Part Three

Chapter Twelve

Everything is set. Well, everything but the vows.

I'm sitting in a booth at Esselon, trying to get the words to come to me, but all I have are cliché lines and scratched out thoughts. Peeta's finished with his (of course) and has been a lifesaver with the details for the second wedding. From when out-of-town guests are due to arrive, to what hotel they'll be staying at, to the food, Peeta's taken the lead and that's for the best: at one point I had forgotten that people might want to know when to actually show up at the house.

"Hey. Need some help?"

I look up and smile at Annie. She's been here for about a week now and will be staying through our celebration. Annie's been a huge help too, trying to think of things we might have overlooked. But to be honest, just having her here gives both Peeta and me a sense of calm. It's not that our other friends and coworkers don't mean well, but Annie's known us the longest and knows what would make us happy and what we'd consider unnecessary fluff.

Beer and taco dip? Yes. Pastel jordan almonds in tulle? No.

"These vows are completely hopeless. I have no idea what to say." I rub my temples and look at her with desperation. "There are only so many ways to promise to be faithful and love someone until death do us part."

"You're overthinking it." Annie takes my notebook and skims over the words. "Katniss, this doesn't even sound like you."

I drop my head to the tabletop and moan, "I know!"

"Maybe it's the word 'vows' that's tripping you up." I look up and she continues. "You and Peeta are already married and you've already exchanged formal vows. So forget 'vows' and just pretend that you're talking to Peeta."

I mull it over for a bit. Letters aren't nearly as intimidating; I'd just have to read it. "You think that will be okay?"

"Katniss, I know your husband and he'd be happy if you recited the Pledge of Allegiance." She slides the notebook back to me. "He'll appreciate something from your heart."

I close the notebook for the time being and hold my mug of tea between my hands, looking at Annie. She's been staying with Finnick, though the four of us have been able to spend some time together. Having my friend here has made me realize just how much I miss her.

"You seem happy, Annie." I smile and so does she. I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively. "Finnick doing a body good?"

My friend laughs and blushes, hiding a little behind her own mug. "He's more than just a shot of espresso, that's for sure."

I know Annie wouldn't use Finnick, but I feel like I need to ask anyway. "Do you love him?"

"I do." She puts her drink down, nods and says, "I know it's only been a couple of months, and the vast majority of that time we've had to get to know each other over the phone, but I do love him. Trust me, I see what everyone else sees: someone who's brash, full of himself, suggestive and a little granola. But I also get to see the sides of his personality that no one else does, and those are the parts I love the most."

"Well he's over the moon for you, so how are you going to make this work?"

"There's no grand plan right now. I've been looking for jobs since I came out here this spring, so I'm going to expand the search and start looking out here, too." Annie looks at me with wide, honest eyes. "Would you be okay with that?"

"Are you kidding me? Annie, we'd be thrilled to have you out here. Freaking ecstatic, as a matter of fact."

"You wouldn't feel like I was barging in?"

"We've missed you…Peeta, Finnick and me." I reach over and squeeze her hand. "I've missed my best friend. Amherst is big enough for one more Midwestern transplant."

…

"Everyone will be here in a couple of hours," Peeta whispers as he trails his fingers up and down my side. I'm curled into him, both of us bare with just a sheet covering us on our bed.

"I know. I'm just trying to soak up the quiet." I slowly walk my fingers across his chest, which is lightly sheened with sweat. Our breathing has calmed somewhat, but I can still feel his heart beating strongly.

"Are you happy we're doing this?" Peeta looks down at me and I crane my head to look up at him.

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"I just want to make sure that you're happy. I know that big weddings aren't really your thing. Really, making abig deal about anything isn't your thing." He smirks and I roll my eyes playfully.

"Peeta, I got everything I've ever wanted a couple of weeks ago. That day was perfect. Sharing a bit of it with our closest friends and family is just icing on the cake." I brush his hair away from his eyes and continue. "Besides, this is about you, too. Are you happy?"

"Completely." He touches the tip of my nose and continues, "I didn't know I could be this happy."

I kiss his chest and lay back down. "Me, either." I poke his side. "But I know what you're thinking, and my answer is still 'no' on the icing."

