Over the next 40 minutes or so we had to mingle with the Capitol residence, shake hands, receive unwanted hugs, and air kisses. Cinna finally pulled us away and toted us to our toasting area. He has already gathered all of our family and friends from District 12. No one from the Capitol was allowed. Cinna even stayed right outside the tent. Our bread was under a silver dish cover. And the bread was filled with raisins and nuts. The same bread Peeta gave me in the rain, and the same kind I ate this morning for breakfast. As me and Peeta kneeled before each other I caught sight of Gale. There were no cameras here so he didn't try terribly hard to hide his feelings of disgust. He knew after this, the toasting, it would be official. The actual wedding is just something for the Capitol's pleasure. In District 12 we don't consider it a marriage until the toasting. I'm wishing so hard in my mind that he doesn't try to cause a scene. Now that the curtain over our own private ceremony has been closed and secured shut we begin. I am quite surprised how easily I can kneel in my wedding dress. Peeta takes the bread from the silver tray and breaks it into 2 pieces, and hands me the one of the pieces. We take turns toasting our bread in the tiny fireplace Cinna had set up for us. Cautious of the bread still being hot we wrapped our left arm around the others. "Katniss I promise to love you and protect you for the rest of my life, no matter what we may face. You are now my bride," Peeta takes a bite of his bread. "Peeta I promise to love you and cherish you for the rest of my life, no matter what we may face. You are now my groom," I say as I take a bite of my bread. After I chewed and swallowed we shared a kiss, sweet and short. Like it was just meant to be more private. Our small collection of District 12 family applauded, as we signed the court papers. Except Gale, who just stared with a look of hate. When I see him like this I forget he is Peeta's best man. We don't have those in District 12 weddings but Cinna asked Peeta to pick one out. I remember he picked Gale for me, not because I asked but because he wanted my best friend involved in the wedding. We stood and hugged everyone once more. Cinna entered the toasting area again to fetch us.
"It's time for your first dance as man and wife!" I felt sudden anxiety at the idea of people watching me dance. The idea of all eyes on me almost cripples me. Caesar announces for people to clear the floor and bows in front of me, "May I have this dance?" He offered me his hand; I covered my mouth and giggled before taking it. He pulled me close to his chest as if he was determined to make this moment as private as possible. He took my right hand into his and put his right arm around my waist, and I rested my left arm on his. I let him lead me, because I know without him I would crumble. I rested my head on his chest as he began to twirl us. He leaned really close into my ear and whispered, "Katniss I love you." I smiled against his chest, "I love you too, Peeta." He shivered and let out a tiny sigh, "Mrs. Mellark you have no idea how long I've been waiting for you to say that." A small wave of sadness rolls through me, "Yes I do, Peeta," I pulled back to look into his eyes, "And I'm so sorry for making you wait." He leaned his forehead against mine and looked hard into my eyes. "But I plan on spending the rest of my life showing you how much I do love you everyday," I barely whisper to him. His eyes shimmered a little with unfilled tears. He smiled at me, and then leaned down to kiss me. Behind me I can hear the crowd moan out, "Awwww." He pulls away and brings my hand up to his lips. Peeta time the end of the music perfectly. Just as the song ends he dips me just like he did at the altar. Then he stands me back up and bows in front of me and kisses my hand once again. He is definitely a Capitol pleaser. Cinna may have coached him a little but who cares?
Suddenly Caesar invited all of the single men to the dance floor for the catching of the garter. I started blushing uncontrollably, realizing what was about to happen. Peeta wasn't blushing; the idea of him sticking his head up my skirt didn't faze him at all. A chair is brought out for me to sit in and I take a seat. Peeta rubs my knee through the dress as if to calm me down. I know he knows what I'm going through right now. Sheer panic of being so intimate in public. Peeta carefully lifted the delicate fabric and stuck his head under it keeping his hands above the dress, resting on either side of my outer thighs. He shifted his way up my legs under the dress. He finally reached the garter but before clinching it with his teeth he slowly and carefully kissed at my inner thigh. The pleasure from it made me jump, and fight to keep any emotion off my face. Which I was indeed covering with my hands. He pulled down the garter with his teeth, pulled it off over my shoe and stood with it still in his mouth triumphantly. The group of available men stood rather close to us. Peeta turned his back to them and threw it over his head. In the group of men you see hands fly up into the air. It's funny to see even our District 12 guests are participating, except Haymitch. Who is sitting at a table off to the left of the group. Drink in hand, very bluntly rolling his eyes at the spectacle. A tan hand fisted the garter in mid-air. The hand was scarred and calloused. I recognized that hand. The owner emerged from the crowd holding his prize. Caesar noticed that the cousin of the bride has caught it. The Capitol ladies giggle at this; they are all so smitten with him.
