"Forget the risk and take the fall, if it's meant to be its worth it all."

Karvel

I look out the window on my right, staring out at the open world while I'm stuck here in Calculus. Mr. Plutarch's lesson can't be any more boring, half the class is already asleep and I'm about to join them.

I scan the parking lot and beyond, my eyes wandering all the way to the mountains in the distance with snow covering their caps. I sigh and rest my head on my hand, only another hour of school and then I can leave.

I have an A in this class, as well as every other class. Some at this school think I love it here, truth is I hate it. Just like any other reasonable person.

I see a 1974 red Toyota pull into the almost empty parking lot and out steps my boyfriend of two years; Marvel. He's three years older than I, being 21. He has his own small apartment on the other side of this tiny town. As a matter of fact, I live with him. Yeah, I'm 18 and I live with my boyfriend. But we are in love, and don't most in love couples live together?

He asked me to move in only six months ago, and I agreed right away. Best decision I've ever made. We met at a football game here at school, he came back to see some of his friends playing, who were seniors at the time. I was 16, and we accidentally bumped into one another. He says it was love at first sight, for me... it took slightly longer. I'm not naive now, and I wasn't then either. He's three years older than me, and at the time I was only 16. As far as I knew he only wanted sex from me... I couldn't have been more wrong.

Some people at this school think I'm a slut for living with Marvel, they all assume living with a 21 year old only involves sex every night. Although I'm actually a virgin. I know Marvel isn't, we've had the talk many times before. It's a tough subject for him, because when he was 16 he was forced into having sex with his mothers best friend. She came over one night to hang out with his mom, got drunk and forced him into a room. That's part of the reason he lives on his own now, he thinks his mother let it happen. The other reason being that he's 21.

I watch as he gets out of the car and stands there in all his glory, waiting for school to let out. Many girls here have tried to get with him, he's what you would call a 'hottie.' I see them going up to him and flirting with him all the time, even if they all know he's completely devoted to me, and I to him. It bothers me, but he never even acknowledges them. His eyes are always solely trained on me.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts at the sound of the bell. I quickly pack and make my way outside. When I get to the parking lot, I see a few girls off to the side talking amongst their group while they point at Marvel. I roll my eyes and look at him, his eyes are focused on me and he is smiling widely. His bright green eyes filled with love.

I walk into his open arms and he gives me a tight embrace.

"Hey beautiful," he greets me, kissing the top of my head.

I smile and pull away so that I can see his warm eyes boring into my own.

"Hey handsome." I say back with a small smile.

He chuckles and leans down to give me a small kiss. He's a good 5 or 6 inches taller than me, being 6'3 while I stand at about 5'9.

We pull apart and get in his car, he opens the door for me like always and I kiss his cheek as he does so, like always.

He hops in the car and as we pull away I look at the group of girls who are now glaring at my side of the car. Marvels hand encases mine and he lifts it up to his lips where he presses a small kiss to it.

"How was your day?" He asks, intertwining our fingers.

I sigh and lay me head back on the seat, "Boring, long. What about you? How's the restaurant?"

Now it's Marvels turn to sigh, "Well... Alright I guess. Same as always, business is slow. Always the same few people coming, and even they are starting to disperse."

I frown at him and lean over to quickly peck his temple. He smiles softly and looks over at me.

You see, Marvel owns a small restaurant not far from our apartment. He bought the property about a month after I met him, it's always been a dream of his. He saved up the money and went ahead and bought it without thinking much of the risk... Now he thinks it's a bad investment, he never even went to business school and he regrets it. The restaurant isn't doing to well, and it required me to get a job. So I'm the manager at the JC Penny's across from his apartment.

"It will get better." I tell him, I don't say 'I promise' because I can't promise that. No one can.

He sighs and nods, "I hope, I sure hope so."

xxx

I head home from JC Penny's and check the time on my flip phone.

7:47

I groan, I still have a mountain of homework sitting on the kitchen table waiting to be completed. I have a huge test to study on top of it all. I speed up and arrive at the apartment in just a few minutes. I unlock the door to see Marvel sitting at the kitchen table doing paperwork. I sigh and walk up to him, I lean down from behind him and put my arms around his shoulder and he melts into my touch. I kiss his cheek before resting my head on his shoulder.

