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She jerked awake instantly with a shout, her hands clutching a sweaty duvet. Dark corners lined the edges of her gaze, and her eyes felt unused and sticky. Katniss gasped, her throat sore from screaming. “Prim—” she breathed, reaching out to wipe away her tears... before finding there was already another pair of hands resting on her cheeks.
She rolled over.
Peeta. Her rock. Her hope. The dandelion pushing through the dirt, signalling spring; the light that the young sunflower blooming in her chest always turned to. His cool, smooth baker’s fingers traced the bridge of her nose and her lips.
“You had a bad dream,” he whispered gently, as she pulled closer. “It’s okay. Prim’s okay. We’re all here.”
“I... I thought that Prim and my dad and Rue were all—”
“It was a nightmare,” Peeta repeated. “We’re all here.” He kissed her softly, his honest blue eyes fluttering shut as Katniss melted against him. Her hands wrapped around his neck, running through his hair. Savouring the moment, and all that was good in the world. Because — now that she thought about it, lying in his arms — there was a lot to be thankful for.
“You had a long lie-in,” Finnick remarked cheerfully when Katniss finally emerged from the beach house. Peeta was just catching up, pulling on his fancy new sandals. “What were you two doing last night? Sound travels far in these huts, you know.”
“Oh, be quiet, it’s not like you and Annie can talk. I just had a nightmare.”
Finnick grinned wider. “I believe you.”
He was in his element. While in the Capitol, the young man had been striking, in District 4, where he’d been born and bred, Finnick was something else. Sea breeze tousled his wavy hair, already damp from a dip in the ocean. He wore an olive shirt that expertly complimented his sunkissed skin and eyes. The morning light couldn’t rival the untainted happiness radiating from him.
His joy only seemed to make Katniss’ perfect day brighter. All of Katniss’ friends and family were staying in District 4, specifically the Odair’s estate. The Second Rebellion had treated the household well. There was so much room, Finnick couldn’t resist inviting the group over, he’d remarked. After all, they deserved a holiday.
Peeta rushed forwards, having finally sorted out his shoes. “How’s the baby doing?” he asked as Finnick pulled him into a hug. “Brilliantly, according to the nurses! Eight months in. Annie reckons it’s going to have my birthday... I’m getting increasingly worried.”
“Don’t be, babies never come on their due dates,” Katniss reassured him, as they started walking to the restaurant. “And if he does... well, it’s not the end of the world. You can just share birthday presents, right?”
“The horror!” He clutched his chest.
“Are you going to find out the gender?” Peeta said. Finnick shook his head.
“He doesn’t need to,” Katniss smiled. “It’s obviously going to be a boy.”
Both Finnick and Peeta looked at her with similarly shocked expressions. “No!”
“What? Please tell me you are joking.”
“No way it’s a boy!” Finnick grinned. “As the father of the child, I have authority. The baby growing inside my wife is one hundred percent a daddy’s girl!”
Annie poked her head out of the door to greet them. Her auburn hair danced in the wind, her eyes bright. Ever since she and Finnick had moved back into District 4, no longer under the Capitol’s control, her ‘madness’ had lifted. Apart from the occasional flashbacks, you could never tell she was anything other than a happy to-be-mother. “What are you three laughing about?” she asked curiously.
“Never mind,” Katniss sighed. “Is everyone else already here?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. But Haymitch has already started his third drink.”
Together, the four strolled inside, Finnick’s arm sliding around Annie’s shoulder. They looked perfect, Katniss thought, glancing at Peeta. He looked over at the couple, then back to her, smiling and taking her hand. Vaguely, she wondered how others thought her and Peeta looked... before deciding she didn’t care.
“The lovebirds have entered the room!” Haymitch said merrily, watching his glass out of the corner of his eye like he thought it’d run away from him. Slouching on his chair, occasionally bursting into bellows of laughter, you could tell he was in a good mood. Maybe an alcohol-induced mood, of course, but at least after the war he’d mostly been drinking less. Nearby, on the booths, Prim and Rue giggled. They’d become best friends.
“Hi, Katniss and Peeta!” her sister said, gesturing for her to sit next to them. Immediately, Katniss was flashed back to her nightmare... and the flames, the blood... but she pushed it away. The couple took their places opposite Finnick and Annie. Beside them was Mags, sipping at a bowl of broth, and then three empty seats.
“Who’s still coming?” Peeta asked, pointing to them.
“Dad’s not here yet,” Prim chipped in. “He’s gone fishing.”
“Johanna Mason and... Asterid, my mother. She had an early shift.” Katniss observed.
“Well, there’s no rush,” Annie said pleasantly. “They can come if they want... but why don’t you three order?”
When the waiter, who’d been standing nearby, came, Katniss ordered a glass of orange juice and grilled white fish. Peeta asked for an array of different types of District 4 bread (of course), promising to share with whoever wanted some. And Finnick, who must have been a regular customer, ordered ‘the speciality.’ Everyone else already had their food — except Haymitch, who wasn’t hungry.
While Katniss was waiting, she leaned over to chat with Rue. “How’s life in District 11?”
“Better! We still have to work hard, but there’s less people to feed now. And the Peacekeepers are much less strict.” Rue was digging into a leg of turkey, despite the time — she said it was her favourite food now. It made Katniss smile just thinking about it. “I can spend more time in school now. That’s good, because I need good grades if I’m going to become an ornithologist.”
