Epilogue

Katniss's P.O.V.

"Katniss! Don't bunch up the tulle like that! It will get wrinkled. I spent too much time making those damn bows for you to be scrunching them up like that," Madge fusses at me. "How many people did you say are coming today?"

"I'm still not entirely sure. We were just going to invite people here in town, but then Peeta went freelance, so now he needs to invite his business connections too. But then he mentioned inviting just some people who are close to us. I have 100 chairs. And he is making food for 200. I let him take care of that. I've been kind of busy."

I have. It's been months since December. Those in the media have all but left us alone. Now it is focused on Gale. Meeting Peeta's family was a treat. For being parents to three celebrity boys, they are a delight. They fell in love with all of us as soon as we met. Anna, Peeta's mother, is the sweetest woman I've met. I wish my mother was like her. After Peeta got home, he had to go to therapy four times a week. That set back his recovery by about six weeks. He finally got his leg replacement. At first it was hard, but now it's like nothing was wrong. Meanwhile, I had to work on my family. Haymitch pulled strings so I could have Annie and Prim back. Prim started to remember things. She still goes to therapy twice a week to make sure things are clear. Mom and Dad gave up on us. We don't talk anymore. Little Ariya is growing big and strong, along with Haymitch and Effie's little joy.

Peeta, meanwhile, is trying to make our life normal. Our house is done. We don't have to worry about money since he is, er was, famous. He and Finnick are trying to make all our lives meaningful. We don't have to worry about paparazzi. Or anyone in our business. After a couple of setbacks with his knee, Peeta can finally walk without crutches. He still has to wear his brace. Which is ok. He wanted to marry me on his feet, and not sit in a wheelchair.

"Oh Madge, you know Katniss wouldn't be much help decorating. That is why we are here," Prim says with a smirk.

"We should have gone to Vegas." I mutter under my breath.

"What did you say?" Madge teases me.

I scowl at her and say, "Nothing. I thought Jo was going to be here by now?"

"I think she went to the Mellark's instead to help them with the food." Annie says as she hangs another bow.

"She told Peeta last night that as much as she loves being a woman, she can't handle the decorating part," Delly adds as she arranges more flowers where me and Peeta are going to stand.

"Well, this is only getting done because you all volunteered for it," I said. I paused for a moment to watch the boys help Gale set up the chairs in the semi- circle they finally agreed on last night during rehearsal. Finnick fiddles with the sound system, and when the Macarena comes on. Annie laughs and starts doing the hand motions with the song. I am annoyed and relieved that it's working.I still can't believe that there are going to be so many here that they need a sound system. I pause for a moment, when my stomach starts rolling. I don't say a thing, but run into the house.

I barely make it to the bathroom when my lunch comes back up. It must be my nerves, and I don't think any more about it while I brush my teeth.

Annie and Madge wait for me in the hallway. "Are you, ok?" Annie asks.

I put my hand over my stomach where it is still rolling. "I think so. It must be my nerves--" The house phone ringing interrupts me.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hello, my beautiful bride," Peeta says softly.

"Hey, you," my voice softens. "What are you doing?"

"I'm getting ready to marry the most wonderful girl in the world." Katniss and Peeta laugh together.

"Yes, they are. But they are getting ready to be your dorky brothers too. I think I'm getting a much better trade out of the deal. I got Prim and Annie for sisters."

"Oh, I don't know. I get you," She says with a smile and a blush. She can hear Annie and Madge saying 'aww' behind her. "Are you going to help with the buffet? When are you coming over?"

"That's why I'm calling. I think Mom and Dad are coming with the food. I'm going to finish getting ready, and then I'll come with the cake."

"Sounds wonderful." I say

~

"Hell, Haymitch. Who are all of these people?" Johanna asks as they watch guests come into the yard and look for a seat. "Where did they all park?"

Haymitch takes a swig out of the flask he pulls from his pocket. "Most of these people are from the Capitol. Sweetheart, there haven't made a lot of friends over the years. And the Boy, well being famous, gotta have lotta friends, as you know. So, everyone had to come and see them get married. I don't think they expected this many to actually show up. There aren't going to be enough chairs for everyone."

Delly, who volunteered months ago to be the wedding coordinator, appears at Haymitch's side. "Do you have the phone number for the church's handyman?"

"I think so. Are we going to need more chairs?" Haymitch asks.

Jo says with a smirk, "What made you think that, old man? Call them. My truck is parked at Gale's. We can hurry over there and pick up some more." She looks at Delly and says, "How long do we have until the ceremony is supposed to start?"

