Life After Mockingjay

Chapter Thirty; Smile

Peeta's POV

The first think I hear when I wake is the sound of Katniss throwing up. I let out a short sigh before going to the bathroom to help her. I rub her back softly and hold her hair.

"Thank you." She replies sweetly as she washes herself off. It's become a daily routine. She wakes up with morning sickness, I help her, she thanks me, washes up, and our day begins.

"You really don't have to get up every morning with me." Katniss says as she walks over to the cracked window. "I'm okay."

"I worry." I say truthfully as I approach her. "Besides, I can't stand hearing you hurting or sick and not being able to help in any way."

She nods her head and places her hands on her abdomen. I can't seem to keep my eyes off of her. She is glowing. She has a small smile on her face that doesn't seem to come off. It's amazing to see her genuinely happy.

I keep thinking of all of the things I love about my beautiful wife. I love the way her hair always has perfect waves in it, even though she hasn't brushed it yet. I love the way she has natural beauty. She doesn't need makeup like most people to look gorgeous.

The thing I love most about her is her purity. Though she may think I'm just trying to joke with her, I'm completely serious. It makes her special. She's not like most women, and that's why I fell in love with her.

"What?" She asks when she realizes I'm staring at her. She looks down at her feet to hide her blush.

"Nothing." I whisper as I wrap my arms around her. "I'm just looking at you, because you're so beautiful."

She crooks her head back far enough that I can reach her lips. I kiss her softly, and she turns around and wraps her arms around my neck. She crashed her lips to mine, and we stay there for what seems like hours, getting lost in each other. I wish I could freeze this moment and live in it forever.

It feels as if it's just her and I in the world. It's times like these that I appreciate the most. I'd go through everything all over again to have this outcome.

"I love you." She whispers as she pulls away for air. She has a huge smile plastered over her face.

"I had an idea for today." I whisper as I tenderly grasp her hand. "I though we could decorate the nursery today."

"It's a new record." She jokes. "Last time, we waited until two days before I went into labor."

"Better late than never." I say, mocking her tone. She rolls her eyes and sticks her tongue out at me playfully.

"What do you think about that, Lillian?" I whisper down at Katniss' belly. "Your mommy is being mean to your daddy."

"Oh, stop." She says as she stands up and wraps her arms around me.

"Make me." I whisper seductively into her ear as I nip at it. She giggles as she pressed her lips to mine.

"We haven't done this in months." She whispers as she pulls away from me. "I've missed it." She says with a wry grin as she glides her tongue on my bottom lip, asking for entrance.

The rest of the morning is a blur.

+++

I watch in amusement as Katniss grabs every "cute" thing she sees at the shop. Our basket is filled with several shirts, skirts, pants, dresses, you name it, it's there. Even though we have Willow's baby clothes to use on Lillian, I let Katniss have her fun.

I, on the other hand take care of the important things. I must look ridiculous. I'm carrying diapers, bottles, bibs, and a new crib.

I look over at Katniss and my daughter. Willow is running around her, showing her different toys and outfits to get the baby. Katniss has a huge, goofy grin on her face that doesn't seem to come off. After everything she's been through, she's happy. She's finally happy.

"Ready to go?" I ask Katniss as I run towards the check out line to get this crib out of my hands.

"Yeah." She says with a small grin as she takes her basket towards the check out with me. After checking out, I load everything in the car as Katniss and Willow walk home. Katniss is trying to walk as much as possible, because it is said to speed up labor.

After loading everything, I meet Katniss and Willow back at our house to see them both passed out on the couch.

I snicker a little before tucking them in. They look so peaceful. Willow is curled up in Katniss' embrace, sucking her thumb as she plays with Katniss' hair in her sleep. Katniss is out like a light, but she still seems to have that small smile on her face.

I get to work right away. I clear out the spare bedroom and place paper all over the floor. It's times like this that I am thankful that Katniss moved into my house, and I didn't move into hers. We would have had to clear out Prim's old room to use as a bedroom. Right now, we are using the old house as storage, but we rarely go over.

First, I paint the walls a light green; it sets the tone, and it's Katniss' favorite color.

In the middle of the walls, I paint intricate, small lily flowers with white and light pink paint. The colors blend together beautifully, and I know Katniss will love it.

I place the crib in the corner, and put a pink sheet on it, with a small fuzzy, purple blanket. I take the basket of things out of the car and place them all into a little chest of drawers.

Willow had Katniss buy Lillian a little teddy bear that looks just like hers. I place it in the crib, and I set up the changing table. Before I know it, I check the clock and see that I've been working for over three hours.

I sit down on a rocking chair and stare at my work. I take small sips of my water, and just as I'm about to drift off to sleep, I hear Katniss in the doorway.

"Peeta." She whispers, tears streaming down her face as she looks around the room.

"What's wrong?" I ask as I walk up to her. She walks into an embrace and cries on my shoulder.

"Hey-" I whisper as I stroke her hair.

"It's just so beautiful." She chokes as she pulls away with a nod. "I love it so much."

"I'm glad." I smile as I wrap her in my embrace once again. "I'm so glad."