I know it has been a while, but here it is! Enjoy and comment(:

Chapter 14

I instantly froze by that one word. My nickname. Catnip. It was Gale.

I lifted my head slowly looking at the wilderness in front of me. Maybe this was my imagination. This cannot be happening right now.

"Well are you gonna say hi or not?" he laughs.

I turn my head and low and behold it is Gale. My eyes glaze his body. He has become much stronger than he used to be. He looks healthier. District 2 must be treating him well. He is dressed in a nice outfit, the nicest I have ever seen him look, in fact. He has never looked so handsome.

"Gale," my lips mutter, "what are you doing here?"

"Well, I was invited to your wedding wasn't I? You really didn't think I would miss this did you?" he laughs then gets serious, "There is still going to be a wedding, right?"

I shake my head.

"I don't know anymore. I don't know if this is what I want. I used to be so sure and now I just don't know."

I wipe my tears from my eyes and try to recompose myself. Gale comes closer and sits down next to me. He throws his right arm over my shoulder and gives me a tight squeeze.

"Katniss, you know I love you right?" I nod, "Well, so does Peeta and I know you love him too. But, if you're not ready for this than you're not ready. So, you shouldn't be rushed into something like a marriage."

"I know you're right," I reply, "But, I just can't hurt Peeta any more than I already have."

"Peeta will be fine, Katniss. For once, don't worry about anyone else. Just think about yourself and what you want."

I nod and lean my head on his shoulder and just took a second to breathe. I did not think about anything but myself. After I calmed down and cleared my head, I looked up at Gale.

"Ok, I am ready to go back. I want to get married today."

A huge smile crosses my face and Gale smiles back at me.

"Alright, Catnip. Let's go. But, first…" he pulls out a bow and an arrow from behind the tree. "How about one more shot for old time's sake?"

I laugh and grab the bow and arrow. I load it and prepare myself. Keeping my body steady. Gale picks up a rock and throws it into some nearby bushes. Birds begin to fly in fright and I let the arrow go. It find a bird and Gale and I cheer in excitement. I pull him in for a hug.

"That was fun. It really did feel just like old times," I say, "Except, now I am in a wedding dress."

We laugh and he helps me out of the forest. We laugh and talk like we used to on our way back to the capitol building. I had missed Gale's laugh. There was nothing quite like it.

"Thank you for helping me get my head together, I couldn't have done this without you."

"Anything for you, Catnip."

He gives me a tight hug. After he releases me, I let a sigh of relief leave my lips. I turn around and we walk in. Effie dashes down the hall yelling my name.

"Katniss! Where have you been? We have been looking all over for you! You scared us all to death!"

She grabs my arm and drags me over to the entrance to the small chapel where the ceremony is going to take place.

"I will get the music started and then you will walk down the aisle and get married, got it? No running off this time!"

I nod, but as soon as she leaves I can't help but laugh. I turn to Gale who is standing a few feet away.

"What are you doing out here. Don't you wanna be inside? I need your support in there!"

"I am going to slip in after you walk down the aisle. I don't want anything taking the attention away from the bride." He winks at me then steps a little further back.

"Gale… can you come here?" He nods and walks over to me, "Will you give me away?"

A grin comes across his face.

'Of course I will give you away."

I smile in return and we hook arms. The music begins and we begin our procession down the aisle. My eyes meet those of my closest friends. I smile back at them with nothing but joy in my eyes. I look at my mother, who is already in tears. Annie and Haymitch are standing at the alter looking better than ever. Then, I see him. Peeta.

Once my eyes meet his, I cannot look away. He looks so unbelievable handsome. I mean, Peeta has always cleaned up well, but today he was just so…so…sexy! He smiles at me, and then looks at Gale. He is obviously startled to see him; after all I am still surprised. Peeta comes down the steps and grabs extends his hand. I grasp it tightly, but turn to Gale and kiss his cheek.

I whisper in his ear, "Thank you so much. You don't know how much this means to me."

I pull away, and Peeta and I claim our places on the alter. The ceremony officially commences and before I know it we are at the vows. I get to say mine first.

"Peeta, I have never been so grateful for one person before. You are my guardian angel. It all began when we were just kids. You fed me bread when I was at the point of starvation, and I couldn't help but admire you ever since. Your friendship and love mean more to me than anything in this world. I promise to protect you, all the days of my life. I love you, Peeta."

"Katniss, I fell in love with you when I was 5 years old. I always knew you were the girl for me and I knew how badly I wanted to marry you. But, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this day would come. I want to be there for you every second of every day. To protect you forever, not even death can change that. You take my nightmares away. You help me remember who I was. You face is what I want to fall asleep to every night, and the face I want to wake up to every morning. I love you so much, Katniss."

Much to my dismay, I cried. Nothing so beautiful had ever been said to me. Absolutely nothing. We are handed the rings and we place them upon each other's fingers. Then I hear the famous words: "You may now kiss the bride!"

Peeta leans in and kisses me ever so passionately. I never want to back away, but the day must go on. Peeta and I lock hands and make our way back down the aisle. We must have ran or something, because before I knew it we were in the lobby.

Peeta looks deeply into my eyes and leans in again for a kiss. Just then, Haymitch grabs my shoulder and turns me around.

He whispers angrily in my face. "Hey, nice of you to show up to your own wedding , sweetheart. How could you run off like that?"

I am about to answer him, but Peeta's voice cuts in.

"You weren't going to marry me?"