Hey guys—I wanted to get this chapter out quickly because a ton of you were begging for an update! Enjoy!
Katniss' POV
Gale's whispered proposal leaves me speechless, gazing with wonder into his eyes. They are dancing, excited, and a bit apprehensive. I open my mouth, once, then twice, entirely unable to answer him. My mind flashes back to the huge house in District Twelve and the palpable loneliness that managed to invade every crevice of that place. I haven't been lonely once since Gale came back—not one time, and, contrary to my usually solitary nature, it's been quite comforting. More importantly, though, I realize that he is the one that I want—no, need—to spend my life with. He can calm me and inflame me all at the same time. His voice and his arms are home to me, a home I never imagined could be mine. It frustrates me to no end to admit that I actually need someone, but Gale is the one.
Lowering my head and breathing deeply, I nod and give a whispered yes. He chokes and whoops as he clutches me tighter in his arm. I hold on to his shoulders to anchor me, knowing that, in this moment, my life will change forever. He removes his arm from my waist, tips my head up, and kisses me soulfully, our tongues meeting to make promises that we'll soon say with words. He's never kissed me like this before, and he makes me feel like his life depended on my answer. I briefly open my eyes and focus on the sweet smattering of freckles that ever so lightly dapple his nose. Breaking away for air, I search his eyes and see nothing but love and deep admiration there. I feel myself blushing, very uncharacteristically, but his stare makes me feel naked before him. Not just nude, but laid bare to my soul.
"Catnip, I'm going to make you so happy. You have no idea, baby. We were meant for this." When he murmurs those words to me, I know instinctively that he is right. From the first time we met, we were destined to be partners in all ways. I give him a small smile and stroke the back of his neck encouragingly.
Our nurse chooses this moment to bustle into the room, and quite frankly, I'm relieved at the intrusion. It gives me a moment to gather my thoughts and breathe. I listen halfheartedly to her as she explains care-taking instructions to Gale and myself, hands him his papers, and gives him an awkward hug. Wishing both of us well, she shuffles us out the door and into the brightly lit hallway. I grab Gale's small bag of essentials and he takes my hand, giving it a quick squeeze. Six days ago, we weren't even speaking, and now we walk into the sunlight, engaged to be married. The transition is heady and intimidating.
"Why don't we walk back to Annie's?" I suggest. "I know that you've been dying to get outside and a bit of a walk could do us both some good. We've been camped in that hospital room for so long." Gale looks down at me and smiles in approval. We walk through town hand in hand, making small conversation.
"We should cook for Annie tonight," Gale says, as we pass through a market contain delicious fruits and vegetables. There's one strange looking fruit with green fronds sticking out of the top of it that fascinates both of us. The vendor cuts one open, revealing juicy yellow flesh on the inside. "Pineapple—native to tropical regions." He says as he hands us each a round. We bite in at the same time and moan simultaneously. The tangy, citrusy juice explodes in my mouth. I've never had anything this delicious before in my life. From how quickly Gale is devouring his round, I can tell that it's had the same effect on him. He grins at me in delight, and for a moment, he looks just like the boy from the forest, happy and content. The juice is running down his chin and I rise onto my toes to lick it off.
I hear his small gasp and his eyes widen at my brazen gesture. Something about almost losing the man you love makes you unafraid to lavish a bit of affection on them. My awkwardness around him has all but evaporated and I am relishing our newfound ease with each other.
"Katniss, I think we need to buy this fruit, some stuff for dinner, and then get you home. As I recall, we started something a couple of days ago that we have yet to finish." He speaks lowly into my ear. My heart beats a bit faster in the anticipation of what's to come. I look up into his twinkling eyes, suddenly unable to focus on anything else, when a shrill beeping comes from the bottom of Gale's bag.
"Ugh, my communicuff," he groans, rolling his eyes. "Can't they leave me alone for two seconds? I've just gotten out of the hospital from their last mission, for chrissake!" I open the bag and he sifts through until he finds the small leather cuff that connects him to Command.
