A Simple Plan

The Baby Shower

It seemed like kismet for Peeta to catch Gale with a blonde of some importance in his life.

He wished, however, that she wasn't Katniss' sister.

Prim and Gale pulled apart; the blonde looking unapologetic and his friend (though Gale seemed to be balancing that fine line now) obviously embarrassed.

"Really Prim?" Katniss went to her sister. "What are you doing?"

"I'm kissing someone that I like," Prim replied firmly.

"Did it really have to be him?" Katniss looked to Gale, her greys stony, and the man bowed his head trying to avoid the heat of her gaze. "I don't think that either of you are in the right state of mind to be getting into a relationship."

"To be fair, it's not relationship," her younger sister pointed out. "It's sex."

Gale's head shot up, looking to Katniss and then to Peeta. "We haven't had sex!"

"You looked pretty much on your way," Peeta found himself saying. He waved his hand over to Gale's bottom half. "Zip it up, bro."

Gale quickly turned away to fix his jeans before returning to the chaos.

"It would have gone in that direction," Prim told them. "I'm very attracted to Gale. He's easy to talk to. I don't think that he would've turned me away if I offered." She suddenly looked to the man; her gaze uncertain. "I mean, you wouldn't—would you?"

"Choose your words wisely," Katniss told the man, her arms crossed.

"Honestly, and I'm risking losing both of your trusts, I would," Gale admitted. "I think that it's been a long time since I've been able to connect with someone so easily." He met Peeta's eyes. "You know Madge wasn't one to share her feelings and her mind was focused on succeeding in her goals—by any means necessary. Yesterday, Prim asked me what I wanted to do with my life."

"We talked all night, actually," Prim said, her cheeks pink. "And it's been a long time since that's happened for me." She went to her older sister, taking her hands. "I just hope that you can remember how it felt to have such a connection with someone. I'm not saying that we've started picking out china patterns or anything—"

"But we'd like the chance to see where this goes—" Gale cut in. "—whether it be just two days or beyond." He went to Peeta. "I know that I'm risking a lot in terms of our relationship. But, Prim…she isn't anyone else's but mine. This isn't like the last time and I'm not trying to overstep. Just say so and I will stop this."

Peeta straightened at his words. "You wouldn't pursue anything with Prim if I told you not to?"

Gale nodded. "Yes." He looked to Prim. "I'm sorry. I made this mistake before and I lost someone very important to me because of it."

"I understand," Prim replied, but there was a definite tremble on her pink lips.

Peeta looked to Katniss. "What do you think?"

She was still holding her sister's hands but let go to join him.

Katniss stared at him for a moment, her hands busying themselves with fixing his collar and pushing his hair from his face as she made her decision. This was the way his Katniss worked; a true multi-tasker, her tactile motions helping her process the situation.

Finally, she pulled away. "Potato."

Prim looked to Gale. "Do you know what that means?"

The man shook his head.

Peeta nodded in agreement. "Potato."

He turned to the two.

"We're not objecting to you both spending the next day and a half with one another. If it's something, give it time. Exchange numbers and emails. Make plans to see each other after all of this and see how it goes."

"Do you think that you could do that?" Katniss asked them, her eyes on Prim.

Gale reached to take Prim's hand, giving it a squeeze. "I'm willing."

Prim's expression softened and she smiled. "Me, too."

"Okay. Then, it's my duty as Prim's sister to tell you that I'll totally kick your ass if you hurt her," Katniss told Gale.

Peeta looked to Prim.

"And, it's my duty as Gale's friend to tell you that I'll reprimand you…then tell your sister if you hurt him."

Prim smirked. "Reprimand?" She laughed and then hugged him quickly. "You're a good friend."

Gale looked to him gratefully. "The best."

"Also, you were going to try to have sex in the back of a Baby Fair?" Katniss shook her head at the two. "There's pregnancy pheromones everywhere. You could be pregnant already!"

Prim shook her head. "Not even funny, Katniss."

"Just saying." Katniss put an arm around Prim as they headed toward the front. "Let me introduce you to Delly's friends so they can tell you all about breech births…"

The two sisters disappeared into the building.

"Peeta." He stopped, turning to Gale. "Are you really okay with this?"

Peeta met Gale's worried gaze.

"I've missed having you around…and Prim works at a hospital in Connecticut," he replied. "While you're around, maybe you could come visit me and Katniss, too."

Gale smiled softly. "I'd really like that." He let out a shaky breath. "Thanks for understanding."

"I think she's going to be different," Peeta told him.

"I think so, too."

