Chapter 15: A Wedding

Prim's POV

When Haymitch, Peeta and I arrive, along with the other escaped tributes, in District 13, the first person we see is my sister.

Katniss has never been the best at sorting through her emotions, but it still throws me when she runs for the lot of us, shaking with rage.

"Peeta Mellark! You…. you….." She flings her arms about his neck in an almost violent hug, then leans back to clench his shirt in her fists, her face contorted in anger.

For the first time since I've known him, Peeta looks truly scared. "I…. I…."

The tension in Katniss's face eases ever so slightly, though everything else about her remains rigid as she suddenly yanks Peeta's face down close to hers, pushes her lips fiercely against his, and kisses him roughly.

It takes a moment before a stunned Peeta steals his arms about my sister's waist and tugs her flush against him, dazedly kissing her back. I watch as my sister relaxes in his embrace, her grey eyes fluttering shut as she reaches up to loop her arms about his neck, weaving her fingers into the strands of his blonde curls. Her lips part, mouth blossoming open like a flower petal bursting into full bloom and soon her tongue has wriggled out to dance with his.

Peeta and my sister finally have to come up for air. Katniss's breasts are heaving under her dress, her grey eyes lidded and lashes fluttering. Her lovely face is pink all over, and she seems quite flustered, and also a little shocked with herself.

"I made a promise. And I keep my promises. Will you marry me, Peeta Mellark?" She dips her head shyly. "That is…. if you'll have me."

"If that's what you want," Peeta murmurs.

My sister nods softly. "That's what I want."

The grin nearly breaking his face, Peeta lifts a finger under my sister's chin, compelling her to look at him. "Of course."

He leans in, and though Katniss hesitates for a moment, feeling quite shy, she tilts her face to his…..

….. And suddenly, we are at my sister's wedding day, her grey eyes solemn and maybe still a little scared, but willing to risk her heart, come what may. She tilts her head after Peeta lifts her veil and permits her…. her husband to kiss her deeply. The newlyweds hold the kiss softly for a moment, and then my sister launches herself at Peeta, her arms sweeping up his back to hold him close before her fingers have buried themselves back into his golden hair. Peeta returns their wedding kiss with such enthusiasm that he lifts Katty clear off her feet, to cheers.

When they break the kiss that has sealed their marriage at last, Katniss cuddles into him, the picture of the blushing bride, clad in our mother's wedding dress.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Mellark are assigned an apartment, and sweeping my sister off her feet, Peeta carries her across the threshold, bridal-style, as we survivors from Twelve sing the traditional wedding song.

"May your house be a palace and your hearth and hearts never grow dark…."

Katniss is laughing the entire time, and I don't think I've ever seen her so happy. I can't help but smirk in smug vindication. It took her long enough.

"Mmmm….. Huhhhh….. Uhhhhh… Hmmm….. Ohhhhh…"

Later that night, from next door I can hear the giggles, and moans, along with the creak of the bedsprings and thumps of the headboard, emanating from my sister and her husband's apartment, where they spend hours upon hours making love on their wedding night. Consummating their marriage.

Mother and I have the couple over for breakfast the next morning, the four of us finding it hard to look at each other. My sister's cheeks are rosy pink, flush with exertion, the smile on her face almost goofy. Peeta, my new brother-in-law, doesn't look much better.

"So:" Mother finally breaks the silence, and only the pointed gleam in her eye warns me as to what she says next: "How was your bed last night?"

Katniss nearly chokes on a spoonful of oatmeal, and Peeta gawks so wide, flies could zoom in and out of his mouth with ease.

Finally, we all begin to devolve into peals of laughter, Katniss turning her face into her lover's chest to hide her blush. I am so happy for her, I could burst. She finally has someone she isn't afraid of loving, a partner. I have always thought that she and Peeta suited each other. They looked so natural when dancing at their wedding. I hope for my Katty's sake, she might agree to having babies with Peeta someday. It would be a way for her to move on from the trauma she no doubt felt, watching her sister and her future husband compete in the Hunger Games.

It turns out I don't have to wait very long either, for one day several months later, Katniss and Peeta come by for dinner with my sister's stomach ballooning out to her feet.

I draw both hands to my mouth to stifle a gasp. "Katty…." I breath. "Are…. Are you….?"

Peeta's arms are cradling my sister's womb, and she reaches back to kiss him softy, eyes shining.

I squeal, and throw my arms around her much more voluptuous middle. "You're going to be a mother!" Then she whispers in my ear. "Twins?! I can't believe it!"

"Neither can I," Katniss laughs, her cheeks turning pink.