Epilogue

2 years later

The smells of barbecued chicken and grilled meat swirl round the warm June afternoon. The birds flit around the crooked crab apple tree singing sweet melodies. Jovial mummers and the high shrieks of small children fill the air. Sage and Chase chase each other round the various pairs of legs that stand leisurely in our large back yard.

I go around offering our guests servings of mini-quiches and cocktail sausages while they wait for the main serving of fried meat. It was Peeta's birthday earlier in the week so we are hosting a barbecue this weekend to celebrate. According to Delly 25 is an important landmark in our lives.

After making a few rounds and catching up with some friends and family I put down the nearly empty platters and turn to stare at the strong back of my fiancé. He wears a bright white t-shirt that is slightly damp where he has begun to perspire from the heat of the grill. He's wearing my favourite pair of kaki shorts that hug is ass in all the right places. The straps of his red apron can be seen round his neck and waist. I watch his back muscles strain and flex against the white fabric as he stands round the barbecue flipping burgers with his two brothers and Thresh. He tips his head back and the corner of his eyes crinkle as he laughs at something particularly funny Thresh has said.

I smile at the sight and make my way over to him. I wrap my arms around his middle and place a small kiss on the side of his neck.

"What is it about men and having to claim the cooking rights whenever a barbecue is rolled out?" I ask playfully.

Peeta twists in my arms and looks down at me with a grin.

"Like you ever do any of the regular cooking anyway," Peeta teases.

I pout a little and the rest of the guys chuckle at Peeta's statement. Peeta bends down to give me a soft kiss on the lips. However the sight of him in those shorts and the butterflies in my stomach from the brief kiss is enough for me to pull him flush against me and open my mouth for more.

"Get a room! Didn't anyone tell you it is wrong to make out at parties with children?" Madge teases as she makes her way towards us with an arm around Gale's waist.

"I'm only following your example," I reply with a cheeky smile as Gale and Madge come to a stop in front of us.

"And for the a thousandth time, we apologise for that," Gale says.

Everyone chuckles as we remember exactly how we all discovered Madge and Gale were dating. We still don't let them forget I caught them at it at Sage's birthday party.

It's been nice having Gale back in my life again. I forgot just how much fun we have together in the woods. And Madge has been a good influence on him. He's left Thom and the parties behind and has been working as a mechanic for the last 18 months. We have managed to rekindle the friendship we had before.

"At least save some of it for the honeymoon," Rye interjects.

We turn back to look at Peeta's middle brother who is still as cheeky and loud as ever. I tuck a strand of my hair back behind my ear which causes my diamond engagement ring to catch in the sunlight and blind Rye in the eye. Rye shields his eye with his hand and pretends to look annoyed.

"Jesus! That thing is dangerous!" Rye exclaims.

I smile as I bring my hand down and twist the modest band on my finger. I have only just got used to wearing it every day.

Peeta had got down on one knee in the New Year. He had taken Sage and I ice skating to reminisce about our first date. Thankfully I can say that I am a lot better than I was back then. Afterwards we had ordered hot chocolate but instead of my mug the waitress brought over a small black box with my engagement ring inside. I had been taken by complete surprise but accepted straight away. Sage had giggled as she watched her parents shower each other with kisses in the cosy café.

"Not long now," Bran states. Our wedding is now only 2 months away. "I warn you now bro that they get really tetchy the month leading up to the wedding. Be prepared."

Peeta chuckles and I scowl at Bran. I think I have been handling the wedding preparations pretty well. We don't want a big wedding so I think I have managed to keep my stress levels to a minimum.

"The sooner I marry this one the better," Peeta says placing a soft kiss on the top of my head.

I feel his fingers itching to reach out for my stomach but he refrains as we are in company.

We are then interrupted by a small whirlwind as Sage comes barrelling towards us, her 2 braids flapping behind her as she wraps an arm around Peeta's leg.