Peeta tapped the end of his pen on his notepad, the velvet box holding Katniss' ring sitting in front of him. It was late and Katniss had passed out from exhaustion after what was the Baby Fair from Hell.

They did get a few vouchers for diapers and the business care for a company that specialize in baby proofing though.

He put pen to paper and started to write.

'Katniss…'

Katniss what? Katniss, I love you…Katniss…I want to spend the rest of my life with you…

It didn't seem like the right words at all. Maybe he should just free speak?

However, it wouldn't be his first time to admit that he wasn't the most eloquent speaker.

"Peeta? Why are you still up?" His mother stood at the doorway of the kitchen. Her eyes went to the bag of marshmallows opened before him along with the notepad and Katniss' ring. "Stressing out?"

"How did you guess?"

His mother pulled out the chair next to him at the kitchen island and sat.

"Marshmallows. One of your comfort foods." She smiled gently; her eyes laced with concern. "Having trouble getting the words out?"

"No words seem right," he admitted. "This should be easier. I mean—I know I love her, and I want to be with her forever, but saying that just doesn't seem to be enough."

"Peeta, do you know how many people in the world wish that they had someone who would say those words to them?" She looked to him, her blue eyes warm. "Words are a powerful thing, but they're nothing if there isn't heart behind them. I think whatever you decide on saying to Katniss won't matter, just as long as you mean them, and you mean them for the rest of your life."

"I don't want to mess this up." Peeta looked at the ring, smiling to himself. "Whenever I look at this, I see her smiling face in its pearl. I never thought I'd want to love anyone after Madge—but there Katniss was, like someone up there decided to throw me the biggest bone."

"There you go," his mother urged. "The words are there. Also, you know Katniss best. I think deep down you'll know exactly what to say when the moment comes."

Peeta nodded, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks, Mom. You always know exactly what to say," he told her sincerely.

"I try," she replied. "But I do believe that you know what to do. You know the depth of what you feel for her."

"There isn't depth." His mother looked confused. "Depth would mean that there is a stopping point to measure, but there isn't a stopping point for what I feel for her."

His mother nodded in understanding, quickly wiping her eyes.

"That's about the most beautiful thing I've ever heard." She brushed his hair affectionately. "You should get to bed. Big day tomorrow. I'll clean up here."

Nodding, Peeta gave her a smile, taking his notepad and putting the ring in the pocket of his sweats.

"Good night," he told her as she shuffled over to put the marshmallows back in the cupboard.

"Good night, love."

Peeta suddenly reached over, pulling her into a hug. "You're the best Mom ever."

His mother smiled softly. "You and Rye made me the best."

"I can't believe I'm wearing this," Katniss muttered.

At the wheel, Peeta looked to her distractedly. "What?"

"Why are we in Hogwarts uniforms?" she asked. "Though I shouldn't be surprised, this is Rye and Delly. I am surprised that they put me in Slytherin."

"Ambitious, cunning…sounds about right," he told her with a wink.

They were shocked when Rye and Delly had surprised them with their Hogwarts uniforms that morning—even more so since Katniss was on top of him.

Thankfully, she was clothed.

The couple simply hung the uniforms in their closet, Rye instructing his brother to be gentle with her and Delly telling her to do the complete opposite.

"Why am I not in Gryffindor?" she questioned. "We should be in the same house."

"Well, it's kind of romantic. Star-crossed lovers, if you will," he reasoned. "Two houses, both alike in dignity."

"In fair Hogwarts, where we lay our scene…" Katniss continued, and she smiled softly. "Brave, chivalrous—sounds like you."

He could certainly hope that the bravery worked in his favor; her ring was burning a hole in his pocket.

"Oh my God…you've got to be fucking kidding me!" Katniss' widened at the sight before her and she let out a laugh. "Who the hell do Delly's parents know—Dumbledore?"

Peeta parked the car, stepping out, and rounding the car's front to help her step down.

"Precious cargo, you two," he said tenderly. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Katniss assured him and patted the small belly that was beginning to form. "Not feeling that sick, a little more hungry, very horny." She pressed herself to him. "Care to help me later…Daddy?"

"Seriously, you calling me that does things to me." His arms wrapped around her waist. "But I'm also still kind of horrified by it."

Katniss brushed her laughing mouth to his.

"I'll stop when this baby comes along—unless you ask me to call you that."

"Fuck Katniss—" Peeta drew her into a kiss, his tongue roughly plundering her mouth, and she moaned. "—Iet's just get back into the car."

"I'd love to," she whispered against his lips. "But Gale and Prim are heading right for us."

