So last we left off Katniss is sick and Peeta is in charge, and we just got started. I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Here is chapter three. Reality often likes to rear its ugly head when you don't need it. But Peeta can handle it can't he...

Ps...I don't own the games & thank you in advance for following along.

Closing the door on his wife, Peeta put his head on the back of their door. He couldn't recall the last time Katniss had gotten this ill. It had to be before they found out she was pregnant with their daughter. She had come down with the flu and it was awful on her until her mother had come to help him care for her. He wanted to make sure she rested and had nothing to worry about.

"Mommy sick?" Mel stood in front of him with her large blue concerned eyes.

Peeta sighed and kneeled down on his good knee, he gently wiped his daughters dark hair away from her small round face. He had brought the kids inside when the doctor arrived. Haymitch was at his place getting it ready for them. Peeta rubbed his face. It was going to be a long day as the enormity of what he had to accomplish fell on his shoulders.

"Yes baby mommy's sick?"

"Did the doctor give mommy a needle?"

Peeta recalled Mel's aversion to needles, something she associated with going to the doctors for checkups. She hated vaccinations. Fighting mutts was preferable to hearing his child scream at the top of her lungs over the pinch of getting a necessary vaccine.

"No, the doctor wants mommy to take medicine."

Mel's face scrunched up, "Yuck medicine."

"Well mommy needs the medicine and daddy has to go get it. You're going to stay with grandpa Haymitch." Peeta explained.

"I'll get Mr. Rabbit." Mel said skipping down the hallway.

Peeta sighed as he stood, thinking he had so many things to do. He went downstairs and picked up the phone and made calls as he ran around the house. Mel trailed after him with her rabbit in hand and her backpack on.

"Baby powder, baby wipes, A&D ointment, extra onesies, diapers," he muttered as he took the cloth diapers off the shelf and shoved them in the diaper bag. Peeta looked over to their son who lay in his crib gurgling away.

"Hey buddy, you ready to get out of here?"

"Were going to grandpa's house." Mel said from his side.

The baby kicked his chubby little legs.

"Well it looks like we're almost ready." Peeta picked up the baby, putting a warm sweater on him. "Mel go get your sweater on, I'll be right downstairs."

"Okay daddy." Mel left singing.

Peeta stopped for a moment to appreciate her voice. Mel was her mother's clone except with his blue eyes. He grinned as he looked to his boy, "Are you going to be my mini-me?"

The baby cooed up at him then laughed a full belly laugh as Peeta tickled him. "Let's go."

He ran downstairs with the baby perched on his hip, into the kitchen. He knew there was an extra bottle of milk in the fridge from yesterday that he did not use. As he shoved the bottle in the bag, his blue gaze scanned the area and saw the box of cereal on the counter.

"Breakfast for Mel."

In all of the excitement while he had given the baby a bottle, but he had forgotten to actually feed Mel. Peeta grabbed a small bowl and poured some into and locked the lid on top, thinking Haymitch had to have milk in his home.

"Daddy I'm ready, ready, ready!" Mel sang.

"Okay baby girl, lets go."

He ran outside toward Haymitch's home.

"Okay Haymitch I'll be back," Peeta handed the baby to Haymitch.

"Hey there fella." The baby smiled at Haymitch revealing his new acquisition. "Hmm you have a new tooth, didn't see that this morning, huh, remind me to keep my finger out of your mouth."

"I'm leaving the diaper bag inside," Peeta called. "There's a bottle for the baby should he get hungry." Peeta put the bag down on the coffee table. He came outside speaking. "All you have to do is heat it up, and test it on your skin to make sure it's not to hot."

"Okay boy I'm not an idiot. Just get out of here already."

Peeta leaned down and spoke to his daughter. "Mel you have to be on your best behavior with Grandpa Haymitch."

Mel looked at him with her big blue eyes. She bit her lip and said. "Okay daddy."

"Okay, she hasn't eaten breakfast yet, so do you think you can give her cereal, there is some inside her bowl inside of the diaper bag."

"Boy I've got this."

"Okay just, keep an eye out for Katniss, Haymitch she's asleep. The doctor gave her something and you know she doesn't do well when she's given medicine to help her sleep."

"Boy she'll be okay. I'll be here, and I'm within shouting distance. Now go, the sooner you leave the sooner you'll get back."

