A/N: Sorry for not updating right away, been busy and the next few chapters have been difficult for me. Chapter 29 will be updated in 2-3 days, so please no threats. Reviews are very welcome. BIG Thanks to Oakfarmer who has been my awesome beta through this ordeal, there are only 5-6 more chapters remaining. Please keep a look out for my new story to be published after this pone is finished. As of yet it is unnamed and a very different concept, an AU that spans through multiple times, with a very alpha male Peeta. You can read snippets on my tumblr abk1973.
Chapter 28 – Toast
"Are you sure you are going to be OK?" This was probably the tenth time that Devlin has asked her if she was 'going to be OK' in the last hour alone and it was starting to get old awfully fast.
"I am wonderful." She snaps at him, "Well maybe wonderful isn't the best word" she amends, "but Devlin stop asking me if I am going to be OK. I am going to this toasting because I promised my best friend I would. And yeah I am still sad and a little stunned over this whole thing, but Peeta was right he never led me on, I just heard what I wanted to hear." Delly had spent most of the yesterday evening alternating between crying raging and trying to reason out what went wrong. Devlin had spent some time allowing her to cry on his shoulder before he went off to the bachelor party. She had even contemplated actually going to the shower, but one look in the mirror told her it wasn't such a great idea.
Delly takes one final look at herself in the mirror, she is wearing one of the dresses that she had rejected yesterday, but she looks nice. Again, the desired effect isn't what she had been going for yesterday, sweet yet sexy, something that says look I am beautiful and sexy but I am not even trying to look this way. Somehow Katniss had been able to achieve that very look Delly had desired in that damned orange dress and she probably did it without trying at all. You're Jealous, Delly said to her reflection, yeah I am, she has the guy I fell in love with.
But Delly can't really be that mad, Peeta had never hid his feeling about Katniss from her, in fact she was the only person he had told about his crush outside his dad and brothers. He had trusted her with his feelings and secrets, well most of them anyway. He had not told her about his secret relationship with Katniss and that hurt, but perhaps that was partly her fault as well. She had become a bit of a gossiper and even though she had never talked about his unrequited crush with anyone but Madge (who knew about it) she really hadn't been good at keeping secrets for a while.
Delly still is ashamed of the way she acted when she went over to Peeta's last night, the way she cried and carried on and particularly the way she threw herself at him. It wasn't her intention to tell him about how she felt; she had originally gone over there just to figure the situation out, find out what happened, where she may have gone wrong. Shuddering at her remembered behavior and the way Peeta had looked at her after she had confessed her love, a look of utter horror and made her cheeks heat up in embarrassment all over again. Get it together Delly, this is not the end of the world, and really it wasn't, because if she is honest with herself she knows that if Peeta weren't toasting with Katniss, he wouldn't be toasting with her or anyone. Peeta's heart had always belonged to Katniss; she just forgot that for a while.
"Ready?" She looks away from her reflection in the mirror to see Devlin looking at her cautiously so she musters a smile from deep within and says "ready".
As she walks up the stairs as she has done so often in her life her feet feel a little heavy and she can hear the sounds of happy people already inside the bakery. Hearing the familiar loud laugh of Rye causes her to take a big breath, you can do this Delly, and so she puts on her happy face and walks through the door. Instantly the smell of food hits her, making her mouth water. The next thing she notices how mixed the crowd is, there is just as many seam people as there are people from town.
"Delly, Devlin come on in. You guys are the last to arrive" they are greeted by a cheerful Mr. Mellark. Katniss and Peeta are just giving a tour to some of Katniss's friends, and then we should be ready to start the toasting." Delly looked around to see Cole standing off to the side talking with Rye and Madge; that seemed the best place to start so she made her way over to them with Devlin on her heals.
"Hey Rye, Madge" the happy voice of her brother broke into the conversation, both Madge and Rye greeted them and then with Devlin began a conversations filled with small talk. The type of conversation that is full of words, but says nothing of important at all, 'how are you', "the weather is nice today', 'are you excited for your toasting'. As the conversation continues Delly chimes in as though she is fully involved, but she has been searching, there is something missing and she can't quite put her finger on it.
"Rye, where is your mom?" She asks the question without thinking, she knew there was something missing and the tension that the presence of Meredith Mellark in her boys is missing, the entire party is relaxed.
"Mom is not here and is not welcome, especially after what she tried to pull right before the signing." Rye bit out tersely his face turning dark, Madge reaches over and quietly rubs her hand on his arm in a comforting motion.
Devlin looked at them quietly and just says, "I'm sorry" and then he looks at her with a sad sort of smile.
"It's OK, but Jesus, Cassidy was involved, I am never speaking to her again." Delly is a little taken aback, Rye was spitting mad and the whole conversation was just confusing. "I don't understand" Delly asked quietly.
