Chapter Text
"Hey," Peeta said, handing her a to-go cup. "Light and sweet."
"I hate this stuff," Katniss muttered as she took the cup of coffee. She took a sip and sighed. Lately, she had a hankering for coffee.
"Tired?"
Katniss wrinkled her face. She had woken up with the feeling that something wasn't right today. Before they left the house, she double checked everything. Mentally, she went down her checklist.
- Plushies. CHECK.
- Four suitcases packed with clothing and shoes for adults and kids. CHECK.
- Disguises. CHECK.
- Medications. CHECK.
- First aid kit. CHECK.
- Lightweight rain jackets for four kids and three adults. CHECK.
- Six backpacks. CHECK.
- One game bag filled with games, sippy cups, snacks, and emergency packets of ketchup. CHECK.
- Identification Cards. CHECK.
- Tickets. CHECK.
- Four kids. CHECK.
- Three Adults. CHECK.
- Emergency contact list. CHECK.
- Sexy reading glasses for her gorgeous baker. CHECK.
- Cat and geese sitter. CHECK. (Delly was house-sitting and was given the spare key to Haymitch's place. She arrived just before they left.)
All of the "i's" were dotted, and all of the "t's" were crossed, and yet, something wasn't right. Her mom's senses were activated, and she couldn't put her finger on what it was. It wasn't allowing her to relax.
"What's wrong?"
"It's just that for some reason, something feels off. I can't put my finger on it, but something in my gut keeps on telling me something wonky is gonna happen."
"Of course, something wonky is gonna happen. We're traveling with a million kids. And a slightly sober neighbor."
She couldn't help but laugh. Haymitch looked so tired, much like the way Diana looked when she needed to nap.
"Don't worry, everything is gonna be fine. I got everything under control."
"Famous last words," Katniss muttered to herself.
The twins were turning three, and instead of staying home and having a quiet birthday, Peeta got it in his head to take their first family vacation. Haymitch, of course, was coming with them. They were traveling to District Four.
After the war, when the districts were opened, there wasn't much tourism. There was an influx of people moving. Some had been displaced by the bombings and fighting. Some cities were abandoned, others were rebuilt.
As time passed, different industries propped up. District Four became a place to vacation. People loved to go see the miles of beaches. People also liked to travel to District Three because of the futuristic technology found there, and funnily enough, they went to the Capitol and District Thirteen. Katniss didn't understand why people would want to visit an underground can of sardines.
She shivered, recalling the oppressive grey interiors. The only place people were discouraged from visiting was District Twelve. Katniss and Peeta liked it that way. She liked her home, liked her quiet nook of Panem where she didn't have to fear that her private life would become public fodder.
It's why she initially said no to Peeta's absurd plan. Katniss didn't want to travel with a million kids. They would be at the mercy of the public and sneaky reporters.
After two months of discussion, it was decided that they would go out on their first official family vacation. Katniss had told Peeta that if he wanted to travel, he would have to take care of everything. The travel plans, security, lodging, food, and anything else. She was going to hang back and let him do all of the heavy lifting.
Peeta made sure she was kept in the loop. They couldn't stay at her mother's cottage, because it wasn't big enough. They would be staying at a private hotel, and for the twins' birthday, they would stay with Annie and her family. Her husband was excited about their family vacation.
What changed her mind about traveling was that she and Peeta were coming up on 20 years of marriage, and it was a big deal. The added bonus was seeing Annie, Fin, Johanna, and her mother, who hadn't seen the twins since they turned one. Katniss didn't really have many friends who understood the games or what it was like to be in them.
The last time Katniss saw Johanna was when she came to town, and there was that unmentionable incident with Diana's shoes, for which Johanna eventually apologized. The only thing that came out of that was that Diana loved Johanna. Upon hearing Johanna was going to be there, Diana had packed up her small backpack with all of her essentials.
