#buttercup2

"HONK!"

Katniss sighed. That darned cat was going to get killed one of these days by the geese. She still hadn't learned to leave the geese alone.

"MEROW!" Buttercup2 circled the geese and hissed.

Another of the geese entered the fray, and it lunged at Buttercup2. The cat jumped back, but not before one of the other geese nipped at her tail. The cat screeched, but hunched down as if to attack.

"Sweetheart!" Haymitch yelled.

At Haymitch's angry call, her eyes first sought her children. Once she saw them still underneath the tree, watching their crazy cat and the geese, she looked over to Haymitch.

Haymitch shooed the cat away. And lovingly picked up one of his geese. "That crazy cat of yours was trying to hunt down Annabell."

Katniss rolled her eyes heavenward. Haymitch had let Meadow name the geese. Some had sensible names like Annabell, but some had names like Mr. Squeaky Pants. Katniss waved her hand as she said, "Sorry, Haymitch."

It was all she could say. It was so hot, Katniss didn't even get up to go after the cat. "Why don't you put the geese away, and we can have a cup of tea and some cookies Peeta made fresh yesterday?"

"Fine, but one of these days," Haymitch looked over her shoulder.

Katniss turned her head and saw Buttercup2 calmly licking her paw. That cat was going to be the death of her.

"I'm going to string that cat up and feed her to my geese."

"Go ahead. Peeta and I won't mind."

Haymitch laughed at that as he gently set his geese on the ground. "Hey, kids, your mama said we can have cookies."

"Cookies!" Meadow gasped, and in an instant, she was ready to go.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Katniss was on the sofa waiting for Peeta to come back home. The cookies were long gone, along with glasses of milk. The kids were upstairs, and Haymitch was cleaning up in the kitchen, most likely an excuse to get his hands on the last piece of chocolate cake in the refrigerator.

Katniss was now on the sofa, fanning herself. She felt drained, kind of like when she was pregnant, but with a nasty cough. However, she knew that she wasn't pregnant because Meadow hadn't made any proclamations. Katniss frowned. Meadow hadn't made any predictions since the twins were born. Could her sight have passed?

"You okay, Sweetheart?"

Katniss turned her head to see Haymitch watching her. He held a cup of tea, and he had a smudge of chocolate frosting on the corner of his lip. She watched as he grimaced as he took a sip. "You could go home."

"Negative, the boy needs me to stay here until he comes home," Haymitch said, sitting down.

"Why?"

"He said you had a rough night with the kiddos."

It was true, Diana decided she didn't want to sleep and kept everyone else up. Poor Peeta dragged himself out the door to go to the bakery in the morning. She had suspected he was coming home early, but hearing Haymitch confirmed her suspicions.

"Are you alright though?"

"Why do you keep on asking me that?"

Haymitch pointed to the letters on the night table.

"Oh."

"Are you going to answer him?"

"I'm guessing Hazelle clued you into his letters." Katniss knew of the blossoming friendship between Haymitch and Hazelle. Katniss knew that Haymitch was lonely, and even though she didn't know if anything would develop between them. Haymitch was still very much in love with Lenora Dove.

"Yes," Haymitch said gruffly. "Well, you gonna read this one?"

"If it's anything like the others, no thank you."

"What did they say?"

Katniss picked up the letter and held it up.

Haymitch tore the envelope and read. "You've got to be kidding me."

"I'm betting that one is an order."

"It is," Haymitch said. "I can't believe he's ordering you and Peeta to leave your kids behind and go to the Capitol for this shindig."

"Peeta wrote back, telling him we weren't going to go. He dismissed Peeta's letter and insisted I owed him." Katniss sneezed. She felt tired.

"He expects you at the train station tomorrow."

"Well, he is going to be mad when I don't show up." Katniss blew her nose. She was tired.

"I'll phone Hazelle, let her know what's going on tonight."

"What time is it?" Katniss asked lazily, reclining on the sofa. These were the days she had to remind herself that she was an adult and not a teenager.

Haymitch looked toward the wall with the grandfather clock. He was about to tell her the time when they heard a commotion coming from the stairs.

"Mmmmerrrrrroooowwwww."

