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I wake to find Peeta's side of the bed cold, and dim sunlight streaming through the window. I slowly get out of bed and walk to the nursery. The light is on, but the room is empty. I walk downstairs to the kitchen and Peeta is holding Willow in one arm and flipping some eggs with the other. I walk up behind Peeta, "Why didn't you wake me up?" I ask and he jumps a little. I guess he didn't hear me come downstairs.
"Willow was crying, and I know how tired you are from the night feedings. So I changed her and feed her with some of that new formula you mother left in the pantry." He says turning around with the smiling baby in his arms.
I gently take Willow from him and she snuggles up to my chest, "Okay, but you can wake me up." I give him a scowl and sit down at the table with Willow. Peeta continues to cook, and I just admire Willow. I trace her tiny belly in the pink onesie. I take her chubby hand in mine and allow her to latch her hand around my index finger. Once she has a good grip on my finger she smiles and makes some gurgling noise.
Peeta brings me a plate of eggs and bacon, and Willow lets go of my finger turning her attention to the plate on the table. I still can't get over how curious she is about everything. Her deep blue eyes analyzing and taking everything in that is happening around her.
We eat breakfast and make some small talk about town, and things that are going on at the bakery. One of Peeta's workers has moved away to district five so now it is only a guy named Henry from district three, Henry's younger brother Robert, and Peeta working the bakery. I have never really got to know any of his workers, but they seem like good people.
As we are finishing up eating there is a knock at the door. I get up still holding Willow to answer the door. I open the door and it's my mother. I haven't really talked to her all week, and I always forget to call her. So I'm not surprised to see her here so early in the morning.
"Hey, mom come in we just were having breakfast." I say opening the door a little wider and stepping to the side. She comes in and takes off her heavy coat.
"Now let me see my little Willow," she says and I give her Willow and head to the kitchen.
"Do you want something to eat? There are still some eggs left," I offer and she just shakes her head no while smiling down at Willow. I can't help but notice that Willow makes almost everyone smile.
"I just was stopping by to see her," she says and takes a seat next to me at the table.
"Well, Katniss took Willow out into the woods yesterday," Peeta says glancing at me and I scowl at him. My mom will not like that I took her out there in the cold.
My mother raises an eyebrow at me, but doesn't seem mad. "How did she like it," she asks.
"She loved it actually and I was thinking that I would take her out there more often," I answer. I hope she doesn't ask what exactly I will be doing with her in the woods, because I know she would not approve of me hunting with an infant strapped to my chest.
"That's great Katniss. I bet you like being able to go out of the house for a little," she says.
"Yeah, it's nice to get some fresh air," I pause, "and I was thinking of going out this morning with her. So you could change her into some warmer clothes if you would like," I suggest.
"I would love to, Katniss," she replies and I get up from the table. I give Peeta a quick kiss on the check and head to the nursery with my mother following close behind.
I get out the warm clothing for Willow, and while me mother is getting her ready I change into my hunting gear and quickly braid my hair. I walk back to the nursery and find my mother sitting with Willow in the rocking chair. I grab the wrap that holds Willow.
"I used a wrap just like that when Prim was a baby," she says with a sad smile. "I would put her in that when I would cook over the fire. She would fuss if I wasn't holding her so I would put her in that."
"Willow likes it too." I say back and my mother stands up and gives me Willow.
"Well I have to get to work. I will see you soon alright." She gives Willow a kiss on the temple and goes down stairs. I hear her say good bye to Peeta and then the front door shuts. I gather up a small bag with a blanket, change of clothes, and a diaper incase Willow needs anything while we are in the woods. I sling the bag over my other shoulder and head down stairs to the hall closet. I find my game bag and put the smaller baby bag inside of that and sling it over my shoulder. Then I set my quiver full off arrows and my bow next to the door and head back into the kitchen.
"We are going to head out, but could you hold her for just a minute while I get on my coat and stuff," I ask Peeta and he gratefully takes Willow while I get my stuff together. I have to put on my hunting jacket first, and then my quiver on because I need the strap for my quiver to be underneath Willow. The only problem is that Willow won't be in my jacket anymore, but as long as I wrap her in another blanket she shouldn't get cold. I have on my coat, the quiver, the wrap, and my game bag that contains the necessaries for Willow, and retrieve Willow from Peeta. He helps me wrap her in another blanket and put her in the pouch. Once she gets in she snuggles down against me.
"Now come back in one piece you two," Peeta fake scolds me.
"We will be fine Peeta. Just go to work and maybe on the way back we will stop by the bakery," I say and Peeta's eyes light up.
"That sounds like a great plan. I love you Katniss, and please be careful."
"I will be very careful, and I love you too Peeta," I say and give him a quick kiss on the lips and then he gives Willow a kiss on the cheek.
I head to the front door picking up my bow on the way and yell good bye as I walk out the front door.
