I am completely exhausted when my alarm goes off but I quickly shut it off and roll out of Peeta's arms. Thankfully, he continues to sleep. I think we finally went to sleep around 4 am and the sun is barely up now. But I want to get a head start on his birthday so I quickly don one of his shirts and head downstairs.

The cake I have been working on is tucked safely at the back of the fridge. I'm actually very proud of it and hope it tastes decent. I hurry around, fixing breakfast and arrange it all on a tray. I open the cabinets and search through his baking supplies, finally finding what I need. I glance at the clock, trying to hurry before he wakes up. Finally I'm finished and I examine my work. Not as neat as Peeta would have done but still not terrible.

Carefully, I carry the tray to our bedroom and see that he is just starting to wake. I set the tray on the table and lean in to kiss him. His eyes flutter open and I'm still breathless when I see those crystal blue orbs.

"Good morning," I say through my kisses.

"Mmm. Morning," he says, his voice husky with sleep. He leans back to survey me and he grunts in approval. I know he loves seeing me in his clothes. The button up shirt I'm wearing is much too big and hangs off me but he doesn't seem to care. I reach over and bring the tray into his lap and he sits up, his eyes widening.

"What's all this?"

"Happy birthday."

"Katniss," he looks at me reverently and I lean in to kiss him again. I don't even mind the morning breath. This beautiful boy-man- will soon be my husband.

The moment he asked me to marry him, I was terrified. I never wanted to be like my mother, when she lost my father. If something happens to Peeta I know I will never make it. But I suppose that's true even without marrying him. I know now that I need him to survive. My dandelion. My perfect flower in the spring. And I've agreed to become something that I never thought I would become.

A wife.

He sips at his tea and smacks his lips in delight.

"This is wonderful. Where did you get this recipe?"

"Annie actually suggested it. They have it a lot in 4. I tried it and thought you would really like it. I love the mint." He nods and takes another sip. For breakfast, I've made him eggs benedict (he tried it in the Capitol during the Victory Tour and now doesn't eat his eggs any other way) with squirrel meat patties (he says no matter how fancy he can eat now, his favorite is still squirrel) with potatoes and a slice of raisin-nut bread.

"This looks amazing, Katniss. Thank you."

"Dinner won't be until later so enjoy your breakfast. What would you like to do today?"

"You mean you don't have the whole day planned out," he teases.

"I had a tentative schedule but I wanted to see if you'd like to do anything in particular." 12 isn't exactly filled with things to do. We just got two new restaurants and there is talk about putting in something called a cinema. I have no idea what it is but I stay away from Capitol inventions, even though Delly says it will be fun. But for Peeta and I, who have toured all over Panem and seen their districts, we both are content just to stay close to home.

"Well tell me what you have planned."

"I cancelled the fireworks." He smirks at me and I grin. "Ok, we were going to go for a walk in the woods and lunch at Sae's. Then see if Haymitch wants to join us for a game of croquet (Effie brought us the game from the Capitol several months ago and Peeta turned out to be very good at it) and then we could come inside and freshen up and get ready for your party. Our friends will be over around 7 for dinner and presents. And we will wrap up the evening with a bubble bath for two." He looks surprised that I have planned this all out.

"I'm impressed," he says, pushing the tray onto the table and pulling me closer to him. "But what if I just want to stay in bed all day long with my gorgeous fiancé?" I think he loves saying that word. I love hearing it. I shiver and he kisses my neck.

"Well it's your birthday. I'll let you make the plans."

"Good. Come here."

"Wait! There's still one more thing you haven't eaten."

"I'm hungry for something else right now," he says in a low growl that makes me grow wetter by the minute.

"Peeta," I plead and he sighs and releases me.

"Ok. What is it?" I grab a napkin from the tray and hand it to him. He holds the napkin in his palm and glances up at me once before lowering his eyes to examine what is in his hand.

A single sugar cookie, one that he has baked, with two messy words in icing.

I Do.

He looks up at me with the biggest smile on his face and he sets the cookie aside.

"It's too beautiful to eat," he mutters before he yanks me forward. He nuzzles the buttons on his shirt and slides it off my shoulders, leaving me naked to his gaze. He lets out a moan of longing when he sees I have no underwear on and his hand trails down my stomach.

"Miss Everdeen, you're such a naughty girl."

"Only for you, Mr. Mellark." His eyes light up and he pulls me in for a kiss. He leans me back onto the bed and starts kissing his way down my body. I squirm underneath him and try to sit up.

"Peeta," I pant, trying to stay focused. "It's…your birthday! I should…I should, ah! I should be doing-"

"You should quit talking, lie back, and let me do whatever I want to," he growls, looking up at me from between my thighs. When I feel his tongue on me, I don't have the strength to argue anymore. So I obey and let the birthday boy do whatever he wants.

Peeta throws a complete wrench in my plans and we stay in bed for the entire day. When I finally tell him guests will be over soon, he agrees to get in the shower but he pins me against the wall and has his way with me again. I guess I can't fault him for it. I denied him my love for too long and if he wants me for his birthday, he can have all of me. I just hope he isn't tired of me by the end of today.