Peeta had gotten curious one night. He opened her backpack to discover that she'd packed all of her treasures. Her doll head, Ryley's duck plushie, a sock that belonged to Meadow, and several packets of ketchup. He laughed so hard at just how many ketchup packets she'd packed.
That incident was going into the book.
The morning of the trip, they'd all walked down to the train station. Haymitch was joining them because Ryley and Meadow had a fit at the idea of going without him. Inside the train station, they gathered inside a private room with large windows. The sun was slowly making its presence known in the sky.
"You okay?" Peeta asked Haymtich.
"I wanted to be home asleep. Instead, I'm here waiting for the train at sunrise," Haymitch grumbled.
"Could it be because of a certain widow, named Hazelle?"
"Oh for the love of gingerbread," Haymitch exclaimed. Around the kids, he'd gotten used to cleaning up his language. He'd learned the hard way that children were sponges who repeated things, embarrassing things.
Katniss laughed into her cup of coffee.
"You're not denying it?" Peeta had found out about Haymitch and Hazelle writing letters when Haymitch asked him if Hazelle could attend the twins' birthday party. Peeta readily agreed when he learned Gale was furious that his mother got all giddy when she received a letter from Haymitch.
Katniss was okay with Hazelle, Vic, Rory, and Posy coming to the twins' birthday party. Hazelle didn't extend the invitation to Gale. She told Haymitch she wasn't on speaking terms with her eldest son. Something about his snooty wife, saying something that disrespected her youngest.
"I'm going to need something a lot more interesting than tea if I'm going to have to survive this family vacation."
"Oh, Uncle Haymish," Meadow said, leaning up against him. "I wub you, like all-fire."
"I wub you like all-fire, li'l Dove," Haymitch said gruffly.
"Are we there yet?" Ryley asked.
"No, we have to take the train," Peeta calmly explained.
"Oh," Ryley frowned.
"I am so excited," Meadow began. "I cannot wait to see the ocean and walk on the sand. Mama, have we stayed in a hotel before?"
Katniss shook her head no, in disbelief that she had an eight-year-old daughter.
The train horn blew as it approached; it was so loud. Hunter covered his ears while Diana cheered and clapped her hands. Katniss ran her hands over her son's curly hair as he looked at her with his wide, blue, innocent eyes. "It's okay," Katniss said.
The rumble of the train coming into the station filled the interior of the small room. As the sleek silver engine pulled into the station, Katniss was filled with memories of the last time she and Peeta went on the train. Those were different days when the train symbolized certain death for the children who were forced to ride it.
Katniss gave Peeta a meaningful look. He smiled sadly.
She and Peeta had experienced many firsts on the train. Katniss had never seen such opulence. Back then, everything in District Twelve was muted by a thick coat of ash and soot. The only place of beauty was in the woods. The food, rich, decadent fruits, pastries, and sweets, Katniss's mouth watered as she recalled the selection of cheeses that were on board. Peeta had been fascinated by the baked goods. It was the first time either of them had tasted hot chocolate.
Back then, she could eat anything she wanted; she had been so starved. Today, she had to watch what she ate. Her doctor was concerned about her salt intake.
"Mama, it's so big," Meadow said.
"It is," Katniss said.
Ryley jumped up and down in his excitement.
"We have two cars all for us, Ry," Meadow spouted. "Uncle Haymish told me there would be one car for the staff. And the domed car has an upstairs and a downstairs like a real house."
Once the arriving passengers departed the train and collected their luggage, the engine was removed from the front of the train and transferred to the back. The first car was now the last. Two more cars were added to the back.
Once the train was cleaned and fueled, the station manager yelled, "All Aboard!"
"Be right back," Haymitch said.
A small group of people got on board. They didn't even pay attention to Haymitch as he moved to speak with the train conductor and station manager. Katniss slipped her handkerchief on her head.
"Alright, Meadow, Ryle, these are your caps. Please put them on, and do not take them off, okay."
"Okay, mama," they replied at the same time.
"I'm like you, Dada," Ryle said, pointing to the similar cap Peeta put on.
