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Suzanne Collins owns THG.

The Unopened Door

Chapter 4: Settling In

I'm the first to wake. Outside the sun is just starting to rise. I find myself under the blankets, wrapped up with Peeta. I'm happy, no that's not enough, blissful a word befitting the emotion I am feeling. I look around the room, then to my naked, slumbering bedmate, I remember last night, and everything feels so right.

One of Peeta's hands rests on my chest, I study it. I can see the scars I gave him when I bit his hand as he kept me from taking the nightlock, after I shot Coin. I love his hands, they're so large and powerful, I've seen them lift heavy loads and overpower vicious enemies. Yet, his hands are also the most gentle I've ever known, creating delicate, beautiful works of art. These hands, these wonderful, talented hands I know will bring me pleasure if I only ask for it.

As much as I want to stay in his arms, nature calls and I'm going to have to get up sometime anyway, I decide to get out of bed. Ever so gently, I pull away from Peeta, pick up and redress in the clothes that we haphazardly discarded last night. I stir the still hot embers in the fireplace and add wood to the fire. I tip toe into the bathroom and brush my teeth, then go down stairs.

I hate to leave Peeta's house, but I decide that I need to check on Buttercup, I haven't been around much lately. Outside, the rain has moved out and it's still cool, but spring is defiantly in the air. Upon opening the door I'm assaulted by angry meowing, apparently even the mangy old tom cat gets lonely too. After petting Buttercup for a couple of minutes, I stroll through the house and I do a quick mental inventory of what I'll need today. As I go through my closet to find clothes for the day I stumble upon the box of things that my mother sent me when I got back from the Capitol. Inside the box are my plant book, my parents' wedding photo, and the locket that Peeta gave me on the beach. I immediately decide that the book and photo are going with me to Peeta's today.

I look at the locket, it was a gift from Peeta so it's special, but it was supposed to convince me to forget him and embrace a life with Gale. I shudder at the memory. I'm torn as to what to do with it, when an idea suddenly hits me. Carrying my clothes and the box I go to my study and search through my box of pictures from the Capitol, I had never really looked through them before. It takes me several minutes, but I finally find what I'm looking for, a picture of Peeta smiling small enough to be put into the locket. With deft fingers, I carefully remove Gale's picture and toss it in the trash. I decide to remove my mom and Prim's picture too placing them carefully in my plant book, I reason that it would be too hard to carry her picture with me every day, just too painful; I already carry her in my heart. I painstakingly cut out Peeta's picture and place it in the locket, the photo is from the Victory tour, it was a little over two years ago and he looks much different now. I'll replace the picture with a more current one later, I tell myself and I place the locket around my neck. Wearing it finally feels right.

I walk back to the front door to leave and Buttercup is at my heels, he is determined to come with me. "You want to go home too, huh?" I ask and he gives me a whiney meow in return.

I put my bow and arrows in my box of things, put it under one arm, I leave my house with Buttercup close behind, knowing that it will never be my home again, not that it ever was really. Walking the path way to Peeta's door something catches my attention in the yard. A little yellow flower, the year's first dandelion, and I pluck it up.

Hoping that Peeta is asleep, I enter and let Buttercup in. I had never meant to be gone for so long and the thought of Peeta waking up alone, thinking that I abandoned him, saddens me. Apparently he is still in bed because the house is quiet. Assembling bread, butter, tea and the dandelion on a tray, I carry breakfast up the stairs.

Peeta starts to stir when he hears the door open. "Good morning beautiful!" He calls hoarsely from the bed, his voice still carrying an adorable sleepy quality, and reaches out for me. "Aw, you have clothes on," his complaint is almost childish.

I set the tray on the night stand and crawl into bed beside him. "Sorry, I had to go to my house and get some things."

"Any regrets?" Peeta asks me, his tone suddenly seriously.

I purse my lips and reply, "Yes" as somberly as I can without busting into a grin. His shoulders slump, he is dejected, I can't keep the charade up so in a tone that reflects how I actually feel I honestly answer him, "My only regret is that we hadn't done that sooner." I let the smile that earlier was threatening to consume the entirety of my face, Peeta should have no doubt to the happiness I feel when he sees this smile.

