Chapter Text
“I can’t believe that on the morning of her birthday she sleeps in.” Peeta comments.
Adeline is usually awake from anywhere between 5:30 and 6:30. This morning she's having a bit of a sleep in, and it's well after 7.
"Well, she was partying in her crib for a while." I remind him yawning as I take a sip of my tea. "She's just getting some extra Z's as she knows it’s going to be a big day.”
She’d been up a few times last night, unsettled and fussy every time I put her to bed. The only thing she wanted was me and to nurse. We just resorted to letting her sleep in our bed where she settled quickly and soundly.
We were planning on taking her out to the bakery for breakfast for some cheese buns and a trip to the park on the way home.
“I think we should wake her up.” I tell Peeta. “Cause she’s going to throw her sleep schedule out for the day.”
“Does that matter too much today?”
I nod. "Yeah, I mean we bend the rules, and she'll think it's fine to do this. I want her to have her schedule for when the baby comes."
"She could be a little unsettled when the baby comes from a change of routine."
"I know, but we need to try and keep familiarity."
I’ll reach 38 weeks tomorrow and baby was getting its eviction notice at 12 am tomorrow. Button was free to come any day after the 10thof November.
We wake Adeline up together gently and softly. She’s happy when she wakes, smiling at us with a big smile and we cover her in thousands of kisses.
We put her in her princess onesie over he onesie that Madge got her with her name on the front and her sneakers before we head over to the bakery. We’d come home and open her presents we bought her after our trip to the park.
She’s wanted to walk these last few days with our help, so Peeta holds her hands and walks her into the bakery that has been decorated for Adeline's first birthday.
"Look, Addie, look at all the pretty balloons." Peeta points out to her. Camille has been busy this morning with the decorating.
Camille and Nolan appear from out the back and come and swarm their sister with kisses and cuddles.
“Look at you big girl in your princess tutu.” Nolan coos as he throws her gently in the air and catches her. This was her favorite game, and she loved when Nolan played this with her.
“She’ll need to grow into it I think.” I tell them with a smile.
We’re served cheese buns and juice and allow Adeline to have a blueberry muffin as a treat. We sing happy birthday to her as do the rest of the patrons and staff who have watched her grow from a newborn to a big one-year-old who is talking, almost walking and will be a big sister soon.
“We going to go to the park now?” I ask her.
“Pa.”
“The park? You ready to go?”
She nods, and we take her to say goodbye to her brother and sister.
"See you this afternoon princess, Addie." Nolan tells her as he kisses her cheek.
We were going to have a quiet night tonight in with pizza. We suspected everyone in the family would drop in for a visit this afternoon and we didn’t mind. It was her special day.
Delly meets us at the park with Madden. Madden is a whole lot more mobile than Adeline, and he runs rings around her as she crawls and chases him. Peeta pushes them on the basket swing gently, and Delly and I catch the kids at the bottom of the slide.
I feel slight twinges in my lower belly. It has been quite common these few weeks, so I pass them off and enjoy time with my littlest love before Button is earthside.
We bring her home when it’s close to nap time and when she shows no sign of slowing down just yet we open her presents with her.
She received heaps of toys and clothes on the weekend. Her brother bought her a little wooden balance trike that can turn into a bike when she’s ready and confident. He also made her a toy box with her name on it for her new bedroom. That was a big hit with her. Camille brought her plenty of new books; toys to stimulate learning like puzzles, recycled wooden animals, and a charm. Madge and Gale bought her the personalized tutu dress, a personalized silver money box, bookends, books and a charm. Dad built her a dress up box, bookshelves, a rocking horse and a table and chair set for the playroom. Mom painted the furniture. And the rest of the family bought furnishings and items for the playroom. They did spoil her with other bits and pieces. The rest of the family also bought her a charm each as well.
“Come on Addie, let’s see what we got you.” Peeta says to her.
We decided on more momentums instead of toys and clothes as we knew she would be spoilt at her party.
"This Addie is a personalized memory box for you that we will add to each year and will gift to you on your 18thbirthday." Peeta tells her showing her the box that has Adeline Rose Mellark, her date of birth, place and time of birth, her weight and how long she measured in a soft purple and pink.
"So far we've put in some of our favorite photos into an album. Your hospital tag and the onesie you wore home. Your hospital beanie, a copy of the song you were named after, your baby book that I hope we will continue to add to until your first day of school.” We tell her showing her the items inside the box.
"And today we're going to add in some letters we wrote to you, and each year we will put a letter in that we want you to read when we gift this to you on your birthday. We'll put in things like your first lock of hair, first teeth and everything else that we want to cherish in this capsule. And we think that you're 18thbirthday is the perfect time to gift you with this.”
She doesn't understand, but we marvel at the moment and place in some of our favorite birthday cards from her party.
“And we’ve got two more gifts for you.” We tell her. And I open the next gift for her which catches her attention.
