Wedding: Part 2

(FINNICK)

"Annie Cresta Odair," Annie says. "Mrs. Odair."

I sigh happily. "I love your new name."

"Me too." She's standing by my side with both her arms around me. "But I still think you should be Mr. Cresta. It has a ring to it."

I chuckle as Beetee makes his way over to us. "Congratulations," he says warmly. I shake his hand. "You've been married a whole seven minutes. How does it feel?"

"Unbelievably good," I say.

"Well congratulations to you both." Beetee smiles, and walks off.

When everyone is done congratulating us, Annie removes her shoes. "These things are killing me!" She wiggles out of my arms. "I made something for you." She pulls something out of her shoe and turns to me again, holding it behind her back. "That was the only place to put it," she says defensively.

"That's all right," I say. "What is it?"

"It's really nothing special. If you don't like it, just tell me." She holds out her hands. It's a simple leather cord with shiny black beads strung on it. "I know, I know, it's horrible, but I just wanted to give you something."

"It's not horrible at all. Thank you." I hold out my wrist and she ties it on. Then she kisses my palm. "I made you something, too." I pull the safety bracelet out of my pocket. As I slip it onto her wrist, Annie starts crying. "Why are you crying?" I ask softly. Have I triggered a flashback or something?

She doesn't seem to realize until I point it out to her. She touches her cheeks and makes a noise of annoyance when she realizes they're wet. "Ugh, dammit . . ." She hurriedly wipes at her eyes.

"Hey, hey. It's all right." I press my lips to her forehead, coiling my arms around her.

She leans against me. "Thanks." She runs her fingers over the bracelet. "It's exactly what I needed."

Johanna comes over to us with two champagne glasses of apple cider. "Take this. We're making a toast." Then she realizes Annie's upset. "You can pretend it's alcohol if that makes you feel better. I know it always brightens my day."

Annie and I keep one arm around each other as we accept our drinks.

Johanna flicks her glass a few times to get everyone's attention. Her toast is short and sweet: "To Annie and Finnick!" The crowd echoes it back and we all take a drink.

The musician starts playing a song. Almost everyone from District 12 gets out and begins dancing.

"You're dancing with me," says Annie. She tugs me forward.

"Good," I retort. "I don't feel like sharing you with anyone." I set my hands on her hips and she places hers on my shoulders. "Do you like the wedding?"

"It's perfect." She flashes a smile. "I just wish the others were here."

"Me too. I keep expecting Britton to pull me aside for a stern talking-to," I say. Annie giggles. "You look beautiful, Mrs. Odair."

"Why thank you, Mr. Cresta. You look really nice, too. But I'm not used to seeing you in a tie, or with your hair and shirt the way they are. You don't look like yourself."

I reach up and drastically loosen the tie, unbutton my shirt a bit, and ruffle my hair. "Better?"

She stands on her tiptoes and pecks me on the lips. "Better."

When the song ends, I pull Annie closer to the center of the dance floor. "I have another surprise."

She grins. "I don't know if I can take anymore."

"Trust me, you'll like this one." I gesture at the musician and he strikes up the song I taught him – the one Annie and I danced to on her Victory Tour. Our song.

Annie recognizes it at once and her face lights up. "Oh, Finnick!"

"May I have this dance?" I ask. She nods; I take her hand in mine and put my other on her hip.

Quietly, I begin to sing the lyrics. Annie joins in after a few moments, and she grows louder and more confident as the song progresses.

Nothing, nothing at all, nothing in the universe, in all of eternity can possibly describe how happy I am.

When the song ends, the guests applaud. I kiss Annie on the cheek and she laughs. "I'm not used to this," she whispers after a moment. "All these people . . ."

"I didn't notice them." I run my fingers through her hair. "All I'm seeing is you."

She looks away, smiles shyly, and blushes. "You're too nice. It makes me feel bad."

The dancing continues for a while. Annie and I participate in all of them. A few people seem to consider cutting in, but none of them do. And I wouldn't let them if they did. When I don't think I can move anymore, four people wheel in a massive cake.

"It's beautiful," Annie says thoughtfully. She turns to me. "Did you do this, too?"

I shake my head.

Peeta did this. Who in 13 can craft ships, mermaids, and fish from icing? No one. But Peeta's a baker's son. I'd thank him, but I don't really want to.

Beside me, Annie is still. Her eyes have glazed over, and her head is tilted to the side the way it is when she's deep in thought. I tap her lightly on the shoulder. "Annie?"

She snaps out of it immediately, her head twisting to face me. "Hmm?"

"Come sit so we can eat." I lead her by the hand over to a table. We're each brought a massive slice of cake.

"What's wrong?" Annie asks.

"Nothing," I say. "It's just . . . You retreat so far into your own head sometimes." I sigh. "I wish I could come with you."

"I'm always thinking about you, Finnick," she says matter-of-factly. "So you are with me."

"Always?" I ask skeptically.

"Always."

Sorry about the crappy ending. The next chapter will be better, I promise.