A/N: Just a little update! Sorry it took so long. Combined with my writer's block sometimes and going through my Beta it's a little longer but I prefer it this way because then it's in the best possible version when it comes to you! Hope you enjoy.

NOTE: People also may be getting confused on the time frame of Eve. I write in each chapter which month/season it is and how old she is, so hopefully you catch that. I will skip a few months after this one as I have to keep the story rolling!

Thank you for so many wonderful reviews. As I'm typing this now I have 260! I appreciate them all.

I rolled over lazily in bed to find Peeta propping Eve up onto her stomach between his legs. She squealed a little with delight as she managed to keep herself up with her arms. Peeta stroked her head and smiled. This had happened a few mornings recently, and it made my heart swell with happiness each time.

"Peeta, again, you really should wake me. You've done so many morning feeds." I gently chided, but knew the real reason he'd been trying so hard over the last month.

Guilt.

"Honey, the more sleep you have, the better. You were exhausted all last month, I could see it." He replied, leaning over slightly to meet me for a brief morning kiss. I bent down to press my lips on Eve's forehead.

It was true; I had been exhausted the last month. It had taken a while for Peeta to regain his trust in himself after his flashback. Thankfully he hadn't had another since, even though it occurred only a month ago, and therefore, he gradually was able to be alone with her again. I had complete faith in him. Although it scared me, I knew he would never do anything to hurt her. If he felt one coming on, he knew where Haymitch was if I was out of the house.

After a few minutes of Eve lying on her tummy, she started to sniffle and get agitated. Peeta picked her up and held her with arms extended over his face.

"Who's a clever girl learning to keep herself up?" He mused affectionately and Eve cooed back at him in agreement. It was like the sound of her first laugh again. We both froze rigid.

"She did it!" I exclaimed with an outburst. The doctor had told us that between the first two to three months she would start making noises of attempted communication, but in month two she hadn't, and despite it being normal, I'd started to worry.

At our faces, she let out a small giggle.

"Of course she did! Before you know it, she'll be saying Mama." Peeta said jokingly, but I could tell his own heart was now swelling with pride, and, if possible, his ribcage would most likely break. I nudged him, and held out my arms to take her.

"Don't be stupid, her first word will be Dada, I promise you." I responded, cradling her against my chest and kissing her again. It was getting harder and harder for her to be out of my sight and away from my physical touch lately. My love for her grew each day and the fear grew simultaneously alongside it.

"Pancakes?" Peeta asked and I replied with an enthusiastic nod. He hopped out of bed and made his way out of the room after stealing another glance at our daughter with a beam on his face.

"Well done Eve." I murmured, before moving her to face me on my lap. She reached out an arm and grabbed onto my pajama top sleeve, scrunching it in her fingers.

"Can you say Dada?" I whispered softly. "Dada." I repeated clearly for her to hear, but she just stared back at me amused, making a quiet hum in the back of her throat.

"I heard that." Peeta said from around the corner, and I realized he hadn't gone downstairs. He poked his head around the door and gave me a wink. I glared at him.

"No cheating. We'll see what her first word will really be." He teased and this time, made his way downstairs. I stroked her tiny blonde hair.

"Well, you and I both know what it's going to be anyway." I said lightly and placed her on my hip before walking into her nursery to get her changed for the day.

By the time we'd made our way downstairs and into the kitchen, there were two plates full of pancakes set out on the table, complete with a freshly picked flower in a small vase, and a glass of milk for each of us. I sat Eve in her small seat and put her on the floor in between both of us so she had a clear view of our faces. She wasn't old enough yet to sit her in the highchair that Thom had crafted out of wood a few weeks ago. It was beautiful, and I couldn't believe how intricate the woodwork was. It not only had stars just like the ones in her room, they also had her name carved within them. I had nearly cried when he brought it to us.