"Every year we've asked your family to buy you a charm which they pick out as a way to signify your year, what you've meant or their favorite memories so it might be an animal, a wish for you like traveling or a hobby. We'll put these charms onto a bracelet each year and place them in your box. So this is your first bracelet for your charms.”
The shininess of the bracelet catches her attention, and she wants to play with the bracelet.
But I tempt her with the bracelet we got engraved for her to wear now.
"Here let me put it on." Peeta tells Adeline and snaps the bracelet on her little wrist. "Oh, beautiful."
She doesn’t care about the other presents we’ve gotten her. A handmaid quilt made from her old baby clothes that Nan and my Great Nana made for us. We hope it’ll be a beautiful treasure for her to keep for years to come.
I get her down for her midmorning nap, laying her new quilt over her body.
"What do you want me to do?" Peeta asks me when I come back downstairs. The twinging is still present, and I want to cuddle with Peeta on the couch for an hour or so.
We must snooze for a little bit before I wake needing the toilet. He helps me up like I’m a turtle stuck on my back and I waddle down the hallway to the bathroom.
I haven't felt this pregnant until these last few days. My bed rest slowed me down and I was still on restrictive activities now but was busier than ever, chasing after a twelve-month-old, preparing for a new baby, party planning and everything else that had seemed to creep up on me.
And I've allowed myself to slow down now as we've gotten through Adeline's first birthday party and I was allowing myself to sit and enjoy the remaining days we had before the baby came.
Peeta has made himself busy clearing out the media room which he was using as storage before. We were turning the media room into the toy room, and that would be his project whilst he was taking time off work. Nolan promised to help him in painting the room too. We were in no rush, but after the number of toys we received over the weekend, I was in desperate need to get it painted and fitted out with storage and furniture and make it a place for Adeline to go and play in and entertain herself whilst I’m busy with the baby.
Peeta has the walls masked out with tape and drop sheets.
“I might start this tonight when we put Addie down.” He tells me with a smile. “Nolan should be able to help me.”
We go and picnic outside for lunch when Adeline has woken and enjoy the sunshine. The weather could be so much more bitter now, but we were being blessed with pleasant days.
Adeline crawls around the backyard, playing with the grass and sticks and twigs. She comes and shows us her collection before she goes off again.
Peeta walks her around the yard by holding her hands, and I hope she won't take her first steps whilst we're in the hospital.
She wants to be left alone, so Peeta comes and joins me again on the rug where I sip hot chocolate and enjoy the sun on my face.
I watch Adeline stand up over near Peeta’s veggie patch and tap Peeta to get his attention.
She takes one step and then another step and another on her way towards us before she falls to her knees.
"Oh Addie, six steps." Peeta coos, jumping up to swoop her up into his arms. She giggles as he flies her high into the sky and tells her how wonderful she is. He sets her back down on the grass, and he tries to get her to walk again so we can capture the steps on video.
He tries to encourage her with her bunny and food, and she falls for the trick and takes eight steps, falling onto the edge of the rug and crawling towards me to embrace me where I snuggle and kiss her.
“You are so clever.” I tell her. “I was just hoping you’d not walk for a little while.”
She’s so proud of herself but gives up on walking anymore and instead wants to nurse ready for her afternoon nap.
Peeta puts her down this time, and I drag him down to our bedroom to rest our eyes, but I'm wide awake as soon as I feel his warmth beside me and trail my finger up his arm, biting my lip as I look up at him. The look I give him I know drives him crazy. He knows what I want immediately.
I feel the twinges get more frequent and I know labor will be upon me soon.
He rolls me onto my back, kissing me deeply as his hands trace the curve of my body and coming to rest on my hips, pulling me tighter towards him.
His hands find the waistband of my tights, and he strips them down my legs, my panties following. He’s gentle, his lips placing kisses along the length of my legs from ankle to thigh as he searches for my heat and I roll my head back into the pillows, allowing the feeling to overtake me.
No matter how many times I've felt self-conscious and unbeautiful, Peeta was always there to remind me of my beauty by a simple kiss and a hand to my belly to remind me of the fantastic job I was doing. How I was creating new life. He loved me, embracing my curves and tiger stripes he called them.
He was overall beautiful towards me, treating me with respect and supporting me as my body changed from postpartum to pregnant in a matter of months. When we were intimate as my belly swelled with Button, he always caressed my belly gently, kissed my new marks and lines that formed on my hips, belly, thighs, and breasts. He made me feel beautiful and confident in bearing my naked body to him. To be intimate with him as my body changed to accommodate our baby and still provide for our daughter.
He brings me over the edge, and I see stars as I try to regain my breathing, and he undresses and helps me out of the rest of my clothes. He was too damn good at this.
I leave my bra on, giving me support as my breasts are sensitive and swollen. He lets me take the lead, shifting me down onto his length and holding my hips and guiding me. I hold his shoulders for support, and he sits up looking me in the eye.
