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Chapter Text

Peeta stood by the bed watching his wife. Katniss was getting ready to go to bed. He stayed home today. Thankfully, one of his staff was able to go in early and make the fresh bread the bakery was known for. He told his crew to close down early.

At the moment, everything was calm, though it wasn't the same as last night. Peeta took a deep, calming breath.

Last night, they had a scare. Katniss had gone into labor. At first, Dr. Terry thought it was Braxton Hicks since her water hadn't broken. But upon examining Katniss, the doctor found she was dilated 2 centimeters. Katniss was given something to stop the contractions. Doctor Terry put Katniss on strict bed rest in her seventh month. She didn't want her water to break.

Peeta called his mother-in-law to update her on Katniss's medical scare. Asterrid said she wasn't going to be able to make it until the middle of next month, which was cutting it close to the due date the doctor gave them. Dr. Terry wanted to do a C-section. Given Katniss's medical history, the doctor thought that would be the safest option.

As Peeta found out, carrying twins to full term almost never happened. Most of the time, they were born somewhere in the eighth month. As per the doctor, the babies weren't ready to be born yet, so Katniss had to slow down. Which meant she couldn't go hunting. She couldn't climb stairs, and she was not supposed to do anything strenuous, including taking care of their two kids.

Peeta needed to come up with a plan to make sure Katniss wasn't overwhelmed by the kids until his mother-in-law arrived. That meant speaking with a certain grumpy neighbor.

He would deal with Haymitch in the morning. Right now, he had a problem that he had no solution for. It wasn't the first time he would bring it up.

"Ryley still hasn't called me dada," Peeta sighed.

"He will," Katniss assured him.

He watched his wife grab the lotion bottle. Peeta cleared his throat.

"But he's going to be one and a half. When Meadow was his age, she was talking up a storm."

"Peeta, Ryley isn't our daughter, Meadow. He's growing at his own pace."

He watched her put lotion on her arms. The act was a medical one; they needed to apply the medicated lotion on their scarred skin to keep it healthy. Yet, Peeta found the act sexy. He took a deep breath in, as he had to get the kids into their beds.

"It will take time, but he will one day call you dada."

"I know. I mean, he can't go all of his life grunting at me."

Katniss chuckled. She then wrinkled her nose. "Peeta, we're not naming the twins Melody and Levi."

A couple of weeks ago, Katniss found the baby name book Plutarch sent to them for Meadow's pregnancy. Katniss had fallen in love with those two names. She announced it one day at dinner, and the great name divide started. Meadow held onto the names she claimed the babies liked. His wife didn't see it that way and argued against Levi and Melody. So far, Melody was winning the battle.

Peeta snorted, "You're going to have to convince Meadow that Diana and Hunter are better names."

Katniss rubbed her belly, "You like the names Hunter and Diana, don't you?" Her hand was pushed up as the twins moved. "See."

Peeta grinned, astonished. Katniss was amazing. But she didn't understand how wonderful she was. She leaned forward at the same time as him, and he was rewarded with a soft kiss, which led to more kissing.

"Let's get you to bed," he growled. He helped her snuggle under the covers. "I'll be back. Going to make sure our brood goes to bed."

Katniss sleepily waved him away as he left the comfort of their bedroom.

Peeta yawned as he moved down the hallway. He switched from thinking of his beautiful wife to his darling children. Peeta chuckled to himself about his daughter. The memory of his daughter getting mad at the crazy cat was book-worthy. Peeta was sure Meadow was still upset because she wanted to draw a picture of Buttercup2, but the cat wouldn't stay still.

Meadow was outraged.

That was definitely going in the book.

Earlier, he told Katniss that he would be putting their two older kids to bed every night for the foreseeable future. Peeta knew once the babies were born, much of Katniss' free time at night would be wrapped up in feeding and caring for them. Most likely, he would have to continue the nighttime routine with the older children until the twins were old enough or his mother-in-law left.

He was glad Katniss's mother was coming from District Four to help. Peeta had no doubt his mother-in-law would love to help in the delivery room. He wasn't sure if he would be allowed in the room with Katniss. The delivery room in the hospital was small. Despite them being the most recognizable people in all of Panem, District Twelve was still small. It only had a couple of hundred residents. Those who lived there worked in the new medical plant now that the mines were closed. Life was slower and safer in District Twelve, which suited Peeta just fine. The closer to the Capitol, the more chaotic life was.

