Thank you for your patience! Here is the moment we've all been waiting for: THE WEDDING! Read and review! :3
oOo
"Katniss, it's time to get up!" A voice and a hand shaking my arm woke me up the next morning.
I groaned. My entire body was asleep from lying on the floor the entire night, and I didn't even get any sleep. It was a total rip-off, not sleeping during a sleepover. Of course, it was only some of the girls on the guest list the spent the night, but—
The guest list? The wedding.
My heart immediately quickened its pace. Today's the wedding. Today I'm marrying Peeta. Today, my life changes. It's happened so fast…
"Katniss, dear, you have to get up." My mother patted my cheek gently, and put her arm around my shoulders, lifting me up slightly. "Come on, hon. The sooner you get up the better."
I swallowed past the dry, anxious lump in my throat. "What time is it?"
"Seven in the morning."
Sighing, I sat up all the way and looked around, blinking through the blur of sleep left over on my eyes. Everyone except Prim was here in the living room, watching me arouse. Annie was sitting on the arm of the couch, brown hair pulled away from her face into a ponytail. She was smiling lightly. Caroline was sitting relatively close to Annie on the couch, thin arms wrapped around her small daughter, who sat in her lap.
Ivy giggled, exposing tiny white teeth. "Get up, sleepyhead." Except her juvenile speech made her pronounce it "sweepyhead".
I could help but smile slightly, and I opened my arms. Ivy and I had known each other for about a month, and during that time we had both grown fond of one another. No one thought it odd that Ivy hopped out of her mothers' arms and into mine.
"We get to wear the dresses! We get to wear the dresses!" She squealed, bouncing up and down in my lap, sending red curls of her hair bouncing with her.
I responded with a playful grin and poked her in the stomach. Ivy screeched with pleasure and leaped off me to go hide in Caroline's chest. She was laughing.
"Well, Primrose is getting your bath ready, Katniss, so we should be starting our day." Mother helped me get up, and once we were both standing (me about an inch or two taller than her), she began primping me. She brushed nonexistent dirt off the shoulder of my nightdress, adjusting the two braids I had put my hair back in. It was all pointless, really, because in just a few minutes I'd be taking off and undoing it all anyways.
Mother drew her hands back and beamed at me, pale blue eyes watering ever so slightly. "Today's the day, then, isn't it?" She said, taking a deep breath.
I avoided her gaze and nodded. There was no way she was more nervous than me; I could feel my heart galloping straight through the thin material of my gown, raging with the anticipation of this afternoon.
"You've never made me more proud." My mother looked like she was about to burst into a fit of tears, and I could see the other girls exiting the room quietly, leaving me to have a moment with my parent. Mother cupped my face with her small, wrinkled hands. "Not during the Games, nor the Quell. Not even when you killed Snow. Of course, all of those made me proud, but this…." She reached up a hand to wipe a stray tear from her cheek, and then brought it back to my face. "Seeing you happy is all I've ever wanted. And Peeta makes you happier than anything ever has. You've grown up so fast…"
She hastily pulled back her hands and took a sharp breath, wiping the motherly sadness from her face. "Never mind, that. We have work to do. Annie, Caroline, its okay for you three to come back in."
Strategically, at the same time Caroline, Ivy, and Annie came in, Primrose also appeared at the bathroom door.
"Your bath is ready, Katniss," Prim said to me with her usual dimpled grin, and then she turned to our mother. "The hair cream is under the sink, Mother. I finished it and put it there."
Hair cream?
"Thank you, Prim." And what I was dreading came sooner than I'd thought. "Let's go, Katniss."
I shuffled uncertainly with Mother to the bathroom, and, glancing behind me, I saw that Annie was following. But Caroline frowned, glancing down at her little daughter.
"Would she be alright staying in the living room, Caroline?" Mother noticed me looking.
Ivy started to whine. "Mama, I want to go with you."
Caroline looked helplessly from her daughter, up to my mother.
"I'll lend her some paper to draw on," I offered, and they accepted. So after taking a quick trip upstairs to grab a piece of paper and a pencil, I gave them both to Ivy, who looked extremely pleased with herself. She sat down right there on the floor and proceeded with drawing large, lopsided circles on the paper.
"Well, come on then, Katniss." Mother put a hand to my back and guided me into the bathroom.
I had been stripped and polished so many times before, I barely felt even slightly uncomfortable, knowing what I was brought in the bathroom to do. I tugged the nightdress over my head and stepped into the freshly made bath. Foamy white bubbles rose to the top and floated around nonchalantly as I stretched out in the warm water. Caroline, now unoccupied with her daughter, grabbed the bottle of mysterious 'hair cream' from under the sink and the dreaded process began.
Mother was lathering up flowery-smelling shampoo in my hair, working it all the way from the roots to the tips. Annie was in charge of my hands, sitting on the edge of the tub clipping and cleaning my fingernails, rubbing thick lotion into my hands almost violently. Primrose had disappeared to go get my dress and everything, so it could be ready when I got out. Caroline, who wasn't much of a talker, stayed quiet the whole way through, helping out by handing Annie and Mother anything they needed, while occasionally darting out to check on Ivy.
"We need her to still look like herself," Mother was either talking to herself or to Annie, but either way, they both nodded.
"Except still be more beautiful than normal." Annie spoke in her soft voice as usual, carefully working in the lotion with slim fingers. "To impress Peeta."
Both her and Mother smiled a bit at that moment, soft and small but lovely.
"Shaving and waxing is overdoing things just a little bit," Mother, with one hand supporting the back of my neck, used a large cup to pour water over my hair, rinsing it. "But the legs, possibly."
Annie nodded. "And underarms. Since the dress is a sleeveless."
They both nodded in unison, agreeing.
"How do you think the hair should be?" Mother had gotten done rinsing by then, but had just squirted a whole handful of the mysterious hair cream in her hand and now was working it into my roots. "Perhaps up in a bun? With strands framing her face?"
