Ivy Primrose Mellark really hated it when she couldn't sleep. She often had trouble going to bed. Her younger brother, however, could fall asleep almost at command. That made Ivy jealous, since he was younger than her. She was eight years old. She should be able to fall asleep easier by now.
She tip-toed downstairs, knowing that her mother and father were still in the living room. Not reading the newspaper, or watching the television together. Just sitting on the couch. She guessed that they were holding hands. They did that a lot.
As she walked into the dimly lit room, she heard snores. At first, she thought both her parents were asleep, but then her mother's head turned, and when she caught sight of Ivy, she smiled. Her warm, bright smile, that told you plainly that she was happy to see you.
People often remarked on how much Ivy looked like her mother, Katniss. The same coal black hair, olive features and even their personalities were very similar. One of the only things she had gotten from her father were his blue eyes, although hers had a faint touch of grey to it.
"Can't sleep?" Her mother said, and Ivy nodded. Her mother nodded in sympathy, and held out her arms, Ivy walked into them. Her mother lifted Ivy up, and settled her onto her lap.
Her dad grunted and opened his eyes. He looked a little startled. Her mother laughed, and brushed his hair back from his face.
"Ivy can't sleep," she said in a soft voice.
"I see," her father said, and then he reached out, and before the mother and daughter could do anything about it, he was tickling them both. Laughing and protesting, they pushed him away.
"Careful," Mother said, though she was smiling. " We wouldn't want to wake up your son, would we, Mr. Mellark?"
"I guess not, Mrs. Mellark." He quipped back, smiling.
Ivy snuggled back into her mother's lap.
"Can you sing me to sleep?" She asked in a soft voice. Her mother exchanged a glance with her father. Her expression, for a moment, was guarded and sad. Her father looked worried. But then her mother looked back at Ivy and smiled, and brushed her hair back.
"Of course I can, sweetie."
Ivy had always loved her mother's voice. It was high, clear and beautiful. It made you want to sing along. This time, she didn't disappoint.
"Deep in the meadow, under the willow, Here it's safe, and here it's warm,
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 the daises guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow bring them true,
Here is the place where I love you."
Ivy was getting more and more tired. Slowly, without fully realizing it, her eyes closed. But before she closed them, she noticed that both her mother and father were crying silently, tears falling down their faces.
"Deep in the meadow, hidden far away, Here it's safe, and here it's warm,
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray,
Forget all your woes, and let your troubles lay
And when it's morning, they'll wash away.
here the daises guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow bring them true,