Although there were some trade-offs, like a small medical facility. He wouldn't fit in the delivery room with the doctor and the staff necessary for each baby, plus his mother-in-law. He didn't want to miss anything, but it was going to be impossible.

It was sadly the age-old problem all parents faced. They wanted to be present in the lives of their children, but part of the responsibility of having children was providing for them. So they had to work.

There were days Peeta felt as if he was missing so many of his kids' milestones because he had to work in the Bakery.

Peeta loved the bakery; it was his family's legacy, but he wanted to be part of his kids' upbringing. He wanted to be in his kids' lives. He couldn't wait to come home after work and be a dad to his children. Getting them ready for bed was amazing and an eye-opener. His kids were very smart. It was tiring, but worth it.

Peeta yawned as he reached Ryley's room. He had struck a deal with Meadow, letting her stay up quietly in her room with a book. She had to stay quiet so that he could get Ryley in bed.

His eighteen-month-old son was rapidly growing. He had the stocky body of a Mellark. Katniss was lean and graceful. Whereas Peeta was broad-shouldered and stocky. He entered the room where his son was.

Ryley was playing with a puzzle.

"Hey, buddy, ready for bed?"

"Yesh."

Peeta was still troubled that Ryley still hadn't called him 'Dada,' yet.

Ryley lifted his arms, and Peeta picked him up and tossed him in the air.

His son's peals of laughter were some of the most wonderful sounds. He will never get enough of hearing his children laugh.

"Moe, moe, pweash," Ryley chanted as Peeta tickled and tossed him in the air.

"Okay buddy, let's get you ready for sleeeeeeeeppppssssss!" Peeta exclaimed, using his best Cesar Flickerman impression.

He quickly brought him to the bathroom, gave him a bath, wrapped him up like a taco, and flew him into the room, making a noise like a hovercraft.

"Ryley bird ready for landing."

"Why-lee," his son said.

Peeta laid him down on the changing table and quickly put a diaper on him, and put his pajamas on. His son pushed his arm through the sleeve and his legs through the pants' legs. This was something he remembered Meadow doing around this age. Peeta recalled Meadow wanting to pick out her own clothing, whereas Ryley was still content to wear whatever he or Katniss picked out for him.

"Okay, which book?" Peeta asked as he sat in the rocking chair with his son nestled in the crook of his arm. There were three books on the desk next to the lamp.

"Moon," Ryley sleepily said.

It was strange doing this without Katniss. Normally, they would have put the kids to bed together. They always worked as a team from the moment they were in that cave. His purpose had been to make sure she was the victor. He had been willing to give his life for hers.

Katniss, however, saved them both.

She even helped him come to realize that the memories that were shiny were not real. This helped him make sense of the chaos in his mind. Peeta owed Katniss his life because she loved him enough to want to have children with him.

This all went through his mind as he read the book of fairy tales to his son. Peeta's tone became softer. He knew this part of the rhyme by heart. Instead, he took the round face of his son. As he recited the rhyme about the moon and the spoon, Ryley snuggled into him. He stuck his thumb in his mouth as his lashes fluttered closed.

Katniss claimed Ryley had his eyelashes. His son's lashes were long and silvery; they were also curled at the ends. Peeta marveled at how much his boy looked like him. It was miraculous.

His son's head lobbed to the side, a sign he was asleep. Peeta put the book aside. Then slowly stood, carrying his son's sturdy frame.

As he laid him down in the crib, he couldn't help but feel humbled. There was a moment in his life when he thought for sure he wasn't going to survive. Locked deep within the maze of the Capitol, being experimented on by the crazy Capitol scientist, he thought he would lose his sanity, his humanity, and his life.

Yet by some miracle, Peeta survived, and today he was enjoying one of life's greatest treasures, being a father.

He slipped the cover over his son's small body. Like him, Ryley didn't like heavy blankets. Peeta placed one hand on the small of his son's back. "I wub you, Ryley."

As he left the room, Peeta whipped around as he heard his son sleepily make a noise. He thought Ryley had woken up.

Then he heard it clear as day.

"I wub u, ada."

He ran to Ryley's crib and peered down, but his son was fast asleep. Peeta shook his head and walked out of the room, wondering who Ada was, but touched that his son said that he loved him. Tears were still streaming down his face when he walked into Meadow's room.

"Dada, why are you cryin'?"

"Oh, am I?" Peeta said as he reached up to find tears on his face.

"Are you sad? Do you need a magical hug?"

"Yeah," Peeta said, leaning down.

"What happened?"