"Or in a braid down the back, so she's still recognizable."
I found it funny that they acted as though I wasn't fifteen inches from them, listening to every word they say.
"How about just down her back?" Caroline had come in from checking on Ivy, and she was holding a pair of cloth gloves. I silently prayed that they were for holding in the lotion and not for wearing at the wedding.
"Oh!" Mother nodded her head vigorously, liking the idea. "Perfect. A happy medium." She took a clean towel from the back of the toilet and wrapped it around my head. I noted that she hadn't rinsed the hair cream out. "Could you get her legs, Annie?"
Caroline and Mother chatted about my hair and makeup (which they agreed none, thank goodness), and Annie got out a packet of razors. I had to admit I was a tiny bit frightened of getting cut, but the careful fingers of Annie did not slip of hurt me in any way as all the soft down from my legs was shaved off. And finally, she tossed the last raiser (my third) into the trashcan and rinsed my legs with a less harsh lotion.
"The legs are done," She announced hesitantly, almost as if unsure to interrupt Caroline and Mother's conversation.
They were immediately brought out of whatever they were talking about, and work was once again under foot.
The cloth gloves were slipped onto my hands, and then gripped by Caroline. "Come on, Katniss."
I was hoisted out of the bathtub, and immediately wrapped in a thick towel. My head felt heavy from the towel and all that cream, and my hands felt slimy from the lotion being held in by the gloves.
Annie, Mother, and Prim (who had come back from her errand to the closet) toweled me off, and then hustled away to prepare everything in the living room. I then had a chance to look at myself in the mirror.
Thankfully, I was still Katniss Everdeen. I had an oval face, not-quite-full lips that were pink in the sense of no lipstick, dark grey eyes that were framed by no carefully done eyeliner or shadow. I had a freckle right under my lower lip and a very faint scar on my forehead from my days back in District 13. I looked frightened. Yep, that's Katniss Everdeen, alright.
Back before, in the Games, all of the dresses and outfits were so gossamer and exact, I wasn't allowed to wear anything under then. But I was completely relieved to be allowed (this time) to have something under my wedding dress. While the others were still in the living room, I pulled on a brassier and some underwear. Both scratched a bit, but oh well.
I could hear Caroline say quietly in the living room, "I'll take Ivy into the kitchen for a snack while you dress Katniss."
Mother agreed, and just two seconds later, she appeared at my side. "Well, come on, Katniss. No need to wait any longer." She looked almost as nervous as I felt. "Come on, dear."
Led by my mother's hand, I went into the living room self-consciously, but there wasn't anything to be afraid of, I told myself. Nothing at all. Routine told me what to do, and I lifted my arms. Soft, light material complied with my body, and slid down to rest on my shoulders. The place where a bit of material had bunched at my hips was released, and I smoothed my hands down the front of my wedding gown. It was light and simple, pearly white in color and just the right fit. From the back, I felt Mother gently tugging at the laces, tightening it just so I could breathe, but it held everything in and made me feel incredibly feminine. But I had no time to gawk over it; the towel had been tugged away from my head and now being combed out, but gently, so as not to get any hair on the gown.
Apparently, the hair cream stuff had been a type of conditioner, because it took only a minute or two to detangle it and I felt the oddest sensation. It was almost as if the hair itself was weightless, but I felt it brushing my bare shoulder. It felt cold, but not the wet kind of cold. The kind of fresh, clean, soft cold. It was completely dry, to my surprise.
While Annie got to work smoothing it down to position, I felt the slight scratch of material slide over my hands and wrap around my wrists. I looked down at where Primrose was buttoning up beautiful lace cuffs. They were so delicate, and went from halfway up to my elbow, down to my wrist, and ending in an elegant point on the back of my hands.
I was thankful we agreed beforehand that I was going to go barefoot, because if I had any types of heels on, I'd probably fall over on my face. This was actually happening. I told myself, fighting down nervous hysteria. I was actually getting married. This graceful white dress and these long lace cuffs were not just for show. Today is the day.
As Prim brought my hand back down to my side after putting on the last cuff, I felt it shaking. In fact, I was shaking all over. My legs were trembling, my shoulders were trembling, my hands were trembling, and my lips were trembling.
By then my hair was all smoothed out and perfect, and they all backed away to view me. Even Caroline had come back into the living room with Ivy, and they stood in front of me. And, one by one, I saw each of their jaws drop in awe. I shook even more.
Ivy was making a high pitched noise, like a quiet scream of ecstasy muffled by her fists that were jammed into her mouth. Tears appeared in Mother's eyes, and she didn't even reach to wipe them away from her cheeks. Annie was gazing at me in what seemed like a mixture of both pride and envy, and probably some awe jumbled in. Primrose was just looking happier than I had ever seen her, eyes shining bright and her hand over her mouth.
I looked down at the floor and felt myself blush under the gaze of them all. The silence was almost crushing, and I had to break it somehow. Lifting my head back up, I glanced at Mother. "When is Haymitch coming?"
Mother was forced to tear her eyes from her eldest daughter to look at the clock across the room. "Twenty minutes. We made it just on time." She stepped forwards just one step to touch her hand to my cheek. "You look so beautiful." We all allowed her a few seconds to be proud at me, and then she took a breath and shook her head. "Now it's time for the rest of us to get dressed."
The bridesmaid's dresses were hung up in the closet at the end of the hall, and Caroline went to get them. Ivy was still busy gawking.
In about forty-five seconds, Caroline came back with three identical dresses hanging on her arms. One was passed to Annie, who held it out as if it was going to shatter soon. Primrose took hers and brushed her hands over it in wonder. They went to go change in the two bathrooms on the first floor, and Caroline knelt down to help her little daughter into hers.
Ivy was cooperative, standing as still as possible as her mother took off her tiny corduroy dress and pulled the new one over her head. The bow was tied in the back and Ivy squealed happily, hugging the material to her chest. "I'm a princess!"
