Chapter Text
Our suitcase sits beside the door to the garage as does the three bags Adeline needs for the next two days. A bag of clothes, a bag full of diapers and wipes and a cooler filled with milk, bottles, and pre-prepped food and snacks.
And any day now we’ll become a family of four and outings will be interesting with twice the amount of things for two kids.
Peeta appears with Adeline from upstairs with them both dressed and ready.
"Do you have Bunny?" I ask him.
“Yes.” He shows me.
“Right, we’re good to go then.” I tell him smiling. “I need to wee first though.” I tell him with a scowl. “For the tenth time today.” I mutter as I head to the toilet.
“I’ll pack the car then.” He announces. “Come on Addie girl.”
The car is running and packed when I appear in the garage and the house all locked up.
“Time to go to Nanny and Poppy’s.” I tell Adeline, leaning over to tickle her.
We’ve already got the capsule installed, my hospital bag is packed and Mom on call for Adeline drop off when I go into labor. Which I’m hoping will be any day from next Wednesday. I’m officially 38 weeks on Wednesday and Adeline turns 1 on Tuesday so if we can get through after her birthday, I’ll be happy.
We spend a bit of time at Mom and Dad’s before we leave. We’re a little early for check in and want to spend a bit of time with her before we go. She’s had sleepovers with Mom and Dad every Saturday night since we found out we were expecting baby number 2, which was a way of getting her used to being away with us when we did have the baby and spent a couple of days away from her. She loved going to Mom and Dad's and was spoilt immensely and it was a relief knowing she was fine. Even one night she was running a temp and Mom still insisted she watch her. Adeline was fine and enjoyed Nanny cuddles and Poppy's songs.
I show Mom some of the photos from our shoot and I notice her smile as she views them, commenting on how beautiful the preview all are of the three of us and celebrating the impending arrival.
“She said she’d have them ready by the weekend.” I tell Mom with a smile.
We have a cup of tea and chat randomly, Mom showing her concerns for Prim.
"I just don't know how she's coping as a resident and deciding what she wants to specialize in and she's got boy trouble too."
"Mom, she's 25, she's allowed to be unsure what she wants to specialize in and have boy trouble. People my age are still experiencing boy trouble." I remind her. "I don't think she's yet ready to settle down either, she's still young and she wants to focus on her career before a family."
“I suppose, I just want her to be happy.”
“She’s Prim, she gets what she wants.” I smile at her and I rub my belly. “And this might not be in her plan for a few years yet.”
Mom nods and smiles. “That’s true, Addie and this new baby might be enough for her.”
“And she can hand them back.” I laugh.
Peeta laughs from the floor as he plays with Adeline. “I think Addie has turned her off babies for maybe ten years.”
“Or not, she could surprise us.” I add with a slight smile.
We say goodbye after a quick lunch and me nursing Adeline and getting her down. The drive is 45 minutes and with check-in after 2, we'll arrive right on time. It's casual conversation as we drive down the valley through the beautiful scenery of the valley on the right and pagodas that surround the left-hand side.
“I used to always take the kids camping down here.” Peeta tells me.
“Yeah?”
"Yes, used to load up the car with the tent, sleeping bags, blankets and food for the weekend and we'd have a great time. I mean, I couldn't take them on flashy holidays but long weekends down here was our thing and we always had a great time bonding and being with each other."
I smile. “Maybe in the summer we can come down and camp.” I suggest. “Button will be 7 months old by then and Addie 18 months old.”
"I haven't been camping since Madge was 16." He tells me. "I'd love that. I'd love to continue the tradition and maybe the three older ones can join us too. And your parents."
I reach out, squeezing his hand that rests on the handbrake and I smile at him. “I’m sure they’d love to join us. I want to have a few family traditions.”
He kisses the back of my hand and we enjoy the company of each other for the rest of the drive.
We arrive at the resort, following the instructions of speaking to the man at the gate.
“I’ll just get you to park here and our driver Joel will drive you two in.” He explains to us.
“Thank you.” Peeta smiles at him and parks in the parking lot beside the helipad and comes and helps me out of the car.
“Are your bags in the back, Sir?” The driver asks.
"Yes, the suitcase and there's a little bag as well." Peeta tells him as he helps me to my feet.
Peeta takes my handbag and my hand and leads me over to the Land Rover that'll take us to the resort.
