Chapter Text
Amelia, let's out a little content sigh as I lay her down beside me. She's a sleepy baby, more tired than most newborns and I've been struggling since she was a week old to keep her awake long enough to properly feed and burp her before she falls asleep.
My boobs have been suffering engorgement since I came home and my boobs are twice the size of Amelia’s tiny head.
Teenage Katniss would have dreamt of having boobs this big. Adult Katniss, not so much, especially how full with milk they are.
My body was figuring out how much milk my body needed to keep up with demand and I would be happy when they settled down, and I didn't look like I walked out of the plastic surgeon's office with double HH's.
It’s become a sight in the house the past fortnight with my boobs literally on display and never without a baby latched on; sometimes there’d be two at the same time. It was a running joke, and the kids had always gotten a show when they came to visit, but we were at the point of it being a joke and they not shaming me.
There's a knock at the front door, and I clip my bra and throw my shirt on before heading to the door.
“Mornin’ Katniss.” The delivery driver greets me. “How are the babies doing?” She smiles.
"Going good, it's fun getting into a new routine." I reply back as she hands me the device to sign. "The little one never wakes up long enough to feed properly, and Addie is doing acrobat tricks."
"I remember mine at that age, your boob was getting pulled at all different directions, it was worse when they had older siblings and wanted to join them." She laughs and hands me the packages. "Just remember to take care of yourself.” She smiles. “I’ll see you around. Happy Thanksgiving too.”
“Happy Thanksgiving.” I thank her. “Have a great day.”
I shut the door, carrying the packages inside, flicking through to see who they're for. Nolan always had his mail delivered her, as did the girls. I set the box on the table for Nolan and take the one addressed to me. I check the monitor, seeing Addie is still asleep and take a seat on the couch, opening the package.
I’d ordered the girls matching thanksgiving outfits for Thursday. I couldn't resist the fact that the girls were so close in age and want to match them in their outfits and clothes because I knew, in a few years they'd want to be independent and dress differently, but for now, it was my total weakness and 2am feeds lead me to do a lot of online shopping.
I lay out the outfits for the girls and smile. It consisted of matching paisley print pants, headband and a onesie. Amelia's reading ‘Fresh outta the oven’, and Adeline's, ‘Happy Thanksgiving’.
"Oh, you two are going to look gorgeous." I coo to Amelia who's sound asleep, milk drunk. "I'll tell you what you're going to be a lightweight my girl." I snigger quietly.
I leave her to be, noting the time and know we’ve got to be out of the house within the next 90 minutes to get to the doctors.
Peeta left the house early this morning to go and do grocery shopping as we were having dinner here with both sides of our family for Thanksgiving. He was getting the non-perishable things and would do another run early tomorrow for the fresh produce.
But the family were each bringing their own dishes for dinner and dessert to lessen our load. We were just cooking the turkey and Peeta making his famous Strawberry Oasis Pie. It was a tradition since the kids were babies as they were opposed to pumpkin pie. Apple pie was too sour for them. And he knew they loved strawberries, especially Madge and he made it in honor of her, even selling it at the bakery this time of year, which always sold out.
It was a mouse filling, a strawberry flavoured mouse mixed with a milk chocolate mousse. It had a chocolate cookie base, layered with half the mouse mixture, a marble look achieved before an overload of fresh strawberries before the rest of the mouse is set on top. Topped again with more berries, a cookie crumble and then a drizzle of chocolate.
I was introduced to it last year, and I was in love. This was the one thing I wanted on Thanksgiving, and I've asked him to make an extra pie for me to snack on. My appetite was raging, and I could put away a whole pie to myself.
And this year, Adeline got her first taste of the strawberry oasis pie.
A text comes through, Peeta just letting me know he’ll be home shortly. I carry the Moses basket upstairs to set in the bedroom and take the monitor into the bathroom to sit on the bench to watch Adeline while I have a quick shower.
Adeline starts stirring, as does Amelia and I wash the soap from my body, rinsing my face quickly and then switch the water off. Adeline is happily rolling around in her cot, and it gives me a chance to dry off, wrapping my robe around me.
“Morning Addie girl.” I greet her, stepping into her room.
She smiles up at me, showing off her four front teeth and I kiss her head, lifting her out of the cot. I change her diaper and then carry her with me to the bedroom with her dirty diaper in hand. Amelia is grizzling, her little eyes closed and her hands balled up at her face.
“Hold tight for 2 minutes, baby.” I tell Addie, kissing the top of her head before tending to her sister. Addie has shown patience with her sister so far. She’s curious, always turning to us when Amelia cries to ask for answers and we always reassure her that she's fine.
I hand Addie the packet of baby wipes to play with while I change Amelia's diaper. Amelia grizzles and I make fast work, securing a new diaper. Addie places a soft hand on Amelia's hand and smiles at her sister, cooing in garbled baby talk. Amelia quiets, listening to the voice.
"Say, hi bubba." I tell Addie with a bright smile.
“Baba.” She coos softly.
I smile, knowing how close the two of them are going to be growing up.
I pick Amelia up and sit down on the bed, getting myself comfortable with a pillow under my right elbow. I lay Amelia to my right; Addie sits in the middle of my lap. Addie tugs at my robe and I laugh at her impatience.
"Hang on." I tell her, pulling aside the right-hand side of my robe and what Peeta would jokingly state the milk bar was open. I recline back, Addie latches first onto my left and then get Amelia latched onto my right breast and let her lay down my body for some skin to skin contact. I settle in with both my girls, holding them both in my arms and just savour this moment. I enjoyed having them both in my arms, feeding at the same time. A moment to bond with them both and for them to both bond with each other.
Addie begins to perform her aerial twists and turns, tugging my boob.
"Addie." I grab her, stilling her. "That hurts." I tell her. She just smiles around my nipple, her teeth gripping my nipple, and I try not to make a sudden move. I smile down at her, and she resumes her feeding, loosening her grip with her teeth and resumes feeding.
Amelia slows down her feeding, and I see her eyes slowly dropping shut.
"Amelia." I call, shaking her arm slightly to wake her up. She startles awake, resumes her feed for a few moments before her eyes slowly start to close again. I try to wake her, but she's milk drunk and out to it.
