Katniss has faced her family and in the morning she had a plan to speak to Peeta. But as she is finding out, weddings always come with some up's, down's, and curveballs.

I do not own the Hunger Game.

In the morning, her plan to go see and speak to Peeta was thwarted by the rush of getting ready for the wedding. Her mother woke her up at four in the morning. Katniss was amazed when her mother pulled out a white dress from her Merchant days. It had ruffled cap sleeves, scoop neckline, was gathered at the waist, and trumpeted outward at the hem. Its hemline was shorter in the front reaching past Katniss's knees but the back was longer falling to her mid-calf. Her mother even had crinoline to put underneath her dress.

Prim was up to, boiling water and making her sit in aromatic baths.

"How many more of these baths do I have to take?"

"There are three more baths before mom and I have to put lotions on you," Prim smiled.

Her sister's smile wasn't at all angelic, Katniss noted the look of mischief. "Lotions?"

Prim giggled.

"Primrose," Katniss bemoaned.

"You're not going to start your new life smelling like dead things Katniss."

"I do not smell like-" Katniss stopped talking Prim was giving her a scowl.

"Now where did I put that scrub," Prim said eyeing her hair. "I'm going to make sure your hair doesn't smell like wet dog."

Katniss sighed. Her olive skin was scrubbed until it glowed a warm red. Katniss was forced to put on three lotions, one that didn't smell like anything but that her sister swore would take care of her dried elbows. She wasn't even aware that she had dried elbows.

Her mother came in with a towel and dried her hair. Her sister went to bathe and get dressed.

An hour later Katniss's hair was braided and pinned up in a crown around her head. Prim went to the herb garden and picked small flowers and wove them into her hair. Katniss didn't even recognize herself in the mirror once her mother and sister were finished with her.

"This was the dress my family had made for me when I was supposed to get married to Peeta's father, Lionel." Her mother smiled over her shoulder in the mirror.

"You were engaged to Mr. Mellark?"

"Yes, and I chose your father. It was a shock to the entire district that I chose to be with a miner, from the Seam." Her mother chuckled, then her face became serious, "I did what was best for me, and you Katniss have to do what is best for you."

Katniss nodded.

"Katniss, it's sad to say, there are still a lot of prejudices in our district."

Her mother's words reminded Katniss of Gale. He was prejudiced against the Merchants and there were Merchants that were prejudiced against those who resided in the Seam.

"And because you are my daughter and given the family history, Eileen will be looking for a way to make you look bad."

Eileen Mellark wasn't her favorite person, and after what she did to her son Katniss reasoned that woman was capable of anything.

"My advice to you is to rise to her quips or words. And to always keep Peeta in the loop about what's going on in your head, especially when Eileen does something spiteful or if someone says something to you. Communication is the cornerstone of any relationship." Her mother squeezed her shoulders.

Katniss didn't have time to process the information as it was time to leave. When they opened the door there was Gale, Gale was standing there.

He blinked several times and peered at her as if not believing what he was seeing.

Buttercup hissed at him before meandering off.

"Hello," Katniss greeted, hoping Gale had changed his mind.

"Katniss, I'm asking you once more," Gale ran his hands through his hair, "to reconsider. He's a Merchant Katniss, one of them!"

"Gale my mother is a Merchant," Katniss pointed out. She was angered that Gale wouldn't take the hint. Why couldn't he accept the fact that she didn't want him, they were too alike?

Gale glanced over her shoulder to her mother who stood just feet away. "I…"

"Which makes me a half-breed." Biting back her anger she said, "Goodbye Gale."

Katniss walked by him with her mother and sister right behind.

"Good for you," her mother whispered.

"Gah," Prim said, "Why does he smell so funny?"

Katniss began to laugh. She'd always thought the same thing. They passed a few people on the road who greeted them and wished her well. Others simply stared at her because she never wore a dress or looked so clean. Katniss always looked like she'd rolled around in the dirt for fun. Climbing trees to make a shot had its perils and one of them was getting dirty.

When they arrived at the Justice Building the Mellark's were waiting for them outside.

