6 Years, 1 Month

Annie woke up at four AM, shaking from nerves, cold, and being almost ridiculously awake. She immediately recognized the reason she was cold was because Finnick's ridiculously warm body wasn't there holding her, and the reason behind that was because she was getting married.

She was getting married.

Annie didn't want to admit it to anyone, especially not Finnick, but like every other girl she had put in a lot of time when she was a kid thinking about her wedding. She just wasn't as open about it as everyone else seemed to be. Speaking aloud her fantasies, even to Effie who was hired to listen to them and make them a reality, was beyond mortifying. Who actually wanted to hear about what color she wanted her napkin, so they matched the flowers perfectly right, or how she had wanted the canopy above the seats blue to create the illusion to the sea? Just talking about that sort of thing made her seem certifiably insane.

Also, if Finnick ever heard her spilling her guts about her fantasies, she doubted he would let her live it down. He was the more romantic one of the two of them, but whenever he saw an opening, he used it to his advantage. Throughout the years of the dating he had often tried to worm his way into her brain and discover things he could do that she found endearing, or romantic and use those things to further himself. Finnick was rather shrewd like that. Then again, not many people realized how very intelligent Finnick was, or how astute he could be when it would make a difference. Though Finnick had claimed to not know much in the ways of textbooks, he was a master debater and could easily absorb and dispense knowledge with ease.

Finnick was naturally gifted with intelligence, charisma, and physical charm. And all of those where areas in life that Annie had to put in extreme amount of effort. What he did lack was motivation. Motivation being a thing that Annie found most geniuses lacking at the best of times, and the reason why she had enjoyed success in her pursuits. However, when Finnick did find his motivation to pursue a certain endeavor, such as when he enrolled in online courses through Panem University to get a degree business, he excelled at whatever he put his mind too. English was at the forefront of his skills, contrary to his success in high school. Finnick's problem wasn't with analysis or thesis creating (in fact, Finnick was a master analyzer. This lended itself greatly to his poetry writing. This was because no one could really turn a phrase like Finnick could). His problem was the disjointed, free syntax of his poetic mind often lead to papers with absolutely terrible grammar. Then again, that problem was the main reason why Annie and Finnick had met, that and his obstinate disregard of homework. So in a way, she supposed she was glad for his atrocious grammar.

(It was still a mystery to her, even to this day, how the man could talk in iambic pentameter for an entire day, yet still couldn't distinguish between its and it's.)

Even in that sort of technical way, Finnick had what Annie lacked, and Annie had what Finnick needed. Annie was a practical mind, a bit more down to Earth. She was the one who got a problem, and fixed it in an efficient manner. She would be there to calm a person down, give advice, and help in any way that she possibly could with anything. Finnick on the other hand was a free spirit in every sense of the word. He was fun, unpredictable, romantic, adventurous, a risk taker, a poet, and as uncontrollable Mother Nature's whims. If he could, he would lay on the sand all day, thinking of the philosophical reasons for existing, the meanings behind human interactions, and dreaming about dancing in the stars with her. There was no in-between with Finnick; his emotions were strong and deep. The life that had been granted to him was precious, and every moment was savored like no other.

That was the man that Annie had fallen so deeply in love with, and she was somehow the girl he had fallen in love with. And that day, she was going to be married to Finnick. And she wasn't nervous in the sense of getting cold feet, just nervous that everything wouldn't play out like she had always secretly dreamed they would. It was probably a silly worry, as they had rehearsed and rehearsed, and certainly even she could recite the entire ceremony upside down and backwards, but still, she was incredibly nervous.

Being unable to fall back asleep, she dozed for another half an hour, before hoping into the shower. She carefully shaved her legs again, before lathering up with all of the shampoos and soaps that Finnick adored, before drying her hair and scrounging around for her button up shirt and jeans. She ate a light breakfast, doubtful she would be able to hold much down due to her nerves, and before she knew it a knock came at her door and she was greeted by Cora and her mother.

Cora immediately threw herself at Annie and nearly crushed her with a hug.

"It's the big day, Annie." Cora said, squeezing her arms. "Can you believe it?"

