Fighting (Sequel to Fate)

Chapter 32

I shake my head and look down at my round stomach. "It's funny how your greates fear changes so quickly," I say. "At first, I was worried about the baby being born into a world where the Hunger Games exist. Then I was worried about the baby being born here in Thirteen. But none of that matters to me now. The only thing I'm scared of is that Peeta won't be there with me."

"Let me put it this way," Haymitch says. "Do you honestly think that there's anything in this world that boy will let stand in the way of being there for you and that baby when the time comes?"

"No," I say as I shake my head. "But I know something's changed in him. What if he doesn't remember that I'm his wife and this is our baby?"

"Then you'll have to make him remember," Haymitch says as he stands up. "Listen, kiddo, get some rest. And don't worry, okay? I'll come get you the second it's safe for you to go into Peeta's room."

I nod my head and give him a sad smile. "Thank you, Haymitch." He nods once, and then leaves the room. I take a deep breath and lay back in the bed, laying a hand on my big belly.

"How are you doing, baby girl?" I talk to Willow softly. "Promise me something. If it's possible, please stay put long enough for your Daddy to get better. You are everything to us, and I know that it would mean the world to him if he could be there for your birth, even if he doesn't know it right now. And I'm going to need him there with me. So you need to hold on as long as you can, okay?"

Willow gives a small kick, and I smile.

"I hope that's a 'yes,'" I whisper. "But if not, that's okay too. I just want you to be healthy, and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that happens. And that means that I need to make sure I stay calm, because if I'm not calm that affects you."

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. "I love you, Willow. And I'm going to make sure that no matter what, you're going to have the best childhood possible."

It takes only a few more minutes before I finally doze off.
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It's two days until I finally hear any more news about Peeta. When I do, it's definitely not what I was wanting to hear.

"So Peeta thinks I'm a mutt?" I ask Haymitch unbelievably. "Not only does he not remember that I'm the mother of his child, but now he sees me as a Capitol creation?"

Haymitch just looks at me, so I know I have my answer.

"Great," I say sarcastically as I throw my hands up in the air. "That's just... That's great. Fantastic. Thank you so much for brightening up my day."

I begin to walk off, but Haymitch reaches out and grabs my arm.

"Now don't go shooting the messenger here, Sweetheart," Haymitch says. "I'm just telling you what I saw. The second I mentioned your name..."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I heard you the first time," I say angrily as I pull away from Haymitch's grip. "Peeta went ballistic and started yelling 'keep that mutt away from me!'"

"Look, once he calms down, I'll go back in there. He needs someone familiar to talk to him."

"You just have to stay clear of mentioning me, right?" I say unhappily.

"Katniss," Haymitch sighs. "It's not gonna be like this forever. You have to be patient until he gets better."

"If he gets better," I say. "Haymitch, this is too much for me. We're in the middle of a war. We're being forced to live underground. I'm a little under three months away from giving birth. I'm huge, I'm miserbale, and now my husband thinks I'm a mutt. It's too much."

"I didn't say any of this is fair, Katniss, but it's just the way that it is," Haymitch tells me. "You have to deal with it."

I bite my lip and take a deep breath.

"Send me in to talk to him."

"What?" Haymitch says. "Katniss, that's a crazy idea."

"You just said yourself that he needs someone familiar to talk to him."

"And I also said that he was calling you a mutt and he's not too happy with you right now."

"Haymitch..."

"No."

"He can't hurt me. He's still restrained isn't he?"

"Well, yeah," Haymitch says slowly as if he doesn't want me to know. "But this isn't just about you."

I roll my eyes. "If he can't hurt me, he can't hurt the baby."

"It'll just upset you, and that's not good for you right now," he points out. "And it's not going to help Peeta either if it just causes him to go haywire again."

I can feel my hands clench up at my sides.

"I need to see him, Haynitch."

He sighs and shakes his head. "Once. Just this one time. Please listen to me. It will be best for all three of you if you stay away until he's ready to see you."

"And if that doesn't happen?"

"It will," Haymitch says matter-of-factly. "Katniss, Peeta still loves you. His mind is just confused right now. But he will remember that he loves you. I can promise you that. It's just going to take some time."

Tears of aggravation begin to form in my eyes, and Haymitch reaches out to lay a hand on my shoulder.

"Katniss, trust me. I'm just trying to look out for you, alright?"

"Fine," I sigh. "I'll stay away. Gosh, Haymitch, this is one of the worse days I've ever had."

"Then maybe the good news that I have will make it better."

I freeze at the familiar voice and turn around to see Finnick walking towards us.

"I... I thought you were in the Capitol," I say in a shocked tone.

"I was," he replies. "But they flew us back this morning."

"Why?" I ask. A big smile spread across Finnick face.

"We got Snow."
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Ahh! I got so excited writing this chapter! My friend is helping me with the next couple of chapters, so it should be good!

Also, I feel like this is a good place to end this, so I will have the next book up soon!! Be looking for it!!!