Chapter Text
It started with a cake
A cupcake to be exact.
It had been a sweltering hot day in June, the first day that had really proven summer was upon them.
Katniss had joined Peeta in the bakery that day, helping serve customers when he couldn’t, in between wiping the sweat from her forehead. It hadn’t been very busy though, so she mostly spent her day watching Peeta in his element on the plush chair that overlooked most of the bakery, specifically put there for her.
It was there she sat when the small dark haired girl waddled into the bakery, she hadn’t noticed her at first, being too mesmerised by Peeta kneading the dough on the counter, watching each one of his large muscles work as he concentrated hard on the bread at work.
She had only just noticed the little girl as she came right up to the glass refrigerated cabinet showcasing the cakes and pastries in all of their glory.
Peeta noticed her soon after herself, smiling warmly to the little girl who could not have been over the age of two. “Hi there sweetie, did you want a cake?” His voice was soft and gentle, just like it was when he spoke to any young kids.
The small girl nodded pointing her tiny little finger over to the display cupcakes. All of them were beautiful, being designed by Peeta of course. Each of them had varying patterns, colours and swirls that made all of them unique in their ways, though they held a certain quality to them that could only be achieved by Peeta.
Peeta smiles, wiping his hands dry on his apron, “you want a cupcake?” He asks her, leaning over the counter to see her.
It’s then that I realise that this small child doesn’t have an adult with her, no parent has come rushing in after this small girl who probably saw the bakery and took off running.
“Peeta” I start, capturing his attention, “she doesn’t have a parent with her” I tell him, the worry rising up in my voice, if I was this child’s mother I would probably be having a panic attack at this very moment, stressing over losing my child that is so small and having no idea where she has gone.
He frowns his brows knit tight in concentration, “someone will probably be in soon” he reassures me moving around the counter to meet the child, who was still pointing up to the display of cupcakes babbling what sounded like ‘cake’.
Peeta crouches down in front of her, “do you want to pick out a cupcake?” The small girl nods excitedly in response causing a huge grin to break out onto Peeta’s face.
He stands back up to his full height, lifting her up with him. He brings her over to the cupcakes, lifting the lid up to let her pick one out.
After thoughtfully pondering her choices she eventually picks a green one, decorated with dozens of piped swirls.
“Good choice, that’s Katniss’ favourite colour” he points over to me making me blush. Even after fifteen years of friendship, ten of which being married, it was amazing how much he could still make me feel like a giddy teenage girl having her first crush on a boy.
The small girl looks over to me cocking her head as she takes me in, probably only just noticing I was in the room. Still in his arms Peeta leans in close to her ear whispering into it, though still loud enough for me to hear, “that’s Katniss, she’s my wife and the most amazing person I’ve ever met.”
I roll my eyes, there he goes again telling anyone and everyone about me, even this small child.
She watches me with curious eyes as Peeta speaks to her, continuing to lick the icing off her cupcake. Eventually after finishing it, Peeta drops her down to the floor, watching as she waddles over to me.
She stops at my feet, grabbing hold of my legs to stabilise her balance. She looks up at me with curious eyes. “Hi” I whisper awkwardly, feeling her little hands play with the material of my pants.
“I should go back to work” Peeta smiles over at us, moving back around the counter.
I glare back at him, “and leave me to look after a child?”
He smiles back, “I guess, at least until we find her parents”
“Peeta I can’t look after a child” I tell him pointedly.
He just laughs in response, “you’ll do fine, look she already likes you” he points to her at my feet bobbing up and down as she continues to cling to my knees.
I glare over at him as I stay glued to my spot, it was as if a leech was crawling over me, freezing me in fear; I don’t know what to do with a child.
I look back down at her to see her sitting by my feet, inspecting my shoes it seems. “Are my shoes fun to play with?” I find myself cooing at her, she babbles in response looking up at me as she moves my legs around and pulls at my shoes.
“What are you doing?” I can’t help but laugh at her, she has barely known me for ten minutes and she’s already treating me as if I’m a friend of hers.
When I look back up I find Peeta smiling at me, “what?” I question.
