Peeta insisted that he had to go to the bakery so Rye and Bing said they would meet him at his house. They would have the toasting at the house and then a ceremony for anyone who wanted to come in the barn. Peeta didn't really care who attended, to be honest. All he could think about was feeding her that bread. His father found him in the kitchen putting finishing touches on the elegant cake.
"Peeta, I told you I would bring it over later tonight," his father gently scolded.
"I know Dad but I needed to put an extra touch on it. Can I grab a loaf of bread for the toasting?"
"Of course. Here's a few that just came out of the oven." Mr. Mellark went over to the display case and reached in for one.
"Not that one…the one to your left." His father raised a brow.
"This one?" Peeta nodded firmly.
"You're sure?"
"Positive. And I think I'm finished with the cake."
"Then, let's get you home to your bride."
Peeta and his father carried the cake through town and people stopped to stare. A toasting was already plenty of gossip; a peacekeeper's toasting was twice that. Katniss Everdeen marrying a Peacekeeper…wait…that Peacekeeper is Peeta Mellark, the baker's son who vanished without a trace. Peeta might have just won the Hunger Games, by the way people were whispering and staring.
As they passed Victor's Village, Peeta could just make out a figure waving to him from the front porch. He knew it was Haymitch Abernathy, District 12's only living Hunger Games Victor, and he was never seen without a flask in his hand.
"Going to be quite a shindig, I hear," Haymitch called to him.
"Stop by if you like," Peeta called back, surprising himself.
"If there's liquor, I'm there!" Peeta shook his head as his father grunted and adjusted the cake.
"Dad, this cake is huge. I told you we were just wanting something small-"
"Peeta you told me when you were five years old that you were going to marry this girl. I didn't want it to just be something small. I want this to be everything you've been dreaming of." Peeta gave his father a grateful smile as they hurriedly carried the cake into his house. Ryen and Bing leaped forward to help and Bing let out a whistle.
"Damn Dad, why didn't you ask for any help?"
"Peeta was there," the baker shrugged.
"And I can tell Peeta decorated it too. Where do you want to set it up, Peet?"
"Um, we should probably set it up in the barn."
"Let's leave it in the kitchen and we will carry it over after the toasting." Peeta nodded and wiped his forehead with the back of his wrist.
"Is Mom coming," Ryen muttered. Peeta shrugged half-heartedly.
"I saw her for a minute at the bakery and asked her if she would be at the toasting. She said only if it was with someone other than Katniss."
"Ouch," Bing said with a wince.
"She's a frigid bitch," Ryen growled.
"Ryen," his father said sharply.
"Oh don't you try to defend her, Dad. How she treated Katniss and Peeta last night and now, not even coming to her own son's toasting?"
"It's fine, Rye," Peeta mumbled.
"Son-"
"Don't, Dad. I don't want to…all I care about today is-"
"Whoa," Ryen said, his wide eyes on something behind Peeta. He whirled around, his brow furrowed, until his eyes widened to match his brother's. Katniss floated…there was no better word for it…she floated through the door, followed by her sister and her mother. Her long dark hair actually flowed around her shoulders, nearly touching the small of her back. Her dress was simple but beautiful. She wore delicate white shoes and around her neck was an elegant strand of pearls.
She was breathtaking. Peeta could barely move until one of his brothers nudged him and then had to practically shove him forward.
His face was red when he reached her and he swallowed a few times.
"Katniss…uh, wow, you look…wow." Prim giggled behind her and Katniss quickly shushed her. Peeta's face went even redder.
"Can we get this thing started or what," Ryen called from across the room.
"April and Delly are on their way," Bing said. "But go ahead and begin." Katniss suddenly wished they had done this part alone. They would have to repeat old District 12 vows and Katniss was terrified she would mess up in front of everyone. Peeta held out his hand, looking shy, and she placed her hand in his. He pulled her over to the fireplace and everyone moved closer. His father handed him the plate of bread, still covered, and Peeta knelt on the rug in front of the fireplace. Katniss struggled with her dress for a moment and blushed as she knelt beside him.
