Life After Mockingjay

Chapter Thirty Four; Daughter

"Fucking hell!" I scream as I clench my fists, tears welling in the corners of my eyes. I pant and gasp as Peeta wipes the sweat from my forehead.

"I don't remember being in this much fucking pain when Willow was born." I hiss as the contraction passes and the pain subsides. I know it won't for long.

"I'm so sorry, Katniss." Peeta whispers, clenching my hand. "If I could make your pain go away, I would. I hate seeing you like this."

"We are never having another child." I say through clenched teeth. "I mean it!"

Peeta sighs, chortling slightly. "What if I want a son eventually?"

"I mean it!" I repeat, hitting him on the shoulder. "You don't understand how much fucking pain I have been in for the past 24 hours."

"I know, I'm sorry." Peeta offers me a smile, kissing me on the cheek. "I'm going to check in with Haymitch. I want to see how Willow is doing."

I nod, and my attention is drawn to Valeria.

"Your contractions are very close together, Katniss. I think the process may begin to speed up soon." She says with a smile. "I'm just going to check quickly, is that okay?"

I nod.

"Okay, you may feel slight pressure." She says, a concentrated look on her face. "Um... It looks like you're about seven centimeters, which is good. We're getting somewhere. I think you may be able to deliver in the next few hours."

"A few hours?" I scoff, huffing loudly. "I don't know how much longer I can handle this."

"How is she?" I hear. It's Peeta. He comes back into the room quickly. It's then another contraction hits, more forceful and excruciating.

I throw my head back, letting out a short sob as Peeta comes to my side, stroking my tangled hair and placing a wet cloth on my forehead.

"I can't do this anymore, Peeta." I say, grasping his hand tightly and wailing in pain. "I can't take the pain. I don't understand why this is taking so long."

"I know, I know." He whispers, stroking my arm. "I love you."

"Katniss, why don't you take a walk? Or you can even do some squats. It may help lower the baby's head." Valeria says, sensing my exhaustion and unbearable pain.

I nod, huffing heavily as Peeta helps me out of bed. I steady myself, and he wraps his hands around my hips. I squat down, my pain subsiding slightly as he stays there, keeping me balanced.

I stand, holding my breath and then letting it go. "Can we walk down the hall a few times?"

He nods, guiding me out into the hallway and keeping his grip at my hand as we walk.

We walk for a few minutes in silence. I concentrate on my steps, making sure I don't fall flat on my face. I stop when I feel another contraction so I can wrap my arms around Peeta.

After a few more minutes, I finally break the silence...

"Peeta, I know we haven't had time to talk. I just... D- Do you really believe that I killed your family?"

Through the physical pain, I still have the mental pain eating me alive, telling me that he blames me

"Katniss.." He whispers, stopping me for a second and giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "You are the love of my life; the best thing that ever happened to me. If I had to choose, I'd choose you over anyone in the world. No, I don't blame you for the death of my family. I was frustrated. I didn't understand why you were angry with your mother, but there really isn't anything to understand. I realize that now. We will have disagreements but that does not mean I love you any less. Ever. You are the reason I wake up in the morning, the reason I smile, and the reason I'm still here today. I love you more than anything."

I smile for the first real time in days. "I love you, Peeta."

+++

After five more hours of excruciating pain, it is finally time to start pushing. I huff frustratedly as Peeta strokes my arm.

"I know you can do this." He whispers. "You did so amazing with Willow, Katniss. I know you can get her out."

"I... Okay." I sigh. I'm so exhausted. I haven't slept in over 24 hours.

"Katniss, do you feel pressure?" Valeria asks as she pushes my legs back farther.

I nod, squeezing my face in frustration.

"Peeta, can you take a leg?" Valeria asks, and he does so, holding my leg up to my chest.

"Okay, Katniss, I'm estimating about seven pushes, ten at the most, and she'll be out. I just need you to try really hard, so push when you feel the next contraction."

Sure enough, it comes quickly. I throw my head back in agony as I push as hard as I can, wailing in pain.

"Good, good!" Valeria says. Get ready for another.

I push once more, and soon enough, I am crying out at my tenth attempt at pushing.

Peeta wipes the tears and sweat from my face and hands me ice to chew on. I breathe heavily as I feel another contraction come upon me.

"Push!" Valeria screams, then informing me that the baby's head is crowning.

"I can't do it!" I scream, tears streaming down my face.

"Don't lose hope, Katniss." Peeta says, kissing my temple. "One more big push and she'll be here."

I close my eyes, letting myself breathe for a moment and then pushing harder and longer than ever before.

"One more!" Valeria says, as Peeta positions himself so he can see.

"I see her, Katniss!" He says, small tears building in the corner of his eyes. "One more push."

And so that's what I do. I feel the last contraction, and push as hard as I can.

That's when I hear the small cries of my child.

My son.

____
A/n
Lmao you guys probably predicted this, but the ultrasound was wrong. They had a son!