AN: I very much appreciate those of you who took the time to review my story, it really motivated me to keep writing.

Chapter 3

The days before our wedding came and went far too fast for my liking. I had been so busy being forced to go over menus and deciding what should be served for our reception, talking to the florists about decorations and getting everything ready for the wedding. I hadn't had a moment to myself, let alone a chance to talk to Peeta other than when we were surrounded by people.

Now it was the day before our wedding ceremony, and my nerves were trying to get the best of me. Birds singing outside my window woke me early, I could tell by how low the sun hung in the sky just above the line of trees.

I lay there, watching the light fill my room as the sun slowly rose in the sky higher and higher.

My nightmares had been getting worse and worse each night since returning from the games. Most nights I woke up at least once covered in a cold sweat, my body tight and poised to fight, though of course I was all alone in the dark with only my mind to fight.

Last night I went through my same routine, double checking that both the front and back door were locked before heading to my room with some sleep time tea to force myself to fall asleep. I built up a wall of blankets on the side of me that was exposed to the room, and buried myself between it and the wall, mentally preparing myself for a bad night's sleep and the nightmares to come.

Instead the dream that came to me was very different. I woke up still feeling the places where his arms had wrapped around my body; I could almost smell his warm skin. There were goosebumps on my arm; I rubbed my hand over the spot where I had dreamed his own hand to have rested. With a sigh, I stretched and rolled out of bed.

Turning the water on to just slightly above ice cold, I climbed into the shower. As the water spread across my skin, a stronger memory of the dream I had had came into my mind.

Strong hands moved across my shoulders, down my arms and then back up to the base of my neck. Lips coming to replace those hands.

"Katniss, are you almost ready? Prim and I have everything to start packing." My mother's voice wafted through the bathroom door, bringing me back to the real world.

That dream though, I wanted to remember more of it! I quickly rinsed off and rushed out of the shower, carelessly throwing a towel around myself. Prim and my mom were waiting in my room, a box and a shoulder bag out on the bed in front of them. Prim looked excited, chattering away as soon as she saw me.

"Oh Katniss, this is so exciting!" She hopped over with a huge grin on her face.

My mother pursed her lips; there was a tightness near her eyes. "Give her a chance to get dressed Primrose."

"I picked out something nice for you to wear when you go over to Peeta's house today." She said, smoothing a wrinkle out of a red dress on the bed. There were tiny yellow flowers on the dress, giving it the illusion of blossoms from a tree falling slowly to the ground in spring.

"It's not too fancy to wear when I'm just moving my stuff over to his house?" I ask, slipping into it.

I spun around several times in front of the mirror enjoying the way the bottom spread around and then clung to my hips when I stood still suddenly.

"I don't really know what's appropriate to wear for this situation." My mother sighed, looking me over. "You look so beautiful, even in the most simple of things. You look so much like your father, and yet you are so completely your own person. "Her voice wobbled slightly as she said this.

Her cold fingers pulled my hair from my face, beginning to braid my wet hair to keep it from hanging on the dress.

"I know we have one more day with you, but it just feels like goodbye already." Prim said, playing with my fingers.

"Hey now, I'm moving 3 houses away. It's not like I won't be here bothering you every day as if I still lived here. At least we get to keep this house so you can stay here instead of moving back into the Seam." I try and give them a big smile as the words leave my mouth. We all look at each other for a moment, both my mother and Prim's eyes so light compared to my gray ones.

"Come on, let's get started on packing." My mother pulls us all apart.

It's strange seeing everything that I own packed back up after such a short time living in this house. I have left almost everything for Prim and my mother to use for themselves. All the dresses from interviews and appearances are shoved into a box, probably ruining them but I can't see much of a chance in the future to wear a dress that's already been seen by everyone in Panem. I'm sure Cinna wouldn't allow it even if I tried to repeat an outfit.

I stuff the few personal items I have in the bag, some clothes I used to wear hunting, my father's jacket, and a few of the soaps from the bathroom just because I can. Once they are packed and sealed up I just let the box and bag sit there on the bed, not ready to acknowledge what all of this leads to. Acknowledging that me moving my things from my house to Peeta's means I also have to acknowledge our wedding being the next day.

Something flickers in my chest, a little feeling that seems to happen lately when I think of Peeta. I wonder if he's sitting in his house right now, taking in the time he has left in his house alone before I come over. What is going through his head as he waits for me?

I wished so much to talk to him these past few weeks, I hated going into our marriage this way. The only comfort was the fact that after tomorrow, one way or another he'd have to talk to me since we'd be in the same house. It certainly wasn't big enough for him to disappear completely from me.

"You should probably head over soon Katniss, I want you home early so we can have dinner together." My mother smiled kindly at me, and I knew she was thinking silently that it would be our last dinner as a family in this house.