Joel has the doors open to the back of the car and Peeta again helps me in and he slides in beside me.
Joel chats for the ten minutes it takes to drive in. He drives slowly over a river and through the rugged road.
"I'll do my best to not jostle you too much." Joel tells me with a smile. "I accidentally put my wife into labor after a day of rough four-wheel driving." He laughs.
We laugh with him. “How many kids do you have?” Peeta asks.
“Two, expecting our third after Christmas.” He smiles. “And you two?”
“This is my fifth. I’ve got three from a previous relationship.” Peeta tells him. “This one is due basically any day now.”
“Our youngest will be 1 on Tuesday.” I tell him with a smile. “We’re risking Irish twins.” I laugh. “Just hoping we don’t deliver until after Addie’s birthday.”
“Or go into labor here.” Peeta laughs.
"Don't worry, we've got a trained nurse down here if it happens and a helicopter if you're in fast labor. We'll do the best to make you comfortable if labor occurs." He smiles. "We're experienced in babies. We've had three women go into labor and one baby actually born down here. Mom and baby were healthy and the ambulance came down and got the new family and took them to the hospital. So rest assured, you'll be fine if something happens."
I feel a little relieved in case something happens and decide to try and relax and enjoy our two nights together.
We’re greeted again as soon as the car pulls up outside the resort.
"Mr. Mellark and Ms. Everdeen, so nice to meet you." The girl smiles. “My name is Emily.”
There is a champagne arrival with some canapés. But I figure Nancy must have notified them that I was pregnant as there is my favorite non-alcoholic cider in a glass. We sit and drink whilst Emily checks us in and she converses with us whilst she taps away on the IPad screen. Even asking about the baby and the occasion. She shows us around the reception hall and where the dining and drink lounge is.
“Ok, everything is fine. You’re in the one bedroom heritage villa, which has your own private pool, ensuite, and living room with a fire that we have already lit for you. Blight will take you to your room and answer any questions.” She advises us. “Hope you enjoy your stay with us.”
Peeta takes our key and Blight our bellboy carries our bags and leads us to our room in a buggy.
The views are stunning and the layout is magnificent with the villas quite secluded from one another but still close enough. He points us towards the day spa, the public pool, tells us some history regarding the resort and hints and tricks.
“There are activities you can do too but depending on how mobile you are, you might be ruled out on a few.” He tells us. “If not there are plenty of short trails you can walk around the area. Some beautiful wildlife and there are the stables if you want to pat the resident horses.”
He lets us into our villa and we are blown away by how beautiful it is. He places our bags down in our bedroom and then hands us our welcome folder.
“This has extensions for everything. Reception can divert you. They can also arrange activities and book you in for dinner or room service. This will have everything explained from the fire to your pool.” He smiles. "There is a hamper waiting for you and you have a massage booked in for 5 pm with dinner at 7 pm. Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask or call.”
We thank him and he leaves us to be. I fall onto the king bed and I’m in heaven.
“Oh my god.”
“What?” He asks, a little concerned.
“Come.”
He comes over to me and falls down beside me and exhales as soon as he sinks into the mattress.
“We’re getting the mattress.” I tell him.
“Anything for you my love.” He murmurs as he kisses me.
“And I can’t wait to be riding you on this mattress later tonight.” I whisper in his ear. The weeks without sex have been hard for us both and I want to cherish him and thank him and make use of our time together before we return back to reality.
And I consider that we’re at the 37 weeks, it might not matter too much now as we were over that safe zone.
He jerks a little, taken by surprise at my comment and I roll off the bed and go and check out the rest of our villa. I dip my toe into the pool and note the warmness and know I want to use this later. The bathroom is big and spacious with a large walk-in shower and a tub. I find Peeta in front of the fire, reading through the guest info book. I hang our nice clothes up in the wardrobe, laying out our dress shoes under our clothes. I leave everything else in our bag and take our toiletries to the bathroom.
I come and sit with Peeta in front of the fire, cuddling up to him and he wraps his arm around my body and kisses my temple tenderly.
This is nice, just the two of us together. I kind of wish we got to experience the moments with just the two of us before Adeline was born. The snuggles, the embraces, the tenderness and the quietness. The talks about our future, the impending arrival and expressing fears and doubts.
We’ve done this now with Button but I wish we got to experience the lead up together before Adeline as scared and nervous expectant parents.