He sets down his pencil and turns his head to look at me.

"Hey," I say softly.

He gives me a quick smile. "Hey yourself, how was work?"

I shrug, "Fine, a few tough customers. A few PMS'ing bitches, the usual."

He chuckles and pecks my lips. "You hungry?"

I nod and he pushes out of his chair and walks to the fridge.

"Go ahead and get comfortable, I know you hate that uniform." He says softly before opening up the fridge. Before I walk back to our room, I see him look around the fridge for a few moments and sighs deeply before rubbing his face.

"What am I going to do?" He asks himself quietly and dejectedly.

I know he isn't only talking about making a silly dinner.

I shake my head and walk into our room and change into sweatpants and one of his sweatshirts. I walk back out and see Marvel setting my plate of three pierogies and broccoli down on the counter. It's not much, but I know it's all we have. I'm just glad we have anything at all, there have been many nights we go to bed on an empty stomach.

"I see you're wearing my sweatshirt." He comments, his previous concerns hidden from me. I know he doesn't want me to worry, but I don't like him taking all this stress alone...

I snort, "When do I not?"

He chuckles and gives me a real smile. "True, very true."

After dinner I go to our room and do my homework on the bed while he does the restaurants paperwork at the desk. The whole time I'm completing this god awful homework, he's running his hands through his hair many times, showing me he's stressed.

I look at the clock once I finish and see that it's already 11:06.

"I get my paycheck at the end of the week, $500. I can work a little later tomorrow and get paid 50 more..." I speak up, closing my textbook and setting it on the side table.

He turns to look at me and gives me a weak, forced smile.

"You don't have to do that, you get home late already. And I know you have a lot of homework, being those advanced courses and all, let me take care of it." He says softly. "You don't need to worry."

I frown and get up to walk over to him, he pushes his chair back a bit and I sit sideways in his lap. He puts his arms around me and I lay my head on his chest. He sets his chin atop my head.

"I don't want you to take the burden of this on your own," I mumble.

He kisses my head before resting his chin on it again.

"Katniss, love, it's all ok-"

I pull back to look into his eyes, "Don't lie to me, Marvel. Don't."

His eyes search mine for a while and then slowly he lets me see how truly stressed he is. I rest my forehead against his and he closes his eyes for a second.

"The restaurant just isn't doing very well. I'm sorry, I wish I could have better for you."

"I couldn't have it any better, I have you Marvel. You're more than enough. Everything will be alright, things will look up." I say quietly, trying to sound as reassuring as possible.

Marvel gives me a grateful smile and presses his lips to mine. Once we pull away I rest my head back on his chest and he slowly rubs my back, almost putting me to sleep in a matter of minutes.

"You should get some sleep." I mutter through a yawn.

He chuckles, his chest vibrating as he does so. "Maybe you should take your own advice."

I shake my head against his chest, "Not until you come to bed, I can't sleep without you."

"I'll come as soon as I figure this out, just give me ten more minutes. You, you need to go bed." He says gently yet firmly.

I look at him with a pout and he brushes a stray strand of hair behind my ear. He picks me up and walks me back to our small and lumpy bed; we got it for only twenty dollars at Good Will when we first moved in.. I'm set down and put under the covers before I feel him set a light kiss to my forehead, gracing me with a smile.

"Go to sleep, I'll be in bed shortly." He commands lightly.

I nod and snuggle into the pillow, too tired to argue. I fall asleep almost right away, not long after I'm awoken by the slight dip in his side of the bed. I feel Marvels arms wraps around my waist and I'm pulled against his bare, firm chest. I snuggle up to him and breath in his scent just before I let sleep overcome me once again.

xxx

I wake up to the sound of my wretched alarm, causing me to let out a groan. Marvel doesn't have to wake up for another half hour so I get up quietly and tip toe to the bathroom where I get in the shower. I make sure to take a quick one as not to wake Marvel and to keep our water bill at a minimum.

I quickly get dried and dressed, when I walk back into the room I see that Marvel is no longer in bed. I walk into the kitchen and see him setting with two pieces of toast and orange juice on the counter.

