#tobasa

Katniss joined her as they braided the flower stems. 

The rest of the afternoon was lovely as she taught her daughter to make flower crowns for everyone, but she couldn’t shake the melancholy of the past.  

Later that evening, they had finished dinner and the tasks were divided.

 "Merow,” Buttercup2 yelled at Katniss.

“Stop yelling, you crazy cat,” Katniss muttered as she walked to the door. Peeta installed a flap on the back door for Buttercup when he was alive. Peeta called it a cat door. It allowed Buttercup the freedom to go in and out of the house whenever he wanted to. He loved going outside at all times of the day, though as he got older, Buttercup preferred being at home. 

Two and a half years before Katniss became pregnant with Meadow, Buttercup brought home a female cat who then had had his clone, Buttercup2. Peeta joked that Buttercup lived long enough to clone himself.

The cat was nearly three when Meadow was born, and was a headache from the moment she was born. Buttercup left to join her sister in the old therebefore two and a half years later. No doubt he let Prim know that Katniss was thriving with a child. Unfortunately, Buttercup got the last laugh as he left behind his evil spawn who refused to use the cat door. 

Buttercup2 knew how to use it, Buttercup showed her, but the finicky feline refused to do so. She wanted the door to be left opened so that she could go outside whenever she wanted. 

She yelled at the top of her lungs to be let in as well. 

“Good riddance,” Katniss muttered as she let Buttercup2 out. 

Haymitch loathed the cat almost as much as Katniss did. Katniss sighed. She knew Buttercup2 was most likely terrorizing the wildlife around the house, especially Haymitch’s geese. The kids loved the cat who had the same muddy yellow coloring as her father, but she was a cranky, crazy cat. 

She could hear Peeta laughing at something the kids were saying. Peeta had volunteered to take care of the kids. They typically put the kids to bed together. Tonight, she needed the quiet to decompress. He was upstairs getting their children ready to go to bed. Their son, Ryley was cranky during the meal, a sign that he was tired. Their baby boy would fall asleep quickly. Their first born, Meadow, wasn’t tired and no doubt was trying to talk her way out of her bed time. Katniss volunteered to clean the kitchen and wash the dishes. Once finished, she ambled over to the remembrance book. 

Katniss turned each page with reverence. She opened the book to the last marked page of Lenor Dove, Haymitch’s sweetheart. It was because of her that they gave Haymitch the geese. 

So many lives had been taken by Snow and his Capitol. How many people died because of that man? How many people suffered because of his greed and need for control? Katniss turned the page. 

She paused at Finnick’s entry. Her hand ran over his face and she read the notes she’d written so long ago about the man who saved her life and Peeta’s life. Finnick’s descriptive words were funny, mischievous, champion, sweet, cared for Peeta when no one could understand him, a brother, a true friend, and a father.  A solitary tear rolled down her face.

Katniss recalled how she and Finnick had put the gray-green gunk on their faces during the Quarter Quell and then proceeded to wake Peeta up, getting a laugh when they scared him. Finnick, the darling of the Capitol, became her friend. He deserved more, he deserved to live.

Katniss closed her eyes as she took a deep steadying breath.

She reminded herself that Finnick lived on through his son. Finnick Junior was the mirror image of his father. There were others who weren’t so fortunate. Who had no living family left to remember them. People like Madge. 

Madge never had a chance to get out of the Mayor's house. She and her family died during the bombing of District 12. Gentle, sweet Madge who loved pretty dresses, and playing the piano. A girl who dared cross the District with pain medication for Gale. 

The memories slowly slid through her mind as she recalled how her life had been before she volunteered as Tribute. The violence she faced in the two Hunger Games, and horrors of the war. She gripped the book tighter, reminding herself of all of the good.

“My name is Katniss. I’m married to Peeta Mellark. We have two beautiful children. I survived a dictatorship. I chose my destiny. I’m free. Peeta is free. My children are free.”

After speaking, she took a cleansing breath as she recalled the good things.   

The Hunger Games no longer existed. The arenas were buried, and fifteen years later, many had forgotten where they were located. There was no talk of war. The nation was no longer fractured. People saw themselves as citizens of Panem, versus residents of the Districts. It was a strange thing to experience, all of this freedom, yet not be able to  share it with the people in this book. 

