Katniss woke the next morning, spooned snugly into the warmth of Peeta's body. She looked around the room. She figured it must be around dawn, because there was just the slightest hint of pale light coming through the edges of the drapes on the picture window.
She realized that she had slept the whole entire night without waking up once. It had been so long since she'd had a night like this, completely uninterrupted. The last thing she remembered was getting into bed and lying with her head on Peeta's shoulder and her arm resting on his chest, feeling the comforting sensation of Peeta softly stroking her hair as she drifted off to sleep. At some point, she'd turned herself over and assumed her favorite sleeping position, with him wrapped around her. And now it was her wedding day, and she felt good...really good, for the first time in ages.
She turned over onto her back so she could face Peeta. He was still sleeping, so she just looked at him. She was glad that she hadn't woken him up all night. He looked so peaceful. She admired his handsome face, and smiled when she reminded herself that when she woke up with him tomorrow, he would be her husband.
She reached up and fixed a few locks of his blond hair that had fallen across his forehead, then rested her hand on his cheek.
His eyelids fluttered as he woke, and then looked at her, gazing softly back at him.
"Hi, baby." he murmured softly.
"Hi." she whispered back, then moved her face towards his and kissed him softly.
"You're in a good mood this morning." he observed.
"It's a good day." Katniss said. "I slept all night, and today I get to marry you. I am very, very happy."
"You slept all night?" he asked.
"Yeah, slept like a baby."
"Oh, that's so good!" Peeta said, pulling her close and hugging her tightly. "Maybe your mind realized that the Games were over, and Gale is going to be okay, and you could finally have some peace."
"Yeah, I guess that must be it." she agreed.
"What time is it?" he asked her.
"I don't know. Early. But the wedding isn't until four o'clock, so we have plenty of time to stay snuggled in bed this morning, and that's all I care about right now."
Peeta held her, caressing his hand up and down her back. They stayed that way, not needing to say a word, for a long time. It was so good, to just have quiet time together, to enjoy each other's company.
Finally, after they had cuddled together for quite a while, Peeta said, "Well, I guess we should probably get up now. I have a feeling that today is going to go by very quickly."
They were scheduled to meet with their prep teams to start getting ready at noon, so the morning did seem like it flew by. Before they knew it, it was time to get ready to go.
"Don't forget your crown, Peeta." Katniss reminded him.
She grabbed hers, and while she was at it, she also picked up her wildflower bouquet and started heading for the door. She was intercepted by Peeta, who grabbed her by the wrist.
"You're not bringing that with you." he said.
She was surprised when she looked up at him and saw that his eyes were very serious.
"Why not, Peeta? I want to. I love it, and I want to carry it when I marry you." she said.
"I'm glad that you love it, but I didn't buy you those flowers so you could get us in trouble."
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"Think about it, Katniss! If you show up at the wedding today and walk down the aisle with those flowers instead of the President's roses, he will take it as a huge insult- a direct act of defiance. How do you think that will go over?"
He was quiet for a moment, as he let that thought sink into her head, then he continued explaining.
"The last time he felt that you rebelled, the stunt with the nightlock berries... you didn't even mean that as an act of defiance, you were simply trying to save our lives, and look what he did in retaliation. He reaped your sister and your best friend to get back at you. If you defy him again today, he is going to retaliate again, but this time he is going to hit you where it hurts the most. Your best friend is emotionally scarred for life, and your sister is dead. So, who do you think is next on his list, Katniss? Who do you think he will take from you next to cause you the most misery?"
She shuddered as the horror of what he was suggesting sunk in.
"You?" she whispered.
"That would be my guess." Peeta said. "I think you know that I would die for you in a heartbeat if it was to protect you and keep you safe, but I don't want to die if the only reason for it is to cause you pain and suffering. Please do not defy the President today, Katniss. It's not worth it. Just carry the stupid roses, okay? Please?"
Her eyes were wide with fear now, and filled with tears. She threw her arms around Peeta and hugged him to her, as tightly as she could.