A relieved expression quickly covers his face and he asks me sarcastically, "You just think you are so funny, don't you?" Peeta lunges for me while I'm laughing at him. I'm enveloped in his arms and he kisses me until I can't breathe. I'm tempted to keep this going and have a repeat of last night, but I can hear Peeta's stomach rumbling. Breaking the kiss, I remind Peeta that the tea is getting cold and we should eat.

Peeta looks the tray over and picks up the dandelion. "These things are out already?"

"Yep." I reply, "I always loved when the dandelions came up it meant that spring was here, new hope for everything. You taught me that, even if you didn't realize it at the time." For a moment we smile at each other knowingly.

Peeta picks up the dandelion. "So you said that these things are edible?"Peeta asks ask he looks over the yellow petals, I nod 'yes'. He pops it into his mouth, chews, and he made a disgusted face, "It must be an acquired taste."

I laugh at him, "The blooms are best battered and fried, they're awful raw. The greens are good in salad."

I find Peeta's boxers as he's reattaching his leg, then we settle in front of the fire on the loveseat. As we eat, Peeta asks about some of the items that are around the room. He can't remember exactly where all of it came from, his memory still isn't totally back, and it may never be. I tell him about the things on the mantle, they're mostly tokens from the Victory tour, the shells we found on the beach from District 4, the large purple quartz crystal that was given to us in District 1, and the fancy clock from District 3.

"Why would I keep stuff from the Victory tour?" Peeta asks out loud, although it seems more like he is questioning himself, rather than me.

"We liked the Districts better than we did the Capitol." I remind him. "Sometimes we had fun, while we were on tour, hiding from Effie, and messing with Haymitch when he was hung over. Also that's when we got to know each other and really became friends."

"And became engaged, for convenience." Peeta adds.

"Yeah, but that part wasn't so bad, you made a fantastic proposal. Besides, I could have done a lot worse to quote Haymitch." I peek up from my tea cup and give Peeta a little wink. "Maybe you could try again sometime. Next time I might be a little more enthusiastic and genuine."

"Really?" Peeta asks sounding like his interest is piqued.

"Yes, really," I respond.

Peeta seems to think about for a second. "I'll have to keep that in mind."

"But Peeta, I think I have to tell you something…" I tell him soberly, there is one point I feel we have to discuss before we finally settle things between us. I hesitate because I know that it could be a deal breaker. "I haven't changed my mind about kids."

"I know," Peeta says thoughtfully as he takes my hands in his. "All that I ask of you is to be open to the discussion of children. We're not anywhere near ready to have kids and we may never be. I just would like it to be an option in the future. Could you agree to that?"

After of few moments of contemplating it, really mulling it over I acquiesce, "I can agree to that."

"Thank you," Peeta says softly. In this moment I know he'll probably convince me, someday maybe, but not any time soon.

A few moments of silence follow, then I ask something that I'd been curious about since I found this room. "So, when you did all of this, did you ever think that we share this room?"

"When Ceaser interviewed me, the story or the lie I told him was set in here. In my imagination this was where we would toast and then make love." Peeta shyly confesses. "But, in reality I never thought it would actually happen, I hoped it would… I thought that we would be forced to marry then you would sleep in here and I'd be at the end of the hall. We would have lived liked roommates. I swear that I would have never consummated the marriage unless you asked me to, only then I would have shared this room with you."

"What about now?" I inquire.

"You're still welcome here," Peeta tells me. "I would gladly share all that I have with you.

"I'd like that," I say and snuggle up to Peeta. The next thing I know Buttercup hops into the bed and curls up between us.

"Buttercup!?" Peeta looks pleasantly surprised, and starts to scratch the cat behind the ears.

"I hope you don't mind," I apologize, "He got lonely, and besides our house never felt like home."

"Of course I don't mind," Peeta replies. "I've been thinking of asking you to stay here for a while now… Or I could move to your place. Where ever you like is fine with me, I just want to be with you."

"I like it here," My answer is simple, trying not to laugh at his shocked expression. "I feel at home here with you…Plus, I love this room. I might even share it with you, especially if you keep doing to me what you did last night." I teasingly add.

