Fletcher smiled, pulling Kat into the ballroom.

''I'm nervous.'' Kat whispered.

''Don't be nervous.'' Fletcher said, opening the wood door. Kat gasped, at the beauty of the night sky with the crystal lights hung around a large patio.

''Oh my god.'' Kat gaped, placing her hand over her mouth. ''It's beautiful.''' Kat whispered in Fletchers ear.

''Not as beautiful as you.'' Fletcher whispered back, kissing her head. He walked with Kat around the ballroom. Kat blushed. Someone tapped on the microphone loudly, causing everyone to turn their attention to the small stage.

''Hello.'' Haymitch said into the microphone. ''Well I would like to just say as the godfather of not just this stunning young woman, but also this handsome young man. I would like to say, while we have had our differences, I will forever think of you two as a part of my family. Because no matter what happens within the next year, you will always be, my godchildren.'' Haymitch raised up his goblet and then brought his mouth to the microphone again. ''And I promise you this is a soft drink.'' Haymitch smiled. ''To the bride and groom!'' Haymitch cheered, and took a sip of his drink as he stepped off the stage, whispering something in Ever's ear. She nodded her head, giggling and then stepping on the stage.

''Well, I've only known you for about a week, but during this week I have learned that Kat is the most caring, loving, and beautiful woman I've ever met. She is doing something that only a true friend would do, and I thank you. You may not know me that well, but I will never forget you.'' Ever announced.

''And I'll never forget you!'' Kat yelled back, causing Ever to smile.

''Then cheers to friendship.'' Ever said, raising her glass.

''Cheers.'' Kat replied. Ever nodded her head and walked off the stage, smiling at Kat's sister.

''Oh god.'' Kat murmured. ''She's going to cry I know it.'' Kat mumbled.

''Oh it will be fine.'' Fletcher said, wrapping his arm around Kat, squeezing her into his chest.

''Well as the sister of the bride, I would just like to say, first off Kat, I love you. And second off, Fletcher I love you too. We've all grown up together, and we've always been family. But it's nice to finally be able to call you my actual brother. And as Kat's sister I'm going to tell you this, If you hurt her, your going to be in big trouble.'' Annie Rose joked.

''I love you too sis!'' Fletcher yelled back. Annie Rose held her thumb up in the air as she walked off the stage.

''Who's next?'' Fletcher asked.

''Lavinia.'' Kat said nervously.

''Oh god.'' Fletcher said. Kat gave Fletcher a scared face. ''I mean- I'm sure it will be fine.''

''I hope so. Lavinia has a thing for surprises.'' Kat said.

''She's a Mellark, of course she does.'' Fletcher said. ''Hell us Odairs are no better.''

''Nor are us Hawthornes.'' Kat said.

''No they aren't, but remember your an Odair now.'' Fletcher grinned.

''And I'm loving every minute of it.'' Kat smiled, turning her head back to Lavinia. Lavinia stared at Fletcher and Kat for a moment.

''Hi, I'm Kat and Fletcher's god sister. I've spent my fifteen years of life, admiring these two people so much. I idolized them, copied them, I wanted to be them. I love these two people like family, because they are family. So how can I welcome someone to a family, that's always been a part of it? And I can't say welcome back, because you've never left. So instead, I'm saying goodbye.''

''Goodbye?'' Fletcher murmured.

''The reason I'm saying goodbye is, I'm volunteering for Kat in the games.'' Lavina announced. The entire room gasped.

''You cant do that!'' Kat said. ''This is my fight!''

''No it's not! I started this, and I'm going to finish it.''

''You have no right.'' Kat debated.

''I'm in charge remember?'' Lavina reminded.

''I am.'' Kat spat.

''No, I am. We agreed remember. So as the woman in charge, I demand you step down from your duties and let me do what I do best, fight.'' Lavinia said.

''I can't let you do this!'' Kat said, running over to Lavinia.

''I can, and I will. And there isn't much you can do about it now, they wan't me gone by tomorrow morning. So I have to leave now.'' Lavinia said.

''You have to!'' Annie Rose yelled, running over to Kat. ''Please!''

