Peeta's P.O.V.

"I don't think she's going to make it, Katniss...." I say to her solemnly.

"She has to survive. I'm sure I won't. Please save her." She says.

"She'll make it. So are you, Katniss." I say and kiss her hand.

"I'm sorry Peeta.." She says sounding weak. "I.. can't do it anymore. Promise me... promise me you'll take care of her."

"Yes you can. Just hold on, Katniss." I say growing more sad.

She rubs her hand on my cheek. She has a sad smile and tears in her eyes. She closes her eyes. Then I hear her monitor flat line.

"No, no, no. Katniss! Please.... I love you..." I say.

~

I jolt awake. I look around the room, and I'm breathing heavy. The lights sense my movement and turn on. I see Katniss dimly laying in front of me. Her chest rising and falling constantly. I take some deep breaths and try to calm down. I rub Katniss's arm. She stirs at my touch but doesn't wake up. Which I am glad. It is six in the morning. Aster was born five hours ago. She's the best Christmas gift I could ask for. I bet Katniss feels the same. I was told when Katniss fell asleep, that when she is awake and feeling better, we can see Aster. Which I am so excited for. I had only seen her when she was just born. But I had already fallen in love with her. And I can't wait to take her home and raise her with Katniss. There is a soft knock on the door. It opens and Haymitch pokes his head inside. He nods for me to come outside. I kiss Katniss's cheek before I leave.

"So..?" He asks me.

"She's here. Came around 1. In the N.I.C.U. for now. We can see her when Katniss wakes up." I say.

"Congratulations, Peeta." He says.

"Thank you. I'm really happy." I say.

"I am too." He says. "I hate for this to be taken away, but.. they know. I don't know how. Effie is trying to find the source who leaked the information. But.. when you leave, I'm afraid.. It's going to be hell."

"Well.." I sigh. "I figured this would might happen."

"Effie is talking with Paylor to get you guys the privacy you deserve. So let's hope by the time she's well enough to come home, you won't have to worry." Haymitch says.

"Thank you Haymitch. For everything. And making sure we're okay." I say.

"Well someone has to." he says with a smile.

"You bet someone does." I say.

"Well.. just let me know when you are going to see her." He says. "Go on back to Katniss."

"We will." I say.

I go back into the room. I sit back down in the chair by her. To my surprise, when I glance her way, her eyes are open.

"Hi Honey." I say softly and take her hand.

She smiles at me weakly. "Hi..." She says barely above a whisper.

"Feeling alright?" I ask.

She shrugs a little. She is trying to keep her eyes open. She is still exhausted. I smile a big smile and kiss her temple.

"You're a mother now. No more hormones, morning sickness, none of that. Now we just raise Aster. And we'll be a great family." I say.

Her smile grows smaller as her eyes grow heavier. I brushed some hair out of her face.

"Go back to sleep, Kat. When you wake up... our world will be very different." I whisper in her ear.

~

Katniss's P.O.V.

I open my eyes and just see white light. I close my eyes since the light is so bright. I open them again and it is less intense. I then realize it is snow. I smile. I see Peeta asleep in the chair in front of me. I sit up and touch his thigh. He starts to wake up when I squeeze. He looks at me with a happy smile.

"Hey Kat." He says and scoots the chair closer to me. "Feeling better?"

"Sore." I say.

"I bet. You did give birth about eight hours ago." he says and laughs a little.

"Wait... is it, Christmas?" I ask growing excited.

"Yep. She's a Christmas baby." He says.

"Best gift I've ever received." I say.

"Same here." He says.

"When can we meet her?" I ask.

"They said when you are awake and feeling up to it." He explains.

"Let's go." I say.

Peeta smiles wide. "I'll see if we can." He says.

He leaves for a moment or two. I am filling up with excitement. It feels odd to not have her inside of me. My stomach is still swollen, but not as much as it was with her taking up vacancy. I run my hand along it. I feel able to breath, which is nice. And not like I have to use the bathroom every ten minutes. Which will be a blessing. I can feel my lower body again. But sore definitely. My abdomen is a bit crampy and my groin hurts like hell. But I know that this will pass. I did push a child out of me. How would anyone not be sore, even with pain medication? Peeta enters the room and pushes a wheelchair to the side of my bed. A nurse is at the door.

"Need help?" he asks.

"Let me see." I say.

I try to move my legs over to the side, but instantly regret it. I groan in pain.

"I'll take that as a yes." He says.

"Yeah.. sorry." I say.

"Don't be. Your more light now without someone in there." He says with a smile.

I give him a look, but then smile. He gently grabs me and lifts me up. He sets me down gently in the wheelchair.

"Follow me." The nurse says.

Peeta pushes me along in the halls. Dr. Allrad is waiting outside of the nursery.

"Ready to meet her?" She asks with a smile.

"We are." We both say.

She opens the door.

"Wait! Where's Haymitch? Did we let him know?" I ask Peeta.

"I did. Can you get him?" He says.

"We'll bring him in." The nurse tells us.

Peeta takes me inside. We pass the room with a lot of babies.

"That's where they go when they aren't premature." Dr. Allrad says. "And over there, is the N.I.C.U. But we have a special room for your daughter. We figured with you popularity, we'd better saclude her for her safety, and your privacy."

"Thank you." I say, gratefully.

We go into a room. There is an incubator and inside is our daughter. Upon coming closer, I see a small red tube in her nose. And her dark hair like mine. She is smaller than I remember.

"What is that tube in her nose?" Peeta asks.

"That's feeding her. It goes from her nose into her esophagus then to her stomach. And the other wires are checking her heart and breathing." Dr. Allrad explains to us.

"Poor girl." I say.

"Skin to skin contact is very bonding in these times. Do you want to hold her Katniss?" She asks me.

"Yes." I say.

She cleans her hands, and puts on some cloves. She opens the incubator and picks her up. She hands her to me and I hold her close to me on my chest. She squirms around a little bit until she adjust to the feeling of me again. But instantly calms down when I talk.

"Hi there, sweetie." I say choking up. I gently use my thumb to feel her hair.

Peeta's hand rests on her back. He puts her head on my shoulder. "She's so beautiful Katiss." he says.

"I see she has your cute nose." I say.

"Your ears." He says.

"But all of you both in heart, I can guarantee." We hear Haymitch say.

Haymitch comes and stands on the other side of me. He has a big, soft smile. And tears.

"I'm allowed to cry now, right?" He says jokingly.

"Yes.. you can, Haymitch." I say and I myself start to cry, but not sad tears, happy tears.

One falls and hits Aster's face. She whimpers a little then cries herself.

"Hey, hey hey... shhh. Shh. It's alright. I'm sorry." I say soothingly.

"Your mommy and daddy are here, Aster. It's okay." Peeta says and runs his finger along her back.

She cries her small lungs out. I try to soothe her with touch, but decide to try song.

"Deep in the meadow.. Under the willow.

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow.

Lay down your head, and close your eyes.

And when they open, the sun will rise.

Here.. it's safe. Here... it's warm.

Here.. the daisies guard..you from every harm.

Here.. your dreams are sweet.. and tomorrow brings them true.

Here.. is the place.. where... I love you."

"I love her already." Peeta says.

"So do I. Everything about her." I say. "All of that was worth it."

"Katniss, she's perfect." He says and kisses me.

"I think so too." I say.

'My Little Aster.' I think and smile proudly at my daughter.