A/N: Yay, here is chapter 2! And in it, a wedding! I love writing weddings, hehe. Makes me think of all the weddings I've been in and all my friends that have gotten married. I tried to make this ceremony not be a carbon copy of K and P's, but I apologize if any of the wording is the same. There are only so many ways to say the same thing, hehe.

And thank you, thank you, thank you to all of those who reviewed chapter 1. Twenty-two reviews for the first chapter? That's amazing! If I haven't personally PM'd you to send my thanks, then I apologize. But just know that I read every review and appreciate them all. So keep 'em coming, and I'll keep the chapters coming!


The morning of Thom and Leevy's wedding dawned bright – golden sunlight cascading over the snowdrifts. It was cold, but not unseasonably so, though Katniss was reluctant to pull herself out of bed and away from Peeta's perpetual warmth.

She let out a long sigh and threw the covers off swiftly, her bare feet touching the frigid wooden floor gingerly. She was thankful that she had convinced Peeta to have the central heating repaired a few years back, but the house was still cold in the mornings. She was also thankful she had showered the night before, after a long day in the wilderness, and wouldn't have to struggle with her long hair being wet on the chilly morning.

Peeta stirred and gave her a look as she quickly slipped into a pair of pants, her bare legs disappearing beneath the fabric. She pulled on a thick sweater over her undershirt, then leaned across the bed to plant a kiss on his cheek.

"What time is it?" He asked with a smile as she straightened back up.

"Early," she replied matter-of-factly. "And you have a cake to bake."

He blinked up at her for a moment, then pushed himself up out of bed. He was groggy, and nearly forgot that he had removed his prosthetic leg the night before. He swayed where he stood, all of his weight on his right leg, then quickly sat back down on the edge of the bed, strapping on the prosthesis with a shiver as the cold metal and plastic touched his skin.

"You'd think I would know by now…" He said quietly, as if to himself, and Katniss felt something dark beneath the self-deprecation.

"And I already baked the cake," he added brightly, swinging his left leg out before standing up. "It's in the cooler, ready to go. Just have to ice and decorate it."

Katniss watched him as he pulled on a pair of slacks and buttoned his shirt. He caught her gazing at him and gave her a wry smile.

"What are you doing up so early?" He asked, a look of mischief on his features.

"I promised I'd help Leevy this morning, remember?" She thought she recalled telling Peeta her plans a few days prior.

"Oh, that's right," he replied with a look of recognition. "Have fun," he chuckled, and Katniss didn't know if he was genuinely happy that she was helping a friend or if he was making some sort of jest at her expense.

"I'll be back later, to change," she explained after brushing her teeth and braiding her hair. She stuck her head back into the bedroom.

"You mean you're not wearing that to the wedding?" Peeta quipped playfully, giving her the one over with his eyes. She tugged at the hem of her oversized sweater and glanced at her plain cotton pants, threadbare at the knees.

"I'll see you later," she replied, ignoring his question. "And I expect you won't show up covered in flour," she added from the doorway, mimicking Effie Trinket's high-pitched accent perfectly.

Peeta's laughter followed her as she descended the stairs and grabbed her thick down coat. She heard the sound of him clomping around upstairs as she laced her boots and headed out the back door.

Katniss walked briskly toward town, the cold air biting with each breath. She had the lane to herself all the way to Leevy's house, no other soul braving the freezing temperature so early that day. Katniss knocked, then quickly shoved her uncovered hands back into her coat pockets. Levan answered just a few seconds later.

"Katniss is here!" He yelled, not even bothering to greet her. He was fifteen now, tall and wiry with dark features that spoke of the Seam.

"Hey Levan," Katniss said softly, but he had already turned around.

"She's HERE!" Levan yelled again, the volume of his voice jarring Katniss. She let out a sigh and shook her head, pushing past him and into the house.

Katniss made her way to the front bedroom and Leevy greeted her warmly. She appeared to have been spraying some concoction on her long hair, then rolling pieces up into curlers.

"I'm so glad you're here," Leevy said in one long breath. Katniss noticed that the usually reserved girl had the look of a startled deer about her, her gray eyes wide, her breathing quickened.

