Disclaimer: This fic is rated 'M' language and sexual content. I do not own any of the characters of The Hunger Games (although I wish I did).

Fifteen years later…

"This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home, this little piggy had roast beef, and this little piggy had none, but this little piggy…" Leaning against the doorway, Katniss watched her daughter's eyes grow wide as her daddy paused, his hand hovering over her little toe as his fingers wiggled in the air. "Had none!"

The high pitched squeal tapered off into a fit of giggles as Peeta grabbed hold of their daughter's tiny foot, tickling her toes until her arms flailed and she hurled her ragged stuffed bunny into the air. Even at the tender age of three, her aim was straight, just like her mothers, and the ball of fluff smacked her father square in the face.

Suppressing a laugh of her own, Katniss quietly watched as he released her foot and dropped like a stone down onto the mattress, clasping his nose. All humor fled from their daughter's cherub face when he didn't move. With a breathy gasp, she frantically crawled over the pile of blankets and pillows to reach out and caress his face. "Daddy owie?"

"Gotcha!" Springing up, he engulfed her in his arms, peppering her giggling face with kisses.

Katniss carefully backed away and shut the door, a smile on her face as she shuffled towards the stairs. Never had there been a doubt in her mind that Peeta would turn out to be such an amazing father. But that didn't stop the swelling of her heart every time she caught a sweet exchange between father and daughter.

Gripping the handrail, each step creaked and groaned beneath her weight, and just for good measure, she hiked up the hem of her nightdress as not to trip over her own feet. As of late, her balance had been off, no thanks to her continually shifting center of gravity.

A few minutes later, after a short yet much needed detour to the bathroom and a stop by the kitchen, Katniss lumbered her way outside onto the front porch. After a quick glance around, she placed a hand against the doorway and using her foot, moved a metal bowl out from behind some planters. Tossing in some leftover bacon from the kitchen, she nudged the bowl back out of sight and continued her way across the porch.

With a hand on her back, she gingerly lowered herself onto the porch swing, and with a content sigh, pushed back to set the swing in motion. The relief was heavenly, and she stretched and flexed her calves to release some of the tension from being on her feet for most of the day.

Lulled by the gentle rocking and the symphony of crickets, her eyes fluttered shut. Solitary moments like this were growing few and far between. Not that she was complaining, she loved the daily hustle and bustle of her busy household, but it was the quiet moments where she could clear her head and reflect on the day that helped to keep her grounded.

It was her favorite time of the year, those short weeks between spring and summer when the frequent rain storms had faded but the sweltering heat of July had yet to settle in. The evening was peaceful, the air pregnant with the sweet scent of orange blossom, thanks to the bush Peeta had planted alongside the house a few years back.

Opening her eyes, she stared out over the fields, pride filling her as she watched acre after acre of knee-high green stalks dance to and fro in the breeze. It had taken a bit longer than she'd liked, but she'd done it—no, they'd done it.

Converting to an all organic farm and mill was an idea she'd outlined on the back of a napkin one lazy Sunday afternoon while visiting the Mellark family bakery during their senior year. What had seemed so far-fetched years ago, was now a reality, and one she was certain her father would have been proud of. True to his last wishes, she'd done right by him and under her direction and diligent care, the Everdeen farm had not only survived but flourished.

The business end of things had finally fallen into place, the past few years a whirlwind of setbacks and overhauls, not to mention the unexpected yet happy news that she was expecting right smack dab in the middle of it all. It was the arrival of their daughter that had brought her back to life after her father's untimely passing, but as he'd taught Katniss from an early age, life can go on, no matter how bad your losses. That it can be good again, if we allow it.

At the thought of her father, a slow smile crept across her face, but when the weight of a blanket settled over her shoulders, her smile grew even wider. "It's pretty much summer, you know?" she groused, but it didn't stop her from adjusting the wool more comfortably around her arms. "Is this really necessary?"

"Ready to pop any day now and you still won't let me take care of you?"

Scooting over a few inches, she patted the empty spot next to her. "This isn't my first rodeo. I know my limits."

As Peeta nestled in beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, she didn't miss the smug smile he shot her way. "And if I have anything to do with, it won't be your last."

Rolling her eyes, Katniss swatted his thigh. "If you haven't noticed, the world was made for a family four."

"Well, my parents certainly didn't get the memo, and we all turned out just fine."

"Uh huh." Barking out a laugh, Peeta just shook his head and pulled her closer, his fingers playing with the end of her braid. With a push from his foot, he sent them rocking once again, but then she nudged him with her elbow. "That was a little cannibalistic, don't you think?"

Brow furrowed, he glanced down at her. "What?"

"That song," she clarified, chuckling at the way his nose crinkled in confusion. "This little piggy had roast beef? A little disturbing really."

Peeta shook his head before pressing his lips to her temple. "I won't tell her if you don't. Besides, livestock is Prim's speciality now, remember? I'm pretty sure that would fall under her jurisdiction. Anyway, she got called out again to the Hawthorne's. Rory thinks that sow of theirs is going to be a momma again soon. But you and I both know it's because he's finally working up the nerve—" Interrupted by Katniss's monstrous yawn, he paused, then carefully got to his feet. "Looks to me like someone needs to turn in for the night."

"You're probably right," she said, trying to stifle another yawn with the back of her hand. Peeta arched an eyebrow and she shook her head. "Don't let it get to your head."

Pulling her gently to her feet, Peeta followed close behind as she waddled across the porch. She secretly loved his hovering, and although she was pretty certain he knew, she loved him even more for pretending he didn't. When he reached to open the door, he stopped. "So, you know that mangy old cat that's been hanging around lately?"

"The orange one with the smooshed up face?" Kaniss cleared her throat. "What about him?"

"Turns out he's taken up a permanent residence in the barn, which we have your daughter to thank for, I'm sure."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, and I swear he keeps getting bigger and bigger every time I see him. I can't quite figure out why, since I told her not to feed the damn thing or give it any milk." A twinge of guilt ate at Katniss's conscience, and she couldn't help but bite her lip as she spared a glance at the bowl she'd hidden behind the flower pots. "But she swears she hasn't and I know there aren't that many mice in the barn and...wait a minute, it was you!"

Caught red-handed, Katniss didn't even bother to look innocent. "So?" she mumbled, then patted her belly. "What's another mouth to feed?"

Sighing, Peeta finally opened the screen door. "You going soft on me, Everdeen?"

"Never."

Peeta chuckled. "I can't believe it was you this whole time. Prim, maybe, but you?"

Clicking her tongue, Katniss looked up and smiled. "You should know better by now," she said, lifting her hand to cradle his cheek in her palm. "Never underestimate a farmer's daughter."

Author's note: And there you have it! It took longer than expected, but it was fun :) Thank you to all my readers and to everyone who has taken the time to leave me a review, your kind words are my writing muse. A big thanks to Court81981, Sunfishdunes, and Titania522, all of whom have offered their betaing skills at some point during writing this story, and to Loving-Mellark who not only gifted me an amazing banner, but fanart and much needed encouragement to finally finish.

As always, come find me on tumblr: pookieh