Peeta

It's astonishing how much I already love my daughter. In the short amount of time since she was born, she's become the center of Kat's and my universe.

We brought her home a couple days ago, mother and daughter both getting clean bills of health. Even though she definitely doesn't understand, we give her a tour of her new home. Annie and Finnick decided to let us enjoy being together as a new family and are staying at Katniss' mom's. They come over during the day and help, and when they ask us if we need them to stay over, Katniss and I both decline politely. We're well aware that our sleep will be interrupted nightly, but we could care less. I can't speak for my wife, but I know that I could spend hours just watching Cam sleep peacefully. Time seems to slow down when she's in my arms.

Katniss, despite the few worries she had about parenthood, has truly stepped into the role of mother seamlessly. She seems to have an intuition when it comes to Cam. I have no idea how she can already know what she needs just from the way she cries or looks at us. Cam is already attached to her mother, and vice-versa. Sometimes I almost have to pinch myself when I look at my two girls.

The day we brought her home, after her 'tour', she promptly fell asleep. We were sitting on the couch, Cam in Katniss' lap, when the phone rang. Racing to pick it up before the baby woke up, I answered it quickly.

"Mellark residence."

"Is this Mr. Peeta Mellark?" A female voice asks.

"Speaking. How can I help you?" The caller ID comes up 'Blocked'.

"Please hold, sir, while I transfer your call."

"Um, okay?"

A few seconds later I hear someone pick up the other end of the line.

"Peeta?"

I know that voice. It takes me a moment to realize who it is.

"Afternoon, Barack," I smile. Katniss' face lights up when she hears the President's on the phone.

"Afternoon. I hear congratulations are in order."

"Thank you. We actually just got home a little while ago from the hospital."

"That's great. Hold on, let me get Michelle on the phone."

While he does that, I motion for Katniss to pick up as well.

"Peeta!" The First Lady sounds almost as excited as we are.

"Hi Michelle. Katniss is on the line too."

"Katniss! Congratulations, mommy and daddy."

"Thank you," Katniss sincerely replies.

"How are you feeling? How's the baby?"

"Tired," she sighs. "Tired but over the moon. You were right. Everything was definitely worth it."

"Told you," I can hear her smirk all the way from the White House. "What's her name?"

"Cam Lily Mellark," my wife answers proudly.

"It's beautiful," Barack speaks up. Michelle echoes his statement. "Where did you come up with it?"

"Peeta did."

"Yeah, I did. It was only minutes after she was born. Katniss looked at me and told me to name our daughter. I wanted to give her a unique name, something as special as she is. A 'cam' is a piece of climbing equipment you use to protect you while ascending. It's a life line, of sorts. And Lily is Katniss' middle name."

"Well done, Peeta," Michelle tells me. Katniss smiles at me.

"Well I can't tell you how happy we are for you," Barack goes on. "We sent a little something for you when we found out. It should be there today or tomorrow."

"You didn't have to do that," Katniss insists.

"We wanted to," Michelle instantly replies.

"There was something else I wanted to speak with you about," the President informs.

"Sure," I nod, even though he can't see me.

"Next month we're scheduled to be in Portland for a couple of events. We're also planning on spending a couple days off, knowing how beautiful Maine is in the winter. I don't want to impose or anything, but we'd love to see you and meet Cam. We also figure there's nobody more suited to the task of showing us your beautiful state."

"It would be an absolute honor, sir," I immediately respond. "In fact, I'm going to have to insist that you come to Panem and stay with us here on the lake. There's a house down the road we can use for your staff."

"Are you sure?" Michelle asks. "We wouldn't want to cause any trouble."

"Please," Katniss says, almost sarcastically. "You may be the President and First Lady, but you're our friends. We're not taking no for an answer, Michelle."

"I can't wait," the First Lady elatedly says.

"How about you bring Sasha and Malia?" I suggest.

"That's a wonderful idea. They're going to be on break from school, actually, so it works out."

"I already know exactly what I'm going to show them," Katniss is starting to get excited.

Just then, Cam wakes up, letting us know in not-so-quiet terms she's hungry.

"Well, we'll let you two get back to your daughter. We'll all speak soon to iron out the details," Barack politely relays.

"Sounds good. We're really looking forward to having you."

"Thanks, Peeta. Katniss, you take care of him, okay?"

"Yes, Mr. President."

Katniss

I have never seen anything more perfect that my baby girl. Okay, maybe Peeta comes pretty close, but I know even he would agree with me that we did a damn good job.

I always knew Peeta would be a great father, but somehow he's exceeded even my wildest expectations. He's incredibly patient with Cam. He never gets frustrated or complains, even when he has to get up in the middle of the night to change her. We're supposed to take turns, but more often that not, Peeta just crawls out of bed, gently pushing me back into the warmth of the covers. I protested the first few times, but I understand he needs his time with Cam too.

The way he looks at her blows me away. She's the most precious thing he's ever held, and treats her as such. When people come over to visit and congratulate us, he's the proudest daddy in the whole world, showing off our daughter. For her part, Cam obviously adores him right back. She and I will always have a deep, special bond, being mother and daughter. But I already know she's going to be a daddy's girl.

True to their word, not two hours after we spoke to the Obamas, FedEx showed up at our house. Peeta signed for it and brought it into the den, where I was lying on the rug in front of the crackling fireplace with Cam on my chest, asleep.

Opening the box up, we find a myriad of presents. There are a few blankets, embroidered with the Presidential seal. There are some very cute onesies, one with the same seal. The item that moves us the most, however, is a framed letter. The letterhead reads 'From the desk of President Barack Obama'. At the bottom is both his and Michelle's signatures.

To the newest member of the Mellark family,

Welcome. One day, I hope you will read this letter and understand just how special your parents are. My wife and I met them while your mother was pregnant with you. Within moments, we both knew how genuine, strong, courageous, but most of all, loving, your mother and father are. You are truly blessed. I'm sure they feel the same way.

We have no doubts that you are going to grow to be a strong, beautiful, independent woman. If you've inherited any of your parent's traits, it's inevitable.

As you do get older, you will depend on your parents less and less. I want you to do something for me. No matter what happens in the years to come, what path you choose for your life, always remember and know that your mother and father love you more than anything. They will always be there to support you. Anybody who meets them knows within moments the dedication and loyalty they posses to one another and to you.

Michelle and I look forward to meeting you and having the honor of knowing you as you grow up.

One last thing. When you turn eighteen, please remember to vote Democratic.

Just kidding.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama, President of the United States

Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States

Peeta immediately hung the letter on the wall in Cam's nursery. We can't wait for the day when she can read it. How many kids get a letter from the leader of the free world when they're born?

As I clamber back into bed with Peeta, having changed and fed Cam, I realize the sun's about to start coming up. Sighing, I lay my head back on my husband's chest.

Utterly exhausted, I quickly start to fall back asleep, Peeta's heart beating under my ear soothing me.

But, as tired as I know we both are, I also know that tomorrow is going to be the best day of our lives.

And the reason for that is simple.