Life After Mockingjay

Chapter Thirty Seven; Welcome Home

"Oh. My. God." Effie whispers as she approaches Rye in his cot. "Katniss! He is so beautiful."

"Thank you" I say, a smile spread across my face. "

"Guess who!" Haymitch says, Willow giggling as he carries her into the room.

"Mommy! Daddy!" She squeals, jumping into Peeta's arms. "Where is my little brother?"

"Haymitch told you?" Peeta says, ruffling her hair. "I hope you're not upset that you don't have a little sister."

"No!" She says, smiling widely. "I'm happy I have a brother."

"He's over there, honey." Peeta says, giving her a kiss on her forehead. "I've missed you, little bird."

"Mommy, can I hold him?" She asks, jumping up and down as she grasps my hands.

"Come here." I whisper, lifting her onto the bed so she is sitting next to me. I wrap my arms around her and kiss her head, never wanting to let go of my little girl.

"Peeta, can you put Rye in Willow's arms?" I ask sweetly.

"Rye?!" Effie says, patting Haymitch on the back. "That is so adorable."

"Okay, Willow. I'm going to help you support his head. Be as gentle as you can."

She nods, and her eyes light up as Rye is placed in her arms. "He is so cute, mommy!"

I laugh, running my hand through her hair with one hand, while the other helps support my son.

"Hey." Haymitch whispers, leaning on the other side of the bed. "You know, every day I see the two of you, and your family, I can't help but be so proud. I've made mistakes throughout my life. I've been a person that I hated most of it, with drinking and always being quite an ass." He pauses to laugh. "But Katniss, when I look at you, Peeta, Willow, and now your gorgeous son, my heart is filled as much as possible. You're like my daughter, sweetheart. I love you and your family. So, so much."

"Thank you, Haymitch. I appreciate everything you've done for us."

"Now, after Willow, I am the first to hold sweetheart number three."

I laugh, watching as Willow places a small kiss on Rye's little head.

"I'm going back to therapy, Haymitch." I sigh, offering him a smile. "I'm going to get better. Forever. No more nightmares, no more regret, just happiness."

"I'm glad, sweetheart. I'm so glad."

"Mommy!" Willow squeals. "Look at Rye's blonde hair. He looks like daddy!"

"He does, Birdy." I laugh.

"Shit, Katniss." Peeta says, quickly covering his mouth. "Sorry, Willow... But Katniss, we have no boy clothes at all. We didn't bring any with us."

"I know what to do!" I say. "Call Annie and Johanna asap. They have clothes for three baby boys. We'll buy more as soon as I'm back on my feet."

"Katniss, are you okay to go home today?" Valeria asks. "Yeah, thank you."

+++

"Agh!" I moan, grabbing my abdomen as I step out of the car. Haymitch has Rye in his arms, and Peeta tries his best to steady me.

"It's okay, Katniss. Just a few more steps to the house, and we can get you to bed."

"It hurts so much, Peeta!" I clench my eyes shut to stop the tears from flowing down my face.

"Do you want me to carry you?"

I shake my head. Willow skips in front of me to the house and opens the door easily, running inside.

I groan, rolling my eyes as I shuffle slowly towards the door.

Annie, Johanna, Haymitch, and Effie are all behind us, carrying heavy bins of clothes, feeling obligated to let me in the house first.

"You guys can go," I sigh, stopping and holding onto Peeta.

They all head in front of me, entering the house quickly and murmuring quietly amongst themselves.

"You can carry me." I whisper, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I can't make it on my own."

Peeta carries me, taking me straight upstairs and placing me on the bed. He sits next to me, smiling widely as he strokes my hair. "You are so beautiful, did you know that?"

"I love you, Peeta Mellark." I answer, holding my arms out, asking for his embrace. He lays down next to me, wrapping his arms around me.

"Dr. Aurelius called. I scheduled your therapy for next month on the dot. He made a hotel reservation in the Capitol, close to the hospital."

"Thank you." I murmur, placing my hand on his face.

"I also got another call... From Caesar Flickerman."

"What?" I perk up, sitting up the best of my ability. "What did he want?"

"He asked us to come for an interview. I guess some stories got out about Rye being born. Apparently, the stories have exploded throughout the Capitol. Everyone wants to see how the star crossed lovers and their family have been."

I cringe at the words 'star crossed lovers.' I lay back, sighing heavily. "I don't want to do it. I don't want to expose Willow to any of that. Ever. She doesn't even know of the games yet."

"I know." Peeta says. "He said he knew that we'd be down there... But he wasn't quite sure of the reason. I'm assuming he thought we were vacationing."

Before I can respond, the sounds of cries echo throughout the house. "Can you go get him?" I ask.

"Yes." He says, quickly running down the steps and bringing him back.

"He's hungry. Can you help me up?"

Peeta nods as he places Rye down in his bassinet. He grabs my hands, helping me up as I moan in agony. I take my shirt off, and Peeta hands Rye over to me so I can feed him.

"I just don't understand why after almost ten years, he all of the sudden has interest in us. Why are we blowing up in popularity now?"

Peeta shakes his head and shrugs. "I don't know. I wish I did. We're not doing anything with Caesar. Let's just wait until we have to go, and see how everything plays out."