"Oh my God, Peeta, I'm so sorry! I never even thought about that. How stupid of me! I can't believe I almost put our future in jeopardy!"
He hugged her back.
"It's okay." Peeta said, as he looked at her with much softer eyes now. "I know you didn't think of it. I'm happy that you love your flowers, and I wish that you could carry them like you want to, but it's just not safe for either one of us. We have to do what he wants us to, or he will make sure that we suffer the consequences."
She let go of him for a minute, walked over to the bed and set the bouquet down, then returned to Peeta and embraced him again, kissing him over and over.
"I love you so much." she told him. "I promise I won't do anything even remotely rebellious. I will kiss the President's ass all day, if it means you will be safe with me. I want to have a long life with you."
"I want that too." Peeta said. "Now let's go get ready to start the rest of our lives, shall we?"
She took his hand, and they left the room, headed for their prep teams.
Cinna and Portia immediately rushed them into their studios, to begin their transformations. Katniss always hated this part... the long drawn out process of getting ready for events like this. She sat through being scrubbed and lotioned, had a manicure and pedicure, sat through her makeup being applied and her hair being washed and dried and curled and pinned up.
She was glad when it finally came time to put on her dress and veil. That meant that it was getting closer to the time when she would get to see Peeta.
Cinna and her team finished putting the final touches on her, and he walked her over to the mirror so she could look at herself.
"Well, what do you think?" Cinna asked.
She stood there staring at her reflection in the mirror. She couldn't believe that this was really it, she was really getting married today. She looked beautiful.
She suddenly felt very nervous, at the thought of everyone in Panem watching her walk down the aisle. What if she tripped on her dress? What if she forgot her vows? Her heart started pounding.
Then Cinna came over with her bouquet from the President, and he handed it to her. She didn't even want to look at it. She swallowed hard as she took it. He could tell she was uneasy.
"Don't worry, Katniss." he reassured her. "You look amazing, and you are about to marry the boy you love. Everything will be fine. I'll be back shortly. I'm going to go outside and wait for the carriage to arrive. I'll come get you when it's here."
Cinna left, and Katniss was standing alone in the studio. She looked down at the bouquet from the President, and it was the last straw that broke her final nerve. It was a large bouquet of perfect white roses... and yellow primroses. She felt her eyes fill up with angry tears, and her hands started shaking.
How dare he? She wondered. Katniss had loved when Peeta put the primroses in the wildflower bouquet because she knew it had been done out of respect and remembrance. But for President Snow to put them in? She knew that it was just his way of rubbing salt in her wound.
Now she was angry. All of her nervousness, her hurt, her anger, her irritation with this ridiculous wedding... it all bubbled up inside of her. She hated these flowers, hated the victor's crown that sat sparkling on top of her head like a shining golden halo, hated that she had to wear these high heeled shoes, and most of all hated that Prim wasn't here. She was fighting with all her strength to not cry, because she didn't want to ruin her makeup. Her whole body was trembling from the mix of emotions.
Behind her, she suddenly heard a friendly voice.
"Might I have a moment with the bride?"
She turned around, and saw Mr. Harrington, the capitol official whom she had befriended after the awkward encounter when he'd found her and Peeta in the bathroom way back at the mayor's party.
"Oh, Mr. Harrington!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"Let's just say that my job here in the capitol sort of affords me an all access pass, and I wanted to see you and wish you well on your big day."
She walked over to him and hugged him.
"Just look at you, child. You look beautiful," he said softly, holding both of her hands. He noticed her lip quivering.
"You're upset." he observed. "Having some pre-wedding jitters are you?"
She nodded.
"You're not nervous about marrying Peeta, are you?" he asked.
"No, it's not that." she said. She took a deep breath. "It's everything else... it's all of this. I'm not comfortable with all this fanfare and pageantry. I'm not some princess in a fairy tale. I'm just a girl from district 12, who not long ago was living in poverty. I feel completely out of my element."
"Oh, I know that this must be a lot for you to take in, especially after the last two weeks. I'm terribly sorry about your sister, by the way." he said.
