Thank you guys for the awesome support! and welcome to the new readers! :D So excited to have you all!

This will prob be my last chapter for a week or two, unless I get a chance to post this weekend. My mom will be here and I won't have a lot of spare time. So enjoy this much calmer chapter and keep those reviews coming!

XOXO

I was terrified that my life would change completely if I ever got married. I was scared that I would lose myself and wouldn't even recognize myself.

That couldn't be farther from the truth.

Being married to Peeta is wonderful and not all that different. I suppose Johanna was right when she once told me we had essentially been married long before he had actually proposed. It's not that we never fight anymore but since we had been living together, it's like we're already husband and wife. The only difference is my name. And I immediately noted how much Peeta loved to say it. When we wake up in the morning he'll smile and pull me in for a kiss while saying 'good morning Mrs. Mellark'. Or he uses the word wife whenever he can slip it into conversation. I call him husband just to drive him crazy. And I admit, I love to watch his eyes light up whenever I say it.

We were both really excited to get out of 12 for a real honeymoon but the world seemed to be against us for awhile. A nasty blizzard hit 12 and snowed everyone in. Gale was even delayed but I think Hazelle was quite happy to have her eldest son home for awhile. The blizzard had gone on for a couple of weeks and during that time, everyone got sick. It was a good thing Mom had come to the wedding. She kept everyone supplied with her healing tea and none of us got too serious. Peeta's cough kept him home from the bakery for several days, and I made sure to take good care of my husband. After Peeta started to get better, Haymitch caught it. His was worse because of his drinking and my mother sternly told him he could have no more alcohol until he was completely cured. It was the longest week of his life, I imagine. I know she saw him sober in 13 and she's probably wondering why he picked up the habit again but she doesn't say anything.

When the snow finally slowed down, trains came back to 12 and took everyone home. Annie and Finn headed back to 4 with Mom, and Johanna and George left for 6 for George's work. Gale went back to 2, much to Hazelle's and Vick's dismay. Rory didn't seem too disappointed though. I don't know what happened between them but Rory had told Peeta he would take care of the bakery while Peeta was sick and when I stopped by to check on everything, Rory's face was screwed up in anger. I swear the boy was taking out his rage on the dough. I, for one, realized things would never be the same between Gale and me. Not that I was surprised or even too upset but it hurt that he was treating it as if nothing had ever existed between us. But I can't let it worry me too much. I have Peeta and he was always the one I was going to wind up with in the end. It just took my head and heart too long to catch up.

We decided to hold off on the honeymoon and phoned Paylor to make sure that was alright. She said we could choose any five days, as long as gave her plenty of notice so we told her we would be in touch.

It gets so cold that we don't really want to do anything but stay in bed. Peeta is more than ok with this but I get restless easily. I'm jealous that he is able to practice his hobbies indoors- he often disappears into his studio to paint, or goes down to the kitchen to make me cheesebuns. Hunting is out of the question and I long to get out of the house. I often snap at my poor husband, who only smiles and tells me he loves me.

December brings something new: Christmas. We had never been able to really celebrate the holiday, as the Capitol banned many of the old holidays. But Peeta is really excited to celebrate it this year. He brings out a book that tells all about the holiday and many of the customs. I think it is ridiculous to cut down a living tree and bring it into the house to cover it in tacky ornaments but Peeta seems really giddy about it so I keep my opinions to myself.

It's another day where the air is freezing and I don't want to leave the warmth of the blankets. I hear Peeta taking a shower so I put my feet on the floor and shiver as the cold bites me. I run to the closet to find the warmest clothes I can find and pull on Peeta's jacket to add to it. As I'm pulling on an extra pair of socks, the door opens and steam comes pouring out. Peeta is shirtless and his curls are dripping. He smiles when he sees I'm awake and leans in to kiss me.

"Morning beautiful. I was just about to come wake you."

"I woke up to a cold bed," I say grumpily. He chuckles.