Delly looks at her watch. "Two more hours. aren't even here yet with the food or Peeta with the cake. I told them what time to be here—"

"Calm down, sweetheart. The Calvary just arrived," Haymitch quips.

"Oh, thank God!" Delly says and walks over with Haymitch and Jo following behind so they can help, too. "No, Haymitch. We'll get this. I need you and Jo to go get those chairs."

After Jo and Haymitch leave, Delly, with Madge and Annie's help, finishes decorating the yard while Prim sets up the buffet table. When they are finished, Annie and Madge go inside with Katniss.

Chairs are lined up so that there is a center aisle leading to the platform that me, Gale and Finnick built last weekend. Surrounding the platform are poles which are holding up the gentle lights that Effie had said the night before, "Looks like there are fairies flying around them."

Finnick comes over and says, "Is there anything I can help with?"

I hand Finnick a cake box. "Actually there is. When I called Katniss earlier, she was sick. Can you go check on her? Go ahead and take that with you into the kitchen."

"I didn't know she was sick. Let me go see what is going on." Finnick walks into the house.

I try not to worry, but pull out my cell phone anyway. I quickly pushed her icon.

"Hey," she answers. She sounds hoarse. "You're here."

"I am. Are you ok?" I ask, trying to keep the worry out of my voice.

"I'm feeling a little rough. But that isn't going to keep me from walking down that aisle to you," she says with a smile in her voice.

"I wish I could see you. Even for just a minute," I said wistfully.

"I want to see you, too."

"Where are you?"

"I'm in the kitchen watching you," she giggles.

"Meet me at the front door." I smile as I grab my extra tie out of my truck. "Wait for me to knock, and then come out onto the porch."

I can hear the smile in her voice when she says, "Ok."

Five minutes later I knocked on the door, with my eyes blindfolded. I heard her come out and laugh softly. I reach for her, and she steps into my arms. She wraps her arms around me, and I pull her close to me. I can smell her hair and kiss her there. "Are you ok?" I asked.

She nods against me. "I feel better." I can feel her pull away so she can see me. "I like your blindfold. Don't lose it. We might need it for after."

I laughed with her. After I kissed her again I said, "Why don't you go ahead to Madge's and lay down for a minute. I'll go tell everyone where you are."

She stands on her tiptoes and kisses my chin. "Thank you. I think I will do that."

I bring her in for a long kiss that reminds us both of the promises we are about to make, to promise our love to each other. We part breathlessly, and I rests my forehead against hers so I can catch my breath. "Well, I do believe Miss Everdeen, that was my last kiss as a single man."

She giggles and kisses me again. "No, that one was."

Not to be outdone, I kissed her again. "No, I say that one."

Before we have another chance to kiss, Anna comes out. Even though I can't see the disapproval on her face, I can hear it in her voice. "I told you two, you can't see her, Peeta until the ceremony!"

"But Mom—"

"No! It's bad luck. You know about my sister. They saw each other and got divorced—"

"Mom!"

"What?" she says annoyed.

"I have a blindfold on."

"I'm going on to Madge's house, Anna. I guess come on over or call me if you need me." Then my wonderful bride kisses me again and says against my lips, "That is your last single man kiss." And then I can hear her boots walking away.

I wait for a moment, and say, "Is she gone, yet?"

"Take off the blindfold."

I ease it off and instead of finding a mad Mom, I see a woman who over the past few months has come to mean so much to me and Katniss. Before she has a chance to say anything, I wrap my arms around her. "I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, son. Let's go get you married."

~

"Are you feeling ok?" Prim asks me.

With a nod, I said, "I'm fine." And I slip my arms into the lace cap sleeves of my dress. I give a little wiggle and feel the dress settle around me. Madge zips it for me. I then looked at the dress and herself in the mirror.

It's a cream colored, cap sleeved, tea length dress. There is also lace overlay. I know that while some might think that it's too simple to be a wedding dress, I adore it.

The girl's dresses are completely different from mine. Prim and Annie picked out ones that are more of a mini than the tea length Madge picked. They are the same sunset orange.

"Before you even ask, I just came from your house. And yes, the men are dressed, and the boys are over here."

~

I can see the platform from the kitchen window. I can kind of see Peeta and the guys standing there. I turned to see Annie, Prim and Madge adjusting their dresses.

Delly comes rushing in at the same time the bluegrass band starts playing "You Are My Sunshine". I give Annie a nod, and she starts down the aisle. Madge follows, then Prim. The congregation doesn't miss the look that his parents have on their faces ready to spring into action any minute in case something happens.

