Ashes Blow Away

Chapter Eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE FIRST DANCE

Effie was told that there was to be no first dance. I said so firmly. I said that if she was to arrange one behind my back, I would burn all her wigs. She did not heed my warning.

Peeta and I are chatting to Annie about her newborn son - Isaac - when the lights are turned on and the music is turned down. I gave Effie the death glare as she picks up a microphone, realising what she is about to do.

" It's time for the first dance!" she chirps loudly. Our crowd clap, and the ones that know me well give me sorry smiles.

Effie breezes past me with a wink. I stare after her in bewilderment.

" Did you plan this?" Peeta asks, pulling me to my feet.

" Not in the least," I say, following him into the centre of the bare dance floor.

" You know," I say as he places his hand on my waist, " after all the horrible things I've been through, you'd think I would never have to do something I didn't want again."

" Well, that's just not realistic," Peeta says, leaning down and giving me a fiery kiss. I sigh into his mouth.

" This isn't too bad," I say as we pull away. But we're only swaying now. If it gets anymore complicated than this I'll be standing on Peeta's feet left right and centre.

As it turns out, it does get more complicated. Peeta is swift on his feet, and I end up stumbling a few times. But by the end of it, I've got the hand of it.

We finish giggling.

Peeta kisses me once more and Effie rushes over to kiss my cheek. " Come now, Katniss, tell me that wasn't fun."

" It was horrible!" I say through a giggle.

" Oh, Katniss! Come on, first dances are perfectly mandatory at a wedding!"

I dig my nails into her arm and she steps away like I've grown another head.

" You know what? I'm just going to go dance with Haymitch until you come to your senses and decide to thank me!"

As she clip clops away, I shout a " Thanks!" for good measure and burst out laughing as her hands turn to fists.

I hear Octavia laughing in the background. " Oh no, Katniss has gone and upset Effie! The universe is now unbalanced."

" Totally," I grin, throwing my arms around her. " Thank you for being here. My dress was beautiful!"

She smiles. " No problem, Katniss. I'm just glad you had a proper wedding! This toasting nonsense drives me insane!"

I hold back a laugh.

I turn to see Annie talking to Peeta. She is holding out a photograph. Upon closer inspection, I realise it is her son. I freeze, because it is not a little boy looking at me, it is Finnick O'dair, right down to the blue-green eyes.

" He's so handsome." I say quietly.

She smiles, wiping a tear from her eye. " Thank you. I don't think I've shown Sae yet. Sae?"

As she plods off, Peeta turns to me. " Looks a lot like Finnick, right?"

I snuggle into his side. " Yeah. I'm so glad Annie has him."

His lips touch my head. " Hopefully it won't be too long before we have our own kids."

My blood runs cold. Just a minute ago, I'd been happy and laughing. But as Peeta's words sink in, I feel my throat go dry.