''Why?'' Kat asked. Annie Rose began to cry.

''Because you can't go. You can't.'' Annie Rose wrapped her arms around Kat. Kat held Annie Rose in her chest.

''Fine.'' Kat said, whipping her head to Lavinia. ''But only for Annie.''

''Of course.'' Lavinia said.

''And Lavinia?'' Kat forced Annie Rose's arms off of her and walked over to Lavinia.

''Yes?'' Lavinia spun around.

''Shoot straight, it's something your mom taught me.'' Kat whispered, hugging Lavinia. They stayed in this embarce for a moment.

''Of course.'' Lavinia said, walking off the stage with two men.

''Good luck.'' Annie Rose sobbed.

''Thanks Annie.'' Lavinia said, and walked away with the men.

The entire room was silent for a moment until Kat let go of Annie Rose and walked over to Fletcher. She brought her mouth to his ear. ''Can we go home?'' Kat asked in a soft whisper. Fletcher looked down at Kat and slowly shook his head.

''Not until you dance with me.'' Fletcher muttered in Kat's ear. He grasped Kat's right arm and pulled her onto the dance floor. Kat couldn't keep from smiling as her husband pulled her close to him. They began to dance slowly and silently until Fletcher brought his mouth to Kat's ear again.

''Everything will be okay you know.'' Fletcher muttured. Kat looked up at Fletcher and then shook her head, resting her head in his chest.

''No it won't be.'' Kat sighed. ''This was a terrible plan.'' Kat groaned. ''Lavinia is going to die, the games are going to continue, and my child is probably going to be in the games too.'' Kat groaned.

''This is not a terrible plan. Lavinia happens to be very skilled, just like her parents. Everyone in this family is skilled. And our child will not be in the games, because there will be no more games. This will be the last year that anyone in this family, or anyone in any family, is stepping into the arena. I promise you that.'' Fletcher said confidently.

''How are you so sure?'' Kat looked up at Fletcher.

''I just know.'' Fletcher smiled.

''How is that someone as positive as you would ever want to be with someone as negative as me?''

''Your not negative. You have the most caring and loving personality of anyone I've ever known.'' Fletcher smiled. ''You stand up for what you believe in and you don't back down.''

''I just backed down with Lavinia.''

''Well that's different. You did it because it was the right thing to do.''

''Well then why does it feel so wrong?''

''The right things never feel right at first.'' Fletcher proclaimed to Kat.

''Well I disagree, you always seemed right for me, even from the start.''

''Well of course.'' Fletcher smiled.

''Fletcher, where are we going to live?'' Kat asked. She had completely forgotten about the fact that she didn't live with her parents anymore.

''Well we could live in District 2.''

''But I want to live in District 4, that's where you live.''

''Well how about..we live in the capital?''

''I don't want to live here.''

''But it's safe here.''

''This is the most unsafe place in all of Panem. I'm not raising my child here.''

''Well then we'll live wherever you want to live, and since your having my child I'll move all the boxes.'' Fletcher grinned, kissing Kat's forehead. Kat giggled at Fletchers funny remarks.

''Sounds like a plan.'' Kat smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.

The next morning while Kat was sitting in the kitchen she heard the phone ring. She stood up from the bar stool and walked over to the phone hanging on the wall. The phone read, ''Unknown caller.'' and she sighed. ''Hello?'' she asked when she answered the phone.

''It's Haymitch. Someone wants to talk to you before she leaves.''

''Why is it a private number?'' Kat countered, crossing her arm over her chest. She heard Haymitch let out a sigh.

''It's the rules, this is the only way you can speak to Lavinia before she leaves. You can't know where she is, knowing you you might try to come and save her.'' Haymitch replied in a muffled tone. Now it was Kat who sighed.

''Let me talk to her.'' Kat sighed.

''Okay.'' Haymitch said ; Kat smiled when she heard Lavinia give Haymitch an annoying ''what?''

''Hello?'' Kat asked after another moment, and within a second Lavinia responded.

''Hey Kat.'' Lavinia said in a normal voice, but Kat's response was a little more horse.