I let out a light laugh.
Soon after, Primrose and Annie came back from the bathrooms they were changing in and all three bridesmaids stood side-by-side, holding their chins high.
The dresses were dark green, with light frills down the neckline and exposing their arms. There was a seam making a diamond at the waist, and the material flared out, pleated, and all of them ended a little above the knees. It looked beautiful on each of them; it made Annie's hair look even darker and her eyes stand out, it made Prim's complexion fairer and her hair even more golden, and it just amplified every ounce of loveliness on Ivy, from her flaming red hair to her celery-green eyes. She was the only one not standing still.
"You all look beautiful." I said honestly, and reached out to pull Prim into a hug, catching Ivy's and Annie's shoulders too. I hugged them as tightly as my dress would allow, and then I drew back.
"Nothing compared to you, Katniss." Prim's exquisite face was streaked with see-through tears. "Peeta's so lucky."
I swallowed down my own sentiment and shook my head. "I should be saying the same about him. I don't even—"
A brisk knock on the door stopped me mid-sentence. We all glanced over as it opened, and Haymitch walked in. He was dashing and more sober than I've ever seen him, in a pair of black slacks and a dress jacket, hair actually washed for once in his life. He straightened his back and surveyed the living room before him.
Prim, Annie, Mother, and Caroline stepped backwards, which pretty much forced me to turn the rest of the way around, facing my old mentor straight-on. He studied me hard, from my bare feet to the smooth due of my hair. After pausing for a second, he said in a gruff voice, "Well, aren't you something."
I swallowed and tried to smile past my nervous tears. "You look nice, too, Haymitch."
He scoffed and waved this aside. "Never mind that. Everything is in order."
Mother tilted her head up. "Is everyone here already?"
Haymitch nodded. "The whole town. Channe's is ready out back, and Peeta's waiting."
My mouth fell open and my knees started to quiver. "They're ready now?"
He looked me square in the eye. "As soon as you are."
But Prim stepped forwards and put her hand on my arm. I'd thought she would save me from having to go out so early (I was about ready to pass out), but she didn't. "One more thing, Katniss."
She left the living room, but returned just a minute later with something in her hands. It was a chain of freshly picked daisies, looped into a head wreath. I bent down and let her put it on me. No bouquets this year, I thought. Just a wreath of daisies and legs of jelly.
Prim kissed me on the cheek. "Good luck, Katniss." She smiled once, and began walking towards the back door. Annie did the same, then Caroline with Ivy, and last but not least, Mother. She wiped the tears from her face and patted my cheek one last time, then left.
I wanted to whimper and reach out for her, begging her not to leave me, but I knew everyone else had to go join the crowd. It was just me and Haymitch left. There was a moment of silence between us. Then,
"You ready, sweetheart?" Haymitch asked, swallowing visibly. Though his voice was as crotchety as ever, there was no masking his nervousness.
I shook my head.
"Nonsense. Now…" He spun me facing him and put his finger under my chin. "Head high," He straightened my shoulder. "Shoulders back," With one last deep breath, he took one of my hands and put it in his own, both our elbows bent. "You're as ready as you'll ever be. Just remember,"
I looked up at him, either about to screech in excitement or vomit. My chin was trembling.
"Smile." And then Haymitch did something that completely caught me off guard. He bent over and kissed me on the top of my head. "Now come on, kiddo. Everyone's waiting."
I wasn't ready for what was about to happen. All I knew was that I was standing in front of the door, my fingers curled into a death grip on Haymitch's, preparing to step out onto the front porch and see. The whole town, a few thousand people, was out there waiting for me to come out. And when I did, they might clap. They might holler and hoot my name. They might scream and try to grab my hands. But all I could do was hold my chin high as Haymitch opened the door and led me out. I stared out at the scene before me.
Six thousand people stared back.
Children and adults were packed together like sardines, filling the separate lot of victor's houses completely, and could be visible way beyond the large houses. It felt like the reaping all over again, watching this many faces turn towards the front, towards their last hope. Tears gleamed in many of their eyes, and I waited for them to do something. Anything. But nothing happened.
For what seemed like weeks I stood there, watching and listening as thousands of heartbeat thrummed, and a thousand lungs filled and emptied; no one blinked. No one moved. No one even made a sound as they watched the Mockingjay watch them back. You could have heard a pin drop in the entire town, but no one dared drop anything. Their eyes were all trained on me.
Haymitch cleared his throat, so quiet I barely even heard it. He squeezed my hand once, and then we started down the porch steps.
As I was reassured before hand, the routine was this: Haymitch and I would appear on the porch and wait a few minutes for "the full effect of me" to soak in. Then we would walk down and turn left to head towards the back of the house. Except there's a line of specially chosen people to be making a line between me and the "aisle". They were there to make sure everyone stayed away from me and to let us get our bearings before they stepped aside and our decent down the aisle began.
We did exactly that.
My grip on Haymitch was deadly (and probably painful), but he didn't seem to mind that much as we made our way slowly through the space cleared by the people. There was a good two feet or so on either of our sides, and no one reached out to grasp my hand or touch my face. Originally I would have been thankful for that, but the only thing I could feel and hear in my head was static. Nervousness clung to my hands and back of my neck in the form of sweat, and the blood pounding in my ears was almost deafening.
As expected, the line of people was waiting there perpendicular to the so-called aisle. Haymitch stopped in front of them, allowing us both some time to swallow our nerves down. All four of the people—or I guess you could call them guards—were in their best clothing, and were chosen out of random. They weren't actual official guards; Mother just thought it would make things a little easier planning it this way since the curving of our path to the back of the house was a little awkward.
A second more passed, and then Haymitch nodded his head to the four people. They nodded back and parted.
