Chapter Text
I touch my stomach and inhale a deep breath as I look up at the building I used to work in. Almost a two years absence and here I am back in Panem again.
I rub my belly, soothing the rumbling and place one foot in front of the other as I charge on forward. I know they all still work here and they’ve been worried sick about me since I left. But I was fine. I just needed some time to think and experience the world a little.
Panem Private School.
The big bright red sign greets me and I suck in a deep breath. It’s almost lunchtime and I know I’ve got to move quickly as to not be squashed by elementary kids. The sun was still boasting warm temperatures in early November and I knew they’d be seeking the sunshine and fresh air after the long time between recess and lunch break.
The office assistant looks up at me and greets me with a wide smile. “Katniss! You’re back!” She exclaims. I smile at Bristol and nod my head.
She leads me into the office area and her eyes go wide. “Want to help me surprise the others?” I ask her.
She laughs and walks with me down towards the staffroom, passing the few classrooms that display a mixture of out-dated Halloween craft and early Thanksgiving craft.
Bristol tells me I’ll be able to surprise all of my closest colleagues as they were off lunch duty.
I sit behind the lunch table and flip through a magazine and wait. Bristol makes me a cup of tea and tells me she’ll be back in once the bell goes.
It sounds quickly after and Bristol comes and sits beside me and I listen to the familiar noise of the children heading out for lunch. Their shoes squeaking on the polished floors and the sound of the school children’s voices picking up in volume.
“I swear to god these children will be the death of me.”
I smile at Bristol and look back down at my magazine as I hear the approaching bodies.
“I know. Jax just cut Macy’s hair, yelled out Edward Scissor hands and hacked half her braid off.”
“How are you going to explain that to Macy’s parents?”
“Already have. Macy had to go home. Her precious hair is gone and Jax’ family will be getting a nasty email.”
Gasps sound and I look up from my magazine to see the three of my colleagues I’ve missed like crazy.
“Katniss?” Madge says.
“My three favourite elementary school teachers.”
Madge and I started here together four years ago, having met while undertaking our prac. Madge and I were the nervous student teachers but found a niche and friendship together. Delly and Johanna were new to the school, having started within the 18 months before. The two of them became our mentors during our prac experience and eventually when we took jobs as teachers the following summer. They didn’t monster us, they took us under their wing and from there we bonded into being close friends.
“Katniss, what are you doing here?” Madge asks. “You coming back to work?”
“What are you doing?” Delly asks.
I look at Bristol and she grins at me. I stand up, bracing my hand on the table and then patting my very pregnant stomach with a smile.
Madge, Johanna and Delly gasp.
“I needed to get away. I ended up in LA and took a job as a home schooler for an acting family. They were travelling around a lot and their children weren’t enrolled in school as they had big shooting schedules. I also served as a bit of a nanny and got to travel with them around the globe. They had a plan that when the oldest reached grade four, they’d be enrolled in school and the parents would lighten their loads.” I recall to them as they eat their lunch.
“So that’s what you’ve been doing? Just travelling and teaching these rich kids?” Johanna asks.
“Yep and it’s been amazing, real rewarding.” I tell them and feel a little kick to my stomach.
“So how’d you end up pregnant?”
“Don’t you remember sex health classes?” I ask Johanna with a grin.
“Of course I do. I just want to know if there’s a guy in the scene.”
I shake my head. “Total fling during a holiday. We went on a family holiday to Fiji, and I dragged Prim along. I met a guy on the dance floor on the night of Valentines Day. He was charming and very kind. And one thing lead to another.”
“How long did the fling last?”
“The whole week.”
“Girl, that’s so not like you.” Madge claims with a smirk.
“I know but I felt so alive when I was with him.” I tell them. “Afterwards we went our separate ways and back to our lives. Five weeks later I thought I had come down with a stomach bug. The mother of the children sat me down, handing me a box of tests and told to take them. I got three positives and she was over the moon.”
“And you’re keeping it?”
“I always wanted to have a kid. I’m in my late-twenties. I knew I could do this.”
“That’s a big ask.” Johanna claims.
“Sometimes life throws stuff in your lap… including unexpected sperm donations.” I tell them grinning, rubbing my stomach.
“Did you tell the fling?”
“No. There’s no relationship. It’s my call. I didn’t want to dump it on the poor guy.”
“And you’ve been working with that family the whole time?”
“Yeah, to save some money.” I tell them. “The kids got enrolled into school and I remained with them until just last week when their new nanny started.”
“And now you’re here.”