"Thank you." she replied. "Prim is a lot of the reason I'm upset right now. She should be here to share this day with me, but she isn't. I will have everyone in Panem watching me get married today, except for the one person I really wanted to be here!"
She felt her hands start trembling again.
Mr. Harrington spoke to her, trying to calm her nerves.
"It's true that no one will ever be able to take your sister's place, Katniss, but if it's any consolation, all those people out there lining the streets and watching you on television, they love you. You have inspired and captivated the whole nation! People look at you and Peeta and they feel hope. They feel that if the two of you can find true love in the most hopeless, dark place, then maybe there is a chance for them to find happiness too, even when it's against all odds. So when you step out into the square today and see all those people waving at you, remember that they are all on your side."
She smiled gratefully at him.
"Thank you, that means a lot to me." she said.
"You're welcome, my dear. Now tell me, who will be walking you down the aisle? You look like you could use a steadying hand while you make that long walk through the square."
"Nobody is walking me." she answered.
"Not your father?" Mr. Harrington asked.
"My father died many years ago." she told him.
"What about your mother?"
"She is here, but she is not comfortable being in the spotlight, and she is still much too upset about Prim, so she will be in the audience with Peeta's family. I don't have anyone to walk with me."
Mr. Harrington was quiet for a moment, before posing a suggestion.
"Forgive me if I'm out of line here, dear, and feel free to say no... but if you'd like, I would be honored to walk you down the aisle. At least you would have a friend to help get you through the most nerve wracking part, and hand deliver you to Peeta..."
Katniss smiled warmly at him. She may not have known him very long, but there was just something about him that she liked and trusted.
"You know, I really could use a steady arm to lean on during that long walk. I would love it if you walked me down the aisle. Thank you."
"Oh, wonderful!" he exclaimed, as he hugged her again. "I guess it's a good thing I wore my best suit today for this joyous occasion!"
Just then, Cinna appeared in the doorway and announced that the carriage was here for her.
"Well," Mr. Harrington said softly to Katniss, "I think that is your cue to go."
"Aren't you going to come in the carriage with me?" she asked.
He laughed, and answered, "Oh, no darling. Trust me, no one wants to see an old man like me. They want to see the beautiful blushing bride waving as she's on her way to marry the love of her life. You go and enjoy your ride, and remember that all those people out there are happy for you. I have my own transportation. I will be there to meet you when you arrive at the square, okay?"
"Okay." she whispered, and followed Cinna out to the carriage.
She climbed in and sat down, holding her bouquet in her lap. She wished that Peeta was here with her to calm her nerves.
"Good luck!" said Cinna, as he waved goodbye to her. "I'll see you later!"
She waved back, as the carriage started moving, and she was on her way to get married. The streets were all lined with people on both sides, hoping to catch a glimpse of her up close. They clapped and waved as she rode by, and she waved back, remembering what Mr. Harrington had told her. It was all so surreal to her, like she was in some bizarre dream.
She was glad when they finally reached the square, and she saw Mr. Harrington there waiting for her, just as he'd promised. The carriage stopped at the square, where a red carpeted runner lined the walkway all the way across the square and up the stairs to the stage. She just sat there for a moment, taking it all in. The aisle was lined with tall, clear glass vases filled with white roses and long slender branches of yellow forsythia on both sides, the whole way. There were people everywhere, lining her entire walk. Mr. Harrington reached for her hand to help her out of the carriage, and she was suddenly very grateful that he had offered to walk her down the aisle. She would have found this incredibly intimidating if she'd had to do it alone.
She stepped down out of the carriage, and heard the crowd applaud loudly at her debut. She saw herself on the huge television screens above the stage. She looked down at herself and noticed that Cinna was right about her dress... now that she was out in the afternoon sunlight, the fabric of her dress caught all the light and seemed to glow and shimmer very softly. The hem of her skirt fluttered lightly with the breeze.
"Are you ready, my dear?" Mr. Harrington asked her.
She nodded to him, as she held onto his arm, ready to make the long walk to Peeta.
