Star-Crossed

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games, but I wish I did. This fanfiction is strictly for entertainment purposes only. The plot is mine, but I don't own any of the characters or novel concepts.

Thank you so much for all the reviews! I am on vacation this week and that is why I have not updated until now. I have an unreliable internet connection at the best of times so I am going to post this chapter, but I may not be able to post another for four to five days. Please review and let me know what you think. I was careful writing this chapter because it involves the wedding night. I like the T rating I give my stories so I hope no one is disappointed. Please let me know what you think.

Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 20 – Katniss's POV

Today I am marrying Peeta Mellark. I am marrying the man I love. I know it seems quick, impulsive, and maybe a little impetuous…but I don't care. For once in my life, I am going to follow my heart as my father would have wanted me to…he would never have wanted me to settle for anyone I didn't love.

Peeta gets me. He understands me. He has been there for me for a long time. I am not sure when I started having feelings for him, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I love him now. We are going to spend a few weeks alone together in Finnick's cabin he is building for himself and Annie when he finally finds her. Johanna volunteered to watch Prim and I am very grateful. I trust Johanna and I know she will protect Prim. She and Prim are already close and I am happy for them.

I am wearing a beautiful dress that Johanna gave me. She never wanted to marry, so she told me the dress was mine to keep. I would keep it…I would cherish it. Maybe Prim would wear it if she were to marry one day.

Peeta and I are getting married by Haymitch (as strange as that may seem) out in the woods beside the cottages. I take my hair out of the usual braid and let the waves cascade down my back. I hope Peeta likes it. As I walk towards my future husband, tears fill my eyes. I was so sure I was going to be forced into a marriage with Gale. Now, I am here with my soul mate. I truly believe Peeta is my soul mate. He turns and sees me coming towards him. His face breaks out into a breathtaking smile of happiness. I smile back at him and blink back the tears that continue to gather in my eyes. I see tears fill his eyes as well. He blinks them away as well and I smile wider.

I reach out and take his hand. He runs his smooth fingers up and down my hand…chills break out all across my body. Tingles fill me…I feel anticipation…and excitement for what is to come. I always thought I would feel very nervous, but I don't feel nervous at all. Just ready to spend forever with Peeta.

The ceremony was quick and sweet. We say our "I do's." We also prepared something to say to one another. Peeta's voice rings victorious as he speaks his heart warming words to me.

"Katniss, I have loved you a long time. Your father knew that I loved you and he hoped that one day you would return my affections and we would marry. Today is the best day of my life where we will finally begin our life together as one. I cannot possibly imagine a marriage without complete and total love. I could never have married someone I didn't love with my whole heart. I love you with all my heart and I can't live without you. I believe in soul mates. I believe you are my soul mate, my other half, my forever. I love you and I will protect you with my life."

He slips the ring on my finger. I know I will never take that ring off. The ring is a part of me now and always will be. His words were beautiful, strong, and powerful…just like Peeta himself. I take a deep breath and blink back tears before speaking.

"Peeta, you have been a constant in my life for a while. I knew you even before my father got sick. I watched you even then. I didn't know at the time that my father had approved of you, but somehow I knew it. My father wanted me be happy and in love. He only wanted me to marry for love. Now I know that all those conversations we had about marriage and about love were about you too. He knew we were meant for each other and I know we are too. I love you so much. I love you for so many reasons. I love you for being there for me after my father died, for loving me from afar for years before, but mostly I love you because you are you. You complete me and I love you with all that I am."

Tears fall down his face as he smiles at me lovingly. I slip his ring on his finger and feel an electric connection between us.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." Haymitch says gruffly with…something close to emotion? "You may kiss your bride, Peeta."

We didn't need any prompting. Peeta leaned in and our lips met. It was a kiss filled with love, intensity, and longing. A kiss that was probably much longer than usually allowed. I heard Prim giggle and Johanna clear her throat before we broke apart.

"All right love birds," Finnick's voice broke through the electric charged moment. "I will take you to the cabin…may your love life together begin."

I grasp Peeta's hand tightly. I hug Prim, Johanna, Finnick, and Haymitch to say thank you. I never let go of Peeta's hand. Finnick leads us to his cottage and once we see it. He gives us both a hug and then takes off into the woods…giving us a gift himself by not making any weird comments that would make me outrageously uncomfortable.

Peeta and I walk into the small house...he insists on carrying me over the threshold. It is beautiful. It has two small bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room with a small hearth.

He sets me on my feet and takes my hand to lead me to the bigger of the two bedrooms. A full size bed awaits us. I feel anticipation curl in my stomach…nervousness fills my chest but quickly dissipates as Peeta runs a finger down my cheek.

"Katniss, we don't have to do anything you are not ready for. I can wait as long as you need. We are married now…we have forever."

His words give me courage and fill me with love. Desire replaces the nervousness that made my stomach flutter. I lean into him and place my hands on his strong chest lightly. He inhales in surprise and meets me gaze. Whatever he sees in my eyes causes his eyes to darken. I know he feels the electricity between us crackling like wildfire. I know he is just as aware of me as I am with him.

"I don't want to wait, Peeta. I want to be with you." I tell him sincerely and with complete honesty.

Peeta seems to believe me because he leans in and kisses me slowly, passionately. The kiss becomes torturous as my body comes alive…becoming charged with passion. His kisses awaken a desire in me that I did not know existed.

This just feels right. It feels incredible and real.

Kissing him isn't enough now. I need more of him. I pull his shirt over his head and he unzips my dress slowly, lovingly. We slowly undress one another and then lie on the bed together.

Peeta settles above me and caresses my face gently with his hands. "I love you, Katniss Mellark." He tells me seriously.

"I love you, too." I tell him before he closes the gap between us. It hurt. It hurt more than I thought it would, but it also felt incredible. I surrendered all of myself to my husband. The only man who I would ever be intimate with. The only man I would ever love with every fiber of my being. The hurt eventually passes. Peeta is very gentle with me…he doesn't want to hurt me in any way. After the hurt subsides, I feel our intense connection and closeness.

We bring each other so much pleasure this night. Peeta's tenderness and strength bring my body to pleasure I never thought possible. Apparently, I have the same effect on him as well. Afterwards, we curl up together sated in each other's arms. He plants a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"You love me, real or not real?" He asks me softly.

"Real." I tell him before we both succumb to sleep.

I hope you still liked it. I don't write graphic sex scenes so I hope you all still enjoyed it. I hope it wasn't too much for anyone. I really stick to the T rating and I didn't want to make it too much. I think it is important to say that they will only ever been with one another and that they are each other's first, last, and only.

Please review and let me know what you think. Thank you so much!