Life After Mockingjay

Chapter Twenty Eight; One Of Those Days

I wake up deep in Peeta's embrace- so deep I don't think I could be any closer. Our legs are entwined, and his strong arms are around my frail body. After a long night of terror, I decide there isn't any reason to drag myself out of bed today. I find my hands falling down to my stomach over and over again, feeling the small bump that is growing.

Along with the mental pain, I have the chills, and I'm weak. I can barely lift my head without falling back down. I've had a cold these past few weeks, but I hadn't thought it'd get this bad.

I feel Peeta jerk upwards and his eyes shoot open. He carefully falls back, and holds me tightly. He had a nightmare.

"Are you okay?" He whispers to me as he runs his hand down the side of me, continuing the motion over and over again to calm himself.

I hate when he does that. I hate when he always puts me first, because he went through more than me. Maybe I was in the hospital two months ago, but nothing is different from before. He needs my affection as much as I need his.

"Yes, are you?" I ask as I take his arm and place it on my stomach.

"Yes." He says softly, kissing me on the head. He then sits up and takes his robotic leg from the ground.

"Peeta." I say questionably loud. His head shoots back, a concerned look on his face.

"Sorry- um. C.. Can you just stay? For a little while longer?" I say. "Please?"

I've decided that it's one of those days. 'one of those days' is my official name for the days that I don't want to leave bed. Of course, if I stayed in bed after every terror filled night, my whole life would be spent laying here. At least once a month, though, I feel this urge to lay in bed wrapped in Peeta's embrace. It's like rehab.. Rehab for terror.

"Of course... I love you." Peeta says as he lays back down and holds me close. "So much... Did you know that?"

"Yes." I whisper as I entwine our fingers. I rest my head on his chest and inhale his sweet scent. There's something about laying in Peeta's embrace, feeling him play with my hair that makes me instantly fulfilled. After being in the hospital, I've tried to make myself appreciate moments like these more, because when Peeta isn't here, my life is a living hell.

+++

I wake to the feeling of pennies in my throat. I run to the toilet, heaving up whatever I had eaten and then falling to the floor. A burning sensation in my throat stays, and I feel so weak, I can barely stand.

I smell breakfast coming from downstairs. Peeta must have left when he had seen I'd fallen asleep again.

"Peeta?" I cry out, my voice barely making a sound. "Peeta!" I say louder, my voice shaken.

I lay my head back on the shower, attempting to keep it from beginning to hurt.

Instead of Peeta, Willow comes wandering into the bathroom. When she sees me on the ground, she runs over to me and embraces me in a hug.

"Can you go get Daddy, sweetie?" I ask her as I hug her back to the best of my ability. "I'm okay, I promise. I'm not feeling well."

She doesn't say anything, she just nods. A few moments later, Peeta comes rushing in.

"Katniss!" Peeta says, terror showing on his face. He crouches down and takes me into his arms.

"Peeta, I'm okay." I breathe, my teeth beginning to chatter. "I just don't feel well."

"You're burning up." He says as he feels every aspect of my body, making sure everything is okay. "Are you weak?"

"Y-" I attempt to speak, but I'm quivering and my mind is foggy.