"How can I help?" Katniss offered cheerfully, but saw in the large mirror that her eyes betrayed her, filled with concern.

"I can't find my shoes," Leevy revealed, showing Katniss the disastrous area that had once been a closet. The large wedding gown was hanging up, covered in a garment bag, and luckily rather unscathed.

"They came in while back," Leevy was explaining as Katniss stepped over piles of clothes. "I just don't remember where I put them…"

"They were the white ones, right, with the little block heel…?" Katniss attempted. She remembered the general look of the shoe, as she'd been present when Leevy ordered the pair.

Leevy nodded and described the shoes in further detail, showing Katniss where she thought she had stowed them. After a moment of more frantic searching on Leevy's part, Katniss steered the girl back toward the stool that sat perched in front of the mirror.

"Here, you sit," Katniss instructed. Leevy obeyed and picked up a curler to finish her hair. "Don't worry, I'll find your shoes."

After searching through Leevy's closet and under the bed, Katniss finally located the shoes, tucked away in their box on a shelf in the hall closest. She was glad she didn't have to search Levan's room, as he stared daggers at her each time her eyes had wandered that way. Leevy exclaimed happily when Katniss showed her the shoes, shaking her head when she learned where they had been.

"The hall closet! Now I remember putting them there," Leevy admitted sheepishly.

Leevy was content with Katniss sitting on the edge of the bed as the soon-to-be newlywed finished putting in the curlers. But Katniss wasn't one for idle chatter, unless it was Peeta's. So they sat in amicable silence until it was all too much for Katniss and she started straightening up Leevy's mess of a closet.

"You really don't have to do that," Leevy protested quietly, waiting for the timer on the heated curlers to go off.

"I don't mind," Katniss replied, stuffing shoes back into their boxes, hanging up sweaters and pants.

After she had tidied up, Katniss went into the tiny kitchen to make some tea. Sipping on the warm liquid a short while later, she wished she had some of Peeta's frosted cookies to accompany it. Leevy busied herself with the hot curlers, twisting them gently out of her hair to reveal perfect, tight curls. Katniss helped Leevy pull some of the dark strands away from her face and pin them back with a jeweled comb. Katniss excused herself some time later so that she could head back to the Victor's Village to get dressed.

"You'll come back, won't you?" Leevy asked, her gray eyes wide. Katniss had promised the girl weeks ago that she would help her with the gown and getting to the Justice Building in the snow.

"I'll be back soon, I promise," Katniss said with a smile. "In the mean time, Levan is here to help." She added, earning a scowl from the teenager.

Katniss stretched her legs on the walk home. It was warmer now that it was closer to midday and so she strolled back, almost tempted to stop in at the bakery and check on Peeta. She decided against it, though, as she would see him later at the wedding. She was happy to help Leevy on such an occasion, but was also glad that she had an excuse to get away and clear her thoughts for a while. She unzipped her down coat halfway to the Victor's Village, the rising temperature combined with the thick garment making her sweat.

She found her house empty, except for Buttercup. The cat lifted its head lazily to gaze at Katniss, its rotten squash eyes half-lidded as it lay in the armchair. Katniss laughed to herself to think the hideous cat would probably outlive them all. How many years had it been since she tried to drown the thing? Her heart clinched painfully when she thought of Prim begging her to spare the cat. Another mouth to feed had been Katniss's only thought, but she couldn't say no to Prim's pleading blue eyes. Prim, who would have been twenty now, perhaps even planning her own wedding.

Katniss had quickly agreed to help Leevy plan her wedding to Thom, as Katniss was the girl's closet friend and had been through a lavish ceremony of her own. But something nagged at Katniss, a feeling of uneasiness mixed with despair. At first, she had pushed the odd sense of despondency to the back of her mind, putting on a cheerful face for Peeta and Leevy. She hadn't understood, in the beginning, why she wasn't simply happy for the couple. She had played her role perfectly, advising Leevy on place settings, decorations, and even her gown. It was only when she was cleaning the living room and knocked down the book of memories from high up on a shelf that she began to understand her feelings. She looked down to see Prim smiling back up at her from a photo pasted onto the page, and Katniss realized she was feeling the loss of her sister more acutely at such a time. She realized she would never be able to help Prim pick out decorations or invitations. She would never be there as her sister tried on countless wedding gowns, fretted over veils, or teetered about in white high-heeled shoes.