…

Everyone's here and it's a good thing that the weather is cooperating: due to the miniscule size of our house, people are spending most of their time outside. Beetee is manning the grill and everyone is having a good time just eating, talking, tossing horseshoes and listening to music. I smile at Peeta and Gale, who are chatting with Cinna, and walk inside to grab some more pasta salad and napkins.

I'm in the kitchen when I hear a knock at the door so I quickly open it, a smile on my face as I get ready to welcome whoever has stopped by. My heart stops and my jaw drops.

"Mr. Mellark?"

Peeta's father stands in the doorway and he's beet red, clenching and twisting his fingers as he tries to find his words. "Hello, Katniss. I'm, um…I apologize for not RSVPing. I hope that's alright."

I clear my throat and step aside to let him in. "No, no! I'm glad you came. Peeta will be so happy that you made it. I didn't think you got the invitation."

"I didn't. I assume that Molly disposed of it, but Rye mentioned something." He glances around at the living space and asks, "Would you mind if we talked for just a few moments? Alone?"

"Sure. I mean, that's fine. We aren't going to be exchanging vows for awhile, anyway." I lead him to the couch and take a seat in a small chair across from him. I explain, "Well, not vows exactly. Just something personal."

Mr. Mellark nods and rubs the back of his neck; that must be another nervous habit that father and son have in common. "I meant to say congratulations, Katniss. I've thought about you as a daughter for quite some time and I'm glad it's official. You make Peeta very happy."

I nod, holding his gaze whenever he lifts his eyes to mine. We're in my house and are talking about my marriage; I'm not looking for his approval on my decision. My decision is solid. I want his approval for Peeta's sake. "Mr. Mellark, I love your son very much."

"And he loves you. He's an incredible person, you know." He chuckles quietly. "For as long as you've been in Peeta's life, I don't think I've done a very good job of talking him up when you're around."

The sadness I feel must seep into my facial features. This man cannot possibly understand how misguided he is. "With all due respect, no one needs to remind me how great Peeta is. I've known that from the moment I met him. He's pretty incredible like that." I pick at my skirt a little. "Mr. Mellark, it's your son who is hurting. He's the one who deserves to hear these words, not me."

We're quiet for a few minutes before he speaks up. "I want to apologize to you for my wife's behavior. What she said was completely out of line and I should have said as much when you were at the house." He pauses. "Katniss, I'm sorry for not intervening on your behalf. I'm here because I care for you both and I don't want to be on the outside looking in. I hope you'll both let me be a part of your lives in whatever way you feel comfortable."

I get up and sit next to him on the couch, offering him a soft hug. "Please, I know Peeta will want to know that you're here. I'd like to go get him, okay?"

He nods and I walk toward the door, smoothing my skirt with my hands. Peeta is still in deep conversation with Gale and Cinna, but I playfully take his hand and excuse my barging in by saying, "Excuse us, but I need to talk to my husband for just a few minutes, boys." I even throw a wink in for good measure. Peeta and I walk back to the house, but before we reach the kitchen door I stop and whisper, "Peeta, your father is in the living room. He would like to talk to you."

A million different emotions sweep across his face as he looks from me to the door and back to me. "What? My dad's here?"

I nod. "He showed up a few minutes ago and spoke to me just for a bit. I know that there's a lot to say and a lot of history there, but I think he really would like to try to make amends." Peeta stands there for a moment so I pull him into a hug. "You can do this."

He clears his throat and asks, "Would you mind if I talked to him alone for a few minutes?"

"Of course not. I'll be right out here, okay?"

Peeta kisses me deeply and I think I hear Johanna whistling. Smiling, I pull back and encourage Peeta to go inside. Once the screen door closes, I join Rye at the cooler.

He rests a hand around my shoulder and asks, "So where's Peeta?"

"Inside. Your dad showed up."

"Shit, are you kidding me?" He spins toward the house but I grab his hand and hold him in place. "I didn't think he'd come."

"Did you ask him to?"

"No. Well, yeah." He shakes his head and says, "I knew that Mom would rip up the invite or something, so I brought it up in conversation. He was really upset that he didn't know, but I didn't think he'd get on a plane. Fuck, I wonder what Mom thinks."

"Yeah, well, I'm kind of tired of worrying about what she thinks. He's here, and that's all that matters."

