Chapter 52

The whole district celebrated into the night. It's been so many years since we've had a victor in 12 and this year we managed to do the unthinkable by having 2 victors. Music played and people cheered and hugged, danced and savored this moment of glory. Even the normally stoic Peacekeepers were enjoying the celebrations. It felt good to celebrate. Felt good to know that we would soon see our friends again. It also meant extra food parcels for the district, which would be a God-send to those in the Seam.

It would be about a week before Katniss and Peeta would arrive back home. First, there would be post-games interviews and a crowning of the Victors and then they'd take the train back home. They'd be awarded new houses in the Victor's Village. I couldn't wait to see Katniss. I feel like she's been gone forever.

The next two days of school breeze by since it was already the last week of school and with a victory under our belt our instructors seemed to have lost some of their focus and let us off easy with very little work. School is officially over until August and that means I have the entire summer to spend with Gale and Katniss now too. I don't think I've ever been so excited for school to be over with. Of course, I've never had a boyfriend to spend my days with either.

My father and I haven't spoken since he told me about my mother and how he's the reason she's so sick. I actually haven't seen him since the games ended. He's been so busy with our tributes having won the games and I've done my best to steer clear of him. I realize he only did it out of fear for me but that's also why my mother did what she did. In a way, I wish they would have just left well enough alone and just let me take my chances in the reaping. At least then I'd know exactly what to expect.

On the first full day of summer break, which happens to also be my birthday, I get up early just as the sun is starting to rise. Gale told me to meet him at his house this morning as soon as I could. He wouldn't tell me anything about what we were doing but I don't care. Whatever he has planned is fine by me. I pull my wavy hair up into a ponytail and slip into a sleeveless navy shift dress. I glide down the back staircase and into the kitchen where I find Mabel just arriving for the day.

"Morning!" I call out to her as I dart out the back door without pausing for breakfast.

"Happy Birthday Miss Madge!" She calls out after me with a little bit of a laugh.

My feet can't carry me fast enough towards the Seam. I find Gale sitting on his front steps, braiding the hair of one of Posy's dolls while she gives him directions on how she wants it done.

"Am I too late for beauty shop?" I joke as I sit on the step next to Posy.

"Course not! Here, you can do her hair." She says as she shoves a doll into my lap.

I laugh and start to braid but Gale halts us. "Sorry Posy, I've gotta go and Miss Madge has to come with me."

"But my dollies need to be pretty." She whines.

"Posy, Gale and I will come back later and play with you but right now we half to go."

She pouts and puts out her bottom lip and crosses her arms over her chest. I feel bad and I'm about to ask Gale if we can stay and play with her for awhile but Gale's not having it. He just picks her up and carries her back inside before he pops back out of the house alone.

"Sorry, she's in an attention needy mood today. I already danced with her doll, sang her doll a lullaby, and did her doll's hair. I'm so very thrilled that she has a new doll." He says sarcastically as he glares teasingly at me.

I give him my best "I'm innocent" smile and shrug as if I don't know what he's talking about. He lunges for me and I squeal as I try to escape his grasp but he catches me easily and tickles me before planting a kiss on my forehead.

"Ready for your surprise?"

"Yes please!"

"Okay, sit here and I'll be right back." He says as he slips back inside his house and I sit down on the step.

He comes out holding a brown paper bag and his game bag.

"Happy Birthday." He says as he puts the paper bag in my lap.

"Gale, you didn't need to get me anything." I tell him. I can't believe he got me a present.

"Just open it already." He says giving me a look that says not to argue him on this.

I sigh and smile as I unroll the top of the bag and look inside. Boots! He got me my own hunting boots! How can he afford this?

"Gale! How on earth did you do this? It's too much!" I say as I pull them from the bag and kick off my own shoes so I can put on my new boots.

"I do believe proper etiquette when someone gives you a gift is to simply say thank you." He teases me with a pointed look.

"Thank you!" I say as I grab at his shirt and pull him in for a kiss. "But seriously, I wish you wouldn't have spent money on me."

"They aren't brand new. I traded for them and then had them resoled and I cleaned them all up."

"I love them! They fit perfectly!" I say as I hold my feet out to show him. I'm glad he didn't pay money for them and I'm glad they weren't brand new but I still secretly wish he wouldn't have done this. I know he depends on his trades to feed his family and I feel really guilty knowing that his efforts were spent on my boots.

"I'm glad they fit. Now c'mon, your surprise isn't over yet." He says as he takes my hands and pulls me to my feet.

We walk hand in hand over to where he usually climbs through the fence and together we cross through and within moments are in the safety and cover of the woods.

