I smile as I watch Lara and the other children cut out their ghosts and witches. Craft-time was my idea and Helga loved it. It keeps the kids busy and they seem to enjoy the things they get to make. Since All Hallow's Eve is only a few days away we've been having the children work on their masks for trick-or-treating. Most of them are finished and I can't wait to see their faces when we take them around town, asking for candy.
I have to say this might be one of my favorite holidays now. I've always loved Autumn but with the Harvest Festival, the entire district seems to be participating. The men are building boots for the ladies to sell crafts and home-made items. People have been in their kitchens for weeks, working on baked goods. Peeta's pumpkin bread has been flying off the shelf-luckily no one else has been able to perfect it like he has. It is a favorite in the district. Especially to Cora, who is apparently pregnant. Dane came bounding in a couple of weeks ago, flushed and nearly in tears. Peeta whirled around, worried.
"Dane, what's the matter?"
"It's Cora!" We all dropped what we were doing and ran to him. Peeta put out a steadying hand.
"Is she alright?"
"She's…I'm…Peeta, I'm going to….I'm going to be a daddy!" We all gasped and Peeta hugged him tightly. We all took turns in hugging and congratulating him and asking how Cora was.
"She's so great but she's feeling a little under the weather. I came to buy a couple of loaves of that pumpkin bread. She seems to eat it day and night." Peeta chuckled as he loaded Dane up with the bread, then refused to take his money.
"You and Cora are like family. Tell her to take care of that little one. I can't wait to meet him or her." Dane hugged him again and bounded out of the shop. When Peeta turned to me and took me in his arms, I saw tears in his eyes. But he hastily hid them and kissed me before going back to his work. I felt guilt gnaw at me for weeks.
Ok, getting off subject. Long story short, everyone is excited about the Harvest Festival. And though Peeta and I attended many grand parties in the Capitol, it will be my first Masquerade. Which is why I called Johanna and begged for her help.
"You're not seriously asking me to help you with a costume for a kids event, are you?"
"Well, I think I'll need two costumes. One to take the kids around town and for the festival and then one…to meet Peeta in."
"So a tame one and then one that will make him want to fuck your brains out?"
"Johanna," I rolled my eyes at her vulgarity.
"Hey, you called me for advice. Don't 'Johanna' me."
"Ok. Do you have any ideas?"
"Do you know what he is going as?"
"No idea. He won't tell me and won't give me any clues."
"Well why don't you dress up as a kitty-kat for the kids thing? And you can tease Peeta before hand with the whole…pussy-cat thing." I groaned and rolled my eyes.
"Really Jo? That's the best you can come up with?"
"I'm dying to hear your ideas, brainless!"
"I knew this was a bad idea." I was on the verge of hanging up when I heard her gasp.
"Katniss! I've got it! Go as a Queen! Like, a regal, beautiful queen. Peeta will love it. And it's not inappropriate for the kiddies…unless you make it inappropriate-"
"Got it, Jo," I cut her off. "A Queen, huh? How would I do that?"
"Here, turn on your hologram. I'm sending you some images." Even though the new technology freaked me out, I did as I was told and various images of elegant dresses and beautiful brocade appeared. I had to admit, the idea was tempting. A queen could pretty much be any interpretation I wanted.
"And afterwards you could become this Evil Queen who orders Peeta around and dominates him-"
"No way," I say flatly. I haven't told her what happened on our honeymoon. I probably never will. I still feel guilty and terrible and never want anyone to know what sort of line I crossed that night.
"How am I going to make this in time?" I hastily changed the subject.
"Well that's the beauty of falling in love with a stylist. Give me your measurements, stat!"
"Alright kids, is everyone ready?" I hear excited cheers and see them lifting their plastic pumpkins in the air and waving them about. Helga laughs behind me. She is dressed as an angel and with her blonde ringlets, she looks perfect. I glance down at my black leggings and feel someone tugging on my tail. Lara grins up at me and I pick her up.
"Kitty-Kat, you look perfect," she giggles, which makes me smile. "Are you going to help us collect candy tonight?"
"Of course Miss Riding Hood," I laugh as I adjust her red hood. "We'd better get going. There are lots of houses to visit." She squeals with excitement and shifts her doll under her arm while she keeps a tight hold on her pumpkin bucket.
"I'm glad some of the other mothers volunteered to help," Helga says anxiously. "I don't know about keeping track of such a large group by myself." I wait while Helga divides up the room and Lara clings to my hand. When we're ready, I pull my mask over my face and we head out.
