Epilogue

(X Years Later)

(Katniss POV)

Summer seem to come earlier this year, as if nature had decide that since winter had lasted so long we could have a short Spring and an extra long Summer. Gale brushes a lock of hair away from his face being careful not to dislodge Ash as he sits on his shoulders, Ash is looking at all the people walking around the square, his little hands grabbing tight to his father's hair. I see Gale looking at me with a squint of pain and answer is silent plea for help with a roll of my eyes as I pull my son into my arms.

"But mom, I wanna play horsy" Ash complains in my arms.

"Later, but only if your careful not to rip out your father's hair" I tell him sternly but with a small laugh, he grumbles stubbornly but accepts my conditions. Gale comes up and thanks me with a kiss on my temple.

"Mom! Dad!" Lily's voice comes from by the butchers and I see her standing next to Rory waving for us to join them. We stroll over and Lily closes the gap and holds something up for our inspection.

"Look what uncle Rory gave me!" she says in delight, showing us a collection of wild flowers including daisies, poppies, some Katniss and a large Primrose in the center. Gale bends down and gives the collection a sniff.

"mmmm, they smell wonderful Lily" he says approving, "Did you say thank you?" her little face falls but then turns around and wraps her arms around Rory's leg saying "Thank you" repeatedly. He lets out a laugh and smiles at her affectionately.

We soon spot a small group of people outside a nearby shop; Peeta is kneeling low helping his son with tying his shoelaces. When he finishes, they follow Delly over to join us. Greeting, handshakes and hugs are exchanged and soon Lily is showing them her collection of flowers. Robin bends down and picks up a stray flower that had become dislodged and fallen from the collection. He handed it back to Lily looking rather shyly. Everyone but the children laughs loudly remembering an old, now forgotten District 12 tradition for a boy to present a flower to a girl when he wants to ask her to be his girlfriend.

All the kids look at us in confusion but no one gives an explanation. Gale speaks to Peeta and Delly about how Robin and Lily are starting school tomorrow, not mentioning about what they might hear about Panem's history or the games. Rory comes up and hands me out one of the two Primrose flowers that he has pinned to his jacket before saying in a low tone for me to hear, "I placed a bunch of them on her grave this morning." I smile sadly and whisper a "thank you" to him before he nods leaves.

After a while we all decide to go to the park and let the kids burn off some energy. Along the way Delly asks Lily if she is excited about singing in front of the school tomorrow, she just nods as she takes my hand. In truth Gale and I know she's a little nervous about it but is confident that she can do it if I'm there to watch. Gale suggests that she sing it with me for Peeta, Delly and Robin. I look at her as we reach one of the benches with a question and she nods happily. Ash, now back on Gale's shoulders quickly slaps his hands over his ears to block out the noise as I begin to sing with my daughter.

As we sing the old lullaby, I change from looking at my daughter to Ash and finally settling them on Gale. I knew he always wanted kids but he had never pushed me into having them, it was when we listen to Vick telling us about the first time he deliver a baby then I slowly came around to changing my mind. It was scary knowing that I was carrying another life within me but Gale was always there to help, to calm me when the nightmares came, to comfort me when the memories of Prim returned and to laugh and smile with me when we remember that there are no more reaping and no more Hunger Games.

'Here is the place where I love you' we finish looking at each other. Everyone applauds us as we make a small bow. The kids go off a play in the park as Peeta, Delly, Gale and I all stand watching them. Delly speaks up looking at the three of us.

"Everything's alright now, Real or Not Real" she asks us.

"Real!" Peeta says taking her hand.

"Real!" Gale says wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Real!" I say pulling Gales lips to mind.

Final Authors Note. There you have it my first ever multi chapter fanfic done! Thank you so so much to everyone who stuck with me and was so patient with me. I know I made a few mistakes here and there but since this is just for fun who cares! I know some of you weren't happy with my deciding to have Katniss end up with Gale but I said I would explain so here I go…

Now I'm a sucker for a good old happy ending to a story, especially if I've gown to love the characters and in my opinion Mockingjay's ending just straight up sucked. Think about it Peeta's head is still violently screwed up. Haymitch is still a drunk. Prim and Finnick deaths and Katniss's Mother not being able to come home. But to me the part that really annoyed me was how the relationship between Katniss and Gale ended. A 5/6 year friendship…gone. Just like that. No-way! No F**King Way! Could not believe it.

I should point out that the reason I love the Hunger Games books is not because of that little love triangle, Its not. It's mostly because I love a good old story about revolutions. Who doesn't? a story about people overthrowing a government, in the world we live in today who doesn't love that idea right?

While I was reading the books for the first time the idea of who Katniss would pick didn't really bother me, it was interesting to see the few differences between Gale and Peeta but ultimately I didn't really care who she picked just so long as all three of them have a happy ending…but they didn't.

Now I should point out that I do NOT hate Peeta! I really don't I think he's a great character, fantastically portrayed but Josh Hutchinson in the movies, but as the reader I didn't identify or relate with him as much as I did with Gale.

To me Gale is just badass and there are certain things about him I can identify and relate to. Now I didn't lose my father when I was young and I wasn't force to become the breadwinner for my family and sadly I'm not quite as handsome Liam Hemsworth. But I can be pretty stubborn, a bit of a hot head and I do love a good rant against the government of my country (The UK). And a few other things that I have in common with him.

I think the main reason why I'm an 'Everthorne' fan rather then an 'Everlark' fan is because of how Katniss and Gale relationship ended. 5/6 years of a close friendship like that ended and Gale goes to District 2 and never see's Katniss again? Nope! Don't buy it. Even if Gale feels guilty and Katniss couldn't look at him without thinking of Prim. They should at least be able to stay friends but nope. *sighs* damn you Collins! There are a few other reason why I'm an Everthorne fan but I know its pointless to argue, she picks Peeta, they get married and have two kids and that's that.

Anyway one more massive thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this story. I truly hope you enjoyed it.

Cya Next Time

Wolfskin1989 19/8/2014