The Lumber Tycoon's Daughter CH. 12

They play a few more rounds of apples to apples, which proves to be quite entertaining. The game ends with Prim winning and Katniss comes in a close second. "oh man that was great, this entire evening has been great" Katniss says as she rubs her eyes. "it's not over yet Kat" Peeta says walking over to a portable cd play which he presses play and music starts playing. Katniss gets up and goes to get another soda. Her back is towards him as the singer starts to singing.

"Brave"

Don't know just where I'm going
And tomorrow, it's a little overwhelming
And the air is cold
And I'm not the same anymore
I've been running in your direction
For to long now
I've lost my own reflection
And I can't look down
If you're not there to catch me when I fall.

Katniss is so absorbed with everything that's going on, she doesn't hear Prim talk to Peeta "ask her to dance Peeta " she whispers. Peeta looks over at his dad for encouragement. "go get your girl son" he mouths. Not needing to be told twice, Peeta walks over and wraps his arms around her waist. "Katniss?" he whispers as he spins her so she's looking at him. "yes Peeta?" Katniss whispers looking into his eyes and immediately getting lost in them. "Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" he asks as he moves a loose hair to behind her ear and extending his hand.. "I would love too Peeta" Katniss says putting her hand in his. Peeta leads her to the patio which is cleared for dancing the song continues. As the second verse starts Peeta pulls Katniss into him holding her close to her.

"If this is the moment I stand here on my own
If this is my rite of passage that somehow leads me home
I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave
If this is the last chance before we say goodbye
At least it's the first day of the rest of my life
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave"
Katniss and Peeta are both relaxed. They continue to spin as the song continues. Katniss wraps her arms around Peeta's neck as he rest his chin on her head. Eyes half closed. Josh starts a bonfire in the fire grate as he as the song continues
"All along all I ever wanted, was to be the light
When your life was daunting
But I can't see mine
When I feel as though you're pushing me away
Well who's to blame, are we making the right choices
Cause we can't be sure if we're hearing our own voices
As we close the door even though we are so desperate to stay"

No one speaks the only sound is the sound of the fire crackling. Josh and Prim join them on the patio. Josh has prim in his arms. This has been one of the best nights of her life, Katniss makes a note to tell Peeta so after this verse.
"If this is the moment I stand here on my own
If this is my rite of passage that somehow leads me home
I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave
If this is the last chance before we say goodbye
At least it's the first day of the rest of my life
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave"

"Peeta?" Katniss whispers. Peeta opens his eyes and looks down at this beautiful girl. "yes Katniss?" he whispers. "This has been one of the best nights of my life. I am having a blast, you, Prim and dad and I don't want it to end." Katniss says. "It doesn't have to end, my love" Peeta says as a slyly look coming across his face. "what do you mean, Peeta?" "we could do a toasting right now" he suggests. This gets Katniss thinking. "you don't have to answer now take the rest of the song to think about. If you are feeling like I am we should do a toasting tonight." he whispers.
"And I might still cry
And I might still bleed
These thorns in my side
This heart on my sleeve
And lightening may strike
This ground at my feet
And I might still crash
But I still believe
This is the moment I stand here all alone
With everything I have inside, everything I own
I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave
If this is the last time before we say goodbye
At least it's the first day of the rest of my life
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave"
The song ends and Katniss has made up her mind as she looks up at Peeta who is still holding. "Come on let's go do a toasting" Katniss says. Peeta has a smile on his face as he leads her to the fire in the grate. Peeta picks up the leftover cheese-bun and cuts it in half. Katniss is sitting on a sliding chair in front of the fire. Peeta joins her and takes her hand.

"Katniss Sarah Everdeen, I have loved you ever since I first laid eyes on you in Rock-springs Wyoming. I love you, I love the way you can shoot a bow, I love how independent you are. I can't wait to spend everyday of the rest of my life with you. I love you" Peeta says tears in his eyes. Then it's Katniss's turn. Through her tears Katniss begins to speak.

"Peeta Josh Mellark. I'm not very good with words like you. I love you. I love how you can make delicious breads and cheese-buns. I Love how caring you are with everyone. You make me feel safe when ever I'm around you. I can't wait to spend every minute of the rest of my life with you. She says. Both Katniss and Peeta have tears in their eyes as Peeta picks up half of a cheese-bun with the poker and browns it, blows on it and feeds it to Katniss who savors every bite. Katniss dose the same as she feeds Peeta. When they are done there's a cheer coming from behind them.

"Congratulations you two" Prim says coming over and hugging her sister in-law tightly.

"thank you little-duck" Katniss says smiling as she is still holding Peeta's hand. Josh comes over to them. "Could I get a dance with my new daughter in law?" he asks.

"Dad I would love to" Katniss says as a new starts to play. Just as they are about to start dancing. Katniss's phone rings. Katniss gives josh a apologetic look as she answers.

"Haymitch?" Katniss says

"Katniss you need to get home, right now"

"Why what's up?"

"Your dad's been drinking and is on a drunken rampage."

Peeta comes over and pulls her into him. "who is it?" he whispers. "it's just haymitch" she whispers back as she spills the news to haymitch before she can quite get her tongue around the words.

"HaymitchpeetaandIgotmarried" she says

"I'm sorry I didn't quite get that sweetheart"

"I said, Peeta and I performed a toasting, we got married" Katniss says.

"Well Hell, congratulations sweetheart" haymitch says laughing.

"Thanks Haymitch"

"You're welcome sweetheart but in all seriousness you need to get home now" haymitch urges as the line clicks. Katniss hangs up. Josh,Prim, and Peeta are all looking at her. "Peeta i'm sorry but I need to go" Katniss says as she runs into the bakery towards her car. "Katniss wait!" Peeta calls as he runs after her just as he's reaching the front door of the bakery Katniss is driving off. There's a chime coming from his phone. It's from Katniss

Katniss: I am so glad I married you, I love you.