Chapter Text
Two Years Later
Katniss smiled over Adam's head as Peeta and Finnick hammered in the last few nails. They'd turned it into a friendly competition as the last outer wall was being finished.
Finnick dropped his hammer and thrust his arms in the air. "I win."
Peeta shook his head as he banged the last nail in. "You're such a show-off."
Annie waddled forward. "I think the big question is, will it stay standing?"
"Don't you worry, my dearest love." Finnick said, wrapping his arms around Annie. "It won't fall down around our heads."
"Maybe." Peeta grabbed hold of one of the porch posts and attempted to shake it.
Adam giggled. "Stop it, Daddy."
Peeta let go. "Perfectly fine. We both know a thing or two about construction."
"Good thing my Daddy was around to help." Katniss said, lowering Adam to the ground before standing. "Now the next question is, how long until the inside is finished?"
Annie nodded. "I'm ready to have no nights when I leave Adam. And I know you are too, Peeta."
Peeta heaved a sigh. "Yeah, me too. Soon." He looked to Finnick. "What do you think? Just a few more days?"
"Yeah, it's mostly just a few finishing touches." Finnick thought a moment and said, "We could probably get some help and be done sooner."
"Too bad all the Hawthornes are busy with Rory and Prim's house." Katniss said.
Finnick chewed his lip. "We'll figure it out."
"Did someone mention needing help?" Gale held a box of tools and had a board balancing on his opposite shoulder.
Behind him, Rory called, "My house is finished. Let's get yours done, too."
Prim was beside him. "He's only saying that because I told him our wedding was on hold until you were all moved in."
Katniss patted Annie's stomach. "And this one will be here any time. It would be nice to be all moved in."
Annie grinned and wrapped her arms around Katniss. "You'll be next."
"I have to be married first." Katniss said, edging out of the hug.
Peeta put up his hands. "You said you wouldn't accept my proposal until the house was finished. You Everdeen sisters have really odd notions."
"Hey!" Prim and Katniss said at the same time.
Peeta shrugged. "Just being honest."
Rory chuckled. "Let's just get to work. These two will fold one of these days." He walked into the house. "Come on, men."
Gale and Caleb followed him into the house.
"Me too?" Adam asked, slipping his hand into Finnick's.
Peeta knelt down in front of him. "You stay with me or Finnick, okay? No wandering off."
"Yes, sir." Adam pulled Finnick into the house. "Come on, Finn."
Katniss allowed Prim and Annie to slip their arms around her waist as they watched the progression. It had taken nearly two years for their town to be rebuilt enough for the house to be started. And then they were only able to work on it in the evenings and on Sundays. Finnick and Peeta were exhausted. Still, Peeta had somehow been able to find the time to bring Katniss her favorite cheese buns and take her away from her parents' house for some stolen kisses. And a little bit more.
Finnick and Annie had married as soon as the divorces were made final. It was no small task in the wake of a war. The tiny apartment where Finnick and Katniss had spent their marriage was empty and Finnick took it back with Annie as his wife.
Adam spent the first year mostly with Annie and Finnick, but Peeta took him to the bakery often. He adored Katniss. She had showed him how to hold a bow as soon as he was big enough and he was always asking to shoot it.
Prim leaned in, "You ready to get dressed?"
Katniss let out a breath. "Yeah, I think so."
"Don't worry." Prim said. "Daddy's telling Peeta the plan right now. They'll let Peeta go get rest and change while they work."
Katniss nodded. "I should have said something."
"We all wanted it to be a surprise." Annie said. "The only reason we said anything to you is because you live here with your folks and we couldn't hide most of it from you."
"Not without you getting worried about it." Prim added.
The three women walked across the road to the Everdeen home. Iris was inside waiting with a tub of water and a white dress that had been worn by three generations of women.
"Are you sure you're okay with this?" Annie asked as she stepped into the next room with Iris and Prim to give Katniss privacy. "We can wait another day."
"He's waited for years. He would have married me the day we got back from Four." Katniss shed her clothes and started scrubbing off the dirt and filth of the day. "Prim, you're sure Daddy will send Peeta to change and rest? He's been working all morning." She called.
"Yeah, he's got it covered." Prim called back.
"Him and Finnick." Annie added. She let out a soft groan. "That's not good."
Katniss froze. "What? What's going on?"
"Nothing." Annie said quickly.
"I'm just going to get Annie to lie down." Iris added.
"Is it the baby?" Katniss got out of the tub and wrapped the towel around her body. "Annie?"
Prim came in with the dress. "Mama can handle it. You're getting married today."