"Yeah, you are, Spud."
Katniss moved the bonnet of the stroller over her children's heads and a blanket to protect their faces. She'd learned that the photographers loved to catch her unaware. Thankfully, Plutarch and the government wanted to keep them out of the spotlight, but that didn't mean that people weren't hungry for updates on their lives.
Haymitch came back and said, "It's the last car right in front of us. Let's get this show on the road, I've got the suitcases," Haymitch said.
Peeta opened the door and took Meadow's and Ryley's hands and quickly walked out into the balmy morning air. The last car, which was domed, was for them.
Peeta arranged it with Plutarch. They didn't want the public to know that they were traveling. The public was very much invested in them, and pictures of the Mockingjay with her family sold for high amounts. Peeta took his family's safety seriously.
Katniss followed behind, her head slightly ducked, but ever so vigilant. Haymitch was behind her with the trolley that contained their suitcases.
"Ma'am," the train conductor stood at attention when she passed by. "It's a real pleasure."
Katniss nodded, following Peeta. When they got to their train car, Peeta scooped both kids inside of the train.
"Let me get these two situated. I'll be right back to help you with the stroller."
"Sure."
As Katniss waited for Peeta to return. The conductor appeared and hopped up. "I can help, he offered."
"Oh, I am just waiting for my…husband…P…I mean," Katniss stammered. They were supposed to use an alias, but she was never good at lying. She was uncomfortable.
"It's no problem at all. After all, you're, well…" the man guffawed, a slight reddish stain on the apple of his cheeks.
"Thank you, but I'm just going to wait for my husband," Katniss said quietly, as she hunched down to make sure the twins were okay. She moved the blanket, and Diana gave her a toothy grin. Hunter looked to be sleeping.
"Hi, Mama."
"Hi, baby girl," Katniss whispered, standing up. The conductor stood there for a few awkward moments, staring at her until Peeta appeared at the door of the train.
Peeta came down the steps and briskly nodded. "Thank you, sir, for looking after my wife, though she is most capable of taking care of herself," he said in that deep voice he used whenever he wanted to impose his dominance. Peeta was sweet, but one thing Katniss had learned over the years was that he could maim and kill for the ones he loved.
"Of course, it's no problem, hope you folks enjoy the trip," he said, stepping out of the way.
Peeta walked down. He gave her a meaningful look. "You okay?"
"I hate that," Katniss said.
"I know. When they gawk is the worst."
"Are you two done?" Haymitch said, standing behind Katniss. "They're waiting for us to take off."
"I'll grab Diana, and you grab Hunter," Peeta said to Katniss before addressing Haymitch. "Haymitch, if you could, please fold the stroller."
"Yeah, yeah," Haymitch grumbled.
Katniss followed Peeta up a flight of stairs, into a small space. There was a hall to the left, a door that read, "BATHROOM" in the middle, and a flight of stairs to the right. Peeta headed up to the domed part of the train car.
The observation deck held swiveling chairs at the back of the compartment, followed by a set of sofa chairs that faced each other. In the middle was an empty space for the kids to play in, and two tables at the far end of the room where they could sit and eat dinner together.
"Mama, this is amazing!" Meadow exclaimed, standing on the sofa seat. Ryley stood right by her side.
"You two had better sit. We're going to be pulling away soon, and I don't feel like having a kidsoup to clean up."
Meadow's tinkling laugh filled the air. "Oh, Dada, you're so silly."
"Yeah, Dada," Ryley parroted, but making a silly face as he repeated, "You're silly."
Peeta made a funny face of his own, and Diana clapped and said in a monster voice, "Again!"
In Katniss' arms, Hunter put his little head against her shoulder. He was sucking his thumb. It was a bad habit she was trying to break him out of. He had a binky that Effie gave him. Katniss thought she had weaned him off of it, but then discovered he was using his thumb in its place.
Katniss sat down with her baby boy, who sought to wrap himself around her. She smiled down at him and gave him a kiss on his chin.
