Katniss' POV

I woke to the morning sun creeping between my curtains, and for a second lay there. Then I remembered, and before I had time to process anything, my bedroom door flew open, and Octavia, Venia and Flavius bounded in, excitement clear in their bright eyes.

"Today's the day!" Octavia sung, almost catatonic with joy.

"Your wedding!" Flavius added, mirroring her tone. With no encouragement necessary from me, they began their incessant chatting as they pulled me out of bed, telling me how they had waited for this day, and how happy they had been invited, even if it wasn't the ceremony it would have been before.

Before. Flavius says this word softly, and immediately blushes, regretting his words. He should. I worry for my prep team, who never truly were rebels but were saved for the purpose of dressing me.

They begin to get me ready at once, bathing me in potions and ointments, removing hair from my body, and then doing my hair and nails. At my request, while my face was moisturised and cleaned, no makeup was applied. After this ordeal ended, they moved on to the next. Until this point, my wedding dress had been my prep teams secret. After much excited chattering about how nice my hair looked and declining all my requests to see a mirror, they brought out my dress.

My heart faltered when I saw it. It was beautiful, of course. But what drew my eye was the careful sewing work, the flowing dress, the tight bodice decorated with lace. I knew that hand, I had once even claimed it as my own.

"Cinna." I breathed aloud, while grief threatened to bring tears to my eyes.

Octavia wiped a tear from her eye while Venia explained. It had been one of Cinna's many wedding dress designs for me, but obviously, with the lack of extravagance, none of the capitol had voted it. But it was perfect for me, and he must have none that.

After they'd dressed me and placed my veil on my head, they directed me to a mirror. I gasped. My hair was half down in curls, and half up in an intricate pattern on the back of my head. The dress was perfect, naturally. I kissed all of my prep team on the cheek and told them thank you, and then let them go to get ready themselves.

I sat down on my bed, not sure of what to do, when the nerves set in. What with the prep team, I had been numb until now. Now nerves threatened to set me alight from the inside. For the first time ever, I was almost relieved when Haymitch walked in. He smiled greeting.
"You look beautiful, sweetheart." He told me, and there was no sarcasm in his voice.

"You too." I said, grinning at his suit and tie. Even his hair was combed neatly, and he didn't smell of alcohol. Probably saving himself for the free drinks that would be provided later.
"Katniss?" Haymitch asked, and I was sure he sounded nervous.
"Yes?"
"Were you wanting me to walk you down the aisle?" He asked, then seemed to regret it. "It's okay, I only asked because your Dad-"

"Thanks, Haymitch. I'd love that." I interrupted and was rewarded with a grin.
"It's starting now, they sent me to get you."

I stood and walked with him outside where the wedding would be held, in a huge tent. I stopped at the door, and gripped his arm tightly.

"Don't let me fall." I muttered and he laughed.

As soon as we entered the tent my eyes searched for him. He was right at the front, waiting for me with a calm smile, while his eyes shone with happiness, and as I set off, thinking of how handsome he looked in his suit, my fears melted away.