~ 3 months Later; End of Fall Beginning of Winter ~

Peeta's P.O.V.

"Katniss, you still awake?" I ask into her dark hair.

"No." She says with a small yawn.

"Well, I just wanted to ask you, what would you say if I said I love you?" I say.

She rolls over and a big smile is on her face. "I would say I love you too. Then kiss you, like this. That sound good?" She asks.

I nod. "Katniss?" I ask.

"Yeah?" She asks.

I smile. "Love you."

She smiles back. "Love you too."

And as she promised me, she kisses me before snuggling into my warmth.

"But could you do something else for me? Since I love you." She asks.

"Anything for you guys." I say and gently run my hand on her growing stomach that shelters our daughter.

"A bowl of fresh fruit and toast with chocolate and strawberries." She says and looks up at me.

"It's midnight, Kat. Can't you hold off till morning?" I ask and sigh.

"You said you loved me! Are you going to deprive us?" She asks and pouts her lip.

"No.. I could never do that to you guys." I say giving into her request.

A big smile grows on her face. She kisses me again. "Thanks. We really can't wait until morning." She says with a small laugh.

"Hey, don't bring her into this." I say.

"Well it's her fault I want things at midnight. If you don't like it, then let's not have anymore." She says.

"I'd rather wake up at midnight then not have another." I say.

"Well you'd better hurry up with that food, then. Otherwise I'm not letting you." She says and glares at me.

"I'm going, I'm going." I say and sigh.

"Hurry!" She whines.

I make my way to the kitchen. Daisy comes to check out what I am doing.

"She's at it again is all girl." I say and pet her.

Most of the things Katniss craves isn't here in 12. So we have to have it sent to us. Which is basically every week. Since she craves a lot of things since she is getting farther and farther into this whole pregnancy. I sometimes have to bring home one of everything from the Bakery. And go out grocery shopping as soon as I walk in the door. I do love this woman, just not this part of her. And don't even get me started when I come back home empty handed. Let's just say, some nights are more intense than others. But I know it isn't her doing. So I can't be mad at her. The toast pops up from the toaster. I put it on a plate and get out the chocolate spread. I put it all over and then the strawberries she wanted. And then peel the fruits and puts them in a bowl.

"You want to sleep with us, Dais? Not a lot of room now, but you are more than welcome to." I say to her.

She starts to wag her tail and opens her mouth.

"Come on, then." I say.

I balance the bowl and plate and walk up to my room. And what I knew would happen, has happened. Katniss is peacefully asleep. This happens a lot when she wakes up with cravings. As soon as I have it and bring it to her, she's already asleep. I smile and shake my head. I set the food on her nightstand. I climb back into bed. I pat the bed and Daisy jumps up. She rests in the small space right by Katniss's stomach and my back. The quiet sound of Katniss's snores put me to sleep.

~

Katniss's P.O.V.

A cool breeze whisks into the room and moves the strands of hair on my face. It itches my nose and I wake up. I see the soft orange sunset coming up. I can see the leaves on the trees outside dance with the wind. Then slowly fall off the branch. They are all almost gone now. It is almost winter. Soon everything will be gone. At least until spring make is new again. Then in two months, this sweet girl will be born. She gives me a good morning kick right in my bladder.

'Hello to you too, sweetie.' I think.

I will most definitely not miss the kicking. I sit up and stretch. Peeta is asleep still. I leave him be. I see the food he brought me, when I was craving it, on my nightstand. I take it downstairs and eat it all. I notice something off around here. Daisy isn't here. Whenever anyone is in the kitchen, she is sure to come. At the clink of a plate in the sink, she comes in to see if something is for her. I set the dishes back into the sink and make sure there is a sound. I wait to hear the clicks of her claws. But I get the small noises of the house. And that makes me grow worried.

"Daisy? Here girl." I say and whistle.

I walk around the house. She isn't in her spot in the living room. Nor in any room upstairs. I look at all the doors to make sure they were locked last night. And them and the windows were. So she wasn't stolen. I check downstairs again for the third time. And that's when I hear it. A faint dog cry. My heart beats a million miles a minute. I fear she was hurt somehow.

"Daisy??" I call out and whistle.

I listen and hear it again. And it is coming from the office. I go inside and see her tail wagging from behind the desk. I go around to see her and am happily surprised.

"Well would you look at that? You're a mommy too, Daisy." I say and smile.

I kneel down to pet her. Five small little puppies are close by her. All different colors.

"You're a good girl, Daisy." I say. "And a good mommy too."

I pet one of the puppies. Then kiss Daisy's head.

"I guess you'll need some special things now, don't you girl?" I say.

