Our Love is Real

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I sit on a chair in a tent at the end of the aisle. There is a small door that blocks everyone from seeing me. The door to the outside bursts open, and Haymitch strolls in.
"So," he says.
"So," I reply.
"You ready?" he asks me.
I fix his red bow tie, and slide my arm into the crook of his.
I nod.
I take one step, and then, at the last minute, I face Haymitch. I hug him, and I whisper in his ear, "Thank you. For everything."
I pull back. For the first time, I see Haymitch's eyes water. He nods. That's it.
The music starts to play on the other side of the door. Then, he finally speaks. In a wobbly voice, he says, "I guess this is the last time I'll ever call you sweetheart."
I smile, then the doors open. And there it is. The famous Mellark grin. His blonde curls are sweeped off to the side, his golden eyelashes reflecting light from world. He's in a white suit, and a gold a gold cuff weighs down his arm. I catch Haymitch looking at us, but I don't care. I restrain from ripping my arm out of Haymitch's to hug and kiss Peeta, and until I get really close, I notice his eyes. Blue as the sky. Beautiful.

One Hour Later

"Peeta Mellark, do you take Katniss Everdeen to be your wife?" Peeta smiles. "For 14 years I've wished every birthday for this. I say yes."
I blush, smile, and look down at my feet. I look up at the blue eyes in front of me when the minister asks me the same thing. "I say this with all my heart. Yes."
Peeta smiles the biggest smile I've ever seen. "May we see the rings, please?" A small boy about 6 brings them up. Peeta and I exchange, and the moment everyone's been waiting for. "You may kiss the bride!" the minister announces.
And the cage of butterflies that I've been keeping in ever since that day of starvation and rain in the bitterly cold April in front of the bakery finally lets go.