I’m too focused on Amelia that I don’t notice Addie begin to do a backflip, pulling my body with her and my nipple still in her mouth. She pierces it with her teeth as she stumbles and uses it to steady herself. I grab her body, pulling her back towards my chest, and I hope she lets go.
I try not to cry out in pain. Addie unlatches and cries slightly after the shock. I have tears in my eyes. Blood leaking along with milk and I grab a burp cloth to press to my nipple.
I try to juggle a crying toddler, a baby that needs to be burped and a bleeding nipple.
I get Amelia up into a seated position, leaning her against my body and do my best to burp her while comforting Addie.
"Katniss?" Peeta calls out, and I've never been gladder to see him. He steps into the bedroom and sees the situation, my chest bared, a crying toddler in one arm and a newborn in the other. He obviously sees the tears in my eyes. “What happened?”
"Addie bit my nipple. She pierced it." I cry. "It hurts so much." I tell him, tears falling down my cheeks.
“What can I do?” He asks me.
"Can you take Addie?"
He swoops her up into his arms quickly, settling her and I focus on burping Amelia.
"Thank you." I tell him, rubbing and patting Amelia's back to get her to burp because I know we'll end up with a lot of baby vomit.
She lets out a burp that I know is enough to satisfy me, and I lay her down in her basket, covering her with a blanket and follow Peeta into the bathroom.
He helps me bathe my traumatised nipple, Addie is in the portable cot we’ve kept in our bedroom to use as a tiny baby jail for emergencies.
“She got you good.” He comments, taking a look at my nipple.
“And they say newborns are the nipple destroyers.” I add, wincing at the feeling of the salt water touching my nipple. “She wasn’t this bad teething.”
"No, she wasn't." He agrees. "We'll get Effie to take a look today and make sure it’s ok.”
He’s gentle, tender and caring and helps me get cleaned up. Addie starts calling out from her baby jail.
“Go and get her breakfast started. I can finish up.”
He kisses me gently on the lips and leaves. “Come on my nipple terroriser.” He calls out, heading for Addie.
I get dressed into something with easy boob access; braid my hair into a simple Dutch braid down my back. I opt against makeup and just moisturise my face and head on downstairs to have something to eat and pack the baby bag for today.
"Their Thanksgiving outfits arrived." I tell him.
“Did they?” He asks, smiling. “How are they?”
"Beautiful quality and so cute." I tell him with a smile. I never was crazy over baby clothes years before, but anything baby sized had me always swooning.
He dishes up an omelette for us and serves a little bit of it to Addie. She’s given a combination of the egg, some tomatoes, toast and the sweet potato.
“What time is your appointment?” He asks.
“10.”
“We’ve got time then.” I nod. We had at least an hour to hopefully avoid a meltdown, diaper blowouts, vomit or me needing to open the milk bar. We could do this. Our first public outing since Amelia’s birth.
Addie eats quickly, without making a mess and Peeta whisks her off to get her dressed and cleaned up.
I do the dishes, packing the dishwasher and pack the diaper bag. Snacks, diapers, wipes, clothes, blankets and a bottle of water for me. It was just an hour at the doctor’s office and then a quick visit to see Annie, Finnick and baby Thomas who was born 4 days after Amelia. We wouldn’t need anything more.
I brush my teeth, slip into my shoes, dressing Amelia and strapping her into the car seat. She doesn't budge. I tuck a blanket around her and set the car seat next to the garage door with the baby bag.
Peeta appears with Addie dressed, her hair done and a coat on her. She hasn't walked much, showing more interest in crawling and being carried, but we think that's just due to the change of Amelia. She'll walk in her own time.
“Ready?” He asks.
“I think so.”
“I’m sure we’ll be fine.” He laughs. “It’s not like we’re going very far.”
“I know.” I tell him, exhaling. “Let’s go.”
“Got your phone?”
“Oh, shit.” I curse and he chuckles.
“I’ll get the girls in then.” He tells me.
I go in search of my phone, finding it on the kitchen bench next to my purse. I shut the house behind me, picking up the bags and throwing them underneath Amelia’s feet.
“Do we have the stroller?” I ask him across the backseat as he buckles Addie in.
“Yes.” He looks up at me. He hands Addie her bunny, bopping her nose with it. I exhale. “Katniss, we’ll be fine.”
I nod, and he shuts the door before climbing into the driver's seat. I do a twice over of Amelia and close her door, climbing into my seat.
“See, everything is fine.” He assures me with a smile. “We’ve got this.”
He slips his sunnies over his eyes, throws the car into reverse and idles out of the garage. I throw my sunnies on, and he drives out of the driveway and heads downtown.
The drive to the doctors is quiet, with hardly any traffic, and we get a park easy. We get both girls into the stroller, baby bag slung over the handle and lock up the car.
I go to take the stroller, but Peeta fights me for it.
"I'll push it." He tells me, putting his hand over mine.
“But I want to.” I tell him.
"Let me." He insists, and I don't fight him. "You can push them out."
“Is this how it’s going to be? Us both fighting over who gets to push the stroller?” I ask him with a slight smirk.
“I guess so. The stroller just looks fierce.” He laughs, pointing out the features of the black frame, chunky black wheels and charcoal seats. "We could be fighting over other things?"
“I’d prefer fights over the stroller.”
“Me too.”
I link my arm through the crook of his elbow, and we head inside. Peeta finds us a seat, and I check myself in. I sit down beside Peeta, and he places his hand on my thigh. Addie faces us both and Peeta reads her a story, pointing out pictures of animals and makes the sounds they all make.
“Katniss.”
I turn to see Effie smiling at me from her office and Peeta follows me into the room with the stroller.
“Now let me look at my two favourite girls.” She states. She tickles Addie’s cheek and then into the car seat where Amelia is asleep. “How is she going?”
“She likes her sleep a lot.” I tell her. “I’m worried she’s not getting enough because she’ll feed for maybe 10 minutes and then she’s sound asleep.”
Effie looks down at Amelia for a brief moment. "It's just a leap and a phase. Most newborns are sleepy things, she'll start to be more alert, and she'll feed longer stretches. Is she cluster feeding a lot?"
“Yeah, she cat naps and then she wakes for more and then is asleep again.”
