Katniss
The pain is overwhelmingly excruciating. I fight not to completely give in to it. I have to be strong, especially right now.
My knuckles are white from gripping Peeta's hand so hard. If it hurts, he hasn't shown it one bit. I don't know what I'd do without him.
What worries me the most, however, is Dr. Stone, my mom, and Prim talking right outside the door. I can see them through the window. They stepped out a moment ago after Dr. Stone abruptly stopped and asked to talk to them.
"Peeta," my voice sounds puny, pathetic.
"I'm right here."
He doesn't have to ask what's bothering me, because I see the same look on his face. I know what he'd say to comfort me - he'd tell me to wait and hear what they have to say.
After what seems like an eternity, but is probably only about thirty seconds, they come back into the room.
"What is it?" I demand. "Just tell us."
My mom comes to the side of the bed opposite where Peeta is and takes my other hand gently. I can see the emotion on her face.
"We need to turn her around Katniss," she explains. "If we're unable to do it, we might have to perform a c-section."
"Is she okay?" I beg. "Mom, please tell me my baby is okay!"
"She's going to be just fine, I promise. We just have to make sure we don't cause any complications."
"Okay," I whimper. I feel Peeta's lips gently graze my cheek. No words are spoken between us. We say what we need to with our eyes when we look at each other.
They get to work while I hope and pray with every fiber of my being that I'll deliver my daughter alive and healthy.
The next few minutes are an eternity. I block out everything and everyone except for Peeta, not wanting to hear or see what's happening.
Finally, I look up to Prim after tearing my gaze away from my husband's.
The smile on her face answers my question immediately.
Peeta
If I'm this freaked out, I can't imagine what Katniss is going through.
This is way harder than I ever thought it could be. On one hand, I can't wait to meet our daughter. On the other, I'm still worried about both of my girls. I feel so helpless sitting here while Katniss is obviously in excruciating pain. For her to vocalize her anguish shows just how bad it really is. She's so tough and resilient.
She hasn't let go of my right hand with her left for what seems like an eternity. I feel the metal of her wedding ring, cool against the warm, clammy skin of her hand.
"Katniss," Dr. Stone gets our attention, "everything's going great. She's just about ready to meet her parents."
The smile on my wife's face rivals the one she gave me on our wedding day. I'm sure my own face matches hers.
"Peeta?"
Her voice is so low I almost don't hear it, even as I sit not two feet away from her.
"What is it baby?"
"We still haven't picked out a name."
I chuckle, as does everyone else in the room.
"I'll make you a deal," I propose. "In a little while, when you hold our daughter for the first time, give her a name. You'll know, I have faith."
"That's not much of a deal," she grins. "What do you get out of it?"
"Besides my two healthy and beautiful girls? Oh wait, that's all I need."
She lets out a wet laugh and shakes her head, smiling.
A couple minutes later, it's obvious that we're rapidly coming to the birth of the newest family member.
Katniss screams, trying to break every bone in my hand. She calls me names. She tells me it's my fault she's in pain. In her brief moments of clarity, she gives me the saddest look of remorse. I, of course, insist that she has nothing to feel bad about. If I have to put up with a little verbal abuse, it'll be well worth it.
When Prim announces that the baby is crowning, I know it's only a matter of moments.
"One more push Katniss," her mom encourages. "Just one more."
I watch in amazement as my wife digs deep into her reserves and gives it everything she's got. I know how strong she is, mentally and physically. You have to be in great shape in both areas to survive mountaineering. I'm still blown away by her, however.
I hear Katniss let out a massive sigh and look down to the end of the bed. Dr. Stone is gently cradling a pink, almost squished newborn baby. It takes me a moment to realize that baby our daughter.
My brief moment is broken when she lets out her first wails. I quickly cut the umbilical cord and Prim goes about cleaning her up and swaddling her in a warm, pink blanket.
"You did it," I beam at Katniss, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "I'm so proud of you. Thank you so much, Katniss. Thank you."
"We did it," she corrects, mirroring my utter joy.