My stomach presses against his and I can feel the baby moving and kicking, and I urge Peeta to feel the baby. I always loved this during sex, especially as the baby grew inside of me and I could feel the movements that Peeta could feel the movements too. It was such an intimate moment between us, and I knew I'd miss this.
Before long, we're both coming, and we lay beside each other as we come down from our highs. He kisses the place between my brows and our bodies still intertwined with one another.
And I knew this would be the last time before our baby was born as the contractions start.
Adeline sits beside me on our bed as Peeta times my contractions.
"20 minutes. I say we've still got a little while." He tells me. He's panicking slightly, but I urge him to remain calm and relaxed.
He plays soft music, and I spend time with Adeline as he paces and finalizes my bag and Adeline's bag.
“Should we call Effie?”
“Not until I’m at 15 minutes.”
He nods, and I grab his hand and urge him to slow down and come and sit down beside me.
“You better cancel our pizza night.” I tell him.
“We still could be here.”
“I doubt it.”
It’s not too much longer until the contractions are down to 12 minutes and Effie is on standby and Mom on call for baby drop off.
We move downstairs, Peeta carrying the bags and my pillow and I carry Adeline and ensure she was bunny.
He packs the car and gets expressed milk ready in a cooler with spare bottles.
“I don’t know how much.” He tells me.
“She’s usually feeding three to five times a day so plan for three days and a few spares just in case she’s a little fussy.” I tell him.
Nolan walks in the front door shortly after with some groceries in his hands.
“Hey, what’s going on?” He asks. He must notice the change in atmosphere.
“Katniss is in labor.” He tells his son.
“Really? Do you want me to take Addie?”
“Mom’s on standby.” I tell him as I feel another contraction hit.
He takes Adeline from me as I ride through the pain and he holds my hand. "You're going to become a big sister soon." He tells his sister with a big kiss.
Contractions are down to ten minutes, and Peeta looks a little concerned.
“Katniss, contractions are progressing quickly, should we head to the hospital?”
I shake my head. “Not until my waters break.” I tell him. “Or we’re at 6 minutes.”
He tries to remain calm, and Nolan talks to keep our nerves at bay.
“I might show Nolan what I’ve done in the toy room.”
I wave him off and continue reading a book with Adeline until I feel the wetness and I must gasp loudly because Peeta and Nolan come running in.
“What is it?”
“All systems go.” I tell him.
“Shit. Oh shit.” He curses and looks down at Adeline. “Shit. Fu…Crap. You didn’t hear that sweetheart.”
“Smooth Dad.” Nolan laughs as he takes his sister as Peeta helps me up and down to the bathroom.
"I'll get the car started, and Addie strapped in." Nolan tells us as Peeta helps me.
I strip out of my wet clothes I was wearing and into a clean hoodie and sweats for the ride to the hospital.
Peeta helps me into the car, buckling me in and Nolan wishes us luck as he proudly and excitedly watches us drive away.
Peeta calls Mom and lets her know we're on our way.
She's outside, buzzing with excitement when we pull up in the driveway. Peeta jumps out of the car to grab Adeline's bags, and Mom gets her out of the car and brings her over to say goodbye.
“I’ll see you soon Princess. Be good for Nanny.” I tell her. “And when I see you next you’ll be a big sister.” I smile. “Happy birthday sweet girl.” I kiss her and Peeta kisses Adeline too.
Mom touches my cheek and gives me a supportive smile and nod to say I can do this.
They wave goodbye to us as Peeta reverses from the drive and Adeline is happy. I didn’t worry about her being with Mom and Dad as she enjoyed her sleepovers and being spoilt quite a bit.
“How are you doing?” He asks me, squeezing my hand.
“Good.”
He smiles, his eyes crinkling and detours to the hospital, holding my hand as I have another contraction.
Effie meets us outside of the entrance with a wheelchair. Peeta parks in the labor zone and grabs my bag and pillow, walking me over to Effie.
“Baby Mellark ready to make an appearance?”
“We think so, if not they’re playing tricks again.” I laugh as she helps me into the chair.
Peeta pushes me into the hospital, bypassing the ER and straight into labor and delivery.
“How close are the attractions?”
“5 minutes.”
“You’re getting close.” She tells me.
“Please let it be tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“They’ll be sharing a birthday.” Peeta tells Effie.
“That's right." She says. "Does it feel like it's been 12 months since you were last here?" I shake my head. "I'll try my best, but you know what babies are like."
I’m set up in a bed, Peeta helping me into a gown and gets my feet into the stirrups for Effie to examine me.
"I'm so sorry, Katniss, you're already at 8 centimeters. There's no way you'll be delivering tomorrow. You're progressing too quickly." She tells us.
“It’s fine.”
“I think it’s cute they’ll be sharing a birthday.” Peeta tells me.
