Thank you for your support and kindness. I heart you all. Special thanks to Norbertsmom who has been on this crazy train with me and is hanging in as I change chapters around, split chapters and write new ones. She's the rockstar in this relationship, heart you so much bestie. PS I do not own the Hunger Games
Last week there were chickens in sweaters, the Hawthornes and the Everdeens moving to town and Corky needed to get a stick...wonder how it's all going down...well...read on
Katniss nervously gripped Peeta's hand when they came to the landing. It was one thing to declare themselves a couple, it was another thing to be one in front of everyone. She recalled the simple days when her biggest worry in life was climbing the apple tree before getting caught. Before she went to war with a pesky squirrel and she fell into Peeta's arms. A time when her biggest worry was not to get Gale wound up so that she could hunt. A bygone era where things were simple but she was alone, facing debt, hunger, and unknown future.
Peeta squeezed her hand when his mother eyed them sternly from the kitchen. Mrs. Mellark but didn't say a word, but holding Peeta's hand, reminded her she wasn't alone. Even if everything around her was falling apart, she had Peeta's steadiness to hold on to. Peeta was faithful and devoted and she couldn't ask for anyone better. Katniss smiled sweetly at Mrs. Mellark who lost her composure. Not many people looked at Peeta's mother in the face with no fear, Katniss could, she'd, after all, faced bears in the wild, what was a cranky Merchant.
Everyone was in a flurry of activities. Her mother, Delly, and Hazelle were in the kitchen with Mrs. Mellark. Prim was playing with the boys. Rye, Peeta, and Gale were setting up the sleeping arrangements for the evening as the snow outside was accumulating and it seemed no one was going anywhere.
"Peeta why don't you let Katniss remove some of her layers in your room." Peeta's father suggested.
Katniss blushed pink wondering just what Eugene Mellark knew. She quietly followed Peeta to his room. Peeta grinned and opened the door. "I never thought I'd see the day when our parents knew you were in my room."
She blushed but managed to stick her tongue out at him. Only to be chased inside the room under the threat of being tickled. She laughed and he pressed her up against his wall. She felt him put his hand on her waist. His face came close to hers. She could feel his breath on her neck. Her breathing became ragged. Her body felt like the string of an instrument tightly wound up ready to be plucked. His lips neared hers. Katniss licked her lips in anticipation.
"Hey!" Rye came in through the open door.
Katniss and Peeta jumped away from each other.
Rye wiggled his eyebrows. His voice lowered, comically his face twisted, repulsed. "Come on guys, Prim is just down the hall playing hide and go seek. You two need to keep it in your pants. Seriously, and everyone thinks I'm girl crazy!"
Rye walked away and Peeta groaned, "How the heck am I supposed to keep my hands off of you?"
Katniss didn't laugh, she was in the same situation. She wasn't sure she could help herself. "Go, I'll meet you in a few minutes."
Peeta sighed then after a few seconds walked outside his room. Katniss closed her eyes, her head slumped against the wall, willing herself to cool down. She began to remove the layers she'd put on to walk to the bakery, folding each piece as she went. Corky and Shirley came out from under the bed. Then she heard the purring coming from the hallway. "You guys are going to have to find a secure place to hide. Buttercup is in town and he's a mean ugly cat."
Corky stood on his hind legs as if listening.
"Just be careful," Katniss said.
Closing the door to the room she found herself entering the living area. Gale sat with Delly speaking in hushed tones. Her sister, Gale's siblings and Delly's little brother Andy were all holding court by the fireplace. Her mother, Hazelle and Peeta's mother of all people were laughing in the Kitchen. It was a surreal world, yet one she wouldn't change.
After the small lunch everyone set about preparing the space for the wedding. Furniture was moved about, paper decorations were made and hung. The entire space took on a lovely ambiance. All the time Katniss couldn't help but gawk at Gale and Delly. They worked as a team and the way Gale stared at Delly was odd. He looked, for lack of a better word, gushy. His smile was goofy. He tripped over his own feet trying to do the slightest thing for Delly. It was odd yet nice to see Gale had found someone to dote on. Someone that wasn't her. Katniss had her own person and that was Peeta. She turned her head slightly to the side and found him staring at her and it filled Katniss with great satisfaction.
"Delly," the women approached.
"Yes," Delly looked up smiling.
"Since it's your birthday, I've made you a dress. I took one of my old pregnancy gowns and paired it down. I hope it fits." Hazelle was grinning.
"I may have shoes that will fit you," Boudica offered.
"I have a white sweater you could borrow," Lavender smiled. "If you come with us we'd like to get you ready for your Toasting."
"Katniss, don't you think you can escape either. Delly may be getting hitched, but you're getting engaged as well," Hazelle said pointedly, pulling Katniss along.
Katniss blushed as she was dragged away. She was dressed, her hair combed and braided. Mrs. Mellark offered her some of her perfume.
"I'm not the sentimental type, but I do value hard work. You're a hard worker, a fighter, someone who took to the woods to help support your family and I value that." She handed a comb to Katniss. "This belonged to my grandmother, she would have loved for you to have it. You show the same gumption as she did."