Peeta had noticed the melancholy that had settled over Katniss, and it was even more apparent that evening, after she had knocked down the book. She had been tight-lipped, despite the worried looks he sent her way. It wasn't until they were undressing for bed that he finally brought it up.

"What's wrong, Katniss?" He asked softly.

He had been watching her all evening, the way she had been so quiet, her jaw set, her eyes narrowed slightly, as if in pain. She stopped mid-movement and gazed up at him.

"It's nothing," she lied, glancing back down at her feet, stepping carefully out of her pants.

"Katniss…" He said, drawing her name out. He knew she was keeping something from him, and it annoyed her.

She pulled off her shirt and approached him, tugging at her undershirt in the process. She was crawling across the bed and kissing him before he could protest, hoping she could distract him. She pushed him down against the bed and she thought he had raised his arms to pull her down on top of him. But then his hands were resting solidly on her bare shoulders, and he shifted her away from him.

"Katniss," he repeated in a sterner tone. His breathing was heavy, though, and she knew it was taking quite some willpower for him to not give in and pull her back down on top of him.

"I need you to tell me what's wrong," he said after taking a moment to compose himself. She sat on the edge of the bed and he straightened up to sit beside her.

"It's the wedding…" She admitted finally, letting out a long sigh. "It's not Leevy, or anything she's done," Katniss added quickly.

Peeta's hand closed over hers and she let the warmth and strength she felt there comfort her.

"It's that…it's…" Katniss started, but she had trouble finding the right words.

She felt the sting of tears as they formed in her eyes. She tried to blink them back, but failed. Peeta's hand moved to gently cup her face, and she looked at him through the haze of tears.

"She isn't here," Katniss managed, the words coming out thick and strangled. "Prim isn't here…"

And Peeta moved to wrap his arms around her as she cried openly, desperately, her head resting on his bare shoulder.

That had been weeks ago, and Katniss inhaled deeply as she scaled the stairs to her bedroom, clearing her mind of the sorrow that lived there. She would always carry Prim with her – the memory of her younger sister so bright and loving, her death so sudden and terrifying. But for today, she could push it aside and be happy for Leevy, who had lost her family too, after all.

Katniss changed quickly, pulling on a rather simple long-sleeved dress and thick, woolen leggings. She let her hair out of its braid and ran a brush through it several times before re-plaiting it. She grabbed a scarf from her closet and threw on her thick down coat before heading back out into the cold. She waved cheerfully at her neighbors out and about and called to some by name. She was met with smiles and hearty waves in return as she picked up her pace back to Leevy's. Many of them were headed to the Justice Building, where the wedding was going to be held. With Thom being the mayor, most of the town had been invited to the ceremony. There were even those who no longer lived in the district that had been invited.

"Thom invited him…" Leevy had said one day, months ago, at a fitting. It took Katniss a second, but then she realized whom the shy girl meant.

"Thom invited Gale," Leevy said, her gray eyes flitting over Katniss's face, watching her expression.

Of course it made sense that Thom had invited Gale Hawthorne to the wedding. Gale had been friends with Thom before Katniss. The two men were closer in age, had worked the mines together on the same crew. It would have been discourteous to not invite him, Katniss thought. It only surprised Katniss that she no longer felt a sharp pang when his name was mentioned. No, she hadn't really felt anything when Leevy spoke his name, and it was perplexing, and quite sad.

"I don't know if he'll come or not…" Leevy continued softly. "Thom hasn't heard back from him…"

Katniss smiled, and a look of relief passed over Leevy's worried features. It's ok, Katniss wanted to tell her. I'm ok, if he shows up or if he doesn't. But she just nodded, her lips marking out an even wider curve on her face until Leevy broke into a smile as well.