"Okay I'm going," Peeta stared at Haymitch for the first time. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I woke up with some indigestion."

"Okay listen if you want I can stay here and you can pick up..."

"Nah, I'll be okay just git, get going." Haymitch urged.

"Okay, I'll be back."

Peeta left he hurried his pace as he walked into toward town. He recalled how different it was now than when he grew up. A lot of it was the same, there was an unspoiled quality to the land. A wildness that beckoned those who moved here, yet the shanty homes of the Seam were replaced by little cottages that looked like they sprung out from a fairytale.

He doubled his pace as he walked into town.

The cobbled streets were a nice addition that Thom suggested. The brightly painted signs of the business greeted the new families when they came into town. He walked by the bakery and stopped in thinking he could bring home some fresh bread for his family.

"Hi how's Katniss?"

"I'm going to have to be out for three days, Doc wants Katniss to stay in bed."

"Good luck with that. The mister doesn't know what to do with him-self when I'm sick and we only have one, thank goodness for my mother in law."

Peeta laughed. "I think I can handle it."

Ronnie shook her head and said, "No offense boss, you're a great dad, one of the best. But you don't know what it's like to be a full time mother. It's like rewarding but it is all consuming."

Peeta was impatient. "Ronnie, I just need a loaf for home."

"Look if you need help call me okay."

"Yeah sure okay," He wondered what that meant. He was more than capable to handle his family.

"Okay boss, but just think about it," Ronnie said, she immediately turned around and picked out a freshly baked one and another grain rich one with raisins.

Peeta wanted to change the subject so he redirected it. "Is Rich doing okay?"

"Rich is a great baker taught by the best." Ronnie said handing him the loaves. "I know you said one, but I put the one the Mrs. likes as well."

"Thanks Ronnie." Peeta said leaving he headed to the grocery store Thankfully he did the smart thing he telephoned his order in to the grocers and to the Apothecary so that all he had to do was pick up the stuff and bring it home. He left with the reusable grocery bag toward the Apothecary. It was busy; he went to the back to the pharmacy counter.

He did not have to wait long.

"Mr. Mellark,"

Peeta smiled at the girl over the counter. Greasy Sae's granddaughter was the Pharmacist at the Apothecary. "How's your grandmother?"

"Feisty as ever, she doesn't want to slow down."

Greasy Sae was a tough old lady, a woman who survived the Reaping, the old Regime, Snow's Regime, the bombing on District Twelve, and the war. In those early years Greasy Sae helped keep Katniss and him self alive.

"I can imagine," Peeta said as he typed in his ID# for the money transfer. So much had changed

Peeta recalled his first impression when he returned from the Capitol. He had no idea of the destruction Snow inflicted. Their District was a desolate shadow composed of rocks, rubble and slain victims. Those who escaped moved back slowly. As the nation healed each district was given the choice to change their names. The majority were not known as a number or districts rather provinces with names, such as Providence.

Though not District Twelve it maintained its identity and those who moved here wanted to preserve the natural state of the land. District Twelve continued to be the smallest of all of the provinces of Panem. It was a great place to raise children and when he and Katniss decided they were well enough to have a baby, they decided to raise their family here.

They could have moved since she was allowed to move, but they both agreed they were safer here. The community knew of them but they were not celebrities and people like Greasy Sae made sure of it. The elderly great grandmother was now one of the oldest living seniors in Panem.

"I hope she feels better."

"News around here spreads quickly."

"Yeah well I got your prescription ready, but, Grandma always said D12 is composed of nothing but gossipers."

"But this is home."

She looked at him understanding. This was home.

"Okay these are the things the doctor prescribed, it's all pretty explanatory. Do you have any questions?"

"Nope," Peeta said. "The doctor wrote it all down."

"Is Mrs. Everdeen coming into town, to help with the little ones?"

"Yeah she'll be here in a few days."

"Are you going to care for the kids by yourself?"

"Yes," Peeta looked at his watch he wanted to get back and he was wasting time.

"Wow, okay then listen, I know a great baby sitter if you need help."

Peeta paused and frowned at her. He had survived a highjacking, a war and two arenas; he was more than capable of taking care of his five year old daughter and his infant son. "Thanks but I can do this."

