Well, hello there everybody. It's me again, as you know. I have a new chapter for you, and I think it is going to be a pretty awesome one at that. If you haven't been keeping up with this story, you might want to….get caught up. Because things are going to start getting insane from here on out, and I would hate for someone to miss something. Although if you ever need any information, or have questions, feel free to PM me. I would love to answer anything you need answering. So do not hesitate to ask me questions, comment, or say anything else in a review or a PM. Either option works for me. Just a request, if you read the chapter, pretty please with plum stew on top, REVIEW. I need reviews for which to live on this website. So….you know the drill.
Read. Review. Love.
As usual, I have my recommendations for stories that absolutely must be read. This time, it is these:
A Grimm Set of Games, by nightfuries
The 89th Annual Hunger Games, by Can'tBeatCandor
That is all.
Haymitch POV-
I hate weddings. Hate them so much I could make me vomit. The cheeriness and the positive attitude everywhere, the probable crying, the stifling awkwardness of the couple, the general sense of commitment to all of it. It's positively heart wrenching to watch two people give away such massive quantities of their free will at once. It's. So. Sickening.
I figure that wasn't what you wanted to hear, or what you were expecting. Most people think that weddings are the most wonderful thing in the world, but I'm not most people, and honestly, under certain circumstances, a wedding is a magical, lovely thing that I enjoy, but not when it's two Victors of the freaking Hunger Games, or two young people who aren't even adults yet, teenagers, like Liz and Luke.
It's never a good idea to get married so young, and not that the innocent little star crossed lovers have a choice in the matter even a bit, but it still is probably going to turn out horribly.
That marriage is probably going to be held together with sheer willpower, and the fact that they have to keep it going in order to keep their lives, and the lives of everyone else they know and care about. And even worse, their marriage will be torn over little things when neither of them knows what to do correctly, and will be patched up only by the fact that they will have a child that if both of theirs.
And I could not possibly feel more horrible for those poor little assholes.
Don't get me wrong, I adore both of them, and can tolerate their parents for the most part-besides Cato and Clove, at least, who I hate a bit-and get along with, but I cannot stand those kids sometimes. The way they look at each other with expressions that are so madly passionate that it makes the observer feel nauseous. Or maybe that is just a personal problem of mine.
I watch as Luke takes Liz's hand and walks down the aisle, gazing into his new wife's eyes like he's going to wake up from the elaborate dream that this marriage is in his lovesick little teenage boy mind, and I can see from where I'm standing, applauding and smiling like everyone else in the church, even though I mean barely any of it, that Liz is looking back at him with the brightest, most genuine smile I have seen on her face in a very long time.
I just hope this isn't going to come back and bite someone in the ass.
Or, if it does, it better be Snow.
Cato POV-
So it's official. My little girl is no longer single. She's married…to a Mellark. Sweet god, I can't even handle this right now. I love my daughter, and I'll support her no matter what, but I know she needs me right now, and she was somewhat forced into the marriage(shut up about how she wanted it, my 15 year old did not want to be married, I don't care what you say!), and I need to make this alright. I need to be there for her. I need her to be my little girl again, and I need for me to be her doting father that helps her.
Oh, who am I kidding? Liz is married now, and she doesn't need me to tie her shoes, or keep her clean, or be her shoulder to cry on. She has Luke for everything she needs now, and he has her for everything he needs. Hopefully he won't need too much from her. It would break my heart if Liz didn't need me for anything, or if she did everything for Luke and spent all her time on him instead of being with Clove and I.
It takes all of my reserve to allow Luke to swing his arm around my daughter's waist and squeeze her closer to him then she already was.
All I can do is watch her start her new life.
Clove takes my hand and lays her head on my shoulder. "Are you alright?" she asks.
I nod. "Yes. Just getting used to the idea that our little girl is married and off to have her own children."
She sighs, her face looking just as sad as I'm sure mine does. "I know," she murmurs. "But she's going to be alright. Luke isn't going to do anything that is going to make her unhappy. She's very happy with him, Cato…and she's going to be alright."
The two of us exit the church, and I can't help it when my hand grazes down her spine and to the flouncy fabric of her dress.
"Cato!" she scolds in a fierce whisper.
I smirk at her. "Babe, you know everyone hooks up at weddings."
"Yes, but not the parent's of the bride! We leave that to the groom's parents. And people do hook up at weddings, but not out in public, Cato! They do that in the privacy of their own private hotel room, or something!"
"You're so adorable when you get worried, angel." I whisper into the soft crest of her neck.
I can feel her tense a bit under my lips as they graze her neck. Could it be that I've sent a shiver down her spine? Wow. Haven't done that in a while.
Her head turns, and after making sure there is nobody else in the parking lot, she straddles my waist, kissing me with a ferociousness only Clove can have as I move towards our car.