Katniss doubted he would show up as he had at her own wedding, unannounced, standing there as if to make a scene. She told herself she was relieved when Thom received a letter from Gale filled with an apology and an excuse as to why he couldn't attend. But beyond her own curiosity, there wasn't much else.

Katniss returned to Leevy's small cottage right off the town square, watching as folks headed to the ceremony. After helping the shy girl into her gown, assuring that every hair was in place and that her makeup was flawless, Katniss walked Leevy through the center of town and up to the Justice Building. It was a short walk, but Katniss and Levan had to lift Leevy's skirt and train to avoid the dirt and snow on the ground. Katniss would have laughed if Leevy had not looked so frightened - as if any loud noise or sudden movement would send her running.

They waited next door in the Mayor's Mansion until the clock struck three, then made their way to the front steps of the Justice Building, Leevy's skirt and train held high. Katniss remembered the whirlwind that had been her wedding day and recognized the far-off look in Leevy's gray eyes. They climbed the steps carefully and two older gentlemen – both from the town council – held the large doors open as Leevy entered. Katniss and Levan followed, struggling to straighten her gown and her veil. The main hall had been cleared of its desks and partitions, and the space had been filled with row after row of chairs now occupied by wedding guests. The stately columns and banisters had been decorated with ribbons and lights, and the center aisle was covered in red fabric. Leevy paused at the entranceway and Katniss helped her out of her woolen coat as Levan took his place beside her. The brother and sister linked arms before walking down the aisle.

Katniss watched from the back as Leevy advanced toward Thom, who was beaming at the front of the aisle. Leevy's dress flowed out gracefully from her thin figure, the ivory silk shimmering in the incandescent light. The gown was form-fitted and hugged her body beautifully. The neckline plunged dramatically low in the front after descending from a collar that framed her delicate neck. Leevy's arms were encased in smooth silk sleeves that ended at each of her tiny wrists, befitting a winter wedding. Perfectly round ivory buttons adorned each sleeve and punctuated the back of her gown. Her dark curls fell softly over her shoulders, the lace veil cascading from the jeweled comb and down to the floor.

As Levan released his sister and she grabbed hold of Thom's hands, Katniss realized she was still standing at the back of the hall, clutching Leevy's coat tightly. Katniss caught sight of Peeta as the audience was seated, his blond hair and the scars that danced across the back of this neck clearly visible. He was sitting near the end of a row and Katniss moved quickly to sit beside him, stuffing her down coat and Leevy's woolen one beneath the seat in front of her. Peeta whispered a quick greeting and found her hand, his warm fingers lacing with hers.

The ceremony was simple, and quiet, Leevy's soft voice barely audible as she read her vows. Thom stood transfixed in front of his bride, and Katniss couldn't help but smile at the genuine love and affection that were written all over his features. She wondered if Peeta's feelings for her were so apparent to others, but she didn't even have to glance his way to know that they were. Haymitch and Greasy Sae had known about his love for her long before Katniss. She almost felt foolish to think that what was so obvious to outsiders looking in could seem so confusing to her.

Rings were exchanged and Thom kissed Leevy to boisterous applause. The official from the Capitol announced the grinning couple to the crowd and the hall erupted into more cacophonous cheers. The guests were then herded to the back of the hall as the area was transformed. The innumberable chairs were moved so that long tables could be placed throughout the hall for the reception. Peeta disappeared after a moment and Katniss saw him off in the distance with Marc, the two men making their way toward a room off to the side. Katniss held her and Leevy's coats awkwardly until she caught sight of Anabel. The mother of two looked wan, but the smile that broke out across her face when she waved to Katniss brought life back into her features. She was thin, despite having given birth three months prior, and looked older, but maintained her cheerful spirit. She shuffled through the crowd with Rye, who tried to tug away from her grip. The boy of six grinned when he saw Katniss.

Katniss gathered Anabel into a tight hug, surprising herself more than the young mother.