When the band starts singing that is my cue. I step out the back door, with Roody on his leash and looks for Peeta. My breath catches in my throat and I watch him wipe his own eyes. He looks so handsome in khaki's, his navy linen jacket, his white shirt and sunset orange bow tie. I blinks the tears away

I walk down the aisle pausing when I get to the front. Peeta steps forward. I catch Peeta's eye and give him a smile.

Pastor MacLeod clears his throat and begins, "Friends and family, I would like to welcome you on behalf of Katniss and Peeta. Today we gather together to celebrate the coming together of these hearts."

Roody barks at him when he's left out.

"Oh, of course. And Roody Mellark too,"

I pet Roody on the head gently.

'Love is a miraculous gift, and a wedding is a celebration of that magic, and that is why we are here today. We are gathered together to be overjoyed for, and with Peeta and Katniss, who are so wonderfully suited to one another that it is a pure delight for the rest of us to see how happy two people can be.

"As the writer Richard Bach has so beautifully stated, "A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we're pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we're safe in our own paradise. Our soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction... Our soul mate is the one who makes life come to life.'

"Now Peeta, Katniss, join hands and please make your promises to one another."

Peeta looks into my eyes, smiles a million-watt smile at me and begins, "I Peeta, take you, Katniss to be my loving bride. For better or worse, I pledge to you my heart and my life. As you have been a loving mother and sister to your family, now let us come together as a family- mother, father and daughter, together from this day on. I promise to love, guide and respect Ariaya and Katniss with my whole heart for my whole life. With this ring," he slips the band of gold onto my finger, "I give you this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my bride this day and forevermore."

I wipe a tear before I begin, "I Katniss take you Peeta to be my loving husband. For better or worse, I pledge to you my heart and my life. I promise to love you with my whole heart for my whole life, everything I am and everything I have." I slipped his gold band onto his finger. "I give you this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my husband this day and forevermore."

"Amen." Pastor Macleod agrees. "Do you Peeta Mellark, take Katniss Everdeen, to be your beloved bride, knowing in your heart that you will be a faithful friend, and a loving companion? On this special day, in the presence of family and friends as witnesses, do you give your sacred vow that you will always be with Katniss and support her, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow? Do you promise to love her completely, to console and comfort her during difficult times, to laugh with her and to grieve with her, to share with her life's simplest but most enduring pleasures, to be truthful and honest with her, and to cherish her, for as long as you both shall live?"

This time, Peeta wipes a tear. "I do."

"Do you Katniss Everdeen, take Peeta Mellark, to be your beloved husband, knowing in your heart that you will be a faithful friend, and a loving companion? On this special day, in the presence of family and friends as witnesses, do you give your sacred vow that you will always be with Peeta and support him, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow? Do you promise to love him completely, to console and comfort him during difficult times, to laugh with him and to grieve with him, to share with him life's simplest but most enduring pleasures, to be truthful and honest with him, and to cherish him, for as long as you both shall live?"

I wipes more tears and says, "I do."

Annie and Finnick, who grabs his guitar, gather behind the microphones. They share a nervous smile, and Finnick begins to play.

Finnick: Dancin' in the dark

Middle of the night

Takin' your heart

And holdin' it tight

Emotional touch

Touchin' my skin

And askin' you to do

What you've been doin' all over again

Oh, it's a beautiful thing

Don't think I can keep it all in

I just gotta let you know

What it is that won't let me go

And then, Annie joins in: It's your love

It just does somethin' to me

It sends a shock right through me

I can't get enough

And if you wonder

About the spell I'm under

It's your love

Finnick: Better than I was

More than I am

And all of this happened

By takin' your hand

And who I am now

Is who I wanted to be

Annie joins in again: And now that we're together

I'm stronger than ever

I'm happy and free

Finnick: Oh, it's a beautiful thing

Don't think I can keep it all in, no

And if you asked me why I changed

All I gotta do is say your sweet name

Finnick and Annie: It's your love

It just does somethin' to me

It sends a shock right through me

I can't get enough

And if you wonder

About the spell I'm under

It's your love

Oh, baby

Oh, it's a beautiful thing

Don't think I can keep it all in

I just gotta let you know

What it is that won't let me go

It's your love

It just does somethin' to me

It sends a shock right through me

I can't get enough

And if you wonder

About the spell I'm under

It's your love

Several people wipe their eyes after that. Pastor MacLeod waits for everyone to give him their attention. He says, "By the power invested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you man and wife. Peeta, you may kiss your bride."