"I've got this, don't worry. I'll be home in plenty of time to eat with you both." I said, swinging the bag over my shoulder and picking up the box from Prim's hands.

We stood looking at each other one more minute until the box slipped in my hands, and I stepped out from our front door into the humid summer air.

The walk to Peeta's house was so short, it was over before I knew it. The mountains just beyond the village were full with giant green trees, and I could hear all the birds singing me forward. A dandelion had sprung up in the crack between two stones at the bottom step leading to Peeta's front door. I stopped to look at it, the tiny yellow petals and big sharp green leaves surrounding it protectively.

The door swung open with a creak, catching my attention. I looked up to see Peeta standing just inside, watching me closely with those big blue eyes. My heart beat a little quicker just from being so close to him after trying to see him for so long.

"Hello Katniss." He said quietly, pulling the door open wider as I came up the stairs.

I smiled at him as I reached the door, noticing his cheeks turn slightly pink as I came up next to him.

"Hi Peeta, long time no see." I stood right behind him as he closed the door, enjoying the fact that I finally got to speak to him. No closing curtains or walking the other way now.

I followed him up the curving staircase, making note of the fact that the stair second to the top creaked as soon as Peeta stepped on it. You never know when you'll need to know those types of things.

At the top of the stairs I could see just a long hallway, a door on each end and one right in front of us. Peeta started to lead me to the right, to the door that was open. There was a bed that looked like it had never been touched, a night stand, desk and big windows looking out onto the empty streets of the village. I could see Haymitch's house directly across the stone center of the village, though it was too early in the afternoon for him to be awake most likely.

"This room can be yours if you like. There's a big closet right here and if that's not enough there's also one in our bathroom." He stood there awkwardly in the center of the room, gesturing to the closet before walking out into the hall as I set my bag down on the bed.

"We share a bathroom, hopefully that won't be too much of a problem for you. We can make a schedule or something I guess…" He pointed to the door that was right at the top of the stairs, in the middle of the hall between the two bedrooms.

"I can give you a tour of the place after you get unpacked if you want."

"I'd like that." I say, making sure to lock eyes with him.

He looked so defeated, his shoulders slumped and his arms just hung at his sides as if they were too heavy for him to keep up. I couldn't bear to see him looking this way. I set the box down on the floor in the hallway behind me and came up beside him.

"Peeta, can I ask you something." I looked up into his eyes, and that stirring in my chest started.

"Anything."

"Can I put my things in your room?" His face changed to surprise at my request.

"You want to switch rooms with me?"

"No… I don't want a room of my own." I stepped closer to him, watching his face fill with color.

"There's only one bed Katniss."

"I know. I want to be with you. You know I only sleep well when I'm with you."

I took another step closer, leaving us only a few inches apart from each other. I raised my head so I was looking straight at him. Several expressions played across his face, confusion, joy, and something else. I think it was lust. Cautiously I brought one hand up to rest on his chest, feeling the solid muscle of his pecs beneath the thin material of his shirt. It was hot under my hand, making me wonder how warm his skin must be. I wondered if the warmth would travel on his skin anywhere I touched him.

I could feel my own face getting warm as a blush crept up my cheeks. My thumb rubbed the soft fabric of his shirt, and I heard his breathing quicken. Stepping up onto my tiptoes, I reached out and pressed my lips gently on his cheek near his ear. He sucked in a breath quickly and pulled me against him, my face resting between his shoulder and neck. I could smell him, a warm musky smell that I remembered from the cave.

Suddenly a shrill ringing filled the house, making both of us jump apart and look around in surprise.

"The phone." Peeta said, realizing what the noise was. He groaned in frustration as he ran down the stairs to grab the phone. I could hear him talking to someone, his voice coming out very curt.

I leaned up against the wall, allowing my blood to slow down. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror that was hanging on the wall. Flushed red cheeks standing out against my dark olive skin.

"That was Effie, reminding us we need to get some rest tonight since we have an early start tomorrow." Peeta said, standing at the base of the stairs looking up at me.

"Oh right." I nod, coming down the stairs to stand in front of him.

Keeping my feet on the last step I was almost the same height as him. His eyes looked me up and down before coming to rest on my lips. I licked them out of instinct, watching his eyelids lower slightly. I bent forward and gave him a small kiss on the cheek again, hovering near his ear.

"Good night Peeta. See you tomorrow." He sighed, reaching out for me but I rushed out the door and into the fresh air.

My body felt warm all over, in a way I hadn't felt before. How was I ever going to sleep tonight? I looked over my shoulder to see him standing at the door, those blue eyes following my every move down the road to my house. I couldn't help but become very excited and nervous thinking about how I'd be married to that boy this time tomorrow.