Ashes Blow Away

Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE: Wedding Jitters

Do not ask me why I chose to recruit Effie Trinket and my old styling team in my wedding, but I did.

Thankfully, Effie is focused on business as always. I tell her on Saturday, and the next day, there is a knock on the door.

When I open it to see Effie Trinket, fit with eight inch heels and powder white skin, I exclaim, " What are you doing here?"

" Hello, Katniss, how are we?" she asks graciously.

" Good, but. . . but. . . why are you here?"

Effie brushes past me and into my home. " To help you with the wedding, of course!" Then a second later. " Hello, Peeta!"

Peeta looks up from the book he is reading and gives me wide eyes. I mime "I'm dead" and we both laugh.

Effie is already in the living room.

" Katniss, we need a venue!"

" How about here?" I ask, and when she gives me daggers, I sigh. " It's big."

She huffs an okay. I laugh.

" Cake?"

" Peeta's making it."

" He's making his own wedding cake?" she asks incredulously.

" Yes, Effie, he does happen to be a baker," I say, pursing my lips.

" Well, how about the dress?"

" Flavius, Vienna and Octavia are taking care of it," I tell her.

Effie groans and flops onto the couch. " What am I supposed to do?"

I decide Effie is scary enough as usual and that I don't want to see her have a temper tantrum.

" There's. . ." I wrack my brain for any other wedding-related things. " Décor?"

" Oh, Katniss!" she cries, shooting to her feet. " How did I not think of that! I better get started!"

Peeta barely has time to say goodbye before she is gone, slamming the door behind her.

I groan, sitting down on a kitchen chair. " Effie is decorating our wedding."

Peeta laughs. " At least it will be interesting."

" Oh come on, Peeta, everything is interesting when it comes to us."

_________________________________

Haymitch takes the news well. He smiles, watching us carefully.

" Knew it wouldn't be too long 'till you two tied the knot," he says.

I immediately separate my hand from Peeta's. I don't like people assuming anything about us, even if it is obvious that we are engaged.

Haymitch invites us in. He surprises me when he enters the living room with a bottle of champagne.

" Special times call for special measures," he tells us, popping the cork off.

He fills a glass for the three of us and we all hold them up.

" To Katniss and Peeta," he says, giving a little smile. I smile too as I clink my glass against there's.

The taste surprises me, having never had champagne before. It's sort of sweet, not at all strong like Haymitch's other drinks. Peeta and I drink half of our glasses, and let Haymitch finish them.

" Who are you having as a bridesmaid?" Haymitch asks.

I shrug. " Might not have one. . . but, I do need someone to walk me down the isle. Haymitch, will you do it?"