Peeta gathers me in his arms. Our eyes meet and Peeta slowly lowers his lips to mine. It's a sweet, long kiss. When Peeta pulls away from me, he gives me a smile and says, "Finally! My first kiss as a married man." My laughter rings out over the crowd, and they join me,, since they heard everything Peeta just said through the microphone he wears.

~

Somewhere in our busy backyard are my shoes. I hope they are under the table where I think I slipped them off before Peeta grabbed me to dance with him.

Then it is time to cut the cake. Peeta made a beautiful, two-tiered creation. It is iced in a light green icing, and he had made spring flowers to decorate it. Inside it is a simple white almond cake with raspberry filling. Then there are the cupcakes. There are at least 250 of them and they are chocolate, and strawberry, lemon and classic white.

Finnick calls out, "Smash the cake, Katniss!"

I just smile and shake my head at him. Peeta gently feeds me a piece of the cake. Then I pick up a piece and feed him. Many in the crowd say, "Aww!" and before anyone can say anything else, Peeta sweeps me into another dance.

~

We had already put our stuff into the Jeep before the wedding so we could make a quick getaway to the cabin. After ten minutes of goodbyes and thank yous, we run out to where it's parked on the street.

"Damn it," Peeta whispers.

"It's ok. They just wanted to have some fun." I looked all around the vehicle. "At least there isn't any shaving cream right on the paint."

We both laugh, knowing Finnick would probably do something like that. We get in the Jeep and drive off into the night for our honeymoon. In the rearview mirror, I see our friends and family waving back at us.

~

It's late when we finally make it to the cabin.

When we started planning the wedding, Peeta wanted to be in charge of the honeymoon stuff. The only thing I insisted on was that we have a couple of days where it's just us.

We made small talk about who was at the wedding while we drove. It's only about an hour to the cabin from the Capitol, so it isn't that late when we get there. It isn't until they pull into the driveway, and my stomach growls that I remember that all I had to eat was the bite of cake Peeta had fed me. My stomach is so loud that Peeta laughs and says, "I'm glad Mom packed us some food."

"Oh, she did? Thank God! I am so hungry."

He leans over and kisses me.. It's not one of those quick and fast ones, but slow and full of promise for what's coming. "Let's go eat," He says against my lips.

I can only nod, my nose rubbing against his. We get out of the Jeep, and I start to get our bags. He swoops me up and kisses my nose. "I'll get all that," and carries me onto the porch.

He struggles with the key, so I take it from his hand and unlocks it. I push the door open, and before he takes me in, he kisses me again. "I love you, Mrs. Mellark."

I gives him a shy peck back and says, "I love you too, Mr. Mellark."

"And, I love you too little Miss Mellark," he says and rubs my growing bump gently.

He crosses the threshold with me. He walks to the bedroom that we both think of as ours. When we are in there, he sets me down on my feet.

My hair is still up in the complicated braid that Prim had woven into it earlier. He wants to leave it in for now. Without a word, he cups my face, and kisses my lips, then my cheeks, my eyelids, my forehead.

I giggled and pulled away. "Are you going to kiss me all over?"

"Actually, before the night is over with, I think I will," he says with a grin. His mouth is open, getting ready to say something else, when my stomach growls.

"I think you need to feed me first," I said. "Will you unzip me?"

He grabs my shoulders and gently turns me so he can reach the zipper of the wedding dress. He runs his fingers down my back and I shivers in response. "Where is your bra?" he whispers in my ear.

I turned back around. "I don't have a white or a cream colored one. And the dress is so tight I didn't really need one. Can you go get our bags, please? And the food?"

"Yeah. Is there anything else you need out of the Jeep?"

"My purse."

He walks out of the bedroom and I carefully take my dress off. I walk over to the closet and hang it up. Then I reached for the lingerie box. I get the box and go into the bathroom to change.

I slipped the baby doll nightie on. I looked closer at myself now that I knew that I was pregnant. I glanced in the mirror to see if it's straight. And to my surprise, I can faintly see the vertical line starting at my belly button and reaching up. Rubbing the space around my button, I said softly, "Hey baby." And blinks back the tears that quickly come. I must be really tired, and it has been a long day.

I grabbed the old bath robe that I had kept here since I was 16. Good thing it looks so ratty. Peeta is going to be so surprised, I think to myself.

