It Started With a Cake

Ch41. Milestones

The next couple of days follow much the same, though maybe slightly easier once the pesky tooth has finally broken through the surface.

She's not quite back to the happy, easy to care for Willow that we're used to, but she is less grumpy today and has been eating and sleeping alright again which seems to be a good sign.

She's just woken up from a nap recently and is currently feeding with me on the couch. Peeta is home currently preparing dinner in the kitchen.

He's been home way more often this past week, helping me take care of Willow even when I've insisted I'd be okay on my own.

A sharp pain on my chest pulls my attention towards Willow, she's still latched on contently but I can tell her mouth is still bothering her.

Hissing through my teeth as she bites down again I glide my hand down the back of her head smoothing down the little black tufts of hair in hopes of calming her down a little, silently conveying comfort towards her.

At my touch Willows eyes pop up to meet mine, a slight smile coming to her face when she sees me, milk drips down her mouth at her slight unlatching but I'm quick to wipe it away before it gets too messy.

"Silly girl" I comment, a small smile reaching my lips as I watch Willow re position herself again.

Soon after Willow pulls back again, though this time it's clear that it's because she's full.

Repositioning her in my arms I make my way to standing following the familiar path into the kitchen.

There I find Peeta just about finished cooking dinner.

"How is she?" He asks once he spots me.

Coming over closer to him I lean into his side, "better I think"

I can practically feel his smile as he pulls us into his chest.

"Good, I don't like it when my baby's in pain" Peeta sighs pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

"My breasts are sore after feeding her" I counter with a pout.

Peeta laughs, "aww that's no good either"

"Would you like me to kiss them better?"

At his sly question I nearly burst into laughter but manage to hold back instead responding with an equally confident remark.

"that would be great"

Peeta laughs again at my words quickly sending me into accompanying giggles.

"You know if you want to switch to bottles you could" Peeta suggests after our laughing fits have finally seized.

I think over his words seriously for a moment; we've tried bottles with Willow plenty of times before, usually when Peeta wants to give me a break from feeding her but it's not quite the same and Willow appears to prefer breast feeding, as do I.

Finally I shake my head "maybe if it gets really bad but I don't want to give it up entirely" I tell Peeta truthfully, but lucky for me I don't need to explain further because Peeta seems to understand the bond that Willow and I have through it.

Instead he just nods.

"Dinners almost ready" he announces finally, going back to what he was doing on the stove.

I nod making my way into the dining room to set up the table, placing Willow down into her bouncer so I have both of my hands free.

Surprisingly Willow stays fairly content, watching me with her big doe eyes as I move around the room.