"So you leave tomorrow morning?" I ask Peeta.

"Yeah," Peeta says as he lays his uniform down. "At eight-thirty." I walk over to Peeta and lay my head against his chest.

"I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too," Peeta says as he kisses the top of my head. "Both of you. But don't worry about me. Just promise me that you will take care of yourself and our baby."

"I promise."

"Katniss, I… Listen," Peeta says softly as he grips the top of my arms. "I don't know how long this mission will take, and I don't want to regret you not knowing how much you mean to me."

"I do know," I say.

"I just… I know I've been neglecting you here lately with training and…"

"You haven't been neglecting me," I tell him truthfully.

"I feel like I have. And I want to make it up to you. If you'll allow me to."

I nod my head, and Peeta's lips are on mine before I can take another breath. I wrap my arms around his neck as he places a hand on my lower back and my head.

"I love you," Peeta breathes out between kisses.

"I love you too."

Peeta backs me up where my feet are against the bed. I sit down and lean back onto the bed, but not before Peeta makes sure that I have pillows to prop myself up on. Peeta pulls back to look at me as if he's asking for permission to continue. Instead of nodding my head or saying anything, I take the hem of Peeta's shirt and pull it over his head.

I run my hands over Peeta's chest and realize that even though he was really weak when he was rescued from the Capitol, he now has almost all of his strength and muscles back.

Peeta's lips move to my neck as he pulls my shirt up over my belly. He lays one of his hands over my belly button and spreads his fingers out as far as they'll go.

The baby responds, and I feel Peeta smile against the skin on my neck.

"You have no clue how much I love the thought that you're carrying my baby," Peeta tells me quietly.

I smile as I feel my heart swell. I know Peeta is still struggling with some things, but he's the same Peeta I've married and is my baby's daddy. Sure, he goes through moments where he doesn't remember certain things. But, that does not change the fact that he's the same, sweet Peeta that's he's always been and always will be.

He pulls back to look at me and takes a deep breath.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I tell Peeta as I nod my head. "I'm not going to break."

"I know," he says. "But I want to make sure you're okay before we continue."

I put both of my hands on Peeta's cheeks and kiss his lips.

"I'm fine," I tell him. Peeta seems a little reluctant, so I begin to unbuckle Peeta's belt and take it out of the loops. That's all the encouragement Peeta needs to lift my shirt up over my head and throw in onto the floor.

Everytime Peeta kisses me, it's like he's trying to make up for lost time. Each kiss gets deeper and more passionate by the second.

I finally have to pull away for air, and we're both left panting.

"You tell me if you need to stop," Peeta says.

I smile at him. "I will," I say truthfully. "But I won't have to. I want this. Possibly more than I've ever wanted it before. I've been waiting for this."

"Why didn't you say something?"

"Because I didn't want you to feel like you had to just because I'm your wife."

Peeta chuckles. "We've done this before. I mean, I may not remember everything that's happened recently, but we're married and you are pregnant with my child. I have sort of figured that one out already."

"Peeta," I laugh as I shake my head at him. He smiles at me before kissing me again on the lips.

Everytime I go to move, Peeta stops me and tells me to just relax. The only thing he does let me do is fix the pillows so I'm in a more comfortable position without putting too much weight on me or the baby.

"You're sure?" Peeta asks as he gives me a concerned look.

I smile at him and quickly nod my head.

"Only if you are."

Peeta's mouth captures mine again, drowning out the moan that is caused by the pleasure this action brings.

I know we've both been waiting for this, but I'll be honest. I was a little scared at first that it wouldn't be the same, but it's like nothing's happened. I'm thankful that after everything Peeta's been through, it hasn't changed him from who he really is. He still loves me just as much as he ever did and this proves it.

I tug at the ends of Peeta's hair and his hands settle on my hips. I wrap my legs around Peeta's waist and pull him closer to me. I press my lips to Peeta's shoulder to muffle my screams. Peeta starts kissing my neck, and I lean my head back against the pillow to give him better access.

Peeta's movements become jerky as he bites his lower lip.

"Mmm. Peeta," I moan as the fire builds inside of me. We both gasp and Peeta rests all of his weight onto his arm as he tries to catch his breath.

Peeta lays down beside of me and pulls my head over onto his bare chest.

"I love you," Peeta says, his voice still filled with lust and desire.

"I love you too," I pant as I look up at Peeta and smile.

Peeta kisses the top of my head as he rubs a hand up and down my arm. I fold both of my hands on top of Peeta's chest and then rest my chin onto the back of my hands. Peeta moves his chin down so he can look me in the eyes. He smiles at me and pushes a piece of my hair back out of my eyes.

"Don't go to the Capitol," I tell Peeta.

He frowns at me.

"Katniss, you know that's not an option for me."

"Yes it is," I say. "Just don't go. Stay here."

"I like your hopeful thinking, but you know that I have to go in the morning."

I swallow hard as the tears form in my eyes.

"Let's not worry about that right now, because all I want to think about is how much I love you and the baby," Peeta says before he leans his head down to kiss me once more. "You're sure both of you are okay though?"

"We're fine, Peeta," I say as I smile.

"Go on to sleep," Peeta says softly as he rubs a hand across my stomach.

"I don't want to. I don't want to take my eyes off of you."

"You need your rest, Katniss."

I feel the tears in my eyes as I realize that he's right.

"You'll wake me in the morning before you have to leave for the Capitol?"

"Of course," Peeta says as he nods his head at me. "You can walk down with me to the hangar too when I go to get on the hovercraft that will take us to the Capitol."

"Okay," I say as I swallow hard and close my eyes.

Peeta presses his lips against my forehead and doesn't move them off my skin until he's done speaking.