I hear him out in the kitchen warming the leftovers up. I pull the pins from my hair. It takes me a good couple of minutes to get them all. I go ahead and pull out the braids, too, so that my hair is in gentle curls falling past my shoulders. I look again in the mirror, satisfied, and go out to help Peeta.

He doesn't need my help. He has already made us a plate and has the table set with wine glasses and candles. He hears me approaching, but doesn't turn around. He starts to pour me a glass of wine, when I ask, "Did anyone include any of the tea? I think I would rather have that. Don't forget about little Miss. Can't have anything like that while she's there."

He glances at her over his shoulder, and to satisfaction, he has a hint of disappointment in his eyes when he sees my bathrobe. "I just put some in the refrigerator." And he moves to grab it.

I sit in my seat and enjoy the aroma of the dinner. Effie had made her lamb stew, while Haymitch made roast chicken. On Peeta's plate is the rare roast beef that was the other choice. Then there are new fingerling potatoes, asparagus and flower rolls.

I wait for Peeta to come and sit down beside me before I start eating. He sits and watches me for a minute. "I like your robe," he says.

"Oh, this old thing? I am ready to get comfortable." And I bring a bite of the chicken to my mouth. I have had Haymitch's roast chicken before, but this is the most delicious thing the man has even made. I give an appreciative groan and take another bite.

Peeta watches me and, with a laugh, he says, "I hope I can make you groan like that in a little bit." And then I reached across for a bite of his roast beef. This time, it's a grateful moan that escapes my lips.

"This is so good," I said in between bites. We don't say anything but enjoy our wedding feast quietly. Time flies and the night goes on. Peeta clears our plates.

"I'm going to go get more comfortable so we can get some sleep."

"You mean we aren't going to—"

"Oh I thought you were too tired." He says.

I loosened his bow tie and kissed him along his neck. He grabs my waist and moans into my touch. "I'm not tired. I feel much better now." I unbutton his shirt, freeing his buttons from their captivity. When I get to the end, I pull the shirt loose from his pants. He watches me as I push it off of his shoulders, and it lands on the floor. I gently push him until his legs are against the edge of the bed and he sits down. I crouches down and helps him off with his loafers.

I stand up, and without a word, pushes on his shoulders until he lands backwards on the bed. I crawl up on top of him so I can straddle his waist. He brings up his hands and gets the hem of the nightie I am wearing.

He rubs the orange silk in between his fingers and says, "This is beautiful. Did you buy this just for me?"

I said softly, "Actually, I bought this the weekend after you came home."

He sits up, with me still on his lap. He pulls me into a hug. "I have been such a fool." He buries his face in my neck.

I pull him closer still, and run my fingers through his hair. He looked up at me and I kissed him. He runs his hands up my back, and smiles against my lips when I shivers in his arms. "All we can do is move on from this moment." I press my forehead to his. "I love you."

"I love you and I plan on showing you how much every day from now on." He captures my lips in a kiss. He shifts, and I roll over onto my back. He kisses my shoulder and says, "I'm going to love you here," then he kisses my other shoulder and says, "and here." He leans back and plays with the tie that holds the nightie together. He meets my eyes and slowly unties it. He presses a kiss in between my breasts, and says, "And here."

He moves the scrap of fabric off of both of my breasts, and lightly runs his fingers over my nipples, enjoying the goose bumps that greet him. Pressing kisses to my neck, he follows the trail that he knows well, down to my breasts. He loudly sucks on nipple while he gently rolls the other with his fingertips. I run my fingers through his hair, and gently pulls on it when he sucks the nipple in deep and releases it with a bite. When I guide him to the other breast, he chuckles. "Are you getting impatient?"

"No," I breathlessly replied. "The other one is feeling left out."

"Well, we can't let that happen, can we?" He kisses the other breast, and then begins to tease it and bite it like he did the other one. I arched my back so he can take more of me in his mouth. He releases mr with a loud pop. I met his lips with a greedy kiss. This time I pushed him back onto the bed.

With a smirk on my face, I scoot down so my eye is level with his crotch. I tried to undo his pants, but I can't quite get the button loose. He returns my grin and reaches down to help me. We both work to get his pants off, with me tugging and he wiggling his hips.

"That was entirely too much work." I said. Then I slip his boxers off his hips, freeing his cock.

"Is it worth it?" he asks.

Before I answer him, I licks him from the base all the way to the tip. I love to see the look on his face when I do that, and he doesn't disappoint me. The mixture of bliss and anticipation is almost too much. I takes his head in my mouth and gently sucks on the mushroom top like I would a lollipop. I release him, and while I look up at him, I licks his slit. This time, I smile at the shutter that travels through his body.