"But I promised Annie—"
Prim cut her off. "You also promised Peeta. So, you're going to get into this dress. And I'm going to go get Finnick."
Katniss sighed. "Okay, fine."
Prim hurried away while Katniss dressed. Finnick came in just a minute later and paused to give Katniss a once-over. "Looking good." He winked and hurried into the other bedroom.
Prim pushed Katniss back into the bedroom with the wash tub. "Daddy, Rory, and Gale are going to keep working on your house. They'll set up the things for the toasting. And I'll get your stuff over there after I finish with your hair. Which side is yours?"
"We hadn't decided yet." Katniss tried to sit still as her sister pulled her hair into a more artistic braid than normal. "The right side, as your looking at it from here, has a better view of the lake on a nice day. That can be Finnick and Annie's. The left side looks into town. You can see the bakery from the bedroom there."
"Left side it is." Prim wrapped the braid into a bun in the back of Katniss's head and pinned it in place. "Daddy made you a new bed. It's hidden in the shed behind the Hawthornes' house. Gale's been helping. Made one for me too. I'm sure they're putting it in as we speak."
"There are plenty of beds to be had. He didn't need to make new ones." Katniss looked at her reflection in the mirror. "You should probably let them know which room."
"I will." Prim leaned over and wrapped her arms around Katniss. "I'm so glad you're doing this."
"Me too." Katniss patted her hand. "How much longer do I have to wait?"
"Give us at least a half hour. We'll get the house set up someone will fetch the preacher." Prim kissed the top of Katniss's head.
...
Annie sighed and pushed herself up. "It's just the baby getting ready. It'll still be a few days yet."
Finnick rested his hand on her bulbous stomach. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Iris said so. It happened with Adam, too."
He rested his forehead against hers. "As long as you're okay."
"We're fine." She tangled her fingers in his hair. "So the house is about ready?"
Finnick pulled back just a little and gave her a smile. "Just about, yeah. A few more men showed up to help."
"You go back over there." Annie ordered.
"Ann." He warned.
"Finn." She mirrored his tone. "I'm fine. You go work on our house and I'll rest. And tonight you can sleep in my arms."
He snorted. "No, Adam always gets to sleep in your arms. I get kicked out of bed."
Annie laughed. "Where is Adam, anyway?"
"Madge stopped over with Katy and they started playing." Finnick patted her stomach. "Madge almost as big as you now. We'll have another pair of friends there."
She smiled and placed her hands over his. "I feel so much better here, Finnick. I'm glad we came."
"I am too." He leaned in and pressed a series of soft kisses to her lips before he stood. "You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine." She smiled and waved her hand. "Go."
Katniss came in wearing a simple white dress. It was beautiful. She sat down on the edge of the bed. "I just saw Finnick leaving."
"I told him to." Annie explained. "No point in him hovering. The baby won't come for a while." She smirked. "A few hours at least."
Katniss placed a hand on her large stomach. "How close are they?"
"They're still inconsistent."
Katniss stretched out beside her. "Do you think I'm a fool, Annie?"
Annie looked over. "For what?"
"For waiting this long. I could have married Peeta a year ago."
With a nudge of her elbow, Annie got Katniss to turn her head. "You need to trust yourself more, Katniss. Do you think you're a fool for waiting?"
Katniss shrugged. "Most of the time, no. There was nowhere for us to be together." She sighed. "Here, I guess."
"And where would Prim have gone?" Annie smiled. "You made your choice. But it's going to change now."
Katniss rested her head on Annie's shoulder. "I didn't want to rush into anything. I wanted it to be special."
Annie patted her hand. "It would have been special anyway because it's him."
"I know." Katniss sighed.
"You'll be in your new home tonight." Annie said. "And it'll be great."
Katniss nodded. "If the rest of it is any indication." She felt her face head up. "Thanks, Annie." She patted the other woman's stomach. "If this one comes into the world tonight, you have my permission to interrupt."
"I think the baby can wait, don't you?"
The front door opened and Peeta called, "Katniss, you in here?"
Annie pushed Katniss up. "Go talk to your man. I'll be up and about long enough to see you exchange your vows."
...
Peeta led Katniss up the stairs on the left side of the house. After the exchange of vows and the toasting in the new home, Peeta, Katniss, and Finnick proudly showed off the pace. Annie was ordered back to bed. She couldn't even make the short trip to her apartment under Iris's orders.
Peeta and Katniss walked past the smaller bedrooms that would one day hold their children. They'd discussed it a few times and agreed on just two, though Peeta said he wanted to fill the house with the next generation.
