Chapter 7
Saturday dawns bright and clear. A beautiful day for a wedding.
Effie Trinket spends the morning making sure everything is perfect for the Odair/Cresta wedding. The seashell bouquets line the aisles, a gold carpet leads the way to the front where the groom and Pastor will stand. Deciding everything is in order at the church she heads to the bridal room to check on the blushing bride and her bridesmaids.
Annie Cresta glows as she sits before the mirror while, the hairdresser, Octavia styles her dark hair into waves. She smiles brightly at Effie when she notices her standing in the doorway.
"Ms. Trinket thank you so much for all the work you've done. You're the best wedding planner ever. I couldn't have made it here without you."
"I appreciate the compliment, my dear. Think nothing of it though. I'm honored to bring your dream wedding to life." Effie assures.
She turns her attention to Annie's sister, Rebecca, the maid of honor and the bridesmaids Katniss and Johanna who are getting their hair curled and then twisted into buns.
"Everything is on schedule. We have one hour until showtime."
Cinna steps into the room with four garment bags. "Here are your dresses ladies."
"Thank you so much, Cinna. I'm so excited to wear one of your beautiful creations." Annie exclaims excitedly.
Cinna winks at the bubbly bride. "It was my privilege, Mrs. Odair.
"Alright, maid of honor, bridesmaids let's get you dressed." He tells them since their hair and makeup are finished already.
They step into the ocean blue halter dresses and put on their seashell earrings and necklaces. Then slip on their silver heels.
You look so beautiful ladies! Thank you again for standing up with me today. I love y'all so much." Annie says.
"Now for the beautiful bride's dress."
Annie steps into a gorgeous white mermaid style dress embellished with little seashells. She puts on her seashell earrings and necklace and slips on her silver heels. Annie's mom, Jill, takes the matching veil and helps her adjust it in her hair.
"Oh, Annie you look radiant. Finnick won't be able to take his eyes off you." Rebecca sighs.
"Or his hands." Johanna smirks slyly.
"Jo!" Katniss blushes bright red.
Annie's dad, Mark, enters the room to announce it's time to start the ceremony. He tears up at the sight of his baby girl in her wedding dress. "No tears, daddy. If you cry, then I'll cry." Annie chides him.
"I'm not crying. I just got some dust in my eye." Mark gruffly defends. Annie and her mom share a knowing glance at his tough guy act.
Annie just kisses her dad on the cheek and loops her arm through his. They follow Johanna, Katniss, and Rebecca to the front of the church for the grand event.
Finnick stands at the front of the aisle with his best man Andrew and his groomsmen Peeta and Blight at his side.
Annie takes a deep breath as they stand inside the doors out of view of the guests as Katniss, Johanna, and Rebcca make their way down the aisle. Finally, the familiar sounds of the wedding march begin to play. Mark squeezes her hand and gives her a reassuring smile as they begin to the walk down the aisle. She sees all the people gathered to witness their union and her heart stutters in fear. Then she locks eyes with Finnick standing tall and proud with a breathtaking smile upon his face and everything else fades away. Her dad leads her slowly up the aisle to her love. He kisses her cheek and places her hand in Finnick's.
Finnick's eyes shine with love. "You look so beautiful, my love." He says quickly as they turn to face Pastor Winters.
"Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today in the sight of our Heavenly Father to witness the union of Finnick Odair and Annie Cresta in holy matrimony. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
"Her mother and I do." Mark Cresta calls out.
"The couple have written their own vows. Finnick please read your vows."
"Annie Cresta, I'm so blessed to have the honor of becoming your husband today. Someone asked me once if I knew I loved you right away, but the truth is you crept up on me. You entered my heart little by little with your bright smiles and gentle ways. I promise to cherish you for the rest of our lives and make you as happy as you make me."
Annie wipes away tears. "Finnick Odair, I'm so blessed to have the honor of becoming your wife today. I remember the first time I ever saw you all lit up by the sun getting ready to sail off in your new sailboat. The best thing I ever did was ask to come abroad with you. I sailed off with you that day and haven't stopped since. Thank you for letting me into your heart. I'm yours now and forever." Annie promises.
Pastor Winters asks for the rings. "The rings are a never-ending circle that represent the never-ending vows you make to each other."
"Finnick place the ring on Annie's finger and repeat after me."
"I, Finnick Odair, take you Annie Cresta to be my wife before God. I promise to love, honor, obey, and cherish you until death do us part."
