Complete

Chapter 3

Peeta P.O.V.

I bounce Rye in my arms as I pace up and down the hallway with him. Rye cries into my shoulder and I try to calm his down.

"Shh. You're okay, buddy. You need to go to sleep so the rest of us can get some rest."

"Peeta," Katniss says softly as she comes walking out of our bedroom. "You need me to take him or a while?"

"It doesn't matter," I say. "If you want to."

Katniss walks over and gently takes Rye out of my arms.

"Come here, little guy."

"Is Rye okay?" Willow asks as she comes out into the hallway.

"He's okay, Willow," I say. "He's just in a bad mood right now."

"I gotta make sure." Willow walks over to me and I pick her up. She reaches her hand out towards Rye to feel his forehead, and she frowns a little.

"Rye feels warm. I think he is sick."

"Willow" Katniss laughs.

"I'm serious, Momma."

Katniss feels Rye's forehead and then gives Willow a weird look.

"Rye does feel warm."

"Huh-oh," I say. "Are you sick, Rye?" He looks at me and reaches out for me with his little arms. I take Rye back, and he clings to me as his cries get louder and louder and he hides his face in my shoulder again.

"Peeta look," Katniss says as she tries to turn Rye's face towards her. "He's grinding his gums together like they're hurting him."

"Are you cutting teeth?" I ask Rye as I try to get him to open his mouth.

"No!" Rye cries as he turns his head away from me and looks back at Katniss.

"Here," Katniss says gently. "Let Mommy see." Katniss is finally able to get Rye's mouth open. "Both of his bottom teeth are coming in."

"Both of them?" I ask.

"Yeah. No wonder he's been crying for so long. Poor little guy."

"Will Rye be okay?" Willow asks us nervously.

"He'll be just fine, Willow," Katniss tells her. "He's just teething."

Willow makes a face. "That is no fun?"

"No fun at all," Katniss says as she shakes her head at Willow.

"Well you need to give Rye medicine then."

"We will, Willow," I laugh. "And you need to go on back to bed."

"I can't with Rye crying "

"I'll go downstairs with him," I tell Willow.

"I can't sleep because I will worry about Rye."

"Go to sleep, drama queen," Katniss laughs as she shakes her head at willow. Willow gives us both an innocent smile before she walks back to her room.

"We'll have to get Rye a teething ring and some medicine in the morning," Katniss says.

"Yeah," I reply. "But for now, let's try to get his fever down and get him to sleep."

"I'll get a warm wash rag to lay over his head," Katniss says.

"Okay. I'll take Rye downstairs."

Katniss heads towards the bathroom, and I carry Rye downstairs to the living room.

"Mama," Rye whines.