"Maggie," Mr. Mellark greeted, "Primrose, and my dear Katniss." His mood was jovial.

Mrs. Mellark rolled her eyes and gave them a curt nod.

River Mellark was dressed smartly and oddly did not appear to be drunk, he and Haymitch Abernathy the old Victor were known as the town drunks. "Ladies."

"Lionel, how are you?" her mother greeted.

"Peeta is inside no doubt wearing a hole in the floor." Mr. Mellark clapped his hands.

They walked up the stairs and made their way into the building. All around Katniss everyone was speaking in excited tones except for Peeta's mother. She mutely walked behind everyone. Katniss didn't want to think about Prim's conversation or the fact that Peeta's mother was probably shooting daggers at her back. The woman was probably upset to have lost control of the bakery. Her demand was that Peeta had to get married. She never stipulated that he had to marry a merchant girl. Katniss tried not to pay attention to the old witch, as long as Peeta's mother kept her mouth shut everything would be fine. Her concentration was on signing the papers so that Peeta could become the new owner of the bakery. Once that happened Gale would surely disappear from her life.

She came around the corner and there was Peeta dressed in his best suit. Katniss had never seen him in that suit, the last time she saw Peeta good clothing was for their last reaping.

Peeta no longer looked like that ruddy boy. He was taller, his shoulders broader, and he was stronger. Even though his body changed Peeta was still that good guy. Katniss stopped moving and took this moment to observe him before moving. He looked nervous. Peeta smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. He nodded to something his brother said, but his eyes were scanning the room.

"Aren't you going to move," Eileen sneered.

Katniss smiled painfully. "I just wanted to take a moment to stare at Peeta."

"Has anyone ever told you that you don't lie well? You should leave the duplicity to my son."

Katniss didn't know what to say to Peeta's mother.

"Is there some mental malformity, that I don't know about? Of course, you are your mother's daughter always taking advantage.

She recalled what her mother said about Peeta's mother. "Thank you."

"What are you saying thank you?" Eileen raised an eyebrow.

"Because you said I am my mother's daughter," Katniss smiled brilliantly.

"Move my son is waiting for you!"

Katniss grinned before moving forward, she wasn't going to allow Peeta's mother to win one over her.

Peeta looked up the moment she stepped into the waiting area.

The moment their eyes met he smiled, and it caused her to smile back. He looked wonderful, like one of those posters they used to use for the Hunger Games where they depicted a good looking strong young man filled with youth and vigor. Peeta walked toward her and her heart skipped a beat.

"Shall we?" Peeta held his hand out to her.

For some reason, her knees shook, and Katniss reminded herself this was all her idea. She forced her shaky hand to reach for his and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze to reassure her. Taking a deep breath, she took her first step toward him and allowed herself to follow him into the room where the officiant was performing weddings. There were five couples ahead of them. Each ceremony took twenty minutes.

When it was their turn, Katniss' nerves got the better of her and her mind went blank. The only thing that kept her anchored to the room was the man standing beside her. His voice was the only voice that she heard. He gave her hand another gentle squeeze when she needed to speak and put his arms around her to comfort her when they were signing the papers.

"You're doing great," Peeta whispered in her ear as she signed the last document.

Katniss glanced up at him and he gave her a reassuring smile. Peeta signed right next to her. And with that, they were married according to the laws of Panem. But until the toasting took place the marriage wasn't considered legal before the eyes of the district. This thought caused Katniss to have more anxiety.

"Congratulations!" Primrose tackled her from behind, and Katniss jumped. Prim was the only person who had the ability to surprise her. She behaved so much like her darned cat Katniss was surprised her sister didn't purr at times.

"Thanks, Prim."

"Just remember to speak to Peeta about you know what." Prim smiled like the cat who stole the cream as she turned to Peeta.

Katniss was sure everyone could see how flushed she looked because she could feel the warmth rushing to her cheeks. Just the thought of the marriage bed caused her to run. How in the world, she asked herself, was she going to talk to Peeta about sex?