Chapter Text
29. Birth
"I Love You, Willow"
Mrs. Everdeen sat down her daughter's bedside in the District 12 hospital. "You made it, Katniss, and so did she." She smiled warmly at her daughter.
Katniss tried to sit up in the bed and found it to be difficult. She felt weak…drained…and yet, so happy and relieved. "'She'?"
"You gave birth to a baby girl. They will bring her in soon. Peeta assisted with cutting the cord and now they're finishing up the tests to make sure she's healthy." Mrs. Everdeen smiled and wiped Katniss' hair away from her face. "You were in labor for several hours longer than expected."
Katniss closed her eyes and touched her stomach. She had given birth hours ago, although it felt like it had just happened seconds ago. Could it be? Had she actually given birth to her first child? How did she go from promising to never have children, to Peeta begging her for children, and then finally giving in, becoming pregnant…and now she actually gave birth to her first child? It seemed surreal.
The door opened and Peeta came in carrying their newborn wrapped in a pale yellow blanket. Katniss craned her head in his direction, trying to catch a glimpse. Mrs. Everdeen gasped in amazement.
"Oh, Katniss…" Mrs. Everdeen couldn't finish her statement.
Peeta smiled widely and Katniss could see the tears glistening in his eyes. "She's beautiful, Katniss." He gently placed the baby in Katniss outstretched arms.
Katniss held the sleeping newborn, still in shocked that this little baby girl was hers. She couldn't find the words to describe the thoughts and feelings racing through her mind and heart. She remembered a conversation she had with Annie during her last trimester.
"I was heartbroken learning that Finnick died in the war. That our baby would grow up not knowing who his father was."
"Did it change over time?"
"I miss Finnick everyday. That will never change." Annie had started slowly, but then she quickly shared more with Katniss. "What I've learned is to focus on Noah, give him the love his father would've given him. Finnick would be so proud of his son. I know he's watching over us, guiding us. The moment I gave birth to Noah, I felt a new happiness since losing Finnick. I knew life wouldn't be the same, but that it could go on and that I have to move forward also—for Noah's sake. It's what Finnick would want. I've already begun showing Noah pictures of his father, so that he knows who he is. And I see Finnick in Noah. Noah is his own person, but I see his father in him."
At the time, Katniss was speechless. Partially because of how much Annie had shared with her as Annie wasn't known for speaking a lot, and also because of the content and meaning of what she spoke about. Katniss also realized that giving birth to Noah was healing for Annie.
"You'll see, Katniss…when you have your own child…there really is nothing like it. Nothing can compare to the love you feel when you first hold your baby in your arms."
Finally, after so many years, Katniss fully understood what Annie had shared with her. About having your own child and the power of being a mother. She felt the deep love swell up inside her for her new child. The way she had protected Prim would now be a hundredfold for this tiny newborn that hadn't yet opened her eyes to the world.
She has also felt a strong sense of joy and relief. Joy that this child would always be hers and Peeta's. Not the Capitol's. There was no Reaping to dread since the Hunger Games had been over for years. She felt relief and then felt sad that this had crossed her mind. Katniss made herself focus on the here and now—on the baby girl asleep in her arms. She wondered what she would name her little girl.
"I haven't thought of a name for her," Katniss said, her eyes never leaving her daughter's face. She marveled at how tiny she was—tiny hands and fingers, tiny feet and toes, tiny nose, eyes, and lips—every part of her so precious and delicate.
"Willow," Peeta said, gently. "I thought the name would fit her perfectly."
Mrs. Everdeen nodded in approval. She was quietly enjoying the presence of her first grandchild and the extraordinary experience of being a grandmother—a role she never thought she would get to experience.
"Willow," Katniss repeated. She caressed Willow's cheeks and kissed her forehead. She was too choked up to say what she wanted to tell her daughter, but the words rang loudly in her mind: I love you, Willow.