Together

Chapter 19

Katniss P.O.V.

Peeta counts down the days until he can ask me again. I hated to do it, but I had to break his heart by saying no again. I know Willow will be three in a few weeks, but I still feel like we need to wait a while. Seeing the look on Peeta's face makes me question if I can say no again or not.

I keep telling him that just because I say no doesn't mean never. I do want another baby, but I'd also just be happy with Willow if it came down to it.

She's our little girl no matter what and I don't ever want her to think otherwise. I don't want her wondering why this tiny person suddenly showed up in her house and now her Mommy and Daddy have to pay attention to it when we should be doting over her all the time.

There's no way I could disrupt her life like that without her being able to fully understand what's going on. I'm also afraid that I'd do something to make her think I was forgetting about her. I don't ever want our baby girl to think that I'm leaving her like my Mom has left me before.

"What difference will six more months make?" Peeta asks as he sits down across from me at the kitchen table. "If you had said yes six months ago, we'd be preparing to have another baby right now."

"I thought you agreed to not argue with me about it," I say as I look up at him. "And anyways, How many times do I have to tell you that me saying 'give me some more time' is not me saying no?"

"I know," Peeta says as he stares at the table.

"I'm sorry," I say as I reach out and take his hand. He looks up at me and intertwines our fingers. "I promise I'll say yes eventually." He gives me a sad smile and nods.

"I love you," Peeta says as he runs his thumb over my knuckles.

"I love you too," I reply. "Peeta?"

"Yeah?"

"Please don't be mad at me."

"I'm not," he says softly. "I promise."

"I'd better go check on Willow," I say as I stand up. Peeta nods and I go into the living room.

"Mommy!" Willow squeals when she sees me. I smile and go over to where she's playing with her toys on the floor.

"What are you doing, baby girl?" I ask her.

"Play."

"Are you playing?" She nods and goes back to ignoring me. I sit on the couch and it isn't long until Peeta comes in. He walks over to me, but Willow rushes over to him before he can sit down.

"Daddy," Willow whines as she holds out her hand to him.

He bends down beside of her and frowns. "Did you scratch your finger?" Willow nods and Peeta picks her up. "Tell Momma you'll be right back."

Willow looks at me with a pitiful look on her face. "Be back Mommy."

I laugh a little bit. "Okay, baby girl." Peeta takes Willow upstairs and I start picking up her toys. After a few minutes, Peeta and Willow still haven't returned. I go upstairs to find them and I hear Willow's cute laugh coming from down the hall.

I go to Peeta's art room and poke my head in. Peeta is holding Willow up to one of his easels and she has a paint brush, making random lines all over the canvas.

"Willow, what color is that?" Peeta asks her as he points.

"Boo!" Willow says proudly. Peeta smiles and shakes his head.

"No, that's not blue," he tells her. "That's green. That's Mommy's favorite color."

"Boo," she giggles.

"What about this color?" Peeta asks as he points again.

"Boo."

"Willow, not every color is blue," Peeta says as he laughs at her. "That's orange. That's my favorite color."

"Is Daddy teaching you colors?" I ask as I walk into the room. Peeta and Willow both look back to see me.

"Mommy!" Willow says as she points to her 'painting.'

"That's good, baby girl," I tell her as I walk over to them. She gives me a proud smile. "Now we know what we have to get her for her birthday," I tell Peeta.

"No kidding," Peeta says as he nods his head.

"At least it's better than her painting the room." We start laughing and Willow gives us a look like she's telling us to quit laughing at her. "You've got paint on your cheek, Willow," I say as I try to wipe it off.

"'Top it," Willow says as she moves her head away from me.

"Willow, say 'stop it,'" Peeta tells her.

"'Top it," Willow says again. We laugh at her and she grins at us.

"You're silly," I tell her. She shakes her head and giggles.

"Mommy."

"Yes, baby girl?"

"I hungry."

I laugh and smile at her. "Okay, tell Daddy to go fix you some food while I get you cleaned up."

"No," Willow protests as she clings to Peeta's neck. "I help."

"You want to help Daddy?"

"Yep," Willow says as she nods.

"Okay, Daddy's girl," I tease her. "But you have to get a bath as soon as you eat."

After Willow is fed and all cleaned up, I get her ready for bed. I let her play around for a while until she just can't hold her eyes open anymore. Peeta carries her upstairs to her bed, and I tuck her in.

"Goodnight, Willow," Peeta says as he bends down beside of her.

"Luv you," Willow says.

He smiles at her. "I love you too, baby girl." Peeta kisses her cheek and then goes to wait by the door for me.

"I love you, Willow," I tell her. I start to stand up, but Willow starts whimpering.

"Mommy," she says as she reaches out for me.
"I've gotta go to bed, baby."

"No," Willow whines.

I bend back down beside of her. "You want Mommy to stay with you until you fall asleep?" Willow nods and I look over at Peeta. "You can go on to bed," I tell him. "I'll be in there in a minute." Peeta nods and turns the light out before heading across the hall.

"Go to sleep, Willow," I tell her as I look back at her. "Nothing's going to hurt you. Mommy's right here." Willow nods and curls up under her blanket before finally dozing off.

I make sure she's all tucked in and comfortable before also heading across the hall. Peeta is lying on the bed and looks like he's asleep already. I go into the bathroom to get myself ready for bed and then I go lay down.

"Goodnight," I whisper before I lean over and kiss Peeta. He surprises me when he kisses me back. "I thought you were asleep already," I say as I pull away.

"No," Peeta replies. "I was waiting for you."

I lay down beside of him and he wraps his arms around me.

"I hope you're not mad at me," I tell him.

Peeta chuckles and shakes his head. "Katniss, I'm not mad. I promise."

"Good," I say. "And I promise I'm not going to change my mind. I do want another baby. I just think we need to wait."

"That's fine," Peeta says. "I understand what you're saying. I don't Willow to feel that way either. But I honestly believe she'd learn quickly."

"I know," I say. "Just give me some more time."
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Yay! Three updates in a little over 24 hours. Sorry they're short but I'm going somewhere with this. Anyways, HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS!!!