Hey,
I'm gonna start by saying that I don't own the characters, that I don't accept mean critics, and that this is a translation of one of my many stories !
This is a Christmas story that I wrote for Christmas 2018 *-*
District 12 !
Katniss's POV !
Here I am, lurking behind a tree, watching my prey. My bow in one hand, an arrow in the other, I'm waiting for the right moment to shoot what will end up on my plate tonight. I'm cold from standing still, but I have to put up with it. I arch my arrow, I aim then, calmer than ever, I shoot the arrow which will lodge directly in the body of this animal. All around me, silence. The sound of my footsteps in the snow is the only thing that disturbs this calm. The fowl lies at my feet, pierced with my arrow. A trickle of blood flows in the snow. I swallow an urge to regurgitate my breakfast, and take the beast, which I lift by the legs. I tie a rope tightly around its legs.
"Sorry buddy, but I'm going to cook you slowly." I say out loud.
It's time to go home to pluck this beautiful beast, and prepare it for dinner. The snow starts falling again in small flakes when I set foot in my driveway. I hurry home, warm. I'm going to put the poultry in the kitchen sink, before getting rid of my superfluous clothes. I exchange my hunting clothes for more comfortable clothes to hang out at home. Hunting is one of the few things I can do to pass the time.
No, I'm not the only one living in this big house. Peeta and I have been married for two years, and for a year now he's been running his family's bakery on his own since they left for the Capitol. Peeta didn't want to leave our District, and neither did I. Today, we are both owners of the bakery, except that I do not work there. I just take care of the paperwork at home. Every night Peeta brings me what I need, and the next day I do what needs to be done. I did offer to do everything at the bakery, but deep down I would get bored quickly, and he knows it. He reminded me of it with a laugh. This memory also makes me laugh. I go back down to the kitchen and get to work. I'm a little hungry, so I nibble on a few grapes before plucking my poultry. It takes me forever, and when I'm done, my back hurts terribly. I take it upon myself and I continue to cook my turkey. Peeta is good with cakes and bread, and I learned to cook with my mother, and a friend of ours, but lately I've been more tired than usual and my back is really hurting.
Oh, I know where it's coming from and I know I have to take it easy, but that'll wait until tomorrow. I just hate doing nothing. Well, I adapt the cooking of the oven, stuff my poultry in it, and I'm off to take a shower. I'm dying to take a bath, but I might fall asleep. Hot water makes me feel good. The soap suds glide over my body, washing away the day's exertions. I feel much more relaxed, and my back hurts less. I braid my hair once dressed. In my room, I sit on the bed and place a hand on my stomach. Peeta and I have been trying for a baby since we got married, which was two years ago. Getting pregnant is not as easy as they say. It's a long road, but having a family with children is my husband's dream, it always has been. It will change us to not be two at home anymore, but it's part of life.
"Honey, where are you ?"
Peeta's voice hits me hard, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"In the bedroom !" I answer, raising my voice a little.
I remove my hand from my stomach, just in time as Peeta walks into our room. He is exhausted. He works a lot despite the employee who manages the sale, and the apprentice he trains.
"Finally, the nightmare is over." he sighs, dragging himself over to me.
He drops onto the bed, sitting up, but I know he wants to lie down. I change position to get a better look at him, and I can't help but run my fingers through his slightly disheveled brown hair.
"My poor darling, you look exhausted." I said trying to minimize his condition.
In fact, he looks unearthed, but I keep that thought to myself. He lets out a smirk that I know well.
"I don't just look like it." he said, before masking a powerful yawn.
He hates working over the holidays, which I can understand. Even though our village isn't as huge as the Capitol or Districts 1 or 2, everyone around here loves my Peeta's bread, and the cakes are so delicious and beautiful that orders are pouring in every week.
"I have to take a shower." he said.
He's huffing, which means he's too lazy to get up, but I know he's going to go anyway.
"If you keep massaging my hair, I'm going to fall asleep on top of you." He warns me.
He is so cute. I kiss him on the temple, and like the good wife that I am, I run the hot water for him in the shower, but on returning to the bedroom, I find him lying on the bed.
"Do not fall asleep." I told him grabbing his hand.
I managed to straighten him, not without effort. By dint of carrying bags of flour and kneading dough all day, my husband's body has gained muscle and he is much heavier than me.
"I'm exhausted." he mutters.
"The shower will do you good." I said taking off his sweater.
He remains seated while I undress him, although his eyes are half-closed. I managed somehow to lead his sleeping and naked body in the shower. Damn, I should have waited before showering. Seeing him naked and dripping with water makes my body as soft as marshmallow. He is so irresistible.
