking off her shoes and scooting into bed next to her. She wondered if her friend would retreat.

Instead, Johanna rested back against her, letting Katniss wrap her arms around her shoulders.

In the darkness, they settled into a comfortable silence.

After a moment, Johanna spoke, "I texted Peeta and told him you were staying over. He's going to arrange everything with Dr. Paylor." She laughed to herself. "Everyone hoped you'd stay over, but I'm pretty sure they thought it would be with Peeta."

"I'm where I'm supposed to be," Katniss replied. "Now, get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow."

"Okay." It wasn't a minute before Johanna called out once more. "Katniss?"

"Yeah?"

"You're a good mother."

She took a shaky breath, holding Johanna tighter.

"Thank you."

Enobaria handed Peeta a cup of coffee as he waited in the kitchen for Katniss and Johanna. He had received a text from Katniss saying that his cousin was indisposed and they would meet him in the kitchen as soon as she was better.

He still couldn't believe it—Johanna was going to be a mother.

"So…Johanna's pregnant," Enobaria stated as she sat on the stool across from him.

He almost choked on his coffee. "How did you know?"

"Her breakfast—everything dry…toast, boxes of cereal but no milk, and no eggs…decaf coffee. Also, she'd ask for bananas and apples…she hates fruit." Enobaria took a sip from her own cup. "Without even realizing it, Johanna was taking care of her little one."

"I don't even know how she'll tell Uncle Snow," he mused.

"You'd be surprised by people's reactions," his friend replied. "Your Uncle never thought that Johanna would settle down."

"I'm certain that he hoped that she'd be married when this happened."

"But, Johanna was never one for convention," Enobaria remarked with a smile. "You excited to be an Uncle?"

"Yes." He faltered for a moment. "But—"

"You always thought that you'd be the parent first." The woman before Peeta smiled sadly at him. "I'm sure Katniss feels the exact same way. I'm sure that she was feeling very deer-in-the-headlights last night. She's probably up there remembering when she realized she was pregnant…how scary it must have been."

It never occurred to Peeta how this must be effecting Katniss. If he was feeling this much turmoil, then it was probably ten times harder on her.

"You're right," Peeta concluded before taking a sip from his cup. There was a shuffle from the two women heading down the stairs and he downed his cup before heading out to the entryway. Katniss gave him a smile as she helped a wan Johanna down the last step. "You okay there?"

"No," Johanna croaked. "It's like I'm being hit with these symptoms all at once."

He put an arm around his cousin. "Then let's get to the bottom of this with Dr. Paylor." His eyes went to Katniss. "Did you sleep well?"

Johanna snorted, managing a smirk. "She mumbles your name in her sleep."

"Traitor," Katniss muttered, her cheeks blushed.

Peeta winked at her. "I don't mind."

Katniss rolled her eyes in response. "Come on, you two. We'll be late." She opened the front door and walked out to the car waiting for them.

"Did she really say my name in her sleep?" he asked Johanna.

His cousin grinned. "I'll never tell."

"You don't have to stay, Peeta," Johanna said before looking to Katniss who stood next to her as she sat on the exam table. "You, too. I know that this is difficult for both of you."

Katniss looked to Peeta, who approached the two from the far end of the room.

"I'm alright." She gave him an assuring smile. "You can wait in the lobby if this bothers you."

Peeta took Katniss' hand, giving it a squeeze. "We're family. We stick together."

"Well, can you stick away from my cervix?" Johanna responded. "You're really like right there, enough for a full-frontal. Switch places with Katniss!"

"Oh!" Peeta quickly moved so he was closer to the back of the exam table. "Better?"

Johanna sat back and sighed. "Much."

"I think you're definitely feeling better," Katniss remarked. "You're looking much more rested."

There was a knock on the door and Dr. Paylor stepped in. Her eyes widened seeing Katniss and Peeta, but she recovered quickly as she closed the door.

"So, I hear we got positive bilingual pregnancy tests," Dr. Paylor started as she went to Johanna with a calm smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Scared shitless," Johanna responded. "Fortunately, these two managed to get me to a doctor."

Dr. Paylor gave Katniss and Peeta a happy smile. "How are you both?"

"Freaked out," they answered at the same time.

The doctor chuckled. "It's good to see you two again."

"I know," Johanna agreed. "They make me feel like the world is right again."

Dr. Paylor looked to Johanna. "As for you, can you tell me the first day of your last menstruation?"

"No, but I'm going to say it's been awhile," she replied. "I know it's irresponsible, but I was on birth control and the father…"

Johanna stopped, her gaze going to her hands.

