Who: Peeta Mellark and Sharon Carter When: Recently (Early August) Where: Sharon’s Place What: Cupcake Delivery Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
The birth of a child was a very big deal and while Peeta had made sure to send a congratulatory text message he knew that he should do more for Sharon. She was a loyal customer and she was probably sick of being holed up at her place, so what better way to break up the monotony than to bring over some cupcakes? He made some delicious red velvet cupcakes and decided to decorate the top with frosting roses.
He packaged the dozen up and set them in the fridge until he was able to go over the next day. He told his employees that he would he leaving early for the day and he made his way over to her place. He held the box in one arm and reached up to press the doorbell and waited for her to answer.
It didn’t take very long for Sharon to come to the door. The baby was down for a nap. They’d replaced the doorbell’s ring with a flashing light, so that the sound wouldn’t wake Viv when she was sleeping. She’d been in the living room when the flashing started, and she rushed to answer it.
A bright grin crossed her lips at the sight of him there with the box. “Hey,” she said, then stepped aside so that he could come into her apartment. “To what do I owe this surprise?” She was happy to see him, though.
Peeta entered when she gave him room and he gave her a bright smile, “Well, hello. And you owe this surprise due to the fact that you gave birth and I owe you a present. Obviously a new mother needs lots of desserts. Sugar probably helps keep you awake with your crazy hours. So, I made you some red velvet cupcakes.” He opened up the top of the box so she could see the desserts inside with a smile.
Sharon gave a laugh, then lowered her hand to where the incision was in her skin. (Obviously covered by clothes and the like)... she’d been trying to cut back on her pain meds, but maybe she was off track? The gentle laugh made her feel sore. “You don’t owe me anything, Peeta, but… hey, I can’t say no to your cupcakes.” She closed the door behind him and then followed him into the kitchen.
“I really can’t say no to these,” she nearly drooled at the sight of the cupcakes. “Can I have one now?”
“You let me be a part this special part of your life, so I want to make sure to thank you. And of course you can have one now,” Peeta answered with a laugh as he shifted the box so she could grab one of them, “You look good, by the way. I know you are probably dead tired, but you still have a glow about you.” Compliments were always the way to go and he couldn’t help but admire that motherhood seemed to agree with her.
Sharon grinned softly. “Hey, you’re not just my favorite baker. You’re also a friend.” She said, and the truth behind those words--the affection she felt for him--made her a little glossy-eyed. She distracted herself from that (those hormones were making her weepy all the time) by taking a cupcake from the box. “Thank you.” She said, then flushed. “Thank you,” she added again, “but you caught me on a good day. I actually had a shower this morning.” That was the reason she looked like she did. “I don’t look this good every day.” She was mostly teasing.
“I don’t think anyone is going to judge your appearance with a newborn in your life now. But I am very glad that I didn’t catch you on a bad day. I would have happily left the cupcakes for you if you didn’t want to entertain me,” He commented with a smile. He wouldn’t have been offended if she hadn’t had time for him today, but she was thankfully letting him inside.
“Let’s hope.” Sharon couldn’t imagine anyone would care. Besides, who did she have to impress? Veronica? Aramis? It was laughable. “Hey, you’re always welcome, Peeta. Really.” She needed all the friends she could get right about now.
The baby started to squirm and fuss, and Sharon moved over to pick her up. “I think she’s hungry. Will you stay? I’ve got a nursing drape-blanket-thingy.” She’d be covered. “I want to hear all about the outside world.”
“Sure, I am not going to deny your gossip from the outside world,” Peeta commented with a laugh as he moved to go place the box of cupcakes on a nearby table so that he wouldn’t have to hold onto it forever, “What all do you want to hear about?”
“Oh, I dunno. Anything about what’s going on on the outside,” Sharon teased. She sat on the sofa, then grabbed her nursing pillow and drape. She was getting better at this nursing thing. And since she wasn’t a big fan of flashing her breasts at Aramis and Porthos, she was getting really good at using the drape, too. “Start with your shop and branch out from there.”
“Oh gosh, I’m not even sure where to start. Let’s see….um, I’ve got this lady who wants a giant three tiered wedding cake, but she wants it done with gaudy hot pink roses all over. I’m talking like big giant roses and I really think it’s going to look terrible,” Peeta wrinkled his nose a little bit at the reminder of that meeting, “But things are going well. The baking competition has brought in a lot of people, so that’s great. Alyssa and I are slowly planning things for the wedding. I’m trying to figure out how to do our cake.”
Sharon simply sat and listened as she set up the baby against her breast. It was all under this blanket that attached around her neck, so Viv could eat and Peeta wouldn’t get a show. She wanted to hear everything he had to say. She’d missed the outside world terribly. A smirk spread across her features. Peeta had a way with words, for sure. “You’re gonna do your own cake?” Sharon asked. But then blinked. “Wait, you’re getting married??”
“You didn’t hear about that? Well, I guess Alyssa posted a thing on the network. It must have slipped my mind to tell you about it. But yes, we’re getting married - not for a long time. I had a bad bout of the dreams and she stayed by me and really helped me when I needed it the most. So, I realized that it seemed stupid to just continue dating her when I knew that I wanted to marry her in the end, so I asked her and she accepted. But, we’re certainly taking our time because we had only been together for a few months,” Peeta explained to her with a bashful smile. He still loved talking about Alyssa and the wedding was a bright point in his sometimes dark days because the dreams were still looming over him, but it wasn’t as bad as it had been.
“That’s so wonderful, Peeta,” Sharon said, smiling warmly, then she reached over to wrap an arm around him in congratulations. “I’m so happy for you!” She added, brightly. “Of course. Take all the time in the world, it’s such a big thing! Life changing and all that.” She shrugged her shoulders. “You have to make sure to do it right, and everything. I dunno if I’ll ever get married.”
“I’m sure you’ll find the right guy eventually. I didn’t expect to ever find Alyssa,” Peeta admitted with a smile as he returned the side hug, “It seems so silly to say we’re engaged, but it feels completely right. I’ll make sure that you and Viv are invited to the wedding and who knows, I may need a flower girl if we decide to go that route.”
“Oh, no,” Sharon shook her head a bit. “I’ve got baggage now. I’m not expecting anyone to put up with it.” She waved her hand, though. “Hey, Viv looks pretty amazing in a dress already,” She added, teasing. “She’s going to be a flower girl in Cindy and Garrus’s wedding. She’ll be a seasoned veteran by the time you and Alyssa tie the knot.” She grinned.
“There we go. I like a kid that’s got practice,” Peeta admitted with a laugh, “And don’t worry, someone will want to put up with the baggage. But I’m also really glad that this is going smoothly so far for you. I’m a little rusty with kids, but I’m willing to lend my babysitting skills if you ever need it. Could maybe convince Alyssa to join me and we can see how we can handle a child together.” That mental image was hilarious.
Sharon gave a little laugh. “Really? An offer for babysitting? I can’t let that pass me by.” She said, and nodded sharply. “Of course, you’re absolutely welcome to do some. When she’s a little older, I think. Aramis is still pretty protective. Maybe give it a couple of weeks?” Or when Aramis and Porthos go for the wedding… Sharon could use a little help then, she was sure.
“That’s totally fine, I can certainly wait,” he was more than willing to wait to babysit. He was just making sure that Sharon knew he was available should she ever need it. He would never leave her in a lurch if he could help out, “Alright, let’s get cracking on these cupcakes. They aren’t going to eat themselves.” He flashed her a smile as he grabbed a couple of cupcakes and waited for her to finish with Viv before handing it over.