“Just during the day? Or night and day?”
"She does two-hour stints at night. A little longer than the 20 to 30-minute naps during the day."
“But she’s happy other than that.” Peeta adds. “She’s not fussy, she’s patient and pretty casual.”
“And Addie’s feeding fine again?”
“Yep, she’s back. It’s only really 4 times a day.”
“Which is normal for her age. She might pick up comfort feeding when she’s teething or upset.” She adds.
“Addie did get me good this morning.”
“Yeah?”
“She went to backflip off, but scared herself, caught my nipple between her teeth hard, biting and drawing blood.”
“Addie, you practice your aerial skills when you’re not attached to your Mama.” Effie reminds her. “Ok, why don’t you get up on the bed, I’ll do an exam, check everything is going the way we want it. I’ll check the damage on your nipple if you want too.”
“Perfect.”
“And then we’ll do Amelia’s check.” She tells me. “Did you want Peeta to vacate?”
“No, he’s right.” I tell her, smiling at Peeta. “He can keep Addie entertained.”
I get onto the exam table, legs in the stirrups and she does a physical exam, ensuring everything is healing and progressing.
“I would advise a break between the next to babies if you are still going down that path.” She says, loud enough for Peeta to hear through the curtain.
"Oh, believe me, we're abstaining for the next 12 months." I joke, winking at Effie.
“Since when did we decide that?” Peeta asks.
“Just now.” I call back. “I’m sure we’ll survive the next 12 months. I might move into the spare room, halt any temptation. Might focus all that energy on Pilates and a whole food diet.”
“You’re killing me, Everdeen.” He states.
I chuckle. “No, I think we’re gonna need the 12 months to catch up on sleep and focus on just the girls, let my body heal after the two pregnancies and just enjoy the two of them.”
"We'll probably end up with a grandchild next year." Peeta adds.
“That’s true.” I agree. “I’m going to be step-grandmother at 30, how is that possible?” I ask Effie.
She just laughs, pressing her hand over my stomach doing an exam. “Hey, I see it all in here don’t you worry. Your situation is a little more pleasant and civil than some.” She assures me.
“Really?” I ask her. “So you’re saying a pregnancy resulting in a one night stand with your friends' father is normal?" I ask chuckling. "The father you didn’t realise was her father until I was pushing said child out?"
“Hey, that’s pretty tame compared to some people and their situations.” She laughs. “I get two potential father’s in the delivery room, I’ve had families get into a brawl in the waiting room, I’ve delivered the baby of a girl I first delivered as fellow 15 years ago, divorce mid-delivery, marriage proposal, secret pregnancies and my favourite, the affair babies." She laughs. "So your situation seems very normal."
“Hear that, Peeta?”
“Sure did.”
“You two are my favourite story because pure happiness and joy has come from the reversed situation.” She smiles at me.
She checks my nipple that Addie all but tore off this morning and cleans it down and wipes an antiseptic cream on it. She tells me to watch it and to maybe just rest it for a day or two.
She takes Amelia out of the car seat, holding her for a little while as she has a chat with us, going through our charts and updating them.
“So, who has won the nickname battle?”
"Well, it was Katniss' father that realised her initials spelt out AIM, so Amy won." Peeta tells her with a laugh.
“Well, Amy or Millie, either is perfect.” Effie coos to Amelia.
“We’ve been calling her Amelia though. I guess it won’t be long until we shorten it.”
“No, I don’t think it will be.” She smiles.
She quickly measures and weighs the baby. Noting down her weight and height and ensuring she’s on track. Amelia has woken and tries to focus her eyes on Effie. Effie coos to her during the exam and keeps Amelia entertained.
“Well, she is putting on weight.” Effie assures us. “She’s a petite baby, she’s got good coloring, and she looks healthy. I don't see any concerns. We'll just have to watch her, and I'll make a note of it for the midwife when she comes and visits you guys next week."
I get Amelia nursing, and we chat to Effie. She clears me to start driving again, reiterates the importance of taking things slow still and nothing more than short walks, keep up my hydration and food intake and try and take some time to myself to sleep. Peeta assures Effie he’s onto it, which he already is; he's so hands-on and attentive. He's perfect.
"At your 6-week appointment, we'll discuss contraception which I advise you take Katniss." She tells me. "But other than that, just keep doing what you are doing. Watch your nipple and that it doesn’t get infected as well and remember to call to see the lactation consultant if breastfeeding is troubling you.”
"Thanks, Effie."
Amelia finishes her nurse, again passing out and I burp her, fixing my top, and we head on out, advised making an appointment for a month which will be the week leading up to Christmas.
“Are you serious about abstaining?” He asks me as we walk out to the car park. He seems a little worried.
“No.” I laugh as I push the stroller. “Just, don’t get me pregnant for at least 12 months.”
"I will stock up on condoms." He assures me and kisses my temple.
"I mean, it wouldn't be the end of the world, but my body needs a break."
“I know it does. We’ll give it 12 months and decide from there.” He kisses my lips this time, brushing his thumb gently over my cheek and embracing me quickly. “Let’s go and meet baby Thomas.”
Annie looks like the earth mother. Thomas sleeps soundly in a bassinet in the living room. The house is clean and tidy. She has washed her hair. Clean clothes. No bags under her eyes. She looks rested and well.
“You look so fucking good.” I tell her as I embrace her.
"I feel fantastic." She tells me with a beaming smile. "I thought it'd be hard, but he's been a dream. I can't complain."
I squeeze her hand, smiling at her and feel so proud of her.
"You're looking good as well for someone with a 12-month-old and a 2 week old."
I laugh, chuckling slightly. "It's been an interesting shift.”
Peeta and Finnick are in the kitchen chatting, making tea and coffee for us all. Adeline sits beside me on the couch with a snack and Amelia is in her car seat asleep.
Annie fills me in on her almost 2 weeks postpartum. Tells me about Thomas.
“Any diaper blowouts?” I ask as Finnick enters the room.
"Yes, all down my chest." Finnick tells me, but he doesn't grimace or complain. He takes it on the chin, almost grateful for the blowout. I guess they are taking everything as a blessing and not taking parenthood for granted. Thomas was their rainbow boy, and everything parenting gave them was a gift to them.