Peeta had put Diana down, and she was now trying to climb on the seat next to Ryley and Meadow.
"Here, these are booster seats. This will keep the babies safe when the train takes off and stops," Haymitch said, plopping booster seats near the kids.
"Do we have to?" Ryley asked, looking at the seat distrustfully.
"It's for your own safety," Haymitch said. With the booster seats in place, there was no room for Diana. She was not happy. Her face turned red.
"NO!" Diana said.
"Sorry, chiquita banana," Haymitch said, plopping the seat by Peeta. "You're going to have to sit with your dada."
"NO!" Diana repeated this time in her monster voice.
"It's okay, Diana. I'll sit next to you," Meadow said.
"Ryley, do you want to sit by me?" Peeta asked.
"Sure thing," Ryley said, hopping down and running over to Peeta. Within seconds, they had all of the kids situated.
"Last call!" They could hear the train station master call as he walked by. Then moments later, the train took off, and the kids squealed and erupted into frantic giggles.
When the train made its first stop, the kids were in awe of the field of grain.
"Are we there yet?" Meadow asked. "Is this District 4?"
"No, this is District 11," Peeta said.
"Oh," Meadow said, dramatically.
"Mama," Hunter said, holding out his little hands. He didn't want to be in his seat.
"Okay," Katniss said, removing him from the seat. He cuddled with her.
"I want out," Diana said once her brother was free.
"Your brother is going back as soon as the train starts moving." Katniss knew it wasn't fair, but Diana was much more of a risk-taker than Hunter. Once free, it would be hard to get her back in the chair.
"I want out," she growled.
"NO!" Katniss said, using her monster voice.
Diana's eyes widened, and she blinked. She huffed and folded her little arms across her chest.
"Time to go back to the chair," Katniss said to Hunter. She lifted him and put him back.
Diana's scowl remained in place. Katniss could see the wheels in her child's head turning. This wasn't over.
When they got to District Ten, Ryley was beside himself when he saw a cow. "Dada, look a COW, a real life COW!"
Katniss had forgotten how big cows were. "Shep, shep!" Diana called as they saw goats. She was still confused between sheep and goats.
By the time they got to District 9, they were bored of looking out the window. Ryley asked, "Are we there yet?"
"No, but we're going to have lunch soon," Haymitch said.
"Oh, goody, because I'm bored," Meadow said.
Just then, the train slowed down and they made a stop. There was going to be a one-hour stop in District 9, long enough to get the kids a break to eat and run around the train.
Two aids showed up with food, and the family sat at the tables. Peeta sat with Ryley, and Katniss sat opposite Peeta with Hunter, who happily sat in his high chair. Haymitch sat at the other table with Meadow and Diana in the highchair; she stubbornly wanted to sit with her sistuh Cookie. She cooed at the sight of the ketchup.
After lunch, they got to play a little while. When the train began moving again, Diana didn't want to sit in the chair. She was trying to wiggle out of Katniss's arms when Peeta got her and tossed her in the air, much to her delight.
From that point on, every time the train stopped, the question of 'are we there yet,' came up. They stopped for a freight train that passed by, and Diana asked several times to get down.
Each time, Katniss said no, and her daughter's scowl became darker. It was time for Diana's nap. Unlike Hunter, who loved to nap, Diana hated sleeping during the day. However, when Diana didn't nap, she became cranky. Katniss sat next to her and employed Diana's biggest weakness. She began to sing softly, and by the time she finished singing, Diana was fast asleep.
Katniss looked at the passing scenery; the feeling hadn't gone away. However, she didn't say anything to Peeta. She hoped, in many ways, that it was her anxiety at leaving home. It was the first time they traveled out of the safety of their community. Katniss hadn't left District Twelve since she arrived there with Plutarch and Haymitch after she was let go after her trial.
Those were dark days.
Finnick was right, once you fell apart, it took a long time to piece yourself back together again. Katniss blinked away the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. Instead, she held Diana closer to her heart. She had so much now to live for. So much joy, it sometimes felt criminal to laugh so much.