Madge looked at her as if judging her, looking to read her soul to see if she was worthy of even knowing the story. And after what she tried to pull last night, perhaps she isn't, but maybe eventually she can be trusted again.
"It's just, I knew Mom hated Katniss and we all know that Cassidy wanted Peeta, but for them to team up together, shit. Then the things Mom said to them, the names she called Katniss, what she said to Peeta." Rye's breathing is ragged and Delly can see his face is bright red in anger, he is almost incoherent. Delly watches as Madge turns to Rye and to calm him down by murmuring into his ear, she can see his breathing start to slow and then his facial muscles begin to relax. After a few tense moments Madge turns to Devlin and Delly, while still holding Rye's hand, and tells them the story of what happened earlier at the signing. The story is awful and it makes Delly's heart hurt for Peeta, she knows how mean his mom is to him, has seen what it has done to his ego over the years, although if she thinks about it, she has never seen him happier or more sure of himself then he has been over the past few years. Now she also understands that it was most likely due to Katniss.
"The signing was very beautiful and at the end when Peeta lifted her up and spun Katniss around I almost cried, they were full of such joy." Delly watched as Madge dabbed the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief apparently at the memory she is talking about. "Oh and their kiss, it was the most romantic kiss I have ever seen, it was so pure so full of love.." Madge trailed off as Delly catches Madge glancing at her briefly.
"My favorite part was the carrying of the bride", Delly looked up to see that Carrie has joined the conversation, at some point she and Bannock had joined the small group. "You didn't do that for me you big oaf" Carrie teases Bannock while playfully nudging him in the ribs.
"No my favorite part was when Peeta started to take off running with Katniss in his arms trying to beat us all back here so they could get a few minutes alone." Rye has apparently recovered from his earlier anger as he adds his two bits, "I loved catching them, you should have seen them leap apart, Katniss looked like she was going to attack someone while Peeta just looked guilty." Rye had the whole group chuckling at this as he does an imitation of a guilty Peeta; it's so funny even Delly is laughing a little. Glancing around she can see that Peeta and Katniss have appeared and are talking quietly with 2 other couples, both are from the seam, of course she recognizes Julia and Craig, she thinks the other woman might be Leevy which would mean the other guy would be her fiancé. She watches as Katniss talks her face full of laughter, but her body still and poised. Peeta is standing next to her his hand on her back, he looks to be laughing slightly at whatever she is saying, but the look of adoration on his face is breathtakingly beautiful. Peeta has always been handsome to her, but this look transforms him, love looks good on her best friend. Mr. Mellark then gently interrupts the conversation whispering something quietly into Peeta's ear causing his gaze to look away from Katniss to meets hers. The initial look on his face is wary as he sees her, so she gives him what she hopes is a reassuring smile the smile she receives back is not one of his carefree ones, it's a little restrained and tentative, but it's a smile, it's a start.
Peeta then turns to Katniss and she watches as they excuse themselves and begin to make their way across the crowded room. Katniss is stunning, even Delly can admit that to herself. Her white dress is simple, but it fits Katniss as if it were made for her, tiny cap sleeves with a scoop neck that shows off the tiniest bit of décolletage. The bodice skims her body and hips then flows to a skirt that hangs straight down to just above her ankles, as she walks Delly can see that there is a slit that goes up the side to just above her knees. The whole dress is covered in a delicate lace that projects an aura of sensual innocence. Unlike yesterday where Katniss's hair was down, it is in an elaborate braid that is artfully pinned up that adds elegance to the overall look. But it is Katniss's face that has Delly enchanted, there is no scowl, her face has always been pretty but Katniss's expression of love has transformed her from the hot beautiful seam girl, to a radiant ethereal being that she first saw yesterday, and all other beauty pales in comparison.
"Delly, Devlin glad you could make it" her best friend greets them with a hearty handshake to her brother and a quick hand on her shoulder. Delly doesn't miss his hesitancy and the lack of hug, but she knows it's her fault, that she needs to make amends.
"Well I couldn't not come see my big bro toast with the girl of his dreams." Delly says it with a smile and tries to convey as much as an apology as she can.
"We were just waiting for you to arrive; we should be starting the ceremony any minute." Katniss says gently while smiling at both her and her brother. "I am pretty sure you know everyone here", Katniss gestures to the small gathering around them, while waving over two men who are clearly from the seam. "Although I don't think you have ever met my friends Thom and Gabe?"
Two men walk over to join the group and Katniss introduces them to her and her brother. The tall man, Thom, takes her hand gently and tells her how pretty she looks. Blushing she looks up at the man who has a quiet gentle aura about him. Her brother greats both of them, it seems he may have known them from school.