"Sorry it's all we have love, I just haven't had time to go to the store. Nor do we have the money." He says with a sorry smile, his eyebrows pulled together in stress and worry.

I shake my head with a small smile, "It's no big deal Marvel, it's not different from how I've grown up. You know that..."

He walks up to me and puts his arms around my waist. "I know, and I'm hoping to change that. I've always wanted to give you the best ever, everything you could ever want. It's just that our money is so tight right now an-"

I cut him off with a kiss, "Shut up."

He gives me a half smile, "I was rambling again, wasn't I?"

I nod and I rub my thumb softly across his cheek before pecking his lips. He gives me a goofy grin once we pull apart and then reaches into his wallet, taking out the only money within it's black depths.

"Alright, let's get you to school. Here's 5$ for lunch, I know it's not mu-"

"Marvel." I cut him off with a warning tone.

He blushes, "Oops."

I kiss his cheek and pull out of his arms to head out of the cheap and cruddy apartment building. We hop in his old beat up car and he drives me to school. When he drops me off he gives me a fervent kiss just like any other day. Girls stare me down with jealousy, as always.

I'm not going to lie, Marvel is very attractive. He's slim but muscular, he's got nice a six pack, and he has brown hair with vibrant green eyes. He's always dressed in plaid tucked into jeans, and he makes it look hot.

"I love you, see you at 3:30." He says as I exit the car, giving me a lasting smile.

"Love you too."

xxx

(End of the Year)

Finally school is over, after four wretched years of this hell hole, I graduated. Earlier today to be exact, and Marvel decided to take me out for dinner afterwards. I was invited to a few parties, but I really just wanted to go home and cuddle up to Marvel while we watch movies.

He took me out to a somewhat fancy restaurant, probably a place the middle class could eat at every day. Though for us it's as expensive as a freaking diamond necklace. We get seated and he takes my tiny hands from across the table, enveloping them in his larger ones.

"We never talked about college, did we?" He asks sort of befuddled after we order.

I shrug and look down at our hands, his thumb rubbing mine delicately. "I guess we didn't."

"Where do you plan on going? Sorry I've never asked..." He says with nervous chuckle.

I shake my head, "I haven't applied anywhere. We don't have the money, Marvel. We barely have enough money to get by as it is, paying for college on top of everything else? I don't want to put either of us under that much stress."

He smiles shyly, "Well, about that..."

I narrow my eyes and cock my head. "Marvel, love, what the hell did you do."

He gives me a sheepish grin and shrugs shyly. "I may have saved up some money to pay for your first year of college."

My jaw drops, "Y-you did what?"

"I kinda started saving up when I first met you... I told you, love at first sight. At first I was just saving up to buy you a necklace because I was young and dumb and thought you may want a new and fancy necklace worth a thousand dollars... but then you opened up to me and I to you. After that college seemed more important that any necklace."

"Marvel... I would rather have an old beat up hoodie as opposed to a fancy necklace." I say in shock.

He chuckles and looks down before meeting my eyes again. "I know, that's why I switched away from that and to college. But this is more valuable than a necklace and better than a hoodie." He says softly.

"You didn't."

He nods with a small smile, "I'm afraid I did, love."

"What about the restaurant and all its bad times? Why didn't you just take some money from this college fund you say you have made for me? The restaurant needed it..."

He shakes his head, "You know you are more important to me than any stupid restaurant. You're number one on my priority list. And I don't want you to do the stupid ass thing I did and skip college. The stress that comes with it is the last thing you need. It's the last thing we both need."

I'm speechless, all I can do is kiss him. I jump into his arms and he chuckles, kissing me back with a smile.

"So... Where do u want to go?" He asks in a slight daze once I pull away.

"I... I don't know. I never even considered college an option. I didn't even apply anywhere." I say, blinking a few times, still in shock.

I end up waiting a year and even then I only go to the community college. I had the grades to get into Harvard, but community college worked better for me and Marvel. That way I can help him with the restaurant more, plus community college costs less.

xxx

A year later, my first year of college, something amazing happens.