“Me too.” Effie smiles. “Baby’s heart rate is a little low, so I'll just get you on your left side, and that should pick up."
She helps me slowly roll onto my left-hand side, and Peeta rubs my back.
“I don’t know how I feel about them sharing a birthday.” I tell him.
"Katniss, plenty of siblings share a birthday." He reminds me. "My cousins did. My best friends at school did too."
“Irish twins though.” I remind him.
"Well, you can blame me for that." He laughs. "But Irish twins are cute." He kisses the back of my head. "Katniss, we're about to welcome a baby, as long as the baby is healthy, that's all I care about."
“Me too. Sorry, I’m being selfish.”
"You're allowed to be. You're about to push out a watermelon." He laughs, and I laugh with him.
Effie enters the room about an hour later, and the baby's rate has risen and is beating well.
"How are you feeling?" She asks me, and I nod. "I'm just going to examine you real quick. Stay there."
I feel her examine me and a little bit of pressure then it's gone quickly, and she's snapping off her gloves.
"9 centimeters. It won't be long now. Try and rest up as much as you can. Things are moving fast. Baby's heart rate is good too." She notes in the chart. "Won't be long and you'll be holding your baby."
I try and rest but the pain is too uncomfortable, and I need to move.
Peeta helps me up, and I grip my arms around his neck, and we sway from side to side. The movements help with the pain decreasing a bit. And I was praying gravity would do the rest. I was going drug-free this time, too late for a spinal block or anything else.
But Peeta was good pain relief. He helped the pain go away. Just him being beside me helped.
Effie comes back into the room nearly an hour later, and Peeta and Effie help me onto the bed. Effie is quick in snapping on a pair of gloves and to examine me. I squeeze my eyes together and open them when I feel the pressure of her hand. I open my eyes when she removes her hand and catch her smiling.
“What?”
“Addie and Button will be sharing a birthday.” She smiles. “Time to push.”
There's a flurry of movement with a nurse arriving and Effie getting ready. I look at Peeta and see his big blue eyes staring down at me.
I wish he were here last year holding my hand. I hope I tried harder to track him down. I wanted I kept in contact, so he didn't miss out on everything leading up to Adeline.
“Peeta, I’m sorry you missed Addie’s birth last year.”
“It’s fine, Katniss. We didn’t know.” He whispers to me.
“I should have tried better.”
"I should have too." He agrees. "But she had her sister to watch her come into the world, and I've had twelve months of loving her earthside. Loving her earthside alongside you. We're a team and whatever happened before Addie's birth, doesn't matter, what matters is we're in this now together. That we focus on bringing Button into the world safely. That you squeeze my hand as tightly as you want and do the amazing thing you're body was made to do." He kisses me. "Let's do this."
And I smile because no matter what, we're a team right at this moment. We're about to become parents again. About to bring a new life into the world. And I don't care if the baby will share a birthday, the thought of a new baby lying in my arms soon is so unreal, and I can't wait to inhale the new baby smell, trace fingers and toes, name my new life and share the new bundle with Peeta.
And after a slight scare, this was happening right now.
Peeta sits beside me, holding my hand and my leg as the nurse holds my other leg as I await instructions.
“Just like last year. Listen to your body, pant between and push with each contraction.”
I listen to my body, focus on the feel of Peeta’s body and squeeze his hands when contractions come and go.
“You’re doing great, Katniss, I can see the head.”
"You're doing amazing." Peeta whispers in my ear.
And after more pushes and one final big push, Button is here, crying and grizzling as Effie places the baby on my bare chest.
“It’s another girl.” She announces as she warms the baby up. “Congratulations.” She smiles, tears in her eyes. “She’s beautiful.”
"7:12 pm." The nurse announces as she congratulates us.
I’m taken aback by the sight of my newborn daughter. My daughter, I've just brought into this world.
"Hi, baby girl." Peeta kisses me and meets his daughter who I try to shush from her crying and grizzling. "I know darling." I coo. "It's so upsetting being earthside." I tell her. "It's Ok. We're here for you." I coo as I kiss her face. Peeta's in awe of her tiny fingers, and he's studying every feature of our newborn daughter.
“Four girls.” He laughs. “Thank god two of them are adults.” He kisses my cheek. “We did it.”
I look up and see the tears in his eyes. The tears he wipes away as he spots me looking at him. He smiles, assuring me he's okay and quickly snaps the first photos of our daughter.
Peeta cuts the cord, and the nurse reaches in to take the baby. "She won't be gone too long." She assures me. “Dad you can follow me if you want.”
Effie comes and squeezes my hand and congratulates me on another beautiful baby.
"I'm so honored to have delivered your second daughter." She tells me. "It's been a pleasure."
“Let’s just hope the next one isn’t for at least another two years.” I laugh which causes her to chuckle.
“You want a third?” She asks.
“I do.” I tell her. "Just not as close together this time. I don't think I can handle Irish Triplets." I laugh.