He brings his hands to caress my hair. I isn't sure why, but when he does that, while I am doing this, it makes me feel loved and protected. As if I am answering him, I take his whole length this time, and buries him deep in my throat. He guides my head as I bobs up and down a couple of times.

I move off of him, leaving him wet and ready for me. I stand up, and slips my panties off, while he never takes his eyes off of me. Soon, I am climbing back up on the bed, and before he can catch his breath, I straddle him.

"Are you going to fuck me, baby?" he growls.

"I think I am," I moans back to him, and with his hands on my hips, he helps his new wife do exactly that.

~

I love waking up in his arms. Months and months ago, I decided that this was one of the best parts of life. And my first morning of being Mrs. Peeta Mellark, I want to enjoy this as long as possible.

"Let's hope this is the best honeymoon ever," I whisper to him and kiss his cheek.

"I hope so too."

~Many Months Later; the Birth of Ariya Rose Mellark~

Other than the almost regular contractions, the day went by pretty uneventfully. They didn't check my dilation and seemed happy to go by the monitors – as long as the baby was happy, there was no point in stressing anyone out. I seemed to become fixated by the numbers though, every time someone came into the room I almost asked them to check, but Peeta placed his hand on my back and calmed me a little with his eyes. Peeta was the only one to stay with me for a while after that, and he couldn't help but feel that just being there in the hospital was causing more stress than if we were at home. But it would always be a lose-lose situation as we wouldn't have the constant monitor of our baby at home. It took him a good hour to calm me down properly, the strengthening contractions which were now every 15 minutes or so also didn't help. But he knew this meant that it was getting closer. I knew this too but wouldn't admit it to either of us.

My water broke on their second full day in the hospital as I was pacing around our room. I froze as it happened, almost afraid that if I moved the baby might just slip out.

"It's ok, Katniss, it's meant to happen" Peeta told me soothingly, but I just eyes him suspiciously as dribbles of the fluid dripped down my legs. Peeta held tightly onto my arms and guided me slowly toward the bed where he made me sit down before calling for one of the midwives to let her know.

"Looks like we might have a baby soon then!" one of them said cheerily as she entered the room. She checked on the charts and looked over the contraction history on the right monitor, they were about 5 minutes apart now,

"I'll just have a check on your dilation, you're not in too much pain?" Just as she'd been asked, I felt the now familiar ripple of a contraction moving through my body and I tensed and gripped the bed sheets, Peeta spoke to the midwife as it was happening, while his hands rubbed around my back,

"They've been like this for an hour, maybe a little less" he said,

"We can give you something, there's-" the midwife started, but I cut her off quickly,

"No drugs" I snapped, still in the contraction, and the midwife didn't bother finishing her sentence. She checked the dilation when I was ready, although it felt much more uncomfortable now, even sitting was becoming awkward – it almost felt like I was going to sit on the baby and crush the head off of whatever surface it was I had sat on.

"Almost 8cm, and just about fully effaced" the midwife told us, she checked the baby's heart rate tracing for over the past few hours, "The baby doesn't seem to be minding the contractions too much right now, this little one has a nice steady heart rate." I ignored most of what the midwife was telling me,

"I want a natural birth, please, I don't want any interference"

the midwife nodded, "We can let you be alone as much as possible, but I'll have to come and check you regularly and need to be here once you're ready to push."

I nodded, accepting this, and the midwife left us alone. Peeta's parents, Effie and Haymitch, Prim, Annie, Finnick and Roody, were waiting in the waiting area,

"Just us," I told Peeta, "we need to do this alone, so we can tell little Mellark just how special it was" I hugged him as close to me as I could, and we shared this moment of peace.

It was the last moment of peace we had though as my contractions picked up after that. It didn't even feel like I had time to breath when one finished before the next would start,

"I have to get someone sweetheart, as much as you don't like it, I think it's time" Peeta told me nervously. With that he left. After however long, he came back.

"Lasted through this last one, Kat?"

I hadn't responded to him, so he pressed the call button and the midwife bustled in a few minutes later,

"All ready do you think?"

Peeta nodded and I remained in my position hunched over the side of the bed, moaning in pain. I had refused to scream so far, refused to admit that I was in pain all over, and that the worst pain wasn't physical. My heart felt like it was sinking, and my mind was replaying my memories over and over and over again.