Katniss wiped her face. 

Today was a day to celebrate. They’d gone to the meadow to watch the children play. It was the first warm day of spring. Katniss loved watching Peeta interact with their kids. He was such an amazing father. However, sitting in the meadow and recalling that part of it was a grave made her feel melancholy. 

Katniss heard Meadow dashing down the stairs with Peeta close behind her. All these years later and his familiar heavy gate caused her to still feel protected and secure. 

Meadow sat down next to her. “Mama, why are you crying?”

“Because this book contains memories of all of the people we’ve lost,” Katniss gently explained to her daughter.

“Oh, like Aunty Prim?”

“Yes, like Aunty Prim,” Peeta said, joining them on the sofa. Peeta sounded tired and no doubt Meadow had run circles around him. 

Meadow was a bundle of energy from the moment she was born. Their daughter was very bright, learned to speak early, and was very sweet. She often got in trouble at school for defending the weaker kids.

“What was Aunty Prim like?”

Katniss turned to the page where Peeta had captured her likeness. Her eyes watered at the sight of her baby sister's gentle smile. She couldn’t respond to Meadow’s question as her shaky fingers lovingly traced her sister's face.

“Kind,” Peeta answered. “She helped me get better, when I wasn’t myself.” 

“She was a healer like Nana?” 

“She was,” Katniss took in a deep breath. She was trying to hold in the sorrow she felt at the memories of her beloved sister. “She looked a lot like Nana too, with kind blue eyes, and a nurturing spirit.”

“She was nice, and pretty,” Meadow said, looking at the picture.

It broke Katniss to know Prim would never get to know her niece and nephew. Tears fell from her eyes.   

“Mommy, don’t worry, you won’t be sad for long,” Meadow’s little hand came to rest on Katniss' flat tummy. 

Katniss turned and gave Peeta a skeptical look that he returned.

“What are you talking about sugar-cookie?” Peeta asked.

“About my little brother and sister,” their daughter said, before hopping down off the couch. “I'm tired now!” She yawned and said, “I’m going to go to bed. Good night Dada. Good night mama. Goodnight babies!”

Meadow scampered away and slowly made her way up the stairs, leaving her parents with a mixture of awe and apprehension. Their daughter had the uncanny ability to foretell things. 

Katniss and Peeta glanced at each other. Meadow was a fanciful child, but this was not the first time she had predicted a pregnancy. Their daughter had accurately announced Delly’s first born. Delly was visiting from District 2. Meadow had crawled up onto Delly’s lap, patted her stomach and announced, “Baby.” 

At first, everyone laughed. But three weeks later, Delly announced she was four weeks pregnant. The next time Meadow announced another baby was during her birthday party. Meadow was turning three, she ran up to Greasy Sae's granddaughter and said, “Hi, baby.” 

Greasy Sae smiled and confirmed she was going to be a great grandma. A few months later as she was falling asleep whispered, “

Night night, baby.” 

Katniss found out she was pregnant with their little boy Ryley.  Then after that, Meadow hadn’t announced another birth until tonight. Katniss shook her head. Her hands drifted to her middle with a bewildered head space as she looked at her stomach.  

“You don’t think?” Both said at the time.

“NAHH,” Peeta said, though his eyes were riveted on her middle.

Katniss gave Peeta a skeptical look. She didn’t want to give in to the hysteria of the idea of another child. She couldn’t be pregnant. Ryley had just turned one last month. She and Peeta were very careful, however Meadow had never been wrong. “Should I make an appointment with Dr. Terry tomorrow, just in case,” Katniss whispered.

“No, we’re fine, Katniss,” Peeta said, shaking his head.

“Okay,” Katniss said. 

CHAPTER 2

A few weeks later, Peeta was downstairs in his painting studio. The house reeked of burnt food. The smell was driving him crazy. The kids were also taking refuge with him in the studio. 

He needed fresh air. 

Katniss was hunting, so lunch would be on him today, but he wanted to air out the house. The kids followed him around as he opened all of the windows and doors. When he finished it was a little past lunch time. 

“Dada, we’re hungry,” Meadow said.