I felt like passing out. Our backyard was completely full of flowers of every shape and color, hanging from the wall, potted on the ground, growing out of patches of rich black soil that weren't there yesterday. They blossomed and bloomed around one another, making the most of their designated space by glowing as bright as the sun. It looked as though I had just walked from a black-and-white film into a colored. My eyes burned. The town seemed to have leaked into the yard as well, pressing close to one another, trying to make the aisle as wide as possible. I noticed that every single one of them had their head turned to look back at me.
At the end of the aisle was an ornate wooden plinth, which was decorated with its own pretty flowers. Since weddings normally didn't happen here in District 12, no priests were in charge of the ceremony. Behind that plinth was our new mayor, Mayor Gray Channe. He's a neat-looking old fellow, with bushy white eyebrows and a distinct lack of hair on the top of his head. Mayor Channe looked ancient and traditional, not to mention the kind of geezer that would pucker his dentures at anyone who stepped foot on his lawn. But when I looked into his grey Seam eyes, he smiled kindly, and I immediately respected him.
From the crowd, I could see people I knew. There was Caroline, in her grey dress. She was smiling at me, eyes crinkling up kindly. There was Finnick holding Jace, and they were both absolutely adorable in matching white suits. There were people I knew back before the Games, people I only saw around. People from the Seam who I may have played with at one point earlier on in my life. But they all had one thing in common; their heads were turned back and all of their eyes were on me. It felt as though the weight of the world was pressing on my shoulders, but it was the kind of weight that made you feel powerful, like you could change the world. Maybe I had.
For a moment I just stared at them with pride, my town. From next to Caroline I saw Mother. She was already crying. I gave her the tiniest of nervous smiles, but from where my eyes traveled to next, there wasn't any stopping the strangled noise from clogging my throat.
In front and slightly to the right of the plinth was Peeta. He was wearing a smart grey suit, which was buttoned halfway up, exposing a white dress shirt. There was no tie or bow around his neck. Instead, the collar was open slightly in a casual way. His hair was trimmed neatly (as it needed to be done for quite some time) to his ears, and no longer hung in his eyes, which were flitting around impatiently. He was fiddling with his hands and shifting nervously from foot to foot. I was relieved he was as nervous as I was.
All of this was absorbed within the four seconds Haymitch paused at the beginning of the aisle. It was enough to get everyones attention (except Peeta's, who seemed too nervous to notice everyone glancing my way). But from somewhere in the crowd a speaker was tapped into function, and someone began singing the District 12 wedding song. I hadn't heard it since years ago, and this time, it was only being sung by one person, young by the sound of it. And the heartrending notes of the girl seemed to bring Peeta to his senses.
His head snapped up and he immediately stared down the stretch of green grass towards where Haymitch was beginning to walk me. Our eyes met with a certain locked frenzy.
Peeta smiled.
I squeaked.
He looked so handsome and perfect standing there; he seemed just as nervous as I was, grinning at me as if there was no one else. My throat stopped working and I swallowed hard to try to get it back up, to no avail.
The soft grass molded to my feet as the music began its ascending tone, sweeping over the motionless heads of the townspeople, swelling with every step I took. It was like a summer wind, brushing back my loose hair and filling me with this sweet, unexplainable scent. I took a split-second to glance at my hand, which was turning Haymitch's white. I'd have to apologize to him later.
We walked slowly, and I did as he told me; held my head high and put my shoulders back. Never mind the rising nervous hysteria or the tears pricking my eyes or the uncontrollable shaking I had started to get in my arms and legs. I breathed slow and deep, telling myself to stay conscious for Peeta. Just for Peeta. He was right there, only ten feet away. Seven…five…two…
Haymitch came to a halt in front of the plinth. All three of us were facing Mayor Channe, including Peeta. Thankfully, Haymitch kept hold of my hand even after we had stopped, so I still had someone there to keep me from tipping over. I knew I wasn't supposed to turn my head at all after we'd stopped, but I could help looking over at Peeta just one more time. He was breaking the rules too, looking at me as well. He caught my eye and smiled a second time. I fought the urge to yank away from my old mentor and throw my arms around him instead.
In a line a few feet away from the plinth were our bridesmaids. Annie had her hands folded in front of her, and she was smiling at someone in the spectators. Probably Finnick. Primrose was holding Ivy's hand, and she was squirming around impatiently as all four-year-olds did at weddings.
The singing died down and everyone grew still and silent to listen.
Mayor Channe cleared his throat and laced his hands in front of him. His strong, preacher-like voice rose over the heads of the people and could probably be heard from very far away. "As you all know, we are here today to bind Miss Katniss Everdeen and Mister Peeta Mellark with the vows of our forefathers. In the twelfth district of this country Panem, we may know not the wealth of the greater districts, nor the progression of the older ones. But we are great as ourselves and create our own light for others to muse for centuries,"
He paused to let the introductory words soak in, and there was a pause of silence. Someone near the back coughed.
"We know the history of our early fathers," The mayor glanced up at the sky, "and the telling of our late saviors," He glanced at Peeta, then at me in turn, "who have survived the most brutal games that could ever be played in the chronicle of mankind. As human beings, we know not to cherish these two people by the deeds they have done nor the records they may have helped write. We know them instead as people of this district, made solely for the purpose of staying with each other in sickness and in health, forever and a day, as long as life still continues to thrive on our illustrious planet."
I was frozen, listening to the vows I had nearly forgotten. I let them seep into my pores, and only let myself feel the happiness which came from the knowledge of those words being about me and Peeta.
Mayor Channe paused, looking around at everyone proudly, then continued. "They were made to comfort each other, to keep one another company in times of solitude, peace in times of war, gratitude in times of greed. They are not just to survive, but to love, and protect every minute they have together." He took a deep breath and tilted his chin a little further, as if directing the people more than Peeta and I. "Now, under the laws of this land and under the eyes of our people, I will solemnly and graciously bind these two citizens properly with full consent of their fellow kindred. If your wish not to be bound, or anyone else, speak now or forever hold your peace."
