A Simple Favor
The Wedding
Peeta turned quickly, watching as Katniss ran past the Ferris wheel and disappeared into the vast acres of the winery's grapevines.
What the hell happened?
And, that look in her eyes, the anguish…
He circled back to the couple. Clove looked devastated, tears in her eyes as Cato's arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders, his mouth in a soft frown.
"I'm going to go check on her," he told them.
"Are you her husband?" Clove asked carefully.
"Just the boyfriend." However, Peeta couldn't help but smile. "But, I'm mad about her, if that helps."
"It's good that she has you," Cato said. He faltered, looking to Peeta worriedly. "I hope that after you speak to Katniss that you don't think too poorly of my wife and I."
Peeta's expression thinned, stepping back from the couple.
"I will support Katniss and if she hates your guts, then there's nothing but for me to hate you, too."
"Fair enough," Cato replied diplomatically.
With that, Peeta headed towards the vineyards, the sounds of the party starting to fade the further he walked in. He walked until there was nothing but complete silence.
Yet, Katniss was still nowhere to be found.
He began to worry that she had somehow gotten lost and was now roaming the adjoining property in distress. Or maybe she had gone back, looking for a bat to swing at the couple—
"Of course, this would happen, you dumbass! Did you forget that Clove used to live in California?"
Peeta followed her one-sided conversation moving left and up two rows of grapevines to find her pacing back and forth, arms crossed and hair loose.
"Why this wedding? They've probably been telling everyone about that one loser girl in college—"
"They seemed concerned," he said, interrupting her rant.
Katniss whirled around and Peeta's heart broke seeing the tears in her eyes, the tracks of them reflecting in the moonlight. This wasn't the woman that he was used to seeing; the boss bitch in the office, the effervescent charmer who made everyone in his family love her—including him.
Under the moonlight, she was just a broken girl.
"Were they really?" Katniss spat bitterly. "They weren't concerned when—"
A sob escaped her, her shoulders beginning to shake. Her hand attempted to cover her the cries escaping her lips, but it was all for naught. The pain radiated off her, hitting his gut and twisting his insides until he succumbed.
"Talk to me, please," he begged
She was gasping for air, tears still flowing. "I-I-I don't know where to start."
"Will you tell me who Clove is?"
"My college roommate."
Peeta approached carefully, circling to face her. "And Cato?"
Her stare was blank…lost. "My high school boyfriend. We were together in college until…we weren't."
It all became clear; she had told Peeta that she understood his pain, that she knew how it felt to be taken by surprise. Katniss had been so willing to help him because she was him at one point—betrayed and left behind by the people she loved.
Her arms wrapped around herself.
"Oh God, I was so in love with him. Even now, I can still remember how my stomach would flip whenever he smiled at me. And, I tried to be everything he needed—friend, lover, caregiver. It was pathetic, but I really believed that I was doing it for us. No one was going to love him like I loved him—and I thought he felt the same."
His hand reached for her, guiding her to sit against a wooden post. "Then what happened?"
"We went to college together," she explained. "He lived with a few guys at a nearby apartment complex. I lived at a student residence which, of course, included getting a roommate." Her voice fell to a whisper. "Clove."
Katniss met his eyes, her own glistening with tears.
"She was new to the East Coast and we got along quickly. We loved to watch Korean romantic dramas and we both loved Janis Joplin. I never really had many girlfriends in high school because I was so caught up in Cato. However, with Clove, I got to do all those silly, girly things. We'd get our nails done and give each other facials. She was like a sister to me."
Her head fell to his shoulder and Peeta put an arm around her.
"When I think about it now, I feel so stupid. I introduced them; I can still remember it. There was a party at Cato's, and I invited her to come along." Katniss shook her head, drawing her knees up to her chest. "Cato…he lit up the moment he saw her. I've played that moment over and over in my head, wondering if it was that moment that he decided that I wasn't it for him."
"How about Clove?"
"Like Gale, Clove avoided Cato," Katniss said. "If I invited her to a party at his place, she would say that she was studying or had other plans. She was an English major like I was, and we had most of our classes together. However, it seemed that she always had more work than I did."
"When did it all change?"
Katniss sniffled.
"Spring break, during my second year, I went home because my Dad broke his leg and I wanted to check up on him. Clove stayed because she had nowhere to go and worked at the university café. Cato was going camping with some of his roommates."