“Me too,” Peeta said.  “Kids, let's go to Haymitch’s.”

“Hooray,” Meadow said.  

Peeta bent down and picked up Ryley. Meadow took her duck bookbag with her as they walked across the street. He helped Meadow climb the stairs of the wrap-around porch. They didn’t go through the front door. Instead, they walked around to the back where he knew Haymitch was tending to his geese. 

“Haymitch?” Peeta called out.

“Uncle Haymish!” Meadow squealed, hopping and clapping her hands.

“Is that my li’l Dove?” Haymtich called from the side of the house.

The back door was open and Haymitch stood outside kneeling down arms wide to receive Meadow.

“Uncle Haymish! I love you like all fire!” Meadow cried, jumping into Haymitch’s arms. 

“I love you too, like all fire, li’l Dove,” Haymitch said, hugging Meadow tightly.

Meadow squealed as Haymitch picked her up. 

“Kid,” Haymtich greeted as he walked into the house with Meadow.

“Haymitch,” Peeta greeted. He was always amazed by the way his daughter took to Haymitch. Even his son had gravitated to Haymitch. Children had short memories and were always happy to see someone who they hadn’t seen in an hour or two. It was sweet the way Meadow greeted Haymitch. She and Ryley also did this when he came home from the bakery. It was as if he had spent days away instead of hours. 

Meadow was talking a mile a minute. Haymitch sat down with her in his rocker chair. Peeta put Ryley on the floor and he walked straight to Haymtich, who scooped him up in his arms. Haymitch was like their grandfather. He loved and spoiled them. Because of them, Haymitch stopped drinking. He got sick and Meadow’s tears got him to go to the Capitol to help him with his liver. The fix gave him more time. 

“Sounds exciting,” Haymtich said. “I think the geese have missed you both. If you want, you can feed them some treats. Just make sure that pesky cat doesn't bother my geese.” 

Meadow scooted off Haymitch’s lap in a flash. Haymitch put  Ryley down.

“Oh, goody! I haven’t seen the geese in forever!” Meadow ran across the room, heading outside. “C’mon, brother, let’s go see the geese.” 

Peeta watched the kids head outside. He walked to the kitchen and watched Meadow help her brother down. Ryley was quite the mover. 

“Do you mind if I make us something to eat?”

“Katniss still at it?” Haymitch asked, tipping back his flask that was filled with a lemonade beverage he loved. 

Peeta rubbed his face. “It has got to stop, Haymitch!” He couldn’t believe he was hiding from the love of his life in Haymitch’s house. Peeta took out a pan and some cheese and bread. 

“Go ahead, I could use something to eat.” 

Peeta’s stomach grumbled. He quickly made some grilled cheeses, something that he could feed his kids without Katniss knowing. He cut the grilled cheese sandwiches into bite size pieces for the kids. He poured milk into the wood tumblers Haymitch kept for the kids.

When finished, he walked out to the back porch. “Meadow, Ryley,” Peeta called. “Come on and wash your hands.”

“Okay, come on, brother,” Meadow said.  Ryley ran after his sister. He lifted his hands when he got to the stairs. Peeta lifted him up and brought him inside of the house. 

“Here, give me my boy. I’ll get his hand washed. You set up the table for my goslings.” Haymitch walked to the sink in the kitchen, where Meadow waited for Haymitch to help her wash her hands. 

Peeta nodded and turned to serve the food. Haymitch had a kiddy table and chairs outside. Peeta placed the cheese sandwiches and cups of milk outside for his babies. They sat down to eat. Peeta stood by the door with his own grilled cheese sandwich, watching them. When they were done, they scuttled to play, leaving Peeta to clean up. As a father, he always ate his kids left overs. 

When he was done, he walked back into the house and sat down heavily on the sofa.

He sat back against the cushion where he could still see the kids outside. He was frustrated and wrung his hands. Haymitch observed him silently.

Outside, the kids were playing with the geese.  Meadow was dancing around them. Ryley was sitting in the grass and two geese were sitting next to him. Ryley was laughing gleefully. He was a happy, chubby toddler whose first word had been mama, but he hadn’t said dada yet. 

Peeta leaned forward, “Haymitch, she’s driving me ba-nanas!” 

