Finding the Missing Piece: Book 6

Chapter Forty-Nine

Katniss POV- (A few nights later, 5am)

I gasp awake and realize that I'm just hearing Rye crying because he's hungry, not because he's hurt.

I catch my breath and look over at Peeta who's still fast asleep.

I roll my eyes.

The last few nights have been pretty rough for the three of us.

I keep having terrible nightmares but luckily they're not as awful as they normally are but they're still bad and Rye wakes up every few hours to eat so it's putting a lot of sudden stress on Peeta and I.

And on top of both, Peeta hasn't even been waking up to tend to him the last two nights and I'm starting to get suspicious, maybe he's doing it on purpose because he hears me screaming, how can he not hear a screaming baby in our room?

"Peeta, wake up." I say, nudging him, not wanting to have to tend to Rye right now.

I love him but I'm so tired.

Peeta turns away from me, as Rye cries and cries in his little side bed beside me.

I let out a deep sigh and roll my eyes, Peeta has got to be faking or something.

I sit up, leaning over and picking my angry baby up.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask him quietly but I know exactly what's wrong with him.

It's the only time he cries as far as I can tell but he's only five days old.

He still cries and tiredly, I start to feed him, knowing that's all he wants and then he will go back to sleep for at least a few hours.

"I guess you were hungry then, huh?" I say quietly as he eats.

I yawn and lean my head back on the headboard.

I'm so exhausted I can barely function and Peeta has not been keeping up with his nightly duty as much as I would like him to but I know he's tired too so I'm trying to be patient but it's hard. My hormones are still everywhere and I'm starting to get kind of emotional and sad like I was after Willow was born so I'm just hoping it won't be too bad.

I have to call Dr. Coles in two days anyways to let her know how we are doing so maybe she can let me know what she thinks.

I look down at Rye and he eats away.

"You must be tired too, right, or do you get all your sleep in during the day?" I ask him softly.

He just gives me a look and keeps eating.

I sigh, "Well, if your Daddy doesn't get himself together that means you're gonna have to be stuck with me at night and I'll make you stay up most of the day so you'll sleep at night." I tease him.

He closes his little eyes and snuggles closer to me, holding up his tiny open hand.

Just to see what happens, I press my finger against the palm of his tiny hand and his little fingers wrap around my finger and he squeezes it tightly.

My heart melts and I can't help but to push back my exhaustion and frustration.

"I love you." I whisper quietly to him.

His eyes open and he looks at me, still holding onto my finger.

After a few minutes he stops.

"Are you done eating?" I ask him and he closes his eyes.

I smile to myself and cover myself up again and I lay down, putting his little body next to mine, turning to face him.

I pull the blanket up a little and I kiss his cheek.

His little legs kick and he turns his head towards me, looking me right in the eyes.

"Go back to sleep, baby." I say quietly to him, patting his tummy.

He let's out a big burp and I can't help but to laugh.

"That was a big one." I laugh tiredly.

He still holds onto my finger as I close my eyes again, "Goodnight again, sweet boy." I say for the third time tonight and I fall into a much more peaceful sleep this time, knowing my baby boy is right here to protect me and that I'm right here, protecting him.

Peeta POV- (That morning)

"Good morning." I say to Willow as I walk into her room with Rye in my arms.

She says, facing the wall, "I'm too tired for it to be a good morning." She says.

I laugh a little, rolling my eyes.

"That's what Momma said too." I say truthfully.

Katniss is not in a very good mood already and it's only 9am.

"Do you gots Rye?" Willow asks me.

I laugh, "I do. If you'd open your eyes you'd see that." I chuckle.

She turns over and opens her heavy eyes, "Hi, Bubba." Willow says in a high pitched baby voice.

I smile a little and sit on the edge of her bed and she sits up.

Rye looks at her and then back at me, "Tell her 'hi.'" I tell him and he just gives me a look like I'm crazy for even suggesting it.

And on top of this, he still doesn't know how he feels about me yet.

"I'm hungry." Willow says with a yawn.

I laugh, "Well, what do you think I should make for breakfast today?"

"I really don't know, Daddy." She says in a serious tone of voice.

I smile, "How about you get dressed and let's go downstairs and figure something out?" I suggest.

"Okay." She says.

"I'll be in Rye's room, okay?" I tell Willow, heading for the door.

"Okay." She says nonchalantly.

I leave Willow's room and I go next door to Rye's room to change his diaper and put some new clothes on him. 

I lay him on the changing table and I change his diaper and then I change his clothes as he just stares back at me.

He doesn't do much but again he's only five days old but then again Willow was doing a lot at just a day old.

I don't know but I'm sure he's just shy or something, I don't know, really.

"You know you're making this very awkward." I mention to him. 

I chuckle as I get no response, "Come on, you can at least pretend you like me. Remember that conversation? You can pretend and I won't mind it a bit." I say.

He turns his head away from me and starts chewing on his hand, at least he isn't ignoring me by closing his eyes.

Usually, that's the case.

I shake my head and swaddle him up in a little blanket since it's kind of chilly in here.

I peak my head in at Katniss and see that she's in there laying down.

Just as I'm about to walk away I hear her sniffling.

She must be crying because that was the sniffle she does when she's trying to keep it in but she can't.

***What should Katniss be upset about?

I'm sorry that sucked but I'm tired and I have school tomorrow 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 goodnight guys