Chapter 19

The Wedding

...

I can feel the rays of sun streaming through the bedroom window and onto my back. It feels warm and comfortable. I hear seagulls outside somewhere along with a soft voice in arms reach calling my name, asking for me to wake up. I don't bother to though. I don't want to wake up, I just wanted to lay here on peace with Peeta. Peeta... So instead of responding I bury myself further into my pillow and hope whoever it is goes away. They don't though, they keep talking to me, even shake my should lightly.

"Katniss, you have to get up." But I say otherwise, letting out a groan of protest as I roll over to Peeta's of the bed. Yet when I roll, I don't roll into Peeta as suspected, but onto a cold and empty mattress. Confused, I twist so I cover every part of the bed, making sure Peeta whether or not he's on the bed. He isn't. Not knowing what is going on, I begin to listen to the voice talking to me.

"Katniss you have to get up, we don't have time for this."

So forcing myself to open my eyes, I come face to face with Cinna. Cinna? What was he doing here? Why was he in Peeta and I's bedroom Wait, where was Peeta? If he wasn't in bed, then where was he? Was Cinna the reason he wasn't here?

And so confused and puzzled about what was going on in my surroundings, I ask in a rash, low tone, "Peeta? Where is he?"

At this Cinna as if he just saw the cutest thing in the world. "He's at Eric's," he says, "Marcus came a little while ago to get him. He also dropped me off here before taking Peeta back to the house to get ready which is what you're suppose to be doing."

Huh? Why did Marcus take Peeta? Why was Cinna here? What were they getting ready? What was happening? Baffled so much I swear I look to Cinna with wild eyes and crazed hair. Cinna smiles again at me.

"Katniss," he tells me, "You're getting married today, remember?" Oh shit.

...

Taking the flask from Haymitch's hand, I down it's substance. Scotch, not whiskey as I had hoped, but it helped. So with an empty flask and in panic I look to Haymitch for more. He was a semi-past drunk, there was no doubt some sort of liquor around.

"You need to calm down sweetheart."

I shoot him a glare, "I need to calm down, I am getting married in under fifteen some minutes."

He smiles, holding back a laugh as he walks over the counter where he opens one of the cabinet doors near the sink, pulling out two glasses and a unopened bottle of whiskey. Baffled, he laughs. "You can only beat a drunk at his own game for so long," he smiles, "And hiding booze in the storage area under your sink, a place I know you never use was the perfect place for my best bottle of whiskey... and some other booze over the last few years."

I can't help but smile at was Haymitch, snappy and smart. But then shaking my head knowing I shouldn't give him praise for his cleverness, I un-stack the cups and slide them across the table toward him. "Just pour me a drink."

And letting out a laugh, he does exactly that, pouring a drink for himself and one fore me. I down mine quickly and pour myself another in the time Haymitch drinks half of his. Its on my third drink that that door opens and Marcus pops his head in. "Hey you got two-" But he shuts himself off at the sight of me and the glass of whiskey in my hand.

"Are you getting drun-"

This time I cut him off with a glare that tells him he should shut him mouth before he goes any further as he has no right to speak at the moment. Thankfully he gets the message, nodding his head obediently and repeating, "Two minutes," before stepping out.

Finishing my drink, Haymitch does the same. Then coming over to where I stand, he links his arm with mine. And in a low tone I say, "Haymitch, I'm sacred."

He gives me a smile, "Me too."

But still feeling the butterflies fluttering around my stomach I can't help, but think this all might be one big mistake.

"No," I hear Haymitch say behind me as if he is answering my question, but I didn't say it aloud- shit, I said it aloud. "From what I see, you're not making a mistake sweetheart. You love that boy and that boy is head over heels for you." He then pauses for a moment before continuing. "And if he does pull any shit, I'll cut off his balls." Together letting out a laugh, we lean into one another as if we can't hold ourselves up. But soon enough our laughter dies and we both look to the door.

"Lets do this sweetheart."

So out the door, we walk along the small pathway made of stepping from which we venture off and make our way over the dunes. Then as we walked over the dunes, it is not the small group of friends and family members gathered that I first see or the surfboard I suppose Rye shoved in the ground behind Father Claudius that reads "It's Finally Happening." The first thing I see is Peeta. Peeta Mellark. Peeta dresses in the same black suit with white shirt and thin black tie he wore at his college graduation. Peeta smiling there like an idiot with his hands folded over one another. Peeta who's hair is ruffled and out of place as no doubt he has been running his hands through it. Peeta who I can't help, but smile at who is going to marry me. And as Haymitch and I walk down the sand path toward Peeta I can't help, but think Haymitch was right, I wasn't making a mistake.