We’re still scared again, the thought of having two under two and a healthy birth for Button after the scare we had early on. But we could do this.
It’s an afternoon of pampering for the both of us with couples massages before we dress up and head to dinner. One of the therapists doing my hair and makeup for our dinner.
“I haven’t felt this relaxed in forever.” I tell him at dinner around the fire that warms the restaurant nicely.
“Me either.” He agrees, sipping his red wine. I take a sip of my virgin cocktail and pretend that it is filled with alcohol, like the cocktails we were drinking in Fiji together almost two years ago.
Dinner is beautiful, served with fresh and locally sourced produce from the area. Right down to the cheese from the local goat farm just down the road.
“This goats cheese is so much nicer than what the bakery uses.” He comments. “This would make the tarts so much nicer.”
Peeta strikes up a conversation with the chef, they talk baking and cooking.
“Wait, you’ve got Mellark’s bakery?” He asks Peeta.
"Yes, I do." Peeta smiles proudly.
"The cakes are wonderful." He says. "What do you think about a partnership with your cakes and desserts? Our baker has left quite suddenly and the sous chef has been taking over the baking but your treats would be a welcome addition here. Very well received too."
I smile as I watch them chat about business and Peeta throwing his ideas of what desserts would suit the menu and what they could do from savory canapés they serve on arrival right down to the desserts and treats. Peeta swaps details with the chef.
“I’ll have you deal with my daughter Camille regarding the partnership. She’s stepped up in the last twelve months as I’ve been focusing on my family and she’ll be overseeing things until well after the New Year.”
“Camille, I think I’ve had her serve me a couple of times. She was always pleasant and lovely so I’m sure she’ll be fine to deal with in a business sense.”
Peeta walks me back to our villa, his arm linked in with mine and we count the stars and watch the moon.
“Let’s go for a swim.” I suggest when we step into our villa.
He helps me out of my dress and my shoes and we change into our swimmers. The water is warm and we look at the stars and listen to some music before we shower and fall into bed together with the fire burning nicely and exhaustion overtaking us.
“I think we went a little overboard.” I tell him early on Saturday morning.
“Everything is basically finished.” He reminds me.
“What if it’s too much? What if no one likes the party?”
“Who cares what others think. It’s Addie’s day and if they can’t enjoy the day then it’s their loss.”
I nod against his chest. We’re enjoying the moment of peace before we’ve got to begin the day. The kids and Mom and Dad were coming over to help us do final set up and help with food and laying out the items for the activity stations.
We got home yesterday afternoon after our couple of nights spent away. The two days were what we needed to regroup, reconnect and celebrate our impending arrival and celebrate what we've been blessed with.
Our family was working behind the scenes to help with the party from decorations, food and drinks and props. Mom taking charge of quite a bit. And yesterday afternoon we had them slowly filter in and help us set up. I'm limited in how much I can do and had a clingy baby who limited me quite a bit yesterday and Peeta went and did the birthday cake and a few of the desserts. But that was the great thing about our family, they step in when they know we need help.
I also had a quick check up with Effie this afternoon. She deemed baby and me were ready to go and she is expecting by next Friday I’ll have a baby in my arms or to be in labor.
We got most of the prep done with tables, chairs, hay bales and pumpkins laid out where we wanted them. Decorations were hung around the house and the props also set up. Madge had done a great job in creating these pieces for the party and Adeline loved the blow-up pool we'll turn into a ball pit. She also loved the bubble station.
We were targeting games for the babies and a few games for the bigger kids.
It’s all system go as the house fills with my family who helps with food prep and creating the grazing table out in the outdoor area. We enclose the area leaving just a door open and layout buckets with ice for drinks and make up homemade iced tea and lemonade in drink dispensers. Adeline is happy crawling around and being in her crazy coupe car whilst we get the house ready.
"Come on, little miss." I swoop her up into my arms when it's naptime. She doesn't budge and I carry her up the stairs, stopping at the top of the stairs out of breath. "Those stairs are getting hard." I tell Adeline, giving myself a moment to catch my breath before moving down to the nursery.
I get her down for her midmorning nap and go and shower myself. Prim arrives early and jumps in to help out. The balloon arch is delivered and Peeta finalizes the photo booth and lays out the cake, cupcakes and cake pops.