"Daddy!" she shrieks. "I got you another present!"

Peeta lets go of me as he bends down to speak to our daughter. We have not heard from Thom since the night I asked him to leave. Ever since then it has been easy for Peeta to fit into the role of Sage's father. She knows that Thom is out there and could be called dad also but in her mind Peeta is the only daddy she needs. It wasn't hard to convince her otherwise. Peeta still gets a small smile on his face whenever she calls him Daddy.

"Another one? Well aren't I the luckiest Daddy in the world!" he exclaims.

Sage beams up at him and takes the hand she has been hiding behind her back out to reveal a long black feather with a white tip.

"It's a mockingjay feather! 'Cause you say Mommy sings as pretty as they do!" Sage says.

"Yes. Your Mommy has the most beautiful voice in the world. I hope she sings Happy Birthday to me later," Peeta replies as he takes the feather out of her hand.

"I want to sing it too!" Sage says bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet.

Peeta chuckles and tells her that he can't wait before thanking her for the feather and kissing her on the cheek. Sage begins chattering away to him about the adventure that led her to find the feather. It is becoming clearer that my daughter shares my love for the outdoors.

Shortly after Sage stops her chattering, looking over at the back gate and shrieks in excitement at the people who have just walked into the back yard.

"Grandpa!" she exclaims running off to greet Peeta's dad.

Fortunately the majority of the Mellark family have accepted Sage like one of their own and she calls all of them grandpa, aunt or uncle. Peeta's dad catches her as she hurls into him and he picks her up to carry her over.

"How is Sage doing? Have you been busy making your daddy's birthday special?" he asks.

Sage wraps her arms around his neck.

"I drewed him a picture of a rainbow and found him a feather!" she replies enthusiastically.

Mr Mellark smiles at her and tells her he thinks they are really good presents.

"Happy birthday son," he says to Peeta once he has made his way over still carrying Sage.

"Good to see you Dad," Peeta replies.

Glimmer, who has arrived with her father, then comes up behind him and hands Peeta a neatly wrapped present.

"Happy birthday Peeta. Half way to 50," she says with a cheeky smile.

Peeta chuckles and thanks her for the gift before putting it down on a nearby table.

Glimmer then turns to me and gives me a small smile.

"Katniss," she says with a tip of the head.

"Hi Glimmer. Good of you to come. How were your finals?" I ask politely.

"Tough but I think I did enough to pass. Can't believe I only have one year left," she replies.

I nod my head in understanding before offering her a drink. Glimmer has grown up a lot since starting college. She's not as shallow as she used to be and she loves Peeta enough to tolerate me. We will never class each other as friends but at least now we can have a civil conversation with one another.

"Congratulations on your graduation," she adds.

I graduated from community college 3 weeks ago. It had been a hard 2 years, with a lot of tears, lack of sleep and arguments, but I got enough credits to complete my bachelors degree at the local university and get my diploma to teach high school music. I'm deferring starting for a year as I have to concentrate on family stuff in the next few months, but in the meantime I will be teaching piano and guitar from our home.

I have loved learning more about music and teaching what I know to others. I miss the bakery sometimes but the buzz I get when that child finally masters that tricky chord is exhilarating.

I thank Glimmer for her comment and she smiles before turning to talk to her brothers. My attention returns back to Peeta and Sage who is still talking with his dad.

"I'm sorry we're late," Mr Mellark states. "I tried to persuade your mom to come but she kept making excuses. Even Glimmer was trying to persuade her to go."

"We've lived here for 2 years now and she hasn't visited once. I didn't expect today to be any different," Peeta says but I can see the hurt in his eyes.

His dad apologises once again and Peeta tells him not to worry before making his excuses and leaving to go and retrieve something in the house.

I watch him walk with his head hung low. He finds it hard to admit but I know he finds his mom's rejection hard. Even after all she has done all he wants is for her to accept his choices and be proud of him.