"How do you know all of this?"
Maybe it had been his naivety—or that they were just that discreet—but Peeta had never gotten that many details about the affair until his recent talk with Gale. Katniss seemed to have a timeline to when the destruction of her relationship started.
"I've had many years to go over details—" Katniss told him wearily. "—many nights after I found out—to sit and analyze every detail, trying to figure out how two people that I loved dearly could hurt me." She smiled wryly. "When I came back, there was a shift. I sensed it as soon as I went to visit Cato. Clove couldn't seem to look me in the eye. And then…"
Katniss seemed to shrink into herself and he waited, holding his breath, feeling his stomach tense at what she was about to say.
"I was walking on campus and saw them talking to one another. It seemed like a normal conversation, until—" Unconsciously, her hand went to her hair, tucking a tendril behind her ear. "—he reached over and tucked her hair behind her ear. Then he smiled at her. Such a small gesture, but…" Katniss met his gaze, eyes blind with pain. "…he never smiled at me that way."
"Fuck," he breathed out to which she wetly laughed.
"Cato invited me over one day not too long about that." Katniss shot back up suddenly, pacing once more. Peeta stood up slowly, watching her. "I didn't think anything of it…until Clove let herself in. They told me that while I was gone, Cato had come back a few days early and had run into Clove after one of her shifts. He walked her home…that turned into dinners…and long talks that went till early morning…"
She stopped; fists curled.
"They weren't fucking! They were in love!" Katniss burst out. "And, they wanted to pursue the relationship. They didn't mean for it to happen, of course." Peeta stood up and she turned to him, eyes wild. "They wanted my blessing…my fucking blessing! Cato never loved me…neither did she…but I loved them both!"
Katniss doubled over, sobs overtaking her body.
"Worst of all, you would think that karma would just bite them in the ass. It didn't. They're happy and still together. They're having a baby…"
Her voice cracked at 'baby'.
"They made me hate love."
Peeta rushed over, yanking her into his arms.
Cato and Clove didn't want him to hate them?
Well, fuck that.
Peeta more than hated them for Katniss' sake. They had made her believe that love wasn't meant for her. They had double-teamed a nineteen-year-old girl to break her heart before asking for forgiveness and acceptance.
"I don't believe that," he told her. Pulling away, his hands went to her shoulders to keep her broken form from topping over. "I've seen you…the real you that you try to hide away. You still love and you hope. I see it in everything that you've done for me…and the way that you talk about your family…and how you've just found your way into my family's hearts. God Katniss! If only you could just see what's right in front of you!"
She went still, her eyes wide at his clumsy torrent.
Peeta felt a bit wheezy, his words churning in his stomach. He was pretty much pouring his pathetic semblance of a heart to her, knowing that she would likely shut it down.
"What's in front of me?"
He looked to her, reaching to take her hands in his own.
"I am." Peeta reached, his hand caressing those beautiful lines of her face. "Your friendship is precious to me and if you loved me like I love you, I'd treat your heart like fucking treasure." His eyes remained on her impassive expression—he must persist. "There is no one I would rather argue with, or go over inane service reports with, or be with than you. You've been my person for two years, Katniss Everdeen. I'm not letting you get away. If you want someone to fight for you, you'll find him right here."
Katniss stared at him.
Then stared some more.
This was the longest silence of his life.
"Are you going to say something?" he questioned warily.
"Do you think I should forgive them?"
Not exactly what he was expecting.
However, he and Katniss had always been truthful to one another, except for his hidden feelings, and just because he loved her, it didn't mean that he wouldn't tell it to her straight.
"I think that if you want to move passed this, you have to at least speak to them." Peeta sighed. "I'm no genius when it comes to feelings, but I know you. You never leave things half-done. You have to close this chapter of your life if you want to start a new one—with me."
Katniss nodded, quiet as she contemplated his words.
After a moment, she held out her hand.
"Let's go and find them."
IKatniss and Peeta were surprised to discover that there was no one outside of the barn.
"Maybe Rye and Delly are making some sort of welcome speech?" Peeta suggested.
However, as they entered the barn, that was far from the case.
There was chaos.
Gale was holding back Madge, while Delly was sobbing next to a livid Rye.