I'm in the living room while Marvels out at work. He still owns that restaurant, barely making ends meet. I help out with my JC Penny's job, I only make but so much. And I go to college on top of that, so it lessens my work hours. I'm reading one of my fathers favorite books when I hear the door open and Marvel burst through the door.

"Katniss! Love, where are you?" He asks out of breath, turning all around to look for me.

I stand up from where I am and cock an eyebrow, "I'm here, wh-"

That's all I get out before he's picking me up and swinging me around and around. I laugh and yell at him to put me down before I get too dizzy.

He stops spinning me but still holds me tight. "You're never going to believe this!"

"What?"

"I mean this is amazing!" He exclaims.

"What is?"

"Oh my gosh, I can't even believe that this is happening!" He says with his eyes wide.

"What?!" I ask loudly, getting his attention this time.

"You know that show 'Diners Drive Ins and Dives?" He asks, I nod and he continues. "Okay, well the dude, Guy, stumbled across my restaurant and ordered our special! We gave it to him, and he loved it! Katniss, love, he's filming it. It's going to be on the show!"

My jaw drops and I hug him tightly, "Oh my gosh! Marvel, this is great!"

"I know! Katniss... We are going to be okay. After this, no more bread and cheese for lunch. You will be having freaking lobster. No more freezing showers, you can take a long and hot shower lasting hours and hours. No more date nights with spam for dinner! No, we can go to the fanciest restaurants in the county! We are going to be okay. Darling, we are going to be okay." He sounds the most relieved I've ever heard him.

"Now... Now I can give you all you want." He says softly.

I cock my head to the side and give him a soft look. "Marvel, I don't want anything. You're all I want, only you."

He smiles and looks down at his feet bashfully.

"Marvel, you're dream is going to come true." I say, excitement coursing through me.

He looks back at me and it's his turn to cock his head. "Love, my only dream is to be the one who makes you happy, to be the one you love. To be the lucky guy who wins your heart over."

I brush his hair back a bit and smile gingerly. "Then I guess it's already come true."

He leans down and presses his lips to mine in a gentle yet fervor kiss. He deepens it, swiping his tongue along my bottom lip. I open my mouth and his tongue meets mine in a fight for dominance.

My arms go around his neck as I thread my fingers through his hair, causing a deep moan to escape his lips. His hand on my back travels down to my butt, causing me to jump up and wrap my legs around him. His arms hold me up, one situated under my butt and the other on my back holding me close. He radiates warmth and love.

"If your love was all I ever had in this world, than that would be enough until the end of time." He mumbles against my lips, mid moan.

I kiss him back harder in response. He lays back on the couch, or rather falls back.

"God I love you, so fucking much."

"I love you too." I say back as I kiss down his neck. I feel something poking my thigh and I smirk.

"Katniss, I want you. I want you now. I know you want to wait... So we need to stop." He groans as I move my hips against him.

I pull back, breathing slightly heavy.

"Sorry..." I say, a blush evident on my face. "I got carried away."

He shakes his head rapidly, "Love, don't EVER say sorry for that. I welcome that with open arms. As long as it's only for me, because just the thought of another man touching you disgusts me."

"I wouldn't want anyone else, trust me Marvel. You are the only one who gets anything from me, the only one who will ever get anything from me."

He nods and presses another kiss to my cheek before I get up off of him. He gets up and I see his raging boner.

"If you would excuse me, I'm going to go take a cold shower."

I chuckle and nod.

"When I'm done, uh, with my business... I'll come back and we can watch a movie or something." He says, awkwardly waddling into our room.

I laugh and lay back on the couch, I check the clock and see that it's 8:30.

Shortly Marvel comes back out in sweatpants and a tank top, showing the muscles in his arms. I sit up as he sits down, he pulls me into his arms and he lays back on the couch. He pulls the blanket that is draped over the back of the couch and throws it over us. I lay my head on his chest and revel in his warmth. His hand goes up my shirt as he rubs my back.

He smells like soap and shampoo, his hair is still slightly damp. Some of it lays in clumps on his forehead so I brush it back and kiss his forehead before laying my head on his chest and snuggling up to him. Not long after he turns on a movie and I fall asleep, the last thing I hear is an 'I love you, Katniss' whispered and a kiss on my head before sleep over takes my system and I fall asleep.