"I hope I can remember my vows," he leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"Your beauty has completely taken all my words away."
She went even pinker, matching his rosy blush.
"Um…I hope you don't mind. I know the bread for toasting is usually wheat or sourdough. But this one seemed right," he uncovered the bread and she sucked in a breath; it was the raisin and nut bread from dinner last night. The same bread he had thrown to her in the rain. His eyes met hers and they were glassy.
"Katniss," he began but the door burst open and they jumped.
"I'm sorry I'm so late! Dad wouldn't let me leave the shop. Oh I've interrupted! Please, continue!"
"Jeez Delly," Ryen muttered, shaking his head. Delly squealed another 'sorry' and Peeta cleared his throat. He reached over to tear off a piece of the bread and he leaned in to hold it over the fire. Although the flames licked at his fingers, he turned it over, making sure it was completely toasted. When he drew back, he said his vows in a clear, ringing voice. Her lips trembled as she opened her mouth and allowed him to feed her. She repeated his actions, holding the bread close to the fire but not letting it burn. She knew her mother would object to her using her hands to toast the bread but she hardly felt the flames. The bread was a little more than toasted when she drew back and she grimaced.
"I'm sorry, I think I burned it," she muttered, shaking her head. His hand covered hers and she met his gaze again.
"It's perfect." He didn't look away as she fed him the burned piece and recited her vows. She felt like her voice was shaky but Peeta didn't seem to mind; in fact, she thought he was about to cry.
"Alright you two, kiss already," Ryen called gleefully.
"Ryen," Bing hissed at his brother. Peeta's face and neck were beet red and he bit his lip as his eyes drifted down to her mouth. They'd already done it once. Well, more than once really. So what was he waiting for? She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. He stood up on his knees, cupping her face with both hands as he eagerly responded. Katniss forgot that her mother and sister were watching, along with his family and their friends. She could only concentrate on the feel of his tongue exploring her mouth.
"Sheesh, that's enough already," Ryen said, avoiding looking at them.
"Would you behave yourself," Madge hissed.
"You'll soon have your chance in the spotlight," Peeta said with a wink and a grin. Katniss licked her lips as he stood and helped her to her feet. Everyone came rushing forward to congratulate them and her mother hugged her tightly. Prim cried into her chest and Peeta watched with a smile. Peeta's brothers and father carried the cake over to the barn and everyone else followed them. Peeta held Katniss back and he went into the kitchen for something.
"I hope you don't mind but I ordered you a bouquet for the ceremony." The bakery was near the florist but Katniss had always thought flowers were a waste of money. She gasped, however, when he pulled the bouquet out.
It was a gathering of wildflowers, yellow dandelions, primroses, and little white katniss flowers. They were bundled together with a simple green ribbon and he held them out toward her.
"Do you like it," he asked shyly.
"It's perfect," she breathed.
"The florist didn't even want to take the order…said wildflowers didn't belong in a bouquet. In the end she only did it when she found out who I was."
"Well I don't like their fancy roses and such. These are more beautiful."
"You can leave it here if you want to," he said quickly. "You don't have to carry it around-"
"I want to carry it with me," she assured him. They walked to the door and Peeta held out his arm.
"Shall we join them?" She nodded and hooked her arm under his. He paused on the porch and bit his lip.
"Can I…can I kiss you again?"
"You don't have to ask, Peeta."
With a grin that took her breath away, he leaned in to kiss her and she draped her arm around his neck. He bent her slightly backward and kissed her passionately. Her heart was felt real. It's real, she told herself.
"Hey! The party is missing something! Like a bride and groom!" They pulled away and Bing laughed and winked as he hurried back toward the barn. Peeta cleared his throat and pulled at his jacket.
"Alright, Mrs. Mellark. Let's go enjoy our party."