Women of the Capitol have been all over him since we arrived. The crowd applauded Gale loudly. "Ok Mrs. Mellark it's your turn!" Caesar announced loudly. He gestured to the stage where the band is located. Peeta leaves my side for a second to retrieve my bouquet from Cinna. When he returns to my side he hands it to me and takes my hand to lead me to the stage. He helps me walk up the side stairs carefully. I take my place on the stage and turn my back to Caesar. "Alright single ladies please make yourselves into a group for the catching of the bride's bouquet!"
Far more women piled up to catch my bouquet rather than my garter. I turn my back to the large group of women and throw it over my shoulder. I heard squeals, screaming, and giggles. I turn to see that I over directed my throw by a lot. It landed way back in the crowd directly in my mother's lap. I was a little a little embarrassed by my aim, but it made me smile to se my mother's face. I thought about the reason for this tradition. "The next to marry." My mother deserved happiness and love. "Alright! It looks like Mrs. Everdeen caught the bouquet! Let's give her some applause!" She blushed a deep cherry red. I walked over to the stairs and Peeta helped me back down. We kissed once more before Haymitch approached us. He held out his hand to me. "May I have this dance, sweetheart?" Peeta laughed loudly and passed my hand to Haymitch. We walked out to the floor and I learned quickly he wasn't nearly as smooth of a dancer as Peeta. We had very awkward positioning; only going back and forth. Right when the dance ended he said to me, "You know, sweetheart, happy looks good on you." Peeta was back by my side in an instant. After a few more minutes of dancing with my husband it was announced it was time for the cutting of the cake. We walked over to the table that held our cake. Peeta had decorated it beautifully. It was a simple design, with the orange outlining a little over the whole cake and the top sat a monogram with the letters; K M P.
Slowly we cut the one piece together and pulled it on to a plate. He breaks off my piece and slowly puts it in my mouth, and I break off his piece and do the same. But just as I'm pulling my finger out of his mouth he clamps down on it with his lips, and starts subtly sucking on it. My heart sank and my stomach churned. I had to remember to hide any sexual emotions I was feeling. Ok Mr. Mellark, two can play at this game. We shared a smile and kiss after the cake was swallowed. Peeta filled the two flasks with champagne and handed me one. We intertwined our arms, and sipped the champagne. I didn't particularly care for alcohol but one drink would be ok. We received cheers and applause from our guests. Peeta invited me to take a break with him at our lover's table.
He pulled out my chair for me then pushed it back in when I sat. He took the seat next to me. I could see so many questions running around behind his eyes that he couldn't ask out loud. He knew as well as I did that this place was bugged, and it wasn't the appropriate place to ask. I had an idea suddenly overwhelm me and make me blush. The action itself would answer some of Peeta's questions and some of his doubt. The table we were seated at had a tablecloth that settled at our feet. I started to wiggle around trying to loosen them and make them fall. I wiggled my panties to my mid-thigh, and then I subtly reached up my dress and pulled them off. My thoughts were correct, they were soaked. I laid them in my lap underneath the tablecloth. I reached for Peeta's right hand with my left to hold his hand under the table. I took my right hand and slid the warm, slick panties into his hand. His eyes instantly grew wider, and his muscles stiffened slightly. A blush started to creep up from his neck to his forehead, and he turned his head to look at me. He reached over with his left hand, clad with his new band, and cupped my face and gave me a crippling kiss. His kiss was hungry, feeling as if it would never be satisfied. I pulled away first and leaned into his ear. I whispered, "May the odds be ever in your favor…tonight." I could feel him smiling against my cheek, I smiled in return. "Well then. I'm just going to have to keep these," he says back to me. He moves back so he can see my face. He carefully studies my expression as he shoves the moistened panties into his pocket. I tried not to break my confident façade, but I could feel myself losing it inch by inch.
