Plutarch plans the wedding quickly after clearing it with Coin, who put up quite a protest. She didn't like the idea of a big celebration. Plutarch pushed and pushed though until she gave in. After that, we had to tell Plutarch exactly about what normally happened at weddings in four. We requested that it should have the same traditions. I was happy that my friends from other districts could be there, but I did miss Daniel and Noah's presence. As for other things, everything was pushed together quickly.
Annie went off with Katniss to 12 in order to pick out a dress. The next day, I had a fitting. The prep team had brought back some of Peeta's suits without being asked to. It was rather sharp of them. Katniss has an amazing prep team. The one they thought would fit me best definitely did even though they had only seen me a few times. They rushed off with it, promising to make it look different.
"Are you okay with us filming the wedding?" Plutarch asks after they leave. "For a propo? It would be really great to show the Capitol that we are still celebrating." He's anxious. This was probably how he convinced Coin to let us celebrate. I don't want to make him more nervous about doing this for us.
"Of course. Anything I can do to help," I tell him. I don't want anything else to be asked of us though, so I slip past him and head back to my room. Annie hasn't moved in yet, but has taken up space in Johanna's room. Johanna protested us living together until the wedding, mumbling something about how this should be done traditionally even though we are living in an underground bunker. I didn't interrupt to tell her that wasn't the way we did it in 4. Must be a 7 thing.
Like I said, this entire planning process went so fast it was basically nonexistent. It was decided that is should occur on the very next day. That meant I was a nervous wreck for the few hours before it happened. What if something went wrong and the ceremonies weren't correct? What if Annie phases out? What if something happened to my suit when the prep team had it? What if I spill something on myself? This keeps me up all night, asking what ifs.
On the day of the wedding, a mock prep team comes into help me. They are all from 13 because I've never seen them before and they don't look like Capitol people. The prep team didn't change much with my suit, just changed the trim, ripped a pocket off, and tailored it a little bit better. Still, it could be an entirely different suit.
I'm allowed time to shower and dress in the suit. The team doesn't really have any idea what they are doing. It makes me even more nervous, so I shoo them out politely. They've left behind makeup products and a hairbrush. I don't really want to put on too much, so I just run the brush through my hair and add a little bit of bronzer to my face. It looks like I still have my natural tan glow. Tabia used to use this; that's how I know what I'm doing.
"Are we ready?" Haymitch calls from outside, pounding on the door. I run to pull it open. Haymitch is also dressed nicer than usual.
"It's time already?" I ask.
"I wouldn't be knocking if it wasn't. Are you ready?" Haymitch repeats.
"I think so."
"Then we best be going." Haymitch leads me down through the empty hallways. Everyone has gathered in the cafeteria, where we will be holding the wedding. He stops outside the doors to speak to me. "Good luck or whatever you say before these things."
"Thank you," I answer. I pull open the door and Haymitch and I head inside. Everyone is sitting on opposite sides of the aisle, which starts just in front of the door. I walk up slowly, taking in everyone's faces. There are no fake smiles, just totally real ones on every face. Johanna and Katniss sit at the very front. A man from 10 is going to be doing the vows.
I step up onto the platform, which is just a wooden board they found. Annie comes through the doors next. She's beautiful in a green dress that makes her eyes shine brighter and her hair compliments it perfectly. I'm too caught up in the moment to listen as the vows start. Johanna and Katniss drop the net over our heads as Dalton reads the vows.
"I do," I say when he is finished.
"I do," Annie says. Dalton passes us a small bowl of salt water. I don't know where they possibly could have gotten that from. We both dip of thumbs into the bowl at the same time and then spread the water on each other's lips. Dalton takes the bowl from us. I kiss Annie, pulling her close. We can both remove the net from our heads. The crowd starts singing a song. None of them know what they are doing, stumbling over all the words, but it's a nice attempt.
After that, we have the party. It's probably the most fun I've had in, well, years. We dance all night. Johanna absolutely loves it. Katniss stands in the corner until Johanna drags her in with Prim. Johanna even organizes a special song for just Annie and I. It's actually a song from her district that she taught the band.
A cake is brought in on a cart. It's gorgeous with blue-green icing waves, fish, sailboats, seals, and sea flowers. It's perfect in every way. Even Annie speaks her love for it out loud.
"We need to thank whoever made this," Annie tells me, holding onto my arm.
"Of course," I say, still excited by the decoration. "Plutarch, who made this?" Plutarch comes over to us with a cup in his hands.
"Peeta. He's fantastic, so detailed. It really is beautiful," he answers.
"Send him our thanks," Annie says. Plutarch nods and heads over to talk to someone else. "I don't want to eat it."
"Me either." So, we don't at least for a while. Dancing makes you hungry though. We pick around the more intricate parts. The party winds down after a while. Schedules can't get pushed back forever. We all slowly leave from the party after cleaning up. After rolling out all the tables, we then head out. The hallways are now filled with laughter.
Annie and I head into our room at the end of the best day, probably ever.
Yay, their wedding! We have four more chapters of this story :( Make sure to review! Next chapter is finishing up training and then we are going to the Capitol!