The sun is bright in the sky and the frost on the ground is slowly melting away. As I walk through town people see me and give me warm smiles. Some of the people that I have traded with at the hob with since I was twelve see Willow and my bow and just smile, and shake their heads. I walk though the gate and see that the woods are busy with animal life. I look down at Willow and see that she has actually dozed off and is sleeping contently. I load my bow and start my hunt. I can't climb trees with Willow so I just slowly make my way through the woods looking for my first kill.
I squirrel scampers down from a tree and I knock back my arrow and let it fly only to miss my target by six inches. The squirrel runs back up the tree and I retrieve my arrow sticking in the ground. I guess I need some target practice after not hunting for four months or so.
I find a thinner tree and start to shoot. Once I feel somewhat satisfied with my aim. I continue to hunt. I see another squirrel perched on a low branch. I pull back my bow string, and like the arrow fly. The arrow piercing the squirrel right in the eye, and the animal falls from the tree. I collect my kill, and clean off my arrow. The sun is getting high in the sky, and Willow has woken up. I better get going before she starts to cry. I throw the dead squirrel in a plastic wrap, and put it in the game bag.
Willow starts to squirm in the wrap and I can see that she is about to cry. I quickly find the old hollow log that I use to store my bow in. I can't carry Willow and my bow so I will have to leave it here for now.
I take Willow out of the wrap. "Shh baby girl don't cry," I coo. I know she must need a diaper change and I can't do that here. I deposit my quiver in the log too and start the short walk to town. Willow isn't crying just whimpering. I make it to the bakery and see that Peeta has a long line of customers. I can't take Willow in that way she will surely start to cry. I walk around to the back and knock on the screen door. Soon Henry opens the door.
"Hello Mrs. Mellark and I guess that would be baby Willow," he says letting me inside. The bakery smells of cinnamon and freshly baked bread. The ovens make the kitchen very hot though.
"Hello Henry, and yes this Willow. However, Willow needs a diaper change so I'll be in Peeta's office. When he is down at the counter could you tell him we're here?" I say.
"Okay," Henry says and heads back up to the front.
Peeta's office has a small couch so that will have to do for a changing table. I lay out Willow's blanket on the rough leather and lay her down on her back. I get out some wipes and a diaper. Once I have her all cleaned up and dressed she still isn't happy. I guess she is hungry too. I pick her up off the couch and sit down, and start to unbutton my shirt. Once she is feeding I throw her blanket on me so that it's covering my bare chest. Just incase Robert or Henry come in here I would like to be covered.
Willow feeds for about three minutes and still isn't done. I hear a light knock on the door, "come in," I say and in walks Peeta smiling brightly.
"So how was my girls' first hunt together," he asks sitting down next to me.
"Besides only getting one squirrel I would say it was great," I reply and Willow stops feeding. I button up my shirt and pull off the blanket to reveal a smiling baby. Peeta takes her from me right away and burps her. She spits up a little and some of it gets on his pant leg. I laugh at how he doesn't even care he was just thrown up on. I offer him a wipe and he cleans up Willow and then himself.
"Well looks like someone needs a wardrobe change," he jokes at Willow who is lying on her back in his lap. She smiles at him and makes that strange gurgling noise.
"Yeah looks like it," I say, "but do you think I could get some cheese buns for the road," I ask and he scoops up Willow.
"Of course anything for you Katniss." He stands up and walks out of the office. I pack up the baby bag and put the wrap away in the game bag too.
I walk out to the front where I see Peeta and the two brothers fawning over Willow. Peeta probably talks about her none stop so they must be happy to finally meet her for themselves.
"Wow Peeta she sure is cute," Robert says giving Peeta a pat on the back.
"Yeah boss she will have the boys going crazy when she is older," Henry says this and Peeta glares at him.
"No boy will ever even look at her until she is at least thirty," Peeta retorts and I just laugh and shake my head at how protective he is over her.
"Peeta, those cheese buns I asked for?" I ask to change the subject.
"Oh yeah, Henry could you bag up five cheese buns," he says and gives Willow back to me.
"Here you go Peeta," Henry says handing him white bag filled with the bread.
"Thanks Henry."
"Just put that in the game bag," I say pointing over my shoulder. He stuffs them in the bag and I readjust the strap on my shoulder. "Okay, well we better get going. I'm getting a little hungry."
"Okay," he sighs and gives me a quick kiss on the lips and covers Willow's face in kisses. "I'll see you two later then."
I walk towards the front door," Don't come home to late," I say and Peeta smiles at me.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he laughs, "Bye Kat."
"Bye Peeta," I say walking out the front door. The sun is warm on my face, but the wind has picked up. I pull down Willow's wool hat and wrap the blanket so that it's shielding her face from the wind, and head towards Victor's Village.
I will post the next chapter within the next two days! Please Review!