She heard the music start, and she started walking. She was so nervous with all these people watching. She felt wobbly in these high heeled shoes, and was afraid that she might trip on her long dress. She kept looking down at her feet to watch where she was walking.
As they got a little closer to the stage, she felt Mr. Harrington place a finger under her chin to lift it up, and he whispered to her.
"Don't look down at your feet, darling. Look up! There he is, your future."
She looked up towards the stage, and saw Peeta standing there, with Gale at his side. He had on a perfectly fitted black tuxedo, with a dark gray vest and tie, and Gale was dressed similarly. They both wore their victor's crowns on their heads. Peeta's blond hair was combed back neatly off his forehead, and he stood with his hands clasped in front of him. Katniss caught her breath... she thought Peeta looked incredibly handsome and sexy all dressed up like this.
A huge, bright smile appeared on her face as she looked at him, and she felt all her nervousness dissipate and fade away, just like fog lifting after the sun comes out.
Peeta was beaming at her, with his eyes misty. He was a little surprised to see her on Mr. Harrington's arm, but he was grateful that she had someone to walk her down the aisle. He thought that she looked beautiful and angelic, especially with the way the crown sat on top of her head like a halo, with the long veil trailing behind it. Her dress was gorgeous, and it looked very much like the way he had pictured her when she had described her wedding vision to him. The top of her dress fit snugly and hugged all her womanly curves perfectly. The bottom of her dress fluttered with every step she took forward, and her train fanned out gracefully behind her.
Katniss saw Peeta mouth one word to her... "Wow."
She wanted to run to him. She quickened her step a little so she could get there faster.
Mr. Harrington chuckled, gently holding her back. "Slow down, dear! Let him look at you. This is the moment he will remember for the next fifty years, like it was yesterday. Trust me, I know."
She looked over at this kind man by her side and smiled at him, then she returned her gaze to Peeta. She never took her eyes off of him the rest of the way.
She carefully walked up the stairs to the stage, and then Mr. Harrington softly kissed her cheek before handing her over to Peeta.
She noticed that off to her side, where Prim should have been standing next to her, the President had placed an empty chair, with a small bouquet of yellow primroses lying on the seat. Katniss was angry, knowing that he had done this purposely to try and break her, hoping that she would fall apart right here in front of everyone, but she refused to give him the satisfaction. She knew that Prim would want her to be strong, so she just focused on Peeta and ignored the flowers.
She stood facing Peeta, both of them feeling overwhelmed with emotion.
The man officiating the ceremony was another one of the capitol officials that Katniss remembered meeting at the mayor's party, the same night she'd met Mr. Harrington. She couldn't remember his name, but she remembered that he was also a Justice of the Peace and that he had mentioned how he performed many weddings in the capitol.
"Dearly beloved," he began, "Friends and family, ladies and gentlemen all across the nation of Panem, we are gathered together today on this joyful occasion to witness the union of this man, Peeta Mellark, and this woman, Katniss Everdeen, in marriage, as they begin their lives together."
The crowd applauded and cheered for the couple. They looked out over the crowd and smiled. When the audience finally quieted down, the officiant continued.
"We have all come to know this remarkable young couple over the past year. We watched as their love took root and grew in a place it didn't belong, like a delicate flower coming up through a crack in the pavement of a busy city street. Yet that love persevered and flourished. This young man and woman who stand before us today have endured more trials and tests than many of us are ever subjected to in our lifetimes. But rather than tearing them apart, these challenges have only made them stronger, and they have forged a solid partnership that will prepare them for the rest of their lives together. They have become an inspiration to all of us, a symbol of shining hope, proof positive that true love conquers all."
He paused for a moment, and the crowd sat silently in rapt attention.
"Peeta, Katniss..." he continued, "I ask you now to join hands please."
Katniss set down her bouquet on the chair behind her, next to Prim's bouquet of yellow flowers, then she reached out and Peeta took both of her hands in his.
The officiant spoke to Peeta first.
"Peeta, do you enter into this union of your own free will, with the intention to take Katniss as your wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, all the days of your life?"
"I do." Peeta replied.