"What?" he growls into the speaker.
"Sergeant Hawthorne, you and Soldier Everdeen are requested to appear at Command Center One immediately." The metallic voice says. "Commander Blaze expects no excuses." I stifle a giggle. Blaze knows both Gale and I fairly well. Gale does not look pleased at all. His face, the picture of joy just moments ago, has clouded over angrily.
"Let's get this over with, Katniss. I can't wait to hear what ridiculous scheme they've cooked up for us now. I'm going to tell them they can shove it up their ass. I'm not doing another thing until…." Gale continues muttering to himself as we wind our way back to the main street. It's only a short walk to Command from the market, thankfully, so Gale doesn't have time to get too fired up.
Boarding the same elevator we rode only days ago, we climb silently up to Blaze's floor. Gale, who has yet to let go of my hand, drags me out of the elevator behind him and stalks down the hall, releasing me only to bang on Blaze's door.
"Come in, come in, for heaven's sake!" Blaze rises from his desk as we—well, Gale—storms into his office. I shut the door softly behind us and take a seat by the desk. Gale, on the other hand, seems to prefer pacing back and forth in the office like a caged animal. I grab his arm, hoping to settle him. To my relief, it works. He sits agitatedly, and Blaze returns to his seat as well.
Clearing his throat, Blaze begins. "First, I want to thank you both for what you did out there a few days ago. You managed to clear a record number of mines, and it was never my intention for any of you to get hurt. I sincerely thought that I had assigned streets that presented few problems. It was simply meant to be a training exercise for new soldiers, nothing more. I can't apologize enough for what occurred, Sergeant Hawthorne." His eyes look so terribly stressed and sad. I feel Gale soften beside me. He knows that the accident was just that—not some evil design of Blaze's.
"I asked you both to come here because I've been presented with an interesting idea and I want you two to partake. Mostly because of your military experience, but also because I know both of you to be good, honest people. There is a need in each district for leadership. We've gotten along fine with satellite leadership so far, but as the districts rebuild, there is a growing void that must be filled. Each district is in need of a governor. Hawthorne, I believe you're the man for the job, but only if you work closely with Soldier Everdeen. You may choose which District you desire. Both of you are highly respected by the citizens throughout the Districts, and I know that you'll do a fine job. Incidentally, accepting this assignment will ensure that neither of you are ever placed in active duty again. "
Governor? My mind is spinning. Of course, Gale would do a wonderful job and would be an obvious choice. And I would be right by his side, helping him. As his wife, and partner. The thought actually thrills me and I am secretly a bit relieved. To be honest, I never actually thought of myself as "wife" material.
Gale looks dubiously at me, trying to gauge my reaction before he gives an answer, so I nod slightly and squeeze his hand. He smiles and turns back to Blaze.
"Katniss and I will make excellent partners in this endeavor. Incidentally, this morning she also agreed to be my wife, so it seems we will be joined in many different ventures." He waits for Blaze's reaction and is not disappointed. The usually stone-faced military man breaks into a glorious smile and comes around the desk to pump Gale's usuable hand enthusiastically. He beams at me as well and gathers me into a fatherly hug.
"Congratulations to both of you! This is most fortuitous news! Nothing could bring me more pleasure than to send you into your new lives with a good job and the promise of a quiet life, then!" I feel a surge of affection for the old General. He may be gruff, but he has his moments.
We leave Command shortly thereafter with orders to return to District Twelve the following day and contact Blaze by the end of the week with our choice of districts, relief and joy palpable between the two of us.
"This is our chance, Katniss. We can finally have a comfortable life for ourselves. And our kids," Gale says, squeezing my hand.
The smile on my face slides off and I blanche. "Kids?" I question.
"Oh yes, baby. In fact, I think we should probably go home and get a head start on those, don't you think?" I swallow hard and turn up to meet his eyes. For the second time today, he actually looks like the 19 year old boy I know and love. My apprehension turns to butterflies of an entirely different kind and we hustle a bit faster, both anxious to make it Annie's.