"Uplecup," Diana yelled as she came down the stairs. She was chasing their cat. She'd learned how to walk and climb before her twin. And thus, by her second birthday, she could quickly go up and down the stairs.

She was followed by the rest of the brood. Hunter stayed at the top of the stairs. He was still too scared.

"Diana, wait!" Meadow said as she came speeding down the stairs.

The cat ran around the sofa. She was dressed in a frilly pink doll outfit and had a shiny bird hat perched on her head. Diana was right behind her, yelling, "Uplecup."

Buttercup2 went to the front door, crying to be let out. However, before Haymitch could reach them, Meadow scooped up their crazy cat in her arms.

"Bad kitty, don't run'd-way from Mama. You need to get dressed to go to school," Meadow admonished as she dragged Buttercup2 upstairs.

"Aha!" Diana exclaimed, stomping her sock-clad little foot.

"Yesh!" Hunter shouted from the top of the stairs.

"Bad Kttty!" Ryley shouted as he followed the group upstairs.

Katniss was about to get up when Haymitch said, "Don't." He threw his hand in the air. "I know, check on the kiddos. That cat is feral; she won't scratch Meadow, but she might get Hunter. You know, I don't know why you named him that. That kid is softer than the center of a cookie." Haymitch's words drifted off as he heard the cat screech.

"Thank you, Haymitch," Katniss called as he sprinted upstairs.

Katniss disliked the cat. Hell, she disliked its father, and like its father, she couldn't get rid of the darned feline. Her kids loved the cat even though the cat didn't like to be touched by anyone but Meadow.

She put her head back on the sofa, closing her eyes. Her nose, which at this moment was clear instead of stuffed, picked up the faint smell of cinnamon and dill, and a smile spread on her face. Her husband was nearby.

Peeta was more than just her friend and ally; he was her husband and best friend. They were a team. He stepped up naturally; he wasn't like a lot of men who saw childcare as a woman's job. Peeta didn't. He was a father, kind and gentle, yet he could be tough when necessary. He loved speaking with his kids, listening to them, and trying to understand what they were trying to say. It resulted in hilarious conversations.

"Katniss," Peeta called as he opened the door.

"Hey," Katniss smiled as she waved at him from the sofa.

"Where's Haymitch?" Peeta asked as he sat down on the bench to take off his shoes.

"Upstairs, apparently, Meadow is trying to put clothing on the cat."

"Say what?" Peeta said as he walked over to her and sat down.

"She put on one of those gaudy doll dresses and hats Effie sent her from the Capitol."

Peeta's shoulders began shaking. "Please tell me it's the one that looks like a turkey."

"The very same one."

"I imagine Buttercup2 will be in a righteous snit."

"That's why Haymitch is upstairs."

"I hate that darned cat," Haymitch muttered as he came down the stairs. There were three pink claw marks on his arm. "I swear that thing is a menace."

"You want to stay for lunch?" Peeta asked, standing up. He placed a kiss on Katniss's forehead.

"Why not?" Haymitch said. "I've got nothing else to do."

"Come on, Haymitch. I'll heal that arm for you so that it stops stinging."

Katniss watched both men go into the kitchen. The cat slunk down the stairs, hissing. She swore the cat harrumphed as it sat down next to her. The turkey hat sat crooked on its head.

"Bad day?" Katniss asked.

"Merrow!"

Katniss laughed. "You try staying up when your two-year-old decides they want to put on a singing show like Plutarch Heveansbee. They involve the entire clan. My throat is sore from singing Ol'Suzanna." Diana couldn't fully speak yet. She had a handful of words, like uplecup, sing, now, no, kas-up, mama, dada, and aha for yes. She said all of these things often in a monster voice. Last night, she wouldn't go to sleep. They had watched Plutarch's new singing contest earlier in the day, and Diana wasn't ready to stop the songs. In a monster voice, she demanded for her and Peeta, "Sing now!"

Somehow, everyone got involved, and no one got any sleep. The little terror was still awake. How? Katniss didn't know, but she wished she had a third of her daughter's energy. She decided that she was never letting her daughter watch TV again.

"Merow…merow…merow…"

"Well, kitty, when you love someone, sometimes you've got to compromise."

The cat lay down and huffed.

