A Flourishing Flame.
Have you ever felt like you're holding a little piece of sunshine in your arms? Have you ever held something so precious to you that all you can think about is the fact that things just might be okay and maybe, just maybe, you can finally start a new life, leaving your past behind? Being the person I am, I never thought I could feel such things. That was until the doctors handed her over to me and I held her protectively against my chest; my stormy grey eyes gazing down at her innocent, little face. It was then that I knew I could do this. I could finally restart; leave my past and focus on the future ahead of me, starting with the new flame I held before me.
A bead of sweat rest upon my brow and my hair stuck to my blood red cheeks, but all that mattered to me was the infant I craddled in my arms. I had never really held a baby before, so the fact that I knew how to at all came to me as a surprise. But here I laid, the most beautiful baby girl I had ever placed my eyes on taking her first few breathes in my arms; my partner stood beside me, tears swelling up in his deep, blue eyes.
"Hi there, baby girl." Peeta's voice sounded as though he were trying to hold back sobs of joy.
My eyes flickered up to catch a glimpse of his sharply defined jawline tightening before returning them to the fresh, new face. Without realizing it, a single tear had managed to trickle down my cheek. A firm hand rest upon my shoulder, causing me to look up, grey eyes meeting gentle blue ones. Peeta's lips twitch upwards into a small, nervous smile.
"Have any ideas for a name?"
Brows furrowed, I immediately scan my brain for names, any kind of names. I wasn't ever planning on having a child, so I never thought about what I would name a kid if I ever did have one. In a matter of second, though, a name came to me as if almost out of the blue.
"Genevieve Primrose Mellark."
Peeta falls silent for a moment before smiling widely, repeating softly "Genevieve Primrose Mellark. That's /perfect./"
A successful smile snakes onto my lips; I beam down at Genevieve, lifting a gentle finger to stroke her tiny cheek.
"Hi, Genevieve. Welcome to Panem. A bunch of us have been waiting for you to arrive; some more than others. I can't wait for you to meet Grandpa Haymitch and Grandma Effie. When you get older I'll take you to go meet Auntie Primrose. I know she would have loved you as much as I do."
Peeta squeezed my shoulder reassuringly, as if to remind me not to dwell on the past; that everything would be okay. I nodded as if to assure him that I would be okay before continuing:
"Once you get older, I'll take you out to the meadow to show you the cabin and teach you how to hunt. And—And I'm sure your father will teach you how to bake those delicious cheesebuns of his. Hopefully you won't get your mother's taste for them, or else you'll eat them all as soon as you bake em'."
I fell silent as a rush of happiness over took me. This was actually happening; Peeta and I actually did it. An unfamiliar smile found its place on my lips as I took Peeta's hand in mine, uttering five words. Five small words that would change not only my life, but the child in my arms life as well.
"I love you, Genevieve. Always."