"Ryley said he loved me, but, to be honest, now that I think about it, he said, 'I love you, Ada.' Who's Ada?"

Meadow began laughing. "Oh, dada, you so silly."

"Meadow, you're going to have to clue me in, sugar-cookie."

"Ryley said, 'Dada.'"

"What?"

"Ryley has been calling you dada for a long time now."

"What, I haven't heard him call me dada?"

"Oh yesh. He says, 'da', or he says a-a. He sometimes says, 'ah-da'."

"You mean ada is ah-da, which is dada?"

"Yesh," Meadow said. "If you need help with Ryle, I translate for him all of the time. Sometimes Uncle Haymish and Mama need help."

Peeta was amazed that his daughter knew the word translate, and used it in the correct way.

"Oh, and Dada, Levi isn't a hunter, like mama."

Peeta burst into laughter. Katniss was going to have to work harder to convince Meadow. But it didn't matter, because Ryley finally called him dada.

Chapter Text

Two weeks later. Peeta was sitting in Ryley's room, trying to put his son to sleep. Things between Katniss and Meadow were at a frosty standstill. Both his wife and his daughter were arguing the reasons why their name choice was the best. Mother and daughter were staunch advocates that their choice was correct. Sides were being drawn. Haymitch was on the side of Meadow. Ryley, poor little guy, followed his sister until he saw his mother and blindly wanted his mama, so he was neutral. Peeta needed to choose who he thought was right. He couldn't be neutral. He had a feeling this wasn't going to be an easy win for either one of the women in his life. Currently, though, he wanted to keep Katniss away from any stressors, including the great name war. He sighed as he rocked back and forth. He was tired.

The past few days were rough on him.

Peeta had stayed home for three days. In that time, he managed to speak with Haymitch about staying with Katniss. He also spoke with his two assistants, asking them if they were willing to work extra hours. They both agreed. Peeta would come in extra early to start the ovens, and one of his baking assistants would help him bake. Together, they would take care of the morning rush. Once it slowed down, Peeta would come home, and his other assistant would come in to finish up the day.

While he was away, Haymitch would help Katniss take care of the kids.

He recalled how much of a wreck he'd been the day he finally went back to the bakery after Katniss went into early labor. He called the house several times to make sure Katniss and the kids were alright. Each time Haymitch would tell him, "Sweetheart is fine."

The last time, Haymitch told him that if he called again, he would send his flock of geese to invade the bakery. Peeta stopped calling after that.

Eleven days into his new schedule, and he was exhausted. Without his wife as a backup, it wasn't easy to wrangle his children. Thankfully, tonight, Meadow had elected to go to bed early as she was also tired. Which meant, before heading to bed, he only had to put Ryley down for bed.

As he was about to turn the page, his son put his little hand on his wrist.

"No moon," Ryley said as he looked up at Peeta with his Katniss colored eyes.

"Okay, are you tired?"

"Yesh." Ryley yawned, but showed no signs of sleepiness.

He would have thought that after the ruckus day Ryley had, he would have been bone tired. Instead, his son was acting like he had just had a strong cup of coffee.

"Me puh-way."

"It's not time to play, it's time to go to sleep."

"No." Ryley hugged his duck plushie closer to his chest. Haymitch had gotten a Ryley stuffed animal that was nearly the same size as him.

Peeta thought for a moment about what to do. He figured he would do what he did with Meadow. "Okay, what do you want to do tomorrow?"

Ryley blinked, and Peeta could see that his son was thinking. After a moment, he answered.

"Puh-way duck."

"Huh," Peeta said, shaking his head, trying to comprehend what his son was saying. "Playing with the ducks sounds fun."

Ryley yawned and then smiled up at him.

"I'm making breakfast in the morning. What would you like to eat?"

"Ahhhh," Ryley said, as he wrinkled his nose.

"Do you want toast?" Peeta asked. Ryley loved toast with butter and jam.

Ryley wrinkled his nose and shook his head.

"Okay, no to toast, what about -" He didn't get to finish as his son said.

"Cow cans."

Peeta didn't want to frown. "Ahhhh cow cans?"

"I wub cow cans."

"You love cow cans?" Peeta repeated.

"Yummy."

"Yummy, cows that say moo?"

"No!" Ryley said as he laughed.

"Si-wee," Ryley said.

"So, no moo-moo's."

Ryley laughed even harder.

"Okay, no cows," Peeta said to himself. As he puzzled over what his son was saying to him. "Have you seen a cow?"