Katniss smiled, and she could hear the sounds of her home. Peeta and Haymitch were laughing. Meadow singing upstairs, and Ryley's heavy little stomps. It was the sound of home, safe and familiar, guarded from the bad. This is the peace she'd fought so hard to have.

Katniss was lulled by the noises, and she fell asleep. She woke up later to hear Peeta speaking to their kids. She was lying down on the sofa, a throw was tucked around her.

"Hi, mama," Meadow said.

"Hey, baby," Katniss smiled as she tried to stretch, only to find she couldn't because the cat fell asleep on top of her.

"I'll go get, Dada," Meadow said, running to the kitchen. Buttercup2 ran off, and Katniss was able to sit up.

"Mama," Hunter said. He leaned over and peppered sweet little toddler kisses on her chin and nose. He put his little hand on her face. Hunter reminded Katniss so much of Peeta. Hunter currently had the round baby face, but once the baby fat melted away, he would have the same strong chin his father had. His blue eyes were bright, and his blond curls fell over his forehead.

"Thank you for all of the kisses," Katniss smiled.

"Mama," Hunter breathed on her face before looking up. And pointing to Peeta. "Dada."

"Hey," Peeta greeted. "He scooped up Hunter and blew raspberries on his belly. Hunter laughed, that cute baby laugh. "Go find Meadow," Peeta instructed, and Hunter did as his father bid.

"Well, hello there," Katniss said, yawning.

"I heard you need assistance from a gorgeous baker."

"Did you get any sleep?"

"Yeah, my assistant trapped me in my office and told me to take a nap on the sofa."

"Oh, lucky you," Katniss chuckled.

"Oh, I am lucky. I get to come home to a million kids and their hot, red-nosed mother."

"Ha ha," Katniss said, sticking her tongue out at him.

"Oh, Katniss, you're just turning me on."

"You think this is sexy? Just wait until you hear me blow my nose."

"Stop talking dirty to me."

Katniss grinned and put her head on his shoulder, and took a sniff of his yummy scent. Peeta carried her bridal style. She marveled at how strong Peeta was as he easily lifted her. She had put on some weight after having the twins. He carried her to the bathroom. He always knew what she needed.

Katniss sighed as she splashed cool water on her face. It was almost time for her antibiotics. For the first time, her stomach grumbled. When she finished, Peeta winked at her salaciously over the heads of their children as she made her way to the dining table. They were currently playing a game.

"Left you a plate on the table," he said.

"Thank you."

The day was like any other. Peeta did activities with the kids. Katniss watched and read to the kids. When bedtime came around, Peeta carried her upstairs to their bathroom, while he put the kids to bed. After taking a shower, she dragged herself to the bed just as Peeta came in. He wolf-whistled at her and wiggled his eyebrows right before walking into the bathroom. Katniss felt as big as a boulder, but it made her feel good that he thought she was pretty, even when sick.

After she slipped on one of Peeta's white t-shirts. She was slathering on lotion when Peeta came out, and she stopped as she watched him move around the room. After all of these years, her heart wobbled, and her body became warm and mushy when she saw Peeta. He sat down behind her and began to massage her back.

"It was a great day today," Peeta said.

"Mmmm," Katniss said.

"You know we have to put Ryley's song in the book."

"Yes, I can never hear jingle bells the same way again."

"Crinkle balls," Peeta said and started laughing.

"Crinkle," Katniss managed to say.

"Crinkle all the way," Peeta continued.

"Oh, what fun it is to ride," Katniss sang.

"On a one pegged horse."

"Far away," Katniss finished.

They laughed so hard that tears were coming out of their eyes.

"At least he didn't sing wrinkled," Peeta heaved as he laughed.

Katniss fell back laughing and started coughing as a result. Last night's incident was going to go into their book.

Katniss loved this time of the day, when it was just them. They often talked about their day or shared funny stories about the kids. It was a way for them to connect each day. They'd always done this, even before the kids were born.

It was then her memory kicked in that she hadn't seen the cat since before she took her nap. "Hey, have you seen Buttercup2?"

"No, why?"

"I haven't seen Buttercup2 since I woke up from my nap earlier today," Katniss said.

"I haven't seen the cat since it had that ridiculous hat on it," Peeta said. "I thought maybe you let it out."