When I had a moment of rest I spoke up, "I want to be on the bed" I said, and Peeta assisted me onto it and tried to help me get some comfort,

but there wasn't any to be had. I lifted my legs to allow the midwife to check me, "You're ready, now you can push if you really feel like you need to, but we don't want you pushing too long, you'll be using a lot of energy"

To me there didn't seem like a 'right' way to do this, if I started pushing too early I'd use all my energy, but I felt that if I didn't push that something was going wrong, I was broken out of my thoughts by Peeta,

"What do you want me to do baby?" he asked me, I didn't know, I hadn't thought this far, a contraction came before I could give an answer. It was so much more painful than the others, and involuntarily I let out a scream grabbing for Peeta's hand. I found it and clamped my grip down, his other hand held my leg as the midwife was indicating – apparently it would help,

"Please," I whispered, "Please don't leave me alone right now."

"It's ok, I'm not going anywhere, I'm here" Another contraction came and I bore down as instructed, I heard the midwife telling me I was doing well, but I couldn't care less about the woman right now, I wanted to just pause this so I could talk to Peeta, I panted when it ended, and took a few deep breaths to talk quickly before another came,

He supported me through the contraction, which quickly rolled into the next one,

"Focus Katniss" the midwife said, "bring your chin down onto your chest when you push ... good, good Katniss, keep going, just a little longer."

I huffed out when I could stop for a second of rest and I gulped air down. The midwife took a second to call for a second midwife who could set up and prepare the incubator.

"I can see the head Katniss, Peeta do you want to look?" she asked him,

"Don't blame me if it scars you for life" I remarked to him, he smiled a little and decided to wait,

"It's burning" I moaned as I started to push again, the midwife didn't say anything and Peeta kept encouraging and praising me,

"Just starting to crown now, catch your breath and one more and the head will be out" Fear and adrenaline ran through both our veins, We were terrified of everything at this point, our baby had always been fine on the monitor, but what if something happened as soon as it was outside the womb? Things happened, it could happen to us. I began pushing on my own accord without any guidance, I screams loudened, I was sure his parents and our friends would be able to hear from down the corridor, I swore loudly just once and the midwife began to prepare,

"Good girl Katniss, that's the head out" Peeta took his opportunity to look and see this miracle, he went back to me immediately,

"It's beautiful" he whispered, kissing my forehead several times before getting back into his position as I began to push again,

"Just the shoulders now" the midwife said,

and everything else seemed to happen so quickly. I flopped backwards with relief as I felt the baby move from my body completely. The midwife rubbed at the little body with a towel for what seemed like the longest second, and a tiny yet determined cry came from between my legs. Tears of joy and relief poured from both of our eyes, life was all we could think about. The life of our baby. How much it was wanted and loved already.

"Congratulations, it's a girl," the midwife said joyously, holding the baby up for us to see before suddenly placing her onto my chest.

More tears sprung from our eyes. A girl. My arms quickly found the baby, and the shook as I touched my daughter for the first time,

"Hi" I whispered to the crying baby lying on top of me, "hi." I didn't know what else to say. Peeta leaned down and gave the tiny baby a kiss on the forehead before turning to his wife,

"I'm so proud of you, both of you" he emphasised to our daughter, then kissed me.

The placenta had been delivered in this time and neither of us had noticed, for the midwife was now clearing everything up. The second midwife approached us and our newborn carefully,

"Congratulations" she said to us, "I just need to take the baby over there," she indicated the station across the room, in eyeline from the bed, "to check her over, but she's crying well, so it's a good sign her lungs are developed ok."

I didn't want to let her go, but I had to, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if there was something under the surface that was wrong and I hadn't let the baby be checked soon enough. Neither of our sets of eyes left our daughter, neither of us even wanted to blink. This midwife ran her checks twice and measured and weighed the baby, she wanted to be certain. When she was sure that the baby was alright, she wrapped her up in a soft blanket, placing a small white hat on her head, she turned to the us. We were practically staring her down,

"She's as good as gold, she's quite small, but I think we expected that, 16.5 inches long and she weighs 4 pounds 10 ounces" The numbers sound so small to me. I knew that Peeta thought I didn't pay attention to those things, but I did, and it did make my heart ache, but I still liked to know these things, I thought it would make Peeta happy.

"Do you want to come and get her, Daddy?" The midwife spoke up, Peeta's face broke into a smile and he eagerly rushed to our daughter, she looked so small bundled in the blanket and little hat. The midwife placed her gently in his arms. He couldn't keep his eyes off of her. Her own eyes were still closed, but she was making small cries, letting everyone know exactly where she was, he found that that was something he liked. She seemed to already know just what her parents needed from her. He took his steps carefully back over to me, who watched on tiredly, My eyes drooping a little, I needed rest, but I won't take any. He sat on the bed next to me, holding our daughter out so I could see. My fingers ghosted over the tiny face,

"She's so small" I whispered,

"You can rest, why don't I take her to meet her grandparents?"