I stand up and make my way back to our room. Peeta is still peacefully asleep. And snoring more as well. I sit on the bed. I gently touch him.

"Peeta.. Peeta?" I say in a sweet sing-song voice.

He moans and rolls over. I hit him sorta hard.

"Peeta wake up." I say louder.

"Hmm?" He groans.

"I'm going out to get something. We have a new surprise in the office." I say.

"Okay." He says and falls back asleep.

'Men.' I think and roll my eyes.

I gently kiss his cheek before heading back downstairs. I get on my boots and coat. I grab my money and then leave the house. Mother Nature has left her breath on the planet. Frost has covered everything. Most of the plants in the garden are almost dead. I catch sight of a flower. One I hardly see anymore. It's Aster. The frost on it's purple petals make it shine in the sunlight.

'Aster... I could see her as that.' I think. 'I wonder if Peeta would like that name?'

Most everyone in 12 knows I am pregnant. Not hard to miss at this point in time. But I don't think anyone out of here does. Which is a blessing. I don't think I would last with all the paparazzi again, and phone calls and all that. I barely survived all those years ago. I go into the store and look around. I get a few things I crave as well.

"Excuse me? I am kinda lost. My dog just had puppies and I'm not sure what types of things I'll need. Since I've only ever had male animals." I say to a worker.

"Of course, Mrs. Mellark! Just follow me, and I'll get you set up." She says.

She takes me and gets me all sorts of things. A crate, food, pads for messes, and toys. I realize now what a blessing it was for Buttercup to be a boy and not a girl. He let the work go as soon as he left.

"Do you need help to carry anything? Seems a little much for how far you are now?" She asks as I finish paying.

"I'm sure I can manage. Thank you." I say .

"Actually, I take that." Someone says and picks up the bags.

I look and see Gale. "Wouldn't want you hurt now, Catnip." He says and takes everything.

I feel a tense feeling radiating in me. But I don't want to talk to him in public. In case some things are said. I follow him out and we start to my house.

"So... Catnip... how are things?" He asks.

"Fine." I say flatly. "You?"

"Pretty good. I'm guessing Daisy had puppies by all this?" He says.

"She did." I say. "Came to a surprise when I woke up."

"I bet so. Since soon you'll have her." He says.

"Yep.." I say.

We stay quiet for a few moments. I stop.

"I can't keep this in, Gale. I have to talk to you. I can't stand this." I say.

"What is it?" He asks.

"You! You can't keep holding me up to the things in our past! I made my choice! And it wasn't you. You have Aleree, so be with her! You can't have me, Gale! Not now! Or ever! Especially since I'm going to have a family soon. I don't want to lose you as a friend, but I'll have to if you can't move on!" I say letting out all my frustration. "You have to let go Gale... I'm sorry. Whatever you wanted all that time ago... is only a fantasy at this point. You have someone now. And she loves you a lot. So treat her the way you would've if it was me. And.. keep me as a friend. I can't lose you."

"I know, Katniss.. I'll try to." Is all he says.

"Trying isn't going to work, Gale. You have to. Otherwise we'll never be okay again." I say.

"We wouldn't ever be in the first place. We haven't since you were in the Games." He says coldly.

"So you're blaming him for taking me from you?" I ask.

"I'm not blaming anyone Katniss! I'm just saying the truth. And I know it isn't your fault. You had to save Prim and I get that. If it was my family, I would've too. And died if I had to in there. I'm saying whatever happened changed you. And me." He says annoyed.

"I was put to my death, Gale! Of course it would change me! I wake up haunted with the sights of killing people! Losing myself because he was gone! Terrified to even be alive at times because of all I lost! At the hands of someone who will never leave me! And the loss of the closest person to me at the hands of someone who protected her!" I yell.

The tension in the air is so sharp, you could cut it with a knife. He stands their reading me. And I read him. But I don't regret what I said.

"You know what? Don't try to fix us. You'll never be able to. After more than ten years, you still can't. So why anytime soon." I say coldly.

I take my stuff from him and try to walk away.

"Don't Katniss. You'll hurt yourself." He says sternly and tries to take it all back. .

"No I won't Gale! I've survived worse than being pregnant. I can do this on my own. So just go home!" I say and take it back.

And just when I do, I instantly regret it. I feel a pain run up my stomach and hit my spine. I drop everything and hold myself tight.

"Katniss, what just happened? Are you okay?" Gale asks worried.

"I'm.. I'm fine. I still don't want your help." I say between deep breaths.

"I don't care if you want it or not. I'm taking you to the hospital. Something isn't right." He says.