He shakes his head his grin widening, “nothing”
I sigh “aren’t you supposed to be working?” He just laughs, turning back to the dough and kneading it again.
She continues to play with my shoes for quite a few minutes which I allow, as it keeps her entertained and I do have to admit it is pretty cute.
When she loses interest I speak to her again “come up here sweetie” I lean down and lift her up easily, she’s surprisingly light. I’ve never really had any babies in my life, only prim really and even then I had been quite little still so it wasn’t quite the same.
“Hi” I say again when she’s on my lap, it’s the first time I’ve really gotten to see her close up and it’s there I notice the little details of her face, from her cute little freckles to her sweet grey eyes, it’s clear she comes from seam genes.
I stand her up on my lap and bounce her around, erupting the cutest little giggles from her. I make silly little sounds as I do this playing a little pretend horse game with her.
As I start another round up of giddy ups a noise outside the bakery grabs my attention.
“Stella!” The voice screams frantically over and over again.
It grabs Peeta’s attention as well, he looks over at me, a mutual question between us.
“I’ll go check it out, you stay here with her in the cool” I nod as he rushes out the door.
The screaming continues for a few seconds until it stops completely, presumably Peeta has gotten their attention.
With the new distraction I keep the girl occupied by talking to her, above all else I don’t want her to freak out.
“Stella, oh my god Stella!” The voice I can now tell is a females, much closer and calmer. She’s In the bakery I realise as both me and the girl look up.
“Mama!” The small girl babbles when she sees her.
The woman swoops in and takes her from my lap, I let my protection over her fade as I realise what this means. The woman in front of me is the mother of the small girl, Stella apparently.
“Oh my god I thought I lost you” the woman sighs, relief evident in her voice.
I look to Peeta and he looks just as relieved as the woman, and I realise I am too, we protected this little girl and have safely reunited her with her mother.
“I can not thank you guys enough” the woman starts, looking away from her girl to the two of us, “for looking after my little Stella” she finishes.
I find myself smiling, “it was a pleasure really” I say with full confidence, Stella has really shown something to me, I’m not sure what exactly yet, but I know this kid is important.
“Really” Peeta echos encouragingly, “she’s welcome to come back whenever she likes. She’s a very good cupcake tester after all” he adds on with a smile.
“Oh my gosh she had a cake” she exclaims “how much?” She begins to pull out a small coin purse but Peeta’s hand is quick to push away.
“It’s on us, we’re just glad you two are reunited” he smiles warmly at her and I nod in agreement.
I swear a tear nearly falls from her eye, “thank you” she smiles, “for everything. Gosh how can I repay you?”
I shake my head, “keep her safe”
She nods “I will”
She turns to leave but stops, “I’m Josie by the way, and this is Stella of course”
Both me and Peeta nod, “nice to meet you” we say in unison.
“We’ll see you around” I smile bidding my goodbye.
“Yeah we will” she nods thoughtfully “again thank you so much” she says finally, before walking out the door and into the streets.
***
As we get ready for bed that night I can't help but think of Stella.
That little kid is something special, it could only have been twenty minutes we spent together but it was clear it made a lasting impact. She brought a special kind of light to the world, a clean canvas not yet darkened by the paints of life.
The thought travels.
This little kid won’t have to deal with what me, Peeta and many others have dealt with, she'll never have to fear her name being called at the reaping, sure life's not all butterflies and rainbows, but she’s safe.
“Whatcha’ thinking” Peeta’s voice brings me back to reality.
“Nothing” I smile at him.
He pauses, “Stella?” He questions, I hesitantly nod. “She’s something special” he states as if he’s been reading my mind.
“Yeah”
I lay my head on his chest as we slide under the covers, still comfortable with them around us as luckily the intense heat from the day had reduced significantly as night approached.
He lays his arm around me, rubbing my back as I place my hand onto his chest. I allow myself to be comforted by his touch and close my eyes, my lids too heavy to hold open any longer.
Sleep comes easily, and with it not the usual nightmare filled night, but a peaceful dream of a blue eyed black haired girl.