Finnick POV
Annie walks beside me quickly; her delicate legs are long and toned. She looks so beautiful in her huntress clothing. She looked so beautiful in her ball gown. Annie, my Annie, is always beautiful.
I can hear Haymitch's stumbling footsteps following behind us. I roll my eyes knowing it was Katniss who sent him to babysit us.
"Is someone following us?" Annie whispers.
"Haymitch." I laugh. "Katniss doesn't trust that we will behave ourselves. She has sent him to watch over us."
Annie lets out a small giggle.
"Would you like to abandon our escort?" I suggest with a mischievous waggle of my eyebrows.
With a smirk and a glint in her eyes Annie nods her head. I grab her hand and divert our path quickly into a nearby bush. Haymitch, while wily and cunning, is still not as fast as I.
Annie giggles behind me as I drag her through the forest.
"Shush!" I whisper loudly back to her, trying to contain my own laughter.
She quiets but I can still hear the soft giggle she can't contain.
I know Haymitch will not bother to chase after us, but the thrill of the chase was intoxicating. We emerged into a small meadow filled with wild flowers.
"Oh Finnick it's beautiful!" She gasps as she clutches her hands in front of her chest.
I can't help but gaze at her, the entire field is lost to my gaze, "Yeah, it is."
I clear my throat and she turns to me with a bright smile.
"I…" nervousness consumes me, "Come with me." I take her hand once more and lead her to the center of the field. I sink down into the flowers and pull her down beside me.
My heart races as I look into her eyes. My palms begin to sweat and my mouth seems to be completely dry.
"Annie, I have something to say…" I swallow dryly and take a long breath, "Annie, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes upon. I truly love you from the depths of my heart. From the first moment I laid eyes on you in that ballroom, I knew you were different. You were special. I could never have imagined how much you would one day mean to me. I am truly in love with you...a kind of love that even in my wildest dreams, I would not have believed possible. Life will never be perfect but I'll always be there for you. There to protect you and support you in all that life can possibly throw at us. I love you unconditionally, and always will. Annie, what I'm asking is…would you do me the honor of marrying me?"
"Yes! Oh Finnick of course!" She sobs with happy tears streaming down her face. She lunges forward and hugs me tightly. I pull her back and passionately press her lips to mine.
Katniss POV
Everyone stands to their feet and cheers. Congratulations are given, hugs exchanged. Annie and Finnick beam at each other. He clutches her tightly to his side, unwilling to be parted from his love.
"When?" Johanna inquires.
"As soon as possible." Annie smiles widely.
"Why don't you go into town now!" Rue is nearly jumping up and down in excitement.
"We couldn't go now, that'd be insane." Finnick chuckles.
"Insanity in small doses is healthy!" Haymitch pipes up.
"You would know old man." I chuckles deeply.
He grins a wicked grin.
"See!" Rue sings, "Haymitch agrees with me!" Her small heart is probably about to burst with romantic notions.
"We couldn't possibly. It's late, far to late to make the trek into town and disturb the minister." Annie reasons.
"Well since it's late, why don't we all head to bed and rest. Tomorrow we will discuss this further." I attempt to reason. I've notice the yawning. The sun has set and it is time for sleep. I however have other plans for tonight; I know sleep will evade me after the events of the day so I have decided to ensure a productive night.
Peeta POV
The night is fitful at best. I wake every hour and when I am not awake, tossing and turning in order to get comfortable again, I am dreaming of Katniss. Most specifically of our archery lesson; mostly I simply recall the details of the event. I recall the smell of her skin or the soft touch of her hand. Other times, however, my dreams are less than appropriate. I blush simply remembering that I had dreamt such dreams.
I yawn and stretch and rise from my sleeping mat. It is nothing compared to the enormous bed I slept in at the castle…but this is more of a home than the castle has been since my father died. Partly I believe it is because here I am free. But more than that I believe it is Katniss.
I dress in my tunic and trousers; I tie my belt and pull on my boots.
"Peeta come quickly!" Finnick bursts into my tent with a wide and shining smile.
I follow him from the hut. Everyone is standing, leaning over the railings. Annie is smiling and crying. Rue is gasping in admiration. Haymitch is chuckling with a knowing smile. Gale just smirks. Johanna attempts to hide her happiness, turning away to wipe the happy tears.
I furrow my brow and look over the railing. Arches of wildflowers and leaves, draping vines, an aisle of flowers outlined with green leaves. The stumps that normally sit around the fire have been set in rows before the grandest arch, on either side of the aisle. The sunlight streaming down through the treetops casts a shimmering haze, like fairy dust, off the droplets of morning dew. It looks like everything a fairytale wedding should be.
Katniss scurries up the ladder to where everyone stands on the balcony.
"Katniss?" Annie's soft voice bleeds with wonder and awe.
"You'll need to get dressed. I've attained some finery for you to wear. The minister will be here in an hour. Peeta would you help Finnick. Johanna I assume you know best how to prepare Annie, Rue can help." Katniss scowls, but she can't hide the smile in her eyes.
