You And I: Sequel

Chapter Twenty Four

***Peeta's POV***

I help Katniss and the two kids pack their stuff, they have to leave early tomorrow morning, long before court starts.

It was the only flight we could get at a reasonable cost on such short notice for all of them, and it leaves at 6:30 a.m. So we have to be at the airport by 5:00 a.m. I have two tickets for a flight that evening so if I win custody of Libbie at court than we should be able to leave by 7 tomorrow evening. But if I lose custody I will be going to California myself.

I grab another suitcase from the closest, the smallest one and I pull Cassie's clothes in it. I put in diapers, wipes, extra bottles, bibs, toys...

"Elijah is packed." Katniss says walking into the nursery. I nod, putting a few sleepers into the luggage. "I really don't have to leave you." I sigh at her. Ever since I told her she needed to be with her sister she has tried to talk me out of it. I will be fine, as much as I want her there Prim needs her.

"Yes you do." I say turning around from the dresser. She stands in the doorway with her arms crossed over her chest, looking at the ground. I know she hates the thought of leaving me in this hard time but she is stuck between a rock and a hard place, and I want her with her sister.

"I know what it's like to go through this alone and it sucks."

"I will have my family with me, my parents and brothers will be there. In fact my older brother is sitting right behind me the entire time and is going to testify if needed, Finnick and Annie will be there. I have people and I will be texting you as much as I can during the trial and I will call you as soon as I know." I try to assure her.

"Please call me, I don't want to lose Libbie." She says quietly. I reach out my hand and put my finger under her chin, lifting it so she has to look at me.

"It is highly unlikely."

"But not impossible."

"I would rather not hear that negativity the night before I fight to keep my daughter Katniss. What I need from you is a positive and encouraging view point, not the worse case scenario."

"I'm not trying to be negative, I'm being a realist. We don't know what tomorrow will bring."

"Well I could use something uplifting from you." I remove my hand from her chin and walk back to the suitcase, continuing to pack Cassie's stuff.

"Fine." she walks out of the room and again I sigh. It has been so stressful these past few days and it is taking its toll on both of us. I feel bad because I know she wasn't trying to bring me down and that she really was just speaking the truth.

I walk out of the nursery and to our room to talk to her, actually to apologize.

"Katniss I-" but she isn't in here. In fact the only thing in here is a notebook with writing on it. I walk to the bed and pick it up,

'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.' reads the paper from Romans 8:28. I smile at it because it's Katniss' handwriting. I turn around to find her maybe downstairs but she is walking in the room.

I go to her and wrap my arms around her.

"Thank you sweetie." I say,into her ear.

"No problem." She says back and I release her so she can finish packing as well.

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I sit in the airport with Libbie dressed as nicely as possible for court, Elijah and Cassie with Katniss who is preparing for her flight. Double checking, making sure she has bottles with her, toys, something for Elijah to do for the next four hours.

It is too early for this and I hate having to have Libbie up this early. Maybe she will go back to sleep later but we don't have much time. Everyone is meeting at our house for breakfast this morning before court starts so we need to get back and fix them food.

My brothers and their wives will be there, both coming from out of town to be here for me. My mother and father took off work from their busy life to support me, as well and Finnick and Annie. Any of these 8 people can testify in my favor if I need it, but the fact that Mackenzie just showed up little over three months ago should help me.

"So you should be in by what time tonight?" Katniss asks me, pulling me out of my thinking.

"I'm not sure. I will leave here at 7 but 4 in California time. So I should honestly get to the airport in California about 8. I don't know what time I will get to the house though."

"We will be at the airport waiting for you and Libbie." She says. She has tried to be more encouraging about the situation but now I am starting to see the point of view she had earlier.

"We will be there." I take her hand and wait for only 15 seconds before it is announced their flight is leaving. With a sigh we both stand up. Libbie gives Cassie a kiss and Elijah and Katniss a hug. I kiss Cassie, give Elijah knuckles and Katniss a kiss. We know that by the end of the day today we could have 3 kids permanently or have 1 part time. And because there are evil people like that out their it has cost us a lot more than just being separated.

Katniss smiles at me before giving me one more hug.

"I love you Peeta, stay strong today." She says into my ear.

"I will." I release her so she can go back to the other tow kids, getting them ready to fly. "See you soon."

"See you soon." I turn around and Libbie follows me out to the parking lot. I look at the time, 6:34. People will be at out house at around 7:10 so we need to really hurry. We drive down the expressway, listening to the radio, singing alone, and talking. It's the only thing we can do to try to keep our minds off our current situation.

Song after song comes on, each better than the last but made worse by our off tune singing. Songs we don't know we talk during, trying to focus things on school for her. I look over to see she is still wearing the necklace I gave her from our date.

In fact, I don't think I have seen her not wearing it.

"Before we get home I want to talk about Mackenzie." I say.

"Alright, what about her?" She asks.

"What do you do when you go there?"

"Well, we usually go out for dinner at least one night. And then they have a downstairs movie theater which is pretty cool so we watch movies." How do I compete with a movie theater? I can't help but sigh.

"Okay." It's really not fair that she can do that. Of course Libbie will want to go there and get spoiled, what fourteen year old wouldn't want to? Heck if I was 14 again I would want to.

We drive home in almost silence, just the radio playing but neither of us singing to it. We get back to the house where we rush inside and begin making breakfast, Libbie does eggs and toast while I handleeverything else. After she finishes I tell her to set the table and she does.

If I lose her I'm losing a lot more than just a person. I'm losing a lot of help, and most of my joy.

People begin showing up, my parents are first and they help us finish up. After Finnick and Annie get her we decide to sit down. Five minutes later my brothers busy in with their wives. They are always late.

We sit, say Grace and have special prayer for court and things to work in the best I interest of Libbie. honestly I'm starting to question what that is. I want to know what Libbie wants to do but I haven't exactly gotten an answer. Though I'm not sure I want one at this point.

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Hey! Sorry for the short chapter!!

I will update very very soon I promise!

I love you all!! <3

(May I bring your attention to the Oregon shooting and ask you to join me in prayer for the families of those who lost their lives, were injured, the family of the gunman, and our nation. Thank you. P.S. Us this hashtag. The gunman singled out Christians and their last words would have went along the lines of this. Thank you everyone! #IAMACHRISTIAN )