Together, they walked over to the group.
Peeta looked between the couples. "What the hell is going on?"
"Come on, Rye…what we had was special!" Madge pleaded ignoring Peeta. She was drunk—more than drunk as Peeta realized that Gale wasn't holding her back; he was holding her up. "Why are you marrying this butterface?"
Her arm waved out at Delly, who despite watering eyes was fuming.
Peeta turned to his brother. "What is she talking about?"
Madge turned to Peeta. "It was always Rye I wanted, never you," she sneered.
"Do not listen to her!" Rye went to him, hands on Peeta's shoulders. "A few years ago, I overslept at Delly's. She left for work early, but I didn't know. So, when someone slipped into bed, I thought it was Delly…"
He nodded over at Madge; eyes glassy, and Peeta did a double-take at the realization.
"You held me! You nuzzled me! Didn't it feel so much better than this—" Madge looked dismissively at Delly. "You were excited for me!"
"I was asleep, and I thought you were my girlfriend," Rye stated directly. "When I realized you weren't Delly, did I not ask you to leave?"
"But I know you really didn't want me to leave," Madge countered.
"No, I definitely wanted you to," his brother said bluntly. "I am in love with Delly. I am marrying Delly unless she decides that she doesn't want to." Rye turned to Delly, his gaze imploring. "I didn't tell you because you were under a lot of stress that year. Your grandmother had just died and I know you two were close. I know it would've killed you to lose someone else in your life."
He then looked to Peeta.
"I didn't tell you because you were so in love with her. I told her to get out as soon as I realize who she was—"
"GET OUT!"
They all turned to Delly, anger sparking off her as she approached Madge.
"I have tried to find the positive in you, have tried to understand why you are so toxic," she continued. "But I can't make excuses for you anymore—so get out. Get out before you spread more of that toxic mess onto the rest of us!"
Gale stepped forward. "We're leaving." He looked around, stopping to look at Peeta. "I'm so sorry."
He then proceeded to drag her out, Madge protesting loudly.
Rye went to his fiancée, his gaze anxious. "Delly?"
She whipped around to look at him. "Do you still want to marry me?"
"Of course!"
"And do you promise not to hide anything because you think I can't take it?" Rye opened his mouth to respond, but she raised her hand to silence him. "Because believe it or not, I can."
"I know and I won't hide anything from you." His hands reached to hers. "Do you still want to marry me?"
It was the first time that Peeta had ever seen Rye so flummoxed…so worried…so desperate.
Delly looked away for a moment, before looking to his brother, tears in her eyes.
"Of course, I still want to marry you, you idiot!" she burst out, her lips in a wide grin.
"Thank God…" Rye reached, cupping her face and covering Delly's mouth with his. "…I love you."
Her arms around his neck, Delly leapt, her legs circling his waist. "I love you too, baby…" Her lips peppered Rye's face. "You so owe me—"
"Later, I'm going—"
"Stop please!" his mother called out to the couple before turning to the crowd. "We apologize for the disruption! Please stay and enjoy the rest of the evening!"
His father and the elder Cartwrights began to go to each guest, handing out the goodie bags provided by the winery.
"You should go talk to him," Katniss suddenly said.
"Rye?" Peeta looked to where he and Delly were attempting to conceive his future niece or nephew. His mother was fruitlessly trying to stop them from making a spectacle out of themselves—good luck with that. "I think he has his hands full of Delly's ass right now."
"No!" Katniss shook her head. "I meant Gale. I don't think they've left yet."
She tugged him, leading them both to the front part of the barn. Stepping outside, they found Gale struggling to lead Madge to the parking lot. Guests who were leaving stared at the couple, some glared as they passed while others whispered, not bothering to acknowledge Gale's hard-pressed attempt to usher his girlfriend away.
Peeta looked to Katniss and she nodded in understanding.
"Gale!" He rushed over to the man. "Let me help you with her."
Madge was dead weight, her head hanging and her feet dragging, so he went on her other side to put her arm around his shoulders.
Gale did the same and together they made their way to the man's car.
"Thanks," Gale mumbled quietly.
"No problem."
Once they got Madge situated in the passenger seat of Gale's car, seatbelt on and sitting upright, Gale turned to Peeta, tiredness radiating off him.
