A/N: 12/03/2014 Okay, this is a 3-part chapter. So you know what that means? THREE WHOLE UPDATES! YAAAYY! :D

Tenn: Thank you so much. I'm really glad you like this story and my idea :)

MrsOdairMellark: Well you won't have to wait much longer, 'cuz it's comin' up! Thanks for the review, I hope this was fast enough for you! :D

Foreverlovingalways: Don't worry, they will! It'll just take some time on Katniss' part. Finnick's already falling for her, he just doesn't know it yet ;)

K-chan's Kisses: Ooh, thanks for all those reviews, I LOVE it when people do that X3 Glad you're liking the story so far, hope I don't disappoint with the other chapters! :)

be-my-guardian-angel: Haha thanks! I love writing Finnick's character :) And yes, I have seen Mockingjay pt. 1! Saw it on the 22nd! Good film, though Catching Fire is still my favorite :3

tam: Well, Tam, you're awesome. And I'm glad such an awesome person loves my story :)

Calliope's Scribe: Thanks! Will do!

CelestialTitania: Thank you so much X3 I actually realized there was a typo in the last chapter. It wasn't $500 it was $600 ($200 + $400 extra) so there's even more that Katniss needs to scrounge up, lol XD

Andrea250: Yeah, Finniss is an adorable pairing :3 Thanks for reviewing!

Ktmmxgirl: Don't worry! There will be longer chapters! Thanks for the review! :)

Reading time: 5 mins.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.


Chapter nine: The Christmas Ordeal~


It was Christmas Morning, and Katniss couldn't have been more on edge.

She sat parked outside Finnick's apartment, as always, waiting for him to show up so they could get the show on the road. She really didn't know why she was so nervous; he had been perfect all the other times they'd done this. But this was the big leagues, the most important event out of all the others combined (granted, there were only two other events, but still). This would be the most time he had ever spent with her family yet, and she really wanted it to go off without a hitch.

Katniss looked up, seeing Finnick trotting out to her car in his usual designer wear, looking like a frostbitten model for some over-the-top firm in New York. At first she wondered how he could afford such expensive clothing on eight dollars an hour, but then she realized that it was probably no mystery considering the cash she was forking over to him for their little excursions.

For some reason, she wasn't as disgusted with his sprucing as she would normally be. She told herself it was because of the holidays; Season of Giving and all that.

"Whoo, it's cold out there!" Finnick exclaimed, shivering as he hopped into the passenger seat and put on his seatbelt. "Hey! You have heat!" And suddenly he was ripping off his gloves and shoving his hands in front of one of the registers.

Katniss pulled onto the street.

"Gale fixed it for me," she muttered, slightly annoyed.

Finnick paused at her words, slowly taking his hands away and putting his gloves back on.

"Oh," he said, not bothering to hide his distaste.

Katniss gave him a look, half-smiling. "What? What's wrong with Gale?"

Finnick sighed. "Nothing. I just don't like him."

She let out a laugh. "W-what, why?"

He shrugged in response, and when she realized she wouldn't get anything more than that as an answer, she didn't press any further.

They continued to drive.


They arrived at the Everdeen household at around noon, and so far, everything had gone perfectly.

They all enjoyed a lovely Christmas dinner, talking and conversing with ease as they dined on carrots and peas and duck and mashed potatoes. Haymitch seemed to have taken an especial liking to Finnick (though maybe it was just because he was the only other male in the house) and the two exchanged plenty of humorous banter and one-liners and sports talk while Katniss took the opportunity to catch up with her sister and aunt and listened to her mother praise her choice in first-boyfriends.

She hadn't told Finnick, but Gale and his family would be visiting after dinner, and they would meet up with her family at the Everdeen's house and exchange gifts. She would have told him earlier on the way there, but after expressing his dislike of her friend, she thought it best to keep quiet and see how it all played out when the time came.

Besides, she told herself, that's what he got for charging her $600 for this whole ordeal.


It was 5:30 when Gale's family came to visit.

Katniss and Finnick had been sitting on the couch in the family room watching Frosty the Snowman, hip to hip, hands clasped as she crossed her legs and bounced her foot up and down while he leaned against the armrest. Typical 'in love' pose.

And that was when the Hawthornes walked in the door.

"We're heeeeere!" Hazelle shouted happily in sing-song, followed by the sounds of shuffling boots and the wrinkling of bags and wrapping paper.

Prim shot up excitedly from her place on the floor, and Katniss' neck craned to get a better view of the front doorway. She moved to get up and follow her sister, but stopped when the hand clasped around hers tightened and kept her in place.

She looked back to see Finnick gazing unhappily up at her.

"You didn't tell me they were coming," he said, coming out of character now that they were alone.

Katniss couldn't hide her smirk. "You never asked."

Finnick's smile disappeared completely for a moment before coming back full and forced.

"Well alright, then," he smiled, plastering on his face as he roughly stood up and pushed her in front of him. "Let's go say hello."

He placed his hand on the small of her back, and, readying himself, led her to greet the Hawthorne family.


A/N: Next chapter, go go go go go! :D