Ashes Blow Away

Chapter Twenty Three

I only find out about him because I am late. When I have another cramp, I realise. Moodiness, cramps. . . but no period.

The realisation causes me to call Haymitch to look after Everly. I rush out the door and find Peeta's bakery, which is not far away from our home. Upon entering, I find Celphus at the desk, a small, stout woman from District 4.

" Celphus, do you know where Peeta is?" I ask.

" He's in the back," she grins. " How are you, Ka-"

I brush past her then, muttering a small sorry as I go.

When I enter the room, Peeta's head shoots up. I head straight for him, but stupidly, I knock over a whole desk of sweet treats.

" Oh, god! I'm so sorry, Peeta!"

Peeta shrugs and is already armed with a sweeping pan and a brush. He gives me a kiss on the cheek and then gets to work sweeping up the clattered food.

" This is a very nice surprise," he smiles down at his spoiled goods. " Maybe we could slip away to my old house for a while and. . . " Peeta notices the blank look on my face for the first time and stands up. He takes my shoulders in his hands. " Katniss, is something wrong? Is it Everly? Is she hurt? Did something happen to Haymitch? Tell me."

And that's when I burst into tears.

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We buy several pregnancy tests and I take them in Peeta's old home. They all come back positive. I stare down at the final test.

" I. . . I . . ."

I feel Peeta's hand on my waist. " Everly will have a little brother or sister." I hear the smile in his voice.

I can't bring myself to respond.

I feel Peeta's lips on my hair. " You're okay with this. . . right?"

My hand finds my stomach and I whisper, " Guess I don't have much choice now."

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The pregnancy is easier the second time around. We wait awhile before visiting the Capitol for a check up. We ask the gender. It's a boy.

We announce the pregnancy around the middle of my second trimester. Most people have guessed by now, given how my stomach is protruding, but they act surprised anyway.

As a young teen, I never would have imagined myself in this life. I wouldn't have wanted it. But now, I am undeniably happy I went down this road. This life with Peeta, it's amazing.

Everly is bursting with excitement over her new baby brother. We even tell her she can name him when he gets here.

What we are not counting on, is her saying, " His name is Snowball."

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The addition of our newest baby comes at three in the morning. One minute, I am dreaming peacefully, and the next, I am groaning in pain and shaking Peeta awake.

The birth is not as painful as last time, but uncomfortable none the less. When we are finally greeted by the crying of our son, I begin to sob. Peeta wraps him in a blanket and hands him to me. I smile at his slight dusting of blond hair and moody, grey seam eyes.

Eventually, we decide to wake Everly up. She comes bounding into the room as though it's four in the afternoon and not four at night. Everly sits on the bed beside me and gazes at her sibling.

" Can I touch him?" she murmurs.

I nod. " He's your baby brother, Everly."

She reaches out a small finger and strokes his soft cheek. " He's so tiny. Was I ever that tiny?" She asks, and I smile across at Peeta.

I laugh at her and nod. " Yeah. But you grew out of it and so will he."

" Good, because right now he looks kind of ugly."

" Everly!" I exclaim, laughing a little bit. " He's. . . he's the most beautiful boy in the world. Kind of like you're the most beautiful girl in the world."

Peeta comes to sit at the edge of the bed. " And kind of like your mother is the most beautiful woman in the world."

I smirk across at him.

Everly looks between us a few times then giggles. " Are you two going to kiss?"

Peeta glances at her and grins cheekily. " Yup."

He closes the distance between us and our lips meet.

" The names?" I ask breathlessly as we pull away.

Peeta glances at Everly who pouts. " You said I could name him!"

I sigh, remembering. " We did, Peeta."

Peeta groans and then sighs. " Alright then, Everly. What is it to be?"

Everly giggles. " River!"

I look at Peeta as I nod. Everly squeals and begins to fuss over her baby brother, newly christened 'River'.

Peeta nods once, swiftly.

River it is, then.