After we shower and dry off, I dress in a long orange dress I found while I was out with Delly. His eyes light up and he pulls me to him but my hands gently press against his chest.

"Behave yourself tonight," I admonish.

"You can't tell me what to do," he argues. "I'm 18 now."

"I was 18 before you," I remind him and he sticks his tongue out like a petulant child, which makes me laugh. He grins and looks quite proud of himself for making me laugh. I kiss him sweetly and he rubs noses with me. I can't believe how insanely happy we are and, dare I say it, normal. Just two normal kids, in love.

"I love you so much," he sighs and I wrap my arms around his neck and stand on tiptoe.

"I love you too."

"Those words. I still…" he trails off and I kiss him again.

"Real," I breathe and he nods.

"I know. I know."

We break apart and head downstairs just as I hear a knock on the door.

"Damn it, I haven't even started," I groan as I run to the door. Delly and Thom enter together, their arms around each other. This takes me by surprise and I spin around to see Peeta's wide eyes watching them as well. Guess we've missed a lot.

"Happy birthday, Peeta," Delly cries as she runs to her friend. I smile when she hugs him tightly and Peeta thanks her graciously.

"Thom, could you help Peeta bring up that table from the basement? We'll need the extra space."

"Of course Miss Katniss." The boys disappear into the basement and Delly joins me in the kitchen.

"What can I do to help?"

"Well, I'm terribly behind on everything," I say guiltily. "It's a good thing I already cooked the turkey. Can you go ahead and peel the potatoes so we can get those started?"

"Of course!" Cora and Dane come in next and immediately offer to help. Peeta and Thom bring up the table and set up the kitchen. Peeta's eyes light up at the smell of the warming turkey and I know he must be hungry. Hell, I don't know how he has any strength left. Effie and Haymitch walk in, followed by Johanna and a man we haven't met but I'm positive this must be George.

"Happy birthday, bread boy," she yells as she hugs Peeta tightly.

"Thanks Jo! You look great!"

"So do you. You have this…familiar glow about you," she winks and Peeta blushes, which makes her burst out laughing.

"You're terrible to the poor boy," the man says as he wraps his arm around Johanna's waist.

"Eh, he knows I love him like my brother. Katniss, come here for a second." I wipe my hands on the towel and join them.

"This is George. George, Peeta and Katniss, the Star-Crossed Lovers of District 12."

"It's an honor," George says as he kisses my hand. "Though not so star-crossed anymore, from what I hear." His eyes sparkle and I return his grin.

"Let's see it, brainless!" I hold out my hand and Johanna whistles. I had forgotten we haven't told the others and with a gasp, Delly, Cora, Dane, and Thom are all grouped around us, muttering. Delly squeals and throws her arms around Peeta.

"I am SO happy for you, Peeta! I told you! Didn't I tell you when we were young? You WOULD marry Katniss Everdeen one day!" I have to laugh at Peeta's red cheeks and I quickly give him a kiss on the nose. Haymitch chuckles and claps Peeta on the shoulder.

"Didn't think the kid would ever have the balls to pop the question."

"Why not? He's already asked her once before," Effie says carelessly. Peeta and I tense and Haymitch scowls.

"You know very well why they did that, Effie. This time it's real," his eyes fall on Peeta and they soften. "It's real, kid."

"I know," Peeta says softly as he takes my hand.

Rory, Riley, Sae and Sae's granddaughter all come in just as we are sitting down to eat. I serve them all the turkey, potatoes, greens, and bread and everyone compliments me on the meal. Peeta squeezes my hand as I sit down. Haymitch presents Peeta with a bottle of nice wine and he pours everyone a glass.

"None for your sweetheart," he says to me with a wink. I feel Peeta squeeze my hand tighter and I try to smile it off but I know how much I scared him that night when I had too much to drink with Johanna.

"Fine with me, I don't need the alcohol anyway," I say with a shrug.

"What, are you pregnant or something," Rory blurts out and my eyes widen. Beside me, Peeta starts choking on his food. Delly reaches over and gently pats his back and he takes a long gulp of his wine.

"No, Rory, I'm not," I say through gritted teeth. He seems to understand my reaction and he looks ashamed.

"Sorry," he mutters, lowering his head.

"Yeah, what a birthday present that would be," Riley says, laughing. My face is burning and I chance a glance at Peeta. His face is lowered and his smile is gone.

"Excuse me," he mutters before pushing his chair back and hurrying out of the room. Riley's face has gone pale.

"Oh…dammit, Katniss, I'm sorry…I didn't…I mean…"

"It's ok, Riley. Um, excuse me too," I hurry after him and find him pacing at the foot of the stairs.

"Peeta?" He whips around and I freeze, seeing his eyes are a shade darker than they usually are

"You're not, are you?" His voice is frantic and strained.

"What? No, of course not."

"You never want children with me. Real or not real?"