They entered the barn, hand in hand, and Katniss gasped softly as their wedding guests started to sing the traditional wedding hymn. In their voices, she heard her father singing and her eyes filled with tears. Peeta noticed immediately and pulled her close.
"Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. I was just thinking of my dad."
"He's right here with you, Katniss." He pulled a few of the white petals from her bouquet, much to her chagrin; but her expression softened when he put the flowers in her hair and pushed her dark locks behind her ear. She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss and loved the way his hand rested on her cheek. She found that she really liked kissing him…and hoped very much they would make kissing a permanent condition of the contract. As he lead her over to the cake, she released a gasp of delight. She immediately recognized the delicate flowers made out of sugar and paste; Peeta's strong hands had crafted almost a hundred small katniss flowers that decorated each tier.
District 12 might have been the poorest of them all but they knew the best way to celebrate was with music. Someone had brought their violin and another had a banjo, and the barn was filled with lively tunes. Peeta didn't dance much, she noticed, but she stayed with her sister and Madge in their little dances. When the musicians started a slow song, Katniss approached her groom and held out her hand. Peeta stared at her hand and then looked into her eyes.
"I haven't really danced before, Katniss."
"Then I'll teach you. Come on."
He didn't move to take her hand and he looked nervous.
"I want to dance with my husband."
Something flickered in his eyes and he swallowed at her words. He put his trembling hand in hers and she pulled him to the center of the room. She positioned his hand on her waist and took his other hand in hers.
"Just hold me," she whispered.
"That I can do," he replied, just as softly. They moved in a slow circle, his eyes boring into hers. They didn't notice that they were now the only ones dancing; everyone was standing off to the side, watching.
Mrs. Everdeen sniffed and dabbed at her nose with her handkerchief. Mr. Mellark watched the couple with a broad smile. Katniss reached up and draped her arms around his neck; both of his hands fell to her waist and he pressed his forehead to hers.
"I feel like if I look away, or even blink, you'll disappear and this will all be a dream."
She slid her hand to his cheek and slid her palm across his freshly-shaven skin. She didn't have any words of adoration; after all, words were Peeta's thing, not hers. But the feel of her hand caressing his face made him moan softly and they moved even closer together, so that they were no longer moving but were just holding each other. The song trailed off but Peeta did not release his bride. He tipped her chin upwards with a single finger and kissed her sweetly. Normally Katniss would have recoiled at being the center of attention but now, she hardly noticed. Her senses were overwhelmed with Peeta Mellark.
The feel of his skin beneath her hand, the smell of cinnamon and sugar and even a hint of dill, the taste of his lips, so sugary sweet. No doubt about it; she was now a goner too.
Katniss moved toward the lemonade pitcher and found her path blocked by a burly figure with a downcast expression.
"Katniss-"
"I really don't have anything to say to you, Darius." She sidestepped him and he held out his arms.
"Please, hear me out." She huffed and shook her head.
"I never even dreamed that he would be the one to buy out your contract," he said quietly. "The truth is, I saw Peeta's name on the list of transferring Peacekeepers. I knew he took a fancy to you a long time ago and I know how you and Hawthorne have a misconstrued opinion of Merchants. I knew good and well that Peeta wouldn't like the idea of buying you but he would push aside his unease and make sure no one else would have that chance. But then his train was delayed and Cray got to you before I could do anything. When I heard
I...I felt horrible, Katniss, I really did. I'm glad it all worked out in the end but...I'm so sorry." Katniss watched him warily. She wasn't about to admit to Darius that Cray had tried to break her, that he gloated that he had finally caught Katniss Everdeen in his snare. The great huntress had become his prey. Darius may have had honorable intentions but she had still lost a small part of herself because of his meddling.
"It's fine, Darius."
"But-"
"It's my wedding day, Darius," she cut him off. "Let me enjoy it."
He opened his mouth but closed it.
"Of course." He gave her a slight bow. "Congratulations, Katniss."