My eyes snapped open, "No, she's not leaving my sight"

"Ok," Peeta gave a small smile, "You rest and we'll be right here" he said, moving to the chair next to the bed. I nodded sleepily and tried to keep my eyes open so I could watch Peeta marvel over the baby, but the exhaustion overcame me and I was asleep within seconds.

"I think it's time for something to eat," she said. I had still been asleep, but woke at this, and Peeta placed the baby into my open arms. The midwife helped me move my clothes and showed me the right position to hold the baby in and to get the angle of her head right, Peeta watched in wonder, enthralled by this. It took a few attempts, but eventually the baby got the hang of it and latched on to my breast looking for her first meal.

The next few hours were very much a blur of people streaming in and out – doctors doing some checks on the baby, the midwives checking for any bleeding from me, and then his parents of course, and a surprise visit from Prim. She'd arrived just in time to hear my screams and had gone and sat with Peeta's parents, waiting for the news. Eventually, after having let me have some rest and then giving our baby her first meal, Peeta went down the hallway to bring our families to see our daughter. He couldn't contain his grin as he went to see them,

They all gushed and had turns at holding our daughter, commenting on how small she was – it worried me, but Peeta's mother reassured me that she would grow soon and it would hardly be noticeable that she was tiny to start with. Roody took his chance to meet his new sister. He was gentle of course, as he always is. Gave her quite the startle when he licked her cheek.

"What's her name?" Prim asked while rocking the baby, Peeta and Katniss shared a glance, "We thought of one. Didn't know if it would stay" he said,

"I think it will stick." I added.

"Then, Ariya Rose Mellark it is." Peeta says with a smile.

"Aww, such a sweet pie, aren't you Ariya?" Prim cooed over the baby.

"You done, good Sweetheart." Haymitch said.

"Oh, I hope our little bundle is this sweet." Effie fawned.

Finnick and Annie couldn't get enough of their niece. Neither could Peeta's parents. Roody loved all the excitement and newness. He didn't want anything to happen to us.

After a few hours everyone left to give us some more time alone and time to rest, even though our baby seemed quite content with all the different people to gaze at. And a dog to lick and love her.

I sighed and looked longingly at the precious face before me,

"I love her so much already, I feel so ... so ...",

"Happy" Peeta finished for me,

I nodded and our eyes met, tears fell down both of our cheeks. We were a mix of mourning for our pasts, yet happiness for our future, for what this daughter brought to us.

~

Time came and went. I wouldn't have it any other way. Pain came and gone, but it has been taken care of by those we have close. Our two little girls, our handsome little son. Grandparents and aunts and uncles. Sisters and brothers. Everyone has been there. It will be all right now. That's what Peeta tells me everyday.

It's nice to have a life after going through hell. A family that is alright and happy. Someone to love me. I wouldn't have it any other way. Through thick and thin, Peeta has been there. Even when I pushed him away, he was there.

Finnick and Annie married then found out soon after the honeymoon they were having triplets. Not a surprise to any of us really. Prim is set with her life just being an Aunt and a sister. She'll be going off to school soon which breaks all our heart. Even though she says she'll visit on every break she has. Effie and Haymitch had their son. He plays with our children all the time. He looks just like his father. Gale took time outta the spotlight to find love. Who knew he and Madge were the perfect couple. Their wedding was so lovely. Peeta's parents are nothing but helpful and loving to us all. Me and my sisters finally came around to the idea of letting our parents in. It had been time. We all grew up. Turns out, it was worth the wait. We all moved on and learned. They apologize for the pain and the stupidity we all made. They love everyone of their grandchildren. And they learned to love us all again.

When we put our beautiful children to bed every night, i can't help but feel that life has been good to me. Even though it started rough. Arirya, who is a replica of me, is growing to be like her father. Mienah, who is a replica of Peeta, is growing to be like her mother. And our little Manson, a perfect mixture of the two of us is growing to be his own self. We hope our surprise Mellark will be the opposite of them all.

Peeta holds me in his arms every night as we drift off to sleep.

"You wouldn't change a thing in our lives, Real or Not Real?" He whispers as I nuzzle into my spot in his neck.

"Real.." I whisper, as sleep takes me to our dreams of the life we finally deserved.

The End..