I sniffed the syrup that lay on top of the pancakes and drizzled down the small stack. I'd never had these delicacies as a child or teenager, so nowadays I savored every bit of food that Peeta concocted. I knew how lucky we all were to be eating properly, and this was one fact about the present world that did not paralyze me with fear when thinking of my child.

After we'd finished eating, Peeta couldn't resist the urge to pick up Eve again and sit her on his lap, with her head pressing against his chest. I was going to tell him off for it, when I realized that it would be hypocritical. We still to this day, had to be touching each other most of the time, never letting go, and the same concept was magnified by a thousand for Eve. Old habits had left permanent routines imprinted in both of us.

"So what do you want to do today, seeing as I have it off?" Peeta asked, and I felt my throat constricting already. I knew what I wanted to do – needed to do – but I couldn't bring myself to say it. Would I still be able to do it? Or was that another part of me, that now as a mother, I'd have to leave behind? It meant being away from Eve for a few hours...something I wasn't good at. But, after all, it was a part of me, and I couldn't ignore it.

"Actually...I was thinking I may go into the woods today." I said timidly, and Peeta stopped bouncing a content Eve on his leg briefly, before continuing. He looked up slowly.

"That's great Katniss. I think you should do it." He said genuinely, and there was a true happiness in his eyes. I frowned.

"You do?" I asked, still unsure of myself. When I'd gone into the woods before, it was an escape from a life that I detested. But now, I had everything I could ever imagine in the world; I needed to escape from nothing.

But the sound of the wind rustling the leaves, and the faint smell of musky dirt had already persuaded my imagination, and pulled me in. I had to go into the woods.

Peeta nodded. "I'm surprised you haven't gone earlier, to be honest." He responded, and rubbed small circles on Eve's back while she picked up a stray spoon on the table and started waving it around near Peeta's mouth. He laughed and pulled it away from his face.

"I thought about it." I confessed, chewing on the bottom of my lip, his eyebrows tightened, as he seemed to worry briefly about my lack of communication, but eventually relaxed. I didn't have to tell Peeta everything, and to this day, I still don't, though I try hard to.

"Would you rather I stayed here?" I asked, still chewing my lip inconspicuously, though his eyes drifted down to the small action so I stopped. Half of me hoped he'd say yes, but I knew he was too selfless to even ask that of me, even if he wanted me to stay.

"Of course not, if you want to go hunting honey, go." Peeta encouraged, and reached out a hand across the table to stroke mine.

...

I pulled on my Father's old hunting jacket, the only thing left of his that I now owned. Whenever it touched my shoulders, the smell of worn leather hit me with a heavy wave of nostalgia. It still fit perfectly, after all this time. I pulled on my khaki trousers and sighed when they didn't close up comfortably. This was half of the reason I needed to be back out there, and doing things again.

When I hurried down the stairs and pulled my boots out of the closet, I realized how excited I really was. The adrenaline rushed around me in a good way, giving me an energy burst and making me feel like a child again. I quickly laced up, and by the time I'd done that, Peeta was in the hallway with Eve still by his side. I kissed them both, squeezing Peeta's fingers for a moment to reassure him that I would be okay. I could tell he was holding back any worries he had, not that he needed to have any, the woods were a much safer place than before.

With a swift motion, I picked up my bow and quiver, which I'd brought down from the cupboard upstairs, and slung it over my back.

"I'll be back by lunchtime." I promised. I wouldn't stay out long, I just needed to get a feel for it again, and ease myself back in. Peeta nodded.

"Stay safe." He murmured lovingly.

"Always do." I smiled back, and pushed down the cool metal of the door handle and walked into the April air.

As I walked confidently through town, I acquired a few looks of curiosity. I felt like the old me, with the braid in my slightly longer hair, and the excitement that flowed through my veins. Except that now, when I went into the woods, it would be different. I had a family now, a proper one.

As I jumped over the fence, through the meadow, and into the thicket of trees beginning to burst into a small green again after the winter months, I became aware of how unfit I'd become since I'd gotten pregnant and had a child. My chest heaved up and down a little more than it use to, and my breathing was slightly labored. I pushed past it, determined to become healthier again.

