Begin Again [Wattys 2013 Finalist]

Chapter 53

We told Annie over the phone the night that we had Delly, Haymitch, and Effie over for dinner. I never called my mom, Johanna, or Gale, and Peeta won't make me. It's November now, six months after we found out I was pregnant, and most of the excitement and happiness has been replaced with about every pregnancy symptom imaginable. The morning sickness continues, along with a handful of other side effects. Certain foods that I used to love won't stay down, like pancakes. Other foods I have cravings for almost every day, like Peeta's cheese buns, which he brings home from work each night. I'm always exhausted and migraine headaches come and go on some days. The worst are the back pains, rendering me almost unable to walk. Some days are worse than others, like today. I woke up almost in tears from a headache and pain in my back and Peeta insisted on staying home with me. This wouldn't be the first time in the past two months. I'm so tired that I don't even have the energy to lie to him and tell him I'm okay. I want to bury my face in my pillow, but I know that I can't lie on my stomach. Now, my belly has grown a sizable amount. The bump is visible in everything I wear and it's clear that the baby is growing now. Peeta comes back in our room with a cup of tea and a cold towel for my head. I sit up against the headboard and put the pillow under my back. He puts the towel on my head and I say,

"Thanks."

"Sure," he says.

He gets back in bed with me before I even have to ask. Immediately he wraps his arms protectively around my waist, but he can barely even reach anymore. Then, we feel the baby kicking again. We've felt it before, but it never ceases to amaze Peeta.

"Ouch," I say.

He sits up and squeezes my hand, keeping his other hand on my belly to feel the baby kicking. When our baby girl is done doing her karate routine in my stomach, I'm exhausted again. I put my head on Peeta's chest and let out a sigh.

"How do you feel?" He asks.

"My head feels better, but my back hurts like crazy."

He goes and gets me a painkiller, which I take, and he sits behind me to give me a massage. His hands feel so good as he rubs the aches away. I almost fall asleep, but not before the hormones kick in again. I turn around and he smiles at me sweetly just as I pull his head into mine. He puts his hands on the sides of my face as he kisses me back and my hands move through his soft blonde hair. When he finally pulls away, I immediately say,

"No."

"I know you're tired," he says.

I whine, but I don't protest. I am tired. And while the painkillers did work on my head and back, they didn't for nausea. I turn and throw up in the bucket next to my side of the bed. I sit back up and hold my stomach.

"It's okay. You're okay," Peeta says.

I scoot closer to him, happy he didn't leave me today. My eyelids flutter and I soon fall asleep again, curled up next to him.