"Annie place the ring on Finnick finger and repeat after me."
"I, Annie Cresta, take you Finnick Odair to be my husband before God. I promise to love, honor, obey, and cherish you until death do us part."
"By the power invested in me by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the State of Virginia, I now pronounce you man and wife. Finnick you may kiss your bride."
Finnick lifts Annie's veil and gently brings her into a sweet kiss.
Cheers erupt throughout the church in celebration of the union.
Everyone heads to the reception hall while the bridal party stays in the church for pictures. After all a long photo session of different formations of the bridal party, Finnick's grandmother Mags, and Annie's family the photographer finally announces he has enough.
Finnick and Annie enter the reception and share their first dance.
They have a delicious meal of white flounder, baked potatoes, pasta salad, and sweet tea.
Finally, it's time to cut the magnificent cake that Peeta made for the bride and groom. A dazzling creation with blue-green, white tipped icing waves swimming with fish and sailboats, seals and sea flowers.
Peeta beams with pride as everyone compliments his delicious masterpiece.
In all this, Finnick never let's go of Annie's hand.
After the cake has been cut and the guests have had their fill, the fiddler strikes up a tune that has everyone on their feet ready to dance. Katniss finds Prim in the crowd and they take their place in the line. After many evenings spent practicing their dance moves together, they make pretty good partners. Katniss and Prim twirl each other around the dance floor for several songs laughing and chatting about the wedding. Prim catches sight of Peeta waiting and spins Katniss into his arms.
Katniss laughs joyfully as Peeta twirls her out and then back into his arms. He dips her playfully as one song ends, and another begins. Over his shoulder Katniss sees Prim and Rory dancing clumsily both blushing bright red. The sight reminds her of herself and Peeta when they were still fumbling through their changing feelings. She hopes her sister will be as lucky in love as she's been.
"What's caught your attention?" Peeta asks.
"Prim and Rory. They remind me so much of us. Best friends falling in love. I just worry a little. I mean that's my baby sister. My little duck. I don't want this to end badly and see either of them get hurt. They would lose not only a love interest, but their best friend as well."
"They'll find their way. We did. Rory is good for Prim. He makes her laugh. She's so focused on her studies that sometimes she forgets to enjoy life. Rory encourages her to have some fun. He's what she needs. Now stop fretting and have some fun yourself." He swings her around and changes partners with Gale.
"Having fun, Catnip?" Gale asks as they fall into step.
"Oh yeah. This has been a very enjoyable day. I can't believe you're dancing though."
" Greasy Sae grabbed me and pulled me onto the floor for a dance. Then once Madge realized I was out here there was no escaping." He sighed.
"Don't worry you're very light on your feet. You make a good partner." Katniss assures him.
"Thanks, Catnip." He grins.
Katniss and Gale dance towards Peeta and Madge to switch partners.
A whoop goes through the crowd as the familiar sound of "Cotton Eye Joe" starts up. Everyone finds a partner to two-step to the tune and show off their fancy footwork.
Finnick and Annie dance in the center of the floor gazing into each other's eyes as the other couples dance around them.
Effie calls all the single ladies to the center of the floor for the bouquet toss. Madge, Delly, Katniss, a reluctant Johanna, and a few other girls stand together. Annie turns her back and heaves the bouquet over her shoulder. Madge shoves two girls to the floor as she snatches the bouquet from the air. Madge jumps up and down excitedly over her victory.
"Uh oh Gale! Looks like your girl is the next bride to be. Better start saving up for a ring." Rye calls out. Gale ducks his head and smiles shyly.
A chair is brought to center for Annie to sit in. Finnick smirks slyly as he ducks his head under her dress to retrieve the garter. Annie giggles as he pops back out with it between his teeth. The single guys assemble and Finnick stands with his back to the group as he launches the garter over his shoulder. Rye catches the garter and winks at Madge where she stands holding the bouquet.
"Never mind Gale. Looks like I'll be marrying your girl." He laughs jokingly.
Gale slaps Rye on the back of the head and takes the garter. "Fat chance. You couldn't handle her. Go sit down."
Gale takes Madge's hand for the expected dance and then they return the items to Annie for her keepsakes.
Finally, it comes time to see the bride and groom off. Everyone lines up to throw bird seed over Finnick and Annie as they make their way to their car.
The happy couple drive off for their honeymoon, at a beach resort, as their friends and family cheer loudly in their wake.