“We’ve only had one so far.” Peeta says, knocking on the coffee table with a laugh. “Addie was good at diaper blowouts.”
“Amelia is just our spewer.”
“He’s a bit of both. I mean it's early days, things will more than likely change as he grows." Annie says, but she smiles at her son, who sleeps soundly.
“When do you return to work, Finnick?” Peeta asks.
“I took 6 weeks off which they weren't happy about, but I didn't want to miss a moment." He beams. "It's only a job."
"Exactly and I'm sure you won't struggle to get a job elsewhere."
"Hopefully, here in Panem because I really love it. We both don't want to move anywhere else. We want to raise our family here." Annie tells us.
"It's great." Peeta adds with a smile. "We're both locals, there are no complaints from us."
Thomas and Amelia wake at the same time, and we seize the opportunity to get a photo of the two babies who we hope will be close friends.
“Jesus Katniss, you’re bloody boobs are bigger than your daughter’s head.” Finnick claims when I get Amelia latched on.
"You looking, are you?" I ask him with a smirk.
“Kind of hard to miss, they’re like the bloody light on a lighthouse.” He laughs.
“Sorry for my inappropriate husband who shouldn’t be looking at anyone’s boobs but mine.” Annie shoots him a devious look and then laughs.
“I really don’t care.” I tell Annie. “I think my whole family has witnessed me topless for the last two weeks. They said their jokes but have moved on now." I laugh.
“Yeah, Nolan is surprisingly the most mature which surprises me.” Peeta laughs, cuddling Adeline. She eyes her baby sister feeding and crawls towards me, pointing.
I decide I'll see how the pain goes and get her latched onto my left side. It stings a little, but she's quiet and gentle.
“Men would pay a lot of money for this.” Finnick tells us, chuckling. Annie and I look at each other, down at our bared breasts and feeding babies and just chuckle because he’s right, some sickos would pay good money for this.
"I suppose if you lose your job, we could do some weird webcam thing." Annie tells him. "Katniss, you can join if you want, boobs your size will really draw them in." She laughs.
“Side hustle, babe. Kids college fund sorted.” I say, winking at Peeta who just laughs and kisses the top of my head.
…
The bedside light flicks on, and Peeta shifts beside me."Katniss, what's wrong?" He asks me, touching his hand to my arm. "You're burning up."
I’ve spent the last three hours shivering and shaking having woken up in extreme pain with flu-like symptoms. My body aching. Cramping. I’d gone to bed the night before feeling a little off and overnight it’s escalated.
I roll over, showing him the red inflammation on my left breast. I’d been feeding Amelia overnight but could only manage my right breast to her.
“Katniss, I’m taking you to the hospital.” He tells me, touching it lightly. I’m sure he can feel the bumps and lumps inside.
"No, I'm fine." I lie. It feels like razor blades inside of my boob.
“Katniss, you have a fever. You’ve got an infection. I’m taking you in.”
“It’s probably just a blocked milk duct, it’ll go away eventually.” I assure him, my teeth chattering.
“No, I’m taking you in right now. This is probably mastitis, the doctors can give you antibiotics and check you out to ensure it's nothing else." He tells me. "You could have a postpartum infection." He cups my cheek. "Please, for our own sake."
I don't want to let on how much pain I am in. It's worst than childbirth, and I know it needs to be treated. I nod, and he jumps out of bed. He throws clothes on and finds me something comfortable to put on.
Peeta helps me into my clothes, slipping my Ugg boots on my feet and a jacket. He tells me to sit still for a second, and he goes and lets Nolan know what’s going on, handing him the baby monitor and thanking him before coming back for me.
Peeta appears, pocketing his phone and he lifts Amelia from the bassinet before guiding me down the stairs slowly. He packs a few extras into the baby bag, gets Amelia into the car seat and gets me some water and some paracetamol. I down that as he gets Amelia into the car and then comes for me.
It's still dark when we leave the house, and he gets us across town quickly to the hospital.
He guides me into the ER, carrying the car seat and with the baby bag slung over his shoulder and into triage. There’s obviously been an overflow from the night before, girls in party dresses sleep off their hangovers in the plastic chairs, men sit with bandaged eyebrows and hands waiting for stitches or X-rays, parents sit with sick young kids on their lap who've spent the night with high temperatures.
There's no line for triage check-in, and we step up to the desk when we're called.
“Patient name.” She asks.
"Katniss Everdeen." I tell her wincing at the pain I'm experiencing. "I have mastitis, I think."
She nods, taking our health card, swiping it before checking us in. "I'll have someone with you right away." She tells me.
We find a free seat, away from sick kids and teenagers. Amelia is asleep still, and I try and settle into the chair and focus on anything other than the pain.
“Nolan is going to take care of dinner. He’s got it all under control.”
“He’s too good.” I tell Peeta, leaning my head on his shoulder.
“I’m lucky.” He replies, kissing the top of my head. “I’d love another boy but if we’re just blessed with girls than I’ll be rich in pink tutus, glitter and Barbies.”
I laugh slightly, and the door to the triage exam room opens.
“Katniss Everdeen?” The nurse calls.
"Did you want me to stay?" He asks, and I shake my head. I need him with me.
He helps me to the room, and the nurse asks me questions to check me in.
“Has it just appeared overnight?” She asks me.
"Yes." I nod. "I have a 12-month-old she caused a bit of damage to my nipple on Tuesday. I've offered it twice to both the babies, but it causes me too much pain. I guess it's just gotten infected or something."
“Have you had it before?” She asks me.
“Nope.”
“And any other symptoms?”
“Just the fever and aches.”
She quickly weighs me, asks if I’m on any medication and notes down that I’m 2 weeks postpartum.
“Mastitis cases usually are sped through the triage unit.” She tells me as she wraps a hospital band on my wrist. “So you shouldn’t have to wait too long hopefully. Just let the desk person know if you’re in any severe pain and we’ll speed things along.” She assures me.
We don’t even take our seat in the waiting room before we’re called to see the doctor. He fast tracks us into the ER and into a bed for me, assuring me, my doctor is on his way down right away.
Amelia has woken, and Peeta helps me get her nursing. She's shown a little more interest and is feeding a little longer but is still a sleepy little thing.