Katniss then gently places a hand on Delly's forearm and addresses the group "Enjoy yourselves; I am sure we will all get more of a chance to catch up a little later during the meal. Now that everyone is here, I think it's time to start, Peeta?" Delly watches as Peeta agrees with Katniss and gently places her hand in the crook of his arm and begins to lead her towards the fire place. The lively banter that has been going on all around her begins to quiet as their attention is turned to the couple as they arrive at the hearth.
The voice of her best friend then addresses the small group, "Welcome friends and family, Katniss and I are grateful for everyone who is present here today. Each one of you is here because you mean something to Katniss or I. We are so grateful for your support and love during our time of happiness." Peeta is eloquent and commands the room; while he speaks the raven haired girl by his side is gazing at him with a soft smile on her face. They both then turn and kneel down facing each other slightly turned toward the fireside and begin to light the fire. Whiles she watches the couple smile and talk lightly together as they work to bring a lively blaze to their hearth as she is focused on them a soft gentle voice whispers in her ear, "this part is my favorite, I cannot wait to find a woman to share this with me." Turning towards the voice she finds herself face to face with Thom, who is stooping down to talk to her. Her breath hitches at the intensity in his gaze, the soft and gentle manner of this man that even towers over Gale Hawthorne is astonishing. For once in her life Delly finds herself unable to say a word, all of them having been stolen. Unsure of what to do, Delly smiles at him and nods, trying to convey that she too likes this part, she wants to say something, so she manages a soft "I agree". Then turns back to watch the man she thought she would marry toast with someone else.
Peeta looks at the girl kneeling across from him, from the moment he saw her today walking towards the Justice building he hasn't been able to keep his eyes off her or stop from touching her. Holding hands, her hand on his arm, his hand on the small of her back guiding her, holding her, he cannot stop touching her; he needs to know this is real. As they concentrate on building the fire together his heart is beating rapidly, he can feel it in his throat. They are already married according to the capitol, she is his wife and the word sounds sweet and wonderful. But the toasting will solidify it, bind her and he in a way that is deeper, more meaningful then the paper the capitol gave them.
As the fire roars to life he reaches over and touches her knee and they turn and fully face one another. Peeta knows people are watching, that there are a fair amount of people in his living room, their living room, but he cannot see them. All he can see is the girl in front of him, the bread and the fire. The toasting bread is a small loaf of white fluffy goodness, it is made of the finest flour, he makes these loaves all the time but he put extra care into making this one and it is perfect. Deliberately he takes the bread knife in hand and deftly slices off the heal, then with shaking hands he carefully cuts a perfect slice. Looking up he is immediately engulfed in swirling silver and the beauty steals his breath from his lungs. Carefully he hands Katniss the knife and watches as she cuts the next slice, it's not as perfect as his but her hands are shaking too.
Simultaneously they reach out and hands the other a toasting stick and they both carefully thread their respective slices through the tines. Peeta takes a deep breath and looks at her, the love of his life, the only girl he has ever wanted and reaches out his right hand to her left and winds his finger through hers their fingers fitting together perfectly, they both turn to the fireplace and extend the bread over the fire. The scent of yeast hits him first as the bread begins to warm and then as it toasts his nose is overcome by that distinctive smell that bread gets as it begins to toast its nutty and buttery and just so very comforting and in no time they are pulling the toasting sticks out of the flames. Gingerly he removes the toast from the stick, it's hot but not burning, he notices that Katniss is a little more sensitive to the heat, which makes sense he can barely feel a burn anymore. Setting down the sticks they turn and look at each other.
Peeta breaks his toast first and gingerly holds the piece up to her delicate, perfect pink kissable lips and as she opens them and takes a bite he says the words he has been waiting to say for years. "Katniss, I offer you this bread as my promise to always keep you fed warm and loved. I promise to be faithful to you and our hearth. I promise my devotion to our family and will always do my best to provide nourishment and warmth for the rest of my days." As he finishes Katniss then tears a bit off from her piece and lifts it to his lips, as he takes a bite he realizes he has never tasted anything so wonderful in his life.
"Peeta, I offer you this bread as my promise to always keep you fed, warm and loved. I promise my fidelity and to always tend our hearth. I promise my devotion to you, to raise our family and will always help to provide nourishment and warmth for the rest of my days." Her statement is beautiful and perfect, her voice sooths and envelops him and keeps him safe. Her vows are slightly different as a woman, but he feels they mean the same, they are a team, partners in every sense of the word. As they finish he thinks it is Prim that starts to sing the toasting song and he knows other people join in, but all he can see is this beautiful woman in front of him and she is his, mine, finally she is truly mine and I am hers. They both lean forward, unable to close his eyes to leave the depth, warmth and soul of her eyes, they kiss very softly. Cheers break out all around them and a smile blossoms on his face threatening to crack it in half.