"I love you so much. You are everything to me. I'm going to fight for you and the baby just like I keep promising. Now go on to sleep. I'm right here."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know I'm dreaming when it happens and yet, it doesn't stop me from sitting up on the bed and screaming out. I have tears flowing down my face as I begin to have a panic attack.

The only thing that helps is Peeta's arms wrapped around me and his soft, quiet voice in my ear.

"Shh. It's alright. You're fine. I'm here. I'm okay."

"Peeta," I sob as I hold tightly to him. "I… I can't do this."

"Do what?"

"Be without you again!" I cry as I feel that desperate feeling creep up on me. I am so happy with Peeta here with me and I am prepared to do what it takes to keep him here. This feels like the day before Peeta was supposed to go back into the arena. I know I can't stop Coin from doing what she wants, but I'm panicking.

"Please calm down."

"I can't!" I start breathing heavily and I feel like I'm not getting enough air. Peeta's face takes on a frantic look as he tires his best to calm me down.

"Listen to me, Katniss. You have to calm down for the baby. You have to calm down before the baby starts getting stressed."

I try, but it's not working at all and I'm only making it worse. I start gasping for breath as my whole body begins to shake.

"Katniss. Katniss, look at me," Peeta says as he gently grips the top of my arms. "Calm down. Please." Peeta has tears in his eyes as he pleads with me to calm down.

I finally calm down enough that I can breathe easier.

"You have to stay here," I tell Peeta as I begin to bawl. "I need you here."

"Katniss, I'm sorry. I want to say here with you and the baby, but we've been over this already time and time again. I have to go to the Capitol wether we like it or not."

"No!" I scream. "Who's going t-to be here to c-comfort me when I h-have nightmares while you're g-gone?"

"You've got the baby."

"But I need you!"

"Katniss, please. Please. Stop. Calm down. I know you're upset, but you have got to think about the baby."

I lean my forehead over onto Peeta's shoulder, and he rubs my back.

"I feel so helpless."

"Katniss, you're overwhelmed right now. Please calm down."

But I can't. I end up crying myself back to sleep on Peeta's shoulder.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wake up when my head suddenly comes into contact with a pillow. I look up to see Peeta bent over me.

"Sorry," he whispers. "I was trying not to wake you up."

"It's fine," I say with a yawn as I sit up on the bed. "It's not that much earlier than when you were suppose to wake me up anyways."

"I know," Peeta says. "But you need all the sleep you can get. Especially after last night."

I frown. "That was awful. Peeta, I'm sorry I got so upset about everything. I just… I feel desperate."

"It's alright," Peeta says understandingly. He goes over to the other side of the room and picks his uniform up. "I'd better go put this on then I'll be right back."

I nod and lay back down for a few minutes. When Peeta's finally dressed in his uniform, I smile and walk over to him before wrapping my arms around his neck and holding on tightly.

"I'm proud of you," I tell him truthfully. "This isn't your choice, yet you're going with your chin held high and you're not complaining about the unfairness of it."

Peeta gives me a sad smile before kissing me.

"Coin wants to meet with us before we leave, so I have to go. But you be at the hangar at eight."

"I will be," I say.

Peeta wraps his arms around my waist and kisses me passionately.

"I'll see you in a few minutes then," Peeta says. I nod, and he leaves. I watch the clock intently. When eight rolls around, I head on down to the hangar to be with Peeta. All of the other soldiers are already here, so all I have to do is find my husband.

It takes a few minutes, but I finally spot him. I walk over to Peeta, and he smiles when he sees me walking his way.

"It took me a minute to find you," I tell Peeta as he wraps me up in his arms and holds me close to him.

He nods his head and takes a deep breath. "I got caught up."

"With what?"

"Don't worry about it."

I give Peeta a questioning look before finally figuring it out.

"You had another… melt down. Or whatever it is you want to call it."

"Katniss…"

"Admit it."

"Okay. Fine. But I'm okay."

"You won't be okay if you get to the Capitol and start that."

"Katniss, can we please not argue about this now?"

"And why not?"

"I'm getting ready to leave for the Capitol. Who knows when we will get to see each other again."

"But, Peeta…"

"Telling Coin isn't going to help at all."

I sigh and finally decide to give it up. Instead, I start crying again.

"I'm sorry," I say. "I just… I'm a mess right now and being pregnant isn't helping me to stay sane."

"It's okay," Peeta says softly.

"I meant what I said while ago about being proud of you," I tell Peeta as I hide my face in the crook of his neck.

"And I mean it when I say that I'll be okay," Peeta tells me as he kisses the top of my head. "Don't worry about me." Peeta stops and places a hand on my stomach. "I'm going to be thinking about my two girls the entire time I'm gone."

I quickly bring my head up to look at Peeta, and his eyes widen when he realizes what he just said.

"What?" I ask softly.

"Oh. Um. Katniss, I… I didn't meant to say… I'm sorry."

I laugh a little as Peeta falters with his words.

"It's okay," I tell him. "I knew you wouldn't be able to keep it from me for too long."

Peeta chuckles and lays both of his hands on my stomach.

"That's our daughter in there," he says with tears sparkling in his happy and perfect blue eyes. I laugh a little before he leans over and presses his lips to mine.

A whistle sounds, and Peeta pulls back to look at me once more.

"I have to go now," he tells me quietly. "But I'll be alright. I love you so much that you'll never know, Katniss Mellark."

I smile even as the tears begin to fall.

"And I also love you so so much, Peeta Mellark."

He pulls me in for a long and passionate kiss. Peeta finally just has to force himself to walk away from me, but he turns around to blow me one last kiss which I quickly return.

"I love you," he mouths.

I smile at him and nod my head. "I love you too."

Then Peeta and all the other soldiers disappears onto the hovercraft, and I break down in a heap on the floor.