Adeline sleeps in as the guests arrive and we keep them entertained with food, drinks and the activities outside. The babies from playgroup crawl around the yard and play in the ball pit and Madge paints the older kids faces and Camille gets them decorating pumpkins. The parents have a chance to sit down and relax and Nolan entertains the kids.
“He’s such a kid.” Delly chuckles watching as Madden chases Nolan.
“It’s great though when you’re not in the mood to do much.” I tell her.
“How many weeks now?” Johanna asks as she sips from her spiked iced tea.
“I’m 38 weeks on Wednesday.”
“I don’t even think you’ll make it to 39 weeks.” Delly claims.
"I don't think so either." I agree with her. "Just want to get pass Tuesday and baby is welcome to arrive."
Adeline finally wakes and I head upstairs to get her. I dress her in her birthday dress and bring her downstairs to join in on the party. She’s a little shy and wants just me and I slowly take her around the place, showing everyone the birthday girl before getting her something to eat as Gale and Peeta announce lunch is ready. We were just doing sliders and salads as we had the grazing table and lots of desserts.
Peeta’s mother sits in a corner scowling as my mother tries to converse with her but she’s uninterested and blows Mom off.
I fill a plate with some food and go and sit down with Prim and Dad. Adeline doesn’t want to leave my side, so I share my lunch with her. She warms up, spots the kids and decides she wants to go and join in.
“Come on then, Princess Addie.” Prim says reaching for her and she takes her out to play with the babies who are being supervised by Nolan and Camille.
I socialize with my friends and family as I know this will be one of my last social occasions before the baby is born and try doing my best to get around with everyone. All the Mom’s from our group are here. It’s been a few months of parties and will be until the New Year when the last of the babies turn 1. Clove is here with her daughter. I'm glad she's fit in with the other moms after what has happened. Her daughter is happy and thriving and Clove despite the relationship breakdown, she's happier than she was before.
The older kids engage in fair style games like pumpkin bowling, balloon pop, ring toss and sack races. Some of the adults compete in the games as well, showing their competitive side and compete with their babies, helping them compete. The photo booth is popular with polaroids taken for the guests and photos on a camera for us to print off later on. Most of the props are utilized as photo opportunities such as the kissing booth.
“I invite everyone to head on inside and we’ll do the cake.” Peeta announces.
I take Adeline from Madge and join Peeta where the cake is.
“I’d like to thank everyone for coming today to celebrate the 1stbirthday of our beautiful Adeline Rose. We appreciate all the love and support we have received from every one of you over the last twelve months. It’s been a wild ride and as you all know any day now our Addie is due to become a big sister.” He smiles and lights the candle. “Happy Birthday Addie girl.”
We sing happy birthday to our daughter and I kiss her cheek before the three of us help her blow out her candle on her two-layer pumpkin patch cake. We help her cut her cake. To the applause of everyone.
I sit her in her high chair and serve her a piece of cake and Peeta serves cake to the adults and the kids take a cupcake each. Adeline sends most of her cake to the floor.
“Oh, what a waste.” Janice states when we laugh at Adeline. “You’ve got to teach her not to do that.”
“Mom, it’s fine.” Peeta assures me. “She’s one, she doesn’t understand.”
“Well don’t complain when she’s going to be a disobedient toddler.” She huffs. Peeta’s brother’s turn away embarrassed.
She was still making it known that she wasn’t approving of Peeta’s ‘two midlife crisis’s’. We thought we’d show pity and invite her to the party of her youngest grandchild. Which she isn’t appreciating very much.
I slink into the crowd away from the mother in law and try and find the protection of friends or family.
I find Annie instead. I’m so glad she’s come into my life as a close friend. Despite the time we’ve known each other, it feels like we’ve been friends our entire life.
I sneak Adeline out of her highchair when she’s starting to get a little fussy and I sneak away to nurse her. Annie comes and joins me to keep me company. Delly and Johanna join us and they keep this type of barrier around me. Janice hated the fact that I was still breastfeeding Adeline whilst pregnant with Button. She thought the breastfeeding was inappropriate whilst pregnant. She didn’t agree with anything I did so I knew I’d never win.
The party winds down and we thank everyone for coming, handing them party bags and cake pops for their exit with a photo of Adeline. Janice is the first to leave and I’m glad she is. She doesn’t say a word to me, just a stern goodbye to her son and disappears.
“The nerve that woman has to not say goodbye to the birthday girl.” Mom says slightly pissed off.
