Ashes Blow Away

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN: THE WEDDING

Prim.

Prim is here then.

Sitting in the front row. Long blond hair cascading down her back in waves, her big blue eyes and her beaming smile facing me.

She tells me she is happy for me.

Or she would be.

" Katniss, we have to keep moving," Haymitch says, and I can see his face turning red from embarrassment.

I nod rapidly.

As we start to move forward again, I somehow manage to push Prim to the back of my mind.

In the front row, sit Octavia, Venia, Flavius and Effie. I offer them a times wave as they smile like somebody gave them good news. Paylor, Plutarch, Thom and Beetee are in the row behind them. As I make my way down the isle, I spot others, including Hazel and Delly Cartwright.

Apparently mom couldn't make it. I don't care.

I realise the music playing is the melody to The Hanging Tree. This was my fathers favourite song. I guess he must be here too.

I've never given much thought to afterlife or heaven. But there must be something like this for Prim and Dad. They were so kind, so pure. . . like angels.

I blink back tears, but it doesn't get better when I see Peeta. He is smiling widely, holding his hands out to me. Haymitch places a gentle kiss to my cheek and hands me to Peeta, taking a seat. I rush into Peeta, placing my head on his chest.

" You look perfect, Katniss," he whispers so no one else can hear.

" You can thank my prep team for that," I mutter.

" No," I feel him shake his head. " It's just you. It's always been you."

I wish I could say the same to him. Before the Games, I didn't even notice Peeta - he was just the boy with the bread. But even then I owed him my life, and so much more do I owe him now. I have made several jabs at his heart, but he has always tried to preserve mine.

" We are here today to celebrate the marriage of our dear friends Katniss and Peeta," Old Phil announces. He is the medical practitioner in 12, but we found out that he is also a Preacher. " Peeta, could you please recite your wedding vows?"

I watch Peeta reach into his pocket. He takes my hand and pulls out a ring. As it glides onto my finger smoothly, I realise it is not my engagement ring, but it is in fact, a thin, silver band decorated with six diamonds, starting big in the middle and getting smaller on each side.

I gasp. " Peeta, y-"

" Shh. Katniss, before you argue with me, I wanted too." he says quietly. " I hope you like it - I know you don't usually care for jewellery."

On the contrary, I love it. It is the most beautiful piece of jewellery I've ever owned.

" I love it," I say simply.

Phil, who has been watching with tears in his eyes, clears his throat. " Peeta?"

" Oh, of course!" Peeta exclaims, taking my hand in his. " Katniss. You have always said that I'm good with words, but today I'm going to keep it simple. You are my life. You are my everything. I. Love. You."

My heart swells at what he says and I lean into him, nuzzling my face in his chest. I feel him kiss my hair.

" Katniss, can you please recite your vows?" Old Thom says.

I sigh, pulling away from Peeta. I reach into my pocket and my hands come in contact with the simple, silver band. I slide it onto his finger.

" Peeta, I am going to cherish everyday I am lucky enough to share with you. I have learned to appreciate everything that life gives me. In a world so unstable, it is a necessity. And I'm sorry it took my so long to realise that I love you. But I'm going to make up for it by telling you that I love you now - I love you, Peeta."

Peeta and I stare intensely into one another's eyes until we are interrupted by Old Phil clapping his hands together. " Let's move onto the Toasting, shall we?"

Someone has lighted a fire in the hearth which Peeta and I stand in front of. My stomach twists in excitement as I watch Peeta cut the bread. His face is a mix of happiness and concentration and I have to stop myself from grabbing him and kissing his lips.

Peeta hands me my bread and I skewer it on a wooden stick. We place our bread in the fire at the exact same time. His hand finds mine, squeezes once, twice. My face his warm from the fire but I don't dare turn away because I am painfully aware of the crowd. Peeta pulls his bread out after a while and I am quick to follow. It is charred in some areas and completely raw in others, but I don't mind.

" Please face each other," Phil instructs.

We do so. I lift the toast to my lips determinedly. It is hot and delicious as I chew and swallow, repeating the action a few times until I am finished.

I look up at Peeta. He has already finished.

So that's it. We're married.

My name is Katniss Mellark.

" You may kiss your bride," Old Phil smiles, flashing Peeta a toothy smile. I am about to object - mention that people are watching - when Peeta grabs my cheek and connects his lips to mine.

His lips are hot from the toast and his hand heats me up as it snakes around my waist. People clap as the kiss continues, but I don't want to pull away. He is mine, my husband, and no one can take him away from me.

" Okay, okay," Phil laughs, as people converge on us. But Peeta's eyes say it all: Later. I don't know if I can wait till later.

" Effie," I say, pulling her into my arms, " thank you so much. The primroses are. . . so beautiful. More than I could've ever hoped for."

She hugs me tightly. " I knew you would have wanted her here."

" I do," I smile, which is weird, because we're discussing Prim.

" Katniss," Peeta says, snaking his arm round my waist. " Greasy Sae says it's time to eat."

The piano player has chosen a more festive tune to play as the crowd serves themselves.

Peeta grabs us a bowl of chowder each as I manage to snatch us a blueberry pastry each from the desert tray. Haymitch sits on my right, Peeta on my left, at the honers table. People comment on my dress as I eat my chowder.

After that it is time for the cake. Peeta insists we cut it as husband and wife. I don't argue. I pick up the knife and he winds his arm round me to cover my hand. I shiver at just that touch.

" We feed each other, deal?"

" Deal." I say as Peeta hands me my slice. I hold my hand out, and we count to three.

I laugh as I shove the cake right into Peeta's face. He looks shocked for a moment before smiling cheekily and licking the frosting from his cheek.

" Don't forget your slice," he laughs.

I am too busy laughing at Peeta that I don't realise I am yet to be given my piece. Suddenly, sponge cake covers my eyes, mouth, and nose. I snort in laughter through it.

Peeta swipes a piece for my cheek and licks it off. " Yummy."

I shove him playfully in response.

He kisses me in reply.

Tonight is going to be fun, I decide.