“Kid, you bought the farm lock, stock, and barrel. She’s your problem now, not mine,” Haymitch said, shrugging. 

“Haymitch, normally she’s a great cook, like phenomenal, but lately she’s been burning everything.” After yet another burnt breakfast this morning, he couldn’t do it again. The kids were suffering as well. “This morning the kids didn’t want to eat the burned mush she made. A few days ago she burned hard boiled eggs and the centers were still runny! I’m not even sure how she did that!” Peeta stood up, “She’s so adamant about cooking so that I can rest. It’s sweet, but I’m starving, Haymitch.” He began pacing. “The kids are starving,” Peeta ran his hands through his hair.  “Yesterday she made me lunch...” Peeta didn’t get to finish.

“How horrible. Your beautiful wife made you lunch.”

“She burned the bread.”

“If I recall, burned bread is a thing between both of you.”

Peeta stopped walking and frowned, “What?”

“The burned bread is what made Sweetheart fall for you, something Hawthorne never understood. He might have been her hunting partner, but he never risked his very safety for her. You did that from the golden age of eleven, and took the mantle in the Games, and continued it right up to the moment she shot Coin, always putting her first over yourself.” Haymitch calmly stood up. 

“What do you think is going on with her?”

“Do you think she’s pregnant?”

Peeta stopped in his tracks. A few weeks back, after Meadow pointed to Katniss' womb and told her about another baby, Katniss wanted to go to Dr. Terry to get tested, but he didn’t feel it was necessary because they were careful. 

He didn’t want Katniss to go through another pregnancy. 

After the birth of  Ryley, they both agreed they didn’t want any more children. Pregnancies were hard for Katniss. Peeta witnessed the physical and emotional toll it took on his wife. For each pregnancy, she was nervous over the ability to be mentally ready to rear another child. Katniss had raised Prim, who was cruelly torn from her arms. She worried that she would be unable to protect her children like she was unable to protect Rue.

There were nights Peeta had to hold Katniss when she woke up from nightmares of the Capitol coming for their children. Nightmares of mechanical claws reaching down into a meadow for a child covered in flowers. A reaping bowl that is only filled with the names of their children. 

In his broken voice, he would sing her to sleep. Reminding his wife that the arenas were all shut down. And that there would never ever be another Hunger Games in their lifetime or in the lifetime of their children. That peace had been stuck. But that didn’t stop the nightmares from coming. 

For her pregnancy with Meadow, it was the fear of the unknown compounded by the wounds of the past. She worried if she fell ill because without her spleen, treatments were tricky. For  Ryley, the fear of not being good enough mixed with exhaustion, because their son was constantly moving.  Ryley gave Katniss indigestion, so she couldn’t eat.

Peeta doubted she was pregnant. Katniss wasn’t following her usual fearful behavior. For both Meadow and Ryley when she suspected she was pregnant, she became very emotional. Katniss cried and fretted over everything. He didn’t see the same behavior now. She was just burning things left and right. “No, I don’t think so. You know what she’s like when we’re expecting.”

Haymitch put his flask away. “She's a wreck, but you can't help but park your sprocket inside her garage.” 

Peeta winced. His old mentor’s words were, at times, dicey. He remembered when they first began making love, it was new and wonderful. They grew in those years, slowly healing and evolving into the adults they were today. “Haymitch!”

Haymitch chuckled, “Stop acting scandalized, you’ve been dreaming of Sweetheart since you were knee-high.”

Peeta blushed. It was true. He’d been in love with Katniss all of his life. He was a goner ever since he heard her sing the Valley song in kindergarten. His luckiest day was the day he was reaped. True, he lost his leg, was hijacked and lost his loved ones, but in the end, all of the adversity brought them closer. “I can’t help it, Haymitch. She’s gorgeous on the inside and out.”  

“Johanna’s right, you two are two disgustingly sweet.”  Haymitch leaned in and said, “I knew I should have moved to the house down the block when you two got together.”

Haymitch's comment made Peeta smile. Although he said things like that, he would never have it any other way. He liked being close to them and he loved their kids.

“My question is how are you sure she’s not prego’s?”

Peeta sighed. “Katniss took a home pregnancy test a few weeks back and it was negative.”

