Finding the Missing Piece: Book 3

Chapter Seventeen

Katniss POV-

I walk down the sidewalk and look around, not spotting Brandon anywhere, "Brandon?" I holler.

"I don't want to talk, Katniss." I hear someone say from my right. I jump a little, looking ahead and seeing a large figure leaning up against the large tree in our front yard.

I stand there, perfectly still, "That's too bad."

Brandon scoffs, "Imagine that." He mumbles.

I lean on one leg, and stand there awkwardly. Not really knowing what to do,"What's wrong?" I ask softly, crossing my arms.

"Everything, but let's start with the fact that my daughter likes some other guy better than me."

I roll my eyes, "He isn't some 'other guy,' Brandon. He's your friend and he's going to help take care of your daughter for you while you can't." I shoot back at him.

"I didn't ask him to." He says.

"No, but Bristol did." I say.

He shrugs.

"Brandon, Carter even cries when Peeta or I hold her too or even Bristol, it's not just you. You didn't know that's what she liked to do, did you?"

"No." He mumbles.

"We didn't know at first either. Don't be upset." I say, hoping this was the end of the conversation.

He let's out an mad chuckle, "I should've never enrolled."

"Maybe you shouldn't have." I say, realizing none of these arguments would've happened if he hadn't but if you really think about it, Carter probably wouldn't have happened either.

I hear him let out a frustrated low groan so I speak up again, "Brandon, Peeta didn't mean to hurt your feelings but let me tell you something..."

"Okay, go ahead. I already know you well enough to know your going to tell me either way so do it." He says.

I just shake my head though he can't see me, "Peeta is a kid friendly person. Whether it's babies or little kids, he gets along with them. It's something special he has and I don't understand it but I don't have to because I know no one really does." I begin, "Every kid I've ever seen him around, even if were at the grocery store always come up and they talk to him or smile or wave or something. It's different with me." I explain to him, hoping to make a little peace but fail.

"And?" He asks rudely.

"And that's why Carter likes him. Another reason is she is two weeks old. You missed two weeks of her life and Peeta and I didn't. That's not your fault though because we know you wanted to be here. We have a better understanding of what she wants and how she works. You haven't had that chance but I know if you just give it a few days, then she will love you, she doesn't know that you're her dad. She doesn't know because she's just a baby and she likes people who are familiar to her."

"But I'm her dad. I thought I could just show up and she would love me. She didn't really have any interest in me. Everyone but me, actually." He says softly.

I cross my arms, "She's little, she doesn't have much interest in anything but sleeping and eating. Trust me. She's way more active and aware than any other babies I've seen, so use that to bond with her."

"I'm just not good with kids." He admits to me.

I shake my head and roll my eyes as I feel the need to scream, "Neither am I but this one likes me and even Johanna, that's obviously something special." I say, hiding a bit of a smirk, though I'm angry at him.