The children are having a wonderful time and our neighbors laugh when they open the door and see a ghost or a witch holding out their bucket. This holiday is new for all of us but I can tell people are enjoying it.
When we make it to town, what used to be Merchant Circle, some of the Seam kids start to tense up. The older ones especially, seem distrustful. Lara gasps at my feet.
"Kitty-Kat, that's your bakery!" I laugh as I see where she's pointing.
"It's really Mr. Peeta's bakery, Lara."
"Can we go see Mr. Peeta?" I imagine the bakery is busy tonight but she looks so excited to see Peeta that I laugh and agree. I lead my group of children into the warm bakery and I'm surprised to see it is empty of customers. The kitchen door opens and Peeta stops, surprised.
"Well hello there," he says uncertainly, eyeing us all. "Do I know you?" I grin, seeing his eyes bore into mine and I hear one of the older girls whisper "well, he's not very bright is he?"
"Carlina," I snap and the girl falls silent. Peeta smiles at me and lifts the barrier so he can come out from behind the counter.
"Let's see, we have a witch, a ghost, a mummy, a princess, a knight, hey, is that a baker?" The little boy, Reginald, nods excitedly.
"I wanted to be you, Mr. Peeta!"
"Well, that's so nice to hear. Looks like you need a real apron though." He goes to the wall and takes one of the Mellark Family Bakery aprons off the hook and drapes it over Reginald. The little boy stomps his feet in excitement. Peeta grins and then continues to count the children.
"And last but not least, a lovely little kitten, am I right?" His eyes are sparkling as they look me up and down. "So that comes out to…fourteen cookies then, right?" The kids all jump up and down and Dane comes out of the kitchen with a tray of cookies shaped like candy corn. The kids start grabbing at them and Cora and Dane stand aside, grinning. Riley and Rory come out to see the kids too and Peeta joins me in the corner, his arm snaking around my waist.
"Nice costume, kitty-kat," he whispers.
"Yeah, I think Lara is fond of it."
"I'm fond of it too," he says in a low voice and I know what I'm doing to him. I glance at him out of my mask and he quirks his brow. He lifts my tail with one hand and inspects it. I snatch it out of his hand and gently smack his chest.
"That's my tail you are playing with, sir."
"Sorry little pussycat," he whispers. "I was just thinking I'd make you purr. I'd heard cats' tails are highly sensitive and one of the more desired spots to be touched." Shit. I can't get all worked up like this in front of the kids. But his words have me rubbing my thighs together uncomfortably. He smirks at me, knowing exactly what he is doing. Everyone knows that Peeta has a way with words. He's actually made me come with his voice alone before. Ever since then, he seems hell bent on doing it again. It seems like his mission in life to torture me in public.
I clear my throat and step away from him.
"Ok kids, we still have a lot of houses to go to before your dance. What do you all say?" The bakery echoes with thanks and Peeta grins.
"My pleasure. You all have fun. And happy All Hallow's Eve." He bows low to the kids and they all follow suit, repeating his greeting. Dane, Cora, Riley, and Rory wave them off as well and I start to follow them out of the shop. I feel a warm hand grab mine and I turn back, blinking through my mask.
"Will I be looking for a lost kitten at the masquerade," he asks softly. I smirk and shake my head.
"No, I'll be dressed as something else. You going to tell me what you will be?"
"Nope."
"Then how will we find each other?"
"I told you, Katniss. I will always find you." He gives me a wink as he nudges me out the door. I huff and straighten my mask as I rejoin my group.
After the kids' pumpkins are full of sweets, we take them to the center of town where they have their own special dance hall set up. Thom and the others did a fantastic job with the building and decorating and I look proudly at the decorations the kids and I made. Delly and some of the other girls wave me over.
"Katniss, this is just so wonderful," she breathes. "The kids are having so much fun and I know tonight will be even better!"
"I hope so, Del." Struck by an idea, I grab Delly's hands. "Delly, how are you with fixing hair?"
"I used to braid Peeta's all the time when we were kids," she giggles. "Sometimes Madge and I would practice on each other. Why do you ask?" I had no idea Delly and Madge were close. I probably should have though. Two Merchant girls, both beautiful in appearance with their blonde curls and big blue eyes. I shake myself and focus on my idea.
"I need some help with my costume for the Masquerade. Think you can come by in a little bit?"
"I'd love to," she squeals and I actually wince at her high-pitched voice. She grins and covers her mouth.
"Sorry. But yes. I'd love to help. I'll be around the Village in twenty minutes?"
"Sounds great. Thanks Delly!"