I walked for a while, I wasn't sure how long, but I still recognized my surroundings, despite a lot of things changing in the short space of time I had been absent. Some trees had gotten a little taller; some paths I'd used to take had become more overgrown. I suddenly got a sense of belonging, and realized this was as much my home as the one I had with Peeta and our daughter.

I came across the small brook that I used to drink from, and immediately filled up the canteen that was hooked on my belt, adding a few drops of iodine in as a safe measure. I couldn't afford to be reckless anymore.

After a minute of sitting down on a rock and enjoying the peaceful choir that nature had to offer, I continued on my way, listening intently for any sign of a deer, or a bird that I could shoot. I wasn't sure if I'd come here to actually get some game, or just wander, but now that I was here I realized I couldn't not do it. It was part of my routine, like everything else.

A few moments passed by before a squirrel caught my eye as it rippled up a nearby trunk. I silently and expertly pulled an arrow from my quiver, keeping my eyes focused on the moving object, and loaded my bow with practiced ease. In a swift motion, I pulled back on the string; sure that it would hit my target.

But it stuck in the bark right underneath it.

"Dammit." I muttered to myself, angry that I couldn't get it right first time. Maybe I had waited too long to come back here. If my father were here, that wouldn't be what he would say though. In fact, I knew the exact words he'd tell me.

"Katniss, don't get so impatient with yourself. There's no shame in failing, only shame in not trying."

These words rung in the air around me, as if I'd actually just heard him say them, and a pain went through my heart. My father. If only he could see me now, and where I'd come. He probably thought the day would never come when I had my own children. Or, maybe he did. He would never have suspected Peeta to be the father though, or my husband. I wondered whether he would approve if were here.

Of course he would, whatever made me happy was all he cared about, and Peeta certainly did that. A bittersweet smile taunted my lips as I realized he'd never get to see his granddaughter and how beautiful she was, and how her eyes were the exact copy of his...

I stood up determinedly, scanning my surroundings for another opportunity to redeem myself. My eyes fell on a bird that was perched on a branch. It wasn't really big enough to sell, let alone feed a family, but it was good enough for me. I picked up a rock from the dirt by my feet, preparing a new arrow before hurling the stone at the tree where the bird perched on. I let my arms act upon their own accord, and the arrow was sent straight between the bird's eyes, knocking it dead to the floor. I breathed out in relief. I could do this again.

...

After spending about an hour catching two squirrels and another three birds, I put them in my game bag and decided it was time to head home. Judging by the sun, it was at its highest point and most likely midday, and Peeta would be wondering if I was all right. I took a gulp of my water and made my way back through the woods, emerging into the vivid meadow again. I realized I'd come out a slightly different way than I'd gone in, but I was near enough so it didn't matter. I traipsed along, feeling warm in my jacket when the glimpse of yellow caught my attention. The exact same shade as before, and even brighter if possible, there stood a patch of them. I counted roughly in my head as I made my way over to them. Twenty-four. There are twenty four of them now. Last year there had been one, struggling to survive as it burst out from the ashes of the dead, and now before me was a thriving bunch of Evening Primroses. I smiled weakly, and hesitantly crouched down, entwining my fingers around the stem of the one closest to me and pulling it softly out of the ground. I felt remorse for plucking such a beautiful life away from its source, but at the same time, I somehow knew that this time next year there would be more. There had to be.

They made it.

I gripped it in my hand and made my way into the town, encountering Sam, who had taken over Sae's soup stall in the market. I gave him both the squirrels for a tub of tomatoes and a couple of garlic cloves, and he seemed silently impressed that I was back at it again. I'd never really spoken to him much in the past, but he was Sae's friend, so I knew he couldn't be bad. He thanked me for the meat, and with my supplies I headed home, still holding the flower.