I held my breath and listened as the world stood still. Again, the silence was louder than the noise. I could hear my own heartbeat in my neck, but still, no one said anything. I slowly emptied my lungs.
The mayor then straightened his back and held both his wizened hands out in front of him. I felt Haymitch raise ours, and he gave my clammy hand one last reassuring squeeze before he placed it in Mayor Channes'. It was soft and light, like aged paper. Peeta's hand was placed in the mayor's other one. Here come the personal vows…the ones that seal it all. I held my breath again.
"Peeta Mellark," Channe cleared his throat and turned to Peeta with his monster eyebrows and soft Seam eyes. "You have known Miss Everdeen personally for about two years now. It has been rough, and no one can deny the effort or courage you put into seeing this through to the end. We've watched you grow from a boy to a man, and nothing makes a mayor more proud than watching the development of people like that.
"No one can doubt your love for Miss Everdeen, certainly not, but this is a full commitment that is not easily or usually backed out of. If you are ready to take on the full responsibility of the future Mellark household, do you swear by the honor of everything that is good, to love, respect, care for, and otherwise hold Katniss' trust and her heart in your own? Do you promise to stay with her in times of need, and treat her as you would yourself?"
I was doing my best not to make choking noises as my eyes trained to Peeta. He looked nervous, yes, but certain of his words.
"Even better. And yes, I do." His eyes were soft and he held his head high, but didn't neglect to glance sideways at me with a look that would have had me crying any other day. Bawling today. My breath began coming out in short gasps, tears pricking m eyes. I blinked them away hastily, and turned back to the mayor as he cleared his throat.
"Katniss Everdeen," Mayor Channe's hand tightened briefly on mine in acknowledgment. "You have known Mister Mellark for about two years now as well. There is no need to go into deeper, earlier details, but it is appropriate to say that having you here with us to share this glorious day of binding is really a blessing. Not only have you found yourself in the past two years, you've found Peeta, and no one here can say you've ever been happier.
"If you are ready to take on the full responsibility of the Mellark title, do you swear by the honor of everything that is good that you will love, respect, care for, and otherwise hold Peeta's trust and his heart with your own? Do you promise to stay with him in times of need, and to treat him as you would yourself?"
It was as if someone poured cement down my throat. I swallowed several times and tried to breath, to do anything, but nothing would come out. My hands were shaking and I was on the verge of a major breakdown. But past the tears, past the jellied feeling in all my limbs, past my drumming heartbeat and prickly eyes, I managed to nod and say, "I promise."
The major nodded, and, without anyone speaking a word, brought his hands together and placed mine in Peeta's. I was thankful to note that his grip was just as tight as mine on Haymitch's felt, and I squeezed back.
Mayor Channe smiled his kind smile at us and raised his voice. The five words rang out louder and clearer than any of them, swelling into the sky. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Mellark."
In District 12, the initial vows didn't include a binding kiss at the end, so we just swallowed our fear and—still clutching each other's hands tightly—we turn around to face the crowd. For a split-second I thought they'd stay silent again, but it started with one. One person clapping. Two people. Ten people. Then the entirety of District Twelve erupted in applause. Rolling like a summer thunder storm, pouring over both Peeta and me, filling my chest and lungs and heart with the most wonderful feeling. No one opened their mouths and cheered or whistled. It was just clapping. It sounded like a thousand horses pounding the earth on a race to the edge of the earth, or maybe what Armageddon might sound like. But if this was the Armageddon, the end of the world felt a lot like the beginning for Peeta and I.
He bent down low and whispered in my ear. "You look beautiful."
I swallowed hard, and attempted a smile through the tears that were now inevitable. "You don't look so bad yourself."
Peeta laughed once, and paused, head tilted slightly to the left as he surveyed the pounding crowd. Then he bent towards me again. "They're applauding you, Katniss. Just listen. That's for you. That's for their Mockingjay."
But this time, I was pretty sure he was wrong. "It's for the both of us."
"It's never been for the both of us." Peeta didn't seem too upset about it. Though his body was turned towards the crowd, which was still thundering, his head was turn towards me. "It's always been that way. We were both 'on fire', but they chose you to be their savior. I've always been just another tribute."
I shook my head, unable to unglue my eyes from the thousands of people before me. "No, Peeta. That was our past. But now, today, it's the two of us. We're never going to be in this alone again. Starting now, it's going to be the both of us. And always will be."
When Peeta didn't respond right away, I tore my gaze from the people and looked up at him. He was smiling.
"You have no idea how long I've waiting for you to say that." And without another word, I was pulled into his arms and he kissed me.
If they had been applauding now, it was an all-out riot, screaming and waving hands and crying. People immediately reacted to the kiss. But my mind shut off, getting unnecessarily lost in the taste of Peeta's mouth.
"Come on," Peeta broke away all too soon. My brain barely worked when he took my head and began pulling me around towards the back of the house. The plan was, as we discussed last night, to get inside the house by the back door as soon after the vows as possible-only leaving time for a little applause in between. But when I had agreed to that, I had no idea people would act the way they were acting then. Men and Women flocked towards me and Peeta, reaching to touch our hands or shoulders. Right away, Haymitch was in between us and the crowd, shooing them back. And while things were getting sorted outside, there was supposed to be something like five minutes in which Peeta and I would be able to breathe, or in my case, maybe even cry a bit, before we'd have to act normal again during the reception.
Peeta had his arm around my shoulder and guided me into the house through the tall back door. Once it was shut, the screams and cried were muffled a great deal. Away from the noise and hustle, I really felt as though I was going to faint, but Peeta kept hold of me until we got past the kitchen and the hallway. He gathered me carefully against him before collapsing on the couch, with large sighs blown from our lungs. As I shivered, face pressed against PEeta's chest, he smoothed my hair back gently with his hand.
