Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today so that I, your dear writer, may provide you with .... The next installment .....
Katniss's POV
Once the stage lights go out everyone is practically dragged of the stage and back towards our rooms. I can feel the gaze of the other victors upon me as they try to figure out if what Peeta had said was real. Moving my free hand down the front of my dress I straighten it out and put my hand over my bump so that it can be seen clearly but all the while I do not drop Peeta's hand. I have a feeling Snow isn't going to be impressed with the show and I don't fancy being split apart from Peeta right now.
We don't say a word as we are guarded the whole way back to our room, the peacekeepers only leaving as after we had shut the door to our living quarters. "Talk about lack of trust huh?" I laugh.
"Hmmm something tells me they're had to do that before...." I hear Peeta chuckle as I enter my room.
Leaning against the door frame I pop my head around the door to peer back into the living room where Peeta is taking off his suit jacket. "Hey Peeta! Do you reckon they've had to escort Haymitch back after a one too many to drink?"
"I think they'll have done it many times Kat don't you?!" He says causing us both to laugh.
I walk further into my room and stand in front of the full length mirror just admiring the dress Cinna has made for me. I'm in utter awe of it as the work he has done with it to make it transform from what was my wedding dress. I love it so much but I know dear old President Snow will not. It's goes against everything he wanted but I think that's what makes it all the more perfect.
As I go to take it off I run my hands down the sides in an attempt to find a way to take it off but I cannot. Feeling along the back of the dress I catch a zip going up the centre. Of course it is. It wouldn't be easy to take off would it. Reaching over my shoulder I stretch to attempt to grab a hold of the zip to pull it down but can barely reach it. Giving up I walk back into theft one room where Peeta is, "Wanna unzip?" I ask turning my back to him. He doesn't say a word and I can't help but laugh as he just unzips it without question but a I have my arms wrapped around the frontier does not fall. "Hey Peeta? Do you think anything will come from your interview tonight?" I shout through to him as step out of my dress and into some silk green pajamas.
"I don't know Kat... But I had to try. Besides, even if it doesn't stop the games maybe it will get you some more sponsors while you're in there." I step out back in to the front room as he speaks and catch him running his hand trough his hair.
"Well thank you anyway," I say giving him a quick peck on the lips, "but you could have given me a bit of warning!" I say pushing him backwards so he falls on to the couch behind him, "I was stood here like a lemon!" I say sending him into fits of laughter.
When he finally calms down he replies, "it wasn't my plan. It was after talking to Cinna actually. He had no say in the clothing worn in the games so wasn't sure if what it was could cover your bump and that maybe admitting it may help you," he says with a smile as he sits himself up.
"Well all we can do now is wait," I say snuggling in to his side, "maybe Haymitch and Effie will have some news."
We wait there for what seams like hours. Peeta running his thumb across the side of my arm, I'm almost as sure it's as comforting for me as it is for him. Eventually, after about an hour since the interviews Haynitch and Effie return.
"The baby bomb was a stroke of genius... Sadly the games are still on," Haymitch says as he and Effie walk into the room.
I turn to Peeta as they sit down on the sofa infront if us, "Would you like to tell him or should I?"
He smiles slightly giving my hand a squeeze and turns to look at Haymitch and Effie, "I didn't expect it to stop the quell but I had to try. I had to try and save them...." He is drowned out as Haymitch interrupts what he is saying to speak himself.
"Effie it's time for us to go."
She doesn't take him on just goes to speak to me, "Katniss do you know where my purse is from the other night..?
Haymitch shakes his head as he knows she it's taking him on, "Effie we really need to go..." He says again.
"Why? Where are you going?" I question.
"It has been decided that due to tonight, revalations, nobody is allowed in any tributes room past ten," Haymitch explains.
"Ahh ok," I stand up and hug them both individually, "I guess I'll see you both in the morning then." I say feigning a smile.
"Goodnight sweetheart," Haymitch replies.
"Katniss don't forget if you see my purse..."
"I'll let you know if I do," I reply as Haymitch ushers her out.
"Well I don't know about you Kat but I'm knackered, I'm going to get an early night," Peeta states, "are you coming with me?"
I shake my head, "if I try and sleep now I'll be awake most if the night. But you go ahead," I say with a smile.
"Ok, but promise you won't stay up too late?" He says as he takes both hands in his.
"It's not my choice.. But as long as this little tinker will let me, I'll be in bed soon, although no doubt you'll be asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow", I chuckle as he yawns.
"You are probably right..." He manages to muffle through his yawn.