She smiles at me. "We'll ensure you're on contraception then when the time is right."
“Thank you.”
She gets me comfortable and sitting up and ready to nurse the baby. She gets me some water, and I skull quite a bit, dehydrated from the labor.
Peeta brings our daughter back to us. "We've got a healthy 7 pound 6-ounce baby girl." He announces.
I let him hold her for a little while before he hands her back over to me so we can try nursing.
“Are you still nursing Adeline?” Effie asks.
“Yes I am, she’s gone a bit funny on it the last few days but I think it was just my body getting ready.”
“Ok, she might not like the colostrum for the first few days." Effie reminds me. "Try to get the new baby nursing first, so she gets all the good fat before her sister. Just for the first week and then once your milk comes in you will be fine to nurse her at the same time."
I smile and settle the baby in my arms and try and get her to latch on. It's a practice of patience and persistence, and she's quick to latch on which I know will help for the after birth.
“Look at that, she’s a natural.” The nurse smiles.
“My boobs are going to be huge.” I laugh as the baby feeds. “I’ll become the literal milk bar.”
Peeta kisses my head and settles in beside me on the bed. Effie and the nurse are great at giving me advice for tandem feeding, and I'm happy to be supported by wonderful medical staff.
"She's so beautiful." Peeta comments, running his hand over her beanie-clad head. "Who would have thought we'd be here 18 months ago."
And I’m still glad it happened in this crazy, reversed way.
“Happy birthday little girl.” He coos to her. “You’re such a lucky girl to share it with your big sister.” He tells her softly. He watches her with such intensity. I can feel the love beaming from him. "I love you so much, Katniss." He whispers to me as I nurse our daughter.
I smile at him and take the time to look at my daughter, and there's no denying that she's Adeline's twin. It's so uncanny how alike they both are. The same dark wisps of hair. Her button nose. Round eyes that house baby blues like her sister and father. She’s perfect.
"Irish twins." He chuckles beside me.
Once Effie ensures I've finished laboring and stitched me up, they transfer me down to my room. Our daughter sleeps in a plastic crib, and Peeta helps me get changed into pajamas after helping me freshen up and back into bed.
“Do you want something for dinner?” He asks me as I settle back into bed.
“I’m ok for the moment.” I tell him. “We’ve got snacks in the suitcase anyway if I do get a bit peckish.”
The nurse has set up a bed for Peeta in the corner of my room, and I'm glad he'll spend the night with us.
He falls asleep as soon as he hits the pillow and I can’t find myself falling asleep just yet. I hold my daughter in my arms and decide I’ll let Mom know how things have gone with a quick text and a photo.
Meet Addie’s Irish twin sister.
7 pounds 6 ounces. 19.2 inches
10thof November. 7:12 pm
No name yet as Mommy and Daddy haven’t decided
How’s my big sister?
Mom gets back to me instantly with a congratulations text and a thousand heart eye emojis.
M – She's a splitting image of Addie. She's so beautiful. Your father is so proud of you. Addie is sound asleep and was a good girl for us tonight. Get some rest, and we'll see you tomorrow.
I shoot Nolan a quick text.
K – Hey Nole, the baby was born at 7:12 pm tonight. We're both healthy. Just wanted to let you know we're okay and that your father passed out on the lounge before he told you guys. I'll allow him to spare the details when he wakes as well. Thanks for your help these last twelve months, I appreciated it, and you've made me feel welcome to the family. Talk to you later.
N – Congrats Mom! Can't you tell me if it was pink or blue? Any time, you were too nice to not welcome into the family. I'm so glad to have you both in my life.
K – Sorry bud, leaving that to your father. Don’t want to steal his thunder. I’ll make sure he lets you know as soon as possible.
Effie comes and checks on me a little while later.
“You’re still here?” I ask her.
“On call. We’re starting to see an influx of Valentine Day babies.” She smiles at me.
“Hey, I can assure you, she wasn’t conceived on Valentine’s Day. Her sister on the other hand was.” I laugh.
She laughs too and checks out the baby. "No name yet?"
“Not yet.”
“Take your time.” She smiles. “I’m sure you have a few?”
“We do. We’ve just been more focused on bonding than deciding on a name.”
“It’s sometimes better after a rest and some food to name the baby.”
"Well, Addie wasn't named until the next day, so we're just following tradition."
She smiles. “What about you? Are you feeling good?”
“Overjoyed.” I tell her. “It still doesn’t feel real.”
"I think it's a little unreal for some people. Once you return to normality, it should be fine." She smiles.
“Hopefully.”
“You’re pretty good at pushing out babies.” She laughs.
“Thanks for everything.”
“My absolute pleasure.” She smiles. “And I hope I’m delivering the next one.”
“You will be.” I smile.
She looks over at Peeta and then back to me. “You two seem like you’ve been together for years. You both know what you want from each other. It’s so natural and pure. The two of you belong together, no matter what people say. What you have is what people fight to find, and you found yours in Fiji on the dance floor."
