~Few Months Later; May 5th, 2019~

Katniss's P.O.V

Things have been less tense and stressful as of late. Prim's mature outburst a few months ago, that kicked all of us in the pants, got us in the right direction. She is growing up so fast. I turn nineteen in three days. Then she'll be fifteen on the eleventh. That is crazy to me. Ruby will be a year old in only a few months too. Peeta and I are looking for a new start. We aren't sure, but just talking. There has been too much to happen in 12. But, as of right now, nothing is coming up. Which is fine for now. At least until our lives start for real. We both graduate in two weeks. That is crazy to me. I can't believe that I am done with high school. I made it. Through a lot of things actually. A mother, a supporter, a victim, a survivor... And I am still going. And will keep going.

Peeta has multiple scholarships for his culinary skills and also his artistic abilities. I have yet to and most likely won't receive much. I am not as extraordinary as some. Annie has one for her swim skills. Madge for her academic achievements in English. I just plan to do something online. So I can still be a Mom. I can't be leaving. Prim is a sophomore this year. Already taking college classes for her skill of being a doctor. I know for a fact she will get many scholarships. I don't really need to go anywhere or do much. I have my family. They are all I need. A healthy marriage, healthy family, healthy friendships. My life is more than I could've ever asked for.

I forgave myself and my past. I couldn't keep being miserable and trapped. HU made up with Peeta and I. Not fully, but mostly. We are civil and can be around one another more. They are planning my birthday party, Prim's birthday and Peeta and I's graduation party. I am glad that we patched things up. They have been my go to and idols for so long. And not being able to be around them was awful. And now that we are mature and considerate of one another and let go of the past.... I have my band back. My friends and relief.

Peeta is working more at his family's bakery. He has gotten along better. They are liking me better, except his Mother. I doubt she ever will, and everyone includings Peeta, knows that. But I just turn the other cheek and be as hospitable as I can when I am with her. She loves Ruby. Always wants her to come over. But she despises me. And I could honestly care less. I love Peeta. And I am his family too. He is putting most of the money we don't use for bills and all of life, for the potential move we are talking about and the tuition costs for Peeta. We still aren't certain if we will. We don't even have a District we want. Or even the type. But if Peeta takes a scholarship, we will most definitely have to. All the colleges that want him are not in 12. Which is fine with me, to be honest. I know this home was a gift, but this gift is outliving its special value. Being broken into, ransacked by the Snow Mafia... I love it still. And always will. But if the opportunity arises soon, I won't be so sad to leave. Everyone I know is leaving, or has left or doesn't even live here. My Grandparent Abernathy's live in the Capitol. My Dad is in District 2 now. My Grandma Mags is in District 4. HU is still here, but all the way on the farther end of 12. A almost thirty minute drive. And that's saying something, since 12 is the smallest District in Panem. 12 will always have a place in my heart. I was born and raised here. Lived here my whole life. Started a family here. But most of my life was hell here... A new start doesn't seem so bad. Especially with all these changes happening, we may need one.

Peeta and I have also been taking things slow with each other. Taking time to heal. Be more forgiving. And more understanding. We haven't been as intimate with one another. And when we are, we take precautions. I take the pill. And we always use protection. We both know that a baby is not what we need at the moment. Not as our lives are going somewhere. I don't want to ruin the future for Peeta. He wants to get the skills to open his own restaurant or bakery. And I think that would be amazing. But if I am pregnant, I know that he will never get to his dream... and I can't take that away from him. I can't hurt anyone else more than I have in my life. He needs this. So we aren't putting our lives in jeopardy for our physical needs. When we do have more children, we hope for Ruby to have a little brother. But another one of her would be amazing too. She's the most precious little girl I have ever met. More than my own sister, to be honest. She has grown to develop my sass, yet Peeta's kindness. She can call me, "Ma-ma" and Peeta "Da-Da," but not a ton more after that. Mostly gibberish. But still sweet, and lifts my heart that she can at least know who her parents are. She seems to be alright from all that has happened to her family. I just pray she doesn't get nightmares like I have from all of this. I know that is a possibility, but it breaks my heart to even think about. She's too young. Too gentle.. I can't bear to have her hurt the way I have. But Peeta always tells me it will work out and he is by my side. As I am his. Forever, and Always.

We're getting ready for the graduation ceremony. HU is taking care of the celebration after the ceremony. I've waited all my life, I've come way too far for this and I'm glad, there's been too much pain and hate and hurt in my life and hopefully it ends today.

The principal starts to talk about our education journey and how we were some of the best students to grace the school halls. After that, the vice principal goes on to talk about our future, successful careers and do awe-inspiring things like finding life on Mars and finding a cure for cancer or creating a nerve transplant.

