Yeah- I'm skipping a few months... I got bored. xD This also might lift your spirits... because of the other chapter... which I'll apologize again. SORRY. Something had to happen. DEAL WITH IT. MOVEEEE ONNNNNN. Romance coming... in upcoming chapters... (:
"I'll be back later!" Gale calls from the front door; "Going to Katniss's" the door opens and closes and I walk out of the bathroom. I bend my hand to grab the handle on the drawer, and pull back barely budging it. I laugh at my weakness. I pull harder and the drawer pulls out with a crack. The force knocks me backward but I quickly regain my balance. I reach in and take out a light purple shirt, and black yoga pants. I slowly walk over to the bed and take off my pajamas. I feel a crushing pain in my lower back. I inhale sharply but slip my shirt on over my head anyway. I lie on the bed and pull my feet through the pant holes only to be interrupted with the familiar back pain. The back pain passes and I make my way to the kitchen where I pour cereal into a large yellow bowl. I forget a spoon and push my chair back. I double over with pain. Labor? My eyes grow wide looking out the window and finding no sign of a returning Gale. I take a much needed breath then yelp.
"Gale hurry!" I move away from the kitchen table and sit on the couch. I control my breathing by thinking to myself, In Out, In Out. Finally Gale runs by the front window and opens the door hastily.
"Hey there, I got some extra sticky buns." he laughs putting down the bread bag; I nod to him not truly hearing what he said. Pain takes over my head and back sending a reaction to my hands that grip the couch. The pain has increased in the last few minutes. "You ok?" he asks walking over to me. His hands find my back but I push him off
"Don't. You. Dare. Touch. ME" I huff out each word
"Madge?" My teeth smash together and I groan, "WHAT'S WRONG?" Tears slide down my face
"Call Prim" I cry out. He looks like he's about to throw up but runs to the phone anyway. I hear some of the conversation but I'm too focused on getting through each contraction. I haven't felt my water break yet so I lie down. Gale hangs up the phone and runs a hand through his hair. He walks back and gives me a shy smile. He moves my sweaty hair out of my face then speaks,
"Did you hear what I said when I came in?"
"No sorry what was it about Peeta's face?" I wonder trying to find a smile
"No… I got extra sticky buns" he laughs
"Really?" I laugh, "Oops"
"How long has this been going on? I was only gone for- oh almost a half an hour…" he said looking guilty
"Well a few minutes after you left" I sigh, waiting for the sharp pain in my back
"Sorry" he whispers. I feel the pain and Gale and I struggle through it. After it passes, Gale smiles a little. "You're beautiful" I snort.
"Good joke, Gale"
3 hours later.
I stare down at the small person in my arms, small round eyes closed, olive skin that is freckle free, hands moving about searchingly, little tuff of golden blond hair gone wild, tiny nose twitching, curved ears take in the sounds of the house, and small pink lips opening and closing, all perfect things I'm witnessing for the first time. I smile. A strong hand settles on my shoulder. I look up at Gale. He looks surprised. His gaze focuses away from the person in my arms. He looks at me with peer fascination. Then looks back at the baby, "You have the same nose, mouth, and hair" he points out. I look back down.
"And you two have the same color skin, ears- open your eyes little one" My hand runs through the blond hair and the little eyes open. I gasp.
"And the same eyes" Gale finishes. I close my eyes and lay back. "May I?" he wonders out loud. I lift the baby up to him and open my eyes. He takes the baby with total caution. He watches her settle for a second. "Hi Rose" he says very quietly. He moves back and forth with her. She beams with a toothless smile. He smiles back. I smile too at their exchange. Gale looks over at me for a second then back at our daughter. Her tiny hand rests on his arm and Gale moves her, a little to give her his finger. She coos. The door pushes open to our room and Katniss strides in. She beams at the girl in my husband's arms then runs to me.
"Congratulations!" She says hugging me then runs to Gale. "Hand her? Over!" she says opening her arms. Gale hesitates looking down into the smiling gray eyes and hands her over to Katniss. Katniss laughs at the bundle of joy. "She's gorgeous" she sighs at the wonder in her arms. Peeta walks in and stands behind Katniss.
"She looks a lot like Madge" he smiles. Everyone looks at his smile and gapes. He looks at everyone's surprised faces and smiles bigger. Then, takes the baby girl in his arms the man's finger traces along the baby's jaw and cheek, causing Rose to smile. "Who wouldn't smile at this?"
Rose Melanie Hawthorne ((: