I come out of the shower and see Katniss sitting on the bed reading a book. She looks up at me and smiles.
"You feeling better?" she asks.
"A little," I say. "I feel cleaner." I sit down next to her and try to lay back but she stops me.
"Don't do that!" she says.
"Why?" I ask.
"Because those wounds on your back are going to hurt in the morning if you do," she says. "Just sleep on your stomach."
"But then I can't hold you," I say.
"I can hold you," she says.
"I don't want to crush you," I tell her.
"You aren't that big," she says laughing. "You won't."
"But what about the baby?" I ask her.
"You won't hurt him," she says. "He's too small to hurt through me." I still don't lay down until she pulls arm and lays me down on top of her.
"You really had to get your point across," I say.
"You need to rest Peeta," she says. "I know it's been really hard for you. On the both of us but I know it was worse for you. You were beaten and whipped and I don't even want to know what else. I know you were worried about me, but you know that I had no where near what you had to go through."
"But Katniss," I start and she presses her fingers to my lips.
"Just let me comfort you for once," she says.
"But I'm supposed to be the one to comfort you," I say.
"Not all the time," she says as she pushes my bangs out of my face. I run my fingers down her body and stop when I feel the slight swell on her stomach.
"I feel like I've missed so much," I whisper as Katniss turns out the light.
"Not really," she says. "Its not like he's done anything."
"Why do you think it's a boy?" I ask her.
"It's our first baby," she says. "Thats always a boy. A son to take over the pack when the time comes."
"Not always," I say. "You were your dad's first child."
"But that only happens once in a blue moon," she says.
"Well I think it's gonna happen again," I say.
"You think we're having a little girl?" she says.
"Yeah," I say lifting my head and looking into her eyes. "I think we're having a daughter that will reflect her mother's beauty and bravery." I lay my ear on her stomach and smile as I hear our child's fast, steady heartbeat. "I can hear her." I whisper.
"Really?" she asks.
"Yeah," I say. "It's the most amazing thing I've ever heard."
"I wish I could hear it too," she says.
"Soon you'll actually be able to feel her moving inside you," I say. "Then this will seem like nothing."
"I can't believe I'm actually dreading that day," she says.
"Why?" I ask. I pull away and look into her stormy grey eyes. "Do you not want our baby?"
"I'm going to be a terrible mother," she says.
"And why would you say that?" I ask her.
"I'm not good with children," she says. "They kind of scare me. Something so innocent that depends on you to guide them through life. I feel like I'll make the wrong choice and ruin their lives."
"You are amazing with Hunter," I say.
"Hunter is three," she says. "Not a newborn."
"I promise that I'll be by your side the whole time," I say. "You aren't gonna be alone."
"But we've got so much looming over our heads," she says. "Snow could come after us at any moment."
"Lets just not worry about that right now," I say. "Finnick is bringing more men here and a couple other packs are going to help us. We're going to beat him."
"You're right," she says. "Just lay your head down and we'll figure it all out in the morning." I lay my head back down on her chest and hear the calming sound of her heart. A sound I've missed so much.
But I realize I can't close my eyes. I'm almost too scared that if I close my eyes, I'll open them and this will all be a dream and I'll be back in that stinking cell. No windows to let in fresh air like the one next to our bed with the curtains blowing in the summer breeze. I feel myself start to shake slightly and Katniss gently strokes my hair.
"What's wrong?" She asks.
"I'm afraid that if I fall asleep, this will all be a dream," I say. "Can you sing for me?"
"What do you want me to sing?" she asks.
"I don't know. Anything," I say and she nods before moving her hand back to my hair. She starts humming softly before she sings with her unique gentleness that I know will only increase with our child.
"You know a dream is like a river
Ever changin' as it flows
And a dreamer's just a vessel
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores...and
I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Too many times we stand aside
And let the waters slip away
'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow
Has now become today
So don't you sit upon the shoreline
And say you're satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids
And dare to dance the tide...yes
I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
There's bound to be rough waters
And I know I'll take some falls
But with the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all...yes
I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Yes, I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
'Til the river runs dry"
I feel her press a gentle kiss to my forehead before sleep starts to pull me under.
"I love you Katniss," I whisper and hear her response as I fade away.
"I love you too Peeta," she whispers. "I love you too."
YOU ARE READING
The Lone Wolf
FanfictionTo a pack, just me being alive is a crime. They call me Rouge, Traitor, and other hurtful names. But in my mind I'm none of those things. I'm a loner, sure, I'll admit that, but I didn't chose this life. Have you ever had your father and sister mur...
