PEETA

It had been about a month since we had visited Finnick and Annie in District Four. Katniss and I had been planning on how to start rebuilding the bakery and our home. For now we were still staying at Katniss's old house while we tried to get the bakery rebuilt. We hope to get it done in time for the babies to arrive. At least for our house. We want to have our home separate from the Bakery. A disaster of a fire destroying everything is not what we want again. And this time with our children, we don't want to risk it. But, for now, her family welcomes us with open arms. They are really excited for their grandchildren to be born.

The sun shines into the windows early this spring morning. I watch Katniss rest peacefully beside me. Her precious form is absolutely gorgeous. She hates how she looks now. Says she's fat and hideous. But I could never see her that way. Glowing as she keeps our children safe within her. I can sense her eagerness and nervousness. It is getting worse for me as well. It's only a few more weeks until our girls come into the world. I know the thought of that scares her. No matter how many times I try to reassure her it will be okay. Her mother will be helping bring them into the world. Even that terrifies her. I get up carefully from bed. Trying not to wake her up.

Lupus looks at me from his bed in the corner. He looks at me with his head turned. I smile and beacon him to come with me. He wags his tail and gets up from his bed. He follows me to the door and I open the door carefully and quietly as to not wake up Katniss. We go downstairs. Katniss's mother and father are in the kitchen. The smell of coffee wakes me up more.

"Good morning, Peeta. Lupus," Mr. Everdeen greets.

"Good morning, sir," I say.

"Morning, Peeta," Mrs. Everdeen says with a smile.

I nod at her and return the smile.

"Katniss still sleeping, then?" She asks.

"Yeah. She was really tired. The babies are draining her energy," I explain and sit at the bar stool.

"I bet so. She's already nine months. Let's hope it will be over soon," Mrs. Everdeen says.

"I want to see my grandchildren," Mr. Everdeen adds.

"How is your home and the Bakery coming along, son?" Mr. Everdeen asks.

"Fairly well, I suppose. Winter took us out of commission since the snow. I was hoping to get at least our home done before the babies came, but that could be any day now," I explain.

"Well, I may be old, but I sure can lend a hand for my son-in-law," He says, giving me a warm smile.

"Oh, I couldn't ask you for that, sir," I say.

"Nonsense, my boy. I hardly do anything with the time on my hands. It's the least I could do," He says.

I can't help but smile. The effort he's made since Katniss came back is tremendous. It means a lot to her I know that.

"Well, you boys better be careful. Neither one of you can be out of commission in the next few weeks. It will be very busy," Mrs. Everdeen warns, with a smile and twinkle in her eye.

Lupus suddenly yips and we turn around to find a sleepy Katniss standing in the doorway.

"What time is it?" Katniss yawns.

"8 am, love," I say and go to her.

I hold her in my arms and she puts all her weight on me. Resting her head in the crook of my neck.

"Your father and I are going to do more work on the house and the Bakery today," I say.

"Okay, but Lupus stays with us," She says.

I laugh and kiss her temple. "Love you, Kat."

~

Even though it is spring, the sun feels like summer. Maybe it is the strenuous labor, who knows. The tales of the Seam being nothing but dirty, stubborn, people are wrong. They have been nothing but generous and kind to help. I knew Katniss was stubborn. No lying about that. But the people here are much better than the Merchants in town. Haymitch and Mr. Everdeen are helping a lot. Haymitch was the one to start this whole project off. With the offers from Finnick and Annie, we got a lot of supplies to get things going. No help from my family, which didn't surprise me. They never want to help me. They haven't spoken to me since Katniss and I told my mother she was pregnant.

"Hey, Peeta. Where should I put this?" A man asks me.

"Just over there," I point.

I take a breather from moving the boards around and look at the progress. The house is only missing a few more things. We could move into it in a few days time. The Bakery is a little bit farther behind. The interior is almost done, yet the supports and roof are not even started. I miss the Bakery. I miss my Bakery. But this one will be ours. My own family, and not anyone else.

"Peeta, you may want to get over here," Haymitch says.

I look over and see my mother walking in the Seam. My brothers are with her as well. She spots me and then marches to us.

"Peeta Mellark! Just what is going on here?" mother yells at me.

"I'm building my Bakery, mother. Since the family one burned down," I say, trying to stay calm.

"That goes against the will your father made!" she says.

"Actually, Melina, the boy has his right. It was in the clause that in case anything happened to the Bakery, he would get right to the Bakery. Whether he built it, or it was rebuild. It's his right. Maynard wrote it in clear letters. He told me so about this," Haymitch counters.

"Don't tell me what I know, Abernathy. I know what my husband said. What he wanted was for someone to inherit the name and keep the Bakery alive in the Mellark name, then he had to go find that Seam brat and ruin everything," Mother says.

