Chapter 5: Flashback
Peeta can't wait to tell Haymitch the news. Katniss is pregnant! That means Haymitch is going to be an Uncle. Peeta wonders what Haymitch will think and is sure he will have no problem "wetting" the baby's head. This is an old tradition in District 12 and a way of celebrating the birth of a new baby, although Haymitch didn't really need an excuse to have a drink. Tonight they would be starting the celebrations early.
Peeta sets the table for the two of them. Haymitch is bringing some meat to cook and Peeta quickly prepares some potatoes to go on the side with greens fresh from the garden. Since his return he has been encouraging Katniss to take an interest in the garden, starting with the planting of the Primrose. Katniss, being the practical kind, and remembering the hunger of the past, decided she wanted a vegetable patch. Peeta didn't argue with her. He was the one with an eye for colour and design. Katniss knew that.
He remembers how overwhelmed she was the first time he brought her to see Prim's grave. It was covered in the flowers that Prim had been named after in shades of pink, yellow and cream. The flowers were blooming and he wanted her to see their beauty and remember Prim that way. Katniss had broken down and Peeta stayed with her for a long time just allowing her to grieve. She found it difficult to leave the first time, but now she goes down to visit Prim nearly every day. It helps Katniss to have Prim so close.
Peeta hears the front door open and waits for Haymitch to walk in.
"What's for dinner?" comes the voice from the entrance.
"I thought you had the food" calls Peeta.
"No, I've got the drink" says Haymitch.
Well, at least that much was covered. Peeta reaches into the fridge for some sliced meat as Haymitch walks in.
"This will have to do then" says Peeta.
"No problem. With Katniss away the mice will play" chuckles Haymitch.
They sit down to eat, Peeta carves some bread and Haymitch pours them both a drink. Peeta stops Haymitch before he can take a drink and says "I would like to make a toast!" Haymitch thinks that's a bit strange considering Katniss' departure.
"And what exactly are we toasting? The fact that Katniss is not here keep you in your place?"
Peeta knows that Haymitch does not really mean that. Haymitch and Katniss have a love/hate relationship and this is their language. If she was here, she would give an equally good response.
"Of course not" says Peeta. "You are going to be an Uncle!"
"What?" says Haymitch confused. He doesn't have any family. He will never be an Uncle.
"I am talking about Katniss".
"What about Katniss?" says Haymitch.
"Remember at the Quarter Quell when you raised your glass to me at the end of my interview? Can you remember what I had just told Caesar Flickerman?"
"Sure. You told him you wouldn't have any regrets, if it wasn't for the baby".
"Exactly!" says Peeta. Was he going to have to spell it out for Haymitch?
"Katniss wasn't having a baby" says Haymitch still confused.
"Well, she is now!" declares Peeta.
Haymitch sits at the table with a shocked expression on his face. Katniss is having a baby?
"Are you serious?! Well, I never knew you had it in you!"
Haymitch had no idea. Peeta and Katniss had been living in the same house for the last few weeks and he hadn't suspected a thing. He was used to the way they were during the Games, when he had to coax them to show any affection. Or coax Katniss at least. She was just not the affectionate kind, always guarded. What a comeback for the whole team this was! Haymitch still thought of them as a team and he is going to make damn sure Effie hears about this before anyone else, except for Katniss' mother of course. Haymitch assumes they will call her Aunty Effie and he smiles to himself.
The two of them drink into the early hours of the morning and celebrate the good news. Peeta hopes that Katniss doesn't mind he has told Haymitch about the baby. He wants to tell the whole world! Eventually, the two of them fall into their beds with Haymitch sleeping in the spare room. He is not capable of walking the 25 yards back to his house tonight.
Haymitch does not know what has woken him, but he can hear a noise coming from Peeta 's room. He gets out of bed and crosses over the hall to check on him. Listening at the door he hears "My name is Peeta Mellark. I come from District 12. I was in the Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen saved me". It sounds like the words are being repeated through clenched teeth. Haymitch knows that means Peeta is struggling to hold on to reality.
He gently pushes open the door and sees Peeta curled up on the bed, his hands over his ears. He repeats again, "My name is Peeta Mellark, I come from District 12, I was in the Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen saved me". Haymitch wonders how good news could have brought on this relapse. Is it the fact that Katniss is not here? It is Peeta's first night alone again after all. Is it that the news of Katniss' pregnancy is overwhelming him? Even good news can be overwhelming if you have a tentative grip on reality, no thanks to the Capitol. Maybe it is the alcohol. Haymitch can't be sure, but he quietly walks across the room to sit on the bed beside Peeta. He sits for a long time, not touching Peeta, not talking to him either, just acting as a reassuring presence until Peeta can calm himself down. Finally, Peeta is quiet and Haymitch begins to ask him the questions that matter.
Your name is Peeta Mellark…real or not real?"
"Real"
"You come from District 12…real or not real?"
"Real"
You survived the 74th and 75th Hunger Games…real or not real?"
"Real"
"Katniss Everdeen saved you…"
She is not here. He is alone. Peeta can't tell if his memories of Katniss are real or not real.
"…real or not real?"
No answer. Exasperated, Haymitch picks up the locket from the dresser and puts it in front of Peeta's face. Maybe a physical reminder will help to bring him back.
"Katniss Everdeen saved you…real or not real?"
Peeta sees the locket. He remembers giving it to her. Haymitch opens it and he sees his picture inside. .
"Katniss Everdeen loves you…real or not real?" he says, handing Peeta the locket. Peeta turns it over in his hand.
"Real" Peeta says at last.
Haymitch decides to stay in the room with Peeta until he falls asleep. So far this whole pregnancy thing is not off to a great start.