"Was the father using protection?" Dr. Paylor asked and Johanna shook her head. "Was he at least tested?"

"We've been…involved for a while," Johanna admitted. "I wasn't sleeping with anyone else and I'm pretty sure he wasn't."

"I don't know if I should be hearing this," Peeta suddenly said. "Like, I want to punch this guy in the face."

Katniss turned to him, her brow furrowed. "That's not helping. I mean…" She looked to Johanna, who pleaded helplessly with those watery dark eyes. "…do you know who it is?"

"Some guy at the office?" Peeta looked to Johanna. "I mean, it's the only place you ever really go."

Katniss let out a frustrated groan. "God, you're dense."

"You sound like me," Johanna said with a laugh.

"Okay…why don't I just start with the exam?" Dr. Paylor interrupted. "Johanna, lay back and feet in the stirrups. Blanket on your lap and then pull your gown just a bit to expose your stomach." Johanna followed and Katniss gasped seeing the swell. "You look more than just one trimester."

"I gained some weight, but I've been able to wear my clothes," Johanna protested.

After putting on gloves, the doctor examined Johanna quickly before writing her notes in the chart of her findings. After a few minutes, Dr. Paylor turned on the ultrasound monitor before looking to the trio.

"You're over your first trimester," she told Johanna. "You're also carrying your baby unusually high so I'm not surprised that you didn't notice. You're going to have to start on prenatal vitamins today and I want to increase your visits as we've missed out on so much."

"So this is for sure?" Johanna asked in a tight voice.

Dr. Paylor carefully squeezed some moving gel onto the ultrasound wand and placed it against Johanna's stomach. She looked at the screen as she moved the wand around before reaching to turn a dial below the screen.

There was a strong, galloping sound coming from the speakers and on the screen the rapid beating of a heart.

"Yup, I'm pretty sure," Dr. Paylor said with a grin. She looked to Johanna. "Congratulations."

Johanna looked to the screen as the doctor pulled back revealing the distinct pearly spine, large head, and what could only be Johanna's upturned nose.

Her hand reached for the screen tracing the tiny profile.

"Holy shit." Johanna beamed. "I'm going to be a mother."

"This wasn't at all how I wanted our date to end," Peeta said as he walked Katniss to her door. "But, thank you for being there for Johanna…and for me."

"Of course," Katniss replied before letting out a yawn. "I'm going to catch a few hours of sleep before heading over to this design meeting with Caesar and Gale. Will I see you at Arena tomorrow?"

"For what?" he asked.

"Family dinner, of course," she told him with a grin. "You come every Sunday, right?"

"I'll be there," he responded. "Maybe I can walk you home after?"

"I'd like that." Katniss reached over and wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him close. "Maybe I can show you more of my designs."

"And, we can finish our date?" Peeta suggested as her nose nuzzled against the crook of his neck and he hissed in pleasure. "Don't do that…"

Katniss pulled away slightly, a teasing smile on her lips. "Why not?"

"Because you have no idea of the effect you have on me," he replied.

"We get it! Katniss gives you a boner." They turned to see Johanna's head peeking through the car window, a grin on her glowing face. "We need to get to the pharmacy and I'm starving!"

"She's not that far from the truth," Peeta admitted before giving Katniss a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you Sunday."

It was only as he and Johanna drove away did Peeta realize that he had not told Katniss about the painting.

Katniss handed her portfolio to Caesar Flickerman before adjusting her navy blazer. Giving him a smile, she opened it to present her first designs.

"These are my initial ideas," she began. "I'm thinking of actually using spray paint for these larger graphics—gives it a little bit of an edgier look. The flowers each have different meanings, so we can name each bag."

"Fascinating," the tanned man with the slicked-back hair cooed. Caesar gave her a fluorescent-white smile. "I adore it already!"

"Think about the advertisement," Gale said from where he sat across the meeting table. "'Who needs flowers? Say it with a Flickerman'." He smiled handsomely at the man. "We can create a love story in your ads."

Caesar waved his hand at Gale in interest. "Continue."

"We can do things like first date, first kiss, engagement…" Katniss rattled off to the man next to her. "The last one can be 'Happily Ever After'." She looked to her business partner. "Gale has a few connections in the fashion industry and we can find some gorgeous models."

"Tell me, my dear," Caesar abruptly said. "I heard a delicious little rumor that you were once married to Peeta Mellark."

Katniss stiffened though a smile remained on her tightening mouth. "Yes. We were married and now divorced."

"Well, you are sort of dating him again," Gale murmured from his seat.

Katniss glared at him and his eyes shot down to the table.

Caesar clapped in excitement. "Are you really?"

