Life After Mockingjay

Chapter Twenty; The Meadow

"Do we have everything?" I ask Peeta as I pack our bags. Today, we are taking Willow to the meadow for the first time. Peeta bought her a little sundress and a swimsuit. They're both adorable. The sundress passes right below her knees, and it's green with pink flowers on it. Her swimsuit is just a pink one piece, but it's still so cute on her little baby body.

"Yes!" Peeta starts. "I also packed a picnic for the two of us. I have Willow's baby food in it too."

"Perfect." I whisper into Peeta's ear as I give him a peck on the cheek.

I look down at a very happy Willow, who is already almost sitting up on her own. It seems like just yesterday, we welcomed her into the world. She turned eight months yesterday. These eight months have been the best months of my life. If I had known how amazing being a mother is, I would've definitely wanted children when I didn't. Willow is one of the happiest babies I've ever seen. She's very easy going and she loves to play. She is always smiling and rarely cries. Peeta has helped create the most amazing child; another thing I will never stop owing him for.

"Ready to go?" Peeta asks as he gives me a peck on the cheek.

"Yeah." I say as I pick Willow up. She instantly starts laughing and kicking her legs. "Are you excited, baby girl?" I coo.

Peeta went back to work at the bakery a few months ago. Since then, Willow and I have definitely bonded. But what I found out, is that Willow is a daddy's girl. Peeta is always the one that makes her laugh the most. Her eyes light up any time she sees Peeta. She always stares at him in awe.

Willow has also bonded with Johanna's daughter, Rowan. Any time they are together, they babble on and make baby noises. They are both crawling, and Rowan is just starting to walk.

Haymitch and Effie have really stepped up. They're definitely more involved than I thought they'd be. Since Willow was born, Haymitch has completely stopped drinking. He is like a grandfather to her. Though he still raises his stupid geese for fun, he spends most of his time at our house with Willow and I. As does Effie.

"Are you excited to go to the meadow again, Katniss?" Peeta asks with a smile.

"Yes." I start. "I'm even more excited that Willow gets to experience it too. I can't wait for her to see the tree that she was named after."

"Me either." Peeta says. "I can't wait to see her reaction to the water too."

Willow absolutely adores baths. When we bathe her, she likes to splash the water and play in it.

I respond with a smile. Words can't describe my happiness right now. I never though that I'd ever be as happy as I am now. Peeta and Willow give me a reason to keep going.

The walk to the meadow is short. I miss coming out here. We haven't been here in almost a year. We've been so busy with Willow. I've never found the time.

"Here we are, sweet baby." I whisper to Willow.

She lifts her head off of my shoulder and looks around curiously; something she has always done.

She makes quiet noises as I set her down on a blanket in the grass. She begins to try and crawl around, sometimes failing miserably and falling back down, but a smile stays plastered over her face.

"Do you like it here?" Peeta asks Willow in his baby voice. As Peeta plays with Willow, I take my clothes off so I am just in my bathing suit.

"Come on, Mr. Mellark." I say jokingly. "Take your shirt off so we can go into the water."

"Woah!" Peeta jokes. "Who's this sexy thing?"

"Just your wife." I say as I bite my lip. Peeta leans in for a kiss, but Willow begins to cry.

"Can we continue this later?" Peeta asks with a smile.

"Of course." I whisper.

Peeta picks Willow up and rocks her back and forth. She always calms down for Peeta.

In a matter of minutes, she's back to her smiling self.

"Let's go in the water." Peeta says.

As Peeta puts his swim suit on, I dress Willow in hers. It's so adorable on her. It makes me melt.

"Okay," I say to Peeta. "I'll get in first, then you hand Willow to me. Okay?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Peeta says jokingly.

I give him an irritated look. "Well, Mellark, did you forget that I am only 22?"

"Oh, I forgot." Peeta scoffs jokingly.

I give him an eye roll as I lower myself into the water. Peeta carefully hands Willow over to me, and she instantly starts laughing and splashing in the water.

Peeta jumps in, and splashes both Willow and I. I wait for her to start wailing, but she just laughs even more.

"Do you like the water, Willow?" Peeta asks with a smile.

"Hold her for a second." I tell Peeta as I hand her to him. As soon as she's in his arms, I dive underwater.

When I come back up, I see Willow curiously staring down at me.

"What is it, baby girl?" I ask her. I grab her from Peeta and kiss her little cheeks repeatedly.

"We should go eat. She's probably hungry too." Peeta says.

"Yeah." I say as I hand Willow to Peeta. I get out of the lake, and take Willow over to our picnic blanket.

"Did you like your little swim, baby?" I ask Willow.

She just smiles at me. I can't help but have the biggest grin on my face. She melts me.

Peeta comes over and hugs my body tightly. "We created the most beautiful baby in the world. Do you know that?"

"I sure do." I murmur in reply.