I nod. “I came by on a whim to see my family and you guys because I didn’t know when I’d get the chance next.”
“What are you going to do?” Delly asks.
“You know me, I find my footing really anywhere.” I tell them with a reassuring smile and rub my stomach where I feel a hard kick come to the top of my stomach. “I just hope this one can find its footing out of my ribs.” I laugh.
“How many weeks do you have left?” Johanna asks.
“Two.” I tell them. “Two weeks to get my life in order.” I laugh. “I’m having a baby. It might not be the perfect situation but its still good.”
The four of them smile at me.
“Well we’re here if you need help.” Madge tells me, squeezing my hand.
“Thank you.”
They all hug me goodbye as lunch is nearing an end.
“I’ll walk you out.” Madge tells me and we head down the hallway to the front entrance.
“Don’t you have to get your kids?”
“I’ve got a student teacher who is going solo this afternoon.”
I nod and smile. “I’ll see you round?”
Madge nods and embraces me. “Please come back and show us your baby.” I squeeze her tighter and let her go. “It was good to see you.”
She watches me and I turn to wave goodbye to her.
But I’m stopped in my tracks as I feel a shooting pain go from the top of my belly down to my core before I feel a wetness between my legs. I look down to see a puddle of water and look up at Madge with wide eyes.
“Guess we’ll be meeting this baby sooner rather than later.” She tells me giddy, skipping towards me.
She organises her class, getting the other grade 2 teacher to combine their two classes for a big afternoon of craft. Madge tells me he owed her one after she covered his class one Friday afternoon so he could have a romantic weekend away with his partner.
She drives me to the hospital in my car and pulls up in the car park where Prim is undertaking her internship.
“How close are contractions?” She asks me.
“I don’t know. I haven’t really been timing them.” I admit, squeezing my eyes together as another painful contraction hits. “I’ve been having a lot of practice contractions. The doctor in Beverly Hills told me I’d know when it was the real thing.” I say. “And I know this is the real thing.”
“Your water broke, it’s very real.” Madge laughs.
I had left two years ago. After a series of unsuccessful dates, I was determined I had found the one. Everyone thought I had found the one. I was planning my life to spend it with this one guy who I really thought I loved. But he did a real number on me, told me he had a wife and went back home to the east coast where he lived. So I quit and left Panem without anyone knowing where I was going.
“That jerk, Johanna was so determined to find him and tear his nuts off.” Madge tells me after a long silence.
“I know.”
“This baby, he isn’t the father right?”
“No. I haven’t seen him since he left.”
“Good. You don’t need that jerks kid.”
She helps me into the ER where we meet Prim.
“Katniss. You’re back?” She asks before gasping. “You’re having a baby?”
“You haven’t seen Prim yet?” Madge asks.
“I just got in to town. I knew she was working.” I explain. “I was going to surprise you at home.” I tell Prim. “Surprise.” I tell her with a weak smile.
Prim embraces me tightly. “I’m glad your home.”
“Me too. Can you let go though? I’m kind of in a lot of pain and about to push a watermelon out of my vagina.”
“Of course. Come on, we’ll get you upstairs.”
“Where’s Mom?”
“Working. I can call her?” She suggests.
“No. We’ve got a while yet.”
Prim gets me admitted upstairs into maternity and tells me she’ll be back to check on me when she can. Madge stays by my side, helping me into my gown and playing the supportive birthing partner.
“You don’t have to do this.” I tell her, looking down at her outfit. “It’s probably too weird for you.”
“I want to though.” She tells me. “You’re having a baby. I want to be here for that.”
I smile. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Now tell me what you want me to do.”
Dr Trinket comes by to check on me. “You’re Primrose’s sister, aren’t you?” She asks as she checks my cervix.
I grit my teeth at the pressure she applies. “Yeah.”
“She’s going to make a superb doctor.” She tells me with a proud smile. “I love having her on my rotation.” She smiles and takes off her gloves. “You’re at 8 centimetres, not long now.”
She documents it in her chart and Madge ducks off then to use the bathroom.
“So did you say you travelled from LA to Panem?”
“Yeah this morning.”
“That’s six hours of driving. You didn’t have any contractions?”
“I’ve had a lot of practice contractions but nothing that really was concerning enough.” I tell her as I feel another contraction. She grips my hand tightly.
“Good girl, breathe through it.” She coaches as I feel the end of the contraction. “Good girl.”
“Knowing my luck I would have ended up having my kid on the side of the road.” I joke and Dr Trinket smiles at me.
