~1 Day Later~

Katniss's P.O.V.

I am a mother again. And to a beautiful baby boy. He looks exactly like Peeta. Except Owen has my eyes. I knew I would have a son. All along I had a feeling that our Little "Olive" would be a boy. I felt too much trouble. But, I do want another girl now that I have Owen. I was getting used to the fact of another Aster. Aster was disappointed as well. But grew more and more excited to the fact when she met him and held him. Haymitch, Effie and Mom have fallen head over heels for him. They are already spoiling him, and he is only a day old. Peeta has been running home constantly to get things for Owen. Since all we brought was girl things. Our family and friends have been lending a hand when they come to see him as well. 

Gale and Aleree have grown so much closer. And happier. I'm glad for them. Cressida is five months now. And looks great. She's expecting a boy too. Gale is already planning for all of us to hunt. And I am excited for that. But, I need at least six weeks before I can do much. I need to spend another two days here to recover. Which I am happy to do. I am very tired and in pain. The joys of postpartum are hitting. The excessive bleeding, sore feeling, and my body recovering from having a person in me. With Owen, I decided to breastfeed. Which is a challenge I've come to realize. But luckily, I have nurse's help, Mom's help, and Dr. Mangum's help. My incision sutures were removed. It feels weird to have been cut open. But it is healing up very well, I am told. I am glad that Peeta did not look inside of me. I think he is too. I know that he would have fainted. And so would I. The pain from it is wearing off, mainly. I will be sore. I had major surgery. Peeta has been getting things done at home for the past few hours. Aster stayed here with me. She can't get enough of her little brother. She sits next to me and holds him.

"He's so cute, Momma." She says,

"He sure is, Flower." I say.

"I wanted a sister, though. Can I get one?" She asks.

"Maybe someday, Flower." I say.

Owen whimpers and wakes up.

"Here, Aster." I say.

She gently hands me Owen. I rock him gently and try to soothe him.

"Hey Buga-Boo, what's the matter, huh? Are you hungry?" I say. "Miss your Daddy?"

"Well, he's here to the rescue." I hear Peeta say.

He comes and sits beside me. He kisses my temple.

"I got him." He says,

I hand him our son. And Owen becomes calm immediately.

"How come you can do that?" I asked and playfully hit him.

"He's my little boy. That's why." He says and sticks his tongue out at me.

I roll my eyes at him and watch him with Owen. He has always had a gift with children. A gift I wish I could have. I may have grown as a better mother, but I'll never be able to interact with children like he can. But as long as Peeta is by my side, he can be a good one with children. I'll be the carrier, he'll be the caregiver. And I won't mind keep giving him more. Maybe in a few years. I am missing the feeling of carrying a baby in me already. And it's only been two days. I've carried children for eighteen months of my life. And I'm only twenty seven. Almost twenty eight. I'm closer to thirty now. I never realized how long time goes by. How long I've been married. Almost sixteen years. And to think, twelve years ago, I had been sent into the Games with him. I didn't know I loved him then. It hit when I lost him. And I never want to ever again. Not because my children would be fatherless, but because I still need him. And I always will.

"Momma? Are you sleepy?" Aster asks me to bring me out of reminiscing.

"No, Flower. Just thinking. Maybe a teeny bit, but I'm alright." I say and rub her cheek.

"About what, Momma?" Aster asks and moves closer to me.

"The life I've had. How happy Daddy made me. And when you were born. And how I met your Daddy. And how I can't live without any of you." I explain.

"Well, we won't leave. Not me, Daddy, or Owen." Aster says and hugs me.

"Thank you, Baby Girl. I won't leave you either." I say and kiss her head.

Peeta moves close to me and kisses me.

"Stay with me?" I asked him.

"Always." He says,

~ 1 Week Later ~

Peeta's P.O.V.

I wake up to the small cries of my son. I open my eyes and yawn. I sit up. Katniss stirs a bit and wakes up.

"Is it Owen?" She asks groggily.

"Go back to bed, Kat. I can get him." I say and kiss her head.

I stand up and go across the hall to Owen's nursery. I turn on the lamp and go to his crib.

"Hey, Little Guy. What's the matter?" I ask and pick him up.

I try to comfort him to the best of my ability.

"How about I share a story with you, Buga-Boo? Maybe it'll put you back to sleep?" I suggest.

I sit down in the rocking chair and start to rock.

"I was about the age of your Sissy.. Me and your Mommy had our first day of school. Before walking in, your Grandpa Dave, my Daddy, pointed out to me your Mommy. She was in a beautiful dress and had two braids. In class, our teacher asked us all if anyone knew the, "Valley Song. Your Momma's hand shot straight up when she asked. . She got up and sang the whole song for the whole class. I knew then, she had my heart. And her voice left us all speechless. Now, I'm not very good to. So I can't lull you asleep, Bud. But don't you worry, Owen. If you are very sad, your Mommy will sing you to sleep and take your breath and heart away." I say to him.

Owen has his small little thumb in his mouth. He's breathing lightly and is soundly asleep. I move his same blonde curls out of his face. I kiss his head. I stand up and go to set him into his crib. I turn on his mobile and turn off the lamp. I carefully close the door and leave. I start to head back to my room, when I hear my daughter crying quietly. I carefully knock on the door, then open.

"Hey Flower, what's wrong?" I say and go into the room.

I go sit on her bed. I turn on her night lamp. She sits up and hugs me.

"I was so afraid." She says quietly.

I rub her arm and smile softly, understanding all too well.

"Dreams can feel like that sometimes. They can be really scary and they can

make you feel really upset, even after you wake up. But I'll tell you a secret."

I lean in closer, and kiss the top of her forehead.

"They're not real unless you allow them to be," I say in a gentle whisper.

She smiles.

I leave her with one last kiss, and turn to walk away.

"Daddy? Will you stay with me?"

I'm taken back. To another time. To another love. The one who's sleeping

soundly in the room across the hall. I nod.

I crawl into her small bed next to her. Her head pressed to my chest and my hand running through her dark hair.

"Always." I say.

~

Katniss's P.O.V.

I extend my arms in bed and stretch. I feel for my husband and feel cold sheets. I carefully sit up. I feel the rush of soreness and a bit of pain.

'Easy there, Katniss. You're still sore from surgery.' I remind myself.

I move my legs over to the edge of my bed. I gingerly apply pressure and then get up. And it doesn't hurt so much. I grab a sweater hanging from the door. I leave my room. I look in Owen's room. He's waking up.

"Hey there, Buga. Morning." I say and pick him up.

His bright blue eyes stair up into mine. I smile down at him and kiss his head of blonde curls.

"Have you seen your Daddy, Owen?" I ask.

He makes his cute noises and reaches for my face.

"Come on. Let's go find them." I say.

I leave his room and go open Aster's. I stumble upon the sweetest sight for a mother. Her husband asleep with her daughter. Aster is curled up close to Peeta and he has his arms around her like he does to me. I carefully make my way to them. I sit on the bed and then lean in and kiss Peeta. I gently rub Aster's shoulder. Peeta's eyes open and look up at me. He smiles. I smile back.

"Morning, you." I whisper.

"Morning." He whispers.

"I'll get breakfast going." I say and kiss him again.

"Sounds good. Sorry I wasn't there when you woke up. I got up for Little Man and then came to her rescue." He says.

"What happened?" I ask.

He gives me a pitiful smile. I quickly realize.

"Oh no.. Peeta... What do we..." I ask.

"We'll get through it, Katniss. Like we do, and did." He says.

I look down at Aster who's still sleeping peacefully. She is too innocent to be having nightmares. Too young. I brush some of her long dark hair from her face.

"I sure hope so." I say and trying to keep my emotions in check. Which are still all over from hormones.

"I know so, Kat. We have...  and so will our Little Flower." He says and kisses our daughter's head.

I sigh. Then try to move on. "I'll get going on breakfast." I say.

I head back to my room. I get my baby sling and put Owen in it. I go down to the kitchen. Apollo and Daisy follow behind me. I get them their breakfast, then start on us human's food. I make some pancakes, eggs and sausage links. I get out some orange juice and make it.

"Morning, Momma." I hear Aster say.

"Morning, Flower." I return and look at her.

She has an awful case of bedhead and is holding her favorite stuffed animal fox and dragging her favorite blankie. She comes to me and hugs around my waist. I rub her head.

"Sleep well, Sweetie?" I ask.

"When Daddy came I did." She says.

"Where is he now?" I ask.

"In the shower. He said he'd be down in a while." She says.

"Do you want to help me, Ast?" I ask.

"Sure, Momma." She says and smiles.

She moves her step stool over to me. I let her flip the pancakes while I make the eggs and sausage. A few minutes later Peeta joins us all in the kitchen. He comes and wraps his arms around me. He kisses my neck.

"I can take over now, Kat." He says.

"Thank you. I need to feed him." I say. "Ooh, you smell good. Like coconut."

"Thanks." He says.

I let him take over and I leave to the kitchen. I get my pillow to rest Owen on and feed him. Things are much less of a struggle with breastfeeding now that I have done it on my own for a week or so. He can latch and eat very well. He likes to take all the time he can to eat. But luckily I have grown patient with him. After-all, he deserves to eat as much as we all do. He was taking a lot of my food while taking up vacancy. So he must be hungry for more. He takes about ten more minutes and lets me be. Which is convenient since my breakfast is ready. I wrap him up in his sling and then join my favorite people. I spend all day enjoying the time with the best family I could ask for.

AWWW!! EEEEHHHHAAHHH! EVERLARK AND TOAST BABY CUTENESSS!!!!!! AHHHHHH! SO... what'd ya think? Thoughts and opinions? Suggestions for upcoming parts? OH AND WARNING!!! there will only be 20 chapters in this book! Then the next book, "Real." will be out! So, how do you want it to end?? Let me know, K!? Plz vote and comment! Lots of love! I loved to write this!! BYEEE!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😘😘😘😘

-Zeffie