I think she forgot about the bride's parents not hooking up.
Luke POV-
"I love you." I murmur, my lips inches away from Liz's.
"I am so happy we're married." Liz whispers, wrapping her arms around my neck and moving into my lap. "I can't believe I was nervous."
"Me either. We're going to be fine, Liz. I love you, and I am going to always take care of you." My lips press into hers gently, and when I pull away, she smiles at me in the most perfect way. I can see how happy she is shining in her eyes.
"Luke, sweetheart, you have some lipstick on your mouth." She laughs, rubbing her thumb over the corner of my mouth.
"Oh, that's why you were smiling." I chuckle, pulling her closer, reveling in the crinkling sound of the underskirts of her dress as it moves and shifts.
"You look beautiful." I say, kissing her knuckles.
She smiles and blushes a bit.
"You look like a man I'm married to." She laughs.
"What a coincidence. You look like my wife."
The limo pulls up at the president's mansion, and the two of us get out, walking through the enormous garden toward the foyer.
And then our guests greet us. Family, friends, Victors I've only seen on TV but really want to meet. Anyone and everyone we probably sent invitations to is here, and more.
"Hey, it's the happy couple!" Scott exclaims, coming to my side. He wraps an arm around my shoulders, and Tina goes to Liz's side, both of them smiling. Liz is blushing like crazy and fans her cheeks, grinning at everyone.
"Shall we go and mingle?" I ask her, and she nods. I take her hand and we start towards our parents. Cato and Clove embrace Liz in a hug, and without warning, not only are my mom and dad hugging me, but all of my uncles, and my aunt Prim.
"Congratulations, kiddo." Prim smiles and pushes her husband, my uncle Rory, away. The other uncles follow. "Yes, that's right, boys. It's my turn with Luke."
Nick chuckles. "Nice save, Prim. Taking him before we can ask him all the burning questions."
She smirks and wraps an arm around my shoulders. "Let's go talk to Liz. She looks like she could use some company besides her parents."
Looking over, Liz is standing with her parents, having no real other family. It makes me feel strange, knowing that I have so much family, and she has….well…nothing, besides parents.
Just as I'm about to open my mouth to alert Liz that we're there, Gale swoops in, smirking, and tugs on her arm. She whips around with the readiness to hit someone, before she relaxes and realizes its Gale. Not that that fact makes a huge amount of difference.
"Liz, your dress is exquisite." He says, casting a playful smirk her way.
Liz rolls her eyes at him. "I know. And your tie is tied incorrectly." She steps around him and to me, kissing my lips.
"Liz, this is my aunt-" I start.
"I know who she is! Oh my gosh, Ms. Everdeen, it's so lovely to meet you." She says.
Prim smiles at her. "Thank you, dear. I am so glad to finally meet you as well. Please, call me Prim."
"Ok! Well, thank you so much for coming; I really am glad you could make it. Luke has told me a lot about you."
"Hopefully all good things."
"Oh, of course. I don't think anyone related to Luke could be bad."
"I'll be back," I say quickly. "Play nice, you two."
Liz smiles. "Of course."
Prim smiles as well, and the two of them continue on with their conversation.
I go off in search of something to drink, but a guy one of the Team Victory members interrupts me before I find it. I can't tell which one he is. I can never remember all of their names.
"Do you know who I am?" the boy asks.
I chuckle. "I know you're a friend of Liz's, but I apologize, I cannot remember your name."
He smirks at me, flipping his red and black streaked hair out of his heavily outlined eyes. "My name is Spencer. I'm in the club with Liz."
I don't need to ask what club, since I know Liz is in Team Victory.
"Oh, Spencer. I'm sorry, there's just too many of you to keep track of." I laugh.
He sighs. "I know. Liz got us all confused for a while, but she's got it, and you're married to her, so if you're as smart as she seems to think you are, you should be able to pick it all up fairly quickly."
Why do I get the impression that he doesn't like me? No, that's silly. I shouldn't be saying something like that. I'm sure it isn't true, and I am all for keeping the drama and gossip out of life if it is at all possible. I shouldn't pass judgment on anything when I don't know it's true.
"Listen, bro. I don't think you're worthy of Liz, and that doesn't reflect the way the club feels, but listen up, and listen real well. You make Liz unhappy, even the tiniest bit, and you're going to have 5 highly trained, highly pissed off guys who will kick your ass so far in time, you'll have grey hair when we're done. You hear me?"
Holy crap. Those guys really care about Liz. I guess I knew that they did, but at the same time…this is insanity. I thought they were just a bunch of friends, but in reality, they are really dedicated to making sure Liz is alright.
"I would never make her unhappy if I could help it." I say back, scared of what will happen if I don't answer him back, and scared of what will happen when I do. God, Liz has some scary friends.