“Good thing you made it here then.” She smiles. “Rest up Katniss, I’ll be back in a little while to check you again.”
Madge returns again with a small overnight bag.
“Gale dropped some supplies off for me.” She tells me, producing her bag. “Do you want anything from your car?” She asks me.
“I’ve got my hospital bag in there.”
“I’ll go down and get it for you.”
She rubs my back, relieving the pressure in my lower back.
“Your hands are magical.” I tell her, laughing slightly.
“And you’re high off of the gas.” She claims, laughing even harder.
“So is the father in the scene?” Effie asks me as she snaps on a pair of gloves. I’m fully dilated and ready to push.
“No. I’m determined to do it all on my own.” I tell them. “I wonder what this kid is going to look like. The guy was good looking. Hopefully the baby will score intelligent genes from him. He seemed pretty successful. He was on holidays for a conference.”
“My dad, he says those holiday conferences are quite the scene. Especially those at those big resorts.”
“The conference was a bunch of business executives.” I say.
“My dad actually got home from one of those in February.” Madge says at the same time and we both laugh.
“Katniss you’re almost ready to push.” Dr Trinket tells me with a smile.
“What’s your father’s name?” I ask Madge.
“Peeta.” Madge tells me and the realisation of it all hits me.
Madge’s face drops and she stumbles backwards, reaching for her phone before she turns it around to show me a picture of her father.
Who happens to be the father of my baby that I’m about to push out.
I cover my mouth, dreading the thought that I have been carrying my friend’s father’s child for 9 months. That I slept with my friend’s father 9 months ago.
“Right!” Madge says clearly shocked. “Right. What? I can’t be here.”
I scream out in pain as a painful contraction comes.
“She’s ready to push now!” Effie states.
“I can’t do this!” I yell, reaching for the gas from the midwife.
“Yes you can Katniss.” She tells me.
As I suck in the gas I look at Madge, understanding if she can’t stay at my side as I deliver her brother or sister.
“Are you in or out Madge?” Effie asks her. “Because now is the time to leave if you’re out.”
She looks down at me and then grips my hand as I feel another pain rip through me. “I’m staying.”
“I should explain myself.” I tell her once I’ve begun pushing, lying on my side with one of my legs propped up.
“You don’t… you don’t have to explain anything.” She reassures me as she rubs my back. “Let’s focus on getting this baby out first.”
“I have to explain. We met on the dance floor. He was charming and he made me laugh. And then you know…”
“Yeah I know what happens next.” She says and I grip her hand harder as another contraction rips through me.
“I can’t do this.”
“Yes you can Katniss. I’m holding your baby’s head.” Dr Trinket tells me delighted. “Bubs has lots of hair as well.”
I focus on my mind and the baby and focus all my energy into pushing the baby out.
“We’ve got the shoulders out. Come on one last push and we’ll be holding your new baby Katniss.”
Madge peaks over my legs to see the baby and she smiles at me. “Come on, bubs is almost here. You can do it.”
She rubs my outer thigh and squeezes my hand as I use the next contraction to push.
“Here we go!” Dr Trinket beams. “Well done. Baby is out.”
I feel tears spring to my eyes and elation overcome me.
“It’s a girl.” Madge announces with absolute joy in her voice. “She’s fabulous. Look at her.” My little girl is placed on my chest crying and scrunching her eyes and fists together as I lay her in my arms.
“She’s beautiful.” Madge tells me with tears in her eyes. I smile up at her and then back down at my little bundle.
“Good job Mom.” Dr Trinket praises with a wide smile. “I’ve just got to cut the cord-”
“Madge can cut it.” I tell Effie.
“You sure?” I nod and watch her take the scissors cutting the umbilical cord of her half sister. “She’s so tiny.” Madge exclaims, setting the scissors down.
She was right. She was a tiny little baby but she was already so perfect.
She’s taken for a couple of minutes despite my initial desire to be parted from her.
“She’ll be back, don’t worry.” Madge tells me as the nurse takes her to be checked out. “You did good.”
“I think she’s got your nose.” I tell her, trying to lighten the situation.
She stifles a laugh and grabs my phone to take photos of my little girl.
The baby is placed on my chest crying after all the poking and prodding and examination to make sure she is healthy. I study her features, dark hair and a button nose. Her little round eyes house baby blues and I hope secretly she’ll keep the color. The same blue eyes I got lost in nine months ago. I kiss her nose and her forehead and cheeks and lips.
“I love you so much.”
She ceases her crying as she tries to focus on me and my voice and warmth. I stare down at her, staring into her intense gaze and nuzzle my nose against her face.
