Well done fantastic readers, you exceeded my expectations ;) I'm still awake after work so here ya go! This is another of my favorite chapters I have written. I hope I've done Peeta justice, in your eyes. Please tell me what you think!
Enjoy! XOXO
I am a nervous wreck and I know Katniss has noticed. I've been trying to avoid her but don't want her to think she has done anything wrong. It all started with a certain package that arrived at the bakery last week.
I had been in the kitchen when the mail was delivered. Delly burst through the doors, her face flushed and her eyes wide.
"Peeta! This was just delivered for you! From District 1!" I nervously held out my hands and Delly handed me a small black box. She stared at me, almost tapping her foot impatiently. I cleared my throat and stuffed the box into my pocket.
"Peeta! Is that really what I think it is?"
"It depends on what you think it is."
"Oh please. A black box! A little black box! It's a ring! It's a ring for Katniss! You are going to propose!" I remained silent and she squealed and jumped around the room. I took a step back, shaking my head in amazement. Delly has always been one of my dearest friends but sometimes her…enthusiasm is a lot to take.
"Delly, calm down. You can't breathe a word about this. To anyone!" Her eyes widened. Damn it. She's probably the last person who should know about this.
"I swear it, Peeta. My lips are sealed!" I nodded and took a deep breath.
"Can I see it?" I looked back at her and bit my lip.
"Ok." I pulled the box from my pocket and noticed my hands trembling as I opened it. Delly and I both gasped at the same time. It's absolutely perfect.
I don't imagine Katniss one for a lot of flashy jewelry but I think she will love this. Her pearl is set in the middle of two rows of jewels, one of small diamonds, the other tiny emeralds. The rows form a design that looks like a wave, reminding me of the beautiful waves we watched together in District 4. If I could take her anywhere for a honeymoon, it would be 4. We were both so at peace and she was even flirtatious and giddy. The emeralds are her favorite shade of green and they surround the pearl perfectly. I started to shake at the thought of this ring on Katniss's slender finger.
"Peeta," Delly said quietly. "It's so beautiful."
"You…you think she'll like it?"
"It's perfect. She will love it. And there's no way she can say no!" I bit my lip. There is a way she could say no. She has made herself clear where she stands on marriage more than once. But then, I remember what she said when Johanna was in town. She thinks I've given up on asking her. I don't know what she'll say, quite honestly, but I can hope that she has changed her mind and she will agree to marry me. I closed the box and put it back in my pocket.
Now I just have to think of how to do it, I thought to myself.
So here I am, almost a week later, still racking my brain for romantic ideas. Trouble is, Katniss isn't really the romantic type. She still takes my breath away when something loving comes out of her mouth. The other night when we were making dinner, I caught her staring at me and asked her what was wrong. She just grinned and said, "I can't believe how lucky I am to have found you." Later on, when we were working on the Memory Book, she let slip that she hopes our kids understand how incredible their aunt Prim was.
I swear I nearly had a heart attack. I had turned white as a sheet and so had she, once she realized what she had said.
"Oh Peeta…I'm sorry. I didn't…that just slipped out, I wasn't thinking…"
"You…you're still dead set against having kids, aren't you?" She gave me a sad look.
"I just can't, Peeta."
Still, it was the first time I have ever heard her say anything like that. And we're not even married yet! We're still really young so I'm determined not to give up.
Deciding I need some extra help, I push aside my pride and enlist Johanna and Annie. Annie is more help than Jo, because at least she's somewhat romantic but Johanna is changing due to her relationship with George and they both had some good ideas.
Best thing they both came up with is asking her in her favorite spot. The lake. She's taken me out there many times and I love the time we spend together. I love that she took me to hers and her father's special spot. She never even shared it with Gale. But me…she chose to share it with me. Oh I'll admit, I was doing a little happy dance inside my head. Take that Gale Hawthorne, I say to myself smugly.
Surprisingly, they both came up with the same thing. Maybe it's because they both know Katniss or maybe because they know what we've all been through. We just want something real. I want to ask her, for real, to be my wife and not for the cameras. For real.