"Rye, why don't you get those coats from your Aunt Kat and take them to the coat room?" Anabel bent to ask her son. The boy saw the two heavy garments and reached out his arms. "You remember where it is, right? Up at the front…"

Anabel pointed the boy toward the entranceway as Katniss thanked him. His mother watched as he ran toward the designated area, nearly tripping as the two large coats weighed him down. Katniss stretched out her arms as Anabel waited for Rye to return.

"How are you feeling?" Katniss asked. "And where's Addie?" She had noticed the absence of the infant.

"I'm doing good," Anabel responded with a smile, peering through the crowd so that her eyes were always on Rye. "Just getting my strength back. And Addie's with my mother, at home." She added. "Didn't think I should bring a fussy three-month-old to the Mayor's wedding." She said and let out a mirthful laugh.

Rye came back in a huff, as if he had just performed some extraordinary feat. Anabel leaned down to kiss him, but he pulled back, protesting.

"Where's Uncle Peet?" He asked Katniss brightly after a moment, using the nickname he'd chosen for his favorite "relative."

"I don't know," Katniss replied, looking about the hall. "He went off with your dad somewhere."

"Oh, they went to get the cake," Anabel explained and Rye's ears perked up at the mention of the treat.

Sure enough, Marc and Peeta emerged from a room off to the side a few minutes later, balancing the large wedding cake between them. Katniss cringed, knowing that Peeta wasn't always the steadiest on his prosthetic leg. But the crowd parted and the two men set the tiered cake down on its own table gingerly, the large structure exquisite – and intact.

Rye ran off to greet the men and Katniss watched as Marc grabbed the boy up into his arms, tossing Rye's small frame into the air and catching him as he descended. Peeta ruffled the boy's hair good-naturedly, a wistful look on his face. Katniss knew that look well, as it had appeared only hours after Rye's birth. The look would show up every-so-often, like when Marc would bring some news of his son's accomplishments to the bakery or when the family was over at the Victor's Village for dinner. And Katniss would have to cross her arms over her chest and give Peeta a long look in return. A look that said she knew what he was thinking and that the answer – for now – was no.

Katniss and Peeta lined up with Marc, Anabel, and Rye to congratulate the newlyweds. Both Leevy and Thom hugged Katniss warmly and thanked her, though Katniss tried to shrug it off. She didn't feel as if she'd been of any great help to Leevy. They thanked Peeta as well.

"It's not often that I get to take on big projects like this," Peeta was saying, gazing over at the wedding cake.

And the cake was quite a project. It was even bigger than their own had been. Rye led Katniss over to the table for a closer look, his small hand fitting into her larger one perfectly. He pointed out the square tiers, the delicate snow flakes that Peeta had made from crystallized sugar. There were pinecones sculpted entirely from chocolate, dusted in powdered sugar snow. Peeta's skill and artistry were evident, and Katniss stared in wonder until Rye tugged at her again, leading her back toward his parents. Peeta, Marc, and Anabel had found a table near the edge of the hall, and Katniss joined them gladly. Rye chattered away during the meal, and Katniss smiled to herself to think of how much the boy took after his mother.

"What's so funny…?" Peeta leaned close and asked softly, seeing the expression on Katniss's face.

"Oh, nothing," Katniss said, continuing to smile as she took a bite from her roll – rolls that Peeta had made.

He glanced at her again, though, and then across to where Rye sat, enthusiastically explaining something to his mother. A sly look spread across Peeta's features.

"So when are we going to have two or three…?" He asked quietly, mischief behind his words as he nodded toward Marc and Anabel's son.

"Two or three?" Katniss nearly choked on her bite of bread, trying to keep her voice down. She gave Peeta a scathing look.

"Yeah, two or three…" He repeated himself, his tone light. "When are we going to start…you know..." Peeta said, once again nodding toward Rye. Katniss just shook her head at him.

"You still haven't convinced me to have the first one yet…" She said, a hint of warning in her tone. She pulled her eyes away from his and stuffed another bite of food into her mouth.

"Yet…" He said softly.

He had spoken as if to himself. She glanced back up at him and saw that his bright blue eyes were trained on Rye. And in them she saw the sorrow and loss he carried with him, but eclipsing it all, there was hope.