"Yeah, well, you might say that, but you never know. I mean, you say that now, but what if she starts getting on your nerves? Are you going to do something bad to her?"
"Of course not! I would never hurt her." I say. "Never."
He nods. "Alright, bro. I just wanted to make sure you knew. Because I'm serious, man. If you do anything that hurts her, we'll be on you worse than Cato will be. Trust me on that, my friend."
Worse than Cato….worse? That would be horrible. I know I'm never going to hurt Liz, but imagining what could happen to me if I were a different kind of guy is horrible. I'd be dead. And dead again. And then even more dead. And dead like ten more times after that. And that would just be the Victories and Cato. I'm sure Clove would hurt me as well…..and Tina…..and then my own friends would probably get ahold of me….it is a good thing that I'm not going to hurt Liz.
"I trust you." I manage, laughing. "So, enjoy the wedding?"
He nods. "I did, though I can't stand the fact that Liz is youngest than our youngest male member, and he doesn't even have a girlfriend yet. She's already married and getting ready to have a baby…that's pretty insane."
I frown. "If you wouldn't mind, I really would rather not talk about that fact right now…she's going to be pretty stressed out about that, and I'd rather not stress her out now, at our wedding. I want her to have all the joy that she can before we have to get back to the business side of all of this.
He nods. "Naturally. Alright, well, nice chatting with you. I should get back to the guys."
I watch as he goes back over to the Victories, taking his place between two of the taller of the two. I think their names are Justin and Xavier. I wonder if they always arrange themselves in order of authority, or age, and then I realize they probably do, because Liz stands near them, to Brent's right, right where she would be if they went from youngest to oldest.
I smile a bit to myself. She looks so completely in place with those guys. They have embraced her, and she has embraced them. They are her Scott, and her Maya, and her Meredith. And probably her Austin as well, her best friends, and worst frenemies. It's incredible to watch her as she flits between groups of people, smiling and smirking and saying the perfect thing to make them practically eat out of the palm of her hand, and absolutely love her to death.
I hope that as we develop ourselves that I'll be able to find such a tight fit like she has with people.
Liz POV-
This reception could not be going any better. I cannot even believe that this is happening. I'm married to the hottest, smartest, most wonderful man on Earth, and I'm here, in the president's mansion, celebrating it. And best of all, the people here love Luke and I, and want us to do well and succeed. Not a single person in here wants to do us any harm, they're not trying to manipulate us, and they aren't even trying to make us feel like we're stupid teenagers, like some people might.
I couldn't have asked for something better.
I'm currently surrounded by two tall, god-like blonde men who are Peeta's brothers, and do not look like they are old at all, and a man with the most glorious grey eyes that I can't put my finger on identifying. My mother once showed me a book of beyond ancient gods people called the Greeks worshipped. There was one, named Apollo, and another, Hermes. These men all resemble one of them.
"Luke is a very lucky boy." The tallest one says.
"Thank you," I respond. "I think I am a pretty lucky girl as well."
"Ooh, beautiful and humble, Ryen." The other blonde one says. He smiles brilliantly.
"I know, Nick. I said this. Didn't I say this?"
The other one, Ryen, nods. "You said it, yes. You did say that you thought she would be beautiful. Humble was not the other word you used. You said you thought she was going to be vi-"
Vicious….Violent…Vile…..Vivacious…I don't know what word these golden haired visions of perfection think of when they see me, but honestly, any of them work for me….besides maybe vile, but I could deal with that too, I'm sure. They're Luke's relatives, I can take anything from them.
"Alright, knowing where you're going, you two should just shut up and let me talk to her." The last, brown haired one, says. "I'm Rory. You might know my brother, Gale."
"As in….Hawthorne." I respond.
He nods. "Yes. My oldest brother."
I chuckle. "Oh, you poor man….I'm sorry. He and I….kind of…..we don't see eye to eye."
He smiles. "I know. He's told me about you two and you're….strange, relationship…did he really threaten to put up pictures of you in lingerie and then tell Luke and your parents you were a prostitute if you ratted on him for anything?"
I nod. "Sadly, yes, he was telling the truth about that one. But I'll bet he didn't tell you about what I said I would do to him if he hurt Luke or Peeta or Katniss, did he?"
He shakes his head. "No, he did not. You should tell me about that."
I launch into the story of me leaning over Gale in my room and him practically hitting on me right there in the house the first time I met him when he thought I wasn't myself like I've told the story millions of times. The entire time, Rory is cringing and laughing at all the right times to make me think he's interested in what I'm saying, so I just keep talking and telling the stories, and soon enough, I'm telling everything I can think of embarrassing about Gale, and in exchange, Rory gives me new information about him that he is never going to live down for as long as he lives. He can threaten me all he likes for anything he wants. I have so much dirt on him now that we can have a lovely little war.
