~ 1 Month Later ~

Peeta's P.O.V.

It has been one month since the tragedy struck Katniss and I. She had a miscarriage and we lost our child. Things have gotten better. We still are hurt. The tears are done now. Now just the time to be with each other and grieve is upon us. No one except Haymitch, Liza and us knows what has happened. No one else really needs to know. Since they aren't as close to us as they are. We held a small memorial in the meadow. We laid a small pile of rocks next to the grave of Prim and Buttercup. I painted a rock with a dandelion and set it there. Katniss picked wild flowers and surrounded the pile of rocks. They will be safe here and surrounded by those who care. And we can be here for them. Whoever they may have been. They would've been loved here on earth. By Katniss and I and he or she's family. But things are better now. We don't plan to have a child anytime soon. I don't want to push her. We just grow in other ways. Katniss's mother suggested we try to start something new. Not a family. So we are renovating the home. A new kitchen, bathroom for us, an art studio for me, and even a garden out back. They are all done. The garden is growing and is full of vegetables already. The kitchen is a new color and style. The bathroom is nice. And my art studio is really great. 

Katniss spends a lot of time in the garden. And we both cook. I taught her how to bake. And she can now. Not as good as me, of course. But we both can do more. She teaches me how to hunt with her and Gale. I'll never be as good as them. I do a lot more paintings and art works. My art is mainly nature, but in my sketches... they are all Katniss. Of her beauty.. her smile.. her eyes. I really do love her so much. I wonder why I have her. But then I know why. She and I were meant to be. From the action of me giving her the bread all those many years ago.. it set our destiny in place. I didn't realize until our loss came upon us. A loss I will never allow to happen. Today is her birthday. May 8th. I want this day to be a great day for her. She'll turn 24 years old. I am up in the studio to make her a present. I get lost in the strokes of the brush. And the development of each color. I hear the soft creak of the floor in the hall. And then the clicks of claws. Daisy is getting bigger and bigger. Her coat is full of more color. She truly is a great dog. Katniss and Gale use her a lot to catch fowl. She is a great companion as well. She'll sleep with us when we have a hard night. And always stay with Katniss when I am gone at the Bakery. Since Buttercup left to join Prim, she is better with Daisy. In no way is she a replacement. But she has another place in our hearts. I feel a part of me starting to feel a part of me I hate. My mind. The part that is poisoned by President Snow. I try not to let it surface to my reality.

I fight it. A knock comes from the door. "Hey Peeta, I'm making us tea. I'll bring it up when it is done." Katniss says.

"Y-Y-Yeah. Thanks, Kat." I say keeping my composure.

I hear her and Daisy's steps recede. I stand and hold onto the chair. I squeeze my eyes shut. I try to keep the thoughts away.

'My name is Peeta Noah Mellark. My home is here in District 12. Katniss Marie Mallark is my wife. We were in the Hunger Games, and the Quarter Quell. We won the Revolution. Snow is dead. Our lives are safe.' I tell myself over and over.

The flashback still tries to make its way into my veins.

'She's a mutt, Peeta! Don't tell yourself anything else! That's all she is! She killed your family! Your child was lost because her! You have to make sure she doesn't hurt you! Kill her!' A voice yells at me.

'No! I won't! I love her!' I say back.

'How could you? Didn't you want a child? She didn't tell you until it was dead! She's taken so much from you. She will continue to, if you don't do something.' The voice says.

"No she won't!!" I yell and let go of the chair.

I hold my head in my hands.

'It's not real. It isn't true, Peeta. Fight it! Don't let him take you from her!!' I think.

My hands make fists. I squeeze them and I can feel my hands losing circulation. I can hear someone approach. A soft knock comes soon after. I hear the knob being turned.

"Don't come in!! Go, Katniss! I don't want to hurt you!!" I yell.

I feel her arms wrap tightly around me. "I'm not going anywhere. I love you too much to leave." She says.

My breathing becomes heavier. I feel the old tracker jacker venom seem its way into my reality. I'm gone. I get out of Katniss's grasp. I shove her down. She gasps.

"You want my death now! Don't you?! You're a mutt who killed all the things I love! You can't stay alive!! I'll kill you!!" I yell at her.

"I love you, Peeta." She says.

"No you don't! You never will! So I never will!" I yell.

She gets up. But doesn't get too far. I get a hold of her. I pin her on the wall. She lets out a cry but I don't care. I close tighter and tighter.

"No! Stop, Peeta! This isn't real!" She cries out.

"It is very real, you mutt!!" I yell.

Daisy comes into the room. She barks at me and growls. "Get away you dumb dog!" I say to her and push her away. She barks at me still. I focus on ending the mutt's life in my grasp. I suddenly hear someone tries to pull me away from her.