As they hold hands and slowly stand up he becomes aware of the people around him, his friends, his family, their friends, and their family. And it his brother Bannock who makes the announcement, because his father might be crying too much to talk, "Everyone, I would like to present Mr. and Mrs. Mellark!"
It's time for them to say something, but he knows Katniss so he knows it will be him saying something. As he looks down at her, tucked into his side he meets her gaze and her eyes say what he already knows, 'go ahead you speak, you know I hate it, you're better with words anyway'. So he does, "Katniss and I are so grateful that you were all here to witness our toasting, please stay and enjoy our first meal with us in our home. Mrs. Everdeen and Mrs. Hawthorne have generously spent all morning cooking a wonderful meal for us. We have two geese that have been roasted to perfection, that were shot by Katniss, of course, followed by cake." At that Rye walks up to them and presents the cake that he had so painstakingly created first to Katniss and then the crowd. Nervously he watches as Katniss looks it over taking in all the details a look of content and awe slowly overtakes her face.
"Peeta its perfect, it's us" the words sound like a sigh coming from her lips as she takes in all that he has put on the cake. He lets out a breath of relief that she likes it, no he thinks she loves it by the way she is looking at it. Rye then puts it in the center of the table and he watches as everyone crowds around filling their plates with food while looking at the cake.
"How is that cake you?" Delly is glancing at the cake with a puzzled look on her face, directing the question toward him. He looks over at Katniss and raises a brow and invites her to answer.
"The willow copse is where Peeta and I would meet, it is where we became us, he asked me to marry him there. The white flowers are Katniss flowers, the primroses are orange because that is Peeta's favorite color and dandelions are special to us." It is not the whole explanation, the dandelions mean so much more, but that is for them only.
They all grab plates and begin to pile on food, he takes his plate and walks over to where his father is standing. Nodding to his dad he stands by him and takes a bite of the goose, oh my god that is wonderful. He looks over at his dad smiling who also is eating the goose savoring every bite. "This is the best meal I have had in forever" his dad is almost moaning the words as he eats.
"I know, I can't believe my girl, no my wife", he quickly corrects himself, "can catch these." His mouth is watering and his tongue is dancing from the flavor.
"I can't believe my baby boy is married", his father's eyes look glassy but he quickly is composed. "It feels like yesterday when you came home that first day of school and you announced that you would marry Katniss Everdeen, now here you are married to her."
Peeta smiles at his dad because what can he say to that, yes he is married to Katniss Everdeen and it's a dream come true. Looking up he can see that she is across the room conversing with Johanna Mason, Prim, Madge and Rye, she looks up and catches his gaze. And unlike the years in school where she would catch him staring she doesn't look away, she gives him a mischievous grin and a wink! He is content, looking around he sees everyone is happy, even Gale Hawthorne who is casting sly looks at Johanna Mason, who looks gorgeous in her dress of copper, though she doesn't hold a candle to Katniss in her pure white dress.
He notices that Julia and Craig are heading over to talk to him, followed by Leevy and her fiancé (what was his name)? Soon both couples have him engaged in a conversation regarding toasting cakes and loafs, cost and can they get a small one for their toasting.
He feels her presence before she speaks as she sidles up to him and places one of her lithe hands on his forearm. It has been a bit since he has touched her, both of them making the rounds and talking to their guests, "do you think we should cut the cake and then get everyone out of here?" The shock of her breathy voice in his ear immediately has an effect on his body, and when he turns his eyes are staring directly into hers, swirling and silver, oh god, everybody needs to go soon.
Chocking out a "yes" he immediately goes into action announcing that it is time to cut the cake. He notices that his mother in law and his dad are already putting away the leftover food in the kitchen, while Prim and Hazelle are cleaning up. He starts to cut and plate, while Katniss serves their guests. Everyone thoroughly loves the cake; Posy and Vick have two pieces. Then people start to say their goodbyes and leave, he notices that Thom leaves with Delly and Devlin, and maybe just maybe there could be something there. Johanna thanks them for letting 'a gal from district seven' be a part of one of district twelve's ceremonies, Gale is hot on her heals and its clear what they are going to do. Then it's his brothers and their girls, his father, then last its Prim and Mrs. Everdeen, or Lilly as she asked him to call her.
Finally the door closes, all the guests have left he turns and takes in Katniss, his wife, beside him, beautiful and radiant and his. Reaching out he takes her into his arms and hugs her, and holding her close to him whispers in her ears, word of love, words of devotion, words of thanks and how lucky he is. He tells her that he is hers, every part of him and how incredibly happy she has made him and how much, dear god how much he just wants to be alone with her in their house, in their room.
"I love you" it's a soft quiet admission that says in three words all that he had just been rambling, so he kisses her soft and slow. And as he sees the fire burning in her eyes and as their bodies instinctually mold to each other he picks her up and walks to their room.