"Katniss, do you enter into this union of your own free will, with the intention to take Peeta as your husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, all the days of your life?"
"I do." Katniss answered, gazing into Peeta's blue eyes.
"I understand that both of you have written your own vows to say to each other, so you may go ahead and say them now, and then seal your union with the exchanging of your wedding rings. Peeta, you may go first." the justice of the peace instructed.
Peeta gazed at Katniss with tears in his eyes, still holding both of her hands.
"Katniss," Peeta began, "I read somewhere once that you know when you've found your soul mate when the thought of spending only one lifetime together is simply not long enough. In just the short time that we have been together, we have experienced joy and happiness, but also pain and heartbreak. Yet through it all, our love for each other has only grown stronger. I could spend a thousand lifetimes with you, and when we finally reached the end, I would still be praying for one more day to love you. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you when we were children that you would be the love of my life, and I promise that I will love you for every day of eternity. Today, our wedding day, is not the culmination of our love story... it is only the beginning."
Katniss swore that she could hear every person in Panem sigh, as Peeta finished his vows.
She felt like her heart was so full of love that it was overflowing, as the joyful tears that had welled up in her eyes finally spilled over. He had such a wonderful way with words. She just hoped that her vows would come out sounding halfway as good as his.
Peeta turned and held out one hand to Gale, and Gale placed in his palm her dainty silver wedding band.
He took her left hand, and said to her, "Katniss Everdeen, with this ring I take you to be my wife, and I pledge my life to you."
He placed the silver band onto her finger and slid it up next her ruby engagement ring.
Now it was her turn. She held both his hands again.
"Peeta," she said, "You may remember how upset I was the night you first announced to the world that you loved me in front of everyone, when you spoke those five little words...'she came here with me'."
Katniss paused as a moment of quiet laughter came from the audience. Peeta grinned at her.
She continued, "But once I got over the shock, and really saw you for the first time... saw what a wonderful, kind, selfless, amazing person you are, and began to see how much you cared about me, I couldn't help falling in love with you too. It was like we were always meant to be... you just saw it before I did. And now, I have come to love you so deeply, that I don't know how I ever lived or breathed without you. So today, as we become husband and wife, partners traveling through this lifetime together, this is my wish for you. I hope that one day, many, many years from now, when we are old and gray and we are cherishing our very last moments on this earth together, I hope that you will be able to look back over your lifetime and say that every single day that you lived, every step you took, and every breath that you breathed, was filled with more love than you ever thought possible, because every step of the way, she came here with me."
Another sigh swept across the crowd, and she saw a single tear fall down Peeta's face. He gave her hands a soft squeeze.
Then she released her right hand and held it out to Gale, who handed her Peeta's wedding band.
She met Gale's eyes for a fleeting moment and was grateful that he seemed to be holding up okay through all of this. She knew that he was trying with all his heart- his broken heart- to be happy for her on this day.
She turned back to Peeta, taking his left hand, and said to him, "Peeta Mellark, with this ring I take you to be my husband, and I pledge my life to you."
Then she slid the ring onto his finger.
They joined hands again, as the officiant spoke.
"Peeta and Katniss, you have said your vows, and you have exchanged rings pledging your lives to one another. With the power vested in me by the capitol of Panem, it is my distinct honor to pronounce you husband and wife!"
The two of them beamed at each other, overcome with joy.
"Peeta," the officiant said happily, "you may now kiss your bride!"
Peeta held onto her waist with both hands, leaned in, and kissed her. At first it was a soft, gentle kiss... then she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him in for another kiss.
The audience started clapping for the happy couple.
Then Peeta pulled her body tight against his, and he tilted his head a little to the side, kissing her again, this time more deeply, causing his crown to fall off his head and hit the floor with a loud clang. He hardly even noticed, he was so lost in the moment, kissing his bride.
The crowd went absolutely wild, cheering and whistling for their passionate kiss.
The crowd's loud reaction caused them to start laughing, breaking their romantic first kiss as husband and wife.
The officiant presented them to the spectators below.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Peeta and Katniss Mellark!"