But that conversation didn't matter. They were finally married. And completely alone in a house that was theirs. No one would be coming home to interrupt them, giving them all the time in the world to explore. And Peeta was going to take all that time he was given and cherish it.
They'd resumed their relationship just as it had always been. With nowhere private, that was all they felt comfortable managing.
He watched as Katniss lit the lamp beside their bed, a new one Caleb had made for them.
"Katniss?" He said softly.
She turned and smiled. "Peeta."
They met in just a few quick strides, grabbing for each other. Their mouths met in a kiss hungrier than any they had ever shared.
Katniss broke the kiss. "You did a good job on the house." She backed up toward the bed, pulling on the edge of Peeta's shirt which she'd untucked from his trousers.
He grinned. "Well, I had to. Our family will grow here."
"Family." She smiled and took off her dress. "Well, let's add to it."
Peeta dropped his shirt on top of her dress and leaned over her until she fell back on the bed. "I love you."
"And I love you." She took his face in her hands and pulled him in for a deep kiss. "So much."
His mouth explored her every inch, bringing her to the very brink of orgasm more than once before finally burying himself deep within her. They moved together, their voices blending together in the silence of the house until they met a lovely, mutual climax.
As they fell asleep in a tangle of limbs, Peeta knew that his life was finally falling into place.
...
"Daddy!" Adam exclaimed as soon as Peeta stepped into the kitchen.
Peeta laughed and picked the boy up. "Good morning, sweet boy." He kissed his son's cheek. "How was your first night in your new room?"
"Good." He furrowed his brow. "The baby cried all night."
Peeta smiled. "It's what babies do sometimes." He looked over to see Finnick, cradling the baby boy close. "How is he today?"
"Finally asleep." Finnick grumbled. "After crying all night." He yawned. "I sent Katniss up to check on Annie. She was hurting."
Peeta nodded. "I'm glad Katniss can help." Peeta rubbed his hands together. "Adam, you ready to help Daddy make Sunday breakfast?"
Adam's eyes lit up and he nodded, hurrying to the stove and pushing over his stool.
Katniss came into the room and leaned over Brendan. "You need to stop giving your Mama such a hard time." She smiled and kissed his forehead. She looked into Finnick's expectant face. "She's fine. It's all normal. She should be feeling better soon."
"Did you give her something?" Finnick asked.
"I'm about to." Katniss picked up her black bag and took out a few vials. "Peeta and I can keep an eye on Brendan if you want to go be with her for a while. I'm sure she'd appreciate it."
"Breakfast will be ready in about a half hour." Peeta said.
Adam nodded. "A half hour, Finn."
Peeta smiled and kissed the top of Adam's head before he went back to mixing biscuit dough.
Finnick gave Katniss a relieved smile. "That would be great. I'll exchange the baby for the medicine."
Katniss sat the mixture she made on the table and then took Brendan into her arms. She spoke softly to him as Finnick left the room.
Finnick pushed open the door to the room he shared with Annie. She had her eyes clutched tight and tears leaked out of the sides. She was in pain.
"Katniss sent up something for the pain." Finnick said as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Annie's eyes opened slowly. "I need it."
He pressed a vial into her hand and watched as she drank it down and then curled into a ball on her side. After setting the empty container aside, he wrapped himself around her.
It was quiet for a while, but the tension slowly started to leach out of her body. "Brendan with Katniss and Peeta?" She asked.
"Yes." Finnick smoothed a hand down Annie's arm. "He's all right."
"If he's all right, why does he cry so much? Adam never cried like that." She rolled over and pressed her face into his shoulder. "I'm a horrible mother, Finnick."
He snorted and rubbed her back. "You aren't horrible, Annie. He's just a fussy baby. Iris and Katniss both say so."
Annie sobbed into his shoulder until she fell asleep.
Finnick was on the edges of it himself when there was a tap on the door and Katniss poked her head inside. "Breakfast?" She asked.
"I'll come down." Finnick slowly extracted herself from around Annie. "She needs some rest."
Katniss nodded. "The concoction I put together for her should keep her asleep for a while."
Finnick looked down at his wife. Her face was relaxed, though her hand still curled in a fist on her hip. "Is she really okay, Katniss?"
With a smile, Katniss waved her friend outside. "Just a week ago, she brought your son into the world. It does a lot to a woman's body. It took several months for the baby to grow and several hours for him to enter the world. It's going to take a few weeks for her to heal."
"But—"
Katniss held up her hand. "Do you trust me, Finnick?"
"I do."
"Then trust that I know when a new mother is doing just as expected." She tugged on his wrist. "She needs her rest and you need to eat."