I wake up the next morning in bed and in pajamas. The covers are pulled up to my chin and I'm all tucked in. I smile and look over to my side, seeing Marvel isn't there.

I get up and go to the kitchen where I see a note and breakfast. I sit down at the counter and pull the plate to me. I take a piece of bacon and start munching on it as I read Marvels note.

Sorry I left so early, but today's the day! It's soon, I know, but news is already all over town. Guy wants to film today and the show should be aired in just a month. I want you to be here, so come whenever you're ready. He will be here from 11 to 4.

Love you lots

-Marvel.

I smile at the note and finish my breakfast. Soon I'm ready and I head to his restaurant. When I get there it's already packed. I have to walk through a crowd of people just to be able to get into the place. There are cameras everywhere, there must be at least five cameramen here. I look around the crowded place and find Marvel talking to Guy, both laughing. Our eyes meet and his instantly brighten up, he motions me over and I happily walk to him and the host.

"Guy, this is my lovey girlfriend Katniss. Katniss, this is Guy." He introduces.

Guy smiles and shakes my hand, "great to meet you." He turns to Marvel and slaps his back. "Dang boy, you did good. How did you end up with this beauty anyways?"

Marvel laughs and winks at me, "That's what everyone says, I don't know how I got someone as amazing as her."

I blush and his arm going around my waist. "But I wouldn't have it any other way."

I kiss his cheek and Guy awes.

"I would love to have a little of you and her on the show, people love a restaurant that has a couple running it." He states.

"I was just coming to support Marvel..." I tell him.

"Well you can support him by being on the show." Guy concludes, clapping his hands together once.

xxx

A month later Marvel has a few friends over and we all sit down to watch the airing of the show. Ever since it was filmed his restaurant has been booming with business, and it hasn't even been aired. We expect even more people to come once it's put on TV, he's planning on getting the restaurant expanded to have more seating areas.

Him and I are sitting on the love seat, I'm sitting in between his legs with my head on his shoulder and his arms are placed around me. His friends, Finnick, his girlfriend Annie, Peeta, his girlfriend Delly, Cato- he's single, and my friends, Madge, Gale- also single, Thresh and his girlfriend, Finch.

The show starts and we are all on the edge of our seat. I look up at Marvel and see his eyes shining with pride and admiration. I smile and look back at the TV.

A scene of him and I come on and everyone awes. It's a scene I didn't even know he recorded. I'm helping Marvel cook something and he tells me a stupid joke, I look up at him and snort. I call him an idiot, yet I look at him like all the stars that shine and he looks at me just the same. He leaned down and gently kissed me, I smiled and lean into his side as we continued to cook.

Once the little scene ends Marvel kisses the top of my head and I feel his warm breath on the top of my ear. I snuggle closer to him and he chuckles. His arms tighten around me and I sigh contently.

xxx

After the restaurant was aired, Marvel and I became somewhat rich. He expanded the restaurant and even made his own commercials. We moved into a bigger house, nothing extravagant. It's two stories and is kind of lopsided, having a basement and just the regular floor. The garage is on the lower level, there is an office down there as well. Then there are steps right at the front door up the the living room because of the land it was built on. Down the hall from the living room are four other rooms, three are bedrooms and one is a bathroom. We have a small kitchen just off the living room.

With all the money from the restaurant, we could afford a much, much nicer house. But Marvel and I agree that this is all we need. We even bought two new cars. A 2010 green Mustang for me and a 2015 Red Ford Fusion for him.

Life has been amazing, Marvel proposed to me last month and we are getting married in only four months. I finished college last year, only going through year 2. Once the restaurant took off I stopped going and became co-owner of the restaurant, quitting my job at JC Penny's.

xxx

After the wedding, I gave myself to Marvel. We made love all through the night and all through our honeymoon. I don't know how I ever was able to convince myself to wait, it was one of the best experiences of my life.

Only a year after we got married, I got pregnant. I was nervous that Marvel was going to get mad, but when I told him he was ecstatic. I've never seen him so happy, needless to say he's ready to become a father. Me... I guess I'm somewhat ready to become a mother...

