A/N: Okay, so all of my stories have been updated at some point this week. I had a very productive April vacation.
When I opened my eyes again, I was laying in a hospital bed wearing one of those awful paper gowns. Peeta was at my bedside, watching my face.
"Are you alright Katniss?" Peeta took my hand and rubbed it gently with his thumb. "You scared me."
"I had to kill Snow." I choked out. My throat felt raw and scratchy .
"Water?" Peeta unscrewed the cap to his canteen and put it too my lips, I drank it quickly. A spasm of pain racked my body and I fought back a scream. "Katniss? Katniss, you need to breathe. In your nose, out your mouth." He demonstrated. I did as I was told.
"What's happening to me?"
"Honey…" Peeta laughed. "You're in labor. Your water broke in Snow's office." I didn't think it was very funny considering how much pain I was in.
"What happened to the others?" I asked, trying to keep my mind off of the pain.
"Well, Haymitch has Johanna and Finnick running the show for now. He figured you would deal with picking out the new president."
"I have to pick the new president!" Another contraction hit and this time I didn't hold back my screams. Peeta frowned and pushed the hair our of my face.
"Let me get the doctor." Peeta went to get up and I grabbed his hand.
"Don't you dare leave me!" I screamed at him, panic ringing in my voice. Peeta's expression changed, I couldn't read it.
"Kat, I'm right here." He kissed my forehead. "I'm not going anywhere if that's what you want." I took a deep breath, calming down a bit. It didn't last long though, it only took about another thirty seconds before another burst of pain ripped through me.
"Peeta!" I closed my eyes and squeezes his hand tight.
"Katniss, it's okay. Breathe." He hit the call light on my remote and a few minutes later a nurse appeared in the doorway.
"What's wrong Mr. Mellark?" She asked.
"Her contractions are getting closer together." He made his point when I screamed again. I fought back tears this time.
"Okay. Let's take a look." The nurse moved the blankets and looked to see how far along I was. "Let me go get the doctor." She said.
"Peeta! It hurts!" I whined. He ran his fingers through my hair and tried to comfort me.
"Just think about how much you're looking forward to holding Ashley and Colton after this. It's all going to be okay. You're strong. You can do this." He held my hand and breathed with me when contractions hit. I honestly don't think I could've done this without him.
"I apologize for the delay. How are we doing?" The doctor asked cheerfully when she walked into the room. I didn't answer her. I didn't want to talk, I didn't want to move, I didn't want to do anything. The pain was constant and I was at the point where I thought being stung by tracker jackers would've felt better.
"She's hanging in there." Peeta supplied.
"Get it out!" I screamed at Peeta. I was mad that it took the doctor over twenty minutes to get here.
"Let's take a look." The doctor moved to check on my progress. "Okay… Katniss I'm going to ask you to push on your next contraction."
"Peeta!" I blinked back terrified tears and he squeezed my hand as a contraction came.
"Push now Katniss!" The doctor yelled to me. I did what she told me, but kept Peeta's hand trapped in my own.
"I can't do it! I can't!"
"You're almost there honey." Peeta reassured me as I pushed harder. "You're doing great." Another push later and I heard crying. I took a deep breath and sighed in momentary relief.
"It's a boy." The nurse smiled and handed Peeta the scissors. "Do you want to cut the cord?" Peeta smiled and the nurse guided him through it.
"Colton." Peeta smiled and brought him over to me. "See Kat?" He moved so I could see Coal's face.
"He's beautif…" I was cut off by another sharp jolt of pain. 'Ashley.' I groaned. The doctor went through the entire process with me again, but this time when I heard the crying, the pain stopped. The nurse cut the cord and handed me my little girl.
"She's perfect." I sniffled, cradling the small girl in my arms. Peeta sat beside me holding Colton.
"You did amazing." Peeta smiled and kissed the top of my head. "I'm so proud of you." I smiled up at him. The doctor cleared her throat, getting our attention.
"I'm just going to take them to the nursery and get them cleaned up." I refused to let her touch them at first, but Peeta told me I had to let the doctor make sure that they were healthy. I reluctantly agreed. As soon as she left, the room was quiet.
"You should get some rest Katniss." Peeta told me. "You won't be getting a lot of it any time soon." I laughed and closed my eyes.
"I love you Peeta." I sighed before drifting off to sleep.