Begin Again [Wattys 2013 Finalist]

Chapter 49

Katniss' POV

"HAPPY WEDDING DAY!" 

Peeta shouts at the top of his lungs, waking me up. I grab the collar of his shirt and pull him back down to the bed with me. I open my eyes and see his face. He's beaming at me. I bite my lip in an attempt to hold in my smile, but it forms anyway. Why shouldn't it? I'm happy. He nuzzles his nose against mine, tickling my face.

"You too," I manage to say between laughs. We both roll out of bed at the same time and he takes my hand, leading me downstairs. I smell pancakes, my favorite breakfast food ever since I tried Peeta's. My nose doesn't deceive me, because pancakes are just what I find on the table.

"You're favorite," Peeta says.

"I know! Thanks!"

I kiss him on the cheek and grab some fruit out of the refrigerator. After I cut it up, we sit down and each eat six pancakes from the heaping stack in about ten minutes. As I shove the last bite in my mouth, Peeta looks at me and starts cracking up. My cheeks are bulging as I chew the pancakes and I know I must look like a squirrel. He doubles over in his chair and I punch his shoulder, even though I can't help but laugh along with him. His laugh is contagious, especially today. Just as we finish cleaning up breakfast and changing out of pajamas, the doorbell rings. I answer it and it's Annie, holding Finnick Jr.  Peeta hugs her first and then takes her bags as I pull her into a hug.

"I'm so excited for you guys! Show me the dress!" She practically screams.

Before I can reply, Johanna walks in through the open door.

"The party has officially started," she says, making everyone laugh.

"The dress!" Annie says again.

"I promise you can help me put it on later," I tell her as I motion for her and Johanna to sit down on the couch. Peeta and I take out the small sandwiches that we made for lunch and put them on the table in the den. As we talk, Haymitch and Delly walk in the door together.  Everyone hugs and I say, "You guys remember Delly from District 13, right?"

Johanna and Annie say that they do and Delly joins them on the couch, while Haymitch grabs a sandwich and sits in a chair.

Delly starts to say something, but then starts to giggle, looking at something behind me. I turn around and see Effie standing in the doorway sporting easily the most extravagant dress she's ever worn. Peeta and I jump up to hug her and she lets out her signature squeal as we break apart. She was so disappointed when we told her that there wasn't going to be a big party, but I guess that didn't stop her from dressing like there would be. She's wearing the highest pair of heels I've ever seen and a dress that is a light pink color, just like her hair and makeup. The dress is has a bright blue bow tied right around her waist and so many frills and layers of fabric that I can't even begin to count.

"And I see your fashion sense hasn't changed a bit," says Haymitch.

Effie smirks at him, saying, "Nice to see you too."

She sits in the chair furthest away from him. Now Gale is the only person not here. The conversation carries on, but I find myself distracted by the possibility that he won't show up. I'm so distracted that I don't even notice when someone comes up behind me and puts their hands over my eyes. I hear laughs in the room as the voice says, "Happy wedding day Catnip."

"Gale!" I say as I get up to hug him.

"So you're not mad at me still?" He asks.

"No," I tell him shaking me head.

He smiles and goes to say hello to everyone. He shakes Peeta's hand last and says,

"Congratulations."