"I believe our invite to the wedding has been officially revoked," Gale said quietly. "For what it's worth—I'm sorry that she's caused so much trouble."
"It wasn't your fault," Peeta replied easily. "Madge has always been self-serving. I just never saw it and neither did you."
"I probably won't see you before you leave." Gale held out his hand. "It is really great to see you so happy; Katniss is good for you."
Peeta shook his hand. "Thanks." As they pulled away, he suddenly found himself looking to Gale once more. "If you ever need to talk, my number is still the same."
There was loneliness in the man's eyes; Gale had sacrificed so much for Madge.
However, he lit up at Peeta's offer.
"Of course," Gale replied. "My number is still the same…if you ever want to share some good news."
Peeta nodded before turning back towards the barn. Katniss stood waiting for him at the doorway, a soft smile rising at the sight of him.
"Everything okay?"
Leaning down, he pressed a light kiss to her lips.
"I think it will be."
"Were you able to find Clove and Cato?" Peeta asked.
Katniss shook her head. "No. I think they left before the Madge debacle." She sighed. "Just as well."
"They will probably be at the wedding," Peeta assured her. He looked to where his family stood. "I think it's time to tell them."
She looked to him doubtfully. "After all of this, do you think that they'll be able to handle the news that we've been lying to them?"
"I think that this will be one of the better things they hear today," he assured her.
"Are you stupid?" his father yelled.
"Oh yeah—they're super happy about this," Katniss muttered from where she sat next to him in the Cartwright's den.
"Well, they were very convincing," Delly offered. "I mean the kissing was top notch, tongue and everything."
"Just to clear this up—you didn't have sex in Dad's car?" Rye asked.
Katniss' head fell between her knees.
"No?" Peeta offered. "I mean pants were on…kind of."
"What the hell is going on with you children?" His mother glared between him and Rye. Her fiery eyes went to his older brother. "The Maid of Honor is claiming to be in love with you!" Then she circled to him. "And, you got your boss to pretend to be your girlfriend!"
"I'm just a manager, actually," Katniss squeaked out, but then put her head back down.
"Why would you do something like this?" his father asked.
"Because I couldn't come back here alone!" Peeta groused. He stood up, pacing between the couches. "Two years ago, everything just went to shit. I lost my girlfriend and my best friend in one moment…and when I knew she was coming…I just couldn't do it alone."
He turned, falling to his seat beside Katniss.
"Then, my friend offered to help me." His eyes went to the woman before him, hair a mess after what was a very crazy evening, her dark eyes full of warmth, giving him the strength to keep going. "Because she knew how it felt to be hurt and she didn't want me to be alone."
Katniss took his hand, giving it a squeeze and turned to his family.
"Meeting all of you, being a part of your family, will be something I'll always treasure," Katniss said, her eyes sincerely saddened.
"So what? You're done with us now?" Delly cried out. "That's even worse than Rye's inability to differentiate between my ass and Madge's!"
Katniss winked at her. "Yours is much better."
Delly beamed. "Thanks, love."
"And, I'm not done with any of you!" Katniss continued. "Peeta and I are still working at Panem Projects together. I'll give you my cell phone number and my business card—"
"Katniss." She looked to him. "Maybe we should tell them about us?"
"What do you mean?" his mother asked. "You're already an us—a fake us!"
"We want it to be real," Peeta told them as Katniss squeezed his hand. "Over the last three days, our feelings for one another have changed. Or maybe they've been there all along…and whether she wanted me to or not, I fell in love with her. We decided even with all the bullshit and drama, that we're going to try to make a go at it."
"So, what do you all think?" Katniss asked them.
Katniss and Peeta were met with absolute silence.
His father stood up; his eyes expressionless as he stared at them.
Slowly, he approached, still silent, and Katniss curled against him.
She leaned over. "He's not going to yell again, is he?"
Peeta reached, a finger tracing her face gently. "I won't let him."
"Rye?" his father suddenly barked and nodded at the couple.
Rye responded quickly, "Potato."
"What the fuck?" Katniss burst out.
Peeta patted her knee, unable to keep the smile off his face.
His father then turned to Delly, who promptly answered, "Potato."
Then his father looked to him. "I already know your answer."
So, he went to his wife. "And, you, my heart?"
Her gaze went to Katniss and Peeta, her hand to her chest, and a wide smile brightening her delicate features.