I didn't even feel like crying, which surprised me. Though my heart was heavy and fast with excitement, and my mind was reeling, everything should have made me want to just bury myself in Peeta and forget the world was watching as I released the stress and pressure. But I didn't cry. Not a single tear came as I sat awkwardly, enfolded in Peeta's arms, listening to him whisper in my ear, but not fully comprehending the words.
There was maybe three minutes in which we sat like that. And when those three minutes had passed, it was sudden and loud when we had to break away.
Mother came in from the back door, and without even bothering with our sort of private moment, she pulled both of us off the couch and into her arms. She held me in a tight embrace and gave me a kiss on the cheek, though it was watery because she was crying.
"My kids, my beautiful kids…" My mother wasn't very good at holding herself together when things like this happened. But I didn't resist her grip, and she let go to embrace Peeta just as tightly. "All grown-up and married and-and…" Mother kissed Peeta on the cheek as well and then pulled the both of us into yet another hug, squashing us so tightly together. "My kids…"
And just as quick as she had came and squeezed us, she let go and took a step back. "Oh, I'm being silly." She mopped at her eyes. "Oh, goodness…" And without another word, my mother turned and vanished into the hallway.
Peeta wrapped his arm around my waist as we watched her shuffle off. He looked sort of in wonder, but just as shining and happy. "She called us her kids."
Bringing my hand up to my eyes, I let out a wet laugh. "Of course, P—"
A knock on the door.
No, no. I wasn't ready for everyone to come in. I wasn't ready to be seen by anyone like this, on the verge of another breakdown. But despite my reluctance, Peeta kept hold of me so I wouldn't fall.
"Almost over, love. Hold it together for just a little while longer." He took a breath as well, and then pressed his lips to my temple. "They're here, so put on a big smile."
I did as I was told, and let him practically drag me over to the front door. Of course, he was perfectly composed and beaming, though I noted by the tightness in which he held me that he might have been feeling as I did.
The door opened, and people came streaming in. Primrose immediately wrapped her arms around my waist, burying her face in the material of my dress.
"You're married, Katniss, married." She said, crying, and stumbled away to hug Peeta as well.
He seemed a bit flustered by everyone loving him just as much as they did me, but he responded to their embraces with equal love as a family member.
Then I was brought into Annie's arms, and after that, I wasn't sure who all I hugged. All I knew was that it took ages for people to stop hugging and kissing me, when finally I was able to look around at the guests. All of them were there as they should be. Benj and Anna-Mae stuck somewhat close to each other, looking slightly awkward but still happy. Greasy Sae hung off close to one wall holding a look of pride. Lucia Bennet was busy huddled near the couch with Mother—they had just met—and they were both comforting each other as they cried. The only people who I didn't see were Finnick and Haymitch (Jace was in Annie's arms). They must have stayed behind to see the rest of the people off on their way.
Caroline and Ivy were the last to come in. Ivy barely allowed her mother a chance to hug me before she climbed up into my arms, latched herself around my neck, and laughed as loud as she possibly could, wanting me to pay all the attention to her.
I swung Ivy around in a circle (accidentally hitting Peeta with her leg) and gave the sweet little girl a kiss on the head.
"You kiisssed!" Ivy giggled accusingly in a sing-song voice. "Ewwww you're married! And we're princesses!"
"You bet your buttons we are." I touched my finger to my nose, and then turned to Peeta, who was admiring the group like I was. I stuffed the little four-year-old into his arms. "Keep Peeta company, Ivy, I'll be right back."
The little girl agreed, and so I slinked into the crowd.
After squeezing through a gap in between Greasy Sae and Benj, I found myself next to Mother. She had calmed down her crying a bit by then, but only some.
"Mother, where's Haymitch?" I asked over the quiet roar of my guests chatting excitedly to one another.
"He should be here by now, actually." Mother wiped her eyes for the fourth time. "In fact…"
Straining to see where she was looking, I saw him. Haymitch was walking into the kitchen in a sort of secretive manner, holding two long-necked bottles awkwardly in each hand. I hoped he would have the decency not to get drunk in front of the children.
A hand snaked around my waist and I gave a small, surprised jump.
Peeta's eyes twinkled (though Ivy was no longer with him). "How is my bride?" He put his chin on my shoulder from behind.
I couldn't help but cough, knowing Mother was just a few feet from us. "…Er, she's…she's pretty shaken up."
"I'd imagine so." Peeta pulled away, keeping only one hand on me. "Do you want to see the cake?"
It was like magic, the way that things managed to get done right under my nose and I'd never notice. Was the cake in the kitchen? I hadn't seen it this morning…
I hopped up in down in place on the balls of my bare feet. "Yesss."
There obviously wasn't' really a moment of peace and privacy, because I was certain they were eavesdropping as we began shuffling our way through the crowd. How I knew was that everyone followed us to the kitchen door, murmuring excited words about the wedding cake. Finnick, who had reappeared with his family, had obviously met Benj and they were getting along fairly well. I could hear them snorting with laughter a few people behind me, and there wasn't any doubt about what they were laughing at.
"Come on," Peeta ignored our followers, keeping his shining eyes only on me. One arm stayed around my waist and the other opened the kitchen door. There wasn't any keeping everyone else out, so all thirteen of us filed into the kitchen to stand around a stand in the very center of the room where the table should have been.
A hush fell over everyone as they marveled.
Our wedding cake was center-stage, three layers and the purest of white color. Instead of fancy flowers or designs or fire, it was just smooth white, with deep green running the circumference of each layer, the one above it smaller than the last. The very top layer, which was about the same size as dinner plate, was edged in green, too. But on the white surface of frosting, there was one word: "always"
"Do you like it?" Peeta said finally, breaking the silence that hung over the group. "It was a hard decision, but I decided on that design in just barely enough time to get it finished. I hope it's okay."