"Thank you," I conclude at the end. "It has been lovely to speak with you."
Prim comes over and takes Rory's arm, kissing him on the cheek. I realize that Katniss' sister is married to one of Gale's brothers. Oh, that must be so awkward, but I don't say anything about it, since it really isn't my place to talk about that sort of thing.
I walk over to the food tables, gasping as I see the glorious cake on the table in front of me, a gorgeous black and white tiered cake accented with pink mockingjay's that look exactly like the ring on my finger, and little plastic weapons that are sticking out of the cake every other tier or so, as well as the little figurines on top, the girl one wearing a sky blue dress, its hair up elaborately, even for a figurine, and the boy one wearing a tuxedo and sky blue bow tie, like what Luke and I were wearing for our interviews.
"It's beautiful." I whisper, and feel someone's arm around my waist. As I look up, I see it's Luke. "Did your family do this?" I ask.
He nods. "Do you like it?"
"I adore it." I breathe, covering my mouth with my hand because I am so worried I am going to cry with happiness.
"Oh, darling, don't cry. You'll ruin all of your pretty makeup."
I nod. "You're right. Oh my gosh, it's gorgeous, Luke. I didn't know a cake could be so beautiful."
He smiles and wraps me up in his arms. "You would be thoroughly surprised at what my family is able to do. We're pretty impressive with our baking skills."
"Are you able to bake like that?" I ask with a slightly teasing tone.
He kisses my cheek. "I know how to. I've never done it all on my own, but yes, I am able to do this if I had to recreate it. I'd have to take some pictures, of course, but I think that it would be pretty simple and easily-"
I silence him with a gentle kiss. "Shh. No more words. I'm too happy for words. No more words. I don't think I'll be able to handle them for a few minutes."
Gentle, soft music is playing in the background, and Luke smiles, wordlessly leading me into the center of the dance floor, where both sets of our parents are dancing together, as well as Maya and Scott, Prim and Rory, Gale and Madge, Meredith and a boy I have never met before that I am guessing is Daniel, Jason and Xavier, Tina and Brent, Finnick and Annie, Cashmere and Gloss(which doesn't seem too abnormal, since neither of them seem to have dates…..unless they are each other's dates….ok then…..) and Luke's uncle Nick, with his wife.
Today, Luke and I join the vast club of married people. And now, we're sharing our first dance as husband and wife.
Luke takes my hand, and I lay my head on his shoulder, relaxing in his embrace and wondering if everyone is staring at us. Probably. I mean, we are the newlyweds here.
"I love you." I faintly hear Luke whisper, and I tilt my head to look at him as we sway lightly to the music, both of us savoring the romance.
"I love you too." I can't even begin to explain how much the words feel good on my lips.
His hands go to my hips, pulling me closer as he leans down to kiss my lips. I close my eyes, savoring it for as long as this is going to last.
Someone clears their throat, and both Luke and I pull back at the same time.
It's my dad, standing there with an expression of half curiosity, half discomfort on his face. "May I cut in?"
Luke smiles, blushing a tiny bit. "Of course." He kisses my cheek and takes my hand, setting it in my dad's, and then walking off. My eyes automatically follow him.
My dad lightly taps my chin, getting me to look back at him. "I know. You don't want to let him out of your sight, you're so madly in love with him."
I nod. "Yes. That's exactly what it is." I laugh.
He smiles at me, settling his hand on my waist, taking my other, and the two of us are waltzing.
"How did you know that, dad?" I ask.
He smiles at me in the way that only people who have lived longer and experienced more than I have do. "Because that is exactly what I did every time your mother walked away, exactly what you did. My eyes followed her every move, memorizing every movement she made, as though I could forget them at any moment. Like I was going to be tested on it. I still do. And I can see that you do the exact same thing." He looks beyond me, back towards something behind me. "And I can see that Luke does the exact same thing. The two of you are really in love, aren't you?"
I nod. "You shouldn't doubt that, dad. I would have given him up a long time if I didn't love him as much as I do to get married. I loved him the day I met him, I love him now, and I will love him for the rest of forever, and numerous forever's after that."
He sniffles and lets go of me, standing there in front of me, looking into my eyes. A tear trickles down his cheek, and I reach out, wiping it away. "Oh daddy…please don't cry. Please don't be sad. I promise, I am still me, even though I'm married now. I'm still Liz. I'm just Liz…..married now."
He nods. "I know, honey. I know. I just…you're so grown up. And so mature, even though you're only 15. You're so intelligent, and smart, and beautiful, and clever for your age. I don't know what I would have said if someone asked me if I loved your mother at 15. I mean, I loved her, obviously…..but we didn't know each other in as much wonderfulness as you and Luke know each other, when we got married…I don't know if I would have said I love her so much I would have spent multiple forever's with her…..not at 15, at least. Now, I would. And I hope that your mother would say the same thing as well. But you…..you're just so much…..better, then I was at your age."