Finnick allowed himself to be dragged down the stairs.
Adam sat on the floor beside Brendan and talked to him. The baby, still in the stages of mostly sleeping, was alert as his older brother leaned closer.
"Do you think it's going to be confusing for them?" Finnick asked.
"Extremely." Katniss said with a laugh. "But they'll figure it all out when they get older."
Peeta sat a plate on the table and called Adam to sit.
Adam pressed a kiss to Brendan's forehead. "Love you, Brendan."
Finnick smiled proudly as he scooped the baby up off the floor. "Did you hear that? Your brother loves you."
"We better remember this." Peeta said as he passed out plates. "My brothers refuse to say they love me, even though my dad swears they used to fawn all over me."
Katniss laughed. "I never went through that with Prim. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll be close like me and my sister."
Finnick grinned. "I hope so." He kissed Brendan's forehead. "Do you know your Daddy loves you, sweet boy? Do you? Because I do. More than I ever thought I would." He kissed the baby again.
"Eat something." Peeta pressed a filled plate into Finnick's hand. "You can tell him how much you love him between bites."
Finnick sat down beside Adam, who had gravy all over his face. "It good, Finn."
"I bet it is." Finnick said. "You and your daddy are great cooks."
"Daddy is." Adam said around a mouthful of biscuits and gravy.
Peeta smiled proudly and ruffled his son's hair as he passed. "Can't do it without help." He commented. He took his usual place beside Katniss and the two shared a smile.
Katniss pulled Peeta in for a soft kiss. She whispered, "Finish eating so we can go out to the meadow."
"Me too?" Adam asked, still shoveling food into his mouth.
"Of course." Katniss said with a smile. "I have to show you the dandelions. They're starting to turn from yellow to white and puffy."
Adam's eyes grew wide. "The blowing kind?"
Katniss nodded. "The blowing kind."
"You have fun with that." Finnick juggled Brendan and his meal. "I think I'm going to pray this little one sleeps so I can get a nap in."
"Good luck." Peeta said. "They never seem to sleep when you really want them to." He winked at Adam.
The boy giggled, gravy dripping heavily from around his mouth.
Finnick reached up and wiped Adam's face with a napkin. "Is any of that in your stomach, Adam?" Finnick asked with a laugh.
Adam reached down and pulled up his shirt. "Big belly!"
Peeta reached over and tickled his exposed torso.
"Stop, Daddy." Adam said, even as he laughed.
Annie stepped into the room and lowered herself into a chair. Her hair was in a fresh braid and she had wrapped a heavy dressing gown around herself. There were circles around her eyes.
"Good morning." Peeta said with a cautious smile.
"It'll be better once I have some food." She reached for a biscuit and started breaking off pieces and popping them into her mouth.
Brendan let out a cry as soon as he heard his mother's voice. Annie held out her arms and wrapped him loosely in her robe to feed him.
Adam climbed down from his chair and walked around to his mother. He looked up at her curiously for several moments before she said, "Well, are you coming up?"
The boy got up on his mother's lap and pulled the other end of the robe around his head. Annie laughed and played peek-a-boo with him for several minutes.
"You know," Finnick said, "Sleep isn't that important. You two take another day to yourselves. Adam can go to the meadow some other time."
"Are you sure?" Peeta asked.
Katniss was practically out of her seat, not waiting for an answer.
Annie laughed and kissed each of her boys. She looked up. "It's barely a week since you were married. You gave us two full weeks, if you remember."
"Other than work, of course." Finnick pointed out. "That was hellish."
Peeta stood. "Thank you." He walked around the table and ruffled Adam's hair. "You're staying with Mama this time, sweetheart."
"Okay!" Adam pulled the robe over his head again with a laugh.
Peeta and Katniss bid everyone farewell as they left through their front door. Katniss scooped up her bow and a quiver of arrows on the way out.
Katniss called over her shoulder, "I'll stop by and ask Mama to come check on you later, Annie."
"Thank you." Annie called back as she gathered Adam close.
"Did you drink your tea, Katniss?" Finnick asked.
"Done with that stuff for a while." Katniss laughed and shook her head as Peeta dragged her away.
"Tea?" Annie asked.
"One of her mother's concoctions." Finnick explained. "To prevent babies."
Annie laughed. "I'm sure this house will be filled with so many babies, these walls beg for it."
Finnick dropped to her side and smoothed a hand over Adam and Brendan's heads. "It will be." The pair shared a deep kiss before Finnick lifted Adam up into the air as the boy giggled happily.