I swallowed. "You hope it's…okay?" It wasn't just okay. It was perfect. Nothing fancy. Nothing too big or extravagant. Nothing cliché or mundane or impersonal or anything. Though the wording and figure was simple and plain, it was more than just a work of art. My thumb ran across the tiny engraving on the back of my pearl ring. Not only was the cake pretty, it meant the world to me. It let me know that he was actually thinking of me. I was speechless.
"Everything okay, Katniss?" Peeta was looking at me with a slightly concerned look crinkling his brows.
Aside from being on the verge of a mental breakdown, yeah, thanks.
I took a breath and nodded. "You…shouldn't have. This means…" A tiny squeak came from my throat and I quickly covered it up—and the tears—by giving a small couch. "This means the world to me, Peeta. Thank you."
Everyone around me cheered, and then it really felt like a celebration. Wine was poured and the cake was sliced, and everyone hung around either the kitchen or the living room, drinking and eating and attempting to get my attention somehow. I felt almost scandalous helping serve up the cake because it was no longer perfect and beautiful, but Peeta just nudged me in the hip with his own and fed me a bite cheerily.
It was like heaven was having a party in my mouth. Letting out choked laughter, I barely had time to swallow the bite before giving in to my overwhelming urge. I swept an arm around Peeta's neck and kissed him. He tasted like sugar and frosting.
What I hadn't realized, though, was our audience. Everyone had gone quiet and were shifting uncomfortably. Somebody near the door wolf-whistled and there was a burst of laughter most identifiable. Haymitch, Finnick and Benj were cracking up.
Feeling my cheeks grow warm, I broke away, unsure of what to do. What could you do when there were 11 people-all whom I know very well-crammed into my kitchen watching Peeta and I share a not-very-private kiss?
Ivy saved the day.
"EEWWWW, Caniss!" She turned and buried her face in her mother's dress even though the kiss was over.
Now everyone was laughing, and they all turned back to resume their previous conversations.
My face was still red and I sheepishly avoided Peeta's gaze. "...That was really awkward. Remind me to thank Ivy later."
"I don't know about you," He had an amused, exasperated look on as he put his arm casually around my waist. "But I'm grateful it's just our friends and family watching instead of the entire country."
He had a point. A very good, somewhat reassuring point. It made me feel better. Sighing, I took another bite of cake. It really was like heaven...
For a while, things went pretty much as planned. I laughed and ate cake and talked with just about everyone there. Ivy refused to leave my side, constantly in either Peeta's arms or mine. Benj decided that it wasn't the best idea to flirt with me when I was with Peeta on my wedding day, so he kept mostly polite. In a way, he reminded me of Finnick. Especially that look in his eyes, and the way he stuck close to Anna-Mae, talking to her when no one else was. He showed a soft side that Finnick showed with Annie.
When I passed Lucia, she was chatting away with Prim, holding a glass of white wine in one hand. Her eyes watered as she spoke, and occasionally, both her and my sister would burst out laughing. I smiled as I went past, and they grinned back.
"Oh no, look." Peeta nudged me with his free arm (Ivy occupied the other).
I glanced where he pointed and let out a laugh, quickly concealed by a snort. Haymitch was draped over one of the armchairs, a bottle of alcohol clutched in his fingers, dead to the world. His snores rattled the house, it seemed.
Peeta snickered. "Should we wake him up?"
"No," I was laughing, too. "Let him sleep. A drunken Haymitch grumpy from being woken up is the last thing we need."
"Heaven forbid Haymitch get drunk..."
We both snickered.
Full of cake and with the adrenaline rush maybe dwindling down a fraction, I was ready to get off my feet, but it was far from over.
"Katniss, honey."
I heard a voice and turned around when someone tapped my shoulder.
Lucia was standing there in her many-layered dress that looks like something women would have worn when the world was younger. She clasped her tiny, wrinkled hands together. "Congratulations."
She's said that maybe about twice already today, but I just smiled at her, inwardly thankful that the ancient woman hadn't let the alcohol get to her that much. "Thanks, Lucia."
"You've got yourself a fine one," The old lady chuckled and reached up to pat Peeta's cheek. "Very handsome."
"Yes." I couldn't help but laugh, giving Peeta a twinkly-eyed look.
Lucia beamed for another seconds, but then her eyebrows wrinkled together. "But, oh dear... I seem to have forgotten what I came over here to do. Hmm..." She scratched at a mole on her chin and it came to her. Lucia motioned for Ivy to get down from Peeta's arms. "Come, little bird. Your mother wants you."
"Aww..." Ivy whined, hugging Peeta's neck tighter.
"Go on." Peeta managed to disentangle the little girls' arms, and he set her down. "Help Primrose pick out the chip."
As Lucia guided her great-granddaughter away, I frowned. "Chip?"
"Music chip." My new husband's eyes shone merrily in the bright fluorescent lighting. "For dancing."
My heart shrank with nerves and I huffed disgruntle. Dancing. As if I didn't prove my atrocious skills on the Victory Tour, and that was with Panem watching, and having short lessons before. Now I'm sure to make a fool of myself.
"Oh, don't look so put out, Katniss." Peeta rolled his brilliant blue eyes to the ceiling, just as people began getting the hint. "It's just dancing."
Finnick, Benj and Greasy Sae began scooting furniture against the walls to prepare a large space in the middle of the living room. Haymitch refused to wake up, so it took all three of them to move the armchair-my old mentor and all. As I watched them with an amused smile, Prim materialized in front of me.
"This is so amazing, Katniss!" My little sister beamed, doing funny little skip-hops from one foot to another, unable to keep still. "Are you having fun?"
I had to grin at her. "That's one way of putting it." Peeta's arm snaked around my waist. "I'm sort of in shock."
Prim gave me a reassuring peck on the cheek. "We all are, trust me. I re—"
"Primrose!" Mother, who was across the room, called.
