Epilogue

6 Months after

"Ladies and gentleman! It is time for the new Mr and Mrs Baxter to take the floor for their first dance!" a loud voice announces.

Glimmer jumps up off her seat with an excited squeal and pulls Cato up with her. Her excitement doesn't seem to faze Cato. He hasn't stopped smiling since he saw her in her bright white, snow princess gown. The gown is another dazzling Cinna creation with tiny crystallised snowflakes embroidered into the bodice and an icicle shaped tiara on top of her head. The skirt of the dress is still enormous and I'm surprised Glimmer can move so swiftly in it.

Cato happily lets her drag him onto the dance floor before he extravagantly swings her into his arms. Glimmer falls into his chest and giggles as he catches her. The string quartet starts up a romantic melody and Cato begins twirling Glimmer around the dance floor. Their eyes never leave each other's gaze.

After my dad's funeral, Glimmer rearranged her wedding for the week before Christmas. Thankfully the pink glitter theme is gone but has instead been replaced by an ice and snow princess fairytale. Glimmer actually turned up to the church in a reindeer lead sleigh and ordered for the surrounding grounds to be covered in fake snow. The ballroom now glitters with twinkling lights, illuminated ice sculptures and frosted snowflakes.

"So glad she decided to ditch the whole bridal party dance extravaganza," Peeta whispers in my ear. As usual goose bumps appear on my flesh as his breath hits the back of my neck.

I twist round in my seat so I can look into his blue eyes. The millions of twinkling lights reflect in his brilliant blue eyes making them sparkle like precious gems. My heart begins to beat faster as I catch sight of the loving look he has on his face.

"Agreed. I don't think my feet could have handled your clumsy footwork!" I joke poking him in the chest playfully.

"Didn't they tell you that's how we dance in the Mellark household," Peeta replies with a cheeky grin.

I smile back at him and tilt my head up so I can meet his lips in a soft kiss. Afterwards I snuggle back into his side as we watch Cato and Glimmer blissful spin around the floor. However we are not left alone for long before Plutarch Heavensbee comes up to greet us.

"You two are just so adorable!" Plutarch declares. "When will we be hearing your wedding bells?"

I have to stop myself from physically rolling my eyes. We have been asked this question countless times today. Now Glimmer is happily married everyone is looking for the next big wedding. It seems my family has decided that it will be Peeta and I.

"No plans of yet, but we'll let you know when we do," Peeta replies diplomatically giving my waist a gentle squeeze to stop me from snapping at Plutarch for asking that question.

Plutarch nods his head in understanding before engaging with Peeta about the latest art he has commissioned. I sit back in Peeta's arm content to hear him talk about his art while toying with the miniature white calla lily in his suit's lapel.

I have surprised myself with how easy it has been to be with Peeta like this. After the night of his gallery opening everything just seemed to fall into place. I didn't leave his apartment for a week and I revelled in hearing the sound of his voice again and the feel of his hands on me. We knew each other so well that everything just felt so effortless.

After fixing my relationship with Peeta as I was able to make amends with Madge again. She was happy for the both of us, but it took her a while to get used to the idea. She complained that no one should have to hear their brother having sex and would always find an excuse to go round to Thom's whenever I had Peeta over.

It then only felt natural that when Thom finally asked Madge to move in with him last month, that Peeta came and lived with me. We spent so much time together as it was and I realised just how much I enjoyed waking up in his arms. Marriage is a long way off but I know one day we will take that step. And that thought doesn't scare me. I love him in a way that I never loved Gale. My love for Peeta consumes me and I trust him completely, something I realised I never did with Gale.

Gale is currently sitting at the other end of high table from me. Leevy gave birth to two strapping boys 7 weeks ago. He has dark bags under his eyes as he tries to soothe the screaming baby that he has in his arms. Leevy is next to him scolding him for holding the baby wrong. He catches me staring and gives me a tired smile. I give him a sympathetic smile in return but I no longer feel any pain on seeing him. I am glad I am done with that part of my life.

The song ends and Cato and Glimmer stop twirling about the dance floor. The MC encourages other couples to join the newlyweds. Glimmer separates herself from Cato and goes to drag Uncle Haymitch up. He puts up quite a fight but after a lot of prodding from both Aunt Effie and Glimmer he eventually concedes and drags himself up. Glimmer put his arms around her waist and they begin swaying on the spot.

I feel Peeta get up behind me and I turn round to find him standing staring down at and offering his hand to me.

"Care to show them how it is really done?" Peeta asks.

I smile at him as I stand and take his hand in my own.

"Absolutely," I reply with a cheeky grin. Peeta returns my smile and leads me onto the dance floor.

Once there, Peeta puts one hand on my waist, takes my hand in the other and pulls me close. I settle into the space in his chest, right above his heart, that I have now claimed as my own. He begins to sway me softly, vaguely in time with the music. I inhale the soft smell of his cologne and savour the feel of him holding me in his arms. It is the place I feel safest.

I turn my head slightly to look at Glimmer and Haymitch dancing contently to our left. Even with all the fuss he had made, Uncle Haymitch is quite happily dancing with his daughter. You can see the pride on his face.

I twinge of sadness appears in my heart at the sight. It has been hard these last 6 months without my dad. It was only after I made amends with Peeta that I was able to talk about him without any real pain. It has been only in the last couple of months that I have been able to go back into the woods without him. Seeing Glimmer and Haymitch together reminds me that I will never get to dance with my own father on my wedding day.

Peeta senses my change in mood and tilts my chin up so I can look at him.

"What's wrong?" he asks softly.

I blink back a few tears as I turn to look at Haymitch and Glimmer dancing together.

"Just thinking about all the things Dad is going to miss. And he knew Peeta. He knew before I did that I was in love with you, that I was going to marry you… our children will never get to meet him" I say.

Peeta smiles at me sadly.

"And he died knowing you were happy. Focus on that," he says. I smile sadly at him. "And we will make sure our children know how great their grandfather was. We'll tell them all about the adventures the two of you had in the woods. We'll make sure he is never forgotten."

I stand up on my toes to give Peeta a chaste kiss.

"Thank you," I whisper.

Peeta smiles at me and I snuggle back into his chest, his steady heartbeat grounding me.

He is right. Dad's memory won't be forgotten. It is sad he won't be here to see all the exciting things that will happen in my life but I would like to think somewhere he will be watching me with pride. At the very least I know that he thought Peeta was the best choice for me. A fact that took me a little longer to realise.

Peeta and I continue to sway gently on the spot, others twirling more exuberantly around us, both of us knowing there is no other place we would rather be.

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this little snap shot at the end of the story. It's been a bit of a roller coaster and I'm so glad so many people enjoyed this it.

During the story some people asked for outtakes in Peeta's POV and I have decided to write 4 short ones that will be posted at the end of this story. I hope to post the first one next Monday. They will all be scenes that we did not get to see during this story, plus one that will be set after the epilogue. They will give a bit of an insight of how and why Peeta's feeling changed. I hope some people find them interesting.

Thank you to everyone who has read and supported this story. Your response has been amazing.