“Thank you.” I whisper to Madge.
“My pleasure.” She replies, kissing my forehead and touching the cheek of my baby. “I’ll give you two some time.”
“We’ll talk.” I promise her. She nods, squeezes my hand and leaves the room giving me my time alone.
The midwife gets me nursing, making sure our feeding technique is comfortable and correct before she leaves us to be, letting us bond in privacy.
Prim comes and finds me when the baby is sound asleep and I’m all stitched up, cleaned up and settled in a new room.
“She’s beautiful.” Prim tells me with tears in her eyes. “Mom’s on her way.”
“Should I be worried?”
“She doesn’t know. I’m meeting her downstairs.” She tells me, coming and sitting down beside me. “She’s so beautiful.” I smile at her and then down to my daughter. “Is it true you had Madge’s father’s kid?”
“You know?”
“So you had your friend’s father’s kid?”
“It sounds the punch line of a joke.”
Prim smiles and shifts the baby in her arms. Her phone sounds and she takes it from her pocket. “Mom’s here. I’ll be right back.”
She lowers the baby back into the bassinet and leaves us alone
“What a mess we got ourselves into little one.” I whisper to her. “But families can be messy.”
Madge enters the room after Prim leaves and stands over her new sister.
“Thank you so much Madge.”
“You’re pretty good at pushing out a baby.” She tells me with a sincere smile. Her eyes are drawn to the little person. “And now here you are little person.”
“I’m really sorry for having your father’s kid.”
“You don’t need to apologise.” She reminds me.
“Not sure what it etiquette is when you accidently have your friend’s father’s baby.” I say and we both chuckle quietly.
“Are you going to tell Peeta?” She asks.
“I was determined to do this on my own. I didn’t think I’d…”
“You didn’t think you’d have to decide on this part?”
“No.” I admit. “Ok. I have to tell him. But then I think this was my decision, I don’t want the guy to feel obliged to me or anything. So here’s the go I say, ‘hello, here’s you baby but please feel free to ignore that and I’ll get on to being a plucky single mother.’” I exhale and look at her. “What if he feels he has to be honourable even though he doesn’t really?” I say and look away for a brief second before turning back to her. “You could tell him for me.”
“I…”
“Katniss!”
My mother’s arrival corners Madge into telling her father. She tells me she’ll see him in the morning to tell him. She leaves, placing a kiss on my cheek and her sister before she leaves us for the night.
My mother embraces me tightly in her arms. “I’m so glad you’re back and with a grandbaby for me.”
“I’m happy to see you too!” I exclaim and feel relief, as it didn’t start with twenty questions and belittling.
She tenderly picks up my daughter and holds her first grandchild to her chest.
“Welcome to the world little one.”
She remains silent as she holds her granddaughter and I just watch the two of them together. Prim has long left us to finish up for the day before promising to come back and see us.
“I had Madge’s half-sister.” I tell my mother.
“Families can be messy.” She reminds me as she transfers my fussing daughter into my arms. “Need any help?”
“I think I’m right.” I tell her as I unbutton my gown and bring my daughter to my breast.
“How are you feeling?” She asks me once my daughter is finally feeding.
“I can’t really explain it.” I admit. “I just look at her and I feel happy. Pure happiness and joy.”
“You’re glowing, you’re that happy.”
“She’s made me the happiest person in the world.” I say and kiss the baby’s forehead. “It’s not perfect the other stuff...”
“It’ll work itself out eventually.” She smiles. “Do you have a plan?”
“Not so much. I did but it’s gone out the window. Madge is telling her father for me. I’ll expect him here tomorrow.”
“Do you need me to stick around?”
“You go home. The two of us will be fine together.” I assure her.
“I’ll be by tomorrow afternoon then.” She tells me, getting up off the bed and kissing me on the forehead. “You try and rest up and don’t dwell on what he’ll say. If he’s like Madge he’ll be honourable.” She tells me as she leaves.
When visiting hours begin in the morning, a knock sounds at my door and it opens slowly.
I spy a bunch of fresh flowers before a head ducks around the corner.
It’s Peeta.
“Alright if I come in?”
I nod and smile at him, watching him enter my room slowly. The baby is awake and he stops in front of the bassinet smiling.
“Big surprise all this.” He begins. “You and… her. Everything really.”
“I had a few months warning but still yeah.” I laugh.
He exhales and brings his attention back to the baby. “My feet are stuck. My feet can’t decide which direction to go to first.”