Peeta caught her attention. He raised an eyebrow. "I'm okay," she mouthed.
He nodded yes, but she could see he wasn't convinced as he continued to color with Meadow and Ryley.
By dinner time, the kids were restless.
"When are we getting there, Dada?" Ryley asked.
"In the morning."
"Are we going to sleep on the chairs?" Meadow asked.
"The train car has beds."
"BEDS!" Meadow and Ryely shouted at the same time.
"Yeah, you guys have to share a room, but yeah. After dinner, your mom and I are going to help you guys take showers, and then you'll be bunking in beds. Even Snickerdoodle and Hunter have a room especially made for them.
"Ryley, we're going to sleep on bunk beds," Meadow squealed.
"What's a bunk bed?" Ryley asked.
"You'll see!"
After dinner time, Katniss took Hunter and Diana down to get them washed up. They had small cribs for them to sleep in.
"Sweepy," Diana yawned.
"Okay, Snickerdoodle, Dada is going to get your pajamas on and you can go to bed," Katniss said, drying her daughter.
"I wan mama," Diana protested.
"Okay," Katniss said, lifting up in her arms. Diana put her head on Katniss's shoulder. She was getting so big, but she was on the smaller side for a three-year-old. She weighed around 24 pounds, but she had a really healthy appetite. She ate more than her brother.
Katniss carried her down the hallway, where Peeta had Hunter in his low-to-the-ground crib. There was another one just like it on the opposite side. Katniss lay Diana down and gently soothed her back.
"Twink, mama, twink," Diana asked.
Katniss began singing, "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder where you are…up above the world so high." Katniss didn't even get to the next verse because Diana was fast asleep.
Peeta activated the monitor, and they both left the room.
"Two down, two to go," Peeta said, winking at her.
Meadow and Ryley were more than willing to get ready for bed. Insisting on going early. By the time they entered their shared room, they were ooohing and awwing over their bunk beds. Meadow got the top bunk because she was the oldest. Peeta put up the metal railing so that she wouldn't fall out and left the steps up.
Ryley got the bottom bunk. They were excited to see that they had a toilet in their room. Plus, the room had lights and toys. They asked if they could stay in their train car the next day.
Peeta glanced at Katniss, and she nodded. "As long as Uncle Haymitch stays down here with you guys."
"I'll ask," Meadow was out the door in a flash and knocking on Haymitch's door, before either one could stop her.
Katniss heard the door open. Meadow was so loud that they could hear her from the inside of the room.
"Can you stay down here with Ryley and me tomorrow, so that we can play? You can even stay in your room. We'll keep the door open, we promise!"
"Sure thing, lil'dove," Haymitch said.
"Oh, thank you!"
They heard Haymitch grunt as Meadow most likely threw herself at their old mentor.
"He said yes, mama," Meadow exclaimed as she ran the few seconds to her room.
Peeta popped his head out, most likely to thank Haymitch. Then helped Meadow go up to her bed. Katniss didn't think they would fall asleep too quickly, but within two pages of the book, both kids were asleep.
Once they were asleep, Peeta closed the door. And wiggled his eyebrows. He wrapped his arms around Katniss and placed a kiss on her neck. "Now that the kids are down, do you want to, erm, relive some of our nights on the train?"
"Peeta," Katniss whispered.
"What," he said, as he began moving them slowly in between sweet kisses. "We're adults now, and we can order hot cocoa and watch a movie while in bed. If you just want to sleep, it's okay. Me, I'm going to live out a fantasy of mine."
Peeta then separated himself from her, winked, and walked away.
Katniss felt oddly insulted. "Oh, hell no," she said. He wasn't going to drink hot cocoa without her.
That night, Peeta and Katniss cavorted like teenagers with steaming cups of hot cocoa piled high with frothy whip cream, watching old movies late into the night. They fell asleep wrapped up in each other's arms. Katniss still found her boy with the bread irresistible.