"Not at all. I feel like I'm having an out of body experience right now." Annie admitted, before Cora laughed.

"That's how I felt when I got married to Jeff." Cora said with a nod.

"Let's get going girls, we've got a ceremony to get to. Annie, do you have your bags?" Her mother asked her, walking in briskly, and Annie immediately motioned to her bags for the trip on their honeymoon, and then her dress that hung on a coat rack nearby. "You haven't forgotten anything for your trip, right?"

"Mom, I'm not nine. Of course I have everything." Annie said with a laugh.

"Alright, well, you know. Sometimes you can be a bit forgetful." Her mother said, reddening a little bit.

"Come on, Ann. It's time to go look fabulous." Cora said, throwing her arm around Annie, who just sighed and laughed weakly.

"Alright, alright." She said as she and the rest of her bags were directed to her mother's car.

The drive to the venue was short. Annie and Finnick had both mutually agreed that they had wanted a wedding close to home, on the water but not exactly on the beach (to not have to deal with the sand). So they had chosen Snow Pond estate, a gorgeous villa, right on the water. As the pulled up to the gorgeous home, she was quickly escorted inside where she was immediately tackled by the rest of her bridesmaids.

"Oh my goodness, Annie, aren't you so excited!" Delly chirped, jumping up and down.

"I'm nervous." Annie said weakly, and Katniss patted her back comfortingly.

"I got a text from Peeta, don't worry. They didn't go too crazy and Finnick will be here on time." She reassured Annie, who immediately felt a bit of relief.

"Well that's good news." Annie said with a nervous laugh, before Effie suddenly rushed up to her, grabbing her hands.

"It's time to prepare for the big, big day! Cinna is here to help you with the dress and we have our hair and make up team ready. Now come along!" She said promptly escorting her to the makeshift hair and makeup center that had been set up in one of the rooms of the estate.

Octavia, Flavius, and Venia were all friends of Effie who worked as make-up artists and hair specialists for these sorts of occasions. Annie thanked her lucky stars that Finnick's boss Haymitch had a wedding planner as a girlfriend, and she had been so willing to volunteer to help. No matter how hyperactive Effie could be at time, she was extremely detail-oriented and had stopped many of the breakdowns that Annie might have had while taking on such a daunting task.

"Sweetie, please stay still while we put in the rollers." Octavia told her as they began to roll up her hair, "God, you have such luxurious hair."

"Doesn't she though? Makes you want to scalp her!" Johanna agreed from the side and Annie gave her a look.

"Oh yes, that's everyone's first reaction." Annie said with a snort.

"But really, it's so soft and thick, and such a great color." Octavia hummed while Venia began to dab base onto her face.

"And let's not forget your eyes. Such a beautiful green. Sweetheart, your man is lucky." Venia chirped, "And let's not forget attractive. Tell me where to find a guy so hot."

"She got him on her first try, the lucky girl." Madge teased, and Annie blushed.

"I just waited patiently until the right person came along." She muttered and Delly jabbed her in the side.

"You are way too modest." Delly laughed before Johanna half screamed,

"No she's not! Just wait until Odair sees her in her dress! He's going to fucking flip!" Johanna shouted, and Annie felt as if her face was going to burn off.

"My dress isn't even bad! It's just a mermaid style!" Annie explained trying to stare down at her lap only to have Venia force her head back up.

"No, you look hot in it, Annie. Even I would tap that!" Johanna said, and now Annie just recognized the fact that Johanna was just trying to get her to relax.

"Oh really. Well, I'm glad." Annie said trying to seem as saintly as possible.

"I didn't know you were bi, Jo." Katniss said, and Johanna shrugs.

"I do whoever I want to." She said before saying in a loud whisper, "And so did Finnick back in the day."

"I really wish you wouldn't talk about my almost-husband's sexual preferences right now." Annie said shortly.

"I am learning some ground breaking things right now." Cora said, amazed before turning to Annie. "How come you never told me Finnick was bi?"

"Why does that even concern you?"

"Isn't this what sisters should tell each other?"