"Potato."
"Your family is insane," Katniss muttered.
"All families are," Peeta retorted with a small chuckle.
"Potato," his father agreed before turning to Katniss, his eyes warm. "Whenever we need to decide on something, whether it be investing in a business, or even if we should eat at a questionable restaurant, we make the decision as a family. Since we like to be discreet, we came up with a code word—Potato means 'Yes'. Only family members or soon-to-be family members know the code words."
Katniss raised a brow. "And, what is the code word for 'No'?
His father guffawed. "Carrot." She nodded and he cleared his throat. "So, what say you, Katniss? Do you want to be part of this family? This isn't to be taken lightly; codes will have to be changed if you decide you're not ready to commit to Peeta—or us."
She turned to Peeta, her eyes flitting through each bit, her hands cradling his cheeks…and then she kissed him so gently that it barely registered on his lips.
However, that small taste left him on fire.
By the look in her eyes, she felt it too.
Standing, Katniss went to his father—bold and brave—her walk very similar to the strut she used at the office.
She stopped in front of him bravely and took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders.
"Potato."
His father beamed. "Welcome to the family."
He pulled her into his embrace. His mother soon joined then Rye and Delly.
They separated and Katniss turned to him, her eyes full.
His arms open for her and she rushed over, falling against him.
"I love you," she murmured into his chest.
Her words filled his chest with warmth and light and for the first time in a while, Peeta felt that shadow that had been living in his heart dissipate.
She loved him.
And that was all that mattered.
"Don't fuck this up…don't fuck this up…"
Peeta leaned toward his brother.
"Rye, you do know that the videographer put a mic on your collar, right?"
His brother patted the tuxedo jacket before find the little mic.
"Shit!" He put his mouth to the mic. "I mean sorry!"
Rye and Delly's wedding day had started out perfect.
Peeta awoke to Katniss in his arms, kissing his neck, as he caressed her breast under her shirt. It got even better when she moved down, removing him from his boxers, and wrapped her mouth around his morning erection.
Then, Delly busted in.
He screamed, then Katniss did—around his cock.
Delly had apologized for interrupting and for just quickly checking out his package—she was impressed—before asking Katniss if she would like to take over as Maid of Honor.
Since according to the bride, the previous Maid of Honor was a two-bit hoebag.
Katniss gracefully accepted.
His girlfriend—he would never get tired of calling her that!—was now walking down the aisle in a pale green gown that Mrs. Cartwright had found for Katniss at a nearby boutique. The woman had somehow gotten them to open at six in the morning so her personal assistant could find the perfect dress for her daughter's new MOH.
As Katniss reached the end of the aisle, she winked at him before taking her place next to the bridesmaids.
The band seamlessly slipped into the musical piece that the bride had requested which was called 'When Ginny Kissed Harry', a tune from one of the Harry Potter movies.
He never realized that Delly was a Potterhead, nor did he know that his brother was.
They apparently were the kind of couple that had waited in line for midnight showings or new book releases. Rye had even proposed to Delly in front of Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios; there was a giant poster of the moment in front of the ceremony tent, his brother on one knee in his Gryffindor uniform and Delly in her Hufflepuff sweater and skirt, Hagrid crying in the background.
Delly floated down the aisle on her father's arm, eyes on Rye and he heard Rye's sharp inhale seeing her. A photographer followed behind while another caught a frontal shot of the bride in her pure white sleeveless gown, a delicate beaded pattern of two swans, wings touching on her skirt. Delly had foregone the veil, instead wearing a feathered, pearl hair piece clipped to one side, her hair in soft curls.
Kissing her father, Delly then turned to his brother and held out her hand.
Rye went to her, taking her hand, and helping her up the steps to the officiant.
"Damn, you're pretty," Rye told his bride.
Delly laughed. "Exactly the reaction I was looking for."
Peeta looked across to Katniss, who was quickly swiping under her eyes. She caught his gaze and he raised a brow at her sudden show of emotion.
Katniss scowled at him, before mouthing 'Shut up.'
He replied, 'I love you.'
She used her bouquet to point to the officiant addressing the bride and groom.
'Pay attention…and I love you too.'