“I know.” I smile. “I’m so glad I met him.” I tell her. “But I believe things happen for a reason so if we didn’t meet in Fiji we would have met some other way, like back home or just coincidentally.”
“Well, make sure you fight for it. Continue the way you are going but remember to fight.”
“We are.” I tell her. “We’ve done everything in a weird way.”
"But you've learned a so much in the past year. It goes to show you don't have to date someone, have the engagement, move into the white picket fence and have the marriage and then welcome the kids to be happy." She tells me. "I mean, some people do to realize they're not compatible but it just works out a weird way for some people."
"I'm glad every day that he knocked me up." I tell her. "It showed me what I wanted and where I need to go for the next stage of my life. Addie was a good thing."
“He seems happy.”
"He's been given a second chance." I tell her. "He loves his three older children and has sacrificed so much for them. Now, he has the opportunity to do parenthood again and to have a family and actually enjoy it. He has a partner that loves him, and he can see growing old with. He was sure he'd grow old alone and have the kids. He gave up on finding the one he'd spend the rest of his life with."
“Until he found you.”
“He got his second chance.” I smile. “And the age gap means nothing to us. It’s just a number that’s irrelevant.”
“Love is love. Family’s are messy. And as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”
“We’re both happy.” I tell her. “So are his older three.”
“You’ve got yourself a beautiful family, Katniss.”
I feel tears well in my eyes. “Thank you.”
“You should get some rest.” She tells me. “Do you want me to take her to the nursery?”
“No thanks. I want to have her close.”
“I’ll check in throughout the night.” She tells me. She tickles the baby’s cheek before she leaves us to be.
“What time are you going to get, Addie?" I ask him with a slight yawn. Despite the baby not waking throughout the night, I just couldn't settle with the constant movement on the floor, Peeta's snoring, the nurses coming and going to check on us and to see if the baby was right still with us. And the rest of the night I spent just admiring my baby girl.
I was worried I wouldn’t find the room in my heart to welcome another baby but within the first moments of hearing her cries, seeing her and holding her I knew how deeply in love I was with her already. My heart was whole even more.
“Soon.” He tells me, rocking the baby in his arm gently. “Visiting hours will start in about an hour.” He smiles.
I nod and eat my breakfast. My appetite had appeared in full force, and I could definitely devour a horse.
“Have you let the kids know?” I ask him.
“Not yet.”
“You better let them know cause they’re getting impatient.” I laugh.
“I know, I’ve just been in this bubble of newness.”
I smile acknowledging that same feeling.
He sings and coos to her as her rocks her gently. I can see how in love he is. And I know after my fears of making room for the new baby, his heart has made a place for his 5thchild and he seemed to have done it with ease.
“I love you so much.” He whispers to her as he kisses her hand.
He comes and sits beside me on the bed, and we share a moment together before we open up the door and allow the world into our bubble.
“She needs a name.” He reminds me as he hands the baby over to me, fixing her swaddling as she fusses ready for a feed.
I smile down at her and decide to throw out the list of names we had. The few baby girl names we discussed none of them suit her right now. I want something strong and meaningful that will also go with her sister's name.
“What about Amelia?” I suggest.
I can sense his smile, and he reaches over and tickles her belly. "Hi, Amelia."
“You like it?”
“I love it.” He smiles. “What about Ivy for her middle name?”
The smile grows on my face. "I love it." I kiss him. "Welcome, Amelia Ivy."
He sends a message to the kidsofficially announcing her birth. He sends a message to let his brothers know as well. I send Mom and Prim a text to notify them of the newest member. Prim had been on call last night, but she respected our wishes to allow Adeline the chance to meet her sister. Peeta decides he’ll wait to let his mother know until Adeline visits her sister.
Amelia Ivy Mellark
10thof November.
7:12 pm.
7lbs 6 ounces. 19.2in.
He leaves me to go and get Adeline, and I nurse Amelia.
Effie appears looking a little tired, but she's still happy to see us.
“How are we?”
“Good.” I tell her. “You look tired.”
“5 babies last night.” She tells me.
“Long night then.”
“Yes.” She smiles. “She’s got the feeding down pact.”
"This is the third feeding I think she's getting the hang of it."
“I say you two will be ready to go home tomorrow.”
“That’s good because I don’t want to be away from Addie too long.”
“Is she coming to visit?”
“Peeta’s just gone to get her." I tell her. "Oh, we have a name too."
"Yeah, we decided?"
“We did.” I chuckle. “Amelia Ivy.”
“I love it. A perfect and strong name.”
“And it suits Adeline too.”
“So you’ll have an Addie and an Amy?”
“Or maybe a Mille, we’ll see what the family start calling her.” I laugh. "They'll probably come and visit us this afternoon, and she'll have a nickname already."