“Just let it go, Mom.” I tell her as I follow her to the hallway.
She helps me say goodbye to everyone. Most of them wish us well for a healthy birth and wish Adeline a happy birthday.
The immediate family stays for dinner, along with Annie and Finnick. It’s Prim’s first Saturday night off and she tells us she’s more than happy to spend at home with us all.
They help us pack everything down, do the dishes, sweep and mop the floors from the stickiness from spilled drinks, food, and mud. Mom vacuums and Peeta gets dinner on for us all.
"Come on Addie, let's open some presents." I say to her, showing her to the living room where we have a mountain of presents to open. I've grabbed the presents from the immediate family to open and Annie and Finnick's.
Adeline is more interested in the paper and I try my best to get her interested in the gift but I thank everyone for the gifts. She plays with some of the toys and looks through the books but she’s nowhere near interested.
"No offense, my four were all the same." Jolene tells me with a laugh. "Maybe her second birthday she'll be more interested."
Peeta serves us up dinner of the leftovers from today turning it more into a pulled pork nacho with a serving of salad. Everyone isn't too hungry, having grazed most of the day from the table and the desserts.
“So, do you two have any baby names decided?” Tim asks.
“We’ve got heaps for a boy but a girl has been a little harder to come by.” Peeta tells his brother as he takes a bite of his dinner. “I mean Tim has taken three girls names.” He jokes.
"Yeah, sorry about that." Jolene apologizes to us with a laugh.
“Something will come to us if it’s a girl.” Peeta assures them with a smile and a slight rub of my belly. The baby is kicking like crazy, moving and dancing inside of me. “Hey, settle down little one. You’re just like Nolan and Camille, eager to be known and always kicking and moving about.”
I'm going to miss these embraces when the baby is finally here. The feeling of his hand over my hand as he feels the baby move or kicks. Or when he holds my belly when he talks to the baby, calming Button down with his voice, a story or his bad singing.
We eat birthday cake and cupcakes after dinner, the adults play a game of cards and I go and get Adeline bathed and in her pajamas before I take her down to say goodnight to everyone. Her grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and siblings kiss her goodnight, all wishing her a good sleep before I take her upstairs with Peeta. I nurse her whilst he reads a book. We’d been doing this the last few weeks together as a way to spend some quality time before we become a family of four and our life a little more hectic.
Peeta kisses her goodnight when her little eyes are closed and her breathing evening out. I lay her in her crib and step out of her room, wishing her sweet dreams.
Peeta pulls out a bottle of his finest scotch and all the men have some scotch whilst the women have a glass of wine and we play a game of poker. Little Noah has gone to watch a movie in the living room with his sisters and cousins. It's nice, having a night all together, socializing, laughing and chatting.
“We haven’t done one of these nights since Caleb and Ally were babies and that was 17 years ago.” Grant notes. Caleb is his youngest and Ally is Tim’s second born.
“It hasn’t been that long, has it?” Peeta asks.
Tim and Grant nod. “Sure has been. Madge here was being a little madam.” Tim laughs. “She wouldn’t go to bed and was giving us so much attitude.”
“Was not.” Madge defends. “I wanted to join in.”
“You were 12.” Grant reminds his niece, ruffling her hair. “You had a bit of attitude.”
"I was hormonal." She states. "I couldn't help it. And in my defense, I'm sure Camille was annoying me."
"Never would I annoy you, big sister."
"Yes, you would." Madge says. "You were the annoying little sister who wanted to always tag along and always stole my clothes and makeup. Dad so let you get away with so much more than me. But look how that turned out, I’m the model child and you and Nolan are the free spirits.”
“Dad just couldn’t be bothered disciplining us two because you were so much work.”
"No, you have it all wrong." Tim laughs. "Nolan was a lot of work."
“That’s true.” The girls laugh.
“Where is Nolan by the way?” I ask noticing he is missing.
“He was dropping home.” Prim tells me dipping her chip into the dip.
I’m a little rusty at poker but Peeta is a great partner and we’re on a good streak. Prim has partnered with Camille and they’re on fire.
"Where did you learn to play?" I ask Prim.
“A lot of downtime as an intern.” She laughs. “And we used to bet each other’s snacks. I used to always win.”
With a couple of rounds played, Mom and Dad are the overall winners and win bragging rights. And they kicked our butts.
“Man, we’re really rusty.” Grant states. “Might have to have scotch and poker nights more often.”