Rue excitedly grabs Annie's arm and Johanna slumps her shoulders before following.
I grab hold of Finnick's arm and divert his attention from the ground below.
Gale follows us into the hut with his arms full of fabric.
"Here you are. Peeta I sure hope you know the purpose of all these pieces…because I am unable to figure it out." He admits honestly while shoving the garment into my waiting arms.
Gale leaves the hut and I turn to Finnick.
"I'll leave you to change." I set the clothes on the nearest sleeping mat and exit the hut myself.
"I'm finished." I hear Finnick call a few moments later.
I chuckle when Finnick comes into view. His buttons are askew, his belt is tied incorrectly, and his necktie is knotted. I approach him and begin with his buttons.
"You're a lucky man Finnick." I smile while fixing his tie.
"The luckiest Peeta! No woman can compare to my Annie." He beams. "I hope one day such a woman makes you so happy." His smile turns mischievous as I begin to unknot his necktie. "Or perhaps one already has…"
"Finnick I know you know of my feelings. I've not exactly kept the secret. But I'm confused. I wish it could be simple…like your love for Annie. You deceived her only in name and yet it didn't matter to her. You never lied about your feelings for her. But Katniss has deceived me in so many ways. I was so sure she reciprocated my feelings at the ball…but everything has changed since those moments. I don't understand."
"Peeta I'm sure it will all figure itself out. It takes time to adjust to so many changes but I know you love her dearly and that you will figure it out." He comforts.
"Shall we get you married?" I smile widely.
He nods enthusiastically.
Once upon the ground Finnick takes his place under arch. I look expectantly up to the huts and wait for Annie to emerge but to my surprise Johanna and Rue appear through a wall of vines and flowers at the end of the aisle. Rue sits and Johanna approaches me.
"Annie wants you to give her away." Johanna says as she grabs my arm to drag me through the curtain of vines. Johanna turns and takes her leave. She takes her seat and everything is in place.
Finnick is standing at the end of the aisle, the minister beside him. Everyone is seated; Gale and Katniss have picked up their mandolins. Only Annie and myself are missing from the scene before us.
I look to Annie…she's radiant. The gown is full and covered in lace. The soft ivory and gold accents are stunning and the effect on her alabaster skin is luminous. Her auburn hair has been delicately arranged atop her head with flowers woven into the curls. A long veil covers her blushing face.
"My dear, sweet Annie…you're radiant. Finnick's heart might surely stop at the sight of you."
"You're the best friend I've ever know Peeta. Thank you for giving me away today. It means the world to me to have your blessing."
"You have it my friend. I could never imagine a man more deserving of you." I give her cheek a soft kiss through the veil.
I hear the soft tune float from the mandolins. I offer my arm to Annie and she takes it joyfully.
I part the vines for Annie and I to exit. Slowly we march up the floral aisle to where Finnick waits. His eyes glisten with blissful tears and his smile so bright it outshines the stars. Yes I am convinced no one has loved each other the same as these two.
I place Annie's hand in Finnick's before taking my seat beside Haymitch.
The minister begins he speech. He leads them through their vows, offers the chance for objection but no one could ever possibly think of a reason not to join Annie and Finnick. They smile warmly at each other as the minister begins their final vows.
"I do." Annie happily murmurs.
"I do." Finnick proudly declares.
The minister pronounces them man and wife and Finnick lifts Annie's veil. He cups her cheeks in his hands and kisses her tenderly and passionately.
Cheers break out among the small crowd.
Afterwards we celebrate. A simple dinner is served, music and dancing continue till the sun has nearly set.
With the sky glowing orange—my favorite color—Katniss clears her throat.
"A few of the men helped me with a small gift to the two of you. I know that as newlyweds you'll be needing a fair bit more privacy than the rest of us."
Even in the warm lighting I can see the blush that heavily colors Katniss' cheeks. A few men chortle at the statement that Katniss cannot make but only hint towards.
"We built you a hut of your own. It is nothing grand and unfortunately we didn't have time to build it in the treetops, but it is yours. Finnick…I built it in your meadow." She smiles sheepishly.
Finnick releases his bride's hand to hug Katniss tightly. Annie takes her turn and I can hear her whispered thanks.
The couple waves before departing into the woods hand in hand.
Everyone begins to loiter around the fire. I hear Haymitch's low grumble as he sits next to Katniss.
"You didn't sleep at all last night did you?"
She shakes her head.
"It was a wonderful thing you did for them. I always suspected that behind that unfeeling mask was a romantic heart." He elbows her lightly as he jests.
She blushes even though she is scowling at him. "I do not know what you are speaking of. It was simply the right thing to do. I am not romantic in the least." She nearly growls.
"No my dear…you used to not be romantic in the least. Oh but I suspect something has changed." He smiles wryly before turning his conversation to Chaff leaving Katniss to bit her lip in what appears to be deep concentration.
Author's Note:
Hey all! I hope you are still enjoying this story. I didn't get a very good response to the last chapter...please tell me your thoughts! I really value your opinions and input. Read and review please!