A/N: Hello everyone! Happy July to you! Here is yet another chapter of the story! I apologize it's so short, but I'm still trying to get back into the swing of writing. Thank you so much again for all the reviews, follows, and favorites, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please, please don't hesitate to let me know what you think and if I need to change anything. :) Love you all.

~Katniss~

It had been just days since I had mustered up the courage to finish my letter to Gale. I was always really good at keeping secrets, so I didn't tend to worry about people finding out. Especially Peeta. I knew he was already bitter at the thought of me opening the letter instead of getting rid of it due to the troubles that Gale has caused me as well as other people. Though I was so hesitant at first, I never knew how good it could feel to pick up a pen and write to an old friend. My heart raced as I wrote every word; a feeling that I had almost forgotten was possible to feel. Willow had watched me finish the task, and a part of me was very relieved that she couldn't say many words so that my secret could be kept as long as I needed it to. I also continued to worry of Willow's safety if Gale decided to just give us a surprise visit, yet there was a deep, but small desire inside of me for him to meet Willow. I always swore on never having kids, and I could just hear a joking remark come from his lips once he saw her. I tried not to dwell on the fact that those dreams would possibly never come true and that I just needed to let it all go and be thankful for who and what I have. That mindset was also completely fine with me to have to dwell on at the same time.

"Come on, Willow..come on." I dangled one of Willow's favorite toys in front of her as she rocked back on her knees; her blue eyes looking at me with determination. I was sat on our floor in front of the sofa, trying to coax her to crawl to me. Her muscles had been getting stronger and stronger since she had practiced the task of crawling daily. It was like a morning ritual for her as she was determined to make just the right movement. It had helped me learn something very quickly about her even early on. Every time that she wanted to do something new, she was going to do it at the best of her ability, even if that meant taking weeks and weeks to finally do it. Or maybe she had a rebel streak inside her. Peeta was always a lot better at coaxing than me; she had done it for him a few times, and I found that she was more fond of his tone than mine. I mean, who could blame her?

"So your daddy has all the power now, huh? And I just get to sit and watch him take over?" After trying multiple times to coax her into doing something, I joked with her on the conclusion that I had made. After I had said that, as if she could understand what I was saying, a smile formed on her face as she finally chose to crawl to me. "You silly little rebel.." A laugh escaped from both of us as I picked her up and tickled her a bit. Though that word had meant something so negative for so long in my life, I was now glad to be able to use it to play around with my young daughter, in hopes that she would be able to use it in a playful way as well.

"Hello Katniss! Sorry just to barge in, but you weren't answering the door." I stood up startled as I turned around to see Delly walking into my home along with Posy following at her heels.

"I'm sorry, I..was a bit distracted." I said, taking a silent breath of relief once I knew who my visitors were. They both went to sit on the nearest sofa, turning their attention to Willow, who was now reaching to be up there with them. I closely studied Posy's face, hoping she wasn't coming over with yet another bruise. I knew Gale had probably visited at least once again since he hurt her. I was very thankful and relieved when I saw that her face was clear as she smiled as she played with Willow. After standing a few more minutes, I went to sit down on the sofa that was across from Delly and Posy.

"You wrote him, didn't you?" As if Delly could read my mind, which is rare with someone like myself, she had just summed up everything I had been thinking for the past few days. My blank expression as my eyes fell to the floor caused her expression to become filled with worry, and Posy was now intently listening as well. "Oh Katniss.." Delly breathed as her mind most likely filled with all the risks that came with letting Gale back into my life. I crossed my arms over my abdomen, not even really wanting to speak much anymore. I knew that even something as simple as a letter wasn't very good for my mental health sake, but I had to do it anyway. I knew a part of me wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't. I looked into Willow's eyes as she sat contently in Posy's lap; the only thing keeping me from desiring to storm out of the room.

"I get that you care about me, Delly, but I need to make these kinds of decisions without someone worrying for me when I'm already petrified myself." It took a moment for my mind to finally form an answer to everything.

"What are you going to tell Peeta?" The question that I had been dreading having to answer was finally in the open air, demanding me to pay attention to it.

"I..I don't know. I don't think I really want him to know." I said breathlessly, my heart still raced along with the thoughts in my mind.