"Why should I tell you-"

"Do you think he finds his friends attractive?" Delly asked and Annie made an exasperated noise.

"If you guys do not shut up, I am walking out there without any bridesmaids!" She warned them, and they all burst into laughter.

Annie's makeup and hair slowly came together. She was glad she had chosen to have most of her hair curled and down, with braids on the side of her head to keep her hair out of her face. With the breeze, and the veil, it was convenient to not have to deal with that. She loved the make up she had chosen, natural golden and brown eye shadow, a light blush on her fair skin, glossy lips, nothing out of character for her, and that had been important. She had wanted to stay true to the girl that Finnick had fallen in love with, true to the person that she had become.

"Alright, time to get this dress on, sweetheart." Cinna said, unzipping the bag.

Cinna was Katniss's friend and avid clothing designer. The dress she had fallen in love with was one of his creations. Her dress was a gorgeous ivory and alencon lace gown, with a sheer, elongated lace bodice, sweetheart neckline, layered organza and lace skirt, with a chapel train. She loved that dress more than any other piece of clothing she had ever seen, the way the tiered skirt's texture reminded her of the crevices of a sea shell, the understated sparkle of the fitted bodice, the way it fit her body perfectly. As she stepped into that dress and felt them zip it up, she felt more beautiful than ever before.

"God, you look so beautiful. Finnick is definitely going to cry." Madge said, and Annie smiled.

"You guys all look amazing." She said, happy with her choice of the soft, sea green dresses, long, with a sweetheart neckline, ruched bodice, and flowy skirts. All of their hair was up in tasteful buns. (Unlike most brides, she hadn't wanted anyone looking hideous on her wedding day; she loved her friends too much for that)

"Let's give a toast!" Johanna said, cracking open a bottle of champagne and pouring glasses for all the girls their. "To Annie and Finnick, and their lives together!"

"Cheers!" All the girls, including Annie, said in unison, bumping glasses and taking gulps of sweet, bubbly champagne.

"Girls, let's not get drunk before the party gets started." Her mother chided from the doorway, arm in arm with her father. Her mother was wearing a gorgeous midnight blue mermaid evening gown, with a times one-shoulder floral appliqué. Her hair was pinned up in a gorgeous updo, and she wearing a soft expression. Her father on the other hand wore an expensive black suit with a blue tie that matched her mother's dress. He walked up to Annie and touched her shoulders, looking at her so fondly.

"You look so beautiful, Annie." He said as his eyes twinkled with unshed tears. "My baby-girl's all grown up."

"Dad, don't cry." Annie half choked, waving herself to keep from crying and messing up her make up. "Or I'll start crying."

"Sorry, sorry." He said, wiping his eyes from behind his glasses. Her mother suddenly approached her, holding a beautiful pair of diamond earrings, and a simple, gorgeous peridot pendant necklace.

"Mom, you shouldn't have." Annie said as her mother put on the jewelry.

"Your great-grandmother Annabel gave me these on my wedding day." She said quietly.

"Hey! Why didn't I get those?" Cora asked jokingly.

"You got your great-grandmother Cora's jewelry, remember?" Their father laughed, and Annie joined in with the chuckles as her mother secured the necklace around her neck, and just as gently took Annie's long veil from Cinna's grasp and pinned it in her hair. Her mother hugged her, before pulling away and smiling so lovingly.

"You are so beautiful, Annie." Her mother said, and Annie smiled tearfully.

"Thanks mom." She said back, and just as she did Effie almost burst through the door, holding her clipboard.

"Alright everyone! It's time to take your places! The ceremony is about to start!" She commanded and everyone got up.

"Wait, isn't it suppose to start in fifteen minutes?" Annie asked and her father cleared his throat.

"I asked Effie to push it forward a little bit. Finnick told me he felt like he was about to pass out." He said sheepishly, and Annie elbowed her father.

"Did you scare him?" She asked him and he shook his head.

"Not any more than usual. For some reason that boy is terrified by me." Her father laughed and Annie rolled her eyes.