I check that Sage is still happy with her grandpa before stating that I am going to help Peeta and following him into the house.

He is looking in the refrigerator when I get in, his shoulders slumped. I smile sadly, walk up behind him and turn him round so I can pull him into a comforting embrace.

"I'm sorry about your mom," I say.

Peeta sighs into my shoulder.

"I just thought she would be over it by now. We've been together for 2 and a half years. We're getting married. The baby…" he says his fingers splaying across my still flat abdomen.

My hands go to rest on top of his as he begins rubbing small circles over the spot our child grows. I'm only 8 weeks gone. We haven't told anyone yet. We are just enjoying the pregnancy with no one interfering.

We planned this one. After we got engaged we both knew that we wanted Sage to have a brother or sister sooner rather than later and didn't see the point of waiting. The wedding has been planned for August so I won't be showing too much on the day.

It is a totally different experience this time. I don't spend the whole time scared out of my mind about how I am going to cope. Peeta is always there, touching my belly and whispering words of love to our unborn child. I feel loved and cared for. I can actually enjoy the pregnancy this time.

Well apart from the morning sickness.

Peeta leans his forehead against mine.

"Your family are working on your mom. She'll come round eventually," I say rubbing circles on his back. "Just remember that you will always have Sage, I and the baby."

Peeta sighs again. I don't know if he believes me. I suppose I don't either. I may not particularly like Mrs Mellark, but she is Peeta's Mom. I have tried reaching out to her but she has rebuffed any of my attempts. I just want him to be happy.

I sense he needs something to cheer him up so I decide to give him his surprise birthday present.

"I was going to give this to you after the party, but I think now is the right time," I say.

Peeta looks up perplexed.

"Katniss, you already gave me those personalised wooden spoons and the baking tools I asked for. It's too much," Peeta replies.

I give him a coy smile.

"This gift is priceless," I state.

Peeta furrows his brows in confusion and watches as I walk round the kitchen table and take out the gift I have been hiding in the back of a cupboard. I walk back across to him holding the large brown envelope in my hands. Peeta only looks more confused.

"For you," I say handing him the envelope.

Peeta takes the envelope cautiously and carefully tears the top of it. He pulls out the sheets of cream coloured paper and I bite my lip in nervous excitement as I watch him read what he has in front of him.

As he reads the realisation dawns on him and he looks up from the paper with stunned delight.

"Are these adoption papers?" he asks in disbelief.

I nod my head with a smile and move to put my hands around his waist.

"I know we have talked about it and now we're getting married the whole process will be easier. I contacted that lawyer and we've already spoken to Thom and he's willing to do it. These papers are the start of the process. It will take a while but it will be totally worth it," I say.

The grin on Peeta's face is huge and he then picks me up and kisses me deeply.

I giggle with happiness as he puts me back down.

"You're really sure about this?" he asks.

I nod my head enthusiastically.

"Absolutely. Sage already loves you as her dad. This will just make it official," I say. "Besides I like the thought of us all being called the Mellarks."

Peeta chuckles and grabs my face to kiss me again.

"I love you," he says.

I smile back at him. But we are interrupted as our daughter comes barging in.

"Uncle Rye says to stop making kisses and come and give out food," Sage says, her hands on her hips.

She looks scarily like me when she stands like that.

"We're coming now," Peeta replies breaking away slightly and bringing his hand down to interlink with my own.

Sage seems happy enough with this answer and scampers back outside to find more interesting pursuits. Peeta and I watch her with a smile on our faces before we both follow her to rejoin the party.

Unexpectedly, through all the drama of the past 3 years, we have managed to create our very own little family.

A/N: So that's the end. I know a lot of people wanted Peeta to gain custody of Sage so I hope people like the ending. It's taken a long time but Katniss finally got the family she has been craving.

Thank you to everyone who has followed/favourited/reviewed this story. You support has been much appreciated and definitely motivated me to write. I am sad that is has come to an end.