Finally, after half an hour of speeches from the valedictorian and principal and vice principal, they call us up one by one to collect our scrolls. Finally I'm called up as cheers and whoops sound from the crowd. I smile, knowing HU is in the audience, proud of me for coming this far and surviving for as long as I have. I take my seat as I listen and watch as everyone else gets their scrolls.

'Class of 2019, everyone!' The principal yells into the microphone.

We all throw our caps into the air as the room is filled with cheers and whoops as we do so. It's an amazing feeling, finally being able to leave this hellhole behind at last.

~Home; Party-Tiiiime!!~

I step out of the car which was ordered to take me home. The house is packed out with our family and friends talking and laughing together as music blares out of multiple speakers. Dylan stood holding Ruby but something's changed.

'Dylan, where's the plaits at?' I ask him once I get close enough to ask.

'Shaved it off, chica.' He grins as he hands me Ruby, 'besides, I'm a dad.'

'Really? Congrats!' I smile as Ruby claps her hands.

I look over at Danny, Peeta, and Jorel getting along together and laughing as they sip from wine coolers and beer cans. Smiling, I waltz on over to them and they stop talking once they see me advancing towards them.

'Hey, little miss sunshine!' Danny chuckles when I reach them, 'someone's happy!'

I swat at his arm, laughing. I've missed the happy mood of Danny after everything that went down over the past few months. I'm glad we've all made up.

'This party is amazing!' I grin, 'bet it's gonna get even better once everyone's drunk!'

And I'm right. Later on in the evening, once everyone's drunk and happy, the real fun begins. We're all drunk and happy as we totter about and laugh our heads. There's a bonfire burning in the fire pit as people crowd around it, roasting marshmallows and laughing as they do so.

~Derillo smooch comin' up lads. No hate intended towards their wives and families. They're just my OTP- Ruby~

A group of people is playing spin the bottle on the front porch. Madge, Annie, Jorel, and Danny are playing and laughing whenever it lands on someone. Me and Peeta go and sit down and join them. It's my turn to spin the bottle. After I do so, it lands on Jorel. He spins the bottle and who does it land on?

Danny.

We all stare at the bottle in surprise. They weren't moving an inch as they both just look from the bottle to each other and back to the bottle.

'Well, the bottle's spoken. Kiss!' I laugh in my drunken state, 'kiss!' I slur,

We all cheer them on as we watch on in excitement. It starts off as Jorel giving Danny a quick peck on the cheek, but then the alcohol must've taken over them because that's when the kiss really begins.

They're enjoying it in their drunken state as they kiss in front of us. Jordan, George, and Dylan walk up to us to see what we're laughing and hollering about. They don't have to wonder for long as they notice Jorel and Danny kissing.

'Knew they necked on with each other when no one was around.' Jordan says before taking a swig of his beer.

They pull away from each other as Danny points a drunken finger at Jorel.

'This man,' he starts, 'this man is my world. I love him so fucking much.' Danny says in his drunken state.

We all laugh and go back to playing spin the bottle but minus Jorel and Danny as they had gone back to kissing after Danny pronounced his love for Jorel.

The party goes on until 2 o'clock in the morning. I know I'm going to have a killer hangover and headache but I don't care; all that matters is that we're all friends again.

Katniss's birthday!!!

I wake up to see Peeta standing over me, holding a tray with a plate of waffles, a gift, and two cards balanced on it.

'Happy birthday, love.' He smiles as he hands me the tray carefully and sits on the edge of the bed.

I open the cards. The first is from Peeta and Ruby. There's a cheesy picture of two teddy bears hugging each other on the front. The message inside says 'Happy birthday, my love' and it was signed by Peeta and Ruby.

'Aww!' I smile as I lean to kiss him on the cheek, careful so as not to spill the breakfast onto the floor and bed.

The next card is from HU and Prim. On the front the dove and grenade symbol is painted on the stiff card and there is a signature in the bottom corner which reads 'Danny' in squiggly letters. Inside reads:

Hey Kat!

Happy birthday! Sorry we couldn't come visit you during the day and give you your present, we're kinda busy!

But, come over to Jordan's tonight at seven for a surprise. You're gonna love it so damn much!

Adios for now!

The HU crew

P.S: hey Kat, happy birthday. Love you!- Prim

I smile and place the cards next to me and take the present off the tray. I unwrap it to reveal a white box. Opening the box, I revealed a silver necklace with a gold rose charm on the end of the chain. Tears threaten to spill as I take in the beauty of the object in front of me.

'Peeta, it's beautiful.' I whisper quietly.

He helps me clasp it round my neck and smiles when I look down to admire it some more.

'Where's Ruby?' I ask Peeta.

'When you went to bed last night I called Dylan to come pick her up so we could spend the day together before we go out tonight.' Peeta stands up and closes the curtains and door with a smirk on his face.

