Rising Storm

Chapter 17

Katniss

"Peeta is taking you for a picnic today?" Prim asks as I dress in a simple orange dress, my hair braided in my traditional style. Today, the first nice day of the year, we are going to secretly marry in the meadow. I do not want to wait any longer, seeing as my days are now numbered with my time in these next games, the same possible for my child's father. But I can't let my sister know. Not now.

"Yes," I say. "Peeta hopes it will cheer us both up a little." I kiss her cheek. "Always remember that I love you. And I will always be your loyal sister no matter what happens in the coming months." She nods and I leave her, going to the front room of my house to wait for Peeta.

He does not keep me waiting long and I soon find myself opening the door to him. I hug him upon his arrival and he holds me a moment in the doorway to my house. He pulls away and smiles at me.

"You look beautiful as always, sweetheart," he says before turning to my mother standing in the kitchen. "May I have Katniss' company in my house tonight?"

She looks me up and down and something in her eyes flickers with the recognition of two young people in love, going off for a wedding that they cannot be made public for fear of scrutenization. She smiles sadly and nods.

"Take as long as you need," she says. "You can have her home tomorrow after you've both eaten and had a little time alone." Peeta nods and takes my hand, leading me away from the victor's village.

As of late, the people of the 12th district have called it the victim's village.

I feel eyes on us as we walk quietly, hand in hand to the small meadow to the side of the school house. As we enter the soft grass, I can't help but see the dandelions that had given me hope after my father's death. That hope had been sparked by the man who I walk with today. I feel my limp showing as I lean on Peeta and he squeezes my hand.

"Lets just go to that tree," he says gesturing to the willow at the edge of the field. I nod and we go to the tree and I sit down on the cool ground. Peeta sits down beside me and I shift as I feel the slight nausea that has come with my pregnancy. I hold my stomach and Peeta looks at me. "What's wrong?"

"I think I may still be a little ill," I say. "Its fine though. I'm alright. Lets just say what we need to be said." He reaches out and touches my cheek.

"Katniss, you are and always will be the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on in all this terrible world we live in. I promise to make the rest of our lives together as light and full of happiness as we can make it. And should one of us parish in this coming doom, I want you to know that you are the love of my life and I shall know no other woman but my dear Katniss Everdeen." I smile sadly at him and look down at the shining green ring he gave me that day on the train.

"Peeta," I say softly, tears already welling in my eyes. "I wanted to give you everything you dreamed from the moment I met you. Together we have endured the true terror this world has to offer. If I had to tell you my one regret, it is that if we both end up in this impending doom, I will never give you a child. Because I so would have wanted to make you happy in that dream of fatherhood. I love you with my entire heart and soul, Peeta Melkark and change what may, that never will." I'm full on crying as he pulls me to him and holds me in our small little world we have created. He pulls away and I look at him happily.

"From this day on, I declare that I recognize you and only you as my true wife," Peeta says and I join my hand with his.

"From this day on, I declare that I recognize you and only you as my true husband," I reply dipping my head to him. He reaches forward and meets my lips with his. He holds me there and I smile as we pull away, joined more than any court ever could. "Now take me home and truly make me your wife." He lifts me from the ground and smiles at me.

"Of course, my sweet Katniss," he says and he carries me home, past the small, busy school and to his house where he lives alone. Where I spend oh so many nights in Peeta's arms.

He carries me up to his bedroom and we are both quickly undress and I am beneath him him and feeling him touch every bit of my aching body. He kisses at my soft skin and I hug him close to my body as we are united as one.

I contimplate telling him I am with child. I want to give him that little bit of joy. But the distruction and devistation of my impending reentry into the games makes me hold my tongue. I can't have Peeta follow me if we are to ever have this life. I want so badly for this baby to indeed have a full and happy life with its father. But Peeta knowing would make that possibility the furthest from ever being truth.

"I love you, Katniss," Peeta says as we lay together after. I smile sadly, knowing my plan needs put in action as I kiss him softly.

"I love you too, Dandelion," I whisper, laying my head upon his chest and allowing my husband to hold me for as long as I may be allowed.