Katniss had no words.
"Mind you, I may be tough and downright mean, but underneath it all, I do care. I just don't like slackers."
Across the room, behind a partition, Delly was getting ready. Katniss hoped that they could help Delly look pretty. Of all of the town girls, Delly was considered the plainest. Katniss didn't understand. Delly was a simple sweet girl. She was also finding out, Delly was a girl with a big heart. Katniss could see how Gale had been tempered by her optimism and sunny personality.
Mrs. Everdeen and Gale's mother stepped out from the screen. Both women had on their best dresses. Though it was Delly who stole the spotlight, as she silently stepped out from behind the screen. Her wild locks had been tamed into soft loose curls, the dress emphasized that hourglass figure that Delly hid under all of the wide clothing she wore. Delly looked stunning.
Katniss watched Gale's face when he saw Delly. His mouth hung open as he stood there in his best clothing.
"Damn, Delly you look hot," Rye whistled.
Everyone laughed.
The parents stood before the couples, the siblings by their respective parents.
Lavender spoke up. "Tonight, we gather together bonded by love. When we were kids there weren't divisions between Seam and Merchant. We didn't see each other differently until the Capitol told us we were different and pointed out that Merchants are blonde and Seam are dark-haired. Regretfully we kept our mouths shut and let them divide us. Tonight love has found a way to unite what the Capitol thought it severed."
Katniss was amazed by the way her mother spoke, awe was etched in the faces of everyone.
"Love has conquered over fear, misconceptions, rhetoric, and hatred." Gale blushed, his eyes glowed as he stole a quick glance at Delly. Lavender continued. "Our children are living proof that the Capitol has no control over our lives. They've given me hope for the future." Lavender glanced at Titus, Rye, and Gale, who became flushed. "Who knows, maybe tomorrow will be a better day."
Tears were streaming down Delly's cheeks as Lavender finished. Boudica wiped her face. Mr. Mellark spoke, "If you don't mind, why don't we do the engagement first then the wedding."
Gale and Delly nodded.
Katniss' eyes slid to Peeta's who had a similar look of awe on his face. "Hi," she mouthed.
Peeta nodded slowly, his eyes never departing hers. Peeta walked over to her and presented her with a silver chain with a pearl attached to it. "Katniss Everdeen will you promise to take my hand in marriage? I promise to be faithful to you, forsaking all others until the day of our Toasting."
"Yes," Katniss croaked.
"This belonged to my great grandmother and is the symbol of my commitment to you."
Katniss felt the weight of the pearl as it was placed around her neck. She whispered, "I promise to be faithful, until the day we have our Toasting."
A simple kiss was exchanged and Delly sighed. She hugged them both. "Congratulations."
Katniss was glad to have her and Peeta's part over with. It was now time for the Toasting. A loaf of bread was placed on a small table near the fireplace. Gale took it and sliced two pieces. He gave one to Delly. Together they put the bread on sticks and held them over the fire until they became golden brown.
Gale ripped off a piece of his slice once it cooled down. "I, Gale Bartholomew Hawthorne, take you Delilah Cartwright as my wife, to cherish, honor, protect, uphold, be faithful to and obey."
"That last part is going to be hard for him," Vick said.
"Nah he's already been licked," Rory responded. "Delly's got him wrapped around her little finger."
"True."
"Boys," Hazelle admonished. It was too late, the boy's banter caused laughter to ensue.
Delly gave a brilliant smile. "I, Delilah Cartwright, promise to take you Gale Bartholomew Hawthorne as my husband. To cherish, honor, protect, uphold, be faithful to and obey, sometimes."
Her statement caused more laughter. Gale grinned then fed her a piece of toasted bread. Delly did the same for Gale. It was almost sensual the way they fed each other. Katniss blushed when Gale gathered Delly in his arms and kissed her. The kiss lasted seconds, but it was impactful. It was as if the force that pulled Delly and Gale together had sanctified the wedding and doused it with solemnity and vivid passion. Both Gale and Delly looked flushed, their foreheads pressed together unable to separate.
Congratulations were made and the entire clan sat down to eat, some at the table some on the couch.
Eugene's smile lit up the room, as he stood up. All gathered stopped speaking. "I'd like to welcome the Everdeens, the Cartwrights and the Hawthornes to our table."
Mr. Mellark sat down.
"Thank you, Eugene." Mrs. Everdeen said, "I look forward to joining our families. And congratulations to the newlyweds."
Mr. Mellark smiled as he began passing around the meat and vegetables. "Then," he said glancing directly at Katniss. "I don't think it will be too presumptuous to state I look forward to seeing Katniss become a Mellark. I hope to one day hold my grandbaby."
Katniss turned bright pink. It never occurred to her she'd have to give up her last name, or that Peeta's dad wanted her to have a baby.
Rye stood up with his cup and said, "To my future sister-in-law."
She glanced at Peeta who also looked embarrassed; this for some reason comforted her. She snuck her hand under the table and gripped his as the family lifted their glasses in a toast.
Rye also said, "To Delly and Gale, may you have a long life, and lots of babies."
