(UNDER EDITING) Willow Mellark-Rising Ashes

Chapter 1

In The Cold Of Winter

Katniss P.O.V ( 10 years after rebellion)

District 12 was barely recognizable in the deep winter; the once luscious trees have been replaced with naked branches and clumps of snow sit ever so still on the branches, like babies in their cradles. The ground, both grass and dirt path alike, was covered in a blanket, and the white-on-white landscape glistened under the stars brightly lit up above as the snowflakes danced around in the random gales of wind. The windows are covered in frost as I placed yet another piece of firewood into the growing fire. Sitting back down on the couch, my 2-year-old daughter, wrapped in a blanket, automatically laid her head onto my lap. I started to stroke her hair, getting lost in thought. The dark days buried underneath the snow started to make their way into my mind, like the shadow monsters I used to fear as a small child. I closed my eyes shut and told myself:

The war is over. The games are over.

I took a sip of hot milk, the warmth spread through my body like the blood that coursed through my veins, it almost provided a shield from the soul-piercing air that blew in through the open front door; flurries of snow followed. The bellowing wind is silenced once the door is shut after some toil. Peeta came into our living room, the snow in his hair reminded me of the glitter used in the Capital all those years ago.

Willow was too invested in the book she was reading to notice her surroundings. I tried to get up to greet my husband, but he quickly put a finger to his lips, a mischievous look on his face. He tiptoed his way in front of me. He was standing right over Willow when he pounced, a roar erupting from his throat. With a yelp, Willow shot from the couch as Peeta and I burst out into laughter.

"That was not funny!" She pouted, crossing her arms.

"Aw, don't be mad, little duck! I was only joking, come here." Peeta went up to hug her and I also joined in on the bear hug.

"We missed you today. She hasn't been able to put the book you got her down all day. Plus, you know what tomorrow is..." I smiled, looking down at our daughter, the miniature version of the both of us.

"Christmas Eve!" Willow gleamed

"And that means...." I urged on

"Daddy's not working tomorrow, and I can spend all day with my favorite girls!" Peeta hugged us tighter before letting us go.

I look into his eyes, the same ones that calmed me during the games and that I longed for during the war, and say, "I love you."

He smiles into a kiss and then whispers, "I love you more."

Willow looks up at us and smiles widely.

"I love my two little firebirds," Peeta said before heading to the shower.

***

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!"

Peeta shut the book quietly and we got up from our spots on Willow's bed. Picking up her stuffed duck that had fallen on the floor, I lean forward to whisper,

"Goodnight, little duck."

I kissed her forehead and Peeta tucked her in. After three bedtime stories, she's out like a light. We headed over to our room where I threw myself onto our bed like it was a pile of leaves; Peeta watched me from where he leaned on the door frame. I sighed, moving a piece of hair from my face. Peeta smiled at me and asked,

"Exhausted?"

"That bad, huh?" I stood up and walked over to pick up my hairbrush from its place on our dresser.