"Oh, I think I can do that," Peeta purrs and starts to kiss my neck. Buttercup gets upset because his affection has ceased and he runs off. Slowly he kisses a trail to my ear and nibbles on my lobe, sending tingling sensations throughout my being. His hands roam my body. They drift down my sides to the hem of my shirt. "May I?" He huskily asks. I smile in reply. The shirt is off in an instant, along with my other clothes, and my body is drawn to his. Peeta looks at my neck and notices my locket.

"Is this?" He asks softly and then opens the locket.

"I finally put the right picture in there," I tell him sincerely, the smile I receive in response melts my heart.

No more words are needed just actions. Our kisses are deep and needy. I can taste the bread we just ate on his lips. Peeta's hands knead my breasts and I can feel my desire for him increase, I want and need more. Sliding off the loveseat, Peeta than situates himself in front of me, he lifts my legs and slings them over his shoulders. He gives me a devilish grin; I think he likes doing this to me.

"Oh, please," I beg, knowing what he is about to do. I'd be lying if I deny that was the most unexpectedly enjoyable part of last night; I never knew I could feel like this. The feeling of his mouth is incredible, just when I think it can't get any better, Peeta adds his fingers, the combination is amazing. His tongue caresses my sensitive bundle of nerves, while his fingers stroke some newfound center of pleasure. We communicate through a series of moans, groans, and sighs. Releasing control, I grasp the back of the loveseat as I call his name. I dare to watch him as he pleasures me, what I see is as much a turn on as what he's doing. I can't believe how intimate this moment is, how wrapped up in him I am, and I come when we make eye contact.

Peeta slides my legs off of his shoulders, rises up, and kisses a trail up to my mouth. "I need you now, Peeta," I moan into his lips. Even before I can come down from my high Peeta is pushing inside of me and starts to thrust slowly.

"I love your body so much, Katniss," he whispers like a prayer. I wrap my legs around his waist and my hands grip his shoulders to draw him closer. Today feels even better than last night, Peeta must sense it too because he is speeding up. After a several incredible minutes I can feel Peeta tense up, he must be getting close. Mentally, I prepare myself for his release, disappointed that this will be over soon. But instead, to my pleasant surprise, he pulls out and says seductively, "Katniss, I want to try something." Peeta shakily sits on the loveseat, and motions to me, "Come sit in my lap."

Before continuing our lovemaking, I pause a moment to take him in my mouth, not only to pleasure him but also to help lubricate. He groans and pulls my hair back to get a better view of my actions as I try to fit as much of him in my mouth as I can. Peeta calls to me sweetly, "Please, baby, I want to be inside you."

I cautiously straddle his lap. Peeta aligns his tip with my entrance, I lower my body slowly. We both sigh as we process the new sensations, he feels so much bigger this way. The stubble on his face grazes my chest when rests his head between my breasts and his hands on my waist. I start to rise slightly then fall, in a bouncing motion, holding on to the back of the loveseat to aid my movement.

"Like this?" He nods and moans in reply. When my confidence in the new position grows I speed up, increasing my own pleasure, a familiar tension is building within me. Peeta's mouth teases and nips at my breast as I rock my body up and down and his hands grab my ass firmly. "Peeta, I think I'm going to come," I gasp and start to move faster and less gracefully, my body is eager for its release. Peeta attaches to one nipple with his mouth, while he rolls the other one between his thumb and forefinger, and starts to buck his hips to match my rhythm. I'm sent over the edge, I cry out his name and my body starts to shudder around his member. He follows seconds later, burying himself deep in me. The feeling is delicious, he throbs, and I contract. We're a shivering, breathless, glorious mess, covered in sweat, neither one of us cares though. Our arms are wrapped around each other, holding on tight while catching our breath.

Totally spent, I let my body fall to the empty side of the loveseat and Peeta pulls my legs into his lap. "Afterglow looks good on you," Peeta tells me with a grin. I blush in response, not really sure what to say. Peeta rubs my feet lazily and we fall into a comfortable silence.

