The Hunger Games: Extended Epilogue

Chapter 4: Snow

I am woken to cold air that prickles against my cheeks.
It's cold, so I turn around to burrow my face into Peeta's warm body, but he is not there. That's when I open my eyes and see that it is still dark, the sun has yet to rise and only a lite erie gray color settles the room.
It's hard to see, so I feel around the bed just to make sure of his disappearance. My numb finger tips search the bed but feel nothing but a warm divot from Peeta's body that was laying there not that long ago.
I sit up, and turn towards the window to see that it is still open, and quickly slip into my slippers, wrap myself in a blanket and close it immediately to feel relief.
Slightly, it was became lighter so I can make out a few things outside. From what I think, I can see a dense cloud cover and, and surprisingly, snow, which explains the piercing coldness of the bedroom.
I turn back towards the bed and notice the yellow light coming behind the cracks of the bedroom door. He must have gone downstairs for food, or coffee, or something explainable. And thinking that he will soon return, I lay back down and engulf myself in the blankets and pillows to get my body temperature back up, and wait for his arrival.
Peeta's scent in practically imbedded in the sheets and I take it all in. The mustiness, yet clean smell that I have come to love. It reminds me of him, obviously, and his arms that wrap around me and calm me when know one else can. The late night conversations and the early morning ones as well. Living with Peeta has been smooth and effortless, and I don't ever want it to change.
As I slowly drift back to sleep, and give up on Peeta's return -concluding that he must have gone on a walk, or something- I hear clamping and banging coming from downstairs. Metal on metal, followed by a "Shhhhh! You will wake her up!" It's Peeta's voice.
Rattled and now wide awake, I again put on my slippers and again wrap myself in the same blanket and make my way down to see who he is taking to.
It's light outside now, but still really early. Predicting it's 6am at the latest.
I open the door to the hallway and am stopped by a pile of blankets, snow jackets, and some old boots. I didn't know that he owned any of these things, or why they are out.
I carefully walk down the hall and to the stairs, making sure to not disturb the neat piles.
Then, "BANG!" Another hit of metal and a loud meow that follows.
As I turn the corner I see Peeta, hands covered with flour, and Buttercup, who must have caused the noises because he is surrounded by pots that are on there side.
"Buttercup!," Peeta says in a hushed voice while picking him up, "You are going to wake her-"
"Good morning," I interrupt.
Startled, he whips his head around and smiles. "Now look what you have done," he says to the cat, as puts him down, opens the door to outside for him to leave. And he does.
"Good morning!" He says walking towards me and gives me a big hug, lifting me up a little. I laugh as he puts me down and ask "Why are you up so early?"
He turns around and I see the kitchen. The oven wide open, pots on the floor, eggs -both cracked and whole- all over the counter, flour everywhere.
"I was just packing food for later." He says as he points to a picnic basket.
I smile, I forgot that last night I agreed for him to accompany me on my hunting trip. I walk over to the basket, and peer inside, I see two full loafs of bread, a bag of nuts, two canisters of water, a few apples and cheese.
"This might me hard to carry," I explain, "it's a long hike with hard terrain."
Looking around at me, "Yeah, I guess you are right. I am over packing," he laughs. And I do too.
He continues, "Plus, we don't even know how long we are going to be out there. It did snow last night, the weather might make it hard," looking out the window.
The sun is up, and I can finally clearly see the outside. It did indeed snow, a couple inches even. About a mile out, I could see a line of the white tips of the trees where the Forrest begins.
After a few moments I smile and say, "Well, with the all snow gear upstairs, I'm sure you will manage."
He laughs and kisses me before we both head up stairs to prepare for the trip.