Complete

Chapter 21

Katniss P.O.V.

"Mommy, when will I get to see Rye?" Willow asks me. "When I'm over here, Rye's with Daddy, but if I'm with Daddy, Rye's with you."

I frown at her. "I'm sorry, Willow. Maybe both of you can stay with Daddy this weekend."

"Okay," Willow huffs.

Peeta and I have decided to trade kids each week, that way we each get to keep one of them and we're not alone in an empty house.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Willow?" I answer as I pull her up into my lap.

"Why don't you and Daddy live together no more anyways?"

I take a deep breath. "Willow, first of all, none of this is Daddy's fault, okay?"

"Okay," Willow answers.

I take a deep breath. I could barely explain this to Peeta. How do I explain this to our seven year old daughter?

"Willow, sometimes when something happens and it makes you sad, you don't know how to handle it. You get mad at the wrong people for the wrong reasons, and you accidentally end up hurting someone who means the most to you. I ended up taking my anger out on Daddy, and..."

"Did Daddy get mad at you?"

"No, Willow," I tell her quickly. "Daddy didn't do anything wrong. I just didn't want to hurt him anymore, so I thought that this would be best for now. Does that make any sense?"

Willow shrugs her shoulders at me. "A little bit I guess."

I sigh and kiss the top of her head. "I know this isn't easy on you and Rye, especially not you, but I promise that this won't last forever. It will get better. I promise."

Willow nods her head. "Momma, I think I'm getting tired." I laugh a little bit.

"Okay. Go on upstairs and I'll be there to tuck you in in a minute."

"Okay," Willow replies. "Mommy? Can I sleep in your bed tonight?"

I smile at her and nod my head. "Of course, Willow."

Willow heads upstairs, and I put my head in my hands.

I thought this would make things better. Sure, I can't take my anger out on Peeta like I was, but this has been unfair to Willow and Rye. I haven't been able to sleep well without Peeta's arms around me, and I get lonely when Willow's at school when it's my week to keep her.

I've felt myself slip farther and father away from reality, but being around my babies helps to keep me grounded. But it's times like this, when I'm all alone with no one to talk to, when I feel the depression creep up on me.

I've really messed up. In more ways than one.
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"But, Momma, I don't want to go to school today," Willow whines as I braid her hair.

"Why not?" I ask Willow as I run the brush through her tangled hair.

"Because I want to stay here with you."

I take a deep breath. "I know, Willow, but today's Friday. After today, you'll be out for the weekend."

"Okay," Willow sighs. Once I finish braiding her hair, I sit her back down on her bed.

"You'd better finish getting ready for school. Daddy will be here to take you in a minute."

"Why can't you take me?" Willow asks with a pout.

"Because Daddy has to go to work anyways, so it makes more sense if he drops you off on his way to the bakery."

"Okay," Willow sighs disappointedly. "I'll go get ready."