I get my camera ready when I hear Peeta and Adeline outside my room. Adeline is calling my name softly, and I anticipate her arrival.
“Mama Mama.”
“Addie.”
Peeta steps into the room with Adeline on his hip, and she's a little more interested in the surroundings before she spots me.
“Addie girl.”
I get her attention, and she smiles at me. "Mama."
"Hi, sweet girl. I have someone for you to meet." I tell her. Amelia is in the bassinet beside me snoozing slightly. Peeta places her on the bed, and she crawls up towards me, and I cuddle her tightly in my arms. "Hi, sweet girl."
I ensure to spend a moment embracing her and catching up on the missed moments. She's happy chilling beside me and cuddling me. She wants to nurse, and I let her nurse whilst we spend some time together.
"You're Mom said they'd come and get her just before visiting hours finish. I said we'd be happy for them to come and meet Amelia."
Peeta pulls the present out and places it in front of Adeline.
“She’s going to think this is normal all these gifts.” I tell him with a laugh.
"It's been a special week for her." He smiles. "Look, Addie, look what your baby sister brought you."
She's finished nursing, the new milk not to her particular taste and turns her attention to the wrapped gift. She hasn't even noticed her sister in the bassinet beside me.
"Let's read the card together to see what Amelia wrote to you." I tell her as I open the card. "To my big sister Adeline, I can't believe I'm finally here, and I've got you as a big sister. I can't wait until I'm finally big enough to play with you. To follow you everywhere you go. To look up to you and be just like you. Just remember I'm still learning and adapting to this new world so please be patient with me. I love you already so much, and I'm glad I was chosen to be your baby sister. Here's to the places we'll go and the things we'll do. I love you. Amelia."
“Isn’t that lovely.” Peeta says to her.
Adeline doesn't understand, but we try our best. He helps her with the present and wrapping paper. We didn't know what to get her as she's still little, but we thought a book we can read both of them together.
"A new book, Addie." Peeta tells her. "We can read this book altogether or when Mommy feeds you and Amelia."
She looks at the book a little uninterested before she delves into more. A new pair of pajamas, a teddy Nan, made her and Peeta's promise to her.
“And every week, I’m going to take you out and do something fun.” He promises her. “So we can go to the park, the indoor play center, for a walk or anything else.”
“And when Amelia is ready to explore the world, we’ll go out on family outings together.”
She has no idea what's going on, but she smiles at us.
“How about we meet your baby sister?”
Peeta gets Amelia out of her bassinet and comes and lays her in my arms. He gets his camera ready to capture a photo of their first meeting, and I adjust the pillow across mine, and Adeline's waist prepared to bear the weight of the baby.
"Addie, this is your little sister." I tell her.
She’s fascinated by Amelia and looks at her curiously. “Mama?”
“It’s Ok, this is your baby sister.”
"Baba.”
“Yes.” I tell her. “Amelia.”
“Ma.”
“Close enough.” Peeta tells her.
“What do you think?”
Adeline is curious about her, and I encourage her to kiss her sister, touch her fingers and hands.
“Nice and gentle.” I coo to her. Amelia stirs in my arms and makes a grizzling sound which startles Adeline. "It's Ok. She's just waking up." I tell her. "Shh, it's ok bubba."
"Baba." Adeline tells her sister, patting her belly. She then touches my belly. "Baba.”
"That's where Bubba was before," I tell her. Adeline would always caress my belly when she nursed and cuddled with me. This was when I talked to her about her incoming sibling, trying to get her excited and ready.
“You’re a perfect sister.” I tell her, placing a kiss on her head watching as Amelia's hand grasps Adeline's finger and I feel the tears well in my eyes at the bond these two will have.
Effie appears with a balloon for the big sister and a cuddle. Adeline loved Effie and every appointment she was happy to sit on her lap and steal a cuddle.
“Do you like your sister?” Effie asks her.
"Baba.”
"Yes, that's your baby sister." She tells her. "Look what I bought you. A balloon."
“Ooh.”
Effie ties the balloon to Adeline’s new teddy and Adeline is more interested in the balloon than us.
“How about I get a quick photo of the four of you?”
Peeta hands Effie his phone, and he comes and sits beside Adeline, lifting her to his lap, and we pose for our first photo as a family of four.
“Beautiful.”
Effie arranges us to bath Amelia for the first time whilst Adeline is here to help. She stands beside her father with my arm around her. She helps her Dad with the washer and putting water onto Amelia’s belly.
“You’ll be able to help us bathe Amelia.” Peeta tells her. “You’re doing a great job.”
She helps her father, and we dress her in the outfit Adeline chose. A stripy onesie and a beanie. Peeta swaddles Amelia, and he goes and sits down with both his daughters and holds them both and talks to them. He reads the book we bought Adeline, and she's happy snuggling into her father.
Mom and Dad arrive 30 minutes before visiting hours end, and they meet their second granddaughter.