"Why don't you join me ?" he asks me.
He is aware of the effect he has on me, his smile tells me, and he plays with it. At the same time, I suck at hiding my feelings when I'm with him. My body betrays me despite my efforts.
"I've already showered, and I have a turkey in the oven to watch."
I close the sliding glass of the shower on his mocking laughter, and I go back down to the kitchen. After checking the doneness of the turkey, I sit down on a chair. My mind wanders, and I sigh. I think about the gift I'm going to give Peeta, if he doesn't find out before. He doesn't seem to have noticed the changes taking place in me. I found out I was pregnant two weeks ago, and I haven't told my husband yet. I wanted to see if he would notice the famous changes that take hold of a woman when she carries a small being inside her. Oh no ! He didn't notice anything. I imagine the face he will make when I tell him. A chuckle escapes my throat.
"What are you laughing at ?"
Peeta walked into the kitchen without me hearing him. My giggle literally dies when I see it. The bastard ! He wears jeans that fall on his hips, and that's it. His hair is still a bit damp, which I like. My hormones are kicking me in the gut.
"I hate it when you do that." I mumble.
"When I do what ?" he asks.
"That !" I respond as I stand up. I point him up and down with my hands. "Walking around half-naked."
He smiled, proud of his effect. He grabs my waist and hugs me. Languidly.
"Peeta !"
My voice is no more than a whisper. His lips brush mine, and I give in. My arms wrap around his neck, and I kiss him fully. I then find myself sitting on the kitchen table.
"Darling !"
"Hmm ?!"
His mouth deviates and devours my neck, without me protesting.
"We eat on this table every day." I remind him, tilting my head to the side to give him more access to my neck.
He makes me crazy.
"So what ?" He pulls his head out of my neck and looks at me with his smirk. "We've already made love on this table."
"Yes, but I'm watching what I went to hunt for us."
It's a lame excuse, and he knows it.
"Yes, but we have time ahead of us." he told me.
"I know, but I still have a lot of back pain. Between hunting, carrying and plucking the turkey..."
I leave my sentence hanging.
"Do you want a massage ?" he proposes.
"That would be really nice of you." I said smiling.
"You know I can't refuse you anything."
He kisses me on the nose while saying that. He's too cute.
In the living room, there is a round ottoman, soft and big enough for both of us, on each side of the sofa, which is also very comfortable. Peeta sits behind me on the ottoman. I hear him rubbing his hands to warm them up, then slipping them under my tank top. When he kneads the hollow of my back, I close my eyes before raising my arms for him to take it away from me. I am aware of being topless, but I don't care. I want to feel his hands all over me. Hmm, he's good with his hands, and not just at making bread and cakes.
"It's better ?" he asks me in a calm voice.
"Um, I love your hands so much." I said closing my eyes.
"Just my hands ?"
His breath caresses my ear, his hands slide down to my stomach, and I have to bite my tongue not to tell him about my long-awaited pregnancy. He kisses me on the shoulder, on my neck...
"This massage relaxes me more and more." I admit, biting my lip.
"Enough to go from here to sofa ?" wants to know Peeta.
"You will wait tonight." I said.
"We don't usually have a specific schedule." he wonders.
"Today, we do !" I answer with a smile.
A smile he doesn't see.
"You're sure ?" he said to me in a tone a little too hoarse for my liking.
His hands slowly move up from my stomach to my chest, and I have to grab his wrists to stop him. Not that I don't like it when he coaxes me like that, but if I let him, then I'll give in for the rest.
"Ok." he resigns himself.
He drops a myriad of kisses to the small of my back in an attempt to get me to give in, but I hold on and ignore my simmering hormones. He resumes his massage, to my delight, and without knowing how, I fall asleep. When I wake up, I'm lying on the couch, a blanket spread over me. A good chimney fire was lit. It's nice out. I feel good, but I'm hungry. I slowly get up from the sofa, and thank God, no nausea. I put my tank top back on and join Peeta in the kitchen, where he's busy with cakes, as always.
"Did I sleep long ?" I ask, squeezing a yawn out of my hand.
"A few hours !" he replied. "How do you feel ?"
"Hungry !"
My gaze goes beyond the window, and I see that it is dark. A few hours ! All afternoon rather.
"Do you want some coffee ?" he asks me.
"No thanks !" I politely decline.
Come on, ask the right question, please !
"Since when do you refuse coffee ?" was his question.
Is he serious ? Alright, I'll see how far I can take him.
"Since I want to drink less. Can you make me some herbal tea, please ?"