''How are you?'' Kat choked on her words, scratching her throat due to nervousness.

''Good...'' Lavinia's voice trailed off in an annoying tone. ''I'm about to go into the games.''

''You are?'' Kat's voice choked, and her eyes widened.

''Yeah, but chill, I'll be okay I promise.'' Lavinia said in a calming tone, which just annoyed Kat even more.

''You didn't have to do this you know. I didn't want you to.'' Kat was now leaning against the fridge.

''I know, but I wanted to this.'' Lavinia replied with confidence.

''But why?'' Kat leaned forward in her stance and sighed.

''Because this is what people do for the one's they love.'' Lavinia smiled, looking up at Haymitch, who smiled back.

''Yeah but-'' Kat started, but Lavinia cut her off.

''Just say you'll miss me and get over it. I have to get off the phone in less then a minute.'' Lavinia spat even though she was still smiling.

Kat grinned looking down at her wedding ring. ''Fine Lavinia - We'll miss you.''

''We?'' Lavinia asked.

''I'm pregnant remember?'' Kat said in a tone that only Lavinia would use, which caused Lavinia to giggle.

''I remember...'' Lavinia's voice trailed off. ''If I don't make it back Kat-'' but Kat cut her off.

''You will. You're stronger than they are. You have no limits.'' Kat countered, but she frowned when she heard Lavinia sighed.

''I have to go.'' Lavinia sighed, and before Kat could say anything ; the line went dead.

That afternoon all of Fletcher and Kat's family had come to visit them in the hotel room that they would be staying at for the duration of the games. Kat and Annie Rose were currently sitting in front of the tv as the announcer ranted about the countdown.

''Just thirty more minutes until we start the games everyone. And I must confess, you all are in for a surprise.'' The announcer started. ''It's just come in from reliable sources that Katniss Hawthorne - or should I say - Katniss Odair, has dropped out of the games and has been replaced by her own cousin, Lavinia Mellark.''

Katniss rolled her eyes in annoyence. ''I didn't drop out! I was forced out!'' Katniss yelled at the tv, as if the announcer could hear her.

''They can't hear you, you know.'' Fletcher said and took a seat next to her on the the couch, wrapping his arm around her.

''I don't care.'' Kat groaned, burying her face in her husbands chest. She felt Annie Rose reach over and pat her leg.

''They probably just misunderstood the situation.'' Annie said in an attempt of comfort. Kat could tell that she was just trying to make the best out of the situation, when in reality it only made it worse for her.

''Well then those sources aren't very reliable are they?'' Kat spat, but Fletcher couldn't help but laugh as he held her.

''No...'' Annie Rose's voice trailed off as she removed her hand from Kat's leg and looked down at her own. Kat looked at her sister out of the corner of her eye and frowned, grabbing her sisters arm and placing it back on her leg.

''Who said you could stop comforting me?'' Kat said with the faintest smile and Annie Rose nodded her head, scooting closer and wrapping her arms around her sister.

Just then Gale and Johanna walked in front of the tv with their arms crossed. ''Don't forget Kat, you're pregnant.'' Johanna said at the sight of Fletcher and Annie Rose holding onto Kat tightly.

They looked down at themselves and slowly inched away from Kat, who frowned and looked down at the floor. ''We were just trying to make her feel better.'' Annie Rose said.

''It was actually working a little bit.'' Kat sighed, laying her head in Annie Rose's lap.

''I bet it was dear.'' Gale kissed Kat's forehead and walked away.

Kat had her eyes glued to the TV for the rest of the thirty minutes, not daring to take her attention off of the announcements, not even during the commercials. She was so 'in the zone' that she almost jumped out of her seat when her husband patted her back in an attepmt of comfort.

''Relax.'' Fletcher said, stroking Kat's back with his hand while the other was tucked in his pocket. Kat sighed, nodded her head, and rested her head in the crook of his neck. Fletcher responded to this by wrapping his arms around her and kissing her forehead. Just then the announcement tune came on the TV again after four minutes of commercials, and Kat's eyes shot to the TV again. Fletcher saw this and rolled his eyes, letting out a sigh and turning his attention to the television.

