Chapter 3: Happily Ever After

Katniss's POV

It is with great determination that I win the 76th Hunger Games, becoming the third Victor from my homeland. When the train pulls into the District 12 station, I am mobbed by the media and neighbors lining the rooftops to catch a glimpse of me. Leaving my mentors, Cassiope and Haymitch, to field greeters, I go up the street to the Seam, where I know my loved ones will be waiting so I can be reunited with them in private. I had written ahead from the Capitol requesting this myself.

Darius runs out from the house to greet me. "Katniss!"

Reaching him in two strides, I fling an arm about his neck and yank his face to mine in a heated kiss, initiating the first liplock between us. Darius eagerly returns the kiss, and when we break apart, our arms still around each other, Primrose, Mother and the Baker (I wonder why he's here?) are staring at us.

"Katniss, I love you," Darius breathes. "Will you marry me?"

I play with his long red locks as I consider his proposal. Very few Victors have ever married. Cassiope and Haymitch certainly haven't. But the arena taught me that I have fallen in love with Darius. And so kissing him softly, I whisper, "Yes."

Unnoticed by me, the Baker pulls Mother close to share a long kiss of their own.

Six Months Later

"Oh no..."

"Oh yes..."

"Oh noooooo..."

"Oh yesssss..."

"Mmmmm... Hmmmm... Huhh... Dar..."

I sit astride my husband's lap and the chair beneath as our lips snap together in furious kissing. Darius and I married in a quiet ceremony in my new Victor mansion living room.

Mother bustles in right then, Prim right behind her. "Katniss, control yourself. Your prep team will be here soon. So please... self-control."

"Says the woman who let her husband take her over the kitchen table."

My kissed mouth drops open over my baby sister's sharp tongue. Mother gasps. "Primrose Daisy Everdeen! I'll thank you to not discuss my... sexual life so flippantly!"

The Baker chuckles as her emerges from their bedroom and kisses Mother soundly. "I'd let it go, Lillian."

Mother married Steffan Mellark in the same wedding ceremony as me and Darius. I was surprised by the match, considering the Baker is Merchant, but he has always been a kind man.

My prep team arrives. Cassiope and Haymitch are being readied a few doors down for my Victory Tour. We are leaving today and Darius, my husband, will be going with me on Peacekeeper duty.

Steffan, Mother and Primrose come to see us Victors and Darius off at the train station. Darius and I climb aboard, taking seats in the sleek caboose. And as Darius and I embrace and kiss, the whistle blows while the train steams off into the countryside.