Together

Chapter 15

Katniss P.O.V.

I look up at the clock and decide I better get lunch started. Peeta and Willow will be home from the bakery soon, and I know they'll be hungry. Well, I know Peeta will be hungry anyways. Willow will probably be so full of sweets that she won't even want supper.

When Peeta left for work this morning, Willow threw an absolute fit. She wouldn't have it no other way but to go with him. I told her no, but of course, Daddy gave in to her. I worry about Peeta enough when he's gone, but add our two year old daughter that gets into everything…

Let's just say that Mommy's been sitting on pins and needles ever since they left. Just thinking about all the dangerous things for Willow to get hurt on- especially the ovens- sends a shiver down my spine.

I'm so relieved when I hear the front door open. I make sure the stove is turned off before I go over to greet them at the door. When I round the corner, I gasp and stop right in my tracks.

Willow is covered in flour from head to toe.

"What happened?" I ask in shock. When Peeta looks at me, I can't help but to laugh at his flour-covered cheeks. "I think you and Daddy did more playing today than working," I tell Willow.

Peeta looks at me with wide, innocent eyes. "I promise I only took my eyes off of her for two seconds."

"And what did you do?" I ask him as I dust off his cheeks. "Get jealous and decide that you wanted to be covered in flour too?"

"No," Peeta laughs. "Your daughter here decide it would be funny to throw a handful of flour at Daddy."

I look at Willow again and sigh when I see just a hint of pink on the corner of her mouth. "Peea," I say as I point to the frosting.

He laughs. "I guess I forgot to mention that she may have sampled a cookie or two."

"Peeta, I don't mind you giving her that stuff as long as you don't overdo it. But if you're going to try to hide it from me, you might want to try a little harder," I tease him.

"Well, to make up for it, I made you cheesebuns," Peeta says.

I smirk at him. "Where are they?"

"I… um… I sort of left them at the bakery," Peeta replies.

I start laughing and I shake my head at him. "Oh, Peeta."

"I'm sorry," he laughs. "It's just been one of those days. I'm tempted to not even go back after lunch."

"Well, I know for sure that Willow isn't going back today." Willow's stomach suddenly growls and Peeta and I laugh at her. She giggles and looks towards the kitchen. "I think someone's hungry."

"Do you want Mommy to give you a bath while Daddy finishes lunch?" Peeta asks her. She nods her head and reaches for me. When I take her, she gets flour all over me.

"Willow," I laugh at her.

"Tell Mommy that it's not your fault," Peeta tells her.

"No, it's Daddy's fault," I tease.

"Hey, don't blame everything on me."

"Poor Daddy," I laugh. Willow's stomach growls again and she giggles. "You'd better get in there and finish cooking lunch, or we're going to have a cranky two year old to deal with." Peeta laughs at me and I start upstairs with Willow. I take her into the bathroom and start running water in the tub. Of course she wants to start playing as soon as I sit her down in the tub.

She keeps taking her hands and flicking water on me. "Willow, stop," I laugh. "The sooner we get done here, the sooner we can eat." When she's finally all cleaned up, I take her to her bedroom to get her dressed. "Did you and Daddy have fun today, baby girl?"