"Katniss Everdeen." A young doctor says, appearing through the curtain. "Hi, I'm DR Matthews, I'll be taking care of you."
"Oh sorry, about this." I point to Amelia, who's nursing.
“No, it’s fine.” He smiles. “I can work around you both.” He assures me. “So Katniss, you’re 2 weeks postpartum?”
“Yes.”
“You think you’ve got mastitis?”
“My left breast is inflamed, red, and I've had fever symptoms for the last few hours."
“How is your daughter feeding?”
I explain what has happened, tears welling in my eyes, feeling like a failure or a burden for something as stupid as mastitis.
"Hey." He says, touching my shoulder. "It's so common. We see a lot of women who have it. Breastfeeding is a finicky thing, and not all babies are the same. You’ve probably noticed differences between their styles and routines in feeding.” I nod. “It’s fine. And the toddler is probably doing all kinds of whacky tricks and flips. It's testing, it's trying, but I bet it's worth it?" I nod, wiping the tear from my eyes. He hands me a tissue and goes back to the chart. "Oh, your last name is Everdeen?" He asks me. "Your married name?"
“Um no, we’re partners.” I tell him a little intrigued at his sudden interest at my last name.
“Do you happen to have a sister?”
"Yes, I do. Prim." I tell him with a proud smile. "She works here actually."
"I wasn't expecting to meet you this soon, and she's probably going to kill me, but I'm Nate – Nathaniel Matthews." He introduces himself. "Um, I've been dating Prim." He tells me, blushing slightly. "I'm coming to Thanksgiving dinner at your house tonight."
“Oh, Nathaniel, it’s nice to meet you.” I smile. “Prim’s been a little shy in introducing us, hasn’t she?”
"It's mostly been my fault; actually, I've been busy with my fellowship, logging hours and such. Our rosters have hardly matched either, so…"
“It’s fine. We’ve been a little busy too.” I laugh motioning down to the baby. “It’s nice to meet you.” I assure him. “This is my partner, Peeta.”
"Nice to meet you, Nathaniel." Peeta shakes his hand.
“You can call me Nate if you wish.” He tells us both with a smile. “And I guess this is little Amelia?”
"Yep, Amelia. Adeline is at home.”
“Prim’s showed me photos of them. They’re gorgeous.” He smiles widely. “Anyway, back to you, you don’t have to show me if you’re uncomfortable, I can get another doctor?”
"It's fine." I tell him, and Peeta helps me with my hoodie while Amelia remains attached. “Why are you logging ER time if you have a fellowship?”
“Well, our Chief has implemented cross-department learning and wants us doing stints in different specialties and departments. He's calling it self learning and says we'll be thankful for it down the track." He rolls his eyes. “I love my job, don’t get me wrong, just sometimes it drives me crazy.”
“Understandable.” I agree and carefully lift my top and unclip the left cup to show him.
“Ok, that’s definitely mastitis.” He tells me, examining it gently. “I’d say it’s a combination of trauma, a blocked duct and the breast not properly getting drained. It’s easily treatable and manageable. It’ll just hurt for a few days as it passes.” He assures me. “We might get you hooked up to an IV for a few hours to get the antibiotics straight into your system.”
"Are antibiotics fine to take while breastfeeding?"
"Yes, they certainly are." He smiles. "I'll have a nurse get you sorted, and I’ll come and check on you shortly after. Just take the time to rest up, that’s what you need, some sleep, hydration and medicine.” He orders me. “You’ll be home before lunchtime.”
I thank him, and he sets my chart down and heads off for the nurse. I burp Amelia and Peeta takes her to get to sleep. The nurse gets me connected to an IV, asks how I feel before she assesses me.
"When she nurses next, try your left side. Trust me, it'll hurt, but that's some of the best ways to treat it." She smiles at me. "Call me if you need help." She tells me, laying a blanket over my body, tucking me in.
Peeta shakes me awake about an hour later with a grizzling baby, and he helps me getting her situated around my IV and onto my left breast. The nurse from earlier enters and helps me in massaging the lumps down and supervises.
“She’s not a long nurser.” She comments.
“She’s a sprinter.” I laugh. “She’ll sprint eat. Fall asleep for a little nap and then is awake again for another nurse.”
The nurse smiles and asks how I'm feeling, and I tell her a bit better, the nursing helping with the pain slightly. Amelia goes to Peeta to burp, and the nurse brings me a cold compress to hold for a few minutes.
I thank her, and she leaves, urging me to leave my bra off and just lay under the blanket.
Peeta disappears to change Amelia, and I reach for my phone, sending a text to Prim.
K – So Nate is lovely.
I send, I want to get a rise out of her, and I know I will. Her reply is instant.
P – What? How do you know him? Where are you? You’re just messing with me, right?
K – he’s got a lovely bedside manner.
P – you’re at the hospital? What’s happened? Are you alright?
K – Mastitis. It’s worse than childbirth.
P – I hope they’ve given you good drugs. I’ve already headed home. I can come back?
K – Peeta is here. Besides, I want to interrogate Nate some more.
P – PLEASE DON’T!!!
K – Don’t worry, I’ll leave that to Dad.
P – FUCK
K – Lighten up. He’s already gotten my approval so he’ll win the rest of the family over, I’m sure of it. Just breathe, he’ll be fine.
Nate discharges us just before 10am. They’ve started to get an influx of Thanksgiving patients. I’ve caught up on some sleep and been intravenously hydrated and medicated. Peeta has gone to get my script filled from the onsite chemist, and I've got Amelia attached to my boob nursing. Nate has prescribed a few days of rest and to come back in if I'm in pain again or it flares up. My fever is yet to be broken, and I'm looking forward to feeling a little more human.
"Take paracetamol if you're in pain. Drink plenty of water, especially since you are feeding.”
“Noted.”
“And I guess I’ll be seeing you tonight then?”
“Don’t worry, the family won’t eat you alive.” I tell him just as Amelia unlatches, Nate reaches for her, holding her over his shoulder to burp. "We just want the best for Prim, and we may be a little protective."
“I have four sisters. All younger than me.” He tells me, patting Amelia’s back gently. "I know what it's like and the urge to protect them at all costs. You don't have to worry about me, Katniss."
“You really like her, don’t you?”
