Hello, let me start of by saying sorry for the lack of updates, school was very hectic last term and unfortunatly it won't get much better, but I promise I will try to find more time to write. Anyway, I will stop blubbering on now and let you read! :)

Chapter 27

Katniss P.O.V.

*1 Month Later*

*3 and a half Months Pregnant*

I'm starting to show. It isn't like before, when because I knew, I could see the bulge, but now it is noticeable to everyone and I'm going to have to tell them. They all suspect something, Peeta has been walking round with the biggest grin on his face for the past month and I have been eating more and going into the woods less. Normally today I would be up early and into the woods, but Peeta doesn't like me going into the woods in winter especially now I'm with child. And it's just so nice to lie in. I snuggle up next to Peeta and relish in the warmth and how content I am with everything. It's a Sunday so he doesn't have to get up to go to the bakery. Although he wanted too, Christmas Eve is tomorrow and so there have been extra demands for cakes, cookies and special types of bread. We compromised and decided he would go in later.

Effie and Oliver decided to postpone their wedding until the New Year as heavy snowfall meant that Effie couldn't get all the things she wanted from the Capitol to District 12 in time. I was so relieved when they said they would postpone their wedding, because it gave me more time to tell Effie I was Pregnant and it gave her more time to order me a new bridesmaid dress that fits. Peeta and I are planning on telling everyone tonight. We are all getting together tonight for dinner, doing our own thing on Christmas Eve and then all spending Christmas Day together. Peeta and I were glad that we got to spend Christmas Eve by ourselves because it is a year since Peeta proposed to me. What an extraordinary year it has been. Peeta and I got married, Johanna got pregnant by Thom and they've ended up as a happy family with baby Scarlett, Effie and Oliver got engaged, Haymitch stayed sober and to top it all off I got pregnant. I am dreading telling everyone tonight, but at the same time I'm excited mainly for Peeta more than anything else. He has dreamed of this for so long and he is so happy now that is finally happening.

He's still asleep. I love watching the steady rise and fall of his chest, the way his hair falls onto his forehead, the way his lashes seem to go on forever, the way even in his sleep he can reposition himself so he has his arm protectively around my abdomen. I could go on forever listing all the things I love about Peeta Mellark.

"Katniss, stop staring at me." He says without opening his eyes. I laugh and kiss him.

"I was just admiring your exceptional good looks." I say brushing the hair of his forehead, he snorts.

"I do that to you all the time and you moan!" He laughs,

"That's because I don't have exceptional good looks!" I retort, and he shakes his head and takes his hands in mine.

"Katniss, you are the most beautiful girl, I have ever laid eyes on. I love everything about you, your rosy cheeks, soft mahogany hair, your scarred skin, your steely grey eyes, your scowl, your laugh, that you wear my t-shirts as pyjamas, the fact that you are carrying my child, and your ability to go through the most horrific things and still live life to the full…" He would have gone on for longer if I hadn't stopped him with a kiss. I have heard him tell me all of these things before, but I have never stopped to listen to them properly and actually appreciate what he was saying. I have never seen myself as pretty before, let alone beautiful but thanks to Peeta Mellark I'm starting too. I launch myself at him and we fall back on the pillows, never breaking our kiss.

"You have to tell her." Peeta tells me for the umpteenth time, while we tidy up the house ready for tonight. I don't say anything; I'm tired of fighting with him over this.

"She has a right to know Katniss," He goes on, even though he knows I won't respond, "Come on Katniss, it is her Grandchild."

"That's enough!" I finally snap, "She lost all right to know about mine, our lives when she waltzed in here last year, Gale in tow, expecting us to get back together. Peeta she doesn't care about me, she doesn't care about us. She stopped caring a long time ago. She doesn't deserve to know, let alone love her grandchild. So can you please just drop it now, please?" I look over at him; he sighs and runs his hands through his hair, like he always does when he is stressed. Finally he looks up at me and pulls me in for a hug,

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pressurized you." he says,

"I'm sorry I snapped." I reply and hug him tighter.

"I don't like fighting with you." He says softly,

"I don't like fighting either, Peeta lets not fight anymore." I say and chuckles softly,

"We can try, but I don't think it'll last very long," He says with a smile, "It's what you and I do Katniss, we bicker then make up."

"True, very true." I say and pull away so I can look at him properly, "Now come on we only have an hour before I told everyone to come over." I smack him playfully on the arm and send him on his way to the kitchen. I finish tidying the house and quickly change into something a little dressier. I then force Peeta to change despite his many protests and wait for the doorbell to ring.

