Chapter 3: Deep in the Meadow
Eric was now only a few weeks old. His parents, Peeta and Katniss, were adjusting to getting up at all hours of the night to tend to him. So it was one summer's night. Eric would not stop crying. Peeta was rocking him in the rocking chair in the corner of the baby's nursery. It wasn't going well. Haymitch now tried to help.
"Oh, come on now, Eric, don't cry. It's just me. See? I'm just…I'm just your silly Grandpa Haymitch!", making faces as he said this. Next second, the former Hunger Games victor jumped back, actually startled, as Eric's wails picked up in volume. "Oh, jeez!"
"Nice try, Haymitch," Peeta said sincerely. He turned to his wife. "Katniss, honey, I think he wants you. That's all I can think of." Katniss looked both fearful of making things worse and doubtful that she could help.
"I can't."
"Yes, you can," Peeta encouraged, holding out the bundle that housed their son. "You must have done stuff like this for…for Prim when she was little." Upon pointing this out, Katniss gingerly took the sleeping infant into her arms. Rocking Eric gently, she began to sing the first song that came into her head:
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 you awake, the sun will rise.
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.
Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray.
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.
By the end, Eric was sound asleep. Peeta and Haymitch were staring at Katniss, almost stunned.
"OK, that's it," said Haymitch. "You're putting him back to bed from now on!"
"Haymitch!"
Peeta could only smile at his wife and second father's banter.