"I don't think they'll care. They owe us for not ratting out on their near-penetration—"

"Hello, you two," Prim greeted. She twirled in her powder-blue dress and capelet, a matching hat atop her pinned hair. "How do I look?"

"Like you belong in Beauxbatons," her sister replied and then shook her head. "It's surprising how much I know about all this."

"Blame it on Finnick and Annie and their damn Harry Potter movie marathons," Peeta told her. He turned to Gale, who was wearing a red military-esque uniform with a high neck, a fur stole over one shoulder. "What are you wearing?"

"I guess I'm from Drumstrang," Gale told him. "Delly said I looked like someone named Viktor Krum."

"Why do they get cool costumes? We look like children," Katniss grumbled. "I'm going to be a mother for goodness sakes. Take a look everyone! The first pregnant student at Hogwarts!"

"Someone explain this to me," Prim said as they headed towards the entrance to the station. "Why are we all dressed like this?"

"The soon-to-be-parents are avid Harry Potter fans," Katniss told her. "The wedding reception looked like it was in the Great Hall which was appropriate since the Cartwright Estate looks like a castle."

"That would explain why Hogwarts Express is stationed where the Napa Wine Train usually is," Peeta said as they entered the inside of the station. "They've really outdone themselves…"

The interior of the train station had been reconstructed to look like some sort of village, booths made to look like storefronts. Everyone was dressed up in some sort of character from the series and Peeta stifled a laugh seeing his mother dressed up as Professor McGonagall.

"Wow." Katniss looked around in amazement. "They made Diagon Alley in a train station." She took Peeta's hand, leading him to a booth called Flourish and Blotts where they found an array of classic editions of children's books stack behind and along the counter.

A woman in long robes smiled at them. "Would you like to put in a suggestion for the parents to be?"

"How?" Katniss asked curiously.

"All of these books were purchased by the Cartwright Family. You can look around, read through and if you see something interesting, I'll write it down on this list for the parents-to-be." She presented them an open book with blank page, next to it was a feather quill. "All suggestions will be placed in the baby's bookshelf in the nursery. Any other books not picked will be donated to the local libraries."

Katniss nodded and then pulled two from the stack to their left. She handed them to the woman who wrote down her choices.

"Why Little Women and Alice in Wonderland?" Peeta asked.

"Because Little Women was the first chapter book I ever read," she told him. "And Alice in Wonderland because I feel like I'm in Wonderland right now."

"Katniss! Peeta!"

They turned to find Penny running towards them, Cato and Clove following behind. Gregory was perched on Clove's hip, dressed in a brown jumpsuit with green leaves protruding from his cap.

"Hi, Penny!" Katniss leaned down to give the little girl a hug. Penny twirled in front of her, showing off her Hogwarts uniform. "You're in Slytherin, too!"

"She asked Delly what house you were in," Clove told her with a smile.

"And then demanded that she be in the same house as you," Cato added.

"I'm starting to wish I was in Slytherin," Peeta told Penny with a smile.

Penny reached out to him and he leaned down to pick her up.

"It's okay, Peeta," Penny told him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You can sit with us on the train because you're Katniss' boyfriend!"

"Thank you, sweetheart." He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I'm honored."

Penny turned to her parents. "I will have a boyfriend just like Peeta when I grow up."

"Oh boy," Cato said. "She's really not a baby anymore."

"Speaking of babies." Clove handed Gregory to Katniss, who pressed a kiss to his chubby cheek. "We left before the big reveal, but Delly told us that you're expecting a baby."

"Yes, I'm just getting into my second trimester," Katniss revealed. "And, it was actually all Prim's fault."

Cato paled. "Crap. Prim's here?"

"Yes, I'm here." They turned to find Prim, hands on her hips and glaring at Katniss' ex. "Cato."

"Prim, please." Katniss looked pleadingly to her sister as she approached. "Be nice."

"Who's that?" Penny asked Peeta.

"That is Katniss' sister, Prim," he explained.

Penny slid down and approached Prim. "You have a pretty dress."

Prim looked down at the girl, her eyes softening. "Thanks, doll."

"I'm not a doll! I'm Penny!"

"Our daughter," Cato explained as he put an arm around Clove. "My wife, Clove, and the baby that Katniss is holding is Gregory, our son."

"You're really going to hold your adorable family in front of me in hope that I'll…"

"Have mercy," Cato said. "I know what I've done—"

"We've done," Clove interrupted. "However, Katniss has forgiven us and has moved on. I hope you will too."

Prim pursed her lips. "I guess." She looked down at Penny, who was admiring her skirt. "But only because your kids are super cute."