There weren't cows in the district, and Peeta was wracking his brain to know where his son had seen one.

"Mmmm, book," he said, pointing to the book.

"Cow cans, mmmmm," Ryley said, smacking his lips.

"What are cow cans? Where have you seen them?"

"Home."

"Oh, so you've seen cow cans here," Peeta was more confused than ever. He knew he needed help understanding what his son was trying to convey. "Okay, Spud, I'm going to go get some help. Can you hang out in your crib for a little?"

"Yesh," Ryley happily said.

Peeta put his son in his crib and ran down the hall to Meadow's room. Peeta tapped lightly on the door before opening it. He whispered, "Meadow, are you awake?"

"Hmmm," Meadow said sleepily as she looked up at him. She squinted at the bright light.

Normally, it was his kids coming into his bedroom. They would turn on the lights and ask for a glass of water or for him to defend them against some imaginary thing in the closet, which turned out to be Buttercup2.

"I need your help."

"Wha," Meadow said, rubbing her eyes.

"Ryley is asking for cow cans. I have no idea what it is. Can you help?"

Meadow sighed and nodded her head, "Of course."

Both of them headed to Ryley's room. "Hey Spud, please tell your sister what you want to eat tomorrow for breakfast."

"Cow cans," Ryley said.

"Ryley, cow cans?"

"I wanna, cow cans," Ryley said.

"Can you play wif them?"

Ryley sat down and put his little hands on his knees, and he frowned. "No."

"So you can eat them," Meadow said.

"Mmm cow cans. Yummy."

Peeta had seen his kids communicate. He had been at the dinner table when they interacted, but he had never seen his daughter at work. She frowned just like her mother. And just like Katniss, he could see the way Meadow's mind puzzled over things.

"Mm, what's it look like?"

Peeta had never thought to ask that question.

"Wed an boo."

"What shape is it?"

"Mmmm, like ball."

Peeta pulled his daughter to the side. As Ryley began to sing the Yummy song. "Red and blue that looks like a ball?" Peeta repeated. He was totally lost. However, he saw a smile break on Meadow's face.

"I think I got it, Dada," Meadow said. "I need to ask one more question."

"By all means?"

They came back to Ryley, who was dancing while he sang.

"Ryley, what do you eat with cow cans?"

"Ahhh…." Ryely stopped dancing and frowned, then he smiled. "Eggs and steakon." Ryley smacked his little lips. "Yummy, yummy."

"Ryley, do you want Dada to make the special pancakes?" Meadow asked.

"Yesh, mo theese peaz."

Meadow turned to Peeta and said. "Ryley wants Clown Pancakes for breakfast, Dada. You made them last time."

"Cow cans," Peeta repeated. "Alright, cow cans in the morning it is." This was going into the book.

Chapter Text

"Poor me a bucket of water," Peeta sang and hummed the little ditty Katniss sang to the kids.

It was the end of the month, and Peeta was getting into a groove with his kids. This afternoon, he was making lunch. Katniss was in the living room napping, while the kids were across the street with Haymitch. Uncle Haymitch was the most valuable player. He took pity on Peeta this morning and invited the kids just so that he could get some housework done.

Peeta took down his cutting board and looked at the calendar. He loved Sundays. Normally, he could sleep in, but this morning, he felt a hot breath on his face before a small, clammy hand slapped his cheek, all the while whispering, "Dada."

Meadow was scared by their infamous cat, which had hidden amongst her stuffed animals. He let her climb into bed with them. Meadow fell asleep, but Peeta, however, did not. He'd been up since before dawn. So far, he'd done 3 loads of laundry, breakfast, cleaned and sanitized all three bathrooms, and, no thanks to the cat, cleaned and sanitized the kitchen twice.

"MEOW!"

Peeta looked down at their crazy cat. He was still upset with the cat. "You need to wait for your turn."

"MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!" Buttercup2 wrapped herself around his good leg while he stood by the stove.

"Give me a minute," Peeta said to the crazy cat who wouldn't leave him alone.

"MERRRRRRRRROWWW!"

Peeta tried to ignore the cat as he blended the veggies inside the tomato soup. He learned from Katniss to sneak vegetables into all sorts of foods. The cat followed him around the kitchen. Buttercup2 became louder and louder the more he ignored her.

"If you want to go outside, there is a pet door right there that you can use."

The cat looked insulted.

Peeta walked to the refrigerator to take out the butter, and the cat sat in front of the fridge, blocking him from being able to open the door. "Move."

