Finding the Missing Piece: Book 3

Chapter Fifty-Five

Katniss POV- (Tuesday, 6am)

"Peeta, Bristol is dropping Carter off in a few minutes. Are you coming downstairs?" I ask him quietly.

He doesn't budge, so I trudge down the stairs and hear a knock on the door, about five minutes later.

I open the door to see Bristol.

Carter is in her carrier and Bristol has the diaper bag across her arm.

"Good morning, Sunshine." I tease her.

She laughs and dismisses it.

"Hey, here's all of her stuff, there's more diapers, wipes, formula, some toys and clothes." Bristol whispers, handing me her pink diaper bag.

I take the bag and quietly put it on the couch, she hands me Carter, who's asleep in the carrier.

Bristol bends down, giving her a kiss on the nose, careful on to wake her up, "I love you, princess." She whispers to the sleeping baby.

I smile and she gives me a hug, "Thank you so so much, Katniss. If you have any problems, let me know."

"I will, just go have fun. Don't worry about us. Be safe." I tell her.

"I will. I love y'all." She says.

"We love you too. See you in about a week?"

"Yes. Thank you so much again. Tell Peeta the same." She says quietly shutting the front door behind her.

I let out a sigh as I walk over to the couch with Carter.

I contemplate staying awake but fatigue gets the best of me so while Carter is fast asleep, I carry her upstairs with me.

I set her carrier next to my side of the bed and crawl back next to Peeta and soon, I'm out.

The next time I wake it's about 9am, Carter starts crying so I jolt upright just as Peeta does too, "I got her." I say to a very confused Peeta.

I get out of bed and kneel down next to her, "Carter, don't cry." I say in a high pitched voice, unbuckling her and scooping her up.

Peeta looks at us and he gives us a sleepy, half awake smile.

"I'll take her, go make her a bottle and get a diaper or whatever." He says, holding his hands out to me.

I laugh and hand him the baby, "See? I bet Peeta will make it all better, won't he?" I say to the crying infant.

Peeta cradles Carter in his arms and plants a kiss on her forehead, "Hi, baby. Are you hungry?" Peeta asks her.

Of course, she immediately stops crying when she realizes she's in Peeta's arms.

I take a gander at her, standing next to Peeta with my hand on his shoulder, she just blinks her eyes at us and sniffles.

I let out a breathy laugh, "I'll be right back." I say and go downstairs.

I make her a bottle and bring up a new diaper too.

Peeta helps me change her and then he feeds her.

"She's been here what, three, four hours and I already know this is gonna be a long week." I tell Peeta.

Maybe taking care of a baby for a week will knock some of his baby fever out, because as much as I've promised Peeta kids in the future and even somewhat liked the idea myself, I still don't want kids for a long time.

He shrugs, "She's not that bad, it'll just be bad at night, I'm sure."

I nod my head and lay my head on the pillow, "I'm sure she will be fine." I say, hopeful.