I give him my little smile that he can't resist. He shrugs his shoulders and puts water to boil in a teapot. My smile fades as soon as he turns his back on me. I'm dreaming ! He who knows every part of my body by heart, he is off the mark. He's going to regret it. He places a steaming cup of chamomile tea in my hands and steals a kiss.
"Sit down, dinner is almost ready." he told me.
"Eh !?"
"Look at the table." he told me.
I turn to the table, and WOW ! It's me who's off the mark. The table is set for two, with candles and all.
"Did you get everything ready while I was sleeping ?"
It's my turn to be surprised. It's not the first time he's cooked dinner, but it was my turn to cook. His hands rest on my shoulders, and he kisses my neck.
"I wasn't going to wake you up to set the table, and besides, you slept so well." he whispers in my ear.
I turn around in his arms after putting my cup on the table. He put on a shirt and rolled up the sleeves.
"I was supposed to make dinner." I remind.
"But you fell asleep." he told me.
"You should have woken me up." I answer.
He silences me by kissing me. Alright, I stop talking since that's what he wants.
"I like taking care of you, and making you happy." he told me.
I love when he takes care of me.
"I know, but I really wanted to cook for you." I can't help moaning like a child while pronouncing this sentence.
"Stop being upset." he told me, smiling.
I make my baby, and I stick out my tongue. He bursts out laughing and goes back to the stove.
The meal is delicious. The meat is tender and juicy. The potatoes are melting in my mouth, and the vegetables so crunchy that my pregnant stomach wants more. Peeta watches me eat with a frown, but he still doesn't make the connection. For dessert, he made a succulent frozen log, which I literally let melt on my tongue.
"You eat more than me." he observes.
I refrain from throwing my glass of water in his face.
"I haven't eaten today."
He swallows my half-lie without flinching, and damn it, he can piss me off. I know he's going to be overjoyed but not asking more questions about my new appetite is strange. He who notices everything about me. After the meal, we put the leftovers in the fridge, and we clean the kitchen.
"Where are you going ?" he asks me as I head for the stairs.
"Bathroom." I reply simply.
"Take your time." he told me.
Oh believe me, I will ! I actually pass by the bathroom, before going to one of our guest rooms. We have two, and in one of them I hid a big box. I check the contents then close it and go back to my room, where I change. A month ago, I visited my mother and sister in District 4, and took the opportunity to do some shopping. I put on a long white silk nightie, with nothing else underneath. It's Christmas Eve, and I fully intend to spend a good evening and a great night in my husband's arms. In the living room, I stop on the threshold. Peeta has removed the coffee table and spread blankets in front of the fireplace. It often happens that we end our evening in front of a good fire. Several times we stayed there until morning, wrapped in blankets and huddled together. When he turns to me :
"Wow, this is new." he remarks.
"It is." I say, spinning around.
He walks towards me. His shirt is unbuttoned, giving me a clear view of his chest and abs.
"Do you like it ? I ask, though I guess his answer as he licks his lip.
"I love it !"
The babydoll comes to my feet and grazes the floor. Fortunately for me, only my chest is molded into it.
"But it will have to be removed."
Each time he wants to seduce me, he slides his fingers on my arm very slowly while staring at me in a monstrously languorous and indecent way. I can feel the rush of blood in my cheeks. My heart races and my lower abdomen twists with desire.
"Wait !" I stop him by placing my hands flat on his chest.
"What ? Have you finished digesting yet ?" he jokes in a voice so smooth it gives me shivers.
"I just want to give you your present." I say, breathing heavily from his mere gaze.
"It's not midnight yet." he told me.
"It's true, but I don't want to wait any longer."
In fact, I need to come back to my senses. I take his hand and lead him up the stairs, and stop in front of the guest room where his gift is. I open the door and nod to him that he may come in.
"My present is in there ?" he asks.
"Yes !"
Technically, the real gift is in my belly.
"Ok !"
He goes in and turns on the light. I stay on the doorstep. I watch and wait. He crouched down, and looks in the box. Inside, there are baby clothes that I received from the Capital. I ordered various things including clothes for my baby. Clothes of different colors because I don't know if it will be a girl or a boy. I see Peeta holding a pair of white slippers. I'm stamping with impatience, and I have to restrain myself from shouting to him that he's going to be a father, but I prefer to wait for him to finally make the connection. One hand on my stomach, I place the other in front of my mouth to hide my smile. Peeta puts the slippers away, probably so as not to drop them, gets up and turns to me, with the most beautiful smile I have ever seen.
"Are we having a baby ?" he asks, without losing that beautiful smile.
"Yes !"
While answering him, I feel my lips stretch to return his smile.