"Katniss, hold still." I huff and try to sit still. I never had this much trouble when my mother did my hair. Delly is putting it in intricate braids and then attaching it to the elegant headdress that George sent me with my dress.
"Ok, I think I'm finished with your hair. Let's work on your make up."
"Delly, I'm wearing a mask," I remind her.
"Let me at least put on some lipstick and eyeliner then." I shrug and she claps her hands excitedly. She dabs at my lips with a napkin and cocks her head in concentration. When she's finished, she gently turns me toward the mirror and I gasp.
I have had the best prep team in the world and have seen them do wonders on my make up and hair. But Delly has truly transformed me into something I have never seen before. And yet I can still see myself inside. I turn to her and smile.
"Thank you, Delly." She kisses my cheek and offers to help me with my dress. When I bring it out of the closet, she gasps lightly.
"Did Cinna make that for you?" I feel a pain in my heart as I shake my head. He would have made the perfect costumes for this holiday. How I wish he could be celebrating with us.
"Johanna's boyfriend George had this made. Do you think Peeta will recognize me?"
"Katniss, the boy's had his eye on you since he was little. I think he could find you in a room of a million people. But I definitely think he will be surprised at how majestic you look." She helps me with the dress and adjusts my headdress. When she ties my mask in the back, she takes a step back and her hands cover her mouth.
"Queen Katniss, your King awaits." I smile and she giggles excitedly. I hug her goodbye so she can go home and finish her own costume. I stand in front of the mirror, putting on the finishing touches of my costume. I glance at the clock and see the dance has already started. Hurriedly, I pull on a jacket and climb into the carriage that Rory is picking me up in.
"Rory, do you know-"
"Don't ask me, Katniss," he says quickly. "He's already given me explicit instructions not to tell you what he will be dressed as."
"So you know?"
"I don't. But he's my boss, Katniss. I wouldn't tell you even if I did know." I scoff.
"I've known you longer."
"So what?" I narrow my eyes at the boy.
"So I know lots of things I could tell your boss," he glances at me out of the corner of his eye, "like the time you took both Becky and Andella to the slag heap, the same day!"
"Hey, I was fifteen!"
"Uh yeah, what' a fifteen year old going to the slag heap for?" He rolls his eyes and flicks the reins.
"You are so innocent, Katniss. Seriously, I bet Peeta was the first guy you slept with."
"Rory Hawthorne, that is none of your business," I say shrilly. He snorts.
"Figures. So now that you're a married woman, you're even more of a prude?"
"I'm half tempted to call your brother." He smirks and shakes his head.
"But you won't. You don't want to talk to him any more than I do. And you know I'm teasing you because you're like my sister anyway." I shake my head.
"You, sir, are an ass." He laughs and pats my knee.
"Forgot to tell you, Your Majesty…you look stunning tonight." I blush and fall silent as we ride toward town.
When we arrive, the festival is in full swing. Rory helps me down from the wagon and I bow my head in thanks. My eyes scan the crowd for those golden curls but there are dozens of Merchants here, as well as people from other districts. I'm surprised to see Haymitch and Effie standing together, next to Annie and Finn and a little ways away, I see Cressida standing with a man with blue hair. Haymitch catches my eye and raises his glass to me. I make my way over to them and Effie squeals.
"Katniss, look at you! You look beautiful. Where is your husband?"
"He had to work late at the bakery, he'll be joining us later," I say, not wanting to admit that I don't know what he looks like and I wonder if I will recognize him when he does arrive. Or is he already here? Haymitch's smirk makes me uneasy.
"Looking good, sweetheart." I raise my head a little and he laughs. "Yep, a queen suits you. What do you think of my costume?"
"What are you supposed to be," I say in confusion, my eyes raking over him. He's got a beer in his hand and a shirt that says "this is my costume". He merely laughs at me and wraps his arm around Effie's waist. She makes a lovely circus ringleader, holding a whip in her hands. I eye it uneasily but Annie comes up behind me and takes my mind off of it.
"Katniss, you look beautiful." I kiss her cheek and tousle Finn's bouncy curls.
"So do you, Annie. Finn makes an adorable little fishy." He grins up at me and reaches out for me. Annie smiles as she slides her son into my arms and I bounce him up and down. Annie makes a stunning mermaid, with seashells wrapped in her hair. Her son is dressed like a fish and keeps making bubbles with his spit. I laugh as I hand him back and straighten out my dress.
"Where is Peeta?" I sigh, tired of this question already. I don't know where he is. And I have a feeling he has been watching me this whole time.