"It's because he's always self-conscious that he's going to say something stupid and you won't like him any more." Annie said and her father kissed her cheek before pulling the veil over her face.

"I do like Finnick, but he is taking my baby-girl away. I don't know if I can forgive him." He chuckled before holding out his arm, which she took.

"Come on, Dad." She laughed, feeling her palms grow sweaty and those butterflies claim her stomach yet again.

"I love you, Annie. And I know that today, you are going to be married to a man who is not only wonderful, but worthy of you. I just want you to know that." He told her and she smiled, a wobbly, happy smile as she grabbed her beautiful bouquet of calla lilies, blue orchids, and hydrangea.

"I love you too, Dad." She said, as they entered the hallway and began to walk.

The doors were open and they entered outside through the large doors. The summer sunlight blinded her only for a moment, before she truly saw the masterpiece of her creation.

Down an extravagant set of stairs took them outside and down the aisle, past the chairs filled with beloved friends and family, to a pavilion set up upon the backdrop of water, with gorgeous vines of lilies and orchids surrounding each column. She was filled with the scent of clean grass, a cool sweet sea breeze, and flowers. She could taste the buttery sunshine upon her lips as it warmed her skin through her veil. As she walked through the arches of vines and flowers, her father's arm in hers, people ooed and ahhed, but she couldn't see anything else, really, but the one person standing there besides the priest.

Finnick

His smile was so large that it nearly spilt his face, and tears spilling from his eyes. He looked so handsome in that tuxedo, so radiant as the sun hit his bronze curls. She was nearly floating now, disembodied with her joy.

As they reached the end of their walk, her father gently gave her one last hug and whispering in her ear, "You made the right choice" before leaving Annie to climb the last steps up. Finnick reached out, to help her out, his hand was too hot, probably from nerves, but gentle, as he helped her up and they stood together, holding hands. Annie couldn't take her eyes off of him, the lightness of his sea eyes, the sparkle of tears, the way the sun made his skin glow.

"We gather here today, on these beautiful grounds to celebrate the wedding of these two beautiful young people, Annabel and Finnick." The priest said with a smile, "Marriage is perhaps the greatest and most challenging of human relationships and endeavors. But as we all know, no ceremony can create a marriage, only you, Annabel and Finnick, can do that through love and dedication, trust and perseverance, with talking and listening, with supporting and believing in each other, through tenderness and laughter, through learning to forgive, through learning to appreciate your differences, and learning to make the important things matter, and forgetting about the rest. What this ceremony can do is to provide witness and affirmation to the choice you've made to stand together as best friends, life mates, partners, husband and wife. And now, for Annabel and Finnick's declaration of intents."

Finnick squeezed Annie's hands, still smiling that brilliant smile that lit up her world, and Annie returning it back, nearly crying tears of joy.

"Do you, Finnick, take this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor her and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others remain loyal to her as long as you both shall live?" The priest asked, and without moving his gaze from Annie's face he nodded.

"I do." He said firmly, and Annie felt her face flush and butterflies erupt in her stomach at the realization that this was happening. This wasn't a dream.

"Do you, Annabel, take this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor him and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others remain loyal to him as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." She said, trying not to choke over her words.

"Will you, the families of Annabel and Finnick, give your blessing to this marriage?" The priest asked her parents, and Mags who answered in unison,

"We will."

Finnick gave a hushed, "Yes!" with a little fist pump which caused an appreciative rumble of laughter to go through the crowd, and the priest to chuckle.

"And I ask you all here today, as witnesses to these vows, will you also support, Annabel and Finnick in their new relationship?" The priest addressed the crowd that returned with,

"We will."

"And now for the exchange of vows." The priest said, and Annie realized that it was time for her to talk, and had to remember how to speak again, taking a deep breath before saying,

"From the moment I met you, I knew you were something else. It just took me a while to realize that I loved every bit of you, from your quirky sense of style, to your humor, to your heart, which is above all kind and fair. I will always be honest, always fair, I'll try my hardest to keep the socks organized, and I'll promise to keep my sense of humor." She said, and Finnick gave a laugh which was echoed by the audience, "But most of all, I'll promise to be a true and loyal friend to you for the rest of my life. I love you."