Before I could burn with embarrassment Peeta asked if I would like to dance again. I agreed as he took my hand and lead me on the dance floor. We stayed in our own little world for the next little while. Alternating between kissing, and holding each other close. Both of us floating on our own could 9. I could hear his heart beating against my ear on his chest. His breathing was constant, and relaxing. We could have stayed like this for hours, in fact we have. I was so lost in my own world with him I didn't know how much time passed. "Sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if maybe I could still a dance with the bride?" I knew the voice before I looked up. I pulled back to look at Peeta who was smiling radiantly at him. Of course Peeta didn't know about last what Gale did last night. He thought I was happy about seeing Gale did last night. He thought I was happy about seeing Gale so that made him happy in return. Peeta did respect Gale, but when I tell him I might have to get them to keep their distance for a while. "Of course! I'd be happy to share my bride!" I loved Peeta for being such a good man, but if only he knew how literal Gale was taking that he would have a change of heart. He handed me over to Gale, but not before giving me a loving kiss that marked his territory.
Gale and I started awkwardly dancing back and forth, the same way me and Haymitch did. I think in this situation it's slightly worse though. "I'm sorry about yesterday Catnip. I had been drinking, and I just got emotional. Which was wrong of me to do to you the night before your wedding." "Gale I'm not mad at you. You're my best friend. I should have told you when I knew for sure. No one knew though, not even me." "I am happy for you Catnip." He had a sad tone in his words. "Gale, thank you." I hugged my best friend. I hope my marriage doesn7't spoil anything with my friend. I love my husband; I love Gale too, though. Not the same loves of course, not even close in comparison. "Oh, but hey! Congratulations!" My statement caught him off guard, and he pulled back to look at me curiously. "You caught my garter. Capitol tradition says you'll be the next male to get married," I offered a weak smile. He tried too as well and it didn't work out. "So I'll see you back in District 12. Right Catnip?" I nodded, "Yes in just a few days. I don't know when exactly my honeymoon will be over, they haven't really told me anything about it, but as soon as its over I'll be back." "Ok, Catnip. See you then." He kissed my forehead and walked away.
Peeta was by my side within seconds. "Are you ok?" He looked at me worriedly. "Yes, I'm fine," I give him a smile. Cinna makes his way to me and Peeta. "Ok guys it's time." Cinna and Portia steal us away from the party to prepare for our departure. We are tugged into separate rooms and changed. Cinna pulled the barrette out of my hair, and replaces it with a more subtle pin instead. I am changed into a white dress that slightly flared at the bottom. It went down to my knees, and the top of the dress covered my entire chest. It was also sleeveless, with a tiny baby blue belt around my waist. I was changed into baby blue flats as well. Cinna touched up my makeup slightly, and then hugged me before we left the room. In the hall Peeta was already waiting for me. His hair was free from his formal style. The curls were now covering his forehead. He had been changed into black khakis and a baby blue shirt that accented his eyes amazingly. His shirt was unbuttoned 1 or 2 buttons too.
He offered me his hand the moment I leave the room. I take a tight grasp on it. Suddenly I realized Peeta still had my panties…and that Cinna saw me without them. Which the nudity didn't bother me but the fact that I'm sure he's wondering where they went is. I looked at him, and could feel the smirk rolling of his face. We didn't exchange a word to each other the entire time he was straightening me up. I was so dazed out by Peeta I didn't even pay it much attention. They led up back down to the door we first made our exit from. The director was waiting for us there, I guess to give us our cue. Cinna and Portia said a farewell to us, and went to stand with the guests. Outside you can hear Caesar announce our departure. A few more minutes pass, and he continues, "Here they come. The star-crossed lovers of District 12, Mr. and Mrs. Peeta Mellark!" The doors open for us once again, there's a line formed in front of a black limousine. We swiftly make our way down the line, where our friends and family wait for us. We walk down the formed aisle as rice is thrown above our heads. I need to ask Cinna about this later. At the end we hug all of our family and friends. My mother and Prim hold me and cry tears of joy. Peeta hugs his less affectionate family. We climb into the limousine together and wave goodbye as we pull away. I notice our luggage in the cab. We sit seated beside each, and he stretches and places his arm around me. I snuggle up to him and lay my head in the crook of his shoulder. He turns his head and kisses my forehead. "Do you love me?" I close my eyes and smile, "Always."