"Sorry about that. How about some hot chocolate?" I perk up immediately and he laughs. After pulling on a shirt, he turns and surveys me.

"Katniss, are you really that cold?"

"It's freezing!"

"How many shirts do you have on under there?"

"I have a shirt and a sweater. And your jacket." His hand goes to my forehead and he looks worried.

"You're not getting sick again, are you?" I shake him off.

"No, I'm just cold. Come on, let's go make that chocolate." I wrap my hand in his and we go down to the kitchen. His Christmas book is open on the table and I glance at it.

"Why would a fat man in a red suit come put stuff in our socks?"

"He goes around delivering presents to the good children," he laughs. "And gives coal to the bad ones. And it's not just socks. In some cultures, it's our shoes. Others, it's our hats."

"And he just walks into our houses? That's kind of creepy."

"It's just an old Christmas legend, Katniss. Something for the kids." I perk up as an idea starts to come to me and he raises a brow.

"What're you thinking?"

"I'll tell you later, when I've thought it out." He lets out a little 'hmm' as he mixes the chocolate.

"Want marshmallows?"

"Of course," he laughs at me and puts lots of little marshmallows into the cup and hands it to me. I hold it close to my face and inhale, allowing the steam to warm my cheeks.

"Ok. What else do we need to do to get ready for Christmas?"

"You don't have to do this, Katniss. I know you're not really into it." I shrug.

"If it makes you happy, it makes me happy. It's fun to see you like a giddy little boy." He grins boyishly and I have to smile. I love to see him so carefree and innocent and talks of Christmas have definitely made him so.

"Ok, we need to make some stockings to hang by the fireplace. And we need to work on decorations, for when we finally get the tree. Maybe tomorrow we can find one to cut down." I don't mention how much I hate this idea but he must spot my scandalized expression because he chuckles.

"We need a Christmas tree, Katniss. What would you suggest?"

"Not cutting down a tree?"

"The Capitol makes fake ones," he says uncertainly. "I could maybe see about ordering one."

"It's fine, Peeta," I tell him as I raise my cup to my lips. "If you want a real tree, then that's what we'll have."

"You'll like it too. I promise." He blows on his chocolate and takes a sip.

For the next several hours, we do crafts on the kitchen table. Peeta even giggles as he makes paper chains and popcorn garlands.

Around 2:00, Rory comes by with Posy. Peeta had asked him to come get some supplies for the bakery but Posy squeals when she sees what we are doing.

"Can I help?" Peeta laughs and beckons for her to sit next to him.

"You can help me make garlands! You want to string the popcorn or the cranberries?"

"Cranberries," she exclaims excitedly. Rory shakes his head but he joins in the decorating.

I watch Peeta help Posy with their heads tucked close together, whispering excitedly. I can't help but feel the familiar pang in my heart. I see Peeta with children all the time at the bakery. I see that look on his face. He wants them and I don't. And the saddest thing is, he would make the most wonderful father. Watching him with Finn was almost painful. Annie tells me I will change my mind one day but I don't think so. I have vowed never to have children and I have told Peeta that.

Still, watching him work with the Hawthornes make guilt rise up in my throat. I swallow and excuse myself for a moment and I feel Peeta's eyes follow me out of the room.

I take a moment to collect myself before hurrying back before Peeta can come looking for me. He watches me closely when I return but I smile and shake my head, offering to help with the decorations. Rory tells Posy they need to get home and Peeta invites them back again tomorrow. He plans to go into the woods to find pinecones to paint and says he will need some help. Posy jumps up and down excitedly and Rory gives Peeta a grateful smile.

When they are gone, I snuggle up to him and his arm drapes around my shoulder.

"What do you want to work on next?"

"Making my wife smile." I look up at him and see him watching me slyly, so I wrap my arms around his neck and press against him. He lets out a growl that makes me grow wet in minutes and he is picking me up and carrying me to the bedroom. All thoughts of Christmas and everything else are wiped from his mind as he settles between my thighs.