Finding the Missing Piece: Book 6

Chapter Seventy-Two

Katniss POV- (A few days later, District Four)

"Good morning, baby boy." I say quietly, picking Rye up off the bed.

I look at the clock, 4:16am.

Rye smiles at me, kicking his little feet.

"You're in a good mood this morning, aren't you?" I say in a baby voice, holding him in my arms.

Suddenly I realize his diaper is dirty and it's everywhere.

"Ew, baby. That's why you're so happy." I laugh, shaking my head.

I try to decide where to go from here but everyone is asleep so there's not much to do.

I groan, "Gross." I sigh but he just looks innocently at me.

"You're lucky you look like Daddy." I tell him with a chuckle.

He let's out a coo and I smile.

Not knowing really what to do and not wanting to wake Peeta up, I grab a diaper, clothes and a towel and I head to the bathroom.

I clean Rye up the best that I can and I run some warm bath water for him, laying him carefully in the tub.

He starts to cry as I lay him down.

"Hey, it's alright." I say softly.

I quickly clean him all up and run my fingers through his blond, wavy hair.

"It's okay, Bubba. You're okay." I say softly, still trying to calm him down.

"Momma's got you. You're alright." I whisper to him.

He finally stops crying and about that time Peeta comes knocking on the bathroom door.

"Katniss?" He says softly.

"Yeah?" I say, keeping my eyes and hands on Rye, making sure he doesn't slip away.

He comes in, "What are you doing?"

"Rye had a blow out. I was just cleaning him up and then I was gonna feed him and go back to bed."

"Baby, you realize it's 4 am."

I nod my head, "I know but he was stinky and I wanted to make sure he was all cleaned up so he doesn't get a rash or anything." I say, looking back.

Peeta smiles at me, laughing, "Okay." He says, sitting on the edge of the bathtub next to me.

Rye looks over at him and smiles a little.

"Hey, naked boy." Peeta laughs.

He blinks his eyes at us and turns his head.

"Did you have a nasty diaper?" Peeta laughs.

"Yep. It was gross." I laugh.

"You should've woken me up and made me change it."

"It's okay, it's too late now."

Peeta chuckles, "Sorry."

"It's alright. He was in a good mood until I put him in here."

"What's up with that, Rye? Sometimes you love bath time and sometimes you hate it."

Rye let's out a little giggle and we smile happily, watching him.

"He's so cute." I say, admiring our adorable little boy.

"Maybe Daddy can get you a towel and wrap you up when you get out?" I suggest.

Peeta gets up and gets a towel, "Tell Momma not to forget all the soap in your hair." He laughs.

I snort, "I was just about to get that."