**So, the baby is here! I'm gonna give you guys a chapter to meet Baby Mellark before we continue with the drama! Also, if there are any Mortal Instrument fans out there I have started a fanfiction which is a crossover between TMI and THG! s/9500776/1/The-Mortal-Games I'd be so grateful if you could check it out! So, enjoy the chapter and as always: Feedback is appreciated! :)**

Chapter 12 - The silver lining

Katniss Everdeen. Peeta Mellark. And their new baby. Katniss is still in the hospital and has just given birth to a baby boy.

Katniss gasps instantly when the small, pink baby is thrust into her arms. He was beautiful. That wasn't an understatement either. From the pale blue of his wide little eyes to his chubby cheeks. From the palms of his little hands to his toes. To the tuft of blonde hair that sits upon his head, to his small button nose. He was perfection. Absolute perfection.

Katniss felt tears sting the back of her eyes as she looks down at this small bundle of joy. She turns to look at Peeta who stands beside her, his arms wrapped around her, his chin against her shoulder. He looks just as shocked as she is except no-one can deny the light in his eyes as he looks over his first son. "Hey baby boy." He says in a soft voice, that makes Katniss' heart melt. Peeta carefully runs his thumb over the baby's cheek as he makes small noises in her arms.

She laughs and wipes away a tear she didn't realise had fallen. "Oh my god, Peeta. He's.." She trails off and Peeta smiles, kissing Katniss' cheek. "Perfect." He nods. Katniss grins and moves over so Peeta can sit by her on the bed. They sit together, cradling the baby between the two of them, their eyes never breaking from the baby at all.

Katniss manages to keep her eyes off the baby long enough to look at Peeta. His expression was like nothing she had ever seen before. Every part of his face was alight. His eyes glistening, the corners of his lips perked up. His whole expression was alight with love for their baby. Their baby boy. "Peeta.." She says her voice soft, yet laced with affection. He turns to look at her and their eyes lock. A look of what can only be described as pure elation and love is shared between them. She leans up and plants a soft kiss on his lips. He kisses her back, the kiss deepening.

Katniss always got tingles all over her body when she kissed Peeta. It was magical and she had never felt anything like it before. Just as Peeta's free hand goes up to cup her face they are interrupted by a cough.

Standing in the doorway, leant against it was Haymitch. "Hope I'm not interrupting." He grins. "But Uncle Haymitch has come to see the baby." He smiles and moves quickly into the room and over to the baby. Something strange happened to Haymitch in that moment. Katniss had never seen him like this before, either. His whole expression looked almost pained as he held a hand out, his thumb hesitating over the baby's face. Tears well up in the back of his eyes and he takes a shaky breath.

Katniss and Peeta share a look of concern and Peeta nods, smiling. He slides of the bed, handing the baby to Katniss after kissing his forehead. "I'm going to tell Annie if she's still here.." He nods and gives Katniss a reassuring smile before heading out. When Peeta is gone Haymitch sits on the end of the bed and swallows hard, shaking his head. "I'm sorry." He says, his tone apologetic. She shakes her head. "Want to hold him?" She offers, the small, pink boy wriggling around in her arms. He takes a breath, composing himself and nods. She gently passes the baby to him and he cradles him, sitting back against the bed and looking the little boy over with a sad smile. Katniss smiles the same "What's wrong?" She whispers.

He takes a breath and holds the little pink hand within his own, glancing to Katniss for a second. "It just brought back a memory. An unwanted to one, I'll admit. After my games, you know what happened. You know that they killed everyone I loved. Just because I didn't play by their rules." He starts, clearing his throat. "I had a girlfriend. She was lovely. Radiant. She had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes.." He trails off. "She was perfect. Too me, anyway. I would spend every spare minute I had with her. One day, after the quell had been announced, we went for a stroll through the town. We talked for ages about the future, what we wanted. We were so young, so convinced that we would both be safe from the games.." He takes a breath. "I proposed to her. She was my entire world and I wanted it to be that way forever. Before she said yes, she looked me nervously in the eyes and said 'Haymitch.. I'm pregnant'" He trails off, shaking his head and kissing the boys forehead.

Katniss looks at Haymitch, her brows furrowed. Tears gather in her eyes at his story and she places a hand on his arm. "Haymitch.." She whispers, lost for words. She had grown to care for this man so much. This man that had filled in the missing role of a father figure. He simply shakes his head. "I don't need sympathy. I don't. I just need to move on." He nods. "I just want to concentrate on the future." He whispers and cradles the baby closer to him. Katniss can simply nod, the words of Haymitch's story a faded secret between them both.

Peeta comes back in and smiles, walking over to them all. "Annie is at the house with Finely, they'll be by later. Having fun?" He grins and strokes his son's cheek. Haymitch nods "He looks like you, Peeta. Poor boy." They all laugh and Peeta shakes his head in amusement before glancing to Katniss. "What shall we call him?" He asks, a smile curling his lips. "I like the name.. Rye." He says and Katniss and Haymitch both laugh. Katniss thinks but nods, smiling. "How about.. Riley?" She suggest and Peeta nods. "Riley." he says and kisses the baby's small hand.

Suddenly, there is a knock at the door and a nurse pokes her head in. "Another visitor is here.." She says and Peeta smiles. "It's probably Annie and Finley.." He trails off and everyone turns to look at the door.

Katniss intakes a sharp breath.

"Mom?"