I smile understanding completely but he presents me with the bunch of flowers and sits down on the bed beside me.
“I wish you’d have told me about this.” He admits. “I could’ve helped out.”
“I was fine. It was my decision to go ahead with it. Don’t feel obliged or anything.” I tell him.
He nods. “Have you got a plan?” He asks.
“Um… yeah… I’ve got some savings to cover me.”
“You’ve got things worked out.” I don't nod I just stare back at him.
He looks at the fussing baby and back at me. “Would it be alright if I?”
He stands up and picks up the baby slowly. His smile widens and I can see how overjoyed he is as he brings the baby close to his face and against his chest.
“You’re a little princess. Such a little princess.” He says to the baby, smiling. “Who would have thought you and me would meet like this.” He says to her as she coos. Tears fill his eyes and I feel warmth spread throughout my body. “Beautiful girl. My beautiful girl.” He kisses her cheek and stares down at her little face before he looks up and smiles at me before looking back down at his daughter.
He sits down on the bed beside me. “Katniss. I know you’re an independent person and you’ve got things worked out but… but… what if you and the baby were able to move in with me for as long as you need.”
I shake my head and bite my lip as tears spring to my eyes.
“It doesn’t have to be a relationship between us. But I could provide a home for you and this little girl.” He says, rubbing the baby’s cheek. “I’d love that. I’d love it.”
I wipe my eyes. “I uh… excuse me… I’m a little bit confused at the moment.”
“You’ve just had a baby. Take your time.” He tells me. “The offers there.”
“Okay.” I reply.
He leaves us alone, on his way to work but leaves his number with me.
The baby is placed back in the bassinet sound asleep and I feel chuffed at how over the moon he was.
I grab my phone and flick through the pictures from the holiday when we met.
“You sure I can bring my sister along?” I ask Nancy as I help her pack the suitcase for the kids.
“Of course. This is a break for you and I know how much the kids love your sister. Bring her along.”
With four suitcases, seven carry on bags, a stroller, two teddy bears and three anxious kids, we navigate the airport. Prim and I walk on ahead of Nancy and Dave, not wanting the paps to photograph the kids. We meet Nancy and Dave in the business lounge and the kids are entertained with the kid’s activities while we all enjoyed a beer each.
“Those dam paps.” Nancy curses. They had spotted them, having been called to photograph another celebrity. “They have a hide I tell ya. I'm just thankful they didn't spot you two with the kids.”
“Well we know what to do if they appear.” I remind her. “Relax Nance we’re on holidays.”
We touch down in Nadi, the temperature well in the 90s and the humidity high. The kids are unsettled, the crossing of the dateline and the time zones having knocked them about, it's technically almost night time in LA while we've skipped a day and it's midday in Nadi.
Our transfer picks us up and we let the kids sleep the hour trip to the resort.
Nancy checks us in while I carry the youngest. He rests his head against my shoulder and I rock him from side to side.
A bellboy takes our bags to our suites, Nancy and Dave splashing out and purchasing themselves and the kids a big suite, Prim and myself a suite to share as well. We follow the family down to grab some lunch.
The place is huge and Henry cuddles into me as we find a restaurant. The kids gorge themselves in pizza and the adults fill themselves up with alcohol, celebrating to the start of our vacation.
“Can we go swimming?” Jack asks.
“We can take them.” Prim volunteers.
“Wow! This is awesome!” Jack exclaims as we enter their room.
“Jesus.” Prim says from behind me. The kids had already run off to investigate their diggings for the next week. “I wish I could afford something like this.”
“These are the holidays we could only dream of as kids.” I tell her as we follow the kids into their bedroom. “Maybe one day you'll be able to do the same.”
“Maybe.”
We wrangle the three of them, it taking more time than usual as they are fighting cabin fever and jet lag. They're going a little bit loopy and Henry ends up in a giggle fit over nothing.
“Henry you are a crack up.” I tell him, sliding his swimming trunks up his legs.
By the beach we watch them play. They stay in the shallow part, splashing about and building sand castles. Prim and I laze on the sand in beach chairs and watch them as the sun starts to go down.
“Thanks for inviting me.”
“You'll have to thank Nancy and Dave, they're the ones who let me do this.”
She smiles at me and Liv comes and lies beside me. “What's wrong Livy?”
“Nothing.”
“You tired?”
She nods her head and I wrap an arm around her, pulling her body closer to mine.
“You can have a little snooze if you want.” I whisper to her and she rests her head against my shoulder.