Buttercup2 began licking its paw.

"Move," he said.

The cat deliberately ignored him. He was still peeved at the feline. This morning, he had taken out all of the ingredients to make Katniss some cheese buns. He ran upstairs because he heard Ryley through the monitor. When he came back downstairs, he found the cat on the counter, knocking down all of his ingredients on the floor. Buttercup2 had looked at him straight in the eye and knocked down the bag of flour. It then jumped down from the counter and purred sweetly as if she hadn't committed a crime. Peeta had to clean up the mess.

"FINE," Peeta said as he ran to the back door and opened it for Buttercup2.

Instead of rushing out, Buttercup2 walked over to him, sat on its but near his feet. She swished her tail back and forth, looking at him as if annoyed.

"I am making lunch for my children. I do not have time for your craziness."

"Mer!"

Peeta let go of the door, and the cat quickly shot outside.

"DO NOT BOTHER THE GEESE!" He yelled over his shoulder as he ran to the stove to stir the soup.

Peeta sighed, glad for the peace. Soon his mind turned to the great name debate.

He was working to get Meadow to agree to the names Katniss picked. It wasn't easy, as his daughter was just as stubborn as her mother. Peeta had to quietly do his homework in order to outsmart his baby girl. Meadow was intensely bright and loved reading. His baby girl was also gifted in the gift of gab, just like he was. She could be charming. Meadow was every bit their child.

Meadow also had a big heart; she loved her brother, and it was clear she loved the twins. She was quirky, just yesterday talked extensively about how there wasn't unicorn colored crayon. Peeta wanted to ask her what the crayon should look like, but he was tired and needed to get to bed.

Peeta yawned as he stirred the soup. It was lunchtime, and he was making something to eat for the kids.

He was going to call the kids over as soon as he finished making the grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. He quickly put down the stirring spoon and popped into the living room. He was worried that his wife could go into labor any day. Katniss had gotten bigger, in like the space of a few days, a reminder of how close they were to meeting their babies.

The doctor said Katniss was on complete bed rest. Katniss loathed not being allowed to move. Peeta didn't mind carrying her around. She didn't weigh much, even with the twins growing inside her, though she thought she was heavy. Every morning, he would bring her downstairs so that she would be with the children. Sometimes, he would sit outside with her because she loved nature. And she was often wistful for the woods. Last week, they had a picnic at the edge of the woods. Peeta got a wheelchair and wheeled Katniss out to the meadow. It was a great time for all, but it was tiring for Katniss. Dr. Terry had a few choice words for Peeta afterward. From that point on, it was all about making sure Katniss and the babies stayed on bed rest. They were to watch for when her water broke. Peeta had given her a bell for when she needed something. The kids found the bell very entertaining.

At the sound of the bell, they would run to let him or Haymitch know that Mama needed them. Peeta quietly slipped a lightweight blanket over her. She was so tired, Katniss, she didn't even feel when he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

Peeta sighed and went back into the kitchen. The phone was ringing.

"Hey, Boy, I'm bringing the kiddos back," Haymtich's raspy voice said.

"Thanks, Haymitch. Are you hungry? I made tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches."

"Nah, got to go into town."

"Okay, will I see you for dinner?"

"Sure thing," Haymitch said and hung up the phone.

Peeta hung up the phone and opened the door for the kids.

Meadow and Ryley barreled through the kitchen door, Buttercup2 right behind them. Haymitch was in the background, and he waved before leaving. Peeta noticed Meadow and Ryley were whispering and giggling. They were wearing masks they had made at Haymitch's.

"Hi, Dada," Meadow giggled.

"Ad-da," Ryley greeted.

Peeta gasped in a scared voice and asked, "Who are you, and why are you breaking into my house?"

"I live here, Dada," Meadow said.

"Yesh," Ryley said.

"No, you don't." Peeta hunched down to speak with them. He could hear Meadow as she whispered into her brother's ear.

"Ryley, it's working. He doesn't know it's us."

Ryley gave a full-body laugh. His little hands perched on his round little tummy.

"I don't know who you are!" Peeta said, playing along.

"It's me, Meadow!" His daughter exclaimed, giggling.

"I Why-lee," Ryely said. He, too, was laughing.

"You do not look like my Meadow and my Ryely. What did you do with them?"

"Dada!" Meadow laughed as she removed her mask. "See, Dada, it's me, Meadow."

"Ah-da," Ryeyl copied Meadow's actions and pointed at himself.

