Finding the Missing Piece: Book 3

Chapter Seven

Peeta POV-

"Katniss?" I say softly, walking up behind her.

She turns around and smiles at me, a little red in the face.

"Having fun?" I ask.

Katniss nods, "Yeah. All she needed was a little change of scenery. You know how I got when I couldn't go anywhere with my leg." She says.

"Yeah, I do. I bet that was it." I say, still thinking back to Bristol.

I take a seat next to Katniss's tiny body and across from Carter's even tinier body.

Katniss smiles at me and then at the baby.

"Bristol wants to ride with you for awhile. I'll take Carter." I inform her.

She nods, "Okay, hopefully, I got her to calm down for you."

I smile widely, "I bet she will be okay now." I say.

I look back and see Bristol still watching us.

I should tell Katniss to talk to her but I don't want to hurt Katniss's feelings.

"Ready?" She asks, kissing my cheek.

I nod and peck her lips quickly.

I stand up and Katniss carefully hands me Carter.

I hold the tiny baby in my arms and help Katniss up.

She grabs the blanket and shakes it off and folds it over her arm.

"Let's go." Katniss says.

I smile as we turn and walk back to the cars.

I open up the car door and carefully set Carter in her carrier. I buckle her up and Bristol comes and kisses her forehead and shuts the door.

"If you want to get back in with me later, you can." I tell Bristol, knowing she will be missing her soon.

I can see she is still very upset as she nods and gets into the passenger side of her car and Katniss and I part.

I get into the driver side of my car and turn to check on Carter.

She's wide awake.

She happily looks around the car, chewing on her little fingers.

"Ready, Sweetheart?" I ask her in a baby voice.

I get no response so I just laugh and turn back around.

I put my seatbelt on and we head out.

After awhile, I think Carter has finally gone to sleep until I hear her chirping in the back seat.

"Found your voice already?" I ask her, laughing.

She responds with more noises and I smile as I keep my eyes locked on the road.

"You really like Katniss, don't you?" I ask Carter after awhile.

"I know she's going to be a really good mother one day if I can convince her." I start.

I smile as I think about it.

"I can't wait until Katniss and I have kids, then you guys can be best friends just like Katniss and your Mommy." I inform her.

She stays quiet, listening I guess.

I just keep talking to her, glad to have some company.

"I know your Mommy is having a rough time but it's only because she misses your Daddy. I know he wants to meet you so bad." I tell her, speaking of her father for the first time.