“Or maybe just more family get togethers.” Peeta suggests. “I miss our game nights and dinners. So when we’re home and settled after the new baby, can we start doing a weekly get together?”
Everyone agrees and we decide on Sunday night dinners with the Mellark side of the family which we will alternate every week.
“We don’t have to invite Mom do we?” Tim asks.
Peeta shakes his head. “Let’s just do it between us all.”
And they all happily agree.
I’m starting to get sleepy and say goodnight to everyone.
“Get some rest because it won’t be long before Button is here.” Dad reminds me as he embraces me.
“I’ll try. Button likes to do gymnastics of a night.” I laugh.
He kisses my forehead and I move around towards everyone else.
"Oh before I do disappear we just wanted to run this by everyone." I begin to announce. Peeta squeezes my hand and encourages me to continue. I turn my attention to the oldest three. "When we have Button, we want Addie to be the first to meet him or her if that's fine with all of you? We just want to spend some time together and get Addie used to the baby and show her a bit of love before we open our bubble up to the rest of our family if that's fine with you all?"
Peeta’s three are all happy with that decision, as are Mom and Dad and Prim.
“I’ll even try to not sneak into the nursery.” Prim tells me with a smile. “But don’t feel bad, it’s your decision how you do things.”
“And I know we don’t mean to do this but we don’t want Mom showing up at the hospital so when the baby is born we’re just going to let Katniss’ Mom know before we let the rest of you know. We won’t keep it too long before we tell you but we want to limit someone showing up before Addie meets the baby.”
Peeta is still a little hurt over his mother doing that with Nolan. He wanted the girls to meet their brother and Janice showed up when he went to get the girls and was sitting up in the hospital holding Nolan before the girls got to.
She did the same to Tim and Jolene when Noah was born and they wanted the girls to meet their brother first.
“We totally understand.”
“And we won’t keep it a secret for too long but we just want you to all understand.”
They all nod and are happy. They've even gone and gotten their whooping cough vaccines so they can visit the baby right away. I love how accepting the family is of our decisions. And Peeta even told his mother that she'd be allowed to visit the baby right away if she got vaccinated but she resisted and Peeta has told her she won't be able to visit until after the baby is 6 weeks old which she didn't really seem to care. So we wouldn’t be making an effort to take the baby to see her until 6 weeks after the birth and if she did show up we’d politely refuse her drop in.
I head up to bed, showering and climbing under the covers after saying goodnight to the nephews and nieces.
I must fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, even the stirring of the baby doesn’t keep me awake.
I wake a couple of hours later, a foot sticking into my bladder and Peeta snoring slightly. I use the toilet and climb back into bed when I hear a noise downstairs.
"Peeta." I shake him. "There's someone downstairs." He groans and I hear footsteps. I shake him again. "Peeta!"
“It might be Camille, she stayed over.” He mumbles.
“She’s not that loud.” I tell him.
“I’m up.” He tells me.
He pulls on his pajama pants and makes his way downstairs and I follow behind not too closely.
The light is on in the kitchen and he slowly walks down the hallway towards the light.
When a figure appears.
“Hi Dad, did I wake you?”
“Nolan, you scared the shit out of me.” Peeta tells his son. “What are you doing here, it’s late?”
“I um, got kicked out of the house.” He tells us a little ashamed. “I broke up with Reed cause she was having it off with one of my roommates.” He sighs. “Can I stay here until I find somewhere else?”
“Of course.” I tell him. “You’re always welcome here.” I smile at him.
“Thanks.” He smiles. “I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I find somewhere. I’m sure you don’t want me around when Button arrives.”
“Nole, you were around for Addie’s first 10 months so you being here again for the beginning of Button’s life won’t disrupt us.” Peeta tells him, ruffling his hair. “Just respect the rules and we’ll all be fine.”
“Besides, you’re a good babysitter.” I wink at him.
“That’s what I thought, I mean to help you out when the new baby comes. I can cook you dinner and pick up groceries and things like I did when Addie was a baby.”
“It’s good to have you home.” I hug him. “It’s been quiet without you.”
“Come on, I’ll help you make up your bed.” Peeta tells him.
“Sorry for waking you up.”
“You didn’t it was the baby.” I tell him as we head back up the stairs switching the lights off as we go. “Then I heard movement so my brain went into overdrive.”