"How did I not know that was going to be your answer?" Delly was now smiling softly, and I couldn't help but smile back. Her and Posy both now had their attention on Willow once again, giving her the small toy that I had used this morning. She enjoyed it for a while before starting to fuss a bit while rubbing her eyes. Delly and Posy decided that it was a good time to hand her back to me and bid their goodbyes. I hugged them both while trying to juggle Willow in my arms, and Posy whispered something in my ear as she gave me a hug.

"Come to my house. I need to show you something." She whispered after she made sure Delly was out of the room. Her statement worried me, but I agreed to despite the many thoughts going through my mind once again.

"Let me get Willow more comfortable in my arms then we can go.''

...

"Oh, look who's shown up!" Hazelle happily greeted as Posy opened the door. After hugging her daughter, she came over to me, embracing me in a large hug. "She's gotten so big and beautiful, Katniss.." She ran her hand through Willow's small locks as we both smiled at each other.

"Would you like to hold her, Hazelle?" I could tell that Posy was getting anxious to show me what we had come here for, so I offered Willow to Hazelle. She proudly agreed and took her from my arms before Posy pulled on my arm to guide me to another area. She pulled me into a room that I didn't quite recognize, but it looked as if it hadn't been lived in for quite sometime.

"Look..I found this when I was cleaning our house just a few days ago." She handed me a frame that had a photo of me inside. I held it in confusion as I studied the broken glass, carefully tracing my finger on the sides of the frame. "The same day that Gale had hit me, I could hear something crash when he stormed back to his room. I was too worried to see what it at first, but when I was helping Mother clean, I found this." My stomach churned with fear as I watched Posy speak with a pained expression. It made me want to believe that if I saw Gale, he wouldn't want to just talk. I tried to push those thoughts out of my head as I set the frame back down on the small table. I hugged Posy with gratitude for showing me but also with sorrow. Though I knew both Gale and I would have to go our separate ways however it happened, I never wanted or expected him to move off only to come back ever so often to hurt his family with anger.

"So, this is where he stays?" I looked around the room, wanting to quickly change the subject. Posy nodded with a small smile. I walked around slowly, observing every aspect that I could. I could almost feel as if I was in a luxurious prison cell, with a large bed and just a few other small things. Once I had finished walking around, Willow's cry washed me out of my thoughts, and I was rather thankful it did.

"I guess we better get going." Posy and I both walked back into the living area as Hazelle tried to comfort Willow, frustrated that it wasn't working. "It was good to see you both." We all bid our goodbyes, and I promised that I would visit soon, hoping that the circumstances would allow me to. I held Willow tightly in my arms as I slowly and carefully walked out the door.

...

"..the end." I watched Peeta finish reading a book to our daughter, one of the only books she owned. She sat in his lap, trying to get him to read it once again. I always couldn't help but smile as I watched them interact. "Willow, I've already read this book many times, there's no way you want to hear it again." He playfully groaned as Willow still tried to open the book with her hands, in demand to make him read it once more. He finally would just give in every time, not being able to resist her every demand.

"She finally crawled for me today." I spoke once Willow finally let Peeta be finished reading the story, and she decided to rest in his arms.

"Oh really? See, I told you that she just wanted to give you a taste of your own medicine." He chuckled, making me giggle as well. We then both turned our attention towards Willow, who was now sleeping in Peeta's arms. I suddenly began to wonder a thought that I often had; I wondered how I could even live life without them. They both brought out the best of me and took away all of my worries in an odd way. If Gale had intentions of coming back to hurt my family, I couldn't ever let Peeta or Willow be his first victims. It would have to be me, at all costs. I knew Peeta would think the complete opposite, and I respected that, but I knew that I couldn't give him a chance to even have to think that. If it came down to it, the only way he could be let known of Gale's whereabouts in 12 would be if I was laying dead somewhere. But, I hoped and prayed that never would happen.

"Katniss.." Peeta had probably been trying to call my name a few times, but his voice still stayed as patient as ever. "What's the matter?" His voice was now filled with concern, which I never knew why, I seemed to daze in thought multiple times.

"Nothing. I'm sorry, I was just..thinking. Come on, let's get her to bed now." I knew he didn't believe me, but I didn't care. Though I wanted him to know my thoughts so badly, I knew it was much safer if he didn't. Especially since they were about a certain person.

A/N: Again, I love you all and please tell me what you think :) I'll see you in the next chapter! :)

xoxo, HGFicLover