District 12 is beautiful in the winter. Brent and the decorating crew have outdone their selves with Merchant Circle. There's a giant tent in the center of town with glowing lights strung around the ceiling. Children are running around, building snowmen or making snow angels on the ground. Several of them call out to Katniss as we pass by and she giggles as she waves back.
I see several younger boys caring for the horses and the wagons and at the front is a gangly Merchant youth who looks familiar. When I help Katniss down from the sleigh, she smiles at the boy.
"Colton, how wonderful to see you again!"
"And you, Miss Katniss," he says with a grin. "Peeta, it's been a long time." I shake his hand and nod.
"It has. I hope you're well, Colton?"
"Very well, thank you. I'll take care of your horses and sleigh. Mighty fine sleigh you have here too."
"Thank you. A Christmas gift for my wife." He nods and seems to understand my possessive tone. I don't like how the boy is staring at her. With reverence, as I often do. And naïve as my wife is, Katniss notices nothing. I drape my arm around her shoulder and lead her inside, while Colton steps back and seems to slink back to the horses.
The ball is in full swing and it is just as beautiful inside as it was outside. I take Katniss's coat and drape it over a chair along with my top hat. I take a moment to study her, not having done so when she came downstairs. She carries herself with elegance and grace, something she swore she could never do back when we did the interviews for the Games. The dress looks wonderful on her, the rich green bringing out specks of gold in her eyes. Her dark hair is curled and some of it is on the top of her head while the rest flows down her back. I'm probably more excited than she is that her hair is growing back beautifully, having been burned off in the bombings. Her hair has always been an obsession of mine. When I first noticed her, she wore her hair in two braids rather than one. Sometimes she would even have little bows at the end of her braids. I'm not sure when she started to put it in one braid, but I would always look for that dark braid, resting over her shoulder, whenever I walked through the school halls with my friends. I don't know why I love it so much but it's so soft to touch and such a rich color. I especially love when she leaves it down during sex. When she's on top, riding me, her hair falling over her breasts drives me wild. Oh, damn it! Now is not the time to be thinking of this! I quickly turn away and take a deep breath. Think of something else. Think of…
Oh shit. My eyes widen as someone else catches my eye. She grins with brilliantly white teeth and she hurries forward, her blonde curls bouncing as much as her bosom, which I am determinedly NOT looking at. Daniela looks beautiful, to be sure, but she is also trying way too hard and she should know by now that I have eyes for one woman and one woman only.
"Peeta," she gushes, squeezing my hand. "I'm so glad you could make it! You look SO handsome." I feel Katniss tense and I hurriedly reach for her hand.
"Thank you, Daniela. You look wonderful tonight. And I'd love to finally introduce you to my wife, Katniss. Katniss, this is Daniela Grigory."
"Oh…it's Daniela Ryles again," she giggles and I frown. Why on earth is she giggling? She's happy to be a widow? I have to keep myself from shaking my head in disgust. I glance at Katniss and see that her smile is forced.
"It's nice to meet you," she says politely.
"And you! I have heard so much about you. Peeta tells me great things!"
"Funny, he's never mentioned you before." I snort but hastily turn it to a cough. I see Daniela's smile flicker.
"We go way back, actually. I knew him when he was little. Remember we went to our first dance together, Peeta?" My head jerks around and I frown. What the hell is she…
Oh. Now I remember. The first school dance, the one that excluded the Seam kids, I was almost thirteen. My brothers went so I felt like I had to go. Daniela had followed me around for a week, I guess waiting for me to ask her to go. Finally, she came up and asked me and since I was dateless, I agreed. I squeeze Katniss's hand and she seems to be fighting my grasp. I don't let go though.
"Right. Our first school dance. I seem to remember you leaving with my brother though?" Katniss glances at me out of the corner of her eye and Daniela's smile fades completely.
"You weren't making a move. I figured, why shouldn't I?"
"I was twelve," I say in horror, though I expect that makes me a real prude or whatever the guys call it. Daniela heaves a sigh, which makes her breasts nearly pop out of her dress. I gulp and fix my eyes on her face.
"I would have much rather left with a different Mellark that night," she says in a low voice, casting me a wink.
"Guess it's a good thing, then, that the Seam kids were excluded from this dance," Katniss snaps, all civility gone from her face and voice. Daniela's expression grows sour. I feel like I am watching a ping-pong match.
"Like you would have cared. You didn't notice Peeta until after he became famous and desirable." Oh damn. I can see fire flickering in Katniss's eyes, probably at the word 'desirable'.