I smile at his pride in me. "I love knowing that you are so proud of me, daddy."
He nods. "Liz, why don't you go sit down with Luke? It's almost time to make speeches."
"Oh, it is?" I ask.
He nods, smirking and already back to his old ways.
"Oh yes. It is most definitely time for the speeches." He laughs, and offers me his arm. I take it, and he leads me over to the central table. The bridal party table. Why is it called the bridal party anyway? It hardly makes sense. I mean, there's a groom too…why is everyone in the wedding the bridal party? Why not the grooms….al…..party…..never mind. That was the strangest thing I have ever asked in my entire life. Oh my god, I'm so nervous. Why am I so nervous? People are getting up in front of me to talk, I shouldn't be nervous for this.
"Oh, Mrs. Mellark?" I hear, in a sickly sweet tone all too familiar to me.
I turn, and Snow smirks at me. "What a lovely reception."
I think I found my reason to be nervous.
Snow POV-
I smirk at Elizabeth's obvious discomfort in me being there.
"Oh…..hello, mister president." She says. "Thank you so much for lending us your beautiful home for our reception."
I smile at her, knowing she has probably mustered every ounce of resistance in her body to remain calm. But, even though that may very well be the case, I do adore to see her lose her cool. And I will make her lose that cool, here, in front of all of her guests.
"You're welcome, dear. Now, let's document this moment, shall we? I'm sure there is a photographer somewhere who can capture this."
She nods. "Of course, sir. You spared no expense on getting everything Luke and I might need."
I nod and place my hand on the small of her back, practically feeling the cringe as I do, and escort her over to the place where the same photographer that did her wedding shoot, Christopher Mane, I believe his name is, stands, camera poised.
I didn't even ask for Cato's consent to touch his daughter, which I am sure is driving him to insanity.
Like the protective father I know Cato it, he literally pries my hand off of Liz and takes my position, whispering something into her ear as the two of them get into position. Christopher starts snapping away, and Clove gets into the pictures, on Liz's other side. Then they get replaced in the spot by Luke, Katniss, and Peeta, and then suddenly, all of them are taking pictures together, laughing all the while and looking far too happy for my liking.
Oh, no no. I can't have them feeling so comfortable.
I give a glance at Christopher, expecting he knows what I mean, since I am the president after all, and he nods. "Mister President, would you like to get into the picture?"
I smile. "Why, of course I would."
I've got to have at least one picture that Luke and Liz can have framed in their new home together to know that they are always under my watch. Even at their own wedding. Their happiest day, and I am there to share it with them. And even better, they're in my house. Literally. There's no sneaking away to another room, because they'll feel awkward anywhere they go in this house. Oh, the perks of having absolute control over them all. Being president has its advantages.
Everyone rearranges themselves, so I am next to Elizabeth. She glares at me, and once I pat her back, she squeezes closer to Luke. She must have smelled the blood in my breath. I have to be even more cautious next time I do something…..unsavory. My god, it is fun to make Elizabeth Hirsch….oops, now she's a Mellark, the vicious vision, flinch in my presence. It's good to see that I can reduce her to nothingness like this. Over nothing. Imagine what I could do if I were trying.
After a few more pictures, I start to wonder what this would be like if Elizabeth was a boy, like she's supposed to be.
Then I catch Cato eyeing me suspiciously.
I clear my throat and mutter, "Hello, Cato. It was tragic that your daughter was in the hospital with health problems."
He nods, and goes to the photographer, who is now calling his name.
I look over the whole crowd, and immediately wish I was back torturing Marcus, instead of this, this wedding. It's stupid. All of it. A load of utter crap. But I am masked by the public.
"Thank you," I say, making sure to stand in the closest proximity to Elizabeth as I possibly can before it looks and seems sexual, because that is the last thing that I want, just so she can get a bit more uncomfortable, and thusly, her precious new husband can get just a tiny bit protective.
He pushes me back, just like I thought he would.
"Hey, don't touch her!" He exclaims.
I smirk. "My dear boy, I didn't lay a hand on her." I press my hand slowly into her shoulder. "Now….well, now I am."
He swings his arm like he's going to punch me, but his father steps in front of him. "Luke, stop it. Stop it." He hisses, and Luke goes back to being a good little obedient boy.
I smirk even more. "Thank you, Peeta, for controlling your boy. It would be a pity for him to get arrested on his wedding night. Wouldn't it?"
He nods. "I apologize, for my son, Snow."
I smirk. "I accept your apologies. Where is your lovely wife?"
I glance around the room, spotting the dear Mockingjay that completes the Mellark immediate family square, supporting an already tipsy Clove by the waist.
