Departure

"Alright, I'll be gone for a week, be sure to take care, okay?" he kissed our daughter on the cheeks while she gave him a hug as a farewell, kissed our little son on the forehead who asked for a present when he returns, and finally, he kissed me on the lips, to which the kids did a tentative shut eye. I looked at him with my dark eyes, admiring the reflection of myself to his blue ones.

"Take care" he caressed my cheek before giving me a final kiss on my nose. The way he took care of me, even if it has been more than a decade, has always felt like it was the first time. He wasn't one to leave. I was the one who was mostly not home; well I do hunt a lot. For today, he was asked by Effie to head to the Capitol. It seems like she has a party of some sort and wanted Peeta's baking skills to get the job done.

"I will" I replied, though faint. I knew he heard since he lit up a smile. I smiled back.

"No bad dreams?" he asked. I shook my head, not assuring him with my voice. Who knows when I'll get the nightmares again? And since he was away for a week, I won't be able to depend on anyone but myself to overcome it. I felt the soft tug of a small toddler and an older little girl. A smiled crept up on my lips as I look at them.

He knelt down to both children and held their shoulders, a small smile on his lips. The two children looked at him with anticipation.

"Take care of your Mom, now, alright?"

"Yes, Daddy" both replied; although, the toddler was only able to mutter 'Dada' and nod.

A group hug was made quickly and then he stood to face me. With a sigh, he took his luggage and went out the door. As soon as he went out, I had already missed his presence. The presence which reminded me that everything was okay.

It was only a week, seven in count of days. I'm sure the days would pass by quickly, right?

The kids had stepped at the door, waving good bye and shouting for presents. He turns back, waving before he completely disappears from a corner.

As the kids watch till the bit last of his shadows disappear, I went near them and pat their heads. Both looked up with black and blue eyes.

"Looks like it will be the three of us" I smiled at them. For a quick minute, we gazed at each other, and then they trap me in a tight embrace.

"We'll take care of you while Daddy is away" my little angel said. She was an image from her father, resembling the same eyes. Many times I would tie her hair in two braids, and imagine her as my long gone sister. Although it pains me when I remember her, I still feel that relief that things would be better, and because it's the proof of her existence, their existence. These two blessings that I once vowed I'd never have.

The little girl knew of what happened, so she understands even a bit. The young boy was yet to be aware, but soon he'll understand and would end those curious stares he sometimes gives us whenever Peeta holds onto a chair and me scream at the night.

As the little hug quickly ended, I closed the door. The three of us headed to the living room.

Both sat on the couch while I placed more wood on the fireplace, to increase the heat emanating from it. It was rather a chilly morning.

I went to the couch and sat between the two. They laid their heads on my lap while I sang to them to drift them to sleep.

"Deep in the meadow, under the willow

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow

Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes

And when again they open, the sun will rise.

Here it's safe, here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you."

Made a mistake about her daughter's description! Very sorry… well, I already changed it. Again, I'm sorry!