''Alright everyone, we're done torturing you all with the commercials! We now have three more minutes until the countdown! Let's take a view of the arena shall we?'' The announcer turned his attention to the screen behind him, which began to show pictures of a large field with podiums in a circle. ''And what makes this arena different from all of our others is well, do you all remember the 75th hunger games?''

''Oh god.'' Johanna and Katniss said at once.

''Hell no.'' Petta shook his head, covering his mouth with his hand. Kat's head shot at the three of them in horror.

''What is it Uncle Peeta?'' Kat asked worringly, turning her head to Fletcher, who wore the same look on his face.

''Let them finish...'' Gale said, coming up from behind Johanna and wrapping his arms around her. She had her hair hiding her face as did Katniss.

Kat turned her attention back to the television and bit her lip as the photos continued to change on the screen. ''So you guys all remember the 75th Hunger Games? Well let's just say, this arena is sure to promise a lot more action and a lot more blood...'' The announcer said with an excited grin on his face. Kat instantly threw her head into Fletchers lap, refusing to look at the television. She began to sob quietly, not wanting her parents to hear her.

Gale and Johanna walked over to the couch, as did Katniss and Peeta. ''Come on, get up dear...we'll watch the games together.'' Gale said, sitting down on the couch and reaching over to graze his daughters leg. Kat shook her head in Fletchers lap, causing everyone to let out a sigh. But she didn't object when someone forced her in to a seating position.

''Okay everybody! We're ready for the countdown!'' The announcer said, and instantly Kat leaned forward.

''Dear, you may not want to watch this.'' Johanna tried to pull her daughter back but Kat just shook her off. Kat didn't even look back at her mother as she had done this. She watched as tributes began to come up from the ground. She stared at every detail of every tribute as they came up from the ground, and she noticed something in common with all but one of them. Lavinia seemed to be the only one nervous, while everyone else held their chin up with almost pride as if they were about to do something heroic. Just then a different announcer began counting down.

''60'' Kat heard him say and she bit her lip.

''59'' Fletcher now had his hand on his wife's waist

''58'' Annie Rose had her face hidden in her fathers chest.

''57'' Johanna couldn't keep her eyes off of the television.

''56'' Peeta now had his arms around Katniss, who had her head buried in his chest.

''55'' And a canon suddenly went off, causing everyone in the living room to either look up, jump, or scream.

''What just happened?'' Katniss asked, looking up at Peeta.

''Someone just killed themseleves.'' Peeta said.

''Stupid teens, they never freaking listen.'' Johanna said, not paying attention the countdown as it had continued. Five seconds later another canon went off, causing Johanna to jump in her seat. ''What the hell is going on?'' her eyes widened.

''One - Two - Three - Four - Five - Canon shot.'' Kat said to herself, causing everyone to look down at her, she turned to them with a shocked expression. ''They're killing themselves on purpose!'' she squealed, cupping her hand over her mouth.

''But why are they-'' Fletcher was cut off by the sound of another canon shooting out of the surround system. ''Why are they doing this?'' he finished his sentence.

It was now down to fourty seconds, and already four people had killed themselves, and Annie Rose now counted aloud in a mutter.

''One - Two - Three -'' Annie Rose was but off by another canon, causing everyone to scream.

''They're going down to three seconds now!'' Cato yelled, cupping his hand over his mouth and looking down at Kat, who had her eyes glued on the TV.

''Guys watch as the next one goes off.'' Kat said. Everyone turned their attention to the TV, trying to look for something to explain why this was going on. As the next Canon went off it was Katniss who first noticed and said something.

''They're lifting their arms in sign of freedom.'' Katniss's eyes widened.

''So they are killing themselves...in protest?'' Gale's words choked as they left his mouth. Katniss nodded her head.

''Well then why aren't they stopping the damn games?'' Fletcher shouted as another canon went off.

''Is the capital in on this too?'' Kat asked, looking up at her mother, who shrugged.

''But that wouldn't make sense.'' Peeta said, not even flinching when another canon went off.

''How many are left?'' Cato asked, hiding his face in the couch.

