She is so beautiful.
Her hair is dark, almost black. Her eyes are a bright, piercing blue. I hold her tight, not wanting to let go of this little miracle creature. She will be called Rue. I trace her features, holding the tiny fingers in my hands. She is so soft; the skin is like satin.
I hear footsteps trying (unsuccessfully) to enter quietly. I lift up little Rue into strong hands.
"Rue."
He nods, sighing. "She has your hair."
"Your eyes."
She's perfect.
He leans down for a moment, planting a gentle kiss on my cheek. I hope this moment never ends. I will protect Rue. Nothing bad will happen to her. She'll never have to deal with anything I did. She will never starve and never have to fight for her life. She will never have cause to hate someone with a passion, because no one will treat her badly. She will be loved. And, someday, she will learn where she comes from. But not until a lot later.
We sit there, admiring her, for perhaps a half an hour. Peeta strokes my hair. I stroke hers.
"She'll frost the turkey, I guess…"
I look up. "Gale?" I honestly thought I'd never see him again, what with his fancy job in 2, and his new wife, Madge. She and I talked every once and a while, but never for long. She was very busy as the Head of district 1.
"Hey, Catnip. She's cute… look at that nose! Like a little button!" He was entranced, just like everyone who had stopped by. "And jeez, those eyes are going to blind me."
Peeta laughed. They had a little staring competition (Peeta won), and I sat back, perfectly content. I thought back to Rue, the first one, adorned in flowers.
I'm where it's safe, and warm, where the daisies guard me from every harm.
She really would love this. I whistled the sweet four note tune she taught me, signaling the end of a work day and the beginning of a time of peace. I guess bad memories really could mingle with good ones.
And now I have a new memory to add to my little time capsule. I have cute little Rue Mellark.