Piece By Piece {Completed}

Chapter 13: Wedding and Honeymoon

I nervously stand in my house in my wedding dress, today is the big day and I'm a bundle of nerves, how is it that I'm not nervous talking in front of millions but I'm nervous to stand in front of barely a handful of people to get married to Peeta. I don't think that I like this feeling, it makes me feel so weird and I definietly don't like it, Effie begged me to just put on slight make up but I stood with my decision because after being all glammed up from being in the Capitol, I want to look like myself, I want it to be all my choice after not being able to choose for such a big portion of my life. Once I told Effie that she eventually backed off after trying once more, other than that Effie has been reasonably tolerable besides showing guests to the ceremony and where they need to sit.

I look at myself in the long length mirror with a sigh, I hold the veil in my hand, I run my thumb over the soft material before looking at myself again, it all feels like I'm dreaming... like I'll wake up on the train still on the victory tour and I think that'd be the worst nightmare if that we're true. A soft knock draws me out of my thoughts and when I turn I see that it's my mother

"Oh Katniss... you're such a beautiful bride..." she says, her eyes welling up with tears, I open my arms and she walks into them with a hug

"I always wanted to see this day. I never thought I'd live to see it" her voice shaky and when I look at her there are silent tears falling

"It's okay, mom. You're here now and that's all that I care about" I reply and she pulls out the soft material from her pocket and wipes her eyes dry

"How are you feeling?" She asks taking my veil, I turn back to my reflection and let out a shaky sigh

"Extremely nervous. I don't know why but I just am. I do know that I want to marry Peeta though" I answer

"That's very normal. I was terrified when I was marrying your father, even though we didn't get to experience the whole ceremony, I was so nervous that I was doubting myself. Once I caught his eyes though... it all disappeared and I wanted it all over quickly so we could be husband and wife" mom explains and I smile, turning again after she's fixed the veil to look nice

"Thank you... I know that you haven't been the best mother in the world but I'm grateful you weren't. It made me stronger. Thank you, mom" I tell her and pull her into a hug then Haymitch appears looking smart in a suit

"Effie is wanting your mother at the ceremony. Everyone's ready" he announces, my mother takes that que and leaves with a kiss on my cheek, Haymitch walks in with a grin and extends his arms out

"What do you think, sweetheart?" He chuckles, I smile at him but don't reply, instead I just hug him and I smile again when I feel his own arms wrap around me

"Thank you for everything, Haymitch. I'm happy you're with us, that you were our mentor" I mumble against his shoulder

"You don't need to thank me. I'm just happy I could have a daughter that I always wanted. Although you have a father, I'm always here as your dad, I'll always see you as my daughter" Haymitch replies, I then cry because in all the time we've known each other, this is the most sweetest thing Haymitch has ever said to me

"Right. Lets get you married, sweetheart" he smiles wiping my tears, just as expected Effie barrels in with a firm look that falls into a happier and relaxed

"Katniss... you're the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. This... this is the life of a victor" she also sheds some tears before quickly wiping them away and maintaining her persona from before

"Come, come! We're falling a little behind schedule" she instructs practically shooing us out of the house and to the Capitol vehicle that'll take us to the entrance of the forest. Our walk through the woods is quiet but I can feel my heart beating rapidly as we do, we suddenly stop and Effie turns