Chapter 18
In the early morning Ms Everdeen went down stairs to check on Katniss. When she entered the living room she sees Gale cuddling Katniss to his chest with his arms protectively around her.
Ms Everdeen realises that Gale even in his sleep is protective of her daughter. She thinks about how her husband would approve of Gale and trust him with their daughter. She thinks that hes the only one they would ever approve of.
She stirs Gale so she can examine Katniss. She checks her temperature while Katniss is still in a deep sleep. She lets out a sigh of relief when she realises her temperature has gone up slightly.
"She's going to be okay. Her temperature has gone up slightly"she says to Gale.
"Thank God"Gale says and runs his hand over his face.
Ms Everdeen sees how tired Gale is and realises he most of stayed awake all night to watch over Katniss
"Why don't you go back to sleep. I'll wake you up when breakfast is ready in a few hours"she says.
He nods. She stands and closes the living room door tightly behind her.
Gale lies back down beside Katniss an notices shes beginning to stir.
She turns around to face Gale.
He smiles at her and strokes her cheek and she smiles back.
She buries her face into his chest and he pulls her tighter against his chest.
Over the next few days Gale stays with Katniss in the living room. He helps her eat and carries her to the bathroom. Hazelle stops by while the kids are at school to check on Katniss and Gale.
Ms Everedeen, Hazelle and Prim watch on how tender Gale is with Katniss. HelLifts her up and puts her down so softly they all feel like awing.
Hazelle sees the protectiveness Gale has over Katniss and she can't help but smiling.
The love is wrote all over their faces for everyone to see.
Hazelle watches them one time in the kitchen. Gale and Katniss in their own conversation and Katniss reaches over to stroke Gale's cheek and he kisses her palm.
When Prim stands to go the bathroom, Gale takes her place beside Katniss. He puts his arm around her.
Hazelle gets back into a conversation with Ms Everdeen and is cut short when Gale gets up to take a sleeping Katniss to bed.
Gale holds her close in her arms and Katniss leans her head against his chest.
When they leave the room Ms Everdeen and Hazelle both look at each other
"Their so sweet together"Hazelle says.
"Ya, I've been watching them the last few days. They're crazy about each other"Ms Everdeen says.
They smile and sip their tea.
Three days before the wedding Gale goes to the Justice Building and a house is issued to Gale and Katniss.
Gale and Katniss clean up the house before the furiniture arrives the next day.
Gale and Katniss are in the kitchen painting the kitchen walls when Gale turns up the radio.
He looks over at katniss puts down the roller and moves towards her.
He takes the paint out of her hand and twirls her and brings her back against his chest.
"Did I ever tell I'm a good dancer"he says and he goes show her.
He lifts her off the ground and pushes her against the wall.
"You got paint in my hair"she says while he kisses her neck.
"I'll wash it out for you later if you want"he says.
He does wash the paint out of her but also the rest of her body.
The day before the wedding Gale and Katniss go to see their completed house.
Gale looks at Katniss thinks about what their future could bring.
That night Gale gives her a long lingering kiss and tells her that he'll see here tomorrow.
Prim sleeps in with Katniss that night and it takes a long time for Katniss to drift to sleep.