"I do. I really do." He confesses to me with a wide smile. His eyes twinkle, and I can see the love in his eyes.
I smile at him and could see him being with Prim for the rest of their lives. Peeta arrives, helping me off the bed and into my shoes. Nate gets Amelia into the car seat, strapping her in for us, lingering as he rubs her hand and watches her for a few moments.
“We’ll see you this afternoon.” I say to him.
“Deep breaths.” Peeta reminds him, picking the car seat up and we head on out.
“You should be resting.” Madge scolds me as I enter the kitchen with Adeline on my hip. My fever broke about an hour ago, and I've been in bed since we returned home.
"I know, but I wanted to show you this.” I tell her. The men have gathered outside in the man cave to watch the game. “Cressida sent me through some previews from our newborn shoot we had yesterday.”
"How is she managing to edit with a newborn?" Madge asks me, dropping the t-towel to the counter.
“I don’t know honestly.” I laugh.
Cressida had delivered a little girl just four days before Amelia’s birth. A little girl they called Nora Jean, and she was beautiful. Little Thomas was going to have his hands full with Nora and Amelia.
I show Madge the photos that have been sent and Madge gushes at the images.
“Oh my god! This is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” She exclaims. There were just half a dozen photos at the moment. “You’re going to have to send me this one.” She points to the picture of Amelia and Addie snoozing together, their noses both touching and Addie’s arm around Amelia’s head and holding her other hand. “That’s just got my ovaries going crazy.” Madge tells me.
“So, can we expect a baby in the next 12 months?” I ask her, intruding slightly.
“I’ve stopped taking my contraception so, yes.” She tells me, biting her lip.
“Just go with the flow.” I tell her. “Come and help me get the girls into their Thanksgiving outfits.”
The house fills over the afternoon, family, in-laws, strays and friends. The house is full, with hardly any breathing room, but this is what I wanted, my girls surrounded by love. They get passed around likes puppies at a school; I sit on the couch with my feet up.
Adeline goes to Camille, and I burp and just snuggle Amelia for a little while, as we talk some more. Prim arrives just before dinner, and I'm worried that Nate has bailed, but he comes in a few minutes after her with a box of wine and some beer. He's smiling, hiding his nerves, but he keeps calm.
Prim introduces him to Great Nana and Nan, and he sits with them both right until dinner.
He finds out that both of them played a part in the wars, both as nurses, Nanna during WWII and Nan during Vietnam. Nana struggles to keep up the conversation but listens as Nan and Nate talk. They laugh, share stories, and he tells her about his work, and I can see the spark in his eye as he tells her of his work and how he chose his field. He fell into it by pure accident and has never turned back. She tells him stories of being a nurse during Vietnam. She tells him of the advances in medical technology over the years, her witnessing many miracles and those people that have touched her over the years. The never-ending circle of life – births and deaths, the first steps after rehab, the slight twitch of a finger, patients walking out of the hospital with new organs or limbs, new love in hospital wards, coma patients waking up, families created, friendships formed and everything else that comes with being a nurse.
“Prim told me you both inspired her to go into medicine.” Nate tells them with a soft smile. “I can see that she gets her spunk from both of you.”
Nan touches his cheek and smiles. “You are such an old soul, Nate.” She beams. “Don’t ever change.”
Nana grips his hands and smiles at him as well. “You do good by our Prim.”
“I will.” He assures them both. “I promise.”
We're called to dinner, and 25 bodies move for the food. Adeline sits in her highchair at the end of the table, Amelia in my arms. Peeta anticipated he’d need a big dining table long before we met and built his house basically around the living room and the 24-seater table he had handmade. He knew he could drag additional chairs to the corners, squish everyone together and add more chairs. Everyone sits comfortably, their plates full, their smiles wide.
I look down the table at our family and feel a sense of pride. These are the people who matter to us both and will forever matter to us. We'll expand and grow in the years to come, and I know we'll need to source a new seating arrangement; maybe hire out a function room but that was for later.
I watch Prim snuggle up to Nate, a hand on her thigh and his lips close to her ear as he whispers and she smiles and laughs, throwing her head back. I watch my many nieces and nephews converse with each other, their attention on dinner. The girl's gossip at the bottom corner together. The boys flick peas at the girls when they're not looking. Mom talks to Camille about her plans for the future. Dad sneaks, Nana some extra stuffing. Gale, Grant and Tim talk to Pop about cars, sport and Gale's house plans. Nan, Madge, Jolene and Polly speak about the wedding.
Peeta has Amelia in the crook of his arm and eats with his spare hand, Addie sits to my side and babbling to Prim who sits beside her. Nate plays games with her and Prim feeds Addie. Next year we’ll have two toddlers sitting at the table, either side of Peeta and I. Maybe a baby in the arms of Madge. It's a strange thought to wrap around my head. But a pleasant feeling.
Peeta leans over, placing his hand on my thigh and I turn to look at him and give him a smile.
“Hey, are you feeling alright?” He asks me.
I nod, smiling at him. “I just feel this overwhelming sense of love and life.”
“Me too.” He replies, looking back down the table at everyone.
We don’t say much during dinner; just enjoy the many bits of conversations we pick up.
“I love you and am so thankful for you.” He whispers in my ear. “I’m thankful for you giving me a new purpose for the rest of my life. A new life. New opportunity. Two gorgeous girls.”
I place my hand on his cheek, smiling at him with our noses touching. "You gave my life a new meaning. You gave me love when I never thought I'd love again. You gave me my daughters that I always thought would be just a dream. You gave me my happy ending." He nuzzles my nose for a few moments before lightly pressing his lips to mine. "I love you."
We turn back to dinner, everyone slowing down, adjusting their positions and their waistbands.
"Save room cause we've got a lot of desserts." Peeta calls down the table with a grin.
“Can we call nap for like an hour before we have dessert?” Madge asks, placing her hands on her full stomach.
"I don't know about you, but I'm not full." Gale claims, stabbing his fork into the roast potatoes in the middle of the table. I've seen this man, and he never stops eating.
I would probably match him any other day, especially with how many calories I was burning a day, but I'm still feeling a little off. My stomach cramps up, and I lose my appetite.
“You alright?” Peeta asks.