With a sigh, she nodded. "It's really recent. He's the one who gave me the idea for using flowers with meanings. He gave me a bouquet of white tulips. They mean 'forgiveness'."

"Très romantique!" The man flamboyantly exclaimed, beaming at her. "Also, I have a wonderful idea. You and your new-old boy will be my models! Imagine—the designer and the mogul!" Caesar suddenly jumped from his seat, his gaze on his phone. "I must be going! I have an interview in an hour and need to prepare."

Katniss and Gale stood up and Caesar bid them goodbye, going to each of them to give them kisses on both their cheeks.

He patted Katniss' cheek affectionately. "I want to meet this beau of yours before we begin the advertisement shoots!"

With that, the man left with a flourish of his scarf and another blinding smile.

Katniss turned and smacked Gale on the arm. "Thanks a lot!"

"What?"

"Did you really have to mention Peeta?" she responded in annoyance. "There is nothing that Caesar loves more than a good piece of gossip."

"I was trying to close the contract," Gale told her as he began to pack up. He handed Katniss her portfolio. "And now, not only do we have a contract—we have advertisement ideas."

They walked out of the meeting room and down the stairs. Gale held the door open for her and they walked out to the sidewalk where their car was parked. The driver quickly rushed over to open the door for the two and her friend let her get in first.

"This is all so new," Katniss told Gale as they sat down and she buckled her seatbelt. "I haven't even kissed Peeta and now I have to approach him about pretending to live out some love story in photographs." She shook her head. "Like we don't have enough going on."

"I'm sorry," Gale said. "It seemed right at the time."

"Forget it." Katniss looked out of the car window, her eyes looking out at the fashionable district where Caesar's office was located as her mind wandered to Peeta. He had texted earlier to wish her luck and to let her know that Johanna was safely ensconced in her room with her prenatal vitamins as well as some French toast, courtesy of Enobaria. "We had a really good time last night. It was nice to be back in the compound. Then, Johanna came home and told us she was pregnant."

"No shit!" Gale grinned at her. "I didn't know she was dating someone."

"She's not," was all Katniss could say.

"I've never pictured Johanna as a nappy-changer," he told her with an amused smile.

"Nappy?" Katniss responded. "Are you thinking about British Johanna, who will also push her baby in a pram? No, I'm talking about Panem Johanna, who didn't even realize that she's pushing onto her second week of her second trimester."

"Second trimester?" Gale raised his brows. "That's a hell of a lot of time to not know."

"Don't get me started. Johanna burst into tears remembering that she had a glass of wine with Peeta a few weeks ago," she recalled. "Dr. Paylor had to reassure that it happens and that the baby seems completely fine."

"Wow. Is it raining cats and dogs? Because I would've thought that would happen before Johanna showed any other emotion besides snark and anger."

"Stranger things have happened," Katniss responded. "Speaking of strange, did you talk to Madge?"

Gale turned away, his gaze going to his window though Katniss could clearly see that he was upset by his expression in the glass.

"She's not talking to me," he told her quietly. "Also, Madge didn't deny what she did—and I can tell that she still cares very much for Peeta."

"I'm not giving him up without a fight," Katniss replied.

Gale looked to her, a bitter smile reaching his lips. "There is no fight."

"I was unaware that you stayed the night at the Mellark Compound," Uncle Snow said as he kissed Katniss on the cheek. "Not that I mind."

"Me and Johanna had a sleepover," she informed the man. Behind them, Johanna was chatting with Prim and Cato while Peeta sat with Jace and Haymitch at the table that she stood by. "It was...an interesting night."

"I didn't know that grown-ups had sleepovers, Auntie Katniss," Jace said with a toothy smile.

"Yes, sometimes we need girl nights like your Aunt Johanna and I had," she replied.

"Mommy and Daddy told me that only married grown-ups can have sleepovers," her nephew informed her innocently.

"Ask your Mommy and Daddy about a sleepover that happened the summer before they got married," Haymitch told him with a snort. "I think they'll switch their tune."

Katniss met Haymitch's eyes. "And, how would you know about that sleepover?"

"I know things," her Uncle responded in all seriousness as he stood to go to the bar.

Her gaze went to Johanna. "So do I."

"I'm starving," Peeta said suddenly. He clapped his hands together in anticipation, just as Prim and Cato approached. Johanna followed, going to her father and entwining their arms together before joining everyone. "What's on the menu?"

"Mom just finished baking a branzino and I made a beautiful medley of our seasonal vegetables," Prim informed everyone with a smile.

"It's ready!" Hani walked in with the tray of the large fish in her hand. "Cato, can you grab the vegetables and Peeta, get the bread?"