“Okay, but a lot can change in a few weeks.”

“Katniss went to Dr. Terry without letting me know and that test came back negative.”

“Oh,” Haymitch breathed.

“Yeah, she’s not pregnant.” 

They were interrupted by Meadow asking for a glass of water. Peeta gave both her and Ryley water in sippy cups that Haymitch had in his cupboards. They were settled in the living room, the television was on, and one of Plutarch’s ridiculous competition shows was playing. 

“Boy, do you love her?”

“I do.” There was no doubt that Peeta loved Katniss. He was a goner from the moment she sang the Valley song. He loved her with every fiber of his being.

“Then stop acting like a wuss, be the man she’s always loved, believed in, and trusted, and go speak to her.”  

The advice from Haymitch was simple, heartfelt, and had the necessary kick in the pants Peeta needed. He crossed his arms, feeling ashamed. He wondered if this is why Katniss always came back furious after speaking to Haymitch. The man didn’t pull punches. He gave you a verbal wallop. 

 “So you're telling me to talk to her.”

“Dur,” Haymitch said, gently pushing the boy toward the door. “Look, stay for the afternoon, but go home before dinner, and find out why Sweetheart’s been burning your food for the past few weeks. If there is something Sweetheart loves more than you, it's food.”

Peeta sighed. He rubbed his face and walked over to the front window. He glanced across the street at their home. Haymitch was right. He needed to find out what was going on with Katniss that distracted her enough to ruin their meals. 

Normally he was the ‘talker’ in their family. He had no problem communicating anything. Hell, he once told his coach he couldn’t practice because he had a boner, and he told the entire nation he didn’t mind being naked in front of Katniss.

Katniss wasn’t the brash young burned girl anymore. She was a woman who had gracefully transitioned into a mother. Thanks to the therapy they received, having children was a step they both took together. They took every step together, as they’ve always done. They were a team. From the moment they got on that moving train to the moment the Capitol fell, they were a team. They saved each other countless times. 

CHAPTER 3

The kids ran ahead while Peeta dragged his feet as he trudged over to the house, feeling a coiling in the pit of his stomach. . He watched them enter their home and sighed. Speaking to Katniss wasn’t going to be that bad. They did enough therapy and had done enough exercises to understand how to communicate with each other.

They had learned the hard way that it was imperative for them to communicate. During the Victory Tour there had been so much that she kept to herself, for fear of losing him, and those they loved. In the end, it was fruitless because between Snow, Coin, and the war, nearly everyone that they loved, cherished, or found important was wiped out. 

Katniss wasn’t much of a talker, but when she spoke, people listened. It was why the entire nation followed her. She exemplified the compassion and heart of many people around the nation who marveled at the way she sang to a dying little girl. Or how she tried to carry Mags when she had no energy left. His partner in life was amazing and Peeta hated hurting Katniss. They had shed enough tears from the pain of having to go through two Hunger Games, a war, and two despots. Katniss had even shed tears over him and his hijacking, and Peeta was determined for her not to cry over something he said or did. She was happy with their hard won life. 

Opening up the door, he smiled brightly when he smelled the aroma of a fresh rabbit roasting in the oven. He called out, “Katniss?”

“In here,” Katniss called from the kitchen.

Peeta walked into the kitchen to see Katniss smile at him. He loved the way her gray eyes twinkled with happiness.  There was a time she only smiled in the woods or around her sister. Now, smiles came easier for her, because they had so much. 

“Hey, is Haymitch coming over for dinner tonight?”

“Yeah, he is.” Peeta cleared his throat, “so what are you making for dinner?”

 “I’m making roasted rabbit with baby carrots and mashed potatoes.”

 “Do you need help?” He was trying to find a way to speak to her about her cooking.

“Hi mommy,” Meadow ran into the kitchen. She was followed by Ryley. “Ryley, our babies are in there.”  Meadow pointed to Katniss’s middle. 

 Ryley clapped and shouted, “Ba-be.”

Peeta was shocked. “He knows how to say Baby, but not Dada?”

“Meadow showed him how to say it,” Katniss said.

“Ba-be,” Ryley giggled. 

“Yes, Ryley, mommy has babies,” Meadow smiled brilliantly. 

