"Thom, I'm Peeta Mellark. I'm sure you've heard of me," I suddenly said to ease the tension.

I held a hand out and Thom glanced at it in suspicion but took it nonetheless as we shook hands.

"Peeta Mellark... Do you know what Katniss used to do when we were in university? No? She'd sleep around with other men and she used to stop me from speaking to other girls. She was very possessive, I was sure that I wouldn't be able to get out of the relationship unscarred!"

I turned to Katniss whose eyes had widened. Was Thom lying or was her side of the story true?

"You are lying. I didn't sleep with other men, you slept with other men." Katniss retorted angrily.

Thom feigned a gasped, pressing his hand to his chest. "How dare you-"

"There's nothing wrong with being gay, or bisexual..." Finnick said.

Thom glared at him. "You'd believe the words of a manipulative woman than her victim's. She's playing you, Mellark. She is not as sweet as she seems, ask anyone who knows the real Katniss Everdeen-"

"I'd appreciate," I started. "if you wouldn't speak so ill of my fiancée."

"Well, it is my word against hers."

Cressida sauntered up to his side with a smile. "Why don't we leave, Thom? I'm sure the children would appreciate your being home so soon-"

"Why don't you go, Cressida? I have a more willing mistress who wants to stay so, goodbye."

Cressida smiled brightly before frowning and leaving not before sending us desperate glances from behind Thom's back.

"I hear you have two USB sticks for me," Thom said to Katniss, holding a hand out. "May I have them?"

I held my breath as Katniss began to contemplate giving him the sticks.

"Katniss Everdeen of Everdeen Incorp! How are you, darling?"

We all turned to see Seneca Crane with his arms wide open, heading straight for Katniss but Finnick quickly stepped in front of him.

"Katniss Everdeen's personal bodyguard. I'm going to have to tell you to stop right there, sir."

"Katniss and I are old friends, Mr Bodyguard so if you'd-"

"I don't think so," Finnick smiled. "Ms Everdeen, we should escort you to the private rooms."

Katniss was stunned but she nodded and we quickly all left to join Gale upstairs where he was with the mayor and his wife.

"Ah, Mayor Undersee, this is my cousin, Katniss Everdeen of-"

"Everdeen Incorp. Yes. I knew your father," Mayor Undersee smiled. "back from when we were children. He funded my election party, did you know?"

Katniss smiled. "Everyone believed in my father and my father, in turn, believed in everyone."

Gale cleared his throat. "And this is her fiancé, Peeta Mellark."

"The artist! Oh, we do need to talk about a certain painting we wish you to do for us..." Mrs Undersee beamed as she led me away to turn to find Gale and Katniss speaking with the mayor, concern written on their faces.

What hadn't they wanted me to hear? How dangerous is this situation?

"Don't mind them, dear. I'm thinking of the sunset..." Mrs Undersee continued but my mind was clearly elsewhere.

...

"Thank God that's over! No offence to my cousin and new in law but honestly, the baby's been doing backflips in here." Katniss breathed out.

We were in our limo, on our way home in the early hours of the morning.

"What were you discussing with the mayor?"

Katniss turned to me, her eyes unreadable. "He just wanted to know how my family and I were doing. He couldn't attend the funeral, you see."

"Oh."

"Hmm, yes."

I placed my hand between us and she quickly latched on, entwining our fingers as she sighed wistfully.

"I want a small wedding, Peeta. Nothing too extravagant as today. We've never wanted for more than we can afford.

"But we have the money," I told her. "To make a celebration for us."

Katniss hummed. "But before the money and everything, we'd have toastings."

"Yeah, I remember. Rye and Scotti both had toastings. We couldn't afford much back then."

"And it would be all we needed to make our marriages legal. I want to go back to the simpler times. A small toasting with both our friends and families and if you want, a small reception afterwards."

I leant over, placing a kiss on her lips as I squeezed her hand and slipped her hair behind her ear to get a better look at her stormy eyes.

"I want whatever you want. As long as I marry you," I whispered.

"Then, we'd better get cracking on planning, my love. I'm already thirteen weeks and getting on the larger side."

I chuckled. "I'll still love you even if you're the size of a whale, Katniss."

"Only you'd say that." Katniss smiled.

I sighed once I realised that we were closer to home. I wasn't ready to deal with my father this night. All I wanted was to sleep and wake up to then face whatever distress he brought on. But I still loved him. He single-handedly raised me whenever my mother abused me and when she left.

I owed it to him.

But a little part of me hoped he was fast asleep when we get home.

"What's on your mind, Peeta?"

I turned to face Katniss with a smile but all I saw were bright white lights.

And then there was pain shooting throughout my body.

Then it was black.