I'm Ready To Fly

Chapter 2

The darkness envelopes me as I toss and turn violently under the thick lined quilt. I've been in pain all night but brushed it off; this is nothing compared to what I was put through all of those years. Peeta rouses and brushes the hair out of his eyes.

"Katniss, honey, are you okay? What's the matter?" He questions, yawning.

"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Go back to sleep." I whisper, turning over onto my side to face him.

He gently brushes the strands of brown hair away from my eyes and places his hand on my stomach.

"You can tell me what's wrong," he speaks softly, "I'm good at keeping secrets."

My eyes begin to water, and I can't figure out if it's from him reminding me so much of Prim, or the pain that's come back for the millionth time tonight.

He notices my facial expression and props himself up on his elbow, fully alert.

"Katniss, what's wrong?" His eyes search my face frantically.

"I don't know, it's just this pain I've been having all night. I think we need to go to the hospital." I say nervously. I hate admitting things.

Peeta laughs lightly, almost sounding relieved.

"I think it's time." He says excitedly, pulling a green shirt over his head.

"For what?" I ask stupidly. I'm in too much pain to concentrate.

"I think our little gift is on its way." He smiles, planting a kiss on my forehead.

I take a deep breath. It's only December, the baby isn't due until the beginning of January.

"Hop in the shower. It'll relieve some tension. I'll grab the bags and we'll be on our way." He pulls out the car seat from the closet and prepares everything.

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2 hours. 2 hours of pain until my blessing was brought into the world. 5lbs, 3oz and 18 inches long. Born with a full set of healthy lungs; screaming like a champion. Though the screaming was piercing, it was music to my ears. Peeta cried. I cried. We all cried. The moment the baby was laid onto my chest was pure bliss.

Theodore James Mellark was finally here, 2 and a half weeks early. He'd be having his first Christmas at 4 days old.

"He looks just like you, Katniss." Peeta whispers, watching in awe as Theo wraps his hand around Peeta's finger.

I gaze dreamily at his stubborn little expression and the tuffs of brown curls that sit on his head. His eyes open and my smile widens. A pair of crystal baby blue eyes stare up at me.

"He's got your eyes." I smile.

"He's ours, Katniss. He's all ours."