"I wrote a vow, but now I can't remember it because you are so beautiful." Finnick said with a smile, "So instead I think I'm going to recite you a poem that I wrote ten minutes ago."

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper and said,

I was once the ripple,

a disturbance upon the shore.

A sailor lost among his dreams,

and thoughts of nevermore.

But now those dreams are made,

of thoughts of you and me.

Forever, holding hands, and now-

We'll be together for eternity.

"Now that isn't my best work, but the message is there. I hope, at least. I promise to love and honor you, and be faithful to you for the rest of my life. I love you." He said as he stuffed his poem back into his pocket and she was probably blubbering by that point. She really couldn't find it in her to care, because there was nothing more sexy and beautiful than Finnick Odair reciting love poetry to her in front of everyone.

"And now for the exchanging of rings." The priest said, and Cora and Peeta both approached and gave them both their rings, Finnick's ring, which was held in a shaking, trembling hand. "The perfect circle of a ring symbolizes eternity. As you give these rings to each other, our prayer is that your love will be the same, pure and eternal. Finnick, please repeat after me; with this ring, I be wed."

"With this ring, I be wed." Finnick said, slipping the simple diamond ring upon her finger, with equally trembling hands.

"Annabel, please repeat after me; with this ring, I be wed." The priest asked, and Annie said back,

"With this ring, I be wed." She said, barely managing to slide on Finnick's ring before Finnick held her hands so tightly, as if she might try to disappear from him.

"May these rings be an everlasting token of your affection, sincerity, and fidelity, for and too one another." The priest took another breath before saying, "Because Annabel and Finnick have declared their intent to each other, and have witness the same before their beloved family and friends, and have given and pledge their loyalty to each other, and have evidenced this by the giving and receiving of rings, and by the joining together of hands. By the power of their love and commitment, and by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."

Finnick went in for a kiss like a shark, he half tore off her veil in his enthusiasm, grabbed her and dipped her down so low that she actually squawked and laughed against his lips as the audience burst out into applause. When he finally set her back up, she wrapped her arms around him in a fierce hug.

"I love you." Annie choked out, and he nodded and crushed her against him.

"I love you too. I love you, I love you so much." He half-sobbed back, before he turned to the crowd and yelled at the top of his lungs, her hand in his, "I'M MARRIED! HELL YEAH!" This caused the crowd to burst into hoots and hollers.

"Come on, you obnoxious man-child." Annie laughed and Finnick smiled giddily as they skipped happily down the aisle, hand in hand, and she threw her bouquet.

Of course she didn't know until later that it was Katniss Everdeen who caught it, but of course that's a tale for another time.

Annie and Finnick of course got a peak into the engagement hall before everyone else got there, and Finnick was thoroughly impressed with how everything went together, from the gorgeous flower arrangements, all the way down to the forks. The cake was a master piece, one of the only things that Finnick had 100% control over in the entire wedding, because to be fair Finnick would probably be the one eating most of it, and Annie was amazed by it. A gorgeous five tier white cake, with what looked like drapes of soft sea green cloth, designed with the most intricate of waves and sea creatures, and with white calla lily and orchid pick-ups. And of course the thing that got Annie laughing was the cake topper, which was of the groom sitting on the side of the cake with what looked like a mini-fishing pole and the bride on the next tear, grabbed the hook.

"I'll never be able to thank Peeta enough for that cake." Annie said, in awe, and Finnick smiled.

"I was going to ask for triple-chocolate German chocolate cake with ganache. But since I love you, I decided on a vanilla cake with raspberry filling and vanilla butter cream. Sweet enough for me, but with enough fruit that it almost counts as healthy." Finnick hummed, and Annie pressed kisses against his blushed cheek.

They had a few moments to themselves, where they exchanged kisses and sweet nothings, intoxicated by happiness, Annie finding joy in every moment because she would look at Finnick and know that he was her husband, before returning out behind the scenes and letting everyone file inside before reappearing as the DJ announced,

"And now let's put our hands together for the couple of honor, Mr. and Mrs. Finnick Odair!"