Poor woman. Her daughter is a Mellark. I'd be sorry too if I were her. Not that any of them know how much I truly hate them.
"I think it's time for me to say a few words, don't you think?" I ask Peeta.
He glances back at Luke, who looks back at him in a questioning way. Oh, he is so oblivious. It's endearing, and makes me feel even more vastly intelligent than I already know I am.
"Yes. I suppose we should take our seats." Peeta says, actually offering me a smile before going and taking his seat, his son and new daughter in law trailing behind him. Katniss comes from the other direction, both she and Cato holding Clove up as they make their way to their own seats.
And then I mount the stage.
Once I see Clove getting a little tipsy, I know it's the perfect time. The most opportune for me to accomplish what I want to tonight.
Okay, Coriolanus, act humble, yet do the job, I think to myself.
So I walk up to the microphone and tap it. It makes a loud buzzing sound and people turn and applaud when they see me, as they should when their president is up in front of them. I fix my posture and glaze over the crowd, which quiets immediately. Showtime.
"Marriage. A fine example of power. Over yourself, and over others. Panem's official dictionary, and that of a great man called Webster, far before our time, states that matrimony is the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments and religious ceremonies."
I stop to look at the crowd. Perfect; everyone is listening and the 'happy' couple is looking fairly confused, like they can't believe that I didn't start breathing fire or turning into a dragon. They won't know what hit them. Then I continue.
"But for these two lucky teenagers, marriage is not just a commitment that they enforced in our annual Hunger Games, but a way of life," I motion at Elizabeth and Luke, then look at the crowd, "And I could not simply see this couple and imagine them not married."
The crowd claps.
"And so Mr. and Mrs. Mellark, would you please accept my gift of hosting another reception, one extravagant, even for Capitolites?"
Elizabeth looks over at her mother, like I knew she would, seeking advice from someone who can make a good choice for her. I can see the redness on her cheeks to know that she is blushing with embarrassment, for once not knowing what to say.
"Hell yeah, do it!" Clove calls drunkenly, and Liz looks back at me, obviously not knowing just how horrible of a decision she is about to make.
"Of course." She calls.
"Oh, but thank you," I say, before smiling viciously. Elizabeth will wish she hadn't volunteered at the Games and messed with me...
They always wish they hadn't volunteered when I'm done with them. I mean…..isn't that how Liz and Luke came about?
And now history shall repeat itself, in so many ways. So many ways.
Katniss POV-
Damn Clove, and her drunken ways. She just set her daughter up for social suicide, and she doesn't even realize it. That is how stupidly; sloppily drunk she is right now. I take her champagne away and replace it with water quickly, so she can sober enough to make her speech later, and Cato catches my eye.
For a moment, I think he's going to be mad at me, but he only winks and goes back to admiring Liz and Luke, who sit happily together, oblivious to everything bad this wedding means.
I adore the way that Luke and Liz have taken the responsibility to take this big, obviously humiliating ceremony and event and turn it to their advantage, being happy, which I am sure Snow was not expecting at all.
I'm pretty sure not even Liz and Luke were expecting to be happy. But here they are, smiling and looking lovingly at each other with looks of such insane happiness that I begin to wonder when the last time I saw it on my son's face. Not any time recently, I'm sure.
I recognize that look well enough though-I had the same dumb look on my face the night Peeta and I were married….and every day after that for like a month. And so did Peeta. And so did Cato and Clove, even though the two of them both refuse to admit that they had stupid love struck looks on their faces, or even the fact that they loved each other that much at all.
I watch as Finnick comes over to our table, Annie slightly behind him, but for the most part, with him. That's an improvement. Usually Annie isn't so brave to be that close to everyone else. She's so shy, and it's so nice to see Annie and Finnick together.
Finnick kneels down in front of Liz. "I didn't get the memo that all the presents were supposed to be sent to your new house…..so….I present to you, the best wedding gift in the world." He makes a big show of putting a silver and white wrapped present in Liz's lap in an extremely flouncy fashion. Annie giggles behind him.
Luke smiles and looks at Liz. Liz looks back at him.
"Go on, you crazy kids," Finnick laughs. "Open it up. Together."
I watch, as well as everyone else does, as Luke and Liz open the package together, revealing a rectangular book. A photo album, to be more precise.
"Finnick…..it's beautiful." Liz says incredulously.
Finnick tilts his head, nodding towards Annie, who blushes.
Liz smiles brightly, and both she and Luke stand. Liz hugs Annie, thanking her while Luke shakes Finnick's hand, and then switches to hugging Finnick while Luke kisses Annie's hand.
