Chapter 28: Breakthrough
Peeta wakes up to find Katniss facing him. She is looking at him and searching his eyes, now that he has opened them.
They had eaten dinner with Annie last night after she had called them down for the meal. It was delicious and, though Katniss was not very talkative, they had enjoyed being in eachother's company and hearing all about Finn and his antics. Prim and Finn would make good friends, Peeta thought. He hoped they would all get to spend more time together in the future.
Peeta wondered if Annie would ever meet anybody else. She was still a young woman and he could see in her now what Finnick must have been able to see in her all along. She was a very caring person. That made her vulnerable and Annie was the type who could be easily hurt by the machinations of the Capitol. Finnick had seen through the damage the Capitol had done, having experienced it first hand himself. Perhaps it was the same with him and Katniss. They had shared an experience that was as terrible as it was life affirming for them. It had brought them together. Somehow, the two of them had created beauty from the ashes of the Games and the Rebellion. Peeta hopes Katniss will see that beauty again.
Katniss puts her hand on Peeta's face and smooths it over his stubble. He needs to shave. She moves closer to him, keeping her hand on his cheek. Peeta leans in and kisses her softly on the lips. He has missed Katniss' touch. She slowly moves her hand from his cheek and runs it down his arm, taking his hand in hers. Peeta is watching her. As she looks at him, Katniss places his hand on her breast and gently holds it there, allowing Peeta to caress her as they kiss again. Katniss wants to give herself to Peeta. She is saying it with her eyes, her lips, and soon with her whole body. It is what he has been waiting for… a breakthrough. A moment that tells him Katniss is ready. That she is ready to start feeling again, connecting again, loving again. Peeta responds to Katniss' overtures with an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude. He has missed her so much. The two become one, as stars split the skies, and Peeta knows everything is going to be alright.
When Prim finally wakens them again, they know it is time to start the day. They can hear Annie in the kitchen fixing some breakfast and Katniss is glad that she is making herself at home. Peeta and Katniss come down the stairs together with Prim and greet Annie who has a fresh pot of coffee waiting for them. It smells delicious. She is cooking some eggs and Peeta offers to run up to the bakery to get some fresh bread for them as well. Prim wants her bottle, so Katniss goes about preparing the formula after Peeta tells her what she needs to do. Annie can see that there has been a change in Katniss already and that she is much more responsive today. Peeta heads off to the bakery and Katniss gathers Prim from her high chair where she has been fussing, waiting for her milk. She doesn't resist Katniss' arms this time and it feels so good for Katniss to be holding her again. She cradles Prim in her arms and starts to feed her while softly singing the song she always used to sing for her sister, Prim.
When Peeta returns, Prim has been fed and is playing in her highchair. The eggs are ready and they sit down to eat. Annie asks Katniss and Peeta if they have any plans today.
"I really need to get back up to the bakery for a couple of hours to help with the backlog" he says.
Katniss knows he must have gotten very behind in his work while helping to care for her and Prim. She feels bad, but knows that Peeta will always put his family before his work. That's just who he is. Maybe she can start helping in the bakery, too, and it can become a family affair.
"What about you, Katniss?" asks Annie. "Is there anything you would like to do today?"
"I think it would be a good idea to get out in the fresh air and sunshine, for me and for Prim" says Katniss.
"I think so, too" says Annie. "We can take a walk together while Peeta is at the bakery".
"I can show you Prim's grave. Peeta made it so lovely with the flowers that Primrose is named after" Katniss says.
"Are you sure you are up to it?" Peeta asks with concern. Katniss is only beginning to recover from the experience of their last visit to Prim's grave. He doesn't want anything else to happen to her now. They still don't know who was behind the threat.
"I am not going to let anyone, or anything, stop me from going to visit my sister's grave" says Katniss.
The breakthrough was clear. Katniss wasn't just more present, but she was more purposeful , too. Something had been captured again that could have been lost forever. Grateful, Peeta kisses Katniss, telling her and Annie to be careful when they go out. He heads off to the bakery and promises to see them soon.