“Which is natural.” He laughs. “I’ll text next time.”
“You’re on the air mattress tonight, Gale and Madge are in your room and Camille is in her room.”
He’s fine with that and Peeta and Nolan make up the mattress with a sheet and he just opts for a sleeping bag and a pillow.
“This whole house is spotless.” He comments.
“Yeah, I’ve been nesting these last few weeks.” I tell him with a laugh.
“No complaints from me.” He smiles as he helps with the doona cover. “Cleaner than it's been in five years. Well, this room is."
“Not me.” Peeta tells me. “Typical 18 year old. And he had a habit of using this room and his bedroom as his own. Or his mates used to use this place like a hostel.”
“I can imagine.”
“Dad never dared entered either room.” Nolan laughs. “Too scared weren’t you?”
“I was scared you were growing bacteria in there. You never cracked a window to let the room breath. I can still smell teenage boy in here.”
“I’ve burnt a lot of candles and incense in here.” I tell Nolan. “You did a good job.”
“You get used to it.” Nolan exclaims. “And I think Dad was just scared to enter the room in case he found something he didn’t want to find.”
“Hey, I respected your space. Even your sisters.”
“Tell Katniss why.” Nolan says with a smirk.
“Madge had borrowed some of my charcoals and I went into her room when she was 15 to get them back and I found some condoms, a polaroid picture of a boy covering his junk and this romance novel that was known for its sexual content. I decided I would now knock, never enter their room without permission and leave it as their own zone." He laughs as he tells me.
“There was probably more you missed.” Nolan nudges his father with a laugh.
“Don’t go there.” Peeta warns his son in good humor.
I find a towel for Nolan and leave it in the bathroom for him.
"Thanks, Mom."
"What'd I tell you about calling me, Mom?"
“Sorry.” He smirks.
“Now would you like me to tuck you in?” Peeta laughs.
“I’ll be fine but I know where to find you if I have a bad dream.” He laughs.
“Night Nole.”
Peeta and I climb back into bed snuggling in together after checking in on Camille and Madge and Gale as they sleep off the bottle of scotch and rum they happened to all but devour along with their uncles and Prim. We almost had the whole family camping out.
“It’s kind of nice having the kids all under the roof again.” He comments with a soft smile. “It’s kind of like bringing things full circle.” He smiles as he touches my belly. “Full circle before the new baby arrives.”
“It’s nice too. The house just feels whole.”
"I know what you mean." He smiles nuzzling my forehead with his nose. "I haven't had the three kids under the house for nearly 10 years together. I mean they've come and gone between college, boyfriends, and housemates but all three of them haven’t been here since Madge moved out for college.”
“But you’ve witnessed them come and go. They know they’re welcome home whenever they’re in trouble.”
“And if the pantry is full.” Peeta laughs referring to Nolan. “And they probably will until the babies are grown.”
“I was going to say Nolan will probably be the one who spends more time at home than his sisters and Button.”
"I think so too." He smiles. "But I don't mind, the company is nice."
“Can I ask, why the kids live here more than with their mother?”
“I don’t know. I mean they love their mother but she hardly raised them like I did. She wasn’t there for all these big milestones that I witnessed and helped them through. She traveled heaps with her boyfriend and lived the life she wanted. She liked the idea of saying she was a mother but not enjoyed the raising side of it. She ran when it got tough. I mean, I calmed the girls down when they had their first periods and when they had their first heartbreaks, I went to every recital and school play, I dealt with the principal when Nolan was in trouble, I did all the hard stuff and she had them every second weekend and some holidays. I just think they feel more at home here because it's their home. And I've always hesitated to let them go because they've been my life for the last 28 years. They know they'll always be welcome with open arms if they return home.”
I kiss the underside of his jaw and smile at him as I run my fingers through his hair.
“I tell you this time and time again but I love you. I love how you are as a father and how much you love them all. How patient and caring you are. I love everything about you.” I whisper to him. “I love that I found you.”
He cuddles me to his chest tightly and holds me for the rest of the night. Adeline wakes after 4 am and Peeta brings her to our bed for her to sleep between us. We hold her little hands and play with her hair and place kisses on her head.
“Soon it’ll be four of us.” He whispers.
I shake my head. “7 of us.” I correct him. “The three may be grown but it’ll still make us a family of 7.”
He kisses my forehead and stares down at our littlest love for the rest of the morning as the birds start to chirp and the fall sunlight warms our room and our skin.
