I watch the sun rise from the window of the hospital with Willow in my arms. She's an early riser, just like me.
She looks around curiously, her eyes wide open and alert. She slept through the night, but she woke up around 5:30, needing a diaper change. Peeta, of course has been an amazing help already. I can barely move out of bed, so he's been handing her to me when she needs fed, burped, or just needs to be held by her mother.
I snuggle her in my arms as I play with the little tufts of brown hair on her head. I look over towards Peeta who is sound asleep; something he hasn't done in the past 48 hours.
"Hi, little one.." I whisper to Willow. "I know I haven't gotten to talk to you much.. I'm your mommy. I'm sure you already knew that."
She makes a face at me and gives a small smile.
She reminds me so much of Prim. Prim was always the mama's girl. I remember when Prim was first born, and my mother made her smile almost instantly. She had a special connection with her.
Don't get me wrong, Prim loved our father, and I'm sure Willow will love Peeta as much as she will love me, but there is something about her that is different. Something that makes me feel so amazing and wanted. It's something even Peeta can't give me.
"Katniss?" Peeta whispers. "Are you okay?"
"What?" I look over to him.
"You're crying.."
"Oh.. I'm sorry if I scared you.." I offer him a smile. "I was just thinking about Prim."
Peeta gets up and sits on the edge of the bed. "How is my little princess?" Peeta asks with a smile.
Before I can respond, Willow starts to cry, first letting out soft whimpers, and then screaming at the top of her little lungs.
"She's hungry." I say. "I haven't fed her today."
"Do you need some help?" Peeta asks.
"Yeah.." I say with a smile. "If you don't mind. It's kind of weird."
"Anything for my beautiful wife." Peeta says with a smirk.
I bite my lip. "Can you hold my boob while I feed her?" I ask with a giggle. "It's hard to get her to latch when I'm holding her at the same time."
"Yeah." Peeta says with a laugh.
I take my shirt off, and Willow instantly latches, eating a lot for just a new born; another thing that reminds me of myself. She loves food.
"Katniss? Peeta?" Valeria asks as she peers through the door. "Are you ready to go home today?"
"Yeah," I say. "What time do you think would be best?
"You can leave now if you two would like. You just have to fill out some paperwork."
"Okay!" I saw with a smile. "Thank you!"
"No problem, Hun."
"We should call Haymitch and Effie." Peeta says. "They want to be there when we bring her home."
"Okay." I say. "Can you help me up?"
"Yes." Peeta says. I wrap my arms around his neck and try my best to stand up.
"Ugh." I groan. I lean over, and Peeta holds me steadily.
"I'm sorry you're in this much pain, Katniss." Peeta says. "I wish I could take the pain away."
"It's okay. It's not your fault. Or Willow's. It's just something that happens. I've been in worse pain."
Peeta gives me a wry smile.
"Can you dress her for me?" I ask. "I need to get the stuff ready."
"Of course." Peeta says.
+++
Welcome home, Willow Peeta whispers before we open the door. I look around to see all of our friends at our house. It's so great.
"Katniss!" Johanna squeals as she embraces me in a hug. "I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you, Jo!" I say.
Haymitch and Effie both engulf me in a hug.
"Where is the little sweetheart?" Haymitch asks.
"She's right here!" Peeta says, holding a very happy Willow.
"Oh, let me see this little darling." Effie says as Peeta hands Willow over to her.
As Haymitch and Effie talk to Peeta, I go see Johanna and Annie.
"Hey, you two." I say with a smile. "How are you?"
"Oh, I'm great, Katniss." Annie says. "I'm so happy for the both of you."
"Thanks, Annie." I say with a smile as I give her a hug.
"How's parenthood treating you so far, brainless?" Johanna says with crooked smile.
"It's good so far.." I say. "I can tell Peeta is so excited."
"He looks like it!" Johanna says. "It's crazy how much she looks like the both of you."
"Yeah. It is." I say. "I love her so much."
Peeta comes over to me with Willow, and hands her over to me.
"Look at her." Peeta whispers. "She is so beautiful."
"Peeta?" I whisper.
"What is it, beautiful?"
"This is our child. And this is our home. I wouldn't want this any other way."
YOU ARE READING
Life After Mockingjay
Fanfiction"After everything we've been through, two hunger games, hijacking, a rebellion.. There are still moments when he clutches the back of a chair and hangs on until the flashbacks are over. I wake screaming from nightmares of mutts and lost children. Bu...