Peeta gasped dramatically at the reveal.

"We ta-wicked you, dada," Meadow said, hurling herself at him.

Ryley also threw himself at Peeta. 

"My children," Peeta gasped as he gently wrapped his arms around both and placed kisses and blew raspberries on their cheeks.

This caused more laughing and giggling.

"You did trick me."

"Wub you, Dada," Meadow said.

"Wub you too," Peeta said, placing a kiss on each of their heads. "Okay, now who's ready for lunch?"

"Me!" They both exclaimed.

"Go wash your hands, but be quiet. Mama is sleeping."

Peeta watched them scamper from the room. He instantly set up their lunch at the table. They came back tiptoing and shushing each other all the while giggling. Peeta sat his son in his highchair. He didn't want his son falling from the chair like Meadow did at this age.

All three began eating, and Meadow talked about her morning with Haymitch, while Ryley nodded and said, "yesh" a lot.

Ryley pointed at the grilled cheese sticks, "Mo these, peaz."

Peeta plated a few more grilled cheese sticks. Ryley was definitely Katniss's child. They both loved anything cheesy.

"You know, Meadow, your mom really loves Diana and Hunter."

"Melody and Levi."

"Meadow, you do know Mama and Dada gave you your name after you were born. Same Ryely."

Meadow laughed. "So silly, Dada."

"It's true, I thought you were like your mama, prettier than the Meadow."

"What about Ryley?"

"Why-lee," he parroted.

"Your mama and I knew how handsome you were, like a rye meadow."

"Oh," Meadow gasped. "Ryley, your name is like mine."

"See, your mama and I picked your names," Peeta said. "And we picked Diana, which is a huntress, and Hunter. They mean the same, just like you two."

"Oh Dada, that's so pwetty."

"It is, and maybe if the twins knew this, they would like the names we picked. Now who wants more grilled cheese sticks?"

"Me!" Ryley said, giving him a toothy grin.

"No problem, spud!"

After they finished eating, Peeta asked, "Okay, what do you want for dessert?"

"Baboon," Ryley exclaimed.

Meadow stopped speaking to look at her brother.

Peeta was expecting him to say apples, oranges, or grapes. Not baboons. "Ah buddy, I don't think -" he stopped speaking, trying to come up with a way to ask his toddler son what he meant by baboon. "Baboon?"

"Yesh," Ryley said, his eyes were like round dishes on his face, and his little hands gripped the side of his highchair. His son was serious.

"Um, Ryley," Peeta said, looking to his daughter for help. "I don't think you want to eat a baboon."

"I wanna baboon, a-da!" Ryley said.

"Like the baboon at the zoo?" Meadow asked.

"That's right, baboons live in a zoo," Peeta said.

He'd forgotten that two weeks ago, a traveling zoo came into the district. They had a baboon amongst the monkeys. They also had elephants and some exotic birds. Haymitch had taken the kids to the zoo, while Peeta stayed behind with Katniss.

"No wike zoo," Ryle said, pouting. "Yots of poo."

To which Meadow laughed. Apparently, they saw a horse take a dump. His kids laughed for hours afterward, recalling how stinky it smelled. He'd forgotten how much he loved bathroom humor as a kid. He and his brothers would crack up over the word duty because it sounded like doodie.

"The crows scared him. They were very noisy," Meadow said, wrinkling her nose.

"So, no baboon from the zoo," Peeta surmised.

"No. Baboon, peaz."

"Ryley, is it yummy?" Meadow asked.

Peeta could see his daughter frowning; her brow was wrinkled in thought.

Ryle smacked his lips and smiled.

"What does, baboon look like?" Meadow asked.

"Mmm…Ball."

"Did Uncle Haymish give us the baboon?"

"Mmmm, yesh."

"Is it hot or cold?" Meadow fanned herself when she said hot and then acted out the word cold by rubbing her shoulders and shaking.

"Brrrrr…." Ryley said, copying his sister.

Peeta was amazed by his kids' communication. "Wait, a cold baboon?"

"Dada, he wants ice cream. When we went to the zoo, the ice cream was served in baboon cups."

"Of course, cold baboons," Peeta said. "Welp, let's get you some ice cream."

Ryley smacked his lips and said, "Yummy."

A/N: I thought I would share the inspiration for the chapter, Katniss was humming this song at the beginning of Meadow's Call. I also wanted to share where I got the definition of Ryley's name. It's totally appropriate lol. 

Rhyme baboon song

Ryley Meaning