"Katniss, Peeta, meet your daughter. My niece," Prim announces as she carefully transfers the infant into Katniss' arms.
Everyone quiets down, allowing mother and daughter to have this moment all to themselves. I can't help but stare at the beautiful sight before me. The girl of my dreams, who I somehow got to marry me, is cradling our baby daughter. I don't think I've ever seen Katniss this calm, a sharp contrast from her mood only minutes ago.
She leans down and ever so softly kisses her on the lips.
"Cam", I hear Katniss whisper.
"What was that?"
"Cam," she repeats. "Cam. Her name is Cam."
"It's perfect," I grin like a fool. It is, though. It's unique. It also is a reference to climbing - a 'cam' is a device used to provide protection while technically climbing.
"Cam Mellark," I try out.
"What's her middle name going to be?" Katniss asks, matching my grin.
"You want me to pick it?"
"Yup," she nods.
I don't even need to think about it.
"Lily. Just like her mother."
The smile on my wife's face could light up the darkest of nights.
Katniss coughs loudly to get everyone in the room's attention. Prim, her mom, the various nurses, and Dr. Stone stop what they're doing and turn to us.
"Everybody, I'd like to introduce you to Cam Lily Mellark."
Predictably, everyone tells us how beautiful our daughter and her name is. Like we didn't know already.
Eventually, Katniss, Cam and I are left alone. After spending some time with one another, most of it consisting of Katniss and I staring at our daughter in awe, I'm asked by my wife to go get her godparents.
I find our family in the waiting room. Even though they're aware Cam's been born and both mother and daughter are healthy, Finnick is still packing back and forth. I can't remember ever seeing him so off-kilter, worried.
When I stand in front of the eager crowd, they quiet down.
"First, Katniss and the baby are great. Healthy, but tired. We're going to let everyone visit, but first we'd like our daughter's godparents to meet her. Finnick, Annie, if you would follow me."
Katniss
I'm so enraptured by my baby girl that I almost don't notice Peeta returning with Finnick and Annie. He comes to the left side of the bed while they come to the right.
"Oh my god," Annie gasps, her hand flying to her chest. "She's perfect."
"I know, isn't she?" Peeta proudly declares. "My two perfect girls."
I can't resist it even if I tried, so I give him a thankful kiss before turning to Finnick and Annie.
"Finnick, Annie, we'd like you to meet your goddaughter, Cam Lily Mellark. Cam, this is your Aunt Annie and Uncle Finnick."
They're speechless, kind of how Peeta and I were the first time we laid eyes on her. To break them out of their spell, I carefully move Cam so Annie can hold her. After a brief moment of reticence, she gladly cradles the newborn in her arms.
"Her eyes," Annie gasps again.
"I know," I repeat. "Just like her daddy's. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"
Nobody can deny that statement, so nobody even tries.
"Peeta, I bet you're happy about her hair," Finnick chuckles as Annie hands Cam to him.
He is. When we discovered a few wisps of dark, brunette hair, Peeta almost danced around the room in sheer joy. I didn't understand why it made him so happy until I saw her eyes. She's a beautiful, flawless mix of the both of us.
After a while, our best friends reluctantly leave with instructions to send in Peeta's dad, Rye, Nan, Alice, Prim, and my mom in. After the requisite introductions, they take turns holding the newest member of our family. Eventually, she begins to cry, at which point she's immediately returned to my arms.
"I think she's hungry," Peeta surmises. That's the cue for everyone to vacate the room so I can feed my daughter.
Peeta helps me and soon she's having her fill. Afterwards, her daddy gently burps her before swaddling her again.
"Lie down with me baby," I ask as I scoot over to make room. He carefully joins me, Cam now fast asleep on his chest.
"Thank you," he whispers. "Thank you Kat."
I gently stroke her hair with my thumb, both of us unable to tear our eyes away from her.
"For what?"
"For giving us her," he explains. "For being the mother of my daughter. For being my wife. For everything."
"No thanks necessary," I smile.
Just before we drift off to sleep, I nestle my head onto Peeta's shoulder, and he kisses the top of my head.
"Sleep, my beautiful girls," he coos.