Prim orders us some drinks and we watch the two boys play in the sand. Prim telling me about her failed dates and friendships.
We have an early dinner and despite Prim wanting to head out partying, we follow the rest of the family back to our rooms and sleep.
“We’ll party tomorrow.” I tell her.
“It’s Valentine’s day tomorrow.” She tells me. “They have a party at one of the bars.”
“We’ll be there.”
“You better let your hair down.”
“I’ll try.”
“No trying. Just get loose, drink a lot and have a good time. Let the ocean air get to you and breathe it all in. It’s time you do something for just yourself.”
Nancy and Dave beat us out of bed and get the kids dressed and ready for the day. With our swimmers on underneath and a small beach bag, we followed the rest of the family down to have breakfast and then drop the kids at kids club before Prim and I headed for the adults pool. The sun was behind dark clouds but the temperature was beautiful.
We drink cocktails, swim, sleep and eat. Nancy and Dave join us for the rest of the afternoon after a couples massage. The kids in kids club.
“We were almost sprung by housekeeping.” Nancy tells us laughing. “We didn’t hear them knock and were in the middle. I heard them move into the suite and pushed Dave off of me and we dressed and walked out looking a bit sheepish. They apologised for the disturbance and said they’d come back but we went for a walk, waited for them to leave and went back.”
“They didn’t kill the mood?” I ask.
“Please forgive my sister, she’s not up there with the sexual desire and attraction between two people.” Prim says, flicking the page of her book over.
We take the kids for dinner and then drop them off at kids club again, wishing them a goodnight. Prim and I return back to our room to quickly shower and change, ready for the night of dancing and more alcohol.
The bar is quiet; Prim orders us a drink each and we take a seat. Music plays softly in the background.
“So, are you going to hook up tonight?” She asks me, sipping her fruity cocktail.
“If I see someone I like.” I tell her, shrugging my shoulders.
“I’ve seen a few guys but they’re not here now.” She pouts.
“Give it time.”
Eventually the bar fills with guests, the DJ resumes his spot at the booth and the bartenders are pouring drink after drink constantly. The atmosphere shifts and all at once everyone is on the small dance floor, the doors are opened wide and the partying begins.
We head to the dance floor, dancing and singing along.
And I finally begin to relax a little and let my hair down.
Prim’s attention is taken away from me and given to a guy with an Australian accent and it isn’t long before his tongue is down her throat. I grimace, give them their space and result to dancing alone.
A body bumps into me and is quickly apologetic.
“I’m so sorry.” He says and I look in his eyes.
They sparkle with the DJ lights and I find myself lost in the softness of them. I smile. “It’s fine.”
“I’m too old to be a part of this.” He admits over the music.
“No way. You’re never too old.”
“When you’re in your forties, you’re definitely too old.”
“You don’t look like your a day over thirty-five.”
He smiles. “Flattery, I like it. Can I buy you a drink?”
“Sure.”
I follow him to the bar and then out on the deck, where it’s cool and the sea breeze whips at us. A few other people stand out there and the two of us find a quiet corner.
The moon is peeking out of the clouds and I smile. Tonight’s atmosphere was definitely thriving and I’m glad I agreed to come out.”
“You look quite beautiful.” He tells me.
In all honesty, my hair was filled with chlorine, plaited in a messy side braid and I was wearing a cotton dress that had alcohol spilt down the front of it.
I scowl slight and see him catch it. “It’s true. You’re very beautiful.”
I allow myself to smile at him and turn to look at him. “The same as yourself.”
He smiles and lifts up his beer. I lift up my cocktail glass and we clink our glasses together.
“Peeta.”
“Katniss.”
We head back to the floor, our drinks drunk and the alcohol buzzing throughout our system. We dance together in the middle of the floor, surrounded by the sweaty throngs of people who are partying like it’s the end of the world.
We keep up with the remixed 80’s power ballads fast pace for the most part before we give up, setting our own pace and trying to catch our breaths. He rests his hands on my hips and I wrap mine around his neck as we slow dance.
“This is nice.” He tells me as we continue to do circles. I’m getting slightly dizzy but I don’t care. Peeta’s steady hands keep me stable.
Another song plays and Peeta and I dance with each other. We look into each other’s eyes and sing along badly.
At the closing of the song, Peeta’s lips are on mine.
A tipsy dancer knocking me into his chest and our lips meet, falling into a rhythm of slow kisses and tongue.
Minutes later, we come back to our senses.
“Happy Valentine’s Day Katniss.” He whispers against my lips, his breath tickling my sensitive lips.