Delly looked down, her face turned red. Gale put his arm around her back, leaned over to her and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
The meal went on and they laughed.
"Eugene, how do you propose our children carry out the courting?" Lavender asked.
All eyes were on them. Katniss lost her appetite and she put the spoon down. Having people discuss her courtship with Peeta made her highly uncomfortable.
Boudica burst, "I just don't want Peeta slacking off because of Katniss."
"Don't worry my dear, I never thought I'd see my little boy as happy as he is right now. Katniss, you make him happy and I must say his productivity at the bakery has increased since you've come into his life."
Mrs. Mellark's ears perked up. "Really?"
"Haven't you noticed how he's getting up earlier, cleaning the ovens when you don't ask him. Also how anything he bakes gets sold out quicker. We've had a ten percent increase in revenue."
Mrs. Mellark gave Peeta and Katniss a speculative glance. "Yes, there has been a ten percent increase in sales. I didn't equate it with Peeta but, now that you mention it whenever Peeta is baking the till is fuller."
"It has to do with Katniss." Mr. Mellark smiled Katniss swore she saw him wink.
"This could be beneficial to the family."
"It has been fructiferous. We have a nice nest egg." Mr. Mellark proudly said, "Whenever they've seen each other the production and yields have multiplied."
"Most beneficial," Boudica turned her attention to Gale and Delly.
"Now for my own secret," Eugene took out papers from his suit jacket.
"What is that Eugene?" Boudica asked her eyes widened.
"It's the contract between Katniss Everdeen and our son Peeta," Eugene said.
Everyone was shocked for a moment. Katniss shook her head. "I'm sorry what contract?"
"The one your father and I signed long ago, Katniss. You were young, and so was my Peeta. Your dad came into the bakery to trade. It was shortly after both of you started school. To my shock, Peeta brought out his savings. He said he'd like to go and live with him and your family. Peeta was willing to pay your dad everything in his little bank so that he could be with Katniss."
Peeta turned red, "I did?"
"Yep, I didn't know what to say. Your dad laughed and said, 'EugeneEugenep, I think we need to make a marriage contract. If your boy has his way, my Katniss isn't going to stand a chance." Eugene smiled sadly and said, "We watched you two for years, how you and my boy gravitated toward each other. Two years before your father passed away, we had this drawn up and signed it as a contingency. It gave me certain parental rights and vice versa should anything happen to both your parents. I would become the girl's legal guardian had you passed away."
Katniss did not know what to say.
"I'm sorry I kept it secret, Lavender. When your husband died, I didn't realize things had gotten so bad. I was going to step in, but then I saw Peeta feed Katniss the bread. The bond between my boy and your daughter was strong. I knew they were going to be together, strong, come what may.
Lavender gave a watery smile.
Less than a week later when Katniss showed up at my back door with fresh game to sell I saw the look of hope and sheer determination on her face. I encouraged other Merchants to trade with her, showed them the meat. As she grew up, I figured with Katniss being the main provider of your family I couldn't demand to have the contract fulfilled. I didn't want to impose on your family. It wasn't right, and I saw Katniss's friendship with Gale and I thought to myself I would never do what our parents did to us." Eugene smiled at Boudicca who blinked. Eugene continued, "I was lucky though. However, despite my misgivings, our children have come together on their own."
Just as he said this Buttercup screamed and flew from the stairs into Primrose's arms. Katniss and Peeta glanced at each other before running to the bedroom. Katniss found the door to Peeta's room open. The floor was littered with discarded scraps of paper that led under Peeta's bed. Corky stood by the side of the bed with a stick larger than him, looking defiant. Katniss shook her head. Buttercup had finally found his match. The adults followed behind but only Peeta's father saw Corky's tail just as he hid.
"See the squirrel! It's inside! I told you!" Eugene exclaimed.
"Eugene, there is nothing there except a mess," Boudica said angrily, her face was red.
"But I saw its tail as it went underneath the bed."
Katniss watched Peeta's mother give the others gathered in the room an apologetic look.
"I am not crazy. Something's been stealing my NUTS!" Eugene stood like a child who was trying to convince adults of a tall-tale.
"Eugene drop it!" Boudica said between thin lips. "We have guests here." She grabbed Eugene by the arm intending to drag him away. "Hazelle, Lavender, you should see the pie Rye made for dessert tonight."
"Pie," Gale brothers said in unison following their mother.
"I made a good pie as well, a lemon pie," Mr. Mellark grumbled as he was escorted out of the room.
Boudicca's voice drifted in through the door. "Peeta make sure this mess is cleaned up!"
Curious, Katniss picked up a crumpled piece of paper, expecting to see a sketch or receipt of some sort. She frowned. "This looks like morse code." She handed it to Gale. She had only taken two classes in Morse Code, Morse Code101 a rudimentary beginners class, and The History of Morse Code. Katniss knew enough to send simple messages. This coded message was very advanced.
Rye nodded over Gale's shoulder, "It is, I'm not that good with morse code."
"This talks about the hit on the hob." Gale looked up, he went pale. "It's signed the Citizen."