*cough* spicy time *cough* *wink wonk*- Ruby <3

I feel myself getting more and more aroused as I look at his t-shirt tightly clinging to his toned body. He takes his shirt off, revealing his 6-pack.

'Someone's taken a leaf out of Danny's book and gone to the gym.' I grin.

Peeta gives me the middle finger and sits down on the bed next to me. I sit up, already naked from sleeping in my birthday suit as I always do.

'Someone knew what we were doing ahead of time, didn't they?' He chuckles.

Peeta runs his hand up and down my leg, forever edging closer and closer to my nether region although he already knows I'm ready and raring to go. I squirm a little to let him know I want to get started already.

He unbuckles his belt and pulls his boxers and pants down, his erect member jutting out from his crotch.

'Tonight is all about pleasure, Katniss. I have been thinking all day about ways to make you feel incredible, over and over and over. Do you trust me?' He asks me.

I nod as I kneel on the bed, waiting for him to tell me what to do next. He just stands in front of me, just out of reach, teasing me.

'What are we doi-?' I'm cut off by Peeta putting a finger on my mouth to tell me to hush.

'Shush; I'm in charge right now. Now, suck me off.' He instructs me.

I do so, engulfing the whole length of his member in my mouth, earning loud groans of approval from Peeta. We continue like that for a few more minutes until he pushes me away from him.

'Bend. Now.'' He says with a grunt.

I do so and he thrusts into me, both of us groaning and moaning in time to each other from pleasure. He was right, he is making me feel incredible. I feel more loved than I ever have before. It's slow, sensual, and just amazing. We carry on like this for 20 or so minutes until we both climax; first him then me.

But we're not done, far from it, in fact. While I'm rolled over, Peeta thrusts into me, which takes me by surprise and elicits a quiet squeak of surprise from me as he continues to thrust into me. I moan and my eyes roll back in pleasure. He has his hands grabbed onto my waist and pulling me close to him as we make love to each other.

'Oh!' I say quietly, 'oh! I'm coming!'

Another orgasm washes over me as Peeta's thrusts become sloppy and sloppier as he shoots his load into me. I feel the vertigo hit me as I let myself go. I fall more deep and deep into the love given to me. 

~PARTAAAY!!~

Jordan's P.O.V

The music is playing from multiple speakers placed around the house and garden. People are splashing around in the pool and we haven't even cracked most of the alcohol, only beer and champagne and wine coolers.

I spot Katniss wearing a dress with a white top and a pink skirt. Her hair is all curled neatly and the dress is set off by a purse that matches the skirt of the dress.

'Hey, you finally showed up!' I grin, 'enjoying the day so far?' I ask Katniss.

She grins and nods, 'it's been amazing!'

I grin. Katniss seems genuinely happy at long last. She's been through so much, it's inspiring seeing her bounce back.

'Help yourself to any alcohol. There's not much out yet but there will be later!' I say with a twinkle in my eye.

I let them go look around as Jorel comes up to me, holding a beer can and wearing a confused look on his face.

'What's with the look?' I ask him, chuckling.

'Vanessa's pissed at me and I don't know why,' he tells me, 'no one will tell me.'

I stifle a laugh at the thought of him making out with Danny the night of Katniss's graduation party and how Danny professed his love to him.

'No idea.' I grin.

Jorel walks away, frowning in confusion as he tries to figure out what went down that night.

Katniss's P.O.V

As the night goes on, everyone gets rowdier and more drunken and even high. We're all getting touchy and clingy and even grinding against each other. People are diving fully naked into the swimming pool.

Many drunken people are touching me up as I sway in my drunk state around the house and garden. The music suddenly sounds much too loud and the lights seem much too bright. I shield my eyes from the lights.

I make my way to where Danny is sitting alone surrounded by people making out with one another. He watches me and budges up a bit to let me sit next to him, but that isn't what I want. I sit on his lap which takes him by surprise and causes him to attempt to push me off his lap.

'Kat, what are you doing?' He asks me.

I put my finger on his lips, 'hush mr lion cub, just enjoy it.' Danny looks at me, confused, as he looks over my shoulder at something. He's still trying to push me off when I feel someone tapping me on the shoulder.

Danny's P.O.V

I watch as Theresa forces the drunk Katniss on my lap to turn around and face her so they can just 'talk'.

'So, Katniss,' she starts in a nice enough tone, 'what makes you think that you can flirt with my man?'

'Theresa, leave her alone.' I tell her, 'it's her birthday. You're only 18 once, you know this. We all know this.'

'What'ssss going on heeeere?' Peeta slurs as he's being held up by George and Dylan.

Katniss is completely oblivious to everything going on around her as she touches my hair, asking me how I get it spikey.

'Ok, time to get off me.' I ease her off my lap gently as Jordan takes her from me.

'Just stay away from each other.' Reese spits as she wears an evil grin on her face.