Gale stepped in, putting an arm around Prim, and giving her an affectionate smile. "That's my girl."

Penny's eyes rounded, her stare on the tall, dark-haired man in red.

"Daddy, I've changed my mind. When I grow up, I'll have a boyfriend just like him!"

The parents-to-be greeted each train compartment. Delly looked lovely in her periwinkle blue dress (the actual color of Hermione's Yule Ball gown, according to the soon-to-be mother) while Rye sported what were supposed to be dress robes.

"It just looks like a tux with a cape," Peeta told him plainly.

"I look cool, okay?" Rye retorted vehemently.

They were seated with Prim and Gale while Clove, Cato, and the kids had the compartment next to them. Penny would pop in once in a while to say hello and to moon over Gale—even offering him her chocolate frog, which he insisted she keep.

"At least if Prim gets tired of you, you'll have a backup," Katniss quipped.

"I think I need a drink," Gale said, blushing.

"Come on. I'll take you to The Leaky Cauldron," Prim told him soothingly. They both stood and she turned to her sister. "If you want privacy, I suggest you pull the curtains down and lock the car."

They pulled the cart door closed, leaving Katniss and Peeta alone.

Katniss turned to him and smiled. "Hello."

He reached and brushed his fingers against her cheek. "Hi."

"Would it be horrible to say that I can't wait to go home?" Katniss asked. "I love our families, but there is lot going on and there's a lot of people."

"Seeing Clove and Cato again, that was a given…the arrival of your parents and Prim…Gale and Prim…" Peeta ticked off and put an arm around her. "It has been eventful."

"Don't forget that we told everyone about this little one—or Prim did," she reminded him with a smile. "I am a little relieved now that it's out in the open. We also got some useful information at the Baby Fair."

"Katniss, have you ever thought about what happens after all of this?" he asked suddenly.

"I assume that we just go back to work and figure out together how we get on with a baby." Katniss looked to him in concern. She looked so pretty, illuminated by the sunset coming through the large window of their compartment. "Are you alright? You've been a little…distracted."

"I'm fine," he assured her. "Just a lot happening."

"Does that bother you?" she asked him softly. "All these changes?"

"No! Changes are what make life interesting and help you grow as a person." Peeta pulled her onto his lap. "Are you upset about everything changing?"

"I was worried that maybe you were," she admitted. "You've been cagey even before this trip. It's been a big year and a lot has changed with the move and the baby. I just thought it might be too much for you—like we're moving too fast."

"Listen to me, we've had a crazy year and I wouldn't change it for anything." Peeta held her close. "You and this baby are the best thing to ever happen to me."

"I feel that way, too." Katniss swallowed shallowly. "We're lucky because we're best friends and we get to do this together."

"Exactly." Peeta gazed into her warm eyes and felt his heart race. Was this the moment? His hand went to his pants pocket. "Katniss, I love you."

Her eyes lit up at his words. "I love you, too."

"And I…well…we've been through so much. It's never been hard because I'm with you," he began as he reached into his pant pocket. "Katniss, will—"

Prim opened the door. "Hey—Rye and Delly are making their welcome speech before the train heads out."

Katniss stood up. "Okay, I need to use the restroom before we go. My bladder has shrunk considerably." She leaned down to give Peeta a kiss. "I'll see you inside."

She moved passed Prim and down the cart.

Prim looked to Peeta. "I ruined something important, didn't I?"

He shook his head, putting the ring box back in his pocket.

"Just wasn't the right time."

"Your mother and I are taking the Everdeens back to the house," his father told him.

He and Peeta stood inside the station, watching everyone mill about. After the hour-long ride where everyone was treated to treats like pumpkin pasties and chocolate frogs from a Trolley cart, they all returned to a lunch of fresh salads and fried chicken (Delly's request).

Katniss was chatting with Delly's parents, dressed respectively as Severus Snape and Bellatrix Lestrange. His mother was with the parents-to-be, figuring out how to get all their presents to their home in Noe Valley. Prim and Gale were actually having a civil conversation with Cato and Clove—thanks to Penny. Though occasionally, Prim would raise a brow at Cato to which Gale would place a hand on her shoulder.

"So…do you have a plan?" his father asked.

Peeta looked to him, a frown forming.

"No. I keep thinking it's the right time…and it just doesn't pan out."

"Maybe there isn't a right time. Maybe you just do," his father advised.

"I know," he said. "But I wish I had thought of something creative like a flash mob or something like Rye's proposal."

His father chuckled. "You think Katniss is the kind of woman who wants a flash mob?" He shook his head. "And Rye and Delly share an interest that is solