Chapter 12: Homecoming

The day of their homecoming was such a relief. Katniss had missed their home and Prim's garden, but most of all she had missed their privacy. She was beginning to "nest" and wanted to get things ready for the arrival of their new baby. Peeta just wanted to have Katniss to himself again so he could enjoy her for these last few months before their lives were changed forever. He had never seen her happier and that was all he had ever wanted. The fact that she was happy with him made everything worthwhile.

Gale and Haymitch had travelled back with them and there was a promise from Effie to come and see them after the baby was born. Annie was on standby for any concerns with regard to the pregnancy and Katniss' mother planned to be there for the birth.

Peeta picks Katniss up to carry her over the threshold when they arrive. Katniss loves him more than ever and holds him tight thinking that maybe the two of them will get married after all. She would like that.

"Are you going back to the bakery today?" she asks Peeta.

"No" he says. "I just want to two of us to spend some time alone for the next couple of days. You need time to relax and we need to start thinking about how we are going to prepare for the arrival of the baby".

Katniss knows this is true. She doesn't have anything for the baby yet and not being very domesticated, doesn't quite know where to start. There will be plenty of time for that though. In the meantime, Peeta leads Katniss up the stairs and takes her into their bedroom. He takes her hair out of it's braid and gently untangles it. He loves the way it is full and falls around her shoulders. She sees him looking at her in a way that makes her knees go weak. Peeta takes her in his arms and kisses her, holding her close and feeling her pregnant belly press against him. Her figure is full now and he delights in the feel of her womanliness. She is no longer the scrawny, starved little girl he threw the bread to all those years ago.

Two months later all is well in District 12. Katniss and Peeta have prepared a place for the baby in their room with a cradle and blankets, It will be winter when the baby is born so they need plenty of warm coverings. They have some baby clothes that people have given them which could be either for a boy or a girl. Katniss wants a beautiful little boy, like Peeta, and he wants a gorgeous little girl who will be just like her mother. Katniss has shared with him the analogy about the bun in the oven and Peeta thinks she might be onto something. This is their little bun, only Katniss is the baker this time and will produce something much more incredible than he ever could.

Katniss is lying in the bed and has been able to feel the baby move for about a month now. It began with a gentle flutter and then the movements became stronger as the baby grew bigger. She turns to Peeta.

"Peeta" she says waking him from his sleep.

He turns over and she takes his hand and places it on her stomach in the spot where she has just felt the baby move. Peeta feels a slight movement under his hand and looks at Katniss.

"The baby's moving" she says. "Can you feel it?"

Peeta keeps his hand in place and moves closer to Katniss. He can feel it. This little person they have both created is taking on a life of its own.

"I love you, Katniss" he says, kissing her on the lips.

"I love you, too" she replies.

Katniss wants to keep him there, but he has some orders waiting at the bakery and has to leave. Peeta tells her he will be home at lunchtime and that he will see her then. He still wants to make sure she is eating properly and he can't stand to be away from her for the whole day anymore. He doesn't want to lose sight of her for a minute.

Katniss decides to go out and visit Prim's grave. It is the end of the summer and the days are long and beautiful. The flowers on the grave are in full bloom and she has always been so grateful to Peeta for doing this for her and Prim. Katniss sits down beside the grave and starts to sing.

"Deep in the meadow, under the willow

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow

Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes

And when again they open, the sun will rise.

Here it's safe, here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you"

She knows she will sing this song to her own child now. It will always remind her of Prim. Suddenly Katniss becomes aware of a movement by the trees. She doesn't have her hunting gear with her, she only ever takes that to the woods. Katniss cautiously lowers herself as best she can to the ground and looks to see who might be coming, her hunting instincts coming to the fore. As she watches she sees Gale approaching and is not sure if she really wants him here. But Gale is a hunter, too, and he has noticed her already.

"Katniss" he says.

"Gale" comes her reply.

"Is this where Prim is buried?" he asks.

"Yes".

"It's beautiful" he says.

"I know. Peeta created the garden for me and Prim. I come here everyday".

She can see tears begin to form in Gale's eyes. She has never seen Gale cry before.

"Gale…" she starts.

"Katniss, I am so sorry about Prim. I never intended for anything to happen to her. I would have given my life for her, you know that".

Katniss knows that's true. She finally decides to offer Gale some comfort. "I believe you, Gale. I know you did not mean for Prim to die. You looked after her when I volunteered for the first Hunger Games and I don't know what I would have done without you"

Now she is beginning to cry, too. Katniss gets up and puts her arms around Gale. She knows he is in pain. He had said that to her once before, that she kissed him because she knew he was in pain. Then he told her not to worry, that it would pass. Gale knows this will pass, too. This moment with Katniss. But it is a moment the two of them need to have. He needs to feel Katniss' arms around him, her love and forgiveness. She needs to let go of her anger and the blame she has placed on Gale. She has missed him terribly. They stand there and embrace until Katniss remembers the time. Peeta should be home any minute with their lunch. She wants to be there for him when he arrives and hopes she hasn't missed him.