"Don't you dare talk about Katniss that way, mother!" I bark.

"She ruined everything your father had for you. That Seam brat got you wond up with her worthless spawn and retched ways," Mother says.

"How dare you talk about my daughter that way! You have no right!" Mr. Everdeen defends.

"Enough, Mother!" Rye speaks up.

That quiets us all.

"You have never done anything but abuse him. This is not what father wanted nor intended. If the will said something, then father meant it. Let him be. You act like he isn't even your son when he is," Rye says.

"Why have we ever let this happen anyways? He's our brother. Haymitch is right. And we'll stand by him. I'm sorry, mother," Devan says.

"Now, let us work in peace and leave me and my family alone," I say.

She scowls and turns away. "Aren't you coming?" She asks Rye and Devan.

"No, we aren't. We're with Peeta," Rye says.

She leaves without another word.

"Thank you, guys," I say to my brothers.

"Of course. We're sorry it took us this long to see Mother's ways and stand up to her," Devan says.

"So, need any help?" Rye asks.

"We could always use help. I hope to get this done before my children come," I explain.

"Well, let's get to it then," Devan says.

~

By sundown, we managed to get my home done. I can't wait to bring Katniss home. To our home. Patching things over with my family has helped a lot. It took so much wait off of me I never knew was there. Mr. Everdeen, Haymitch and I swing by the Hob after to get a drink. It feels nice to actually connect. I know I have been, but it's different almost. It feels like I never lost my father. With a father figure, and a father in law, things feel new. And moving forward and better. I say my thanks and goodbyes to Haymitch and Mr. Everdeen and I head back to Katniss's home.

Upon arrival we find no sign of Mrs. Everdeen or Katniss or even Lupus.

"Katniss?"

"Liylah?"

Katniss's scream comes from upstairs. My heart nearly jumps out of my chest. I race up the stairs and try to find them. I see Lupus standing outside of the bathroom door wagging his tail. I pound on the door.

"Katiss, are you okay?" I almost panicked.

"Peeta," I hear her get out painfully.

"Mrs. Everdeen, what is going on? Is she okay?" I ask.

I get no answer to my question.

I sit down on the floor and wait. Lupus joins me. I can hear Mr. Everdeen pacing downstairs. My heart is pounding and Lupus is the only one who can keep me calm. After what seems like an eternity the doorknob starts to twist. I stand up and Lupus does too. The door opens and I see Mrs. Everdeen supporting Katniss. I go to take Katniss from her and hold her close.

"Mrs. Everdeen, what happened? Kat, are you alright?" I ask.

"Some false labor pains made her bleed. The babies are fine, I assure the both of you. She's just in a bit of pain. She needs to rest, Peeta. Until it is time for her to be due. Which could be any day now," Mrs. Everdeen explains.

Katniss leans into me and moans quietly. She supports her stomach with one hand, and holds onto me with the other.

"I finished our home today, with help. Can we go to it?" I ask.

"Hmm. If that would make Katniss more comfortable, then yes. Otherwise, I suggest she stays put and rests," Mrs. Everdeen explains.

"I don't care. I want to go to bed, please? I'm in pain.." Katniss whimpers.

"Okay, Kat. Let's get to bed," I say and kiss her temple gently.

I gently move with her to our room. I set her down as gently as I can trying not to cause her anymore pain.

"Can I lay with you, Katniss?" I ask.

"Gently," She says softly, with a small groan.

I try as gently as I can to lay beside her. My heart aches for her. I look into her grey eyes that are laced with pain. I brush the hair off of her face and plant a kiss on her forehead. I gently place a hand on her stomach. I feel the babies moving almost violently inside of her.

"You two need to knock off whatever you're doing, girls. I know the room is tight, but you'll be here soon. You're hurting your mother. Give her a break and let her rest for once, yeah? You silly girls. Already causing trouble before you are here even. We love you and can't wait to see you both. Our precious little Bugs. Just hang tight for now and let Mommy sleep, alright?" I tell her stomach gently.

"I'm scared, Peeta. What if I can't do it? What if something goes wrong? What if I lose them again? I can't handle that. I'm so nervous. What if they don't like me? What if I-"

I cut her off with a kiss. "Enough of what if's Katniss," I say and pull away. "You'll be an amazing mother. You're strong, kind and stubborn and caring. These girls will be lucky to have you as a mother. It's going to be scary. I am scared as hell too now that we are this close. But we have people to help us. And I'll never leave your side. Never. I love you. So much,"

"Will you stay with me?" She asks and nuzzles her head into my chest, wrapping her arms around me tightly.

"Always,"