Chapter 2: Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird

Katniss bounced the baby as she whined just after being fed for the third time that evening. In a futile attempt, she held the baby close and looked down into her eyes. Softly she began to sing.

"Hush little baby, don't say a word,
Mommy's gonna buy you mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Daddy's gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring don't shine,
Primmy will sing you a lullaby.
And if that lullaby don't work,
Finnick will buy you a dragon of Burke.
And if that Dragon doesn't fly,
Annie will give you a big surprise.
And if that surprise won't do it for you,
Johanna will jump up and cut down the moon.
And if the moon's too big right now,
Gale will put it back somehow.
But in the end if you're still awake,
Daddy will just have to bake you a cake.
So hush little baby, don't you cry,
Mommy's gonna sing you a lullaby."

The floor creaked and she snapped her head up at the sound to see Peeta leaning on the door frame, his arms crossed across his chest and his ankles locked together, a lopsided grin turning up his face.

"I'm surprised you didn't run out of rhymes,
I dare you to try again sometime."

Katniss grinned.

"You're on. You'll see, I'm a clever one,
And this dare sure does sound fun."

Peeta walked up behind her as she laid their now sleeping daughter down in the crib and wrapped his arms around her, singing softly in her ear.

"You know I love you, my heart is yours,
And know that true love always endures.
You're stuck with me, like it or not,
I'm just lucky I'm the one that you got."

Katniss gently rubbed her thumbs over his knuckles as they looked at their daughter.

"I love you, too, believe it or not,
You're stuck with me, I'm the one that you've got.
But know my beating heart is true, and it will always beat for you."

Peeta chuckled softly and whispered in her ear, "Beat me again, Everdeen."

"Always."