Mrs Hawthorne

Chapter 9

First of all, thank you so much for over 800 reads on this fanfic! I never thought so many people would actually read this <3 And second, I'm so sorry for making you wait so long, hope you'll enjoy this and feel like it was worth it.

Gales POV

Today. Today's the perfect time for it, and not only because I can't wait anymore I think for myself while carrying Katniss downstairs to the kitchen.

I put my hand in my left pocket to check that the small box with the ring is still there, yes.

"Hey Gale" Katniss says and gently caresses my cheek with her thumb "You said yesterday that you wanted to tell me something today, what"?

"Can it wait" I ask and I look around nervously.

She looks at me with that expression again. The one I'm not quite used to see her make, even though we've been together for at least two weeks. The one that tells me she loves me and only want to appreciate the moment for a while.

'Even though she gives me that expression, does that mean she loves me and won't turn on me' the thoughts rushes through my brain 'Maybe she will and I'll end up like Peeta' I try to avoid the thoughts by pushing them away.

-

I convince Katniss to take a walk in the woods with me after breakfast and hopefully she won't see what I'm planning on doing. I help her tie her boots, although I know she can do it herself. Then we walk to the woods, hand in hand without being seen.

"It's been so long since I've been here" Katniss says and takes a deep breath.

I kiss her, and then I remember: Last time we actually was here, she told me she loved me.

But this time it's my turn and just to be sure I put my hand in my pocket, again, to check if the ring is still there.

-

We reach the little lake near the abandoned house a couple of minutes later. Nothing has changed even though a bunch of peacekeepers raided this area after the 74th hunger games.

"What are we doing here" she asks and I decide it's now or never.

We sit down on a rock and I start speaking "We've known each other for a long time, almost six years, and ever since that day I've known there's something special about you, Catnip" I pause a moment and Katniss looks at me with a confused look.

Oh shit! Is she going to back out and leave me?

I continue "Watching you step up and volunteer for your sister was heartbreaking, the thought of losing you was unbearable" I swallow hard "But what was even more heartbreaking was the fact that I couldn't volunteer and go with you. No you had to go with Peeta because you'd never forgive if I didn't stay and take care of your family. Although all I could think of were how afraid I was that you were going to fall in love with Peeta" Katniss puts her hand on my shoulder "But here we are, alive and well with our futures ahead of us and I know now why you're special so I'm asking you, to please marry me" By now I was on the verge of tears and if she rejects me I'm not sure what I'm going to do "Because I love you more than anything".

Katniss stares at me in shock and then the simple ring with a small green gem.

"Answer me, Catnip" I take her hand and close my eyes for a second "Please".

Even more silence follows and I'm preparing myself for rejection.

Suddenly she stutters "Y ... yes! I ... I want to marry you, Gale ...".

Tears are streming down our cheeks and we connect our lips, embracing one another.

I finally finished another chapter of this fanfiction! I apologize sincerely of making you wait so long but I jsut didn't find the mood and ideas to continue but now I'm back!

Love you <3 Keep reading!