“Happy Valentine’s Day Peeta.”
We disappear down to his room with a bottle of champagne we had stolen from the bar when the tender wasn’t looking.
We try to suppress our laughter all the way to his suite and fall into the room.
“I can’t believe we just stole a bottle of champagne.” I exclaim through my breathlessness
“Haven’t done anything wild before have you?” He asks with a quirk of his brow.
I bite my lip and shake my head as heat pools in my centre. He’s mesmerizing. His eyes are magical and his smile breathtaking.
I bite my lip and shake my head as heat pools to my centre. He’s mesmerizing. His eyes are magical and his smile breathtaking.
He leans down to capture my lips with his own.
We move to his bed and he leaves me to open up the balcony doors, letting in the breeze. He’s stripped out of his clothes and stands in just his boxer shorts with the moon illuminating him. I watch his muscles as he pops the bottle of champagne and heat coils in my belly. I take him in as he moves around the suite. His muscles on his chest, arms, back and legs. The broadness of his shoulders. He’s stocky but well built and I can’t help but wonder about other parts of his body.
He crawls up the end up the bed with the bottle in his hand and smirks at me as he hovers over my body and leans down to kiss me.
We guzzle champagne straight from the bottle and the bubbles go straight to my head.
The sex… the sex is the best sex I’ve had in my entire life. The experience, his stamina and age, all contributed to what Prim would call deathbed sex.
He’s gentle, delicate and slow, meeting every one of my needs and more than I knew I needed. His mouth skilful as are his hands.
Both our needs were met and we continue on through to early morning when the sun starts to rise.
I try to fight the urge to sleep as he runs his fingers through my hair and down my back and arms.
“You can sleep.” He whispers. I smile and feel him lean closer to me to kiss me. “Sweet dreams sweetheart.”
We wake again a few hours later and he presses delicate kisses to my lips, cheeks, jaw and neck and I keel against him.
“Tell me about yourself.”
“I’m a business owner.” He tells me between kisses. “I’m here for a business conference.”
“Do you have it today?”
“No, day off today. We got them to give us the day off.” He says licking a path across my collarbone. “Gives me time to remain in bed all day with a beautiful girl.”
His fingers dance across my hips and down to my core where I’m already wet.
“Tell me about yourself.” He prompts, urging my legs apart further and sucking on my collarbone.
“I’m a tutor.” I moan.
“Yeah? Sounds interesting.”
“It is. I’ve travelled the world with the family. They’re in showbiz.”
“What a fun job.” He whispers as he applies pressure to my small nub.
I moan. “It is.”
“You like that?” He asks. I nod and he does it again but softer. He pushes me onto my back and slides down my body, kissing his way down my chest to my heated core.
I do the walk of shame to my suite, avoiding the stares of those few people who were walking around the resort. Some of the men who were out last night wink at me and I slip inside my suite, blushing slightly.
“Katniss!” Prim exclaims.
And I close my eyes, seeing her on top of the boy she was tongue kissing the whole of last night.
“Sorry. I didn’t think you’d have company. I’m just going to grab some clothes really quickly and I’ll be gone.”
I blindly stumble to my suitcase, grab some new clothes and underwear and change in the bathroom as quickly as I can, hoping to not make it as awkward for Prim and her friend.
“I’ll see you round.” I tell her and duck out as quickly as I can.
Peeta joins me for breakfast and laughs as I recall walking in on my sister in reverse cowgirl.
His laughter bellows out throughout the dining room and I shush him. The waiter offers us champagne with our breakfast but we decline. We were still foggy from the whole bottle we drank throughout the evening.
“So how old are you really?” I ask him.
“You’re not going to freak out and regret sleeping with me are you?” He asks.
I shake my head. “No. I’m not.”
“I’m 43.” He tells me almost ashamed.
“You look nothing like a 43 year old.” I tell him. “Like I said last night, you look young still, like you’re in your mid-thirties.”
“Unfortunately not.” He laughs. “How old are you?”
“27.” I tell him and wait for his angered expression but he just smiles. “Nearing thirty.”
“Better to be under forty then over.” He says.
I smile at him, laughing slightly and notice he isn’t wearing a ring. There’s not even a tan line on his finger.
“Do you have kids?” I ask him.
He scratches his neck. “I do. Three.”
“Yeah?”
“Had them when I was young. Really young.”
“So they’re in their late teens?” I ask and he shakes his head. “Twenties?”
He nods. “25, 23 and 20.” He tells me. “Is it weird?”
“Not at all.”
