It's Always Been You

Chapter Twenty Eight; Severity

Peeta's POV

"Okay, Katniss. It looks like you're about six centimeters. We're getting closer." Ms. Everdeen says softly as Katniss looks up at me with panic stricken eyes.

I look over to the clock. It's nearly 1:00 a.m. Prim sits next to Katniss, switching out her cold rag every few minutes. I let out a deep sigh.

"I haven't progressed in nearly five hours. What is wrong?" Katniss asks panicked.

"Sometimes labor takes days, Katniss, especially early labor. You're fine, I promise." Prim says reassuringly.

"I feel like I need to push." Katniss says softly, placing her hand on her abdomen. Ms. Everdeen shakes her head.

"You could do damage to the baby and yourself."

"I feel so much pressure. I feel something coming down."

"It could be that your water will break soon, which will speed up the process. Just relax. I promise you'll be fine." Prim says, offering her a smile.

Katniss closes her eyes for a moment, breathing heavily. "This is absolute hell. I'm never having another child, and that is a fact. You better never come near me again, Peeta."

Ms. Everdeen busts out laughing, and I look down at Katniss awkwardly.

"I'll keep note of that."

"It's getting late. Maybe you should try to get some rest Katniss. You're going to need energy for when you have to deliver." Prim says softly.

"Believe me, I want to rest but the pain...it's unbearable."

"Just try. I promise you'll feel a lot better. Just close your eyes. We'll leave and shut the lights out." I say, trying to calm her.

"No, Peeta. Please stay. Will you lay with me?" She asks. I nod. Prim and Ms. Everdeen shut the lights off, leaving and closing the door tightly behind them. I slowly crawl into bed with Katniss, wrapping my arms around her. She rests her head on my shoulder, and my hands caress her stomach.

"Does this feel okay?" I ask.

"Mhm," she says, looking up at me. I peck her lips softly, and she flinches, whimpering as she grasps onto my hand.

"I'm sorry. It hurts so bad." She says through gritted teeth, tears welling in the corners of her eyes. I rub her back softly and soothingly, but she stares up at me, beginning to cry.

"Hey, hey, what's wrong?" I ask softly, wiping her tears away as I attempt to comfort her. That's a stupid question. I know exactly what's wrong.

"I'm so scared, Peeta. I'm going to be a mother, and I'm in so-oh, fuck that hurts so bad!" She groans.

"You're okay, I'm here. I won't leave you." I whisper, kissing her forehead as she grips my hand as hard as she possibly can. "Let's think happy thoughts, okay? Let's get your mind off of the pain. Does that sound good?"

She nods, calming a bit as I kiss her forehead. "Just think, were going to have a tiny little baby crawling around soon-a mini Katniss or Peeta."

"You sound like Caesar." Katniss breathes, letting out a soft laugh. I bite my lip, smiling back in reply.

"Do you think it's a girl or a boy?" I ask, not wanting to talk about Caesar or the Capitol or anything along those lines.