“Just not very hungry at the moment.” I tell him. “A little tired too.”
"Go lie down, I'll entertain." He assures me. I kiss the back of his hand, and he passes Amelia to me to take in with me to the living room.
She wakes, showing me her beautiful baby blues, and we share a moment together. She stares at me, focuses on me and recognises my voice. I take photos of her to store in the vault. That was my one goal to try and get as many photographs with Amelia as I have with her sister. I wanted to capture the memories and moments. A little sentimental but I wanted the girls to have albums upon albums of their childhood like Prim, and I did.
"You are so loved little girl, don't think for a second that you're not," I whisper to her. "All those people in that room are your people. They'll pick you up. They'll catch you. They'll cheer you on. Those people who are there for you at the end of the day when the lights go out, they're the ones who you love hard. Who you embrace." I kiss her forehead. "You are loved. Your daddy loves you. Sissy loves you. I love you. Everyone else loves you."
She roots for a feed, and I get her latched on. She looks up at me, and I stare down at her, smiling proudly at her. "You were always part of the plan my girl, and I'm glad my plan is coming true when it felt so out of reach. Thank you for choosing me.”
I’m shaken awake and look into Peeta’s eyes.
“Hi.” He greets me with a soft voice. Amelia is cuddled up on my chest. “I brought you some pie.”
He hands me the plate of strawberry oasis pie, and I grab his collar and pull him in for a kiss.
“Don’t worry, Madge filmed Addie’s first try of it.” He reassures me with a laugh. I swipe the lipstick from the corner of his mouth. “I’ll leave you two to be, you seem to be having a good moment that I don’t want to interrupt.” He cups the back of his newborn daughter’s head and kisses the crown before he leaves us to be.
I enjoy my pie in peace and quiet, inhaling the smell of Amelia and I just stare at her for a long time. Memorising everything about her.
I down the pie slowly, careful to test my stomach and it goes down smoothly.
Noah comes running into the room with Nolan chasing him, Nerf guns in hand, Noah dives onto the couch, and Nolan sets the toy down and attacks him, tickling his whole body over and Noah screams and wiggles under his cousins' assault.
“Stop, stop!” He screams out.
"Yield little man." Nolan continues to tickle him, laughing himself. "Say that I am the master at the Nerf Gun!"
"OK, ok, ok." Noah screams out, bringing his face from out of the cushions. "You are not the master of the Nerf gun." He cheekily tells him, and Nolan grins and attacks him again.
“I think you’re enjoying this too much.” Nolan says to his cousin. “Wait, where’s your ticklish spot again?”
“His feet.” Maya tells Nolan as she enters the room with a grin on her face. "Uncle Peeta wants to know if you two want any more dessert?"
“You’re feet, how could I forget.” Nolan exclaims and reaches down for the soles of Noah’s bare feet. “Yield or the feet get it.” He threatens him, his hand gripping Noah’s right ankle, stopping him from flipping or moving.
I try not to laugh at the look on Noah's face. He's so torn at yielding or just taking the punishment of his feet being tickled. I suppose tickle fights were better than the WWE wrestling matches Nolan and Josh used to engage in on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day as teenagers. Caleb tagged along when he was old enough, but Peeta and Grant banned WWE wrestling from the house after the boys broke two beds, put a knee through the drywall, Josh ended up with a broken collarbone, Nolan a split head and fractured eye, Camille ended up with a concussion and the Thanksgiving dinner ruined.
The boys soon learnt their lesson. Nolan and Josh had to use their pocket money to replace the hole in the wall. They got out of having to replace the bedframes as Tim was renovating Josh's room. The family spent Thanksgiving in the ER, and the boys will never escape the infamous wrestling story that is always brought up each year. They laugh about it now, but Grant and Peeta were absolutely furious.
“I yield.” Noah screams, kicking his ankle. “You’re the Nerf master.”
Nolan lets his cousin go, pulling him up to wrap his arm around his shoulder and ruffle his hair. "I love you, kid." Nolan tells him. "Come on, let’s get some more dessert bud.”
Prim comes into the room with Adeline on her hip. “Come on, we’re getting a cute Thanksgiving photo of them both in their outfits.”
Amelia is awake, and Prim gets the girls positioned on the floor on a blanket, heads side by side, and she does fast work at getting a photo of them both. She receives a smiling picture of Adeline and tells me she'll send it to me.
Tim and Grant come into the room with a beer in hand, and Adeline gets up off the floor and pushes herself up to her feet and takes perfect steps to her uncles, which surprises us all. She's taken her steps, but they were shaky, and she preferred to be carried or crawl.
Grant chuckles, catching her as she falls into his arms and sits her on his lap. “Guess you’re gonna keep your Mom and Dad on their toes now.” He tickles Addie.
“Thought I’d get at least another week or two.” I comment. “You trickster.” I tickle Addie.
Tim takes baby Amelia in his arms and cuddles his youngest niece. The rest of the family slowly filter in, filling spots on the lounges, the floor or they stand. I sit down besides Peeta in front of the fire. Adeline makes her way towards us and plonks herself in father's lap. Amelia is passed to me, and Peeta wraps his arms around my waist, and we listen to the friendly banter and conversation.
"So I'm going to place a bet already that Thanksgiving next year there'll be another baby." Tim states, looking towards Peeta and me.
“We’re taking a break for 12 months, big brother.” Peeta tells him.
“Please, Amy was not planned and look what happened there.” Tim states.
“Yes, she was planned not for at least another 12 months. She was just a keen thing.”
"Well, I know what I'm buying Katniss for Christmas then." Tim announces. "A chastity belt."
"What's a chastity belt?" Noah asks innocently, and everyone laughs at him.
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
"Hey, why is it I need one?" I challenge Tim with a smirk. "You Mellark men have proved how very fertile you are, I mean look at how many kids you have amongst you all. 12. I think you guys should have a preventer."
“Hey, it’s not our fault your lovely ladies can’t resist us.” Grant butts in, leaning in to kiss Polly on the cheek.
She pushes him away and rolls her eyes. “You can sleep on the couch tonight.” She tells him.
“Why? Scared we’ll get carried away and lose Tim’s bet?” He chuckles.