''Three.'' Johanna muttered. She counted to herself again, ''One -two-three.'' This time before the canon went off the teenager screamed something as he stepped off the podium.

''What did he say?'' Johanna asked.

''He said-'' Kat thought for a moment. ''He said 'For Lavinia.' ''

''They're killing themseleves for Lavinia?'' Annie Rose's head shot up from her fathers chest. And just then the last canon went off, and the teenager had said the same thing.

The announcer came on the intercom. ''Well this has never happened before, we've never had a winner before the countdown even ended.''

''Don't step off yet!'' Kat yelled, but of course Lavinia didn't hear her, and she stepped off the podium.

Everyone looked away in horror, but were surprised to not hear a canon. The announcer had let out sigh.

''You could have waited until we told you that we disabeled the weapons you know.'' The announcer spat. Lavinia gave an apoligetic look in the sky, she looked around her and screamed. Lavinia hadn't realized that she was standing in the center of a cuicidal blood bath.

''Poor Lavinia.'' Johanna sighed, resting her head in Katniss's shoulder.

''I'm just glad she's okay.'' Katniss said with a smile, turning to cry in her husbands shoulder.

''Alright everyone get up.'' Kat shot up from her seat, dragging Fletcher along with her.

''Where are we going?'' Annie Rose asked, sitting up in her seat.

''To go get Lavinia, smart one.'' Kat scoffed, walking over to the elevator. She heard a series of footsteps come from behind her as the elevator opened.

The family rushed over to the Training Building, and scurried inside the main lobby. The woman behind the desk smiled at them, for she obviously knew who they all were and why they were here.

''She's on floor tweleve.'' The woman said, pointing to the elevator. Katniss gave the woman a confused look.

''But that floor hasn't been used in years.'' Katniss furrowed her eyebrows, looking over at the elevator. The woman nodded her head.

''No it hasn't but she's there.'' The woman said, and the group rushed over to the elevator.

The elevator ride up to floor tweleve too far too long in Kat's opinon, but she knew that everyone else felt this way as well. And she was the first one to rush out onto the floor when the doors opened. She looked around at the worn out room, her eyes widening at the sight of rusted curtains, couches, and a broken down kitchen. ''What the hell?'' Kat muttered. ''Lavinia!'' Kat yelled down the hallway.

''Over here.'' A voice said in a soft tone. Kat turned to her right and caught sight of a dark figure hunched up in a corner and Kat dashed to Lavinia's side. She didn't look up at Kat when she wrapped her arms around her and held her close, and she didn't even look up when everyone else entered the room.

''Oh Lavinia...'' Katniss said, grazing her daughters back as tears fell down her face. ''Everything will be okay.'' Katniss said in hopes of comfort, and this is when Lavinia finally spoke up in her normal tone.

''No it won't. Didn't you see on the television mom? They all killed themselves for me! There are 23 sets of parents mourning over the sight of their teenagers killing themseleves!'' Lavinia said through her sobs, and Katniss pulled her into her chest.

''You're a hero, Lavinia.'' Kat said in a soft tone. ''Never forget that...especially not right now.'' Kat said. And Lavinia brought her head to Kat's stomach, and Kat stroked her hair.

''I'm not the hero. You are.'' Lavinia said, looking up at Kat.

Kat shook her head, ''No..you are. You've always been the hero. You'll always be the hero, Lavinia. Always.'' Kat said, bringing Lavinia's head back onto her stomach and holding her as she sobbed in the horror of the cuicide.

Johanna had her head buried in her husbands chest, and was silently sobbing. Gale pulled her away for a moment and looked into her eyes. ''Johanna...are you crying?'' Gale asked, and she nodded her head.

''This family won't ever be the same now.'' Johanna forced her head back into Gale's chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. Lavinia looked up at her aunt and uncle and sniffled.

''No, you're wrong.'' Gale said.

''It will be stronger.'' Lavinia said in a confident tone, even though tears continued to fall down her face. ''Much, much stronger.''

Johanna looked down at Lavinia and smiled. ''You really think so?''