"Are we going to the lake?" I ask with excitement in my voice. I can't imagine spending my birthday any other way than at the lake with Gale.

Gale nods and says "That's why you needed the boots."

"You could've just told me to wear my mother's boots."

"Yeah, but they aren't really made for all this hiking and I can't risk your feet getting all torn up again. Besides, any girl of mine needs her own boots."

"I love them." I tell him as I smile and my heart flutters at his words "girl of mine".

We walk a long ways and finally reach the lake. It's even more breathtaking in the sunlight than it was in the moonlight. It's also only now how big I realize it is. The blue water is so beautiful, so clear and so vast.

"I think this is my favorite place in the world." I whisper softly, almost as if to myself.

"Mine too." He says as he comes from behind me and wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin on the top of my head. We just stand in awe of the beauty before us for awhile in one of our comfortable silences before he speaks again.

"There's more. I didn't show you the cabin last time."

"There's a cabin too?"

We walk along the shore and he leads me to the edge of the woods on the other side where a small cabin stands. It's simple and old. I can't even imagine how long it's been here.

"How on earth did you ever find this place?" I ask as I reach out and run my hand over the wall of the cabin, amazed at seeing something so old yet still standing soundly.

"Well, I didn't find it myself. Katniss showed it to me. Her father found it and took her here when she was little."

"Oh. Are you sure she won't mind that you brought me here? I don't want to intrude on something that's special to her." I say suddenly feeling like I've invaded her space or something.

He just shakes his head. "Don't worry about it. She won't mind."

I nod but don't say anything. I'm honestly a little nervous about her return. Not because I think there is anything between she and Gale but just because so much has changed in the relatively short time she's been away. Gale and I are in this totally unexpected yet incredible relationship, I've discovered that I'm technically the fiancé of Seneca Crane, my parents have proven that while they love me very much they make horrible decisions when it comes to me, and I've taken to leaving the perimeter fence and venturing into the woods. That's kind of a lot to swallow as far as changes go. I have a feeling a few things will have changed with her as well. I can't imagine it's possible to go through all she just endured and not come out a little different on the other side.

Gale breaks my thoughts and pulls me back to the moment. "So, do you want to go for a swim?"

I nod and smile. After the long hike to get here I'm dying to cool off in the water. I sit on the grass and remove my new boots. My feet are in great shape, not a blister in site! "Look!" I say to Gale as I hold up one foot with pride.

"Good!" He says looking relieved. "Do you want my shirt?" He asks holding it out to me so I can swim in it like I did last time.

"No, I'm okay." I say with a devious grin as I pull off my dress and head for the water. Gale follows behind me, having already removed all his clothing.

The cool water is refreshing and I immediately dip myself under it. Gale finds me underwater and loops his arms around my waist as we break the surface. He kisses me and I let him pull us into deeper water. He's so tall that it isn't long before I can no longer touch my feet to the bottom. I half float, half hang onto him with my arms around his neck. He leans his face into mine and his lips softly, longingly kiss mine. As we kiss, I can feel the passion building between us, both of us craving more of each other. My legs wrap around his waist and his hands move down from my own waist, curving around the back of my hips. He breaks the kiss only to look into my eyes and say "I can't believe how much I love you Madge Undersee."

"I know what you mean. I had no idea loving you would be this incredible." I say softly as I lean into him and trail small kisses along his neck and onto his collarbone. I feel his chest rising as his breath speeds up. His fingers press firmly into my skin and one hand moves from my hips, making it's way down my thigh. His tongue leaves tingles all down my shoulder and arm as he glides his mouth along my skin kissing me everywhere his lips can reach. I tangle my fingers in his dark, wet hair and close my eyes, soaking in the blissful, floating sensation that being with him always brings. We make our way back to the shore and he carries me right out of the water and onto a blanket he layed out on the grass before we entered the lake. The feeling of the warm sunshine against my wet skin only heightens the pleasure of Gale's touch. I arch my body into him as we lay back on the blanket and he presses back into with eagerness and want. His hands and mouth ravish my body, and I can't help but moan. My moan brings forth a desirous moan from him as well and his teeth nip slightly on my neck. In a flash we're moving as one, completely lost in one another. After, I lay with my head against his chest as we lay catching our breath and his fingers gently stroke my hair. I close my eyes and inhale, trying to memorize every aspect of this moment. The warmth of the sunshine on my skin, the smell of the trees and lake water, the softness of the blanket and ground beneath our bodies. This perfect moment on this perfect day.

A/N: Okay, this chapter is specifically for the Guest/Anonymous Reviewer who requested I not leave out the day at the lake for Madge and Gale. I hope you enjoyed it!