Being In Love With You - Sequel of After The Always

Chapter 18

Katniss' POV

I place Willow sitting on my side and my arms holding her legs and back. 
Peeta walks beside me with his arm wrapped around my waist, heading towards the meadow.

But that's not our destination today.
A new place is what we will show her.

We reach the meadow quickly as it is not really far from our home.

I, to best of my ability, slips my shoes off and hold them with my fingers. I love the touch of the forest and meadow floor.

I turn to Peeta and see him smile at me. He pecks my temple and I giggle before we start walking again.

We stroll towards the back of the meadow but we don't stop. The shade the trees provide changes the lighting and we know we've reached the tree line of the woods. Peeta wraps his hand around my waist more as we enter the woods. Still slightly unfamiliar ground.

"Don't worry, I know where to go sweetie." I reassure him as we continue walking. We turn our heads to each other. We smile at each other and I look ahead of me again.
It's takes 10 minutes to reach our destination and I know the way to get there so well.

Halfway there I stop and this takes Peeta by surprise but he instantly is fearful.

"There is nothing Peeta. I just need you to take Willow, my arms dying." I joke at the end and Peeta lets out a nervous laugh.
"Peeta. We're safe. It's safe." I say, facing him and looking dead into his eyes.

Peeta nods and I release my grips on Willow slowly. Willow makes some noises and she moves to her fathers arms and I rest my hand on his left shoulder.

"Let's go." I exclaim and we continue.

I don't know why Peeta's nervous. He's never like this. Maybe he's just being a bit more aware and protective since Willow is with us.
I silently sigh and hold his hand.

Willow soon rests her head on Peeta's shoulder, tired.

"Willow, we're nearly there." Peeta quietly comments to a sleepy Willow. "Then you can rest."

Minutes later, I have to squint as a light comes flashing into my eyes. I know what that is.

"We're here." I exclaim and run through the last bit of trees towards the lake.

"Katniss!" Peeta exclaims behind me and I hear him running too, but carefully on his prosthetic and since he holds Willow.

I exit the tree line and am shown the beauty of the lake. I smile as I gaze upon it and our little concrete home.
I turn as I hear Peeta come up behind me. I turn and take Willow into my embrace.

"Look Willow. This is our lake." I say and let Willow look at the all. Her eyes brighten at the sight and I smile.

Peeta and I walk towards our home and go up the small steps to go inside.
Once I'm in with Willow, I breath in the familiar lovely scent.

I place Willow on her feet and hold her hands as I help her walk. I gaze at the baby stuff that hasn't been used yet.

At one of the earlier weeks of my pregnancy with Willow, we bought essentials and came here to set them up. Doing it earlier on was such a relief as, when I was nearing the last 1/2 of the pregnancy, I had trouble walking long distances and was in quite a bit of pain.

I smile, remembering that a year ago I was carrying Willow inside me.

I walk over slowly to the couch, Willow attempting to walk, and sit on it with Willow.

Peeta joins moments later and we all curl up together. We rest as Willow needed it and I just fall asleep in my husbands relaxing embrace.