I call Mrs. Everdeen and formally ask for Katniss's hand. She consents and gives me her blessing.
I decide the day before my 18th birthday is perfect. I'm not sure what she has in store for my actual birthday but she has been sneaking around so I know something is up. She's really terrible at surprises so I'm actually shocked that I haven't figured this one out. Then again, I'm not really trying. The very thought that she is trying to do something special for me is more than enough.
We wake up in each other's arms and are still naked from the night before. I grin as I kiss her nose and continue to plant kisses all over her face until I'm met with those grey eyes I love so much. She sits up a little and smiles.
"Mm, good morning."
"Morning beautiful." She tries to hide her smile but I pull her into my arms and kiss her forehead.
"Why're you smiling?"
"I just love waking up next to you like this," she says softly and my heart is about to leap out of my chest.
"Me too. I hope we can do it for the rest of our lives," I tell her honestly.
"That's the plan," is her reply. My breath catches in my throat and I squeeze her hand. She smiles and squeezes back before tossing back the covers.
"Can't believe I slept that late. I was going to go hunting early."
"Hey, take a day off. Spend some time with me. We can have a picnic in the woods."
"That sounds nice but don't you have to work?"
"Tomorrow's my birthday. Let me celebrate it early." She frowns.
"You were planning to go into work on your birthday?"
"Well…you haven't really said if we have plans or not," I test her. "And besides, it's just another day. I didn't have too many happy birthdays growing up."
"Neither did I, Peeta, but you made mine the best one ever. Besides, you told me you expected a big deal for yours. Fireworks, if I recall." I chuckle and shake my head.
"I don't need fireworks. Just you."
"Fine. I'll cancel the fireworks. But I want to spend the day with you." Two days off? Well, I am the owner and the boss. So I shrug.
"I might get in trouble with the boss but it's worth it to spend two whole days with you." She rolls her eyes at my joke and leans in to kiss me.
"I'll start getting ready." I hold our next kiss for longer than she intended and to my delight, she's breathless when I pull away.
"Let's take a shower," I murmur before I kiss her again. Just for good measure, I squeeze her backside and hear her squeal against my lips. I grin and end up chasing her into the bathroom.
I pack our lunch while she gets ready. When she comes down the stairs, she's wearing a cute green summer dress and little white sandals. I'm shocked that she hasn't covered her shoulders; she's usually very self-conscious about her scars but I suppose the woods makes her feel free and I love that. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her in for a kiss.
"You're a vision." She bats my hand away but returns my kiss.
"You're finally getting your swimming lesson today." I try to act excited. She has been wanting to teach me to swim for ages and I just can't shake my nervousness, despite the fact that I feel safest with her. She senses my anxiety and holds my face in her hands.
"You're safe with me, Peeta. I'll protect you." I bring my hands up to rest on hers.
"You always do," I tell her. Another quick kiss and we are heading out toward the woods.
I had hoped it would be a cooler day, what with it being September already but my shirt is sticking to my back as we trek through the woods. Katniss braids her hair and drapes it on her side so it is out of the way and by the time we reach the middle of the forest, we both stop and nearly drain our water bottles. The good thing is, fall is approaching and nature is beautiful at this time. The woman beside me is even more exquisite. These woods really bring out another side of her and at first, I was stunned to see how she completely lit up in the woods. Now, I expect it. Whenever she brings me here, there is color in her cheeks, her eyes are bright, and she has a smile that is just infectious.
Katniss sets the picnic basket on a large rock by the lake and turns her face toward the sun, closing her eyes and enjoying the warmth.
"Should we eat first or swim?" She turns to me and looks skeptical.
"Don't you know you should never swim right after eating? You'll drown."
"Who told you that," I say laughingly.
"Dad. He used to tell me lots of random life-saving advice."
"Well, in that case. I guess we swim first." I watch her lift her dress up past her knees and wade into the shallow part of the stream. She loves this part of her woods because the stream trickles into the lake and it is really beautiful watching the ripples in the water. The stones at the bottom are multi-colored and the water is so clear that we can easily see the bottom. She's said before that it brings her peace and comfort. I'm not too sure about my prosthetic on muddy banks but I reach for her hand and she pulls me to her. Her arm snakes around my waist and she tugs me close.