I think about everything that has happened in the last twenty-four hours, this feels so right I'm where I belong. I sit up and grab his hand, "Peeta, let's do it."

"Do what?" Peeta asks and looks at me curiously.

"Let's toast and make it official, to us at least." I implore him.

"Are you sure?" He asks earnestly, I know he wants me to absolutely ready for the next step. "Please don't feel like you have to just because we've made love or because we want to live together …"

"No," I cut him off. "I'm ready and I want us to share our life. We're always going to have bad days, nightmares, and we'll never be able to erase the past, but together we can survive. You make me want to live. Please be my husband."

Peeta smiles at me and says teasingly, "Hey, I thought that you wanted me to propose. That one was better than the fake one I gave you."

"Sorry," I laugh. "I guess I got impatient. So, how about it?"

"Yes, but let's be a little more official about it," Peeta chides.

"How could be more official?"

"A ring," he states simply, gets off the loveseat, and walks over to a chest of drawers and pulls out a small black box. He then makes his way back to me, gets down one knee, and says, "Katniss Everdeen, l love you always… Will you marry me?"

"Yes," I giggle, slide down to join him on the floor, and we share a happy kiss.

He opens the box to reveal a pearl ring and not just any pearl, it's the one he gave me on the beach. Peeta slips the ring on my left hand.

"Where did you find this? I thought that I had lost it!" I exclaim as I examine the ring.

"Johanna found it in the uniform the doctors cut off of you that day. She said that I was supposed to give it back to you when the time was right." Peeta tells me "Johanna told me that you would carry it with you everywhere and that you would kiss it when you thought no one was looking. When I heard that I knew that you did feel something for me, for real. That's when I decided that I would come back here and try to build a life with you."

"Stupid Johanna," I sigh. "Who knew she could be so likable?"

"She kind of grows on you, huh?"

Our toasting is simple. We sit in front of the fire, naked, and take the last slice of toast from the tray. Peeta's tough, almost heat resistant hand holds the bread over the fire until it is lightly toasted. Next we recite the short vows, feed each other the bread, and sing the wedding song, well I sing and Peeta tries to. Then we make love again.

After a joint shower Peeta starts on a cake, I go to invite Haymitch over for dinner, and then I call my mother to tell her the news. She is happy for us.

We make lamb stew with rice for dinner and we don't mention our news. Peeta brings out the cake for dessert.

"What's the cake for? You two finally do it and toast?" Haymitch asks, thinking he was teasing us, he is well beyond buzzed and still drinking.

"Actually yes, we did." Peeta says happily. Haymitch chokes on his drink and spits down his chin. Apparently we surprised him, we try not to laugh at him and we're not successful.

"Well, it's about time." Haymitch tells us after he has collected himself. "Maybe now you'll consider yourselves to be adults and you won't come to me to solve all of your problems like a pair of kids."

"That's pretty big talk from the guy that we have remind to tie his shoes, wipe his face, and put to bed at least once a week." I retort and Peeta laughs.

After eating the cake we see Haymitch to the door, much to our surprise he captures us in a big hug and says gruffly. "Congratulations kids, I'm happy for you." A tear escapes the corner of his eye. I wipe it away with my thumb. Haymitch kisses my head and slaps Peeta on the shoulder. "Best of luck."

"Thank you, Haymitch," I whisper. He turns and leaves for his house without another word.

"It never would have happened without you." Peeta tells him.

Peeta and I stand there holding hands and we watch him for a moment. Suddenly Peeta picks me up and starts to carry me up the stairs. "What are you doing?" I ask him.

"Well Mrs. Mellark if you must know, I'm taking my wife to bed." Peeta informs me.

"You're my husband now. Real or not real?" I ask him when we reach the landing.

"Real, Katniss, it's real." Peeta replies lovingly and opens the door to our room and our new life.

The end.

Thank you so much for reading my fic, I hope you enjoyed it. Now, I know that if you've read this whole thing that you've invested some time, so could you give me just another minute or two to leave me a review, if you haven't already, please. Your critiques will help me with future endeavors.

I've got a ton of ideas and hope to start another one as soon as I can decide which one to go with.