The reception took place in one of the outside cellars of the vineyard and Peeta was amused to find that Delly had taken her theme to heart. Four long tables were lined together as if they were in the Great Hall of Hogwarts (each guest got a pin of their preferred Hogwarts house); tea candles in thin glasses made it look like they were floating atop the guests while the wedding party was seated at the front table atop a long platform, each of them seated in tall cherrywood chairs.
The couple had their first dance to a lovely but very unique version of 'Unchained Melody' and dinner had been served, a feast of roasted chicken and vegetables or if a guest was vegetarian, a vegetarian pot pie.
Currently, the bridal party relaxed in their seat, enjoying the sight of the other guests dancing.
"What are you drinking?" Peeta asked as he sat next to Katniss.
"Butterbeer." She took a long sip, closing her eyes. "Oh fuck, that's good."
Peeta felt himself stir, watching her blissfully savor her beverage.
"God, that's sexy." He sampled from her lips, tasting tones of salted caramel along her tongue. "May I spend the rest of the night kissing you?"
"May I finish what I started this morning before Delly caught a glimpse of your penis?"
Peeta chuckled. "I think she caught a little more."
"I've seen a penis before," Delly stated from her seat next to her husband. "In fact, your and your brother have very similar—"
"Don't finish that sentence," Rye said from his seat, next to Peeta.
"I'm just saying that the family resemblance is strong," Delly replied with a shrug.
Peeta turned to Katniss.
"Please keep loving me even though my family is obscenely open with one another."
She swept him into a kiss, deep and longing, before pulling away with wet plop.
"Always."
Peeta looked out onto the dance floor watching his mother and father. They twirled elegantly together, and his mother's laugh rang through the air. He smiled to himself, warmed by the woman next to him—and by Firewhiskey.
"What are you thinking about?" Katniss whispered into his ear.
"I've always enjoyed how my Dad's face softens whenever my Mom laughs," he told her. "He can be so stoic. But with her, he becomes an open canvas."
"That's beautiful," she replied. "You're just like both of them. Stoic and strong…soft and bright…"
Her cheeks bloomed pink at her words and that familiar welcomed pull at his heartstrings made him thank God (or Merlin) that she had chosen him.
"Do you want to dance?" he asked suddenly.
Katniss smiled. "And we don't have to convince anyone that we're madly in love?"
"No. In fact, I don't think anyone is going to have problem believing that I'm crazy about you," he told her as they stood and walked down the platform onto the floor. "Feel free to kiss me if you think anyone needs convincing."
Katniss laughed, her head going to his shoulder as his arms pulled her close, just as new song began to play.
"One of my favorites," he remarked as they started to move.
"I know. It's on your playlist at work." His head lifted to meet her sweet greys. "I'm observant, if anything."
"Well, I know the Haley Reinhart version is on your phone," Peeta informed her. Her eyes widened in surprise. "When you crush on someone, your stalker senses heighten. Also, I saw the song opened on your phone screen more than once at work."
He closed his eyes, losing himself in the music and in Katniss' scent—light lavender and sage.
"Peeta, I won't forget this," she told him softly. "You and this song…our song. And this feeling—like I'm on fire and I'm ready to burn."
He pressed a kiss to the curve of her neck. "I'm in love with you, too."
She took in a sharp breath before responding, her words thick. "Okay. Good."
Slowly, Peeta guided her into a fast whirl and she laughed, hair flying, and eyes closed, trusting him to guide her.
She was a sight to behold.
Even when they were old and grey, Peeta would hold her, twirl her until she laughed. In the long future ahead, he would tell his children of the moment that the fates had decided that Katniss Everdeen would become their mother.
"Katniss? Peeta?"
Together, they turned to find Clove and Cato standing before them. Cato look quite dapper in his tuxedo while Clove was a blooming flower in her deep blue gown.
"We were just going to leave, but I was hoping we could talk," Clove told them.
"Why don't we sit?" Peeta suggested as Katniss looked on, still silent. He guided his girlfriend to an empty bench while Clove and Cato took the opposite side. She remained tight-lipped so he decided to push the conversation, looking to Clove. "When are you due?"
"Next month," Clove replied.
"Is this your first child?" Peeta asked.
"No," Cato spoke, and Katniss looked up in surprise. "We have a little girl. She's three. Her name is Penny, actually Penelope—"
"After your mother?" Katniss asked.
Cato met her eyes sadly.