"Are you… are you pregnant ?" he stutters.
"I am !"
Overjoyed, he breaks the distance between us and takes my face in his hands to kiss me.
"Merry Christmas, my love !" I tell him, placing my hands over hers, which frame my face.
"It's the best gift." he told me. "I love you so much."
"I love you !"
His forehead rests against mine.
"I am so happy." he said under his breath.
I take his hands in mine and pull them away from my face to intertwine our fingers along our bodies.
"Let's go back to the living room."
He nods, before wiping the corners of his eyes, without letting go of my hands. He is so sensitive that I want to hug him. Back in the living room, I remember he didn't notice or even question the changes in my body and moods due to the pregnancy. As we kneel on the pile of blankets in front of the fireplace, I slap him on the arm, which ricochets off his chest.
"Ouch, what are you doing ?" he asks me, surprised by my gesture. "You're crazy."
"It takes me that I am angry with you." I said. "I've been waiting two weeks for you to notice that I've changed."
"How have you changed ?"
Is he serious ?
"Hold on !" he stops me before I can say anything. "You've known for two weeks, and you haven't told me ? Why ?"
"First, I thought it would make a nice present for my husband, and second, you who know every square inch of my body, I thought you would eventually notice that my belly is a little rounder than it is. I used to daydream in the middle of a conversation, my breasts got bigger and I stopped drinking coffee."
I don't mention the fact that I want to jump on him every time I see him, and I wait for his reaction. I get a glimpse of it when his eyes leave mine and drop down to my chest. Peeta cocks his head to the side as if trying to tell the difference since he found out I'm pregnant.
"Do you still fit in your bra ?" he asks me as if nothing had happened.
"Not for very long." I answer. "Is that all you can think of to say ?"
"Nope !" he said, reconnecting our gazes. He runs his hand through my hair after gently undoing my braid. He kisses me and I feel myself being pushed slowly back. My head hits a pillow, and Peeta looks at me with so much love that my anger at him is gone. "I'm sorry I didn't notice, but I'll make amends."
"How ?" If he intends to redeem himself, I want to know how he intends to do about it. "You'll have to make it up hard to me."
"I know, but I'll take care of you." he told me. In front of my silence, he continues. "I'll bring you breakfast in bed."
"And your work ?" I remind him.
"I'm going to make my apprentice work even more." he smiled at that answer, as if he had no qualms about it.
Slave his apprentice.
"And your other employee ?" I ask.
"She too will work hard." he smiles. "If necessary, I would change the schedules."
"Peta..."
"I am the boss, I decide." he stops me.
"You're only half the boss." I remind him, pinching his cheek.
He pretends to bite me, which makes me laugh, and his mouth sticks to my wrist. He lays a trail of kisses down my arm to my lips.
"I will adapt my schedule as I go along." he said before his gaze turned more serious. "And you stop hunting."
I'm about to protest, but he silences me with a finger to my mouth.
"I know you love your independence, but you're pregnant."
I know it, but the idea of no longer hunting undermines my morale.
"Don't use my pregnancy to control me." I beg him in a small voice.
"That's not what I do." he assures me. "I just want to protect you."
"Would you come with me ?" I say raising my eyebrows. "You hate hunting."
"I would learn to love, for you." he told me.
He closes his little speech with a kiss.
"Anyway, I won't be able to hunt much longer, so don't worry."
He's too cute when he's worried about me, and that's why I don't try to negotiate anything. I would find something to take care of. We will see.
"Are you mad at me ?" he asks me.
"No !" I reassure him. "Give me my present instead."
"Nope !" he smiled at my scowl. "Don't make that face, it's not a material present. I'm taking you to see your family for a week."
At the idea of seeing my mother and my sister again, my heart fills with joy... Wait a minute !
"A week ?"
"I would have extended our upcoming stay, but my brother won't be able to replace me any longer." he told me.
I understand better. Peeta has two older brothers. One followed their parents to the Capitol, and the other preferred to free himself from the influence of my mother-in-law to study. It is he - the one in the middle - who will replace my husband. He has more than the experience to run the bakery in our absence.
"You are the most wonderful of husbands." I said. "I would jump on you to thank you."
He wears a mischievous smile mirroring mine.
"And what would you do to me ?" he wants to know.
"I will undress you."
Raising his eyebrows, he sits up and gets completely naked. My hormones are doing the dance of joy throughout my body. I squeeze my thighs to calm myself, at least a little bit. He comes back to lie down next to me, and I don't know what to say.
"I like knowing that I still trouble you despite everything." he smiles.
"Oh shut up and kiss me !"
THE END !