She turned and instead of getting something to drink, she went to find her groom. He was standing in front of the cake, chatting with Madge, Ryen, and his dad. Katniss walked up to him and slid her arms around his waist. If he was surprised, he didn't show it. His arm automatically draped around her shoulder and he leaned in to kiss her temple.
"Rye is saying it's time to cut the cake."
"People are hungry," his brother whined.
"You're always hungry," Madge poked his stomach, giggling. Katniss smiled as she watched Ryen kiss her friend's cheek. Madge looked very happy.
"Hey everyone, the happy couple is going to cut the cake!" Peeta stood behind her, one hand resting on her waist while the other rested on her hand.
"I'm going to mess this up," she muttered.
"It's impossible to mess up a cake," he said in her ear.
"Says the baker."
"Just go slow. Like this." A camera flashed as he pushed her hand down and kissed her cheek.
"Smash it in her face," Rye yelled. Peeta's grin lit up the room as he held the forkful of cake up to her lips; only Katniss could see how much his hand trembled.
Katniss was exhausted but as this was a peacekeeper's wedding, and a high-ranking one at that, people continued to come up to congratulate them throughout the night. His brothers had dragged him across the room, and she rested her head on her sister's shoulder while they watched people dancing. She hadn't seen Gale, though the rest of the Hawthornes had stopped by to give her hugs. So immature, she thought to herself. He just didn't like losing. And he thought he had lost her, even though she had never really been his to begin with.
"I'm really happy for you, Katty," her sister said softly, squeezing her hand.
"Do you think it would be rude to tell everyone to go home," Katniss yawned. Prim giggled.
"Yes. And a Lieutenant's wife must be kind and compassionate."
"He married the wrong person then."
Prim snorted and shook her head.
"You're ridiculous." Katniss yawned again and rose to her feet.
"I need some fresh air." She cupped Prim's chin for a moment before hiking up her dress and hurrying to the side exit of the barn. She nodded and muttered her thanks as people called out their congratulations and well wishes.
She sighed as she leaned against the column, pressing her forehead to the cool wood. There was a pleasant breeze in the air tonight and her hair blew freely around her shoulders.
"The loveliest bride I have ever seen," a voice sent a chill down her spine. She tensed but did not turn around.
"You are kind to say so, sir," she said stiffly. She gasped as she felt his hand on her shoulder.
"I must confess I am jealous of Lieutenant Mellark at the moment. I am surprised he has not brushed everyone off and hurried you home. He must be so eager to bed his wife." She swallowed and stared straight ahead as he lifted a strand of her hair to his nose and inhaled.
"My sheets do not smell as sweet as they did several days ago. Perhaps when your husband is tending to his duties I shall help you find a way to pass the time?"
"Commander." A deep voice behind them made Cray jerk back and Katniss's shoulders relax.
"Many congratulations, Officer Mellark. I am sure you both will be very happy together."
"Thank you," he said firmly, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and stepping between them. "We're glad you could celebrate with us."
Katniss tried not to recoil. No, they were not glad at all. Katniss couldn't wait to get as far away from him as she could.
"We were just discussing when you will go back to work. Whatever will your sweet wife do to ease her loneliness?"
"Oh I would never leave her for too long. Besides, she helps her mother and her sister with their healing duties and she knows my mother would be more than happy to have her assist my family at the bakery. I am sure she will find plenty of things to keep her occupied," he said cheerfully. Cray looked sour.
"Indeed. Well I must be off. Have a pleasant evening Mr. and Mrs. Mellark."
"And you sir," Peeta nodded as Cray marched off into the night. When he was gone, Katniss slumped against him and hid her face in his chest.
"Easy," he whispered, kissing her forehead. "He will never touch you again, Katniss. I swear it."
"Can we go home soon, Peeta? I'm dead on my feet."
"Of course. Let's say our final goodbyes and then we can head home."
I'm sorry about the delay again guys, I just moved back home to TN from CA and it was a LONG roadtrip! Will hopefully post another one next weekend but hope yall enjoyed the toasting and wedding! Xoxoxo