"When would I have let her out? I slept half the afternoon, woke up to eat, and watched you play with the kids until you made dinner."

"I didn't let her out."

"Do you think she snuck out when Haymitch left?"

"Could be."

"But?" Peeta always had the uncanny ability to see things she didn't.

"But, if she was outside and wanted to come back in. The cat would have screamed her head off until we let her back inside."

"I haven't heard her scream," Katniss said.

"That's the point. The cat hasn't screamed to be let back in because she doesn't like using the cat door. So if no one let her out, she must be in the house somewhere."

Katniss didn't like Buttercup2, but she couldn't stand the idea that something had happened to the nefarious cat. "Peeta."

"You don't have to say it. I'll check the house."

"Thank you."

Katniss watched him leave. The entire time he was gone, she fretted about the darned cat. It was, after all, the child of Buttercup, a link to her sister.

"I looked everywhere and I couldn't find the cat."

"Did you look in Ryle's room? She likes hiding in his stuffed animals."

"You know I didn't even think about that. Let me check the kids' rooms."

Katniss watched him leave, and she couldn't stay still. Katniss got out of bed and began looking for Buttercup2 in their room. That cat could slink into any small, tight corner. One time, she'd found the cat napping inside the drawer of her daughter's dresser. How Buttercup2 got inside, Katniss didn't know. All she knew was that she screamed from fright when she opened the drawer and saw the cat's muddy yellow eyes staring at her.

The cat was a connection to her sister, and she didn't want to lose that, too. She left the room and checked the linen closet, because sometimes the cat hid amongst the extra linens. Buttercup2 wasn't there. Katniss then checked the attic. They were converting the attic into two bedrooms for when Meadow needed extra space and possibly for Ryley in the future.

"Buttercup2?" Katniss said, turning on the lights.

There was no response.

It was creepy in the attic right now; it was all plastic and timber frames. A jack and jill bathroom was going to be installed between the two rooms.

"Buttercup2!" Katniss said louder.

There was no noise other than her own two feet.

Katniss sighed and went downstairs.

Peeta came back, nearly forty minutes later.

"Anything?"

"Nothing." Peeta shook his head.

Katniss sighed. "I checked the room, the linen closet, and the attic, and I didn't find her either."

"I checked the rest of the house. I went through every single drawer and opened up every cupboard. I even went outside and walked around the house calling her name just in case she got outside somehow."

"Do you think something happened to her, Peeta?"

Peeta gently put his hands on her shoulder. "Look, I know you're worried. I'm sure the cat is going to be okay. Let's go to bed, and we'll get up early and look for her in the morning." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'll give you a good foot massage."

Katniss perked up. She loved having Peeta's expert hands massaging her body. "Okay."

Peeta's hands were the trick to getting her to relax. Peeta was right. After last night and feeling crappy all day, she needed to rest.

The next morning, they awoke early, and together they looked around the house again. The cat could not be found.

"I'm going to call Haymitch. I think he might have something to help us look."

"What could he possibly have?"

"You'll see," Peeta said as he winked and walked out of the house. He came back with weird goggles that looked like something Pollux used to wear to record things.

"What's that?"

"Thermal scanning goggles."

"Wait, what?"

"Did you try it yet?" Haymitch came in through the front door. "Morning, Sweetheart."

"Morning to you, too," Katniss said to Haymitch before turning her attention to Peeta. "What in the world is a thermal scanning goggle?" Katniss asked, as the two most important men in her life were acting like teenage girls when they saw their crush.

"This puppy picks up the heat signature of things in the house," Haymitch boasted.

"If Buttercup2 is in the house, I'll be able to see her," Peeta said.

"When did you get that, and why do you have that, Haymitch?"

"He got it when we gave them the goose eggs. Apparently, goslings get into the darndest places," Peeta said as he began putting on the harness that held the goggles.

"I'm able to tell where they're at by wearing these," Haymitch said as he reached up and said, "No, like this, Boy."

Katniss then watched Haymitch help her husband put the goggles on.

"This is so cool," Peeta said, grinning as he looked up and down. He put his hand in front of him.

"It is. Now let's get going before the kiddos get up," Haymitch said.