Katniss reached backwards for her bouquet, then held it high in the air in celebration, as she held Peeta's hand and smiled from ear to ear.
Peeta leaned down for a moment to pick up his crown, then stood up, put it back on his head, and led Katniss down the stairs to walk back down the aisle to the carriage that waited for them to bring them to the reception. All the way back down the aisle, the guests clapped and cheered and congratulated them.
The President's mansion was only a very short walk away, so Gale, Mr. Harrington, and all the other invited guests simply walked to the reception, but Peeta and Katniss were put into the carriage for a celebratory ride around the streets before being brought to the reception. They sat cuddled close together in the carriage, holding hands, smiling and waving to all the spectators, and frequently obliging the requests being shouted from the crowd- "Kiss! Kiss!"
Peeta turned to Katniss and took her face in his hands.
"You look amazingly, stunningly, breathtakingly beautiful today." he told her.
"And you look unbelievably, strikingly handsome and sexy and hot." she said back to him, grinning. "Can you believe we really did it? We're really married!" she exclaimed.
"I love it!" he said. "I am so happy right now, words can't even begin to describe it."
He pulled her face to his and kissed her deeply, eliciting a huge cheer from the people lining the street as they drove by.
"I will be happy to have you all alone tonight, and away from all this madness though!" Peeta added, gesturing to the crowds around them.
"Me too!" Katniss agreed. "I am very much looking forward to a wonderful night with my husband!"
Shortly after that, they arrived at the President's mansion, and Peeta helped Katniss out of the carriage. They walked in, and their arrival was announced, bringing a round of applause from the party guests.
As Katniss and Peeta entered their own reception, they looked all around, and were awestruck at the splendor of the Presidential ballroom. Katniss gasped.
"Oh my gosh, Peeta, look how pretty!"
The tall vases of white roses and yellow forsythia that had been lining the aisle out in the capitol square now served as tall centerpieces on the tables. The linens on the tables were crisp white, and each table had several little white votive candles flickering soft candlelight. The dishes set out at each place setting were fine white china rimmed with silver, and there were crystal goblets next to each plate.
Overhead there were huge crystal chandeliers, with the lights turned down low for soft lighting.
Shortly after their arrival, they were brought to the dance floor to share their first dance as husband and wife. Peeta reached out for his bride's hand, and twirled her around once as they entered the dance floor, showing off her stunning dress to all their guests, before he gracefully pulled her in, wrapped one arm around her waist, and held her hand with the other. They danced close together, heart to heart, and Katniss rested her head on Peeta's shoulder with her eyes closed, never wanting this moment to end. They finished their first dance with a kiss, and all the guests clapped.
A huge buffet dinner was served, but the happy couple was so busy making their way around the room and talking to the guests, that they hardly took the time to sit down and eat anything. There were many people they knew at the reception- Peeta's family, Katniss' mother, Gale's family who had been in the capitol for Gale's crowning yesterday, Effie, Haymitch, Madge, and quite a few that they had met in passing at the mayor's party. Then there were also a lot of guests who they didn't know, but they were there because they were high ranking officials.
Later in the night, while Peeta was talking to his parents, Katniss felt a familiar hand on the bare skin of her upper back.
"Any chance the bride might have time for a dance with an old friend?" Gale asked.
"Of course." she replied with a warm smile. She took his hand and led him to the dance floor. Gale pulled her into his arms, and held her close. He slowly twirled her around as they danced, and her dress billowed out behind her. In his heart, Gale wished that she was dancing with him as his bride.
"You look so beautiful tonight, Katniss." he told her.
"Thank you. Cinna did an amazing job on this dress."
"It's more than just the dress though. It's you. Your whole face is glowing, radiant. Being in love really becomes you."
"Thank you Gale." she said very softly. "You have no idea how much it means to me that you were here by my side to share this day with me. I'm sure it wasn't easy for you." She hugged him a little closer as they continued dancing.
"No," he admitted. "it wasn't easy. But you're my best friend, and I would do anything for you."
