Hey! Here is chapter 22 like I promised! I'm really sorry it's so late! So start reading!
Katniss's POV:
I release my arrow in sync with Peeta's knife thrown at Coin. I close my eyes and I hear the sound of two bodies plummet towards the ground. I feel Peeta's arms around me and I cry into his shoulder. Snow has done so much to us and now Peeta and I can be together because he is dead and so is Coin. I wait a few minutes and I hear two cannons. Just like the ones in the Hunger Games. Beetee was able to hack into the Capitol and steal the sound of the cannon. I haven't talked to Beetee in a while. I guess I have been so busy lately. Haymitch and Finnick thought it would be a great idea if we used the cannons in the execution. Once I hear them, the whole room applauds and stands up. Snow is dead. Coin is dead. The Hunger Games are over. The war is over.
Peeta places a kiss in my lips and then break apart and to put on a smile for the show. We wait until everyone is back in their seat and Haymitch comes back on stage and makes an announcement but I don't ever listen to them. Peeta and I walk off stage and join Finnick, Johanna, and Gale.
Gale. The last time I saw him was in the hospital one day. Peeta went to get me some food and I was left alone. Gale ran into my room, looking rushed.
Flashback:
"Katniss, I'm sorry I haven't visited you lately but you have to understand that I can't talk to you when Peeta's around. I'm sorry."
What could he have done that would be so bad?
"Why?" I ask
"Because… because I did something unforgivable to Peeta and…" Gale starts but rushes out of the room before he can finish the sentence. A few seconds later, Peeta walks in. I can tell from the expression on his face, that he does not know that Gale was just here. And I'm going to keep it that way.
That was the last time I talked to Gale. He never told me what he did but I intend to find out. Tonight. I will ask Peeta what happened. And he will tell me… that is if he knows what Gale did.
I noticed how Peeta stands as far away from Gale as possible. He knows what he did. Why isn't he telling me? I push the thought out of my mind Peeta wraps his arm around me and I rest my head on his shoulder.
"Nice shot, Katniss! You too Peeta!" Finnick exclaims. I give him a smile.
"Thanks." I reply
"I knew you wouldn't miss." Johanna tells me. I'm glad I didn't. That would be an embarrassment and I only had one arrow.
When everyone clears out of the room, Snow and Coin's bodies are taken away. Haymitch told me that they are going to be burned down to the ashes. As we walk out of the room, I see the camera crew packing up. I didn't realize that they were recording this whole thing… Then again, why wouldn't they. They will send this tape to all the districts and the Capitol. To prove that the war is over.
Haymitch, Johanna, Finnick, Annie, Peeta, and I all go down to the cafeteria for dessert to celebrate. Gale said that he had to do something but I know that he's just getting away from Peeta and me.
We have some lunch and we talk about who should be the next president. This is a really long conversation because even when we're done eating, we are still debating. Peeta and I say our good byes and we go back to his room, which has basically become our room.
We sit down on the bed and we don't say anything for a while. I wait before asking Peeta about Gale. When I finally feel that the moment is right, I take a breath.
"Peeta, what did Gale do that was unforgivable to you?" I ask. There is a long silence so I look him in the eyes and I can tell that he is thinking of a way to tell me. He won't lie to me, I know that. After what seems to be hours, he answers.
"He still loves you, Katniss." He replies. That is what I was afraid of. Gale still loving me. The only word I can make out is "Oh." When he doesn't answer, I decide to reassure him. I love him. Gale is my friend. Gale is a fighter. I can fight for myself but I need a dandelion in a spring. Peeta.
"I love you Peeta." I whisper into his ear. I feel his lips press against mine and I run my hand through his hair.
"I love you, Katniss." Peeta says through breaks of air.
Peeta embraces me with his arms and I allow him to bring me closer. We haven't been able to do this in a while. We stay like this for a long time, taking in the passion of love, the bond between us. We finally break apart and Peeta gets off the bed and kneels down on one knee.
"Katniss Everdeen, will you marry me again?" He asks and I smile. I was hoping that we would do the wedding over again since Snow and Coin ruined the last.
"Of course Peeta! Yes!" I answer excitingly. He gets up and we embrace each other once more.
Peeta and I spend the rest of the afternoon preparing for the wedding. We decide that it will be tomorrow morning, still in the garden. Luckily, the chairs are still there so that's one thing we don't have to worry about. I go 'shopping' with my mother and Prim for a new wedding dress since the dress that I wore the first time is still in the Capitol. The shop is really small and it doesn't have many selections but I find a dress that I like. We also decide that we will not invite Gale and we will make Finnick the best man. We invite everyone one we know and luckily, the cake was put in the freezer so it is still good!
When the day's over, everything we need for the wedding is taken care of. I sleep soundlessly in Peeta's arms. No nightmares.
The next morning goes by a blur and I am already in my dress and the wedding is about to start. Johanna and Finnick walk down the aisle, followed by Prim, and then me. Peeta is grinning from ear to ear as I meet him at the altar in the garden.
We say our vows and we skip over the section when the preacher asks if anyone objects to this marriage. Peeta and I say 'I do' and then I hear the words that I have been waiting for.
"I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Good news! There's going to be a chapter 23! And again, I'm really sorry for not updateing in a while! I had a ton of school work and a huge research project... yuck! But exams are coming soon so I may not update everyday. Please review and tell me what you think of the chapter!