No Games Left to Play

9: Saying Goodbye

This morning, after planning Peeta and I's wedding for two days here in twelve, Effie is taking a train back to the capitol. Peeta is going into the bakery later than normal so he can see Effie off. She'll be back three days before the wedding next month to start putting the ceremony together. Peeta is making us all breakfast while I help Effie pack her things.

"You know Katniss, you don't need to help me." Effie says.

"I know." I say. "Can't a victor help her escort for once?"

"I guess so. Thank you."

Effie packs the last few things into her suitcase and closes it up. She starts tearing up and sits on the foot of the bed.

"Effie, what's wrong?" I say sitting next to hear, rubbing her back.

"I just can't believe my victors are getting married next month."

I pull Effie into a hug and can't help but smile. "Me either, Effie."

"I thought I'd never see the day. With you guys being sent back into the arena and having to cancel the first wedding because of it, and then the rebellion... I just never thought this would happen." Effie says.

She's right. Even though the first wedding was fake and I never wanted to get married in the first place, I can't imagine living without Peeta. I had to once and I don't want to again.

"Girls! Breakfast!" Peeta yells from the kitchen.

Effie stands, wipes her tears from her face, and heads for the door. "Come, Come." she says. "We don't want to keep that fiancé of yours waiting."

I laugh. "No we don't."

Before she can walk out the door, I grab Effie by the wrist and pull her into a hug.

"I love you, Effie." I say.

She starts to cry again. "I love you too, Katniss."

"Come on. We better get down there before he comes to us."

We head downstairs to join Peeta at the breakfast table. He made goat cheese basil leaf wraps and freshly squeezed orange juice. Effie takes a bite of her wrap and lets out a sound of enjoyment.

"Mhmm, Peeta these are delicious." Effie says.

"Thank you, Effie." Peeta says.

"I sure am going to miss your cooking." she says.

"You'll be back soon." I say.

"Until then." She says holding up her wrap.

Effie must really enjoy Peeta's cooking because I've never seen this girl inhale her food this fast, let alone inhale food at all. It's not good manners as Effie would say.

When everyone finishes, Effie goes upstairs to grab her things while I clean up the kitchen. I'm washing the dishes when Peeta tries to come help me.

"No, no. Stop." I say. "You cooked, I clean."

He moves to stand behind me and wraps his arms around my core.

"But I want to help you." he whispers in my ear.

"I'm not going to let you."

I dry my hands, spin around so Peeta and I are face to face, and I kiss him. That's when Effie gets back downstairs.    

"I just can't get over you two." she says.

"Sorry, Effie." Peeta apologizes.

"No need Peeta. You are allowed to kiss the woman you love."