The four older kids are late in waking up, still dead to the world well into the middle of the morning.
“I suppose we’ll be serving them brunch.” I laugh.
We’ve already had breakfast, a mini dance party, played with Adeline's opened presents, opened a few more and we've put her down again for her midmorning nap.
“What even are hangovers?” He asks me.
“I don’t think I’ve had one since Fiji.” I laugh.
“Me too. Those cocktails were strong.”
“You were downing them like they were water.”
He chuckles as he stirs the wet ingredients of the pancakes into the dry. We were prepping them for when the kids started to stir. I was cutting up some fruit and we'd do a full spread of pancakes, fruit and cheese buns, which were cooking now. We were trying to eat the rest of the leftovers but with Nolan staying he'd eat us out of the house by tomorrow morning.
“How are you functioning this well?” Madge asks her brother.
"I didn't drink the whole bottom self." He tells his sister as he hands her a coffee and juice. He's been awake since Adeline went down for her nap.
Peeta plates up pancakes as he cooks them, I lay out a tray of pulled pork cheese bun sliders. Adeline has a selection of fruit and a plain cheese bun she wants to share with her brother.
“You eat it, Addie girl.” Nolan tells her with a sweet smile.
“Can’t believe she’s one on Tuesday.” Madge comments with a bit of a frown. “But it’s been a pleasure watching her grow and it’ll be a pleasure to watch her sibling grow as well.”
We all sit around the island bench sitting on stools and enjoying the company.
“Dad, did you imagine five years ago this is how your life would be?” Camille asks him.
"I imagined I'd still have you three having brunch and scabbing food off of me." He laughs. "There were dreams and a wish for a beautiful woman beside me which I did get. And as a bonus, I got to love another little human and will get to share the love with another child very shortly. I've been blessed and I'm glad I have this chance. And I'm glad you kids are here to share it with me."
“We’re glad you’re happy again Dad.” Madge comments.
“It’s nice as well having Katniss in our life.” Camille smiles. “And a beautiful step-mom at that.”
“And we can’t forget our beautiful baby sister.” Nolan reminds them as he gives Adeline his strawberry she’s been eying off. “And the soon to be baby brother.”
“You wish it’s going to be a boy but it’s a girl.” Camille tells him. “Look at how she’s carrying, totally a girl.”
“A baby brother would be nice though.” Madge smiles.
"We've already got one and his name is Nolan who farts, burps, whinges and sleeps all day like a baby." Camille reminds her sister. "It's so another girl. Sorry, Dad."
“It’s fine.” He tells them. “As long as the baby is healthy, I don’t mind. Babies are a blessing at this age for me.”
“Obviously not because you can still spray it.” Nolan says pointing to Adeline and my belly.
“You men are so lucky, you can still father children into your 60’s and us women have a clock and we can be barren by the time we’re in our 40’s.” Camille frowns.
“Really Camille, would you want to be pregnant in your 60’s?” I ask her. “Being pregnant at 29 is hard enough.”
“That’s true.”
“And Camille, I would not want to be waking up to a newborn in my 60’s.” Peeta tells her. “I’ll instead have teenagers.”
“And I hope they give you as much hell as we did.” Nolan tells his father with a wicked laugh.
“Addie wouldn’t do that to her father, would you?” He asks Addie who gives him this cheeky grin.
“Guess what, Daddy, we’re in for a wild ride.” I tell Peeta with a chuckle.
“We’ll be here to help.” Camille says.
“Or we’ll be raising our own kids.” Gale comments.
“How nice will that be, Dad, raising your kids alongside your grandkids.” Nolan teases.
“Don’t worry, we’ve already had this discussion and I can’t wait to be having my grandkids grow up with Addie and Button. It’s a little unconventional but most blended families are.”
"And you get to do the grandparenting thing when Addie has kids." Madge smiles. "It's going to be this never-ending cycle of kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids."
“More the merrier I hope.” He smiles. “I don’t care, I’m proud of my family and whatever direction we all take. It’s our own little tribe.”
“I like our tribe.” Nolan tells us. “It’s just this circle filled with all this love and happiness.”
“And support.” Camille adds.
He nods. “I wouldn’t ask for anything else.”
I smile up at Peeta and he wraps his arm around my shoulders and kisses my cheek and we enjoy our Sunday family brunch.