Now to completely honest, the first song had been the other thing that Finnick had 100% control over, (since for some reason he had wanted to surprise her, but she really hated surprised) so of course she was extremely nervous for what it could be. Of course it took her completely off guard when she heard the warm crooning voice that she was certain almost anyone could recognize,

When I fall in love,

It will be forever

Or I'll never fall in love…

"Really, Finnick?" Annie asked him, with a laugh as his hands rested on her hips, as he gently rocked her to the slow, gentle rhythm.

"You love it." Finnick teased her, his face to close to hers.

In a restless world like this is
Love is ended before it's begun
and too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun

"This is the mushiest song on the planet." She informed him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and he stared in her eyes, tenderly, adoringly, and kissed her with trembling lips.

When I give my heart,

It will be completely,

Or I'll never give my heart…

"Also the most true." He told her and yes, she wanted to agree, yes it was, because looking at his angel-sculpted face, sun-worshipped skin, his endlessly kind eyes, as she was being sheltered in his warm, strong, eternally gentle arms, she doubted the ability to feel this way towards anyone else. How could it be possible?

And the moment I can feel that…You feel that way too.
Is when I fall in love with you...

He sealed the end of the song off with a kiss more languid and sweet then a summer night.

The rest of the evening went quickly, the toast was held by Peeta, who in the short, flowery way that Peeta always spoke congratulated them and wished them the best. Multiple rounds of drinks were handed out which Johanna, and her new found friend Cora partook in quiet heavily, Annie danced with everyone, but especially Finnick who just couldn't keep his hands off of her. And when dusk settled over Snow Pond estate, Finnick grabbed her and picked her up bridal style and carried her (as she was absolutely terrified at that moment) to the awaiting limo, which would then drive them to their honeymoon location, the villa her Godmother Raina owned, which was a beautiful property right on the beach.

"Are you ready for the first night of our lives together?" Finnick asked, his voice barely hiding his excitement, and Annie gave him a playful nudge back.

"I've been looking forward to it for my entire life." Annie said, before resting her head on his shoulder, as he hummed in content before suddenly saying,

"I thought of a title for my poem." Finnick told her and she looked up at his smiling face, touching her hand on his.

"What?"

"I think I'm going to name it, Reaching You." Finnick said, "It has a nice ring to it."

"I don't think you need to try to reach me any more, I've been besides you all this time." Annie told him, closing her eyes, feeling his presence, reveling in the fact it would be there for the rest of her life.

"I feel the same exact way."

Wedding chapter! OH MY GOD! I can't believe I actually got it up a day early, holy crap. Oh, and btw, no, this story it not over after the wedding chapters are through. I just like putting in the name of the fanfic for shits and giggles.

And oh my goodness, the news has been crazy. I had tons of friends running/ helping at the Boston marathon, so thank goodness everyone was safe. But on my side of the state, it was business as usual as all of Boston was essentially shut down. It was freaking crazy. Thank god they caught the guy. :)

I'm going to be including three links (remove spaces) to where I got most of my inspiration for the wedding. First was CTFxC on Youtube. They're a daily vlogging channel on Youtube and I just love their wedding, and a big shout out to lastmidnight, thanks so much for recommending the site Style Me Pretty. You pretty much saved my ass with that one. The third link would be the dress I used as Annie's

www. youtube watch? v=xQVFGdmO5b8

www. stylemepretty. com

www. /Lazaro/Bridal/Spring/2013/Style-3308

Song of the week: When I Fall In Love cover (yes, it is actually a cover) by Nat King Cole. This is pretty much THE love song, in my opinion. You know it is. Don't try to argue with me, you know I'm right. Though I do love my WALK THE MOON (thank you for agreeing with me, anon reviewer Pure Paragon, that they are amazing), Nat King Cole is just the staple of old school. Him and Ray Charles. You cannot get better then that. Try listening to the song and reading this chapter and try not to tear up.

In other news, longest chapter ever? Maybe? Let's see if I can top it next week. And then guess what guys? Time for lots and lots of lemon. :)