Rye raises an eyebrow and quips, "Look who's not afraid of Momma Mellark."

"I'm not exactly heartbroken over the fact that I won't be getting scrapbooking projects, if that's what you mean. I will, however, run her over with Peeta's truck if the opportunity presents itself." I shrug. "No offense."

"None taken."

I nod my head toward the door. "How long should I let this go on?"

"Give them time. You know Peeta and Dad have always been fairly close; they'll come out when they're ready."

So we join everyone in a circle of lawn chairs. Annie, Rue and Johanna are chatting and Finnick is on the ground, sitting against Annie's legs. He's talking with Thresh about some barista training we'll be hosting in a few weeks. Gale is patiently listening to Prim drone on and on about the big move to Minnesota with Rory. Cinna and Portia are quietly talking; he runs his palm over the swell of his wife's pregnant belly, feeling the baby kick. Beetee moves to fill his plate and joins us, happy as a clam. I knew taco dip was a good idea.

Haymitch declined our invitation, saying that he'd had enough with the one wedding. It's not exactly surprising: with Peeta and me, three's still a crowd for the old man. He'd blow a fuse with this many people. Prim sets aside some food anyway, announcing that she'll take it to our uncle herself. She's been a trooper for the past week, spending a decent amount of time with Haymitch. To top it off, Haymitch has a soft spot for her: he doesn't yell nearly as much when she's around.

A half hour later, I feel hands squeeze my shoulders and I turn to see Peeta. His eyes are slightly red but his smile more than compensates for that. I quickly stand and wrap myself around him, then smile at his father, who stands to his right.

"Everyone, this is my dad, Graham. He owns the family bakery back in Madison." Peeta introduces everyone and then points to the table of food. "Dad, go ahead and help yourself." Turning back to me, he whispers, "I love you."

"Everything okay?"

"It will be." He hugs me again and murmurs, "We'll be working on it."

Rye gets up to welcome his father and Gale waves, trying to play off the surprise at seeing the man. No one from Amherst thinks anything of it and Rue quickly waves the bakery owner over to discuss business.

I think Peeta's heart overflows.

…

Peeta holds my left hand in both of his. Each of us has a notecard just in case, but the words seem to have a mind of their own and our gaze holds steady.

"Katniss, nothing makes me happier than to look into your eyes, knowing that the woman who looks back at me is my wife. With you, I've found comfort, strength and a confidence I didn't realize was missing. When I look at you, I see where we've been, where we are, and where we will be. Our collage of experiences has made us better. Stronger. Around us are people who love us unconditionally; people who have held us up when we've tripped and celebrated milestones alongside us. But what I'm most grateful for is what's between you and me, because through you I've found everything I've ever looked for my whole life. If I'm able give you even a small fraction of what you've given me, I will consider my time with you a success. No number of 'I love you's' will ever be enough, but today I tell you with everything that I am, that I am proud to have been chosen to be your partner. I love you."

I squeeze his hands and lean forward, kissing him and whispering, "I love you, too." Peeta wipes my own tears and then his own. Our guests murmur and smile. Now it's my turn, so I hold his left hand between mine.

"Peeta, I'd be lying if I told you that the thought of writing these words didn't scare me out of my mind. Not because my feelings weren't real, but because the words didn't seem to capture the true extent of what I felt—no, what I feel—for you. A good friend told me to break it down and simplify it. And that's the exact moment when I realized that really, what we're doing today is perhaps the purest gesture of our relationship. It is as simple as saying I love you, and knowing that with you is where I'm supposed to be. There's an undeniable truth in knowing that we've found each other time and time again. My heart's been programmed to seek yours out, and regardless of the obstacles, we will always end up here: hands woven together ready for the next journey. Every day we've had has led us here, illustrating in the truest, clearest way that we love each other. That together, we're better. I used to say that I hoped loving you would be enough. Now I know that because I love you, that will always be eno—."

Peeta interrupts my last words by leaning forward and capturing my lips. Rye and Johanna snort and I can't help but chuckle, too. Our friends and family laugh and cheer, clapping as we hold each other. Peeta pulls me to him and we continue to kiss for a few moments more.

I sheepishly pull away and Peeta announces, "Um, right. Well that's about it, I guess!"