"Just feel the water, Peeta. Be one with the waves." She closes her eyes and I follow suit. The feel of her arm around my waist and her hand in mine comforts me. I take in the beauty of the place I am in and the woman beside me. I decide my life can't get much better than this. I suddenly can't wait any longer. If I don't ask her now, I'm going to chicken out and that will be the worst thing in the world.
"Can we go ahead and eat? I'm just hungrier than I thought." She looks surprised but nods and I lead her out of the water. We settle on the blanket and I pass her the basket.
"Did you make sandwiches?"
"I made a loaf of bread and brought a jar of preserves with some fruit. The bread should be on top."
"Yeah, it's right…right…here," she trails off, her eyes wide and I know she's found it. I watch her hesitantly, as she holds the loaf of raisin-nut bread in her hands. The words 'Marry Me' have been carved into the loaf. She looks up at me, her eyes wide and her jaw gaping. I take her hand and move to sit up on my knee.
"Katniss, you are my world. My reason for breathing. I told you once, without you, I'd have nothing. You're my whole life, and I know without you, I'd be completely lost. You told me a long time ago that you never wanted to be married but I feel like we have just grown closer and waking up next to me every morning may have changed your mind. I know we will never really be fully healed…but with you, life is better. It has meaning again. With you, I'm happier than I have ever been in my life. I know I'm a lot to handle and love and I thank you for doing it every day. I'll only ask this once and if your answer is no, then I'll respect your decision and continue to live with you without asking you to change anything. Katniss Everdeen, will you do me the tremendous honor of becoming my wife?" She's silent for the longest time and I feel like I am in quicksand , just sinking deeper and deeper. My knee is starting to get sore and I bite my lip so hard that I draw blood. All of a sudden she flings her arms around my neck and kisses me hard on the mouth. My arms go around her and I respond to her urgent kisses. But after a few moments of this, I draw back and grin at her swollen lips.
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes Peeta," she cries. "I want nothing more than to call you my husband."
Oh my god, those words. They're the most amazing and terrifying and wonderful and breathtaking and mind-numbing words I have ever heard in my life. Even more so, than hearing my name called at the Reaping. Than hearing Katniss's name called.
She said yes. She's agreed to be my wife. And it's just for us.
It's real.
I gather her in my arms and kiss her until we're left with no breath. And then I continue to kiss her a little more. When I come back to earth, I lean back and pull out the black velvet box. Her eyes widen and her hand goes to her mouth.
"I don't want you to be mad," I tell her quickly and her eyes fly back to mine. "I feel awful for hiding this from you. But I think you understand." I open the box and she lets out a gasp. Her hands fly to her mouth and I gently lower her hand. She sniffles as I slide the ring onto her finger and then she's kissing me again. I barely have time to register what is happening before my pants are around my ankles, she's lifted her dress and shoved her panties aside, and then she's sinking down on top of me. I moan as I clutch her hips, helping her move up and down.
"Oh god, Katniss," I pant as her arms wrap around my neck. One of my hands remains on her hip while the other finds her clit.
"Peeta!"
"God I love you, Katniss. I love you so much."
"I love you, Peeta. I'm yours forever," she gasps out as she continues to ride me. We release together and I lay back on the blanket, bringing her down on top of me. She pants into my shoulder and her arm drapes over my waist. My fingers absent-mindedly play with her hair and I glance at her to see her admiring her ring. I grin broadly.
"You like it?"
"Peeta, I love it! It's so beautiful! And I can't tell you how relieved I am that I didn't lose this." I bite my lip uncertainly.
"I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you…but I knew the ring would make it worth it."
"At least I'll never lose it again," she says tiredly as she repositions her head onto my chest. I'm about to close my eyes too when hers shoot open and she lifts her head.
"Johanna," she says quietly. I nod, guiltily.