Katniss sighed. “Meadow, we've talked about this. Mommy is not having a baby.” 

“Mommy,” Meadow took Katniss’ hand and gave her a reassuring look. “Mommy you are, you just don’t know it yet.”

“Baby, baby,” Ryley did that toddler dance that was half walk, half butt wiggle around Katniss.

Peeta stood blinking then he smelled it, the faint smell of smoke. 

“Oh no, not again,” Katniss glanced toward the kitchen then at their daughter. “Peeta, the food.” 

“Got it.”  Peeta ran to the oven, turned it off and quickly put on some oven mittens and took out the pan. Luckily it wasn’t ruined. Behind him the chaos continued.

“It’s okay, mommy,” Meadow said, “they understand, you’re taking good care of them.”

“Ba-be, ba-be, ba-be, ba-be,”  Ryley chanted as he wound his way around Katniss. 

“Meadow, your Dada and I are not having more babies.”

Peeta saw that the water with the potatoes was over boiling. He quickly turned off the stove. And brought the boiling pot to the sink. On his way there he observed Meadow standing with her little arms crossed across her chest. Her little foot was tapping and  her small chin was jutting out.

“Yes we are, MOMMY!”   

Peeta had to stop himself from ginning. Meadow looked like Katniss when she was annoyed.

Katniss hunched down and gently embraced their daughter. “Meadow, love, I know you’re upset. Dada and I love you, but you have to stop saying things like this.”

“Mommy, there are babies in there.”

“Ba-be,”  Ryley shouted loudly, as he tried to jump. His fat little legs didn’t allow him much height, but every time he jumped he yelled, causing Katniss to wince.

“Meadow, we’ve talked about this. I’ve taken two exams, one at home and one with Dr. Terry, and both were negative.”

“Ba-be!” Ryley shouted as he stopped jumping and smiled at Katniss and Meadow. 

“But there are babies in your tummy.”

 Ryley then began to run around them again, every time he went around he would shout ‘ba-be’ even louder.

Peeta was stunned by what he saw. 

“No Meadow, there aren’t.” Katniss stood and gently and sternly said. “I need you to go wash up. Dinner's almost ready.”

“But, mommy.”

“Meadow please,” Katniss pleaded. She rubbed her temples. “No more baby talk.” 

“Ba-be! Ba-be! Ba-be! BA-BE!” Ryley was now shouting and laughing at a decibel Peeta had never heard his son use. 

It dawned on Peeta why Katniss was distracted. Their daughter was innocently causing Katniss to stress about something that wasn’t real while she was trying to cook. Their daughter was stubborn, just like both of them. The only thing she did have was an uncanny ability to predict certain things, like announcing  Ryley when Katniss herself didn’t have a clue. 

“Hey Meadow,” Peeta put down the pot and kneeled down to speak to his daughter. “Why don’t you help mommy and me by getting you and Ryley ready for dinner?” Peeta then called for their son  Ryley. “Come here, buddy.”  

Ryley ran to him. Peeta caught him easily. “Go with your sister to get washed up, okay?”

 Ryley nodded. 

“Come on Ryley,” Meadow said. “No getting too wet. Mommy doesn’t like us to look drowned.” 

Katniss hid her laughter as Meadow led  Ryley out of the kitchen, toward the bathroom. Peeta stood and opened his arms to Katniss, who half groaned and half moaned as soon as his arms closed around her. 

Katniss sighed and pushed away.

 “So this is why you’ve been burning every single meal?” 

Katniss crossed her arms over her chest in a defensive position. “I’m sorry, I should have told you what’s been going on with Meadow. I thought I would be able to handle it, but she’s so insistent that I’m pregnant. She’s up before you and when I’m making breakfast she wants to speak to my tummy. Every time I’m making dinner, it’s the same thing and before you ask, yes  Ryley does that every single time, at full lung capacity.”

“I’m sorry, Katniss, I should have brought it up a long time ago, but I didn’t. You shouldn’t have to go through this alone. We’re a team.”

Katniss nodded, she let down her arms. She slid them around his middle, and Peeta wrapped his arms around her again. 

