Her Victory, Their Life| F. Odair

27. Wedding

Emory's stay in the hospital was long. She stayed there most of the time with her son and Annie. Enobaria was adapting well. She was helping out with plans for the rebellion. 

Emory, as soon as she was able to walk, visited Peeta. She was trying to help him recover. Both of them were tortured mentally and physically. They were having to unwire their brains and put them back together. While Emory was able to see clearly, she still had that voice in the back of her head.

She didn't know if it would ever leave. It reminded her of when the same thing happened to Annie. She was doing better now, but she still had bad days. Most of the time when it happened now, Elliot or someone else was able to calm her down.

Emory was feeding Cam and Annie was spaced out. "Annie," Emory called. Annie looked over at her with a smile. "You spaced."

Annie grinned, "I was just thinking."

Emory laughed as Annie grabbed her hand, "about what?"

"I want you and Cierra to be my bridesmaids, Johana isn't really in her right mind yet," Annie said sadly, and Emory looked confused.

"When are you guys getting married?" Annie laughed. She had already told her several times, but didn't mind doing it again. 

"In a week, maybe two, Peeta's baking the cake– he volunteered. He seemed pretty excited to get back to something he loved." Emory nodded.

"Yeah, it'll be good for him and for us, build some excitement down here in this gloomy place," Emory joked before coughing. Annie got up and got her some water and Cameron pulled away. Emory burped him before putting him to sleep. "I want to see Johanna."

"Well, here I am," she smirked at the door. They both looked up surprised as she walked inside, closing the door behind her. She sat on Emory's bed. "You've been ignoring me."

Emory looked at her hands, "I felt guilty. I tried to manipulate you for the Capitol."

Johanna shook her head, "you were high-jacked. It wasn't your fault." She grabbed her best friend's hand. "Annie, if you were going to ask, I'm not being in your wedding, you're lucky I'm even going."

Annie held up her hands, "I wasn't going to, I know you don't like that stuff." The girls laughed and everything for a moment seemed alright again.

~

A week had passed, and the wedding was upon them. Emory was almost fully healed physically, and she spent most of her time with Finnick and Cam or with Evan and her brother training.

She stopped by Peeta in the kitchen. He seemed so much happier. Sure he had guards on him everywhere, but he was baking and it looked amazing. Finnick and her moved into their own bunk as Annie and Elliot moved in together.

She woke up early to help get Annie ready and Finnick was already up with the baby, Emory stretched and kissed the side of Finnick's head. "Good morning."

"Good morning, my love," he smiled at her. She smiled back as she took Cam from his hands. She bounced him and he started to laugh. She looked back as she felt Finnick's eyes on her.

"What?" She laughed.

"I just love you, so, so much," he admitted.

SHe smiled bigger before her face dropped, "what it is?"

"Tomorrow, I'm leaving with the troops to go into the Cap-"

"No," Emory shook her head.

"Em!"

"No, you're not leaving me! I need you!" She insisted. Finnick put his hands on her shoulders.

"I want a better future for our son, I'll make it back to you, I promise," he brought her in for a hug.

"You better keep that promise." She sniffled before handing the baby back. "I'll see you at the wedding."

She walked to Annie's room with Cierra and knocked on the door together. "I'm getting married today!" Annie squealed. They laughed and grabbed her hand so they could start on her hair and makeup as the others got the space ready.

~

A few hours later and everything was perfect. There were flowers and food and Annie wore a beautiful white dress. The recorders were set up as well. They were airing it as a propo for everyone to see.

Cierra walked down the aisle first with Gale. Then Evan and Emory followed them. They stood to either side as Finnick walked down the aisle with Annie. They made it to the front where Uncle Cameron was officiating like he did for Emory.

"Ladies and Gentle me are here today to witness the union of Annie Cresta and Elliot Falkum. Please, recite your vows," Cameron told them with a huge smile on his face.

"I, Annie Cresta, take you, Elliot Falkum, as my husband from this day forth. In sickness and in health, for richer or poorer. I promise to love and cherish you each day."

Elliot smiled at her with tears in his eyes, "I, Elliot Falkum, take you, Annie Cresta, as my wife from this day forth. Together or apart, we will always be united. One life, one purpose, one destiny."

"Does anyone object to this union? Speak now or you may forever hold you peace." No one stood up or made a moved so Cam continued. "By the power invested in me by District 13, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!" They brought each other closer and the whole place erupted into cheers for them.

Everyone was genuinely happy, this was the first time in forever that they had some kind of celebration.

Right after, the reception started and everyone danced. The husband and wife had their first dance and Finnick and Emory joined them. Evan grabbed Haymitch and they joined in. Cierra grabbed Enobria and twirled her onto the dance floor.

Emory switched and danced with her sister and Finnick danced with the girl from District 2. Emory laughed as she abandoned her sister who danced with their brother. She ran into the crowd and grabbed Johanna. SHe dragged her out and they started dancing together like they did at every presidential party.

~

After a long night of dancing, Emory took off her shoes and walked back to her room. Her and Johanna were some of the last ones to leave. Finnick left earlier since he needed to get a good night's rest.

Annie and Elliot retired earlier to do what married couples do after their wedding.

She fell asleep next to her husband and got a few hours sleep. That was until he got up. She got up with him and watched as he got dressed. She kissed him a sad goodbye and was watching him walk off while she was bouncing Cam until she saw... Elliot, sneaking out of his room.

"No," she said, passing him.

"No? I'm older than you!" He reminded her and she gave him a look.

"No, because your wife is in there! You got married last night! So no, you're staying here. You can help at another time," Emory snapped. She trusted him, but she didn't trust the Capitol not to take him away from her. "Now, I'm going to stand here and you're going to get back in your room or I will show you how I won the Hunger Games at 13, do you understand!"

Elliot's eyes widened and he raised his hands, "yes ma'am." He slowly walked back to his room and shut the door. Emory waited outside the door, leaning on the wall across from him until she was sure that the aircraft had left without him.

She walked back to her room and placed Cameron back in his bassinet as she herself went back to bed. She crawled in, but wasn't comforted by it. She wanted Finnick's arms to be wrapped around her, she wanted his warmth, she wanted him.