She heads out of the room to a room down the hall. Me, Dylan, Jordan, George, and Jorel look at each other in surprise until we hear a crash come from the room next door. We go to check what it is, having left Katniss and Peeta lying down on a couch, and Theresa is sat in the middle of the floor, surrounded by unwrapped presents and torn gift wrap. Some of the gifts are broken beyond repair.

'Reese, what have you done?' I ask her.

I spotted my gift to her, perfectly untouched. It's a glass ornament of a family, the mother holding a baby in her arms. She must've thought it was for her since I had completely forgotten to wrap it up.

'That bitch deserves dogshit. She shouldn't have hit on you.' She glares at me angrily.

'She's drunk. Everyone does stupid things like that.' I say.

'Shall me and Jorel go and tell everyone the party's over?' Jordan whispers to me.

I nod, 'please.'

He nods and they head to tell the guests that the party's over and that they're sorry that the party had to end so early.

~Few hours later~

Dylan's P.O.V

"Alight you two. Here we go, step up. Then one more." I say to Katniss and Peeta.

Prim helps them with me. I needed some help with these two. The guys are too busy taking care of the disaster at Jordan's house from Reese. I don't know what got into here. Ruining her birthday because Katniss had a drink for her birthday. I mean, we all have had our share of being drunk. And you are only eighteen one time. Might as well live it up.

Prim and I lower them carefully on the couch in the living room. They are laughing and talking to each other. Still way drunk off their asses. I sit down across from them. Prim leaves to go check on Ruby and make sure she is going to sleep. The two of them are still all on each other.

"Oh, you're such a cutie, Peeta! God, I love you, sooo much!! Hahaha!!" Katniss laughs and kisses his cheek, and pokes his nose.

"You're so, so... sexy, Kitty-Kat." He says and kisses her.

"Alright you two, that's enough goo-goo eyes." I say to them, grossed out and uncomfortable beyond belief.

"Screw... screw you, Dylan. I can love my girl how I want to!" Peeta slurs, pulling Katniss onto him.

She squeals and kisses him more.

I groan and stand up. "Move over you two, that's enough." I say.

Katniss scoffs and moves over. "So, rude. I just want to celebrate my birthday, Dylan. God." She huffs.

I sigh and shake my head. 'Please pass out drunk already.' I think.

Prim comes down the stairs just then. She sighs and sits where I was.

"Finally got that girl down. See you've had fun." She says with a sly smirk.

"So much." I say and roll my eyes. "Tag, you're it."

She laughs a little and trades me spots.

"Priiimmm! Mooovvvvee!" Katniss whines, while pushing Prim to move her away.

"It's my turn to watch you. After all these years, I'm in charge." Prim says to her like a child.

"Uhhg! No fair! It's my birthday! I can do what I want, nooow!!" She whines.

"Not tonight, you guys aren't. Y'all had to go get drunk off your asses. So we're in charge now." I say.

"And that means, no touchy touchy all night." Prim says and wedges herself between them more.

They both groan and go back to pouting. I pull out my phone. It's only midnight. I got a text from Danny.

How's 🐈 and 🍞 doin, bro?

-Danny

Still drunk. Hopein they pass out soon.

Bro, good luck. She is wwaaaayyy off her ass. Probs not goin to anytime soon. Just sayin. Hope u can handle a night with them. Good luck.

-Danny

Gee thanks.

"Priiim, can I have my cake now?" Katniss asks with a long, dramatic sigh.

"What do you think, Dylan? Is Cake a good idea?" Prim asks me.

"Maybe it'll calm them down, so sure." I say.

"And if they get a sugar high, they'll crash." Prim adds. "Tag, you're it."

I get up when she does and take her spot before either one of them can get to one another. They groan in disapproval and move back to where they are pinned to be.

'Note to self, less alcohol for a newly aged adult.' I think.

'Dylaaaan, why do you gotta sit theeere?' Katniss whines, 'lemme see my husbaaaaand.'

'Nope.' I say, 'you're gonna be all over each other. And you saw how mad Dan was when he found out Prim had seen you two getting hot together. Can't have a repeat.

'Fiiiine.' Katniss sighs, 'I'll obeeeey.'

'Thank you.' I say happily.

'But how does Danny get his hair like that?' She asks me.

'I don't know, mi amiga. Ask him when you aren't pissed outta your mind.' I grin.

And not too long after that, they both pass out; making me glad knowing my job is complete.

YOOOO OUR GALS AND PALS!! Sorry for the long while for this! We got a lot on here! But anyways, Thx for readin! Plz Vote and Comment! Wat did yall think of it?! Good? BAD? STEAMY AND SPICY enough! Some things boutta go down for the final chapters. Which is 8 more! But don't worry! It'll all end good and just great! Lots of love to yall, and thx for readin!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

-Zeffie, Ruby, and Kiyoko!! ^~^❤❤