“What’s that?” Katniss asked.
“A bird scientist,” Prim and Rue said in unison. “And I’m going to become a paediatrician. Maybe I could work in the same hospital as Mum?”
“Here, in 4? They’d be honoured to have such a brilliant doctor as you.” Katniss answered. Prim beamed, turning back round to chat with Rue about the District 4 hospital. On the first day of their holiday, one of the directors had given her a tour. It filled Katniss with joy — pure, uncomplicated pride — to see the two girls so full of hope and certainty about the future. It was what they’d fought for, and it was what they all deserved. She leaned against Peeta, squeezing his hand.
Just before the food came, Johanna strode through the door, sinking into her chair. Her spiky dark hair was damp, her steely eyes twinkling in the sunlight. “The main course has arrived!” Finnick cheered.
“Oh, shut up, Odair. I’m not eating.”
“So you came here just to see me?”
“Not you — I came to see your little boy.” She gestured to Annie’s belly. “How long?”
She looked slightly bemused. “Only one month to go. So... you’re betting it’s a boy?”
Despite Finnick’s protestations, Johanna nodded, glancing at Katniss. “Is he not listening to you either?”
“Nope. And Peeta’s not helping,” she laughed. After their stay as roommates in District 13, the two young women had become close friends. Katniss would often visit her in District 7, marvelling at all the prey thriving in their woods. Hunting was still illegal in Panem, but punishments were much less harsh — which she took full advantage of.
The rest of breakfast was lively. Finnick was a jovial host, full of generosity, charisma and funny anecdotes; Annie was thoughtful and content. Peeta was sweet and warm, talking with Mags and the waiters. Johanna and a drunk Haymitch got on well, as Katniss expected, almost rivalling the chemistry between Prim and Rue. She barely noticed there were still two empty chairs at their table. Even though the food was amazing — after the Rebellion, Katniss had discovered a taste for seafood — she realised that by far, her favourite part of the meal was the people she was sharing it with.
A faint whistling melody led Katniss to her father, Burdock Everdeen, gazing out to the ocean. He was resting against a boulder, his eyes half closed and his dark hair whipping in the wind. By his side was a makeshift spear and net.
“Why didn’t you come to breakfast?” Katniss asked curiously, sitting down next to him. He smiled slightly, “I wasn’t very hungry.”
“Prim said you went fishing. Did you catch anything?”
“Eh... a couple salmon. Not much, though. I think I’ll stick to bow and arrow.” Burdock opened his eyes, glancing down at his daughter. “What are you doing today?”
“Finnick Odair is taking me, Peeta and a couple others on his fishing boat, I think.” Katniss replied. “He says he’s going to teach them how to swim. Mostly he just wants to push Johanna in the water.”
“You should go for a swim,” her father said. “It’s beautiful out there.”
“Better than 12?”
Burdock sighed. “Tough call. But no.”
They rested for a while in silence, listening to the waves. Sunlight sparkled against the green-blue of the ocean, lapping at their toes. Katniss wondered how far it went on for. It was a little like her future — it felt strange and far-off, and there was no telling who or what you would find, but there was no reason to be scared. Not anymore.
They were lying together on the bed, after taking a nap. Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen, the star-crossed tributes of the Hunger Games. The Mockingjay and the boy she loved. Against all odds, they and their friends had survived.
“So you’re going to call Cinna later?” Peeta asked drowsily, spooning Katniss. “How is he?”
“Yes, I’m calling him. And he’s busy, with his new fashion line. But good.”
“Good. What about Effie?”
“You know how she is, Peeta.”
He chuckled, his hands slowly stroking her arms. “I know. I just want to hear it out loud.”
Katniss obliged. Secretly, confirmation was something she was searching for too. “Well, she’s doing great. Working on her new charity for District kids, named after me and you. I think... it’s something she’s wanted to do for a long time.”
“Yeah... me too. I’m glad that she’s happy. Boggs?”
“I don’t know — he’s busy in District 2 with Gale. Everything is only just starting to die down... but I think he’s doing well. He hasn’t been on the news, at least.” Katniss sighed. “The Rebellion is finally over. I feel... it feels...”
“Different,” Peeta supplied. “Weird, but good.”
“Definitely good.” Katniss nodded, his blond hair brushing against her skin. But something was bugging her. “I... I don’t understand why I had that nightmare. I haven’t had one in weeks. Maybe even months.”
“Well... they happen at random times, don’t they? But they’ll fade eventually.” Peeta said gently.
“I don’t think they will.”
He shuffled slightly, drawing his arms tighter around her, properly embracing her. “I’ll be there for all the bad ones.” Peeta whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear. “And you’re there for all of mine. So thank you.”
“Thank you,” Katniss mumbled. “You don’t wake me up screaming, do you?”
“That’s why I go to bed earlier than you,” he said. She could hear the tender smile in his voice. “But really — it doesn’t matter.”
“Nothing matters,” she replied contentedly, her eyes fluttering shut. “Not anymore. Not past you and me, and our friends.”
“I want to stay like this forever,” Peeta said suddenly, a little stronger than before. She rolled over to meet his eyes — blue and beautiful, like the cloudless sky hanging over District 4. “During the Games, the Rebellion... everything used to matter. To hell with what Finnick would say. I just want to stay here with you in my arms, and everyone we love just next door.”
Katniss laughed, a pure and genuine sound. “What’s stopping us?”