"We lost her a few years ago. Cancer." He swallowed harshly. "She always asked about you."
Katniss' mouth trembled. "She was a good woman." She turned to Peeta. "Taught me how to cross-stitch and how to, unsuccessfully, bake banana bread."
"She sounded like a wonderful woman," Peeta told the couple. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"Katniss, I know we're never going to be as close as we once were," Clove suddenly said, her voice small. "But I hope we can come to even ground. I regret every day that I lost you as a friend and a sister." She wiped her eyes. "We never wanted to hurt you…to make you feel like your love and friendship was so easily sacrificed—because it wasn't."
"And, I regret never thanking you for loving me so unselfishly," Cato told her, pain in her eyes. "My mom was quick to point out how much you cared for me when we were just kids. I was a bit of a selfish brat."
Katniss snorted, her mouth lifting. "A bit? Penny was still packing your lunches when we were seniors."
Cato chuckled softly. "It was a real kick in the pants when I didn't have the both of you taking care of me." He looked to his wife; his eyes bright. "Clove is great, but she refuses to make me a sandwich."
"You have legs and a general knowledge of where the fridge is," Clove retorted.
They all laughed at her words and Peeta reached under the table to take Katniss' hand, giving it a squeeze.
"What we really needed you to know is that we never wanted to you to feel like you weren't an important part of our lives," Cato told Katniss. "Because you are. You're always going to be my high school girlfriend who created flashcards and mnemonic devices to help me pass a class that could've kept me from graduating."
"And, you're always going to be my surrogate sister who took me out at two in the morning to get burgers and strawberry shakes because I was so homesick," Clove added softly. She looked to Peeta. "I know that you're with someone who's going to cherish the way you love people—because if you're loved by Katniss Everdeen, you know your heart will be kept safe."
Peeta nodded, looking to the woman beside him. "I'm going to keep her heart safe."
Together, the couple stood up, Cato helping his wife carefully. Katniss and Peeta followed, rounding the table.
"Delly told me that you still live on the East Coast," Clove said. "We went to middle school together and reconnected when Cato and I decided to move to California."
"We were wondering how we were all connected," Peeta said easily. "Katniss and I actually work at a Haymitch Abernathy start-up called Panem Projects."
"I've heard about it. I actually work for a non-profit that is looking to get its name out there," Cato told him. "I'll mention it to my Director."
Peeta nodded. "We appreciate it." He reached out to shake Cato's hand. "It was nice to meet you." He then went to Clove and kissed her cheek. "You as well. Congratulations."
Katniss shuffled next to him awkwardly. "Yeah…um…bye."
They each gave her a smile, neither attempting to hug or even touch her. It was obvious that she felt uncomfortable.
"Goodbye Katniss," Cato said softly.
Clove approached her carefully.
"You'll probably hate this, but Penny's middle name is Katniss. We wanted to name her after the person who showed us how to love someone with your whole heart."
Together, they turned towards the exit.
Peeta could feel her trembling, her body attempting to make a move.
"Katniss." She turned to him sharply, her eyes full of tears. "It's okay to forgive them. I think you need it."
With a nod, Katniss rushed to the couple and they turned at her call.
His own eyes grew heavy watching as she carefully wrapped Clove into a hug. The woman burst into tears against Katniss' shoulder and gently, Katniss rubbed her back, speaking into Clove's ear.
Cato wiped his eyes quickly, watching the former friends. As the two women separated, Katniss went to Cato to give him a hug and he dipped his head into her shoulder affectionately. When they pulled apart, he kissed her cheek, before joining Clove's side.
Soon they were gone and Peeta went to her.
Katniss sensed him immediately and she was in his arms once more.
"You were right. I needed that," she said in a shaky voice.
He kissed her temple tenderly. "I'm proud of you."
"Peeta?"
"Yes?"
Katniss lifted her head to meet his eyes; her gaze was lighter, unburdened, and full of warmth.
"Let's go home."
"Welcome back, Peeta."
He swiveled in his chair to find Haymitch Abernathy standing by his cubicle.
"Glad to be back," he replied congenially.
"Effie mentioned that you went to your brother's wedding."
Effie Trinket was the Head of HR; the person you went to get time-off approval and a notorious gossip, though the friendly kind.