Lavinia nodded her head. ''I know so.'' and gave her a tootless smile. Katniss looked from her daughter to Johanna and grinned, standing up and reaching out to help Lavinia up.

''Let's go get you cleaned up.'' Katniss said, and Lavinia stood up. They kept their hands intertwined as they left the bedroom together and walked into the bathroom.

That night at Dinner Kat and Lavinia sat next to each other at the table next to the living room. Gale and Katniss had cooked steak, pork, and all of Lavinia's favorites.

''You guys don't have to gorge me with food for therapy or something.'' Lavinia sighed, looking down at the plates as they were placed in the center of the table. Johanna smiled, reaching over and clutching her niece's hand.

''We're just happy you're home.'' Johanna smiled.

''I was gone for not even twenty four hours.'' Lavinia raised an eyebrow and looked down at her hand, but instead of letting go she clutched on to it harder, causing Johanna to smile.

Once all of the plates were on the table and Gale and Katniss had taken a seat next to their spouses the family began to eat.

''So am I going to go to therapy or something?'' Lavinia asked, catching her parents off guard.

''Only if you want to..'' Katniss said. And Lavinia nodded her head.

''I don't want to live in fear for the rest of my life.'' Lavinia took a bite of her steak. ''Life's too short for that.'' she muttered, and her parents nodded her head.

''I was always taught, never to dwell on the past. It's something that cannot be undone, so why try to make up ways you could have done it differently in your head? If it wasn't there then when it would have helped, then why bury yourself with it now?'' Kat said, and Gale and Johanna smiled.

''Very well put.'' Fletcher smiled, kissing his wife on the cheek. Kat blushed.

''Thank-you.'' Kat said, looking down at her plate, which had more food than anyone else on the table.

''Talk about eating for too.'' Annie said, catching sight of the plate. Fletcher and Kat smiled.

''Well who knows, it could be three, or four, or five.'' Kat shurgged.

''True.'' Cato agreed. ''So are they going to call me uncle Cato? Or just Cato.''

''We'll have them call you whatever you want them to call you.''

''Well then I want them to call me Uncle C.'' Cato said with excitement.

''And I want them to call me Lavi.'' Lavinia said, looking over at Cato with a smile.

''Lavi? Why?''

''It sounds cute.'' Lavinia smiled as a giggle escaped her lips.

''I agree.'' Kat smiled, ''But I actually wanted to ask you something.'' Kat said, looking up from her plate. Lavinia tilted her head in question.

''What?'' Lavinia asked.

''Well..I would - I mean we would-'' Kat looked over at her husband, who nodded his head to finish the sentence.

''We want you to be the god mother.'' Fletcher said, and Lavinia instantly set her fork down.

''Seriously?'' Lavinia asked with excitement, slowly sitting up from the seat and running over to Kat and Fletcher.

''Well of course.'' Kat said as Lavinia wrapped her arms around her husband and herself.

''And Lavinia - we have something to ask you as well.'' Johanna smiled, looking over at Gale. Lavinia looked up at Johanna.

''Wait - what?'' Lavinia's eyes widened, and Johanna nodded her head.

''Wll you-''

''Yes.'' Lavinia said, running over to her aunt and uncle. ''Oh my god, I'm going to be a godmother.''

''To two babies!'' Kat added excitedly. Annie Rose bit her lip.

''Well actually three...'' Annie Rose smirked, and the entire table turned their attention to her. She let out a laugh, ''I'm kidding. But oh my god you're going to be a grandmother!'' Annie Rose looked up at Kat, even though she was laughing.

''I say we have a toast.'' Haymitch said, walking into the room.

''To what?'' Annie Rose said, looking up at him.

''To family.'' Haymitch answered. ''May the Mellarks, Odairs, and Hawhtornes all have a happy and loving life together.'' Haymitch held up a wine glass in his hand.

''Haymitch...is that alchol.'' Katniss raised an eyebrow.

''It's grape juice actually, thank-you very much.'' Haymitch said, taking a sip. Katniss nodded her head and stood up from the table, holding her glass in the air.

''To family.'' Katniss announced, and everyone stood up with her.

''To Family'' They all said.