"She and George were taking a trip to 1 and I know they do the best with luxury items. She sent me pictures, asking me what I wanted and I saw this design and knew it was perfect. But instead of all diamonds, I asked for emeralds for your woods. The jeweler said he had never made anything like it. It's one of a kind, just like you." She smiles and lowers her head again.
"I love you," she says breathlessly.
"I can't believe…is this really happening? Did we just…you're going to be my wife?" She looks up at me again and reaches out to touch my cheek.
"Real, Peeta," she breathes. "It's real. I love you. And I'm going to be your wife." She gasps and sits up. "I need to call my mother! She'll be…oh, I don't know what she will say-"
"She already knows," I say gently, sitting up with her. She looks puzzled and I grin sheepishly.
"I called her to ask her for your hand. She gives us both her blessing and says she can't wait to see you at the wedding."
"Oh…a wedding," her face falls a little and my hand goes to her face.
"What's wrong?"
"It's just…I don't want a big wedding, Peeta. I never did. The opening of the bakery was almost too much for me and that wasn't even about me. I don't want cameras or people I hardly know. Just us. And our closest friends. I'm sorry," she adds, looking guilty. I tilt her chin up and smile.
"You just agreed to marry me. We can get married in a bunker in 13 for all I care. It doesn't matter how or where we get married, Katniss, all I care about is being with you for the rest of my life."
"Then can we just have a private toasting? Just us? And then we can figure out a reception to invite our friends and family too?" I'll admit it took me by surprise. But it shouldn't have. Katniss is a very private person. I know Mrs. Everdeen was hoping to see her daughter wed, and Effie would scream if she knew she missed the actual moment. But as I had told Katniss, as long as I get to marry her, I don't care where it is. So I agree to a private toasting. I ask her if she wants to tell everyone and she agrees for us to go home and start calling people.
I'm holding her hand while we have Mrs. Everdeen on speaker. She starts crying and Katniss looks at me uncomfortably. Mrs. Everdeen says that Prim would be so happy for us and that's when Katniss starts crying too. I hold her close while she and her mother exchange words. Katniss promises to inform her the moment we know our plans and Mrs. Everdeen promises to be there. Before she hangs up, she thanks me one more time. After she hangs up, Katniss sinks to the floor and cries and I hold her close. Prim would be so overjoyed to see her sister so happy. And she was the one in 13 who would not let me give up. She was the one who told me that Katniss loved me and I couldn't give up on that.
I'm so glad I didn't. Thank you, Prim.
When she's calmed down, we call Haymitch but of course he doesn't answer. We decide we will walk over and tell him and we call Johanna next. She doesn't answer either and we don't know the number to George's. So Annie is next and she squeals louder than Effie would.
"Oh I'm sorry," she says, dropping her voice. "I'm just so excited for you both! I have been dying to take a trip to 12 to see you ever since Peeta's bakery opened! Johanna tells me you're both doing wonderfully."
"We're still taking it one day at a time, Annie," Katniss says, her voice still raw from her tears.
"That's all you can do, sweetie. Please call me with details and Finn and I will both be there!"
"That would be so great, Annie, we're dying to meet him," I tell her. "Johanna showed us a picture the last time she was in town."
"It's scary, isn't it?" she says quietly. Katniss and I both nod. Finn is the spitting image of his father. I often wonder how Annie copes but she sounds great and Johanna says she is a terrific mother.
I feel a pang in my chest. I'm not around many kids. Sure some of them come into the bakery and I always give them free cookies but Annie will bring Finn and I know I'll get attached to the kid. I couldn't help but love his father. I don't want to let myself get too attached to children. I don't want Katniss to see the look of longing on my face and decide that she can't marry me because she thinks I'm wasting my life or whatever bull shit she spouts out.
I feel Katniss shaking me and watching me expectantly.
"Oh, sorry Annie, what was that?"
"I asked if you'll be taking a honeymoon? You deserve a lovely get away and 4 is so beautiful around this time."
"I'd…we'd love that Annie, but…" I trail off, glancing at Katniss, who is hanging her head. I pull her close and kiss her cheek.
"We will probably just stay in 12," I say firmly. Annie is quiet for a moment and I know she is remembering about Katniss's exile.