"Go on," I say before stretching up to kiss him gently.
"Night Kat, night night little miss," he says crouching down to kiss my stomach.
"Go on soft arse we'll both be fine if you go to sleep you know," I say pushing him back slightly he almost falls and I can't help but laugh.
"She wants a kiss from her dad don't you tinker ?" He says placing his hands on either side of my bump as he says crouched once again.
A moment later in feel a little kick again this hand and roll my eyes, "ok daddy's girl we get your point," I say and Peeta just laughs.
"I think that means I win does it not?" He smirks as he stands up again.
"I suppose so," I say sticking my tongue out. "Now go to bed before I chew your arm of rather than the contents of that fridge."
"Do you want your teeth sharpened to make it easier? I'm sure you and Enobaria will get along swimmingly," he even has to stifle his own laughter as he say it but what e doesn't expect is for to actually lean over and bite him lightly on the arm. "Ow! You bit me!"
"I did warn you," I laugh as I walk over towards the kitchen.
"Yeah but I didn't actually expect you to do it!" He says still as high pitched as his scream.
"It wasn't me, it was little miss over here... She's hungry and you were distracting me," I say sticking my tongue out.
"It's a good thing I love you sometimes Kat," he manages to get it just before he yawns.
"I love you too sleepyhead now go on, I'll catch up on the outrage that is the revelation of my pregnancy on the telly and you go get yourself some sleep. It might be the last decent sleep you'll have in a while."
"Sounds.... Goooood...." He slurs out, "night night Kat..." He says before shuffling off to bed.
"Night Peeta."
I watch until he has gone into the bedroom practically falling in and I can't help but laugh slightly. As I do my stomach starts to rumble and the little one to wriggle, "alright alright little miss I'm getting us something just give me a second." I start rummaging around in the fridge. There's the obvious things, cheese and milk. Then a few bowls of random foods, leftovers I guess.
"Mmmm leftover lamb stew and plums... Thank you very much," I say picking up a purple bowl filled to the brim. I place the bowl in the counter top and don't even bother with a fork I just stick my finger in to it an begin shovelling in pieces of lamb but within seconds of swallowing my first bite I run to the bathroom and begin throwing it up. "Seriously? My favourite food? You've actually managed to ruin my favourite food for me." I huff as I wipe my face. I give my teeth a quick brush and return back to the kitchen to try an in something I can actually stomach eating.
I pull out a pack of popcorn and start munching on that when there's a knock at the door, "Effie before you ask again I don't have your..." I open the door but it is not Effie stood in front of me, "...purse. President Snow. What a pleasant surprise."
"Ah yes Miss Everdeen so it is. I came to wish you congratulations on yours and Peeta's announcement tonight." He looks down at my stomach where my bump is clearly on show, "I see Cinna has been hiding it well."
"He is the best at what he does."
"Yes so it seems," he replys as if it pains him to say it.
"I'm sorry to hear you have to go back in the arena Miss Everdeen."
"Yes so am I."
"There's something I have here for you ...."
I interrupt him before he can finish, "I don't need anything from you. Thank you."
He shrugs,"You may do once you hear what I have." He pulls out a little tub and rattles it, "Sleeping tablets. Its going around that you are stricken with worry and are not sleeping so I thought I could give you something that would help." He places them down on the table between us. "Take two just before you want to go to bed tonight and you'll be right out for hours. But I'm afraid there is just enough for tonight as tomorrow night we don't want any chance of you, sleeping in when you need to be up early to go into the arena now do we?" He pauses a moment revealing the smirk on his face, "They will make you sleep like a baby... Dead to the world."
"Talking about the arena, I have ... a proposition to make."
"And would what that proposition entail Miss Everdeen?" He says, a smug look on his face.
"My death in the arena," I state not even attempting to soften it.
"That is highly probable anyway Miss Everdeen. But let's go with it... what would you want in return?"
"You save my baby. You do whatever you have to do but my baby survives this. If Peeta survives she is to be given to him. If not..." My voice begins to crack, "if not. Then she us to go to my sister Prim."
"Miss Everdeen I do believe we do not have the technology ...."
"I thought we agreed not to lie to one another? I know the trackers watch our vitals in the arena, I just need... Another one," I question and he stops and smiles. "Good. Now how am I to know you will uphold your part of the bargain?"
"I will send for you tomorrow at noon. Be ready." With that he stands up and walks over to the door but turning before he leaves, "good night Miss Everdeen."
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MuahAhaha I bet you weren't expecting that one! Or at least I hope you weren't 😂
- Alannah cxx