I can't object since the pain happens again. This time more intense. Gale sweeps me up from my feet. And we make our way to get help.

~

Peeta's P.O.V.

I wake up to the sound of Daisy barking. I yawn and stretch. I find Katniss isn't by my side. Which is odd, since I am always up first. I get up and follow the sound of Daisy. I just assume that Katniss is with her. I look in the rooms and come across Daisy in the study under the desk. But I don't see Katniss. Instead I find Daisy and five mini ones of her.

"Well look at that girl. You're a mom too." I say and pet her. "But where's Kat, huh?"

The phone starts to ring. "I'll be right back."

I go to the kitchen and answer the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey Peeta, it's Gale."

"Oh.. hey. Did you go out hunting this morning with Katniss? She isn't here."

"Well no. Actually why I'm calling is.. she's uh... in the hospital."

"Oh my God what? Why? Did she go into labor already? What happened?!"

"No. Not yet. But you'd better get here anyways."

"I will."

I hang up the phone.

'Oh my God. What could've happened to her?! What about Daisy?' I think.

I get my jacket and keys. I hurry over to Haymitch's house. I knock on the door. I wait a moment and then the door opens.

"Boy, why am I up at 7:30 in the morning? This had better be an... what happened?" He says.

"I don't know. I woke up, Katniss was gone, I found that Daisy had puppies, Gale called me and told me she was in the hospital and I don't know what to do." I say.

"You go, I'll watch over that dog. Let me know when you get there and what's happened." He says.

"I will. Swear." I say.

"Well don't just stand there, boy! Go to her! For all we know, your daughter is on the way." Haymitch practically yells at me.

"Right, right! I'm going!" I say.

I quickly get in the car and go to the hospital. I race inside. I find Gale in the lobby.

"Hey, so what's wrong?" I ask.

He's about to speak, when Liza comes my way. "Come this way, Peeta." She says.

I follow her to a room.

"What happened to her? Is she in labor?" I ask worried.

"Not exactly. Her doctor will be here in a few minutes. Just go be with her until then." She says.

I nod. I enter the room. I find Katniss hooked up to a lot of things. Which makes my nerves rise even more. I go to her side. I take one of her hands that is gripping the bed sheets.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm here, Katniss." I say and try to comfort her.

"Thank God." She says.

She keeps a firm hold on my hand. I gently rub the back of it to soothe whatever pain she is in. Doctor Mangum comes into the room after what feels like an eternity.

"Sorry for the wait you two." She apologizes.

"No worries." I say.

"Well, the good thing is that this is not labor, Katniss. This is just false labor pains. Or more commonly known as Braxton Hicks. But I do have some bad news. I'm ordering bed-rest until you are due. Some sort of trigger made your blood pressure and stress levels go off the charts. And we don't want to have the risk of harm to your daughter. I want you off your feet, unless to use the restroom and do personal hygiene. No stairs. No hunting. Just rest, alright? And these will pass as soon as your stress is down." She explains. "And I can guarantee that Peeta here, will be most helpful."

"I do wake up for her cravings at midnight. Not anymore hassle really." I say.

"Good. We'll just keep you here for a few more hours, try to see if the stress and blood pressure go down. Then you'll be sent home to rest there." Dr. Mangum says.

"Thank you." Katniss says.

"Of course. But when I mean bed rest, I mean bed rest. If this continues to escalate, I'm afraid you'll go into preterm labor. And I don't think that we'd want that." Dr. Mangum says.

"I'll make sure she won't, Dr. Mangum." I say.

"Good. Well, please don't hesitate to come back if anything else doesn't seem right. And if everything goes right, I'll see you hopefully on January 3rd, for her arrival." She says.

"Thank you." Katniss and I say.

She leaves and it's just Katniss and I.

"What happened Kat?" I ask.

"Nothing. It's none of your concern. I handled it." She says.

I don't push her for an explanation. She looks shaken up about it still.

"I have good news though." She says.

"What is it?" I ask.

"I have a name for her." She says with a small smile.

"Really?? What is it?" I ask growing excited.

"I was thinking Aster. I saw it growing when I left this morning. It was the only plant out in our garden. What do you think?" She says.

"I love it. I could see this little girl as an Aster." I say and set my hand on her stomach. "Did you come up with a middle name?"

"I thought you'd like to." She says.

"Hmm." I say.

I try to think of a suitable name for her. I see the bracelet I gave Katniss all that time ago. I smile.

"What?" She asks.

"Pearl." I say.

She smiles too. "So she has a name now. Aster Pearl Mellark." She says.

"Aster Pearl Mellark." I repeat.