"Good idea," she says cheerfully. "It's home, after all. Well, please let me know as soon as you know the details! I wouldn't miss it for the world. And congratulations again."
"Thank you, Annie." We say goodbye and hang up. Katniss turns away, sighing and I place my hands on her shoulders.
"Stop thinking so much," I say firmly.
"She's right though. You deserve a honeymoon. I'm keeping you trapped here."
"First off, I'm not trapped. I can come and go if I want and I just choose not to. Secondly, I choose this life with you. No one forced me into it and I definitely made the choice to be with you and only you for the rest of our lives. Besides, maybe we can get Paylor to lift your exile for our honeymoon? As a wedding present you know?" She nods but looks doubtful. I kiss her forehead and assure her I'll take care of everything.
The evening has gotten a little cooler so we change clothes and head over to Haymitch's house. He's on the porch with his geese and he blinks up at us.
"Well hey there lovebirds. What's got you all aglow?" Katniss doesn't say anything but just extends her hand and the light catches the ring perfectly. Haymitch's eyes pop open and he lets out a whistle.
"You actually did it then," he says softly, looking up at me. I can't help but grin broadly as I hold her close to my side.
"Well congrats kids. Can't say I'm too shocked but I'm happy all the same. When's the big day?"
"We want a private toasting, just the two of us. Then we will have a reception in town with all our friends and family. I suppose they won't consider it 'legal' until we sign the papers at the reception but I want to marry him without everyone watching. We have been in the spotlight for too damn long." Haymitch nods in understanding.
"I think that's a great idea." I'm surprised at how quickly he agrees with her but then again, they have always had a mutual understanding. I think that's why he always chose her over me. They're a lot alike. Not that I would have it any other way but I know Haymitch likes me and he looks at us as his own children now.
"You want the toasting before or after the ceremony?" Katniss glances at me then back at Haymitch.
"I sort of want us to be married before the ceremony. But if you don't think they will agree to that-"
"You're both of age," he says, waving his hand. "You can do whatever you want. The toasting is just our tradition in 12. Not everyone does it. In some places, the ceremony IS the wedding. In others, they don't have any kind of ceremony. The man and woman exchange vows and rings and that's it. They're wed. It's your wedding day, sweetheart, you choose what's important to you." She glances up at me again and I know this time, she will surprise me with whatever she's going to say.
"Then I want to get married in front of our closest friends and family. We could do it here, in Victor's Village. Small and intimate," she pauses and looks shy. "And Haymitch…I want you to give me away." Haymitch and I gape at her in shock. I swear there are tears in that old man's eyes but he covers it as he always does and straightens up in his chair.
"Gladly, sweetheart. He can have you." I chuckle and Katniss joins in.
"Aw damn, this means I'll have to get a tux," he mumbles and I shake my head.
"Who else do you want at the wedding?"
"We can hold off on telling the others for now. We'll invite your employees and Sae, of course. Let's go home and plan." She squeezes my hand and I laugh at her excitement. Katniss is the last girl I'd expect to be excited about her wedding but you know what, she always said she never wanted to get married and she just asked our mentor to give her away.
The girl never ceases to amaze me.
When we get home, we try Johanna again but still no answer. We call Effie and she squeals even louder than Annie.
"Oh my darlings," she gushes, "I am so very happy for you both. After everything, you deserve the most splendid wedding anyone has ever had."
"I don't want a huge spectacle, Effie," Katniss says quickly. "Something small and intimate. We don't want this to be for all of Panem. It's for us. And we'd love to have you there."
"I'll be there, my dears," she assures us. When we hang up, she turns to me and smiles.
"So, want to go downstairs and start planning?"
"Actually," I say slyly, my hands going to her waist, "I think I'd rather take my fiancé into the bedroom and make love to her until the sun comes up."
"Peeta," she squeals before she runs out of the room. I chase her all through the house and punish her by pressing her wrists into the bed as I plunge into her. I don't think she minds the punishment too much, because when we're finished, she's off streaking through the house again, leaving me to call her name threateningly before I run off to find her and punish her again.