"Peeta! Let go of her!! Get off of her!!" Haymitch says.

"She's a mutt! She has to pay!!" I say and grip tighter.

I suddenly feel my body tense, then go numb. I black out.

~

Katniss's P.O.V.

"KATNISS!!!" Prim yells.

I turned around to see her running for me. "Prim!" I say.

She embraces me with a hug. I realize this isn't a nightmare after all. It's a dream.

"Am I...?" I ask her.

She lets me go. "Not yet. Or anytime soon." She says.

"Then where are we?" I ask.

"Well.. it's a nice place. Not where I am. But, just a place to wait." She says.

"Am I going with you?" I ask her.

She shakes her head no. "Not yet. You can't come yet, Katniss. Even though I know you want to. Peeta needs you. And so does everyone else on earth. But I can be with you now, at least until you wake up." She explains.

"I don't want to wake up, Prim. I need you still." I say.

"I know. I wish I could be there. But life will get better. Sooner than you think." She says.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Sadly... I can't say. You have to find out yourself." She says.

I nod and sigh.

"I saw your wedding. It was lovely Katniss. You looked beautiful. Thanks for the place for me." She says.

I smile. "Thank you, Little Duck." I say.

"We all miss you a lot. But we are proud of you." She says and hugs me again.

"I miss you all too." I say.

"And Katniss?" She says.

I let her go.

"You'll make a great mother in time. Your son would've loved you as a mother." She says.

"I... would've had a ... son?" I say.

"Yes. And it's not your fault he was lost." she says.

I nod and smile a bit. "He has your eyes. And Peeta's hair." She says. "But I bet your future children will look even more beautiful. I can see them. They want to meet you when you are ready. But.. don't force yourself to now, if you aren't prepared.. Okay?" She says.

"I won't." I say.

"Good. I hate to see you so hurt." She says.

I hug her tightly. "I love you so much Prim. I'm sorry." I say softly.

"It's alright. I know you tried to. But I'm okay now. I promise." She says.

I feel some tears fall.

"Could you promise me something, Katniss?" she asks.

I let her go. "Of course." I say and sniffle.

She wipes my face. I look at her. She smiles. She's so different from when she was alive.

"Don't give up on him. He loves you. And I know you do too." She says.

"I won't. I swear." I say.

"Good. Then do me one last favor." She says and gives my hand a squeeze.

"Anything, Little Duck," I say.

"Wake up." She says, then fades into a bright light.

~

The all too familiar sounds off a hospital brings me to being consciousness. The light of the room makes me wince. I close them tight. I groan a little when I feel the pain come to me. I opened my eyes again. I see my mom situating things on my bedside table and reading over my chart. Haymitch is asleep in the chair by my bed.

"Mom," I croak weakly.

"Oh Katniss." She says and sits beside me. She strokes my face and give me a smile.

"Where..." I can't get much out after that. It turns into a wheeze and cough.

"He's alright Katniss." Haymitch says.

"I had to give him something to calm him down, nothing to hurt him." Mom says.

"We had to make him let you go." Haymitch says.

I nod.

"Let your voice rest a bit, alright? I can get him for you." Mom says.

I nod again.

She smiles and gives my shoulder and loving squeeze. I smile back at her. She leaves the room. I sit back in bed.

"He's really shaken up, Sweetheart. He loves you a lot. Felt really bad when I told him what he'd done." Haymitch says.

"I... lo-ve.. him too." I get out.

"I know. And he knows it too." He says.

The door suddenly opens. My heart lifts and I feel tears fall.

"Katniss.." He says. I can tell by the look of him, he's been hurt.

He comes and sits next to me. He breaks down. I hug him. Haymitch nods at me and then leaves. I let him go. I hold his face in my hands. I use my thumbs and wipe his tears.

"I'd.. like to apologize, Katniss. I'm sorry. This must've been the worst day of your life." He says.

"I haven't had many. But this wouldn't be one." I say. I kiss him. "I forgive you."

I rest my head on his and hold my hands to his cheeks. He holds my hands there.

"You love me, Real Or Not Real?" He asks.

"Real." I say.

"I'll try to fight it, really Katniss." He says.

"You don't have too. I won't leave. No matter how bad you get." I say.

"No, Katniss. I'm a monster." He says and moves away from me. "You may have to." He says.

"No you won't. I swear. I'll survive." I say.

"But I'm trying. Because I have you... I will fight for you." He says.

"And I'll fight for you, Peeta. Always." I say.

"You're still trying to protect me, Real or Not Real?" He asks.

"Real. That's what you and I do. Protect each other." I say and kiss him.

"Will you stay with me?" He asks as I pull away.

"Always." I say.