"I'd noticed him long before you think. And I suggest you take your flirty glances and your Capitol-made boobs elsewhere, far away from my husband!" My jaw drops and so does Daniela's. With a sniff, she whirls around and disappears into the crowd. Katniss's face is red as I turn her toward me.
"What the hell was that," is all I can say, with a mixture of exasperation and awe-struck wonder.
"Oh you wanted her to stay? Couldn't resist the view? I can just-" I shut her up by pressing my lips to hers, not caring that we are in the middle of a crowded room. I hold her shoulders tightly as my tongue thrusts into her mouth, prodding at hers until I feel her come to life. She sinks into my embrace and I suddenly loathe all the heavy layers of material between us. I force myself to step back and smile at her flushed cheeks and her narrowed eyes.
"I love you Katniss Mellark." Her eyes soften at her name and she sighs.
"I love you too Peeta. But don't introduce me to any more of your little fan club tonight, alright? My hands are just itching for a bow." I grin and pull her even closer, wrapping my arms around her waist and dipping her low for another kiss.
"Then how about a dance, Mrs. Mellark?"
"Ugh would you two get a room," Johanna hisses as she walks by. Katniss leans up and glares at our friend but I can only laugh. Johanna has crossed to George and they are going at it more than I ever would in public. I guess George has no problem with public displays of affection. I pull Katniss onto the dance floor and she rests her head on my chest. Over her shoulder, I see Delly and Brent dancing close together and Annie is holding Finn, twirling him around. I start when I see Haymitch, clean-shaven and dressed nice, with his arms around Effie's waist. Posy is standing next to her brothers and her mother and she gives me a little wave. Smiling, I wave back and I nod to Rory. The tall man beside Rory turns around and his eyes meet mine. I feel a familiar wave of cold wash over me as I stare back into the grey eyes that match my wife's.
Gale tilts his head to me and turns to his mother, continuing their conversation. I sigh and shift Katniss around, so neither of us is facing that direction.
"You know with everything that has been happening, you never did tell me what you want for Christmas this year," Katniss whispers in my ear. I lean back and shrug.
"Honestly, this is all I want. To have you in my arms and to feel safe with you. It's more than I could ever hope for." She smiles and her fingertip strokes my cheek.
"Then consider this part one of your Christmas present. Part two should be here by Christmas Eve." I kiss her forehead and her cheek resumes its place against my chest. When the dance is over, we head over to get refreshments and meet our friends by the table. Katniss hugs Annie and Johanna and gives Finn a kiss on the cheek.
"You look so handsome tonight, Finny," she squeals. I grin at the little boy. Annie has him dressed in a little green suit with a matching bowtie.
"Very sharp, little guy," I say with a smile, which he and his mother return.
"I just love your outfits," Effie gushes, reaching over to pat my arm. "These are in such an old archive, I'd thought they'd be lost forever. But you both look so splendid!"
"George and Johanna made them," Katniss says proudly and Effie looks surprised.
"You two have such talent! You must come do a seminar at the Academy sometime! My students would adore it."
"I'll definitely consider it," George says with a smile. Johanna slips her arm under his and she leans in close. I'm glad to see how happy she looks. I can hardly recognize the bitterly angry Victor I met before the rebellion. Katniss smiles at me and her eyes widen at something over my shoulder.
"Hi Katniss," I hear his deep voice. Swallowing, I turn to face Gale, who stands beside the drink table. He nods to all of us but his eyes are on my wife.
"Gale," she says quietly. "I'm glad to see you accepted your mother's invitation this time."
"Ghilda was called away on holiday business so I thought I would spend it with my family and friends in 12 rather than alone in 2," he says softly. "You all look wonderful."
"As do you, dear," Effie says earnestly and I see Johanna roll her eyes. George seems to tighten his hold on her and I want to do the same with Katniss, but I don't dare. I know how it would look and I don't want to come off as possessive. Besides, I already promised Gale I wouldn't dangle my marriage in his face. I don't like the way he is looking at her though. I'm sure Ghilda would agree with me.
"Katniss, you look stunning. May I steal her for a dance, Peeta?" My brow quirks.
"You can borrow her for a dance," I quickly correct myself, at the look that Katniss gives me. "That is, you can ask her. Katniss is her own woman." Gale looks at her expectantly and she takes his hand.
"I'd love to," she says softly and her hand slowly slips out of mine. I watch them as he leads her in the middle of the dance floor and I feel Haymitch move closer to me.