"Yes. My brother married his childhood sweetheart," Peeta informed the man. "And, Delly wanted three days of activities before the wedding, so it was this whole big ordeal."
"Sounds fun," Haymitch said, his gaze moved behind Peeta. "Good morning, Katniss."
Katniss slipped into her seat across from Peeta.
"Morning, Haymitch." Her almond eyes went to the man across. "Morning, Peeta."
"Good morning, Katniss," he replied. "You look nice today."
"Oh—" Katniss looked down at the knee-length rust orange dress and smiled. "—this? Went shopping and it just caught my eye."
Peeta nodded in approval. "That's my favorite color."
Katniss nodded back. "Interesting."
Haymitch looked between the two curiously.
"Well, alright then." He turned to Katniss. "You're meeting with Effie, right?"
"In about ten minutes," she informed him.
"I'll be sitting in today," Haymitch said. "So, I'll see you then."
"Of course," Katniss replied. She watched Haymitch turn the corner before looking to Peeta. "That's going to be an awkward conversation."
Peeta looked her over; he had left her place early that morning to shower and change before coming into the office. "How are you doing?"
"Well, last night, you fucked me until I forgot my name. So, pretty damn good—and a little sore," she said simply, a small smile playing on her rose lips.
"I owe you a nice, hot bath. My place has a clawfoot tub." Katniss nodded in approval just as Peeta reached into his messenger bag. "Also—" He pulled out a long frame, placing it next to his computer monitor. "—what do you think?"
Katniss stood, leaning down to look at the framed strip of photos over his shoulder. He took a deep breath, smelling her perfume, feeling the soft warmth of her body against him.
"It was a good weekend," she whispered, her teeth almost at his lobe and his body longed to have her nip him. "I already miss you inside me."
"Fuck…" Peeta turned, her mouth just inches from his. "Don't say things like that unless you want me to bend you over one of the conference room tables."
"As much as I'd love that, I have to go to HR and tell them about my boyfriend." Katniss straightened herself, smoothing her skirt before patting down her hair. "It's a mess. I didn't have time to fix it." She gave him a nervous smile. "Wish me luck."
He stood up. "Let me walk you over."
Katniss didn't protest, letting him walk by her side towards the back offices. They passed the art department waving over at Finnick Odair, the Senior Designer.
"Hey Peeta! Hey Katniss!" he called out. "Barbeque at my house next weekend. I just emailed you the info."
"Cool," Peeta responded. "Can I bring my girlfriend?"
"Of course, dude," Finnick replied jovially. "Annie would love to meet her."
They waved goodbye and Katniss beamed at him. "I love when you call me that."
They got to Effie's door and Katniss knocked.
"I plan to call you that over and over tonight as you ride my di—"
The door opened and Effie looked out, giving them both a smile.
"Katniss, right on time!" She widened the door. "Come in!"
Giving Peeta a smile, Katniss entered the office, the door shutting quickly behind her.
Heading toward his desk, he felt his steps grow heavier.
Something didn't feel right.
His feet were suddenly pivoting, turning back until Peeta stood in front of the door.
Without thought, he yanked it open and stepped inside.
The three occupants started at his entrance.
"Peeta, can we help you?" Haymitch asked from his seat next to Effie.
He sat down in the chair across from Katniss.
"I just thought that Katniss could use a little support." Peeta turned to her, holding out his hand. "Together?"
Katniss grinned, choking back tears before taking his hand.
"Together." She turned to Effie and Haymitch. "Like I was saying, I would like to inform you about a change of relationship."
Effie nodded, obviously flustered, before looking down at the papers before her.
"Well, I'll need you to fill something out…"
Haymitch, on the other hand, crossed his arms and smirked.
"Well, it's about damn time."
Thank you if you stuck around.
I live vicariously through Rye and Delly because I would love to have a Harry Potter-themed wedding. Delly's dress is inspired by Fleur Delacour's wedding dress and if you haven't heard 'When Ginny Kissed Harry', you need to.
Also, if you're interested, the song Delly and Rye danced to is "Unchained Melody" by Lykke Li.
And, if you're even more interested in music from this story, Katniss and Peeta dance to "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Kina Grannis from the Crazy, Rich Asians soundtrack.
A sequel should be coming out…soon?
Anyway, just keep a lookout.
Until then, JLaLa