“Congratulations Mom.” They both embrace me. They had already congratulated Peeta when he picked Adeline up.
They find Amelia in Peeta’s arms asleep. Adeline is sound asleep in her father's arms as well. Mom skillfully takes Amelia out of his arms and meets her granddaughter. Dad meets her from Mom's arms, and I can see how in awe they are of her. I take some sneaky photos of the two grandparents.
“We’re so happy to be meeting you.” They tell her quietly.
And I’m so glad my girls will have loving grandparents in their lives. Grandparents who'll love them like no tomorrow. They'll drop everything to be there for them.
“Did you let Nan and Nana know?” I ask them.
“I called them both. They send their congratulations and can’t wait to meet her.” Mom tells me. “We’re going to take Addie over and show them some pictures this afternoon.”
“Yes please and tell them I’ll be as soon as I can.”
“They said there’s no rush.”
They leave us to be when the nurse comes in to let us know visiting hours have ended. We kiss Adeline goodbye as she sleeps over Dad's shoulder and we thank Mom and Dad for visiting and for the flowers and gift.
"Is it ok for us to come in?" Madge asks from my door that late afternoon. They brought us dinner in exchange for meeting their sister.
Peeta nods and the three kids enter the room with Gale trailing behind. He waves them over to the bassinet, and the four of them meet their sister.
“These are your older siblings, Amelia.” He tells her as she snoozes. “They’ll protect you and teach you everything there is to know about the world.”
The kids are in total awe of their sister, and I can't help but smile from the bed as they meet her and fight over who gets to hold her.
“Sorry that you’re outnumbered again.” Peeta tells his son.”
“Four sisters is totally fine." He smiles. "I get the chance to be the protective big brother of the girls, so I'm fine with this. No bully's will dare come near Adeline and Amelia Mellark."
"And if not, they've got us," Camille adds.
Nolan gets to hold Amelia first whilst Gale, and the girls dish out dinner. They bought the Italian from the place close to the bakery.
"Oh, they went a little overboard when they heard you had the baby." Camille tells us.
“Did you tell him?”
“He saw the display in the bakery announcing it’s a girl.” Nolan tells his father. “We went a little overboard. Surprised you haven’t seen it on social media. The local paper shared the post too, congratulating you on the new baby.”
“Shit.” Peeta curses.
“What?”
“I haven’t told your Nan yet.”
“You better do so cause she ain’t going to be happy.”
Peeta sends his mother a quick text to announce the birth, and she replies with just a simple OK.
“She could at least show she’s a little more interested.” He comments a little heartbroken.
“It’s Ok, Dad.” Camille comforts her father. “What she lacks in love, we make up for it.”
Amelia is handed around her siblings, and they are all happy to meet her and hold her. Taking photos of their new sibling and promising her the world.
“Amy you are stunning.” Nolan tells his sister when she’s handed back to me.
“Amy? I was hoping we’d call her Millie.” Madge adds.
“Why not both?” Gale suggests.
“You can’t do that to the poor girl. She’ll be confused.” Camille tells him. “I like Amy.”
“Won’t Addie and Amy be too much?” Madge asks.
“No way. It’s cute.” Nolan tells us. “What do you two think?”
“We’re not getting involved in this.” Peeta tells his kids. “Why don’t you let the name sit for a few days before we go and give her a nickname?”
“You’re doomed, Amy.” Nolan coos to her.
“Well if you’re calling her Amy, I’m calling her Millie.” Madge tells him. "Hi, Millie."
And I don't mind. Bickering over a nickname is something I'll remember. It's better to have them squabbling over a nickname rather than her actual name.
“Jury is still out.” Camille tells Amelia as she lays her in my arms as they leave.
“You raised them so well.” I tell him once it’s silent in the room again.
“They were just great kids anyway.”
Amelia nurses again and he has his arms around my body. He sought comfort from the rejection from his mother, and I just wanted to feel close to him.
"I don't want to make an effort with my mother anymore." He tells me. "She won't make it, then why should I be the one who runs after her? So from now on, she's not welcome in our house without prior arrangement. I'm not going to take the girls to her house. She chose to be like this then she misses out on her granddaughters."
“Peeta…”
“No, it’s time. I need to focus my energy on you three and not her. I can't keep trying to please her, so I give up on wasting my time on the horrible woman. She couldn't even send congratulations back via text. I don't want to expose the girls to her pettiness and hatefulness either. They deserve to be loved by those who are willing to be in their lives."
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Ok.” I smile at him.
“You deserve people who love you, Amelia. Not blow-ins who feel like their teeth have been pulled to come and see you." He tells his youngest. "And I want to protect you for as long as I can, even if that means not letting you know your grandmother. It'll protect your heart my dear, and you have other grandparents who love you."
"And siblings, cousins and aunts and uncles."
“And us too.” He tells her, kissing her head. “We’re so glad you chose us.”