Effie, Oliver and Haymitch arrive first. Haymitch gives me a warm hug and a knowing smile and Effie ever oblivious just chats about her wedding plans. Soon after that I can hear Jo shouting at Thom from outside. Those two are shouting at each other, but they also really love each other so it balances out. We all sit down to eat while baby Scarlett naps in the front room. Peeta cooked a lovely meal, lamb stew (My favourite); Apple pie with ice cream and more importantly cheese buns, I have been craving them like crazy! We all have a good laugh at dinner mainly at my own expense but I didn't complain, it's nice to be in such a happy atmosphere.

After we have all finished eating we retire to the living room. Effie bounces Scarlett on her knee, Haymitch starts to crack jokes and Jo tells me what she bought Scarlett for Christmas. I think everyone has bought Scarlett, clothes I mean what else can you buy a 3 month old baby? The evening passes on quickly and when it is drawing to a close I look over to Peeta and he gives me a slight nod. We both get up and make a move to the centre of the room. He takes my hand in his and gives it a squeeze. Peeta clears his throat. Everyone turns to look at us and I begin to speak,

"Peeta and I have an announcement to make; we didn't just invite you all over to celebrate the holidays."

"You didn't?" Effie questions, "Is everything okay?" I look over at Peeta and smile,

"Everything is fine Effie; the reason we called you all over here is to, to tell you, I'm pregnant." I say, bracing myself for everyone's reactions. Haymitch smiles, but of course he already knew the news. Effie immediately jumped to her feet and run over to give us a hug. Jo just laughs,

"Do you know what you're letting yourself in for?" She asks me, "It's a lot of hard work, trust me!"

"We know, but I want this, I need someone in my life to love and look after, other than Peeta!" I giggle and everyone joins in because it is a well-known fact that I have to help Peeta with a lot of things, unfortunately his talents don't extend far past baking.

"Hey!" He moans, but smiles and pulls me closer anyway. We spend the rest of the evening receiving congratulations and being asked questions. I answer all of them with a genuine smile and I am quite thankful to be able to talk to Jo about this as she has actual been through it. I'm slightly disappointed when they all have to leave it has been such a good night but I find comfort in the thought that I will soon be snuggled up next to Peeta in bed.

Once everyone has left Peeta heads up to bed and I quickly finish tiding up. I'm just about to go upstairs when I hear a faint knocking at the door. I presume it'll be Johanna or Effie, they probably forgot something. I'm surprised to find Hazel Hawthorne, at my door.

"Look, Katniss I know it's late but this is important."

"Is everything alright? Is someone ill, is it Posy is she ill?" I ask,

"No, no the kids are all right, well 3 of them are." Her voice becomes bitter but I don't think it's directed at me.

"Look Katniss, I just thought you should know, Gale turned up at my doorstep today. He said he was coming home for the holidays."

"Oh, I um…" I can't get out any words.

"I know what happened this time last year, he told me and it was completely out of line. But I also know he still isn't over you. And if he knew that you were Pregnant it would just push him over the edge." She says, and I'm lost for words, how did she know?

"How do you know?" I ask in a hushed whisper.

"Katniss, I've know you since you were 11, you think I wouldn't notice something like that?" She says.

"Please don't tell anyone!" I plead, and she nods her head. "And thank you for the warning."

"Look Katniss, be careful, Gale is my son and I love him but you and me both know he has a temper on him, if he finds out I think he'll end up doing something he'll regret." she says and I can't help but agree with her.

"Look I have to get back now, but just remember what I said okay?" She says I give her a quick hug and then she disappears into the snow that has just begun to fall.

I shut the door and slide down it. I know better than anyone that no good can come from Gale losing his temper and now I fear that what Hazel said could become true. If he found out about the pregnancy he would fall over the edge. When Gale loses his temper he gets too blinded by rage to think rationally and that's when he starts to do things that are dangerous. I wish I knew what Gale was capable of; it would make this situation much less terrifying. What could Gale possibly do this time?

Ooohhh, little cliffy! Christmas is not looking good for the Mellarks this year *Evil Laugh* I will try to write more over the final week of my holiday inbetween revising and homework :(
I loaf you all for reading/reviewing/favouriting & following! Please do leave a review on your way out! They brighten my world and make me happy :) xox