“Peeta I know you don’t feel it’s necessary to take the tests again because we’ve been careful and I already took two of them. But, we need to go to the doctors with Meadow, get tested, and show Meadow that she’s wrong.”  

Peeta hadn’t wanted to go to the doctors again, but if going to the doctors was the only way to stop their daughter from harassing Katniss, it was what they needed to do. “We’re responsible adults fighting a battle against a little girl.”

“Have you met this little girl’s parents?”

“No. Are they boring?”

“No, they started a war and toppled the government,” Katniss chuckled. 

“Ah, then extreme measures are necessary.” 

“Ugh I hate going to the doctors.” Katniss wrinkled her face. 

“I know you don’t like getting poked and prodded.”

“I hate needles. The pregnancy test Dr. Terry does involves blood tests.” They usually had to wait for the results to come in, as they didn’t have the equipment. Before the war, the old way of testing if a woman was pregnant was the rabbit test. The home test kits sold in the Apothecary were too expensive for the residents to use.   

Peeta kissed Katniss’s forehead. “You can hold my hand.”

Katniss looked up at him then gave him a sly smile. “Maybe we can do more than just hand holding later on?”

“Any time, Sweetheart.” 

“But first, dinner?”

They separated and began working on finishing up dinner. Katniss mashed the potatoes while Peeta cut the rabbit. “You know we’re going to have to run the whole gambit, including an ultrasound, just to show her that mommy and dada are not pregnant.”  He watched Katniss mull it in her head. 

“I just don’t want to disappoint her.”

“Katniss, our daughter is astute enough to understand the truth, and frankly I can’t take anymore burnt meals.

Katniss chuckled. “Neither can I.”

The next morning Peeta called Dr. Terry, and explained the situation. The plan was hatched out. Dr. Terry needed to have a special machine they used in the Capitol that provided instant results during the appointment. Two weeks later all four of them sat in Dr. Terry’s office. 

“Now sweetie,” Peeta said, haunching down to speak to his daughter at eye level.  “Dr. Terry is doing this to see if mommy has a baby inside of her tummy.” The physician’s assistant had taken the samples of Katniss’s urine and blood to perform the test on the machine. As the tests ran, the doctor was going to perform the ultrasound. 

“My brother and sister are excited for you to see them.” Meadow gave Peeta a smile that he’d seen on Haymitch’s face a few times. 

Peeta winked at Katniss to reassure her that everything was going to be well. Katniss had been anxious about letting their daughter down. Katniss was resting on the examination table; her shirt was pooled up to show her midsection. Their son was in the walker taking a nap.  

“Okay,” Dr. Terry said, “Let’s get this show on the road. Are you ready, Meadow?”

“Oh yes,” Meadow’s blue eyes shone with happiness. Peeta recalled how they had brought Meadow to all of these appointments before  Ryley was born. 

“Okay, Katniss, you know this might be cold.” Dr. Terry spread the jelly on Katniss’s belly.  “This is your mommy’s tummy as you can see,” Dr. Terry said, “There is…” her voice drifted off as she frowned. 

“There is nothing inside,” Peeta supplied.

“What the,” the Doctor muttered.  She moved the wand over Katniss’s womb. Peeta wasn’t sure what they were looking at.

“Doc what’s going on.”

“It’s them,” Meadow said smiling.

The doctor flipped a switch on the machine and the room was filled with the swishy sound of an unmistakable heartbeat followed by another sound.  

The physician assistant ran into the room waving a tablet. “Doc, you’re not going to believe this…” 

The doctor took the tablet and read the results. Dr. Terry turned to Katniss and Peeta. “Congratulations, you’re going to be parents to twins,” the doctor said. Then glanced at Meadow. “I owe you an apology, Meadow. You really are going to be a big sister again. How did you know, though?”

Meadow laughed. “The babies were playing hide and seek the last two times. I told them it wasn’t a nice thing to do since mommy is such a good mommy. Melody and Levi are very sad.  They’ve been waiting to be found all of this time.” 

After he got over the initial shock, Peeta’s first instinct was to check on Katniss. She had tears in her eyes. He took her hand. “Are you okay?”

“Twins, Peeta, we're having twins.”  Her voice contained awe. She wiped her face, before glancing up at him. “All this time and I didn't know.”