"Peeta-"

"Real or not real?!" My eyes widen at his tone. He looks pleading, almost desperate and I stifle a sob.

"I don't know, Peeta. Maybe. Someday. But not now. Definitely not now." I inch closer to him and he tenses up. I reach out my hand, as if I'm cornering a frightened animal, and slowly approach him. My hand touches his arm and he doesn't flinch. My hands move up to his face and I hold his cheeks in my hands.

"Look at me." When he doesn't, I tilt his head downward and capture his lips. "Look at me," I say again when I've released him. His eyes open and they are bluer than before. I sigh with relief.

"I love you, Peeta Mellark. I love you and can't wait to be your wife. I don't know what the future holds for us, if kids are even in the picture, but all I care about is having you by my side. Ok?" He nods slowly and looks miserable.

"I'm sorry, Katniss."

"There's nothing to be sorry for," I tell him firmly. "Let's return to your party." He nods and grips my hand as I lead him back into the kitchen. Haymitch is telling a dirty joke when we reenter and Delly rolls her eyes and pats Peeta's arm.

"You came back too early. His jokes are getting worse and worse." Peeta smiles and I let out a breath of relief. Across the table, Johanna catches my eye. She grins and nods and I return her smile. For now, we're ok. So I make a toast to Peeta and thank the heavens that he made it through 18 years so that I could have this wonderful man stay by my side for the rest of our lives.

Delly brought a pie, which we serve with ice cream for dessert. Peeta opens his presents and he graciously thanks everyone. George and Johanna are the first to leave, having to catch the early train back. Effie is right behind them, promising us she will see us soon and Haymitch escorts her out (Peeta and I both exchange looks at this) Delly is the last to leave and she gives Peeta a big hug.

"I hope you had a wonderful birthday," she says as she pulls away.

"The best one yet," Peeta says, his eyes on me. Delly smiles and hugs me goodbye and Peeta waves everyone off. He follows me into the kitchen and helps me clean up the mess and put away the leftovers. When I open the fridge, I reach into the back and pull out the cake I made for him.

It's small and round and nowhere near his perfect skills but I made it all on my own and fought with the piping bag for hours to perfect this. His eyes fill with tears as I hold it out to him.

'Happy 18th Peeta' was written in orange icing across the blue frosting. I had tried to make it look like waves and a sunset but now looking at it, it just looked like a mess of frosting.

"It's my sunset," he says softly.

"Well it's supposed to be," I say gloomily. He cups my chin and his lips are on mine before I can say anything. His kisses are deep and passionate and I suddenly remember his last birthday gift that is upstairs. He grabs a fork and sticks it into the cake and I watch him cautiously. His eyes light up and he grins.

"Katniss, this is delicious! Why haven't you been in the kitchens helping me all this time?"

"I tried really, really hard for your birthday. Dane and Rory offered to help but I said no, I wanted to do it on my own. You really like it?"

"I'll probably finish it all for breakfast," he says as he takes another bite. "Where did you get the recipe?"

"The Mellarks, of course." His face softens and his smile grows sadder.

"Dad's books."

"I hope you don't mind. I just wanted it to be…special for you." He sets the cake and fork down and tugs me into his arms, spinning me around so my back is pressed to his chest.

"I love it," he whispers in my ear before his lips are on my neck, "and I love you. So much. You can't. Even. Imagine," he says through his kisses. I gasp and toss my head back and his hand cups my chin as his kisses travel across my neck and face.

"I have one more present for you," I manage to get out.

"Can I have it tomorrow," he murmurs, his lips busy with my skin. I force myself to focus and shake my head.

"Your birthday will be over by then. Come on," after he puts the cake back in the fridge, I tug him into the living room and help him carry his gifts upstairs. I had ordered him an entire new paint set with new brushes and several new canvases and he was in tears as he opened them.

"Ok, go set these up in your studio and I'll be there in a moment." He raises a brow but doesn't question me as he takes his new supplies into his studio. I take a deep breath and pull out a box from the closet. I had taken Johanna's advice and ordered one of the scrappy pieces of lingerie from the catalogue she had sent me. But when it had arrived, I turned ten shades of red. As I hold it up now, I feel my face heating up.

It's for Peeta. Peeta's birthday. It's all for him, I tell myself firmly. When I finish with the damn contraption, I glance at myself in the mirror and gasp.

The soft orange lace pushes my almost non-existent breasts up and out and make them look full. It stops right below my bellybutton and the piece of string that could be called underwear is sheer in the front and a string goes between my cheeks. The white garters that cover my thighs are tied to the underwear with little bits of ribbon. I reach up and undo my braid, allowing my hair to cascade over my shoulders. I shake my head a little, making it look a little messy. Johanna calls it sex hair, whatever that means. I quickly put a little of the dark liner on my eyes, as Jo says "it makes the eyes irresistible and the eyes are the nipples of the face". Yeah, I hardly ever know what she's talking about but I like the effect it has on my eyes. I quite like how the soft orange looks with my olive skin and dark hair. Taking a deep breath, I walk into Peeta's studio without even knocking.