It Started With a Cake

Ch3. I Think I Want a Stella

It's very quiet without Peeta around.

And not in the terms of not having someone to talk to.

Strangely for the first time it suddenly feels as if I am missing a part of myself when he isn't around, but there's something else.

The house is clean, me having spent the day cleaning it. But in a way it seemed too clean, as if something were missing from our household.

Eventually when the silence becomes too much to handle anymore I decide to go out hunting for a little while.

It's a quiet and fairly boring journey to get down there but once I've finally made it out to the woods it's a little more relaxing to me then sitting lonely in the house. The nature sounds fill in for my silent company, but unlike usual it still isn't enough for me.

After about half an hour of no catches and the same weird feeling of missing nagging at me, I decide to just head up to the bakery to see Peeta.

As soon as I reach my destination I already feel so much better.

I run up into Peeta's arms as soon as I spot him at the counter, greeting him with a million kisses and affirmations.

I find my way to my chair, watching him as he went back to his work, the hum of the oven and the soft rhythm of Peeta's kneading almost filling my peacefulness to the brim.

"Cake!" A familiar voice catches attention, pulling me from my Peeta watch party.

"Stella!" Peeta calls back matching her enthusiasm, "so good to see you again, and with a parent!" I chuckle at the last part.

"Hello Josie, so nice to see you again" I manage to get out smiling over at Stella's mom.

She smiles back at both of us then frowns slightly as if unsure of something.

"Yeah, I wish it were under better conditions but, I need to ask a huge favour"

"Yeah of course" Peeta immediately replies before I even get the chance to process her words"

She sighs, out of relief or fear I'm not sure, "could I leave her here with you guys today?"

"I'm willing to pay, I just desperately need someone to look after her for today"

"Yeah of course" his response is once again immediate.

Josie sighs again definitely relief this time, "thank you! Thank you both so much!"

"Is twenty bucks alright, I don't have a lot"

This time I'm the one who pushes her coin purse away, "it's alright we'll watch her for free anytime" I try to smile reassuringly but I've never been very good at this thing.

"Anytime" Peeta backs me up with a smile, bending down to pick little Stella up into his arms. I'm taken aback as he babbles to her, asking little questions like how she's doing and asking if she would like another cake.

Behind me Josie makes another reach for her coin purse, "how much?"

Peeta shakes his head, "it's alright, it's on us"

Josie shakes her head in return to his, "no, you're already doing a favour by watching her for me, how much is the cake?"

Peeta just smiles, "I insist, please it would be my pleasure"

Josie grumbles, putting her purse away again. "I will pay you back" she assures us, or maybe it's directed towards herself.

"Anyway I really have to go sorry. I've packed a bag, she should have everything she needs in it, there's diapers, wipes, her favourite blanket and teddy if she gets upset or needs a nap, and uh pacifier as well, if she get's really upset."