"Of course, dear mother!" Cato said and then turned to Peeta, a large smile on his face. "Come along. She waits for no one!"

Peeta stood up, going to Hani and giving her a kiss on the cheek. "You're a slave driver."

Hani patted his cheek affectionately. "But, you love me."

He laughed, winking at Katniss before disappearing into the kitchen with Cato. Hani placed the tray in the middle of the table before walking to her daughter and giving her a hug.

"How did your date go?" her mother asked, a twinkle in her eye.

"It was…interesting," she told her.

"Just interesting?" Hani put an arm around her. "I was expecting fireworks!"

"We were interrupted," Katniss explained, her gaze straying to Johanna, who was eyeing the table with disdain. "I'll be right back, Mom." She quickly headed over to her friend and gave Uncle Snow a smile before walking Johanna gently away. "What's wrong?"

"The fish." Johanna's voice was tight, her lips pursed together. "I didn't realize how strong it would smell."

"I don't smell anything," Katniss said, sniffing into the air. "Can you try to sit away from it?"

Johanna took in a deep breath. "I can try." She smiled at Katniss. "I'm going to tell my Dad later tonight—when we're back at the house and he's full of dessert and port."

Katniss nodded as they headed back to the table. Peeta and Cato had just returned with the bread and vegetables, smelling delicious and warm. Johanna leaned against her in support and her gripped tightened as they got to the table.

"Oh God…I can't do this." Johanna grimaced and then turned in the direction of the restrooms. "I'm going to be sick!"

"Johanna, are you okay?" Hani called out. She rushed over to the two. "You're so pale."

"I'm fine, Hani…really…I have a headache…I'll just grab some aspirin from my purse—"

"I got it!" Prim held up the black Louis Vuitton tote bag and looked inside. "Oh, here!" She pulled out the pill jar with the pink lid, reading over the label and then looking at Johanna in shock. "Wait, these are—"

"Prenatal vitamins." Johanna sat down in the nearest chair. Her eyes rounded on the group before stopping at her father, eyes filling with tears. "I was going to tell you after dinner, Dad. In about five and a half months, you're going to be a grandfather."

Somewhere behind Katniss, a champagne cork popped and everyone turned to see Haymitch at the bar, foam spilling from the bottle's opening. He quickly placed the bottle on the bar counter before joining everyone at the table.

"Johanna, I didn't know that you were involved with anyone," Uncle Snow said as he sat beside his daughter.

"I'm not," she replied in a strained voice. "However, I'm not afraid of doing this alone. I can do it…by myself."

"Oh sweetheart." Uncle Snow reached to cup her cheek. "You're not going to do this alone. You have me." The man burst into a happy grin. "I'm going to be a grandfather!"

Everyone swarmed to congratulate the new mother. Hani put a hand to Johanna's stomach before kissing her cheeks, Prim embraced her and promised to give all of Jace's baby clothes to her. Cato was shaking Uncle Snow's hand, telling him about the things that they would need for the nursery while Jace hugged Johanna carefully so not to hurt the newest addition to the family.

Peeta and Katniss hung back, their eyes on the scene before them. It hurt to remember how everyone had once shared their happiness, how supportive they all had been—even at the worst moments.

"It's going to be okay." Peeta took her hand. "We'll get through this as a family."

She turned to him, giving him a smile and squeezing his hand back. "Yes."

Her eyes scanned the room, noticing the missing occupant.

"I'll be right back," Katniss told Peeta. "You still walking me home? There's something I have to talk to you about in regards to my meeting with Caesar."

Peeta beamed at her. "I wouldn't miss walking you home for anything."

She nodded before heading through the kitchen doors, finding the room empty—but, the backdoor leading to the alley in the back of Arena was open.

Katniss found Haymitch, throwing the champagne bottle forcefully into the trash. She coughed and her Uncle turned to her, surprised at her sudden appearance.

"I was tossing these out," he told her weakly, holding a bunch of towels in his grasp. "They were a waste."

Haymitch was obviously flustered, overwhelmed, and hurt. He also did a piss-poor job of hiding it. However, Katniss felt a twinge of sympathy knowing that all choices were already made for him—whether he liked it or not.

"Did I tell you that I slept over at the Mellark Compound last Friday?" she suddenly said to him.

Her Uncle approached and nodded as he wiped his palms on the tops of his pants. "I heard."

"I slept with Johanna in her room," Katniss continued. "She was sick and scared. I think it had more to do with not finding out that she was having a baby, but being scared of being a bad mother. Johanna is not one to be soft or gentle—but to me, that doesn't necessarily mean that she has the inability to love."

