Always

Epilogue

A.N. Surprise!! I figured everyone could use some closure, so here is the epilogue! If you have been reading this story from the very beginning then comment because I'd love to see who's stuck around! Also if you remember those dreams Katniss had of a man in the meadow and her dancing with the the children, then this will be very similar. Dreams come true, guys. Mine did by writing this.

The grass beneath me crinkles as I lay flat, spreading my arms out wide. Amnesty runs through the meadow laughing and playing, with her brown hair flying behind her. Her blue eyes shine with joy, just like her father's did, so long ago.

Over the past five years I've come to terms with the person I am. I'm a woman who's body is marked with scars, I'm a mockingjay that has no wings, and I'm a widow.

It's in the moments like these, that I miss him now more than ever. His smile that could brighten the world, his laughter that could echo through the room, and his hugs. The hugs that enveloped me with strong arms and a comforting sensation. His pillow still smells of his soap and his favorite blue shirt still lies neatly folded on the chair. I haven't touched a thing of his. It makes it easier for me, it lets me believe he never left. Even though he did.

I still miss my little boy, but as the years went on the pain began to fade. Occasionally I'll see him in the woods or in the bakery window, but the most treasured moments are when I see him with Peeta in my dreams. Holding hands and walking through the district, or playing tag and never slowing down to look back.

Amy runs towards me with her arms stretched out and embraces me in a hug. "Come dance with me, mommy." She pulls me further into the tall grass and colorful flowers. With every step, my heart fills with love at what Peeta left me. A baby that could somehow make my life continue to go on. I spin her around and laughter fills the air as we dance through the field.

I never got to fulfill my duty by getting rid of Coin. But I suppose that after Peeta died a piece of me did too and suddenly I didn't need to kill her. I only needed Peeta, but he was gone. Rye couldn't help me, even though he tried for months. Haymitch thought I had turned into my mother and worried for Amy. Prim was gone, she died in the bombing in the Capitol. And I never heard from Gale again. In a matter of seconds the world I knew. . .was gone.

The locket that Peeta gave me sways in the wind as I set Amy down. When Peeta handed me the golden trinket, the pictures were filled with the people we loved. But now, it's filled with the ones that I've lost. The ones, that are hear but only in memories. Wheat and Peeta still rest in the spots they were placed. But my father's picture is now in the spot of Rye. The center slot that had been left empty for our child, is filled with the ultrasound of our son. And on the right, Prim, Finnick, and Rue all have their own spots. I try not to open the token, but when I do I'm reminded of all the people that loved me. All the people that made me the woman, the mother, I am today.

His tall structure and blonde hair stand out in the green meadow, making it hard for him to go un-noticed. But when he turns to face me and I see his eyes, those blue eyes, my heart drops and shatters into a million pieces. Amy runs off and continues to play, oblivious to what is going on. I slowly walk towards him, through the flowers and the few dandelions that scatter the field. His arms sway back and forth as he walks towards me. He bends down to pick up something from the ground and spins it between his fingers.

A dandelion.

We meet in the field of colors with the grass shining green and the sky fading to a sunset orange. He takes my hand and places a kiss on my knuckles. "Peeta," I whisper. He smiles at me, the boyish grin I adored for so long.

He hands me a flower, his flower. The dandelion he had plucked from the ground that now rests in my hand.

"You said you'd never leave me." I begin to cry and I don't even try to wipe the tears away. His fall figure towers over me as he pulls me in for a hug. His arms that I have missed wrap around me gently and I treasure the feeling.

"Stay with me?" I ask him once more, just as I use to all those years ago.

He pulls my face upwards and we lock eyes, our blue and gray eyes memorizing each other. His finger traces my jaw and pulls my mouth just a breath away from his. I close my eyes anticipating the kiss I've been waiting for, yet my lips are left with nothing to kiss but the air. My eyes slowly open once more, to find him gone. Nothing left to show for him, except the dandelion that dangles in between my fingers.

As the sun moves behind the hills, I take my child by the hand and we head back to our home.

The walk is silent as we leave the meadow but when I turn to face the field of flowers, I see him once again. And this time he blows me a kiss while whispering his answer.

"Always."

                      
A.N. And just like that the story I started 1 year ago is done. Over the past year of writing this, I got so many sweet comments and I just want you to know that those comments meant the world to me. I hope that the ending to this story was one that you can accept and learn to love. This story might be over, but I have no doubt that you guys will stay with me always. For the last time, xoxoxo me.