When I reached my door, I saw Haymitch inside the front window drinking a mug of something on the sofa opposite Peeta. He had been coming round more and more lately, especially since the incident last month. I think he was secretly checking up on us, not to mention seeing Eve at the same time. I pushed it open, flinging my game bag on the floor, shrugging out of my jacket and kicking off my boots. I went into the lounge to see Eve leaning against Peeta, with his arm around her tiny body. I nodded towards Haymitch, and him back to me, before rushing over to my daughter, acknowledging how much I'd missed her. I picked her up in my arms and smothered her in kisses.

"Hello sweetie." I said quietly. It still felt strange to be a mother in front of Haymitch. I suppose it was because I'd spent so long of the time I'd know him emotionally-closed up, and I'm pretty sure he never thought the day I was cooing over a child would come. His next sentence proved it.

"Katniss, I think Eve is the only living thing you've ever been consistently nice to." He mused, smiling wickedly. I narrowed my eyes at him, but he knew I wasn't serious, nor did I believe he was. It was also unusual; he recently began calling Eve her by her name much more often and not just addressing her as 'kid' or 'the baby'.

"Did you have fun honey?" Peeta asked as I went to sit down on the armchair, but he beckoned me over to sit right next to him. I did so, and just like he did with Eve earlier, he put his arm around the both of us, kissing my cheek. I nodded, not wanting to make a big spectacle of it, especially with Haymitch around.

"There are two birds in my bag, and some tomatoes and garlic from Sam." I added. Peeta looked pleased.

"That's great, I can make a good dish with those tonight." He said happily.

I gestured towards Haymitch's mug.

"What's in the cup Haymitch?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. He held up his hand, and gave a slight scowl.

"Coffee. I swear it." He grumbled, and Peeta nodded to indicate he was telling the truth. I couldn't believe it. I gave him a small smile.

"Okay."

...

As I climbed into bed that night and nestled into Peeta's side, I hummed contently.

"What?" He asked, bemused, but happy. I placed my hand on his chest directly over his heart, feeling the beating radiate through my fingers.

"Nothing really. I was just thinking how different our lives would be if you had never convinced me that having children was a good thing." I said honestly. I always felt more able to open up when I was lying in the dark by Peeta. I couldn't see his expression, nor him mine, and I felt relaxed with sleepiness. He kissed my hair, and stroked the top of my arm.

"I used to feel like I was pushing you too much. Like one day, I'd go too far and lose you because of it. I wouldn't have had a baby with you if that's what you wanted, but the day you agreed was the happiest of my life. I'd always love you no matter what your had decided though." He whispered in the blanket of darkness that hung over us both. I kissed his neck, feeling the heat of his skin directly on my mouth.

"I'm glad you never stopped pushing me Peeta. Besides, I told you, that every year on my Birthday you could ask me, that was the deal. I felt like a terrible person for making you wait, not letting you have a definite answer. One day, I just...felt it. I know it took what must have felt like forever for you, but, in that moment, I was as close to being as less scared as I possibly could be." I revealed, feeling my voice tremble as I remembered how terrified I'd been the moment I'd said yes. Peeta tried not to look too elated, but I could picture his face like it was yesterday. If it was his choice, we'd have started trying to conceive right there and then, but he gave me space and time to get used to the idea before we did. Thankfully, it had happened relatively quickly too.

He squeezed my shoulder and I hooked a leg over his, wanting to be closer to him in that moment. He tilted his head down, and mine up, as I met him with a passionate kiss.

"I felt like I coerced you into it, that you were doing it just for me, but I see now that you would never do something of this magnitude if you didn't wanted to. And I see how amazing you are with her, and how much she adores you and I realize, now, that you were going to be a mother all along." He murmured as I stroked his chest.

"Love you." I whispered so softly that I could feel the vibrations as the words left my lips.

"I love you back." He repeated my reply.

My eyes fluttered close, and under Peeta's touch, I fell into another day.