Haymitch sat on the step, just below her, his back to her. "Johanna will do fine. She's not the type who fails or has regrets. That's left for all of us older folks." Katniss sat down beside him. "We regret things all the time."

"I think regretting things is more about being scared to hope for more," she told him. He didn't respond. "Anyway, back to my story; Johanna was ragging on me because apparently…I say Peeta's name in my sleep."

Her Uncle snorted, gracing her with a small smile. "Not a big surprise."

"Didn't I tell you that I know things?" Katniss said and Haymitch nodded. "Anyway, don't tell—but I know whose name she says in her sleep."

Her Uncle gaped at her for a moment and she could see the inner turmoil in his dark orbs.

Katniss stood up, wiping her hands on her printed midi-skirt. "Just something to think about." She squeezed his shoulder in support. "Don't take too long coming inside."

Walking back into the kitchen, she found her mother standing by the door, her arms crossed in shocked contemplation.

Katniss gave her a knowing nod before heading back out into the main dining room to give them time to talk.

"I'm exhausted." Katniss flopped onto her back on her bed as Peeta removed his suit jacket and placed it on one of her chairs. She pushed up on her elbows and met his eyes. "Join me. I'm so tired and full from all that food that sex will not be in our cards."

Peeta snorted before walking over and lying back on the bed. "Who said that I wanted to sleep with you?"

"The boner that I felt yesterday morning," she retorted as she rested back onto the mattress. Sighing, Katniss looked to him. "I wanted to tell you that you might have been recruited to be in our new campaigning ad."

Peeta took her hand, turning to look at her with an amused smile. "Oh, really?"

"Blame it on Gale—that asshole." The man beside her guffawed at her declaration. "He mentioned to Caesar that we…reconnected. Now he wants to feature us as the couple in his advertisement ads. We would be depicting a love story."

"Not our actual one, I hope," Peeta said ruefully.

She chuckled at his words. "That would definitely not sell purses."

"I'm game if you are," he answered after a moment.

Katniss stared at him in surprise. "Really?"

"Yes—but for a price." Peeta smirked at her. "I am a businessman, after all."

She shifted from where she laid beside him. "Name your price, Mr. Mellark."

He contemplated her for a moment before answering, "Tell me what song reminds you of us."

"Huh." Katniss smiled before reaching into the pocket of her skirt to pull out her phone. "Not what I was expecting."

"I'm too tired for sex, too. So you lucked out," Peeta retorted.

Looking through her music list in her phone, she pressed play and then placed the phone in-between them.

"This song."

"Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style someday
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way…"

Peeta grinned at her. "I never saw you as an Andy Williams fan. Why this song?"

"My Dad sang a beautiful rendition of this song," she explained. "And, when I really missed him I would play it. This song reminds me of all the important men in my life—and of myself." Katniss entwined their fingers. "When I was in Paris and really missed you, I would play this song. It gave me hope."

"Hope for what?"

"Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see…"

"Hope that we weren't really over, that we were just drifting—and we would find one another in the end," she revealed into the thickening air around them.

And, suddenly Peeta was propped up, half-turned, and gazing down at her. His hand reached to brush away that slight bang sweeping along her eyes, needing her to see what he was asking with those dark, longing blues.

Her hand reached behind the nape of his neck before she smiled up at him. "I'll allow it."

Peeta grinned before leaning down to press his lips to hers.

"We're after that same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me…"

Ahh, l'amour…or the beginning of it once more.

Anyway, thank you for your patience. I had to finish up "Strong Enough" and I wrote a birthday story for my pre-reader, plus a little bit just because the inspiration came to mind one day.

I also wanted you to make note that sending me guest reviews and getting upset over me not updating this story while uploading others…just makes me go slower. Also, I have other things to do in real life, including dealing with some health issues that have come up and going on job interviews.

A little mention in regards to the Mellark Compound: Johanna and Uncle Snow both sleep on the top floor, but consider that their bedrooms are separate wings. So Uncle Snow can snooze through all this life-changing drama.

Yes, poor Johanna—she has been pregnant longer than she realized and all those symptoms are just suddenly coming through! I imagine that Peeta and Katniss will continue to be very active with her pregnancy, even living out parenthood a little vicariously through this whole thing.

And, if you don't know who the father is by now…you'll know by the birth.

Gale can be a big ol' turd as my husband would say but he's managed to get them a very lucrative advertising deal which also brings Everlark closer together.

No Madge this chapter—I think some of you are happy about that.

Music-"Moon River"-version sung by Andy Williams

Feedback is great and beautiful. Leave some to feed my little inspiration birdies!

Until Chapter Sixteen,

JLaLa