“Would it be better if they were younger? Like school age?”
“Maybe but I don’t mind.”
We fall back in his bed again after dinner.
“Sleepover?” He asks, raising his brows at me, noticing my bag.
“Just my toothbrush and clean pair of panties and clothes.”
“No pyjamas?”
“I can go back and get them if you want. They’ve got Snoopy on them.”
“Get in here.” He says pulling me into the room and closing the door behind us. “I much prefer nudity.”
Its after when his head is resting on chest do I ask him.
“Have you been married?”
“Yeah, the kid's mother. Married her before my eldest was born and we were together until 5 months after the youngest was born. I’ve been divorced for quite some time now.”
“No other serious relationships?” I ask.
“A couple. Nothing that I could see myself settling with. I’ve been focused on the kids mostly that I pulled myself out of the dating scene.” He tells me. “What about you?”
“Just a whole lot of failed dates and one guy I thought was the one who did a runner, breaking my heart. He was married with a kid and lived on the other side of the country.” I explain.
“Asshole.” Peeta spits out. “He didn’t deserve you Katniss. You’re a wonderful girl, any man would be lucky to have you.”
“Thank you.” I breathe out.
On the third day, a hurricane warning is issued.
“There’s going to be a hurricane Katniss.” Liv tells me at lunch.
I look behind her, spying Peeta with one of his mates eating lunch and deep in conversation with him.
“There is Liv.”
“Will we be alright?” She asks.
I nod and smile at her. “We’ll be fine.”
“Will you stay with us?” Jack asks.
Peeta looks up at me and smiles from across the room. Nancy catches him staring. “No, you’ll have us.” She tells her kids. “Katniss and Prim will be in their room just in case.”
“Ok. Fair enough.”
Jack takes a bite of his pasta and Nancy leans towards me. “Gosh he’s yummy. You better make use of your time with him.”
“Oh she will be.” Prim winks and takes a sip of her cocktail.
The anticipation and nervousness is present throughout the guests and those who had day trips planned are left to cancel and make other arrangements. The rain falls heavily and everyone is reduced to entertaining themselves with the limited options. Mostly the adults are at the bar.
A note sticks out from underneath Prim and my suite door, addressed to me. Prim and I had volunteered to watch Henry for the afternoon as the older two went to kids club and Henry didn’t want to be separated from us.
“Oh, someone is sending you love letters.” Prim claims, picking the letter up from underneath the door. I shifted Henry as he tried his best to sleep against my shoulder.
She lets us into the room and I deposit Henry down on my bed and go and lay down on Prim’s.
“Katniss, our meeting will be finished earlier than expected. Will you meet me for dinner? There may be dessert, depending on how good you are.”
“He did not say that.”
“He sure did.”
“Give it.” I demand, reaching out for the note. I read what he’s written, asking me to join him for dinner and to pack a bag as the resort will be in lockdown from 9pm.
“You’re so getting laid for the whole evening. Who cares about a hurricane when you have someone giving you multiple orgasms for the entire evening.” She teases. “Just remember to use protection.” She tells me, throwing me a box of condoms she brought with her.
I meet him for an early dinner, bypassing his room where he told me he’d meet me. I had dressed in my best dress, a white piece that hugged every curve of my body. I let my hair fall in curls down my back and applied a little bit of lip-gloss.
We enjoy a seafood dinner, lots of wine and head back to his suite.
“Dessert.” He had whispered in my ear over our table. I drowned the rest of my wine and we headed off to his room like two horny teenagers at a party.
And he ravished me as the winds blew and the rain fell hard and the thought of a hurricane was non-existent as we focused on each other only.
The remaining few days, his conference finished up and the sun came out. We enjoyed lazing by the pool and beach. Lots of good food, more cocktails, entertainment and made a whole lot of memories. Peeta and I would meet for the rest of the afternoon, go for a later dinner and I’d return to his room where sometimes we just laid in his bed with the doors open and talked. Sometimes we just made it through the door before our underwear would be gone and he’d be filling the space between my thighs. Occasionally we’d utilize the jet spa bath in his suite after an orgasm or three.
“I’ve had fun this week.” I admit to him in the darkness of the night. It was our last night together. He’d be departing tomorrow morning, heading straight for the airport.
“Me too.”
And we knew it would end here. It’d remain a holiday fling and not become anything else.
“Thank you for this week.” I whisper against his lips the morning of departure.
“Thank you.” He echoes and kisses me harder. “I won’t forget you Katniss.”
“Me either.”
Funny how the universe has a way of doing things.