Nevertheless as if doesn't take long enough, we finally make it to where Peeta stands. Haymitch unlinks his arm from mine, leaning forward to kiss my forehead. "Love you kid," he says in a small voice.

I smile back at him, "Love you too, Haymitch." Then offering my hand out to Peeta, he gratefully reaches out to take it.

But Haymitch does not release my hand from his so Peeta could take mine, not without pulling Peeta into a close handshake saying loud enough for only the three of us to hear, "You hurt her, I chop your balls off with a spoon."

Peeta swallows loudly and Haymitch smiles. Pleased, Haymitch hands me over to Peeta and turns, making his way to stand beside Effie. Then, its just the two of us, Peeta and I. Its just us standing there on our alter of sand and an unexpected surfboard placed behind Father Claudius. And with the two of us there, Father gives us a nod before beginning the ceremony.

Father only stops talking when it comes time for Peeta and I to recite our vows. So as Father motions to Peeta, he begins. "I fell for you the moment I laid eyes on you at the train station five years ago and since then I have been a goner. I love when you scrunch your forehead when you're confused or wrinkle your nose when you nibble at cheese buns or when you smile like the happiest person in the world when it is down pouring or when you blush when someone catches you singing in the kitchen. I can't elaborate anymore how much I love you with you rolling your eyes and calling me a hopeless romantic, but I love you. I vow to be your always."

Peeta lets out a breath along with myself who lets out a I didn't know I was holding. That was why I loved Peeta, he knew exactly what to say in order to take my breath away.

Now it being my turn, I feel the butterflies flap their wings as I open my mouth to speak. "It took me a while to realize I loved you. The way you smile to those dam cheese bun you make weren't what set me off. What caused me to come to my senses was that day five years ago when Finn drove up to the Seam in the pouring rain and over a few grill cheeses and a couple beers I came to realize that I loved you. That moment changed everything. And I don't know what to say, you are the one that's good with words... But I vow to stay, always."

Peeta smiles at me and I can't help, but smile back. And with our vows done, Father continues the ceremony. The exchange rings, simple silver bands with something engraved inside from one another. Then Father speaks to Peeta. "You may kiss the bride."

Peeta does just that, taking me by the waist, pulling me close and capturing my lips in his.

We're married.

...

Peeta and I are sitting on the back step of Haymitch's as the few guest that remain helping clean up somewhere inside. I have my knees pulled close to my chest and Peeta's arm is wrapped around my waist, keeping me close to his side. And for the last few hours I couldn't help, but fine myself smiling. I was married, I was married to Peeta Mellark. Continuing to smile, Peeta gives me a soft squeeze, surfacing me from my thoughts.

"Why does the inside of my ring say 'Bread Boy?'"

I smile thinking of how after weeks of thinking I thought "Bread Boy" would be the most appropriate thing to have engraved inside Peeta's ring. "'Cause," I smile, "You're my boy with the bread. Mister Baker. Mister I-make-the-best-cheese-buns-that-can-make-any-girl -swoon."

He laughs, nodding his head. "Thank you, I suppose."

"Welcome," I say as I rest my head against his chest looking down at my own band on my left ring finger. I haven't looked at it yet and I was kind of wondering what Peeta had written. Thus pulling the ring off my finger, I look to see what's engraved. Pearl.

"Pearl," I ask.

"Mh hmm," he says, "Pearl, the most beautiful gem in all the sea, just like you."

Unable to hold back a smile, I laugh, "You're so corny."

He proudly nods in his head in agreement, unwrapping his arm around from my waist and standing up. Then offering me his hand, he ask, "Dance with me?"

And unable to say no, I allow him to take my hand in his. Then with a firm grip, he pulls me off the deck. At this point, the music has stopped and no one remains expect for Haymitch and whoever else somewhere inside the house. So standing there in the sand, barefoot, my arms hooked around Peeta's neck and his around my waist, I recognize there is a small film of gray along the coast. And as we sway back and forth I can't help, but be happy. Everything was perfect. I was now married to Peeta Mellark, the boy I loved.

We didn't know what was going to happen, but we had one another. We loved one another and that was what mattered. Continuing to sway, I rest my head in the crook of his neck and he pulls me close.

"I wish I could freeze this moment forever."

"Me too."