Complete

Chapter 14

Peeta P.O.V.

"Daddy, why doesn't Momma come home no more?" Willow asks from the backseat.

"She'll be home in a couple days, Willow," I tell her. "Mommy's just staying at the hospital until Grandma gets better."

"When will that happen?"

"I don't know, Willow," I say as I keep my attention on the road.

"Can we go see Mommy?"

"Mama?" Rye gasps.

"Not right now, Willow,"I tell her as I pull the car into the driveway.

"Why?" Willow whines.

I take a deep breath and turn around in my seat to face her.

"Listen, Willow, I know you want to see Mommy but she wants you to stay here for right now and to not worry about her, okay?"

"Okay," Willow sighs.

"Come on," I tell her. "Let's go inside." I get out of the car and go over to Rye's side of the car. I get him out of his car seat, and then carry him inside. Willow's shoulders slump as she trudges upstairs.

"Willow," I say. She turns around to look at me. "When you get your homework done, you can help me fix supper."

"Okay," Willow says as she perks up a little bit. She walks on up the stairs, and I sit Rye down on the living room floor.

"Alright, little dude," I say to Rye as I bend down beside of him. "It's just me and you for a few minutes."

"Dada," Rye whines as he reaches up for me. I take a deep breath and pick him back up as he holds on to me. Since Katniss has been staying at the hospital all week, Rye has been super clingy to me.

"What's the matter, buddy?" I ask Rye as I stand back up. "Don't you want to play?"

"No," Rye says as he lays his head against my shoulder.

"Well, what do you want?" I ask him.

"Mama," Rye says as his little eyes fill with tears.

"Yeah," I sigh as I nod my head. "I know, buddy. Come here." I sit down on the couch with Rye and sit him down on my knee. "I know you don't understand completely, but Mommy will be back in a couple days. I promise."

Rye lets out a whine and looks upstairs. "Mama."

"Mommy's not upstairs, Rye," I tell him as I shake my head.

"No," Rye says as he breaks down crying. "Mama! Mama!" Rye starts screaming as he balls his hands up into tight fists.

"Rye, calm down," I tell him as I hold him close to me and begin to rock him back and forth. He continues to cry into my shoulder until he finally falls asleep. I take a deep breath and carry Rye upstairs, careful not to wake him up. I lay him down in his bed and then go over to check on Willow.

"You need any help?" I ask her.

"No," Willow says as she shakes her head. "I've got it, Daddy." Willow looks up at me, and I frown when I notice the fresh tears in her eyes.

"You and your brother have been having a bad day, huh?" I ask her. Willow nods her head, and I sit down beside of her on her bed.

"We miss Mommy."

"I know, Willow," I say softly. "Me too. Listen to me, though. If Mommy calls tonight, I'll let you talk to her."

"Okay," Willow says as she nods her head at me. "Daddy, I'm done with my homework."