"And you are the best friend I could ever have." Katniss said sweetly. Then she leaned in close to his ear and whispered, "I love you Gale Hawthorne. When you start dating all those girls that Caesar said will be lining up for you, they're going to have to prove to me that they are good enough to deserve you."
Gale laughed and shook his head at her.
"I'll be sure to warn them ahead of time." Gale teased, and they both broke into laughter.
For the rest of the song, they danced in comfortable silence, and when the music ended, Gale brought her hand to his mouth and lightly kissed the top of her hand.
"Thank you for the dance, I enjoyed it." Gale said.
"You're welcome. I enjoyed it too." she replied.
They hugged one last time, then Gale let go of her, and he watched her as she turned away and started walking back across the room towards Peeta.
But before she could get to him, she was intercepted by another man asking for a dance with the bride.
It was President Snow.
She knew she really didn't have any choice, so she accepted his request for a dance.
"Well, Katniss, congratulations on your marriage. You must be very happy right now." he said.
"Yes, I am, thank you." she answered. She was trying to be strong, but her voice ended up coming out sounding weak and strained. She remembered how Peeta had warned her earlier to not defy the President, so she had to be careful how she answered him. This was definitely not the the time for her usual smartass mouth.
She felt trapped, being in his arms for the dance, and she was repulsed by the very touch of his hand holding hers. She could feel the tension in her body from her nerves. Just five minutes ago, dancing with Gale, her body had felt warm and relaxed and even a little graceful, but right now she felt stiff and her spine felt rigid.
"I can only imagine that you are missing your sister very much on this special day." he said.
She wanted to say, I wouldn't be missing her if you hadn't reaped her and gotten her killed!
But she knew better.
"Yes, I do miss her, but I meant to thank you for the lovely primroses." Katniss wanted to choke on her words right now, but she had to play nice if she wanted to keep herself and Peeta out of danger.
"You're welcome. It was my pleasure."
I'm sure it was, she thought sourly to herself.
"And how is Gale holding up? I know he's had a difficult week as well."
"It's been hard for him. He misses Prim too. But Gale is strong. He'll be okay, once we get back to our family."
"Of course." Snow said condescendingly. "Of course he will."
Mercifully, the song ended and President Snow released her from his grip.
"Well, thank you for the dance, and I hope you're enjoying your evening." he said to her.
"It's been a lovely evening, thank you for everything." Katniss forced herself to be gracious to her host, before hurrying back to Peeta.
She was never so happy as when he swept her into his arms again.
"Well, well, there's my very popular wife! How was your dance with the President?" he asked her.
"Uncomfortable, though it could have been worse. I think he was just trying to rattle me. But I feel better already, now that I'm back with you."
Peeta smiled at her as he held her tightly.
"It's getting late...would you like to head back to our hotel soon and begin the rest of our night?"
"Yes." Kantiss replied enthusiastically. "I would love to get out of here and finally be alone with you!"
"I'm glad to hear it, because I've got plans for you, my love." he told her.
Katniss felt a shiver of excitement and anticipation run down her spine.
They quickly walked around and said goodbye to as many of the guests as they could. Before they left the reception, Katniss gathered all the single girls in the front of the ballroom and tossed her bouquet over her shoulder. She didn't notice who caught it, and she couldn't care less if she ever saw that bouquet again. She just wanted to leave here.
They waved goodbye, and exited out the grand double doors that led out towards the square, where the carriage was waiting to bring them back to the hotel.
Peeta reached out his hand to help her down the marble stairs in front of the building.
"Come, Mrs. Mellark." he said.
"Oh, I plan on it." she replied sarcastically.
He turned towards her, and pulled his wife's body tight against him in the darkness of the night.
"God, I love that smartass mouth of yours..." he told her in a seductive voice, then he brought his mouth to hers and kissed her ravenously, exploring her naughty mouth with his tongue. When he finally broke the kiss and pulled his mouth away, she had only one more thing to say.
"You'll be loving it a whole lot more if you hurry up and take me home." she whispered.
He couldn't get her back to their suite fast enough.