"It's just a dance, kid."
"I know."
"Loosen the reigns a little, Peeta. They're nothing more than friends. Here, why don't you take Annie for a dance and I can watch Finn?" I turn to Annie and offer her my arm and she smiles.
"Thank you, Haymitch. I'd love to dance with you, Peeta." Haymitch and Effie sit down at a table nearby and Finn climbs into Haymitch's lap. I smile as I lead Annie out onto the floor and we aren't too far from Gale and Katniss. They seem to be deep in conversation but she catches my eye and smiles. I twirl Annie around and her green eyes sparkle up at me.
"She loves only you, Peeta. You know that."
"I know. It's just…years of seeing her with only him at her side. I mean, Katniss didn't have many friends at school. It was always Prim or Gale. I was jealous of the guy before I even met him. Simply because he got to spend time with her."
"Well now look at how things have changed," she says softly. "I'm sure he's jealous of you now. He had, what, six years with her? You get the rest of your lives." I start as I look down at her and she smiles knowingly.
"You're such a smart woman, Annie."
"I've been told a time or two," she says with a smile. When the dance is over, I kiss her hand and lead her back to the table. Katniss is sitting in Haymitch's vacated chair, holding Finn in her arms. She's making weird faces at him, eliciting shrill giggles from the boy. Annie grins and squeezes my arm for a moment before joining them.
"You having fun with Aunt Niss?" Finn nods and throws his arms around Katniss's neck. My heart is doing all kinds of twists and turns at the sight.
"Posy wants a dance with you before we leave." I grin and turn around, searching for the little girl. I see her dancing with Gale and I turn back to Katniss.
"I'll wait." She nods and leans back in her chair, watching the crowd. We enjoy refreshments and some delicious little cakes that came from District 2. People stop by to introduce themselves and talk to us and Katniss does a wonderful job being perfectly polite. As the night goes on, I notice her starting to yawn. Annie has already left with a sleeping Finn, and I nuzzle her cheek.
"Ready to go home?"
"You'd better find Posy," she yawns. "She'll never forgive you if she doesn't get a dance."
"She's been dancing with her brother. I think she'll be ok." Katniss shrugs and I help her up. As I lead her across the room toward the exit, I hear my name being cried out. Posy breaks away from Gale and runs toward me. I lower to my knees and hold out my arms, letting the little girl run into them. I don't look at her brother; I can feel him glowering at me already.
"You promised me a dance," she pouts.
"You were having fun with your brother," I say gently. "I didn't want to interrupt."
"Peeta, YOU are my brother too." I'm shocked as she throws her arms around my neck again and I glance up. Gale is standing near and he looks ready to murder me. Katniss moves quickly, her hand going to his arm.
"Gale," I hear her say. "How about another dance? Before we all leave?" He doesn't say a word as he flings her hand aside and stalks out. I swallow as I watch him leave and Katniss's eyes meet mine. Rory and Vick stand by, watching, and Vick casts me a disgusted glare before he follows his brother out. Rory catches my eye and I cast him a pleading look. He drops to his knees and pats her shoulder.
"Hey Posy, let's go say bye to Gale before he heads back to District 2, ok?"
"I wanted to say bye to Peeta first," she says crossly. I swallow as I meet Rory's eyes. I never wanted this to happen. I'd never want Posy to choose me over her own family. But now that Gale has seen it, I'm sure all civility and acceptance he has toward me has flown out the window.
"You go with your brother and I'll see you later, Posy," I gently disentangle from her embrace and give her a small smile. Rory takes her hand and leads her out and I bite my lip as I make my way back Katniss. She wraps her arms around my waist and leads in close.
"It'll be ok, Peeta."
"I hope you're right," I say softly. "But I don't think you are. Did you see the way he looked at me, Katniss? Now I've stolen two girls from him." I look around nervously and see that we have drawn quite a crowd. I clear my throat and grasp Katniss's hand.
"Oh Peeta stop. Posy still loves her brother and Gale knows that. He can't be angry when he is the one who left and you are here, treating her well. You treat them all well. No one was stolen from him, Peeta. We make choices. We are our own women." I glance at her and sigh. Leave it to me to fall in love with the most head-strong woman in all of Panem. She looks around and scowls at the on-lookers, then takes my hand and silently leads me outside. Our coats are brought to us and Colton brings around the sleigh. We're silent as we ride home, my thoughts still on the look in Gale's eye.