Liz is also blushing. I knew she had a crush on Finnick! I mean…..even I have a crush on Finnick. It's impossible not to. Aww, that's cute. Celebrity crushes keep everything normal, I say. It's not weird for Liz to be married and have a crush on Finnick. I mean, heaven knows I've had a crush on the man for a while.
Luke's lips part to say something, but before he gets the chance to say whatever it is he wants, to, I hear noise like microphone feedback, and looking up, I see Haymitch, and figure it's time for speeches. This was my favorite part of our wedding. Anyone who wanted to get up and make a speech did, and it was the most lovely thing in the world, just to sit and listen with my new husband and mostly friends by my side. I'll always remember the speeches made at my wedding, and I hope Luke and Liz will remember there's.
Who am I kidding? They are going to remember them, because the speeches are going to be amazing. I mean, everyone amazing that I know is at this wedding, as well as Liz and Luke's closest friends.
I sit down beside Clove and listen, trying to figure out what I'm going to say when I get up there.
Liz POV-
"Well, isn't this sweet," Haymitch starts, and I can tell he is still half drunk, despite the fact that moments before, Effie handed him a pill that I'm sure made him sober. I also witnessed Effie's sparkly shoes almost getting covered in water. Ooh, she would have killed someone if they got messed up.
I listen as Haymitch continues. "I never thought my first victor's kids would win the Games and marry a tribute from two."
My parents glare in his general direction, and I pray there won't be a fight between then. Anything would be better than a fight. I refuse to let there be a fight at my wedding reception. That might fly at other people's functions, but I am not letting it happen here.
"And they are very much in love." People roll their eyes, and I wonder if they even know us at all. I mean, Luke and I are in love. There is no doubt about that. I look expectantly at Haymitch, wondering what words are going to come out of his mouth next.
He gulps, and then sighs. "Oh, for Christ's sake! Liz and Luke are two young newlyweds and here we are in awe, talking about them! We should be celebrating! Not wasting our time with intricate speeches about what it is like as friends or family of the couple! Now here's a toast to Liz and Luke, victors of the 88th Hunger Games!"
He grins and people applaud in polite amounts, and Effie goes up to escort him off stage, her heels clipping the ground.
Best wedding speech ever. If only that was the only one.
I watch as Enobaria takes the stage next, looking confident in that way she does where she just radiates amazingness with everything she does.
"This," she starts. "is the only party I will probably ever be allowed to attend in this house, since last time I spilled champagne all over the president's rug…..and curtains…..and the president….." she looks at Snow in a 'I regret nothing' sort of way, and he looks back at her with distaste. Everyone else chuckles.
"But god, am I glad to be here right now. People are going to be talking about this wedding for so freaking long. At least now I can brag about having been there." More laughter and some assorted sounds of agreement.
" Suck it, Cato, I told you I would be invited!" Oh my god, this woman is my hero.
"Get on with it, or you're going to be kicked out!" my dad exclaims, and my mom swats his arm.
"Alright, so, long story short, congratulations Liz and Luke! You two are adorable, and you better have some kids and make me the godmother."
She smiles as everyone, including Luke and I, smile and chuckle.
"Seriously, lovies. I taught Clove to use a knife. I'll find you." She sends a menacing look my way and I smirk, mouthing I don't doubt it to her.
She comes off the stage, and my parents take her place. Both of them. At the same time. Oh my god, this is not going to end well.
"I remember when Liz was a baby," My dad starts, and I facepalm.
"Oh god." I murmur, and Luke rubs my back. "Come on, honey. My parents are going to do the same thing." He whispers in my ear.
"She was so small. Everything she did was so cute and sweet, and Clove and I…we couldn't stand to let her out of our sight, we loved her so much."
My mom nods. "Neither one of us knew what we were doing, but we made it work. We kept ourselves from going insane by watching our little girl make all the wonderful milestones we had heard about. All those hard things, changing diapers and staying up until the early hours of the morning waiting for her to fall asleep, smiling and talking to her with words that aren't even real, it all made sense, when we were watching her crawl, and walk, and say her first words. The good things we heard about had come, and we savored every part of it."
"Liz got to be older, as all kids do, and she started following in our footsteps with all the enthusiasm we expected her to. She was 3 and started training, and she loved it. We couldn't get her to stop playing with the weapons, because at that point, it was getting familiar with the weapons that we wanted her to do. She was a little tomboy, and we couldn't get her to wear a dress. We couldn't get her to let us put her hair in pigtails, and she wanted nothing to do with playing with dolls. She was never just a normal little girl.
My dad cuts in, "And that didn't change as she got older. She loved everything about the Hunger Games, and she tried to volunteer every year from 12 to 15. And at age 15…..this past Games…..she finally got her wish to go into the Arena most Victors associate with ruining something in them," he looks at Snow, muttering, "No offense" quickly, before continuing, "but Liz never thought of them that way. Because she had more to look forward to than eternal glory and wealth, and fame. She had a boy named Luke Mellark to get her through it all.
