We Remain

Chapter 10

Peeta POV*

You know the feeling when you're too happy and can't stop smiling like a dumb idiot? That's me. I know because when I wake up, my cheeks hurt. I must've been smiling all night.
I am disturbed when the bed creaks and footsteps rush to the bathroom. I look over and know it's Katniss when she closes the bathroom door. I quickly get up and walk to the bathroom door and open it.
Katniss is on her knees, puking in the toilet. I kneel down and hold her hair out of the way. She groans as she pukes up more. I wish I could help her, but this is Morning Sickness. I can't do anything about it.

Once she's done, she flushes the toilet and shakily gets up. I pull her into me and hug her tightly. She always told me she felt safer with my arms around her, so maybe this will help. Soon enough, she buries her head in my chest and starts sobbing.
"Katniss, it'll be okay," I soothe as I rub her back. I wish we both wanted this. That we both wanted this baby. That we both loved it. And now I'm making her do something she's terrified of doing.
"Peeta..." She says between her sobs. "....I don't think I can do this."
"Yes, you can. You're strong. I know you are," I tell her softly. "It'll be frightening, I know, but you'll get through it. And then you'll be a mother."
"And you a father," she sniffles. I smile and pull back and raise her head to look at her. Her cheeks are damp, her eyes red from crying, but she still has those grey eyes that I love so much.
I kiss her forehead and stroke her hair. "You love me. Real or not real?"
"Real," she tells me as she looks into my eyes. I smile.
"I'll make breakfast. You rest a little more," I say as I walk out of the bathroom and bedroom. I hope one day she will smile when she she's her son or daughter.