I've been pregnant for 7 months now, and Marvel won't let me do anything. He babies me, won't even let me walk to the store. I have to stay in the house at all times, and it's annoying to say the least. But I love him anyways, and I know he just wants to keep me and our baby safe.

"Katniss, love, I'm home!" He calls and I hear the sound of the door closing from the living room. I look over the railing of the stairs and see him coming up them. It's 2 in the morning right now and I couldn't sleep, I've been craving vanilla cake. So I sent him out to get some, and he, being the amazing husband he is, just got back with my cake.

He walks up the stairs and I greet him with a kiss, my huge belly preventing me from sitting up easily. He sets the cake down on the table in front of me and goes to the kitchen, he comes back with two forks but no plates.

He chuckles and sits down next to me, "I don't think we really need plates now do we?"

I shake my head no and smile at him. "Thanks again for going out and getting this, I know I'm a whiny bitch but I can't help it."

He kisses my temple, "I know, but you're my bitch."

I snort and pull away, softly smacking him. He chuckles and we dig into the cake. In just a few minutes half of it is gone. I get full after eating more than half the cake and lay my head on his shoulder, I almost fall asleep but wake up when I remember I'm too heavy for him to carry to bed.

I stand up, or attempt to stand up, startling Marvel.

"I thought you fell asleep." He comments, helping me up as he gets up himself. I shake my head while I yawn.

"I woke up when I remembered you can't take me to bed."

He smiles softy, "I still would have tried, I'm strong. I may have been able to."

I chuckle and shake my head as we walk into our room, "I doubt it. Unless you want to break your back." He laughs and walks with me to bed.

We get in and I snuggle up to his side like I have done for the past 6 years.

"Goodnight beautiful, love you."

"Love you too."

xxx

Twelve hours of labor and I finally hold my baby girl in my arms.

"Congratulation Mrs. Harding, would you like me to call in your husband?" My doctor asks me. I nod, too happy and tired to speak.

Next thing I know there is a pair of lips on my temple and I feel my husbands presence next to me.

"She's beautiful." He whispers, brushing her hair on her forehead.

I nod and lay my head on his shoulder, tears of joy forming in my eyes.

"She looks just like you." He whispers, causing me to break my eyes from our precious baby to my amazing husband. "She has your gray eyes."

I look back at her and smile, "But she has your nose."

He chuckles, "That's not good."

I laugh and he leans down to press a small kiss to my lips.

"C-can I hold her?" He asks hesitantly.

"Marvel, she's your daughter too. No need to ask to hold her." I say as I hand my little bundle of joy over to her daddy.

"Hey there little girl, I'm your daddy. The one who told you corny jokes while in mommy." He says, causing me to laugh. His eyes shine with pride and love, I know mine do too.

"What should we name her?" He asks, rocking her in his arms.

"I haven't really thought of it." I admit.

He smiles down at me, "How about Rue?"

"Rue." I repeat, liking the way it sounds on my tongue. "Rue." I say again, this time with a firm nod.

"Rue Harding. Now we just need a middle name." I say as Marvel sits down next to me. I lay my head on his shoulder, all of the sudden the twelve hours of labor hits me. And it hits me hard.

"How about Prim as her middle name?" He asks, he hands her to me and puts an arm around my shoulders and I cradle her in my arms.

"After my sister?" I ask, she passed along with my father when I was younger.

He nods, "Unless you don't want-"

I cut him off with a kiss, "It's perfect."

"You're perfect, you and our daughter. I love you, I love you so much. I swear I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have been able to gain your love." Marvel says softly, resting his own head on top of mine after kissing it.

I smile and look down at Rue, "I think it's the other way around." I yawn and snuggle closer into his side. His arm around me tightens slightly so that I feel more secure.

"Go to sleep love, I'll be here when you wake up." He whispers, that's all it takes for me to conk out.

The last thing I hear before I completely fall asleep is Marvels melodic voice. "I love you Katniss, and I love you Rue. I guess dreams really do come true."

Terrible ending, I know... But hey, I like it!

Let me know what you think by leaving a review!

The song that goes with this I don't really like, but I discovered it AFTER I wrote this.

"As Long As You Love Me," Justin Bieber