Hey Everybody! Sorry this chapter took so long. I didn't mean for it to. I was tired so I took a nap and then I had to make dinner before going to church tonight. I've also been thinking about writing an original series, so that's been on my mind, plus just school crap. Anyhow, read on!


Chapter Fifty

Lilac Hemlock's POV

"Ash, stop it!" I giggle as my husband nips at the skin of my neck. We're in the back of the limo that is transporting us from the church to the ballroom where our wedding reception will be held.

"I can't help myself," He replies. "I just love you so much, Mrs. Hemlock." I smile when he calls me Mrs. Hemlock.

"I love you, too, Mr. Hemlock." I reply, kissing his lips tenderly. Being married to Ash feels both the same and different. I guess it's going to take more than ten minutes for me to feel that much different. But, I can already kind of feel how things are going to be different. I can't explain it; I just feel it.

Twenty minutes later, we arrive at the ballroom. Honestly, the people we hired to decorate did an outstanding job. The ballroom is absolutely stunning! I never imagined it would look so beautiful. Everyone, of course, starts clapping the minute we walk into the ballroom. I can easily hear Finn over the rest of the crowd. I guess my little brother will never change.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's clear off the dance floor and let the newly married couple have their first dance." The DJ says over the microphone. The song Ash and I decided on for our first dance together as husband and wife starts playing and Ash takes my hand, leading me onto the dance floor.

We move onto the dance floor together in perfect harmony. We know each other so well that all our moves are practically perfection. Ash never even once steps on my feet. During the entire song, Ash can't take his eyes off of me. There is so much love and devotion in his eyes that it makes my heart melt. Ash Hemlock is definitely the right one for me.

Ash twirls me around the dance floor and, as he does so, I forget that everyone is watching us. No one else in the world matters right now. It's just me and Ash, together. He pulls me close and I can feel his heart beating in his chest. It's wild, erratic.

"I love you," He whispers against my ear, kissing my neck lightly. The song fades out and Ash and I end our dance with a tender kiss.

The next couple of hours go by in a haze. Despite trying to keep our wedding small, we did kind of end up inviting a lot of people. And a lot of people means a lot of mingling. I don't mind it too much though. I love socializing. I dance with my dad and both of my brothers and I even take Ace onto the dance floor for a little spin. He, of course, loved it completely.

After enjoying a dinner of the best steak in the entire Capitol, it's time for the good part: the throwing of the bouquet. There are only about six single women at the wedding and I know exactly who I want to catch it. I turn my back to the group of women and throw the bouquet, mentally crossing my fingers. I turn around and smile broadly. Summer caught it, just like I wanted her to.

Of course, Summer's face has gone red with embarrassment as she's dating my little brother, Finn. Finn is, of course, wearing a smug smile and giving Summer a thumbs up. Everyone in the room is clapping because we all know that these two are the next to tie the knot. Really, I'm surprised Finn didn't get down on one knee and propose to Summer the second he got back to Panem.

For the rest of the night, Finn and Summer stay close to each other's sides. Anyone can tell that they love each other very much. I am anticipating another Mellark wedding sometime in the near future.

Around midnight the reception begins to fade away. Ivy and Alex had to go home because the triplets were starting to get a bit cranky. I gave my sister and her husband hugs before kissing my two nephews and my niece's heads. Harper and Phoenix headed out, too, taking with them Ace to watch over while Ash and I went away for a few days on our honeymoon. I must have kissed that baby boy at least two dozen times before I let Phoenix leave with him. I've never been away from Ace for more than a few hours at a time. I'm anticipating some separation anxiety.

"I don't know about you, but I am exhausted." Ash says as we board the train that is going to take us to the beach house we rented for our few days alone together.

"Definitely," I reply as I snuggle into Ash's side as the train begins moving. I close my eyes, the sounds of the trains lulling me into a deep sleep. My eyes don't open again until I feel the train stop and then hear Ash coaxing me awake.

We collect our bags and then take a cab out to the beach house. The drive is short and, in no time, Ash and I are inside the house that will be the setting for our honeymoon. It shall be an interesting couple of days indeed.

Ash and make ourselves at home and then finally fall into bed around four in the morning. It has been a long day, that's for sure. I close my eyes as I let my body rest for the first time all day. It feels good to be doing absolutely nothing. With my eyes closed, I feel Ash's lips at my neck, kissing my skin gently.

"I've wanted to get you alone all night," He tells me, his voice nothing more than a husky whisper. I smile, not yet opening my eyes. Ash's kisses move down my neck and to my collarbone, where he sucks and nibbles affectionately. My eyes flutter open and I run my fingers through Ash's silky smooth blonde hair as he kisses my body. Without saying a word, we strip one another from our closing until we are left in only our barest forms in front of each other. It's not like this is anything new, but this will be our first time as husband and wife.

Our lips meet in a gentle and tender kiss, during which Ash enters me. Pleasure washes through my body. It's so intense that I lose any former intelligent thoughts. Together, our pleasure builds as we move together as one flesh. We reach our peaks and collapse together, completely exhausted. I drift off to sleep in my husband's arms.

Phoenix Mellark's POV

"I think he misses his mommy," Harper says as she bounces Ace, my sister's son, in her arms. He's been crying for the last hour. Thankfully, his cries haven't woken up Hailey or Hadley . . . yet. I was surprised when he started crying. He had been doing so well, especially since it was his first night away from Lilac since . . . well, since he was conceived.

"Here, I'll take him for a little bit. You deserve a break." I tell Harper, opening my arms to take Ace from her. She carefully hands him over to me and I bring him to my shoulder, bouncing him lightly as he continues to cry.

"Don't worry, buddy. Mommy will be home in a few days, I promise." I tell Ace. I walk around with Ace in my arms and decided to see if I can get him to eat. I heat up the bottle of formula and then join Harper on the couch to feed baby Ace. I put the bottle to his lips and Ace starts suckling. He downs the bottle and I burp him before returning him to his preferred position as he begins to contently fall asleep.

"One day down, three more to go," Harper tells me, a smile playing on her face. It will, for sure, be an interesting three days.


I hope you liked it. I guess it wasn't that interesting, huh? I guess I'm just a little tired right now so I don't have much to say. I'll try to make more upcoming chapters a bit more exciting than this one was. I have a few things in mind so don't worry. Thanks for reading and please review!