After the war (A Mocking jay sequel)

Chapter Thirteen- We're moving

Two months later...

KATNISS POV

I walk into our room and see Peeta packing up the rest of our clothes.

We decided to build a house in the meadow instead of living in the city. It's not by the mass graveyard, but about a mile away, close enough to see it faintly in the distance, but not so close that it constantly brings up horrible memories. Our house has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. They were able to build it quickly since we chose from a set of model houses. They just had to transport it to the meadow and put the rest together. There's plenty of room for Rye to play outside.

We have most of our belongings at the new house, but a few things are still here. When it came time to pack up Prim's room, I couldn't bring myself to do it. So we decided to leave it the same.

Peeta has looked into rebuilding his family's bakery, but it brings painful memories for him. I suggested he buy a lot and build a new one there instead. He's considering it.

Peeta turns around, holding a box, and looks a little startled to see me.

"Didn't know you were here," he says.

"Decided to come at the last minute."

I take the box from his hands.

"It's okay, Katniss, I got it." He reaches out to take it back.

"No, it's okay. You have other boxes to move. I got this one."

I go downstairs and put the box in the trunk of our SUV. We bought it shortly after Rye was born. We decided we couldn't walk around with him anymore after an incident with the paparazzi — Peeta punched one of them, and I didn't try to stop him. After that, we knew we needed a car.

Peeta comes up behind me with another box and puts it in the trunk.

"Is that the last one?" I ask.

"No, one more. I'll grab it."

I sit in the driver's seat and wait. We're picking up Rye from Haymitch's house. Ever since our encounter at the hospital, Haymitch has been sober more often than not. I think he drinks more out of habit than anything, especially since we got him those geese last month.

Peeta opens the passenger door, making me jump.

"Didn't mean to scare you," he says.

"I guess we're even now."

"Ready to pick up Rye?" he asks.

"Of course. I miss him already."

I start the car and pull out. I drive down the street to Haymitch's house, who is dreading this move.

I go up to the door and open it.

"Haymitch! We're here!" I shout.

I hear him grumbling to Rye about the whole thing.

"I don't know what your parents' issue is. Victor's Village is an amazing place to live. I've been here damn near my whole life. Yeah, I know you're agreeing with me. Now your parents are here to take you away. Don't worry, little buddy, we'll see each other soon," he babbles.

I stand there, Peeta walking up behind me. I clear my throat.

Haymitch jumps. "Whoa, didn't know you guys were here."

"Didn't you just say I was here to take him away?"

Haymitch turns a light shade of red, so light it's barely noticeable, but I notice it.

I walk over and take Rye out of his arms. "Hi, baby. Did you miss us? We missed you."

"No, he didn't. He said he wants to stay here with me," Haymitch grumbles. Peeta rolls his eyes, and I giggle.

"We'll come visit, and you're welcome over anytime!" I say.

"Just not all the time. Maybe three times a week," Peeta adds.

I laugh. Haymitch shoots him a glare.

Peeta and I walk out to the car. I put Rye in his car seat and buckle him in tight.

"See you tomorrow?" Haymitch calls out.

"Probably not! Maybe the day after?" I shout back.

"Okay," he says, and shuts the door.

Since we live in the meadow, we park on the street. We didn't want to put pavement through the grass. Peeta gets out and grabs one of the boxes. I take Rye out of his seat, bring him inside, and set him down in his bassinet.

"I'm going to start dinner," Peeta says.

"Thank you." I smile.

1 hour later... 

PEETA'S POV

Katniss and I are eating dinner when we hear Rye crying. Katniss gets up to feed him.

"It's okay, baby," I hear her say from the other room.

I walk in and see her breastfeeding. I'm in awe of her more and more every day. She notices me staring and blushes.

"I'll pack up dinner for later," I say. She smiles and nods.

Later that night

KATNISS POV

I'm putting Rye in his crib when I hear Peeta's heavy footsteps.

He walks in. I turn around. "He's finally asleep," I say with a sigh.

He smiles. I get into bed. Peeta follows shortly after.

As we lie there, he puts his arm around my waist, and I lean into him. We both stare at the beautiful baby we made. I start to cry, knowing there were supposed to be two of them.

"Katniss, what's wrong?" Peeta asks.

"I'm just thinking about how there's supposed to be two of them," I quietly sob.

I can see the pain in his eyes as he pulls me into a hug. I sob into his chest, not able to hold it in any longer. After a while, I tire myself out and fall asleep.

THE NEXT DAY... 

KATNISS POV

It's early when Rye's crying wakes me up. I get up to change him.

"Hey, it's okay, Rye. Mommy's here," I say quietly, trying not to wake Peeta.

I go into the nursery to change him. We decided to have him sleep in our room for the next few months. I change his diaper and put him in clean clothes, then put him back in his crib with a pacifier, hoping he'll sleep a little longer. He does.

Peeta and I decided to have him nap in his own room so he gets used to it before he fully moves in there.

I slip back into our room and lie down next to Peeta. I'm asleep again almost instantly.

I wake up a few hours later to find Peeta gone. I figure he's making breakfast. Then I check the time, almost time for Rye to eat. I get up, go into the nursery, and his crib is empty.

I panic. I run downstairs yelling for Peeta.

He appears at the bottom of the stairs, holding Rye, looking concerned.

I sigh with relief. "Geez, Peeta! I thought someone took him!"

"Sorry. He was awake when I checked on him, so I brought him down with me."

"It's fine, I was just scared. It's time for him to eat." I reach out for Rye. Peeta hands him over, and I go into the living room to feed him.

Our first night in the new house.