Katniss watched Peeta and Haymitch walk around the house calling for the cat, using the thermal goggles. They made such a racket that they woke up the kids. They were nestled on either side of Katniss.

"What's Dada doing?" Meadow asked. Her bright blue eyes followed her father and Haymitch coming down the stairs.

"A science experiment," Katniss muttered.

"Can I help?"

Katniss was spared from asking when Peeta and Haymitch sat down on the sofas.

"Can I help with the experiment?" Meadow asked excitedly.

"Sorry, li'l Dove, your dada and I are done."

"And," Katniss asked.

Peeta shook his head no.

Katniss hated acknowledging that funny feeling in the pit of her stomach that told her something was afoot.

"It-EE!" Hunter exclaimed. "Ow, ow." Hunter pointed to the door.

"What's he saying?" Peeta asked. Turning to Meadow, their resident baby translator.

"Last night, Hunter and Diana heard Buttercup2 crying outside their window. Mama? Where is Buttercup2?"

Katniss shared a look with Peeta and Haymitch. Haymitch mouthed, "The geese."

"They got her," Peeta said.

Katniss watched her daughter's eyes become wide, as it dawned on Meadow that something had happened to Buttercup2. She was nearly three when Buttercup went to the hereafter. Most likely, Buttercup2 was beaten up by Haymitch's geese and is now in the hereafter with her father.

"Uncle Haymish?"

Haymitch opened his arms, and Meadow rushed into them.

"Is she with Aunty Prim?"

"Yeah, lil'dove," Haymitch.

Meadow had tears in her eyes. Ryley's lips began to tremble seeing his sister in distress, and his grey eyes were filled with tears.

"Come here, buddy," Peeta said to Ryley, who bounded for his dad.

"Mama?" The twins looked up at her with wide, sad blue eyes.

"How about we do what we did with Buttercup?" Katniss suggested.

"A funny-ary?" Meadow asked.

"Yes, a funny whorah for Buttercup2. We wear our favorite clothing. We can eat the things that Buttercup2 liked to eat…"

"Steakon," Diana said.

"Eggs," Hunter said.

"Hearts," Meadow said. "Buttercup2 loved hearts."

"I can make heart pancakes," Peeta said.

"We can make cards for Buttercup2 with lots of hearts," Meadow said, wiping her eyes.

"Okay, let's make this the best funny whorah for Buttercup2," Katniss said.

Less than an hour later, Haymitch had donned his best suit. Peeta and Katniss wore coordinating outfits. Meadow wore her prettiest pink gown. Ryley wore shorts and a button-down suit. He had his arms around his plushy of a duck. Diana wore a crown, a tutu, and her prized polka-dotted shirt. Hunter wore his pajamas with sneakers.

The kitchen was decorated with hearts and drawings of Buttercup2. They gathered around the small kitchen table, eating their heart-shaped pancakes.

"Do you remember when Mama found Buttercup2 in the washing machine?" Meadow said.

"I had to fry up bacon to get her out," Katniss said.

"Or Buttercup2 was in the tree," Ryley said.

"Sweetheart had to go after the cat because your dad couldn't climb up after her," Haymitch finished.

They started laughing because Katniss had come down with twigs and leaves in her hair, and Peeta called her a moose. The kids loved it and called her mama moose for weeks.

The stories became funnier and funnier as they ate. Until Peeta frowned and held up his hand. "Wait, did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Katniss said, as she cocked her head to the side, trying to listen with her good ear.

"That," Peeta said.

It was then they heard, "Mmmmow."

"Is that?" Katniss whispered, standing up.

"No!" Peeta said as they heard a clear. "Meow."

Suddenly, the flap of the cat door opened and in strode Buttercup2.

"It's a miracle," Meadow exclaimed.

"She's Alive!" Ryle shouted.

Hunter stood up and cheered, and clapped.

"A-lie, A-lie!" Diana shouted, laughing.

Haymitch muttered, "That stupid cat."

Next to her, Peeta muttered, "That child of a bacon eater."

Peeta's reaction caused Katniss to laugh hysterically until Meadow shouted.

"Mama, Buttercup2 is going to have kittens!"

-

Read the other parts of the Series:

Meadow's Call

A Million Kids

Ryley Translator