"Rember that vasectomy you had when Tim announced they were having Noah? You were too worried about a surprise baby." She reminds him. "We can wait for grandkids now."
"So does anyone want to make a bet with me?" Tim asks. "Come on, someone will be gracing us with a baby next year." He looks around the room at those who are of the right age to be procreating.
“Madge and Gale will be.” Nolan adds in. “She’s already told us she wants a baby by 30 and guess who’ll be turning 30 next year?”
"I'm going to kill you." Madge sneers at him, and Nolan just chuckles.
“Hey, someone’s gotta take one for the team.” He claims.
“No, no one does. It’s a stupid bet.” Madge states, crossing her arms over her chest. “Maybe Gale and I want to travel for a bit?”
“You’ve stopped your contraception, you’re trying.” Nolan tells everyone.
"How the hell do you know that?" She asks him.
“I overheard you telling Katniss.”
"Doesn't mean you have to broadcast the news to the world. You know there is such a thing as restraint." She tells him. She's fuming. "I'm not telling you anything anymore until you learn to respect."
“I thought it was common knowledge?” He says. “I mean, you’re telling our step-mom.”
"I was telling her as a friend, Nolan. We were friends before she came into our lives as dad's girlfriend. And I still see her as a friend and will tell her things as a friend because she respects me and I know she'll keep it to herself." Madge tells him. "You need to grow up."
"Jesus, you're moody tonight." Nolan bites.
“Nolan, shut up.” Peeta tells him. “It’s Thanksgiving, let’s enjoy the rest of the holiday. We don’t need any tears or arguing.”
“Fine.” He mumbles, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Nolan, do you want to play a game?” Noah asks him.
“Sure bud, let’s go.”
Josh and Caleb follow the boys out of the room, and Jolene stares at her husband.
“You started that.” She chastises him.
“How?”
“By your stupid bet. We are not betting on babies.” She warns him.
“Can we bet anything?” He asks.
“No bets because arguments happen. Fights happen, and the family doesn't speak to each other for days, and then your mother gets involved and speaks her opinion, which we don't really want to hear." Jolene reminds him. "Let's just hope and pray for a happy and healthy year. We've got a lot of exciting things coming up, and we just need to focus on those things."
"Hear hear." Polly agrees. "We've got two gorgeous babies to spoil with love. We have our own kids to enjoy. We have the next generation starting to get married. We need to focus on what we already have in our lives and embrace the unexpected. We may be blessed with a new addition or two. We’ll be ready for what is to come.”
“Here’s to 2019." Tim holds up his glass to toast, and we toast back.
Peeta nuzzles my cheek with his nose, and we stare down at our girls.
“I’m betting that Peeta is gonna put a ring on it.” Tim states with a grin. “Any takers.”
Nearly the whole room goes on his bet. Any other time I would blush and get embarrassed, but I'm now comfortable enough to embrace what is to come. I've told him I don't care about a ring and tying my life to him in a significant way.
“You’re under pressure now, Peety.” Tim grins at his baby brother.
"Damn, you caught me out. I was planning a surprise Thanksgiving engagement, but you ruined it."
“Really?” His brother asks, sure Peeta is telling him the truth.
“No.” He shakes his head with a grin. “You’re so gullible.”
“Well, are you going to make an honest woman out of Katniss?”
"I bloody know where Nolan gets it from now." Peeta rolls his eyes. "Just let us go at our own pace. I love her, and we've discussed it, but we're in no rush. And a ring doesn't define what we share or have. Just let us do things our way."
“I suppose we can.”
"Thanks." He says.
"Besides, it'll drive Mom crazy if you don't." Tim claims and Peeta just rolls his eyes at his brother.
The house is eventually cleared of our guests, Peeta playing host to them all. He sends me to bed quite early. Adeline has gone to bed already, and Amelia is asleep but will want me soon. Camille heads home as she was opening the bakery tomorrow morning. Nolan was off work and helping his dad clean up.
I get ready for bed, washing my face and brushing my teeth before getting into my pyjamas and climbing into bed. Amelia sleeps in the middle of the bed, and I lay down beside her. I watch her sleep before rolling over and trying to get some sleep before night feeds begin again.
I wake to Peeta entering the room and getting ready for bed. Amelia is stirring, and I sit up, seeing the time and rubbing my eyes.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.” He whispers.
"She's awake." I tell him. I'd had at least an hours sleep. "Everything sorted downstairs?"
"Yep. Nolan's good help."
“He is.”
I bring Amelia to nurse and Peeta joins us in bed. He kisses both our heads, plugs his phone in and shuts the light off.
“Have a good day?” I ask him.
“I did.” He smiles. “It’s so surreal getting to do it again with young kids. I can’t wait for next year when Addie understands a bit more, even Christmas will be the same.”
“They’re going to be so spoilt this year.”
"Oh, yes."
My phone buzzes with a text from Camille who's attached a couple of photos from today. Prim had sent through the pictures of the girls in their Thanksgiving outfits.
"Camille and Madge are always so sneaky with the candids." I tell Peeta, showing him the pictures she got of us after dessert where we were cuddling with both the girls in our arms. I smile widely, so in love with the pureness of the image. Addie touching her father's cheek, Peeta beaming down at her. Amelia is half awake, and I press a soft kiss to her forehead. There's another one of Peeta and Addie looking at Amelia and me.
Peeta is silent for a while.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
“It’s nothing.” He tells me, smiling at me. “Just thinking how lucky I am to have you in my life.”
“There’s nothing else?”
“No.” He assures me. He kisses the back of my hand. “I love you, just know that.”
I nod, and he squeezes my hand with his. He takes Amelia, burping her, changing her diaper before he gets her down to bed. He climbs into bed beside me, wrapping his arms around my body and kissing my shoulder. He's a little tense, preoccupied in his own mind.
“Peeta, a ring won’t change how much I love you. If you did propose I would say yes, no doubt but if you don’t propose, I will still be a happy woman.” I whisper to him. “We don’t have to keep up with society and their expectations. Let’s just go our own pace, shower our girls in love.”
“Well, we couldn’t afford to get married anyway.” He chuckles.
“I’d be happy to elope in front of our family.” I tell him. “Use that money for our children.”
“Me too.” He smiles against my shoulder. “Night my love.”
“Night.”