And I knew, from the moment she revealed their relationship in the Capitol, that she had found someone she wanted to be with, like I had found Clove…..and I look at the girl sitting in front of me, hand in hand with her new husband…..and I don't see a 15 year old girl. I see the baby that seemingly refused to wear diapers that were pink, like the lady at the hospital had said she would love…..I see the five year old that pinned the seven year old boy flat on his back, the same boy that would grow up to be her district partner in the Games…..I see the girl that refused to wear a dress and walked around with her hair in a messy, functional ponytail for practically her entire childhood…..I look at her today, and I see that brilliant white dress, and the makeup, and the hair pinned perfectly into place….and I see how much she's allowed to change about herself for her to be with Luke. I see everything she was, andeverything she is now that she has met him. And I could not be more proud of her. I couldn't be happier for her to be married to Luke, because I know that she's going to make an amazing wife." He smiles as people give him some appreciation.
"And Luke, my boy…..you treat her well, or I'll find a way to make you regret ever doing anything to make her unhappy."
I admit, my eyes are a bit teary, and that speech wasn't as embarrassing as I thought it would be. I squeeze Luke's hand, and he leans in, kissing my cheek.
Katniss and Peeta walk up next.
"That was a really wonderful speech." Peeta says. "I'm not sure that I can say something so emotional…but I can say that I know my son is a smart boy. I always knew that, from the time he was born. I know it even more now, though…because he's gotten himself married to a girl. He obviously did something right, because there was a girl who was wonderful enough to say yes to a marriage proposal…..and there was my son, who was smart enough to know how to make it work so that she would say yes. Now, I don't credit Luke for making everything work. Not by a longshot. But I know that he loves Liz, and adores everything she is, just like a husband should feel about his wife. I look at my son, and I see the kind gentleman that he is, and I think 'That can't be my son, he's too perfect'. Luke, you have been my perfect son for so long…and you always will be. But now it's time for you to be Liz's perfect husband…and I hope that you will have the longest, loveliest life with her that is possible, and more."
He coughs a bit, and I can see he's crying, and Katniss swings an arm around his shoulders. She looks like she's about to say something, but she's crying too, and both of them step off the stage.
Scott bounds up the steps. "Hey there people! I'm Scott, for all of you who don't know! Luke's my best friend, and man, I am so freaking happy for you! You're getting married to such an awesome woman, and I know you're going to be an awesome husband. I'll always be here for you, man, and I hope that you and Liz are going to be very, very happy. Make sure that you two enjoy your honeymoon, you hear? I mean, Liz is freaking hot! HOT, man! So enjoy her and all that sh-"
"Boy, get down!" My dad exclaims, chasing Scott off, and I'm laughing too hard to care that he's embarrassing me. I just am having so much fun.
Nobody makes a move to make a speech, so I get out of my chair, gathering my skirts up and going up the steps to make my own speech. Oh god, please don't let me mess up. I pray.
"Luke, you have made me the happiest girl in the entire world, and I am so happy that you are my husband. I adore you, with every fiber of my being, and I cannot believe that you even asked me to marry you. It was a blessing when you did, and I will remember that day, and every day we spend together for the rest of our lives, for as long as I live. And even then I think I'll still remember. I love you, and I always will." I blow Luke a kiss, smiling like a love-struck teenage girl, and I realize, that's alright, because I am one.
Luke comes bounding up the steps, taking my face between his hands and kissing me forcefully. He takes the microphone.
"Liz, that speech was as beautiful as you are, and I wish that I could come up with something as amazing. I…..well…..I've loved you since the moment I set eyes on you in District 2…and every moment we had to sneak around, and hide, and pretend, it was all worth it to see this moment where we can be out, in public, married. I will never, ever be deserving of you, whether or not you agree, and I will love you until this planet ceases to exist, and beyond. It was a blessing for you to say yes to marrying me. You are my everything, and anything you want or need, I will be there with it. I love you, Liz, and I will, forever and always."
The two of us share a long, passionate kiss, and the world around us disappears as the two of us enter our own little world. The world of the loving, and the loved, and the newly married.
I don't think I could love anyone as much as I love Luke, and I don't want to love anyone else in my lifetime. I could know Luke forever, and never know him long enough. Forever won't be long enough for me, and death will not be the parting force. Nothing will. From this day on, I am his.
Alright, so let me apologize AGAIN AND AGAIN AND YET AGAIN for how long this chapter took, and I hope that you all loved reading it as much as I loved writing it. Please, please, pretty please, review, and let me know what you think so I can keep writing what you like. I would like to thank lola c. prior for helping me with some of the speeches and ideas for this chapter, and I thank all of you for being here. Until next time, may the odds be ever in your favor!