With one last excited smile, my little sister ran after our mother. And not ten seconds after she left, a whistle sounded over the bobbing heads of my friends and family. As if on perfect cue, every single person stopped talking and shuffled against the walls, clearing out a huge space in the middle. Peeta's arm slid off my waist to lightly hold my hand, and just as he pressed his lips to my temple, music floated over us through invisible speakers. It started as a rolling drum and chimes, but then collided with a mixture of cellos, keyboard, chimes and quiet guitar. It swallowed up my heart and took my stomach over.
"This dance," Peeta paused to tilt his chin up at everyone, "belongs to us."
Though I had butterflies in my stomach, Iooked at the faces of my family, shining with pride, and I listened to the music, felt Peeta's steadiness. And when he began to lead me into the spotlight, I didn't resist. Peeta's hand curled right above my hipbone and he slipped his fingers in between mine.
As we began to dance, I let out a nervous choked noise, glancing around at all of the eyes upon Peeta and I. My face was warm.
When Peeta pulled me closer and our faces were just inches apart, I swallowed. "They're all watching us." My voice was just barely audible, even to my own ears.
"Then close your eyes." He whispered back.
I did, severing myself from the peering eyes of my world. And suddenly, it was just Peeta and I. The music kept our feet to the floor and hearts inside our chests. And so we danced. Bodies moving with the waves of classical instruments, feeling our equal warmth being shared between us. I was spun and lifted into the air and dipped. Part of me didn't know how to dance or what to do and was completely convinced I was making a total fool out of myself. But strangely, it came to me in Peeta's arms.
Slowly, as the music changed, people joined in on our dancing. Annie and Finnick were the first to join (Jace safely in my mother's arms) twirling along happily to the music. And then Benj took Anna-Mae's hand (she looked frightened and nervous, but she was smiling) and they danced, too. Since there weren't many guys there, everyone made due and had a blast. Eventually Haymitch woke up, and after cleaning himself up a bit in the bathroom, felt the need to join as well, and asked Greasy Sae to dance. They awkwardly went onto the makeshift dance floor and swayed to the beat. Primrose spun Ivy around, and Mother, Caroline and Lucia took turns bouncing Jace around while talking non-stop.
After the fourth song, Finnick tapped Peeta on the shoulder.
"May I have this dance?" He grinned widely at me.
Even I had to admit Finnick looked very dashing in his tux and usual pretty-boy grin.
Peeta, who hadn't stopped smiling for a long while, did a little bow (I wasn't sure if it was meant to be mocking). "Of course." My hand was put in Finnick's own. From the corner of my eye I saw Peeta asking for a dance with my mother. Such a gentleman…
Finnick and I danced, and to my surprise, it felt like maybe I didn't make a fool of myself. In my head I pictured this beautiful woman in a lavishly layered hoop-dress floating around a giant ballroom with a handsomely dressed young man. I was pulled out of that fantasy when I accidentally stepped on Haymitch's foot.
After Finnick, I danced with Benj and then Primrose & Ivy, and even Jace. He drooled and raspberry-d the whole time, trying to eat my hair. The whole time I was dancing with other people, I kept a secret eye on my husband. He had danced with all the girls there, but I noticed he was keeping an eye on me, too. After I gave Jace back to his mother, Peeta's arms found me once again. He lifted my arm around my head and he spun me in a circle.
"Guess what." He said in a sing-song voice, toying with the laces on my back.
"Hm?" As the music slowed, I danced closer, both my hands on his shoulders, my face just barely three inches from his neck.
I felt Peeta's lips just barely touch my ear. "Twenty minutes left."
"What?" My head snapped away from his shoulder in surprise. "It's already nine-thirty?"
He gave me a quick peck on the nose. "Mmhm! Dunno about you, but I'm looking forward to going home after this."
Immediately, I knew what he was talking about. A blush crept on my cheeks, and I snuck a peek up at Peeta whole feeling my ears grow hot. He was looking down at me with an uncertain, hopeful look. He was biting his lip, obviously waiting for permission or for me to agree. I know I had like ten seconds to make that decision. Though, it was already as good as made, really. Just comprehending that we'd do it tonight just made me squirm with nervousness. Though I was unable to deny the other part of me that couldn't wait. That part embarrassed me.
Peeta was still looking down at me as we danced.
To put the smile back on his face, I reached up on my tiptoes and kissed him on the corner of his mouth. "Me too."
Peeta immediately perked up, his eyes crinkling at me. What I loved so much about him was that I never had to worry about him doing anything I didn't like, relationship-wise. He reminded me of a really faithful dog. He just wanted to please me, and he would never be disloyal. For instance, it just took two words from me to put that look in his eyes. This may be cheesy, but I really did feel like the luckiest person alive. Because there was only guy like Peeta. And he is Peeta, and he's mine.
Out of pure blissful content, I wrapped my arms around Peeta's neck and held him in a tight, happy embrace.
He put his own arms around me in an adoring hold. "I love you, Katniss."
I could never get used to the jolt of my heart whenever he said that. Sighing, I buried my face in his hair, breathing in the clean scent. "Mm…love you, too."
And the words had never been truer.
oOo
EEEK! Okay, okay, I was fighting with myself about how to end it, if I should include "that night" in the chapter or another, but like I said—I worked everything out and I got it under control. So with that amazing, incredibly-anticipated chapter done and read, there are thanks to get out.
Thanks to my best friends who I've came to know incredibly well through fanfic. You have been such a help to me, I couldn't have done anything without you. And thanks to all of my regular reviewers. You guys have made a writer out of me.
Now, I know it may not be very fair to…not bribe or blackmail, but as an experiment, I'm going to do to this what I did to the last. Let's see what we can do as a group, people. Let's see JUST how many reviews we can put up on the status. Record so far is 27 reviews for a single chapter. WHO'S READY TO BREAK THAT RECORD? The next chapter is the toasting and "that night". I know you all are excited about that, so tell me exactly HOW excited. ;);)
Thanks to everyone so far, and have a happy end-of-august or whatever! JJ