"Okay just saying. You have two kids both under the age of six and Mel can be a handful."

"It's okay," Peeta said feeling a little frustrated wondering why everyone doubted his ability to care for his children. He was a great dad. He watched them every Sunday when Katniss went out to hunt. When she got back they both took turns with the kids.

"Alright then, offer still stands until your mother in law comes into town. It's okay to admit you need help."

"Okay so how much will that be."

"Oh yes sorry, here, sign here."

She flipped the screen so that he could sign. Once finished he quickly picked up the packages and shoved them inside his grocery bag, then left.

Peeta quickly walked back to Victors Village. The fall weather was holding up, it was still warm outside even though the trees were changing colors. This was his favorite time of the year, where as Katniss loved he spring.

The meadow was beautiful at this time of the year. A small plaque graced its entrance in memorial of all of the people that were lost as result of Snow's attack. Mel loved this place, and this was the place where they decided to have another child.

His children, their children were their priorities now days.

Peeta was worried about Katniss, she hardly got sick, and most likely had she taken the time to herself she would not have gotten this ill. Listening to her list all of the things the kids liked and didn't like, their routine made him realize how much he missed. How much he wanted to be home for his family. What good was it to have a family if he couldn't enjoy them?

He wanted to be a parent and not an assistant or one of those dad's who only saw his family on the weekends. It bothered him none of the women thought he could take care of his children. How hard could it be, Peeta wondered as he rushed. He knew Katniss did not have it easy and yet he couldn't imagine what they meant by offering him help. Peeta felt as if their caution was not warranted and his focus was to get home to his wife and kids.

Hurrying his steps he saw the singed sign of the Victors village. His preoccupation was getting back home, although he didn't say anything to Katniss, he was worried about Haymitch and the kids. His ex mentor was good with the kids but he was getting older.

Haymitch was a alright to stay with Mel, but he wasn't used to babies. It was as he neared the village that he heard the distinct whimpering of his son. His doubled his pace. As he came to his Mentor's home he found him standing outside looking rumpled and distressed.

Peeta put the bags down. "Hey, hey, what's wrong pal?"

"Take the kid" He held the baby out to Peeta as if he was holding radio active material. Mel was looking at them both silently. His son was clearly in distress. "He has a stink bomb."

Mel laughed, "He has a stink bomb!"

Peeta should have been mad, but he didn't have time to reprimand Haymitch. He took his son gingerly. "You mean you haven't changed him?"

"I don't do diapers."

Haymitch thrust the diaper bag at him.

"Haymitch seriously," Peeta murmured as he gently put his son's head on the crook of his neck. His baby immediately squished his little nose to his skin his little fist in his mouth. Peeta rubbed his back soothingly.

"Sorry boy, but what ever is in that," He pointed to the diaper and made a face.

"It's just a dirty diaper." He said taking the diaper bag.

"I'm not doing that, I aint changing no cloth thingy."

"Can you at least help me with the groceries?"

"Haul stuff, yeah I can do that."

Peeta walked toward the house but he could hear Haymitch complaining behind him.

"I've lived to long and seen enough and that's one attraction I'd rather skip."

"You funny grandpa." Mel chirped happily as she held her rabbit.

Peeta opened the door to the house and immediately took out the travel changing mat. He laid it on the sofa and began to reprieve his son of the dirty diaper.

"Ewe it stinks," Mel said scrunching up her little nose.

Peeta agreed but he did not say anything. The green mess was not appealing at all he wondered why it was this color when Katniss claimed he didn't eat anything green.

"Good grief boy what do you feed that young sprout of yours." Haymitch grumbled from the kitchen loudly, "Why does it smell so badly?"

Peeta rolled his eyes.

"Daddy my tummy is funny."

"In a minute cookie," Peeta said quickly removing the cloth diaper. How his wife did this day after day he did not know.

"Boy I'm not doing to great as well." Haymitch said.

Peeta noted both Haymitch and Mel were standing feet away from his peripheral vision.

"My tummies not happy," Mel's little voice urged.

"Let daddy finish." Peeta did not get a chance to speak when suddenly Mel threw up every where.

"Oh Hell BOY!" Haymitch said just before he also lost it.

Peeta swallowed looked at his family and then looked upstairs. He wanted to scream for help.