You And I: Sequel

Chapter Twenty One

***Katniss' POV***

"Merry Christmas Peeta." I say through the computer screen. I am sat with Elijah and Cassie in my room at my parents house. It is currently 8 a.m. here which means it is 11 a.m. there.  

"Merry Christmas. How is my family enjoying their holiday?" He smiles at us but something seems different. His smile looks fake. 

"We are good, we have been to Gale's already for Elijah to see his dad and get his gifts." I say looking at Elijah. 

"Yeah, hey dad! I got a new video game." He says excitingly. 

"No way, which one?" Then they get into a discussion about a video game and playing it when we get back. I try to ignore video game talk because I think it will rot his brain, plus there is a knock on our door which makes me stand to answer it. It's Prim, smiling at us. 

"I hope I'm not interrupting but Cedric is here and I would like you to officially meet him." My little sister is engaged and I haven't officially met her fiance, only over skype. But we have been waiting for him to get here to begin our Christmas. And while I know the reason, my father likes Cedric better than Peeta. Simply because he has had to give a lot of trust to him that he hasn't had to with Cedric. 

"Sure, let me just say goodbye to Peeta." 

"Okay, can I take Cassie?" She ask. I smile and hand Cassie over to her. She giggles as Prim gives her many kisses and carries her off. I go back to the computer where their discussion of the baseball video game is just ending. 

"Alright Elijah, say goodbye." 

"Bye dad." He says. 

"Bye buddy, see you on Friday okay?" 

"Awesome! Then we can play the game." I tell Elijah to go downstairs and wait for me. As soon as he runs out of the room I turn back to Peeta. 

"Are you enjoying your time with your family Katniss?" 

"I am, thank you so much Peeta. How are you holding up? Are you alright?" I ask. 

"Why wouldn't I be?" 

"You just seem bothered."  He gives me a small smile before answering me again. 

"I'm fine I just miss you. It's so weird going to bed without you." 

"That's how I feel, but don't worry Cassie still wakes me up. Where is Libbie?" 

"She stayed at my parent's house last night which meant I had the entire, empty house to keep me company." I understand being in a house alone and I hate it. It's like the silence is screaming at you. 

"We can come home sooner if you would like." 

"No no, I will have Libbie back tonight." He says and then looks away for a moment as if deciding something before he sighs. "Listen, I need to talk to you as soon as you get back so I'm going to see if my brother would like to have the kids over for a sleep over with their cousins. It's important." 

"You can tell me now." I say. I'm sure this has something to do with Mackenzie, that is the only thing that upsets him anymore. This lady needs to get lost, she has caused enough trouble for all of us. 

"I will wait. But I believe I heard Prim say something about you meeting Cedric? You should probably do that." 

"Okay Peeta, but we will talk right when I get home." I say. "I love you. Tell Libbie I love her too." 

"I will, and you give Cassie a kiss for me." He says. "I love you more." 

"You wish." I roll my eyes and he laughs before I end the call. I wonder what is going on with him. It could be work but that seems to be the last thing on his mind anymore. Maybe Mackenzie tried to meet with Libbie for Christmas either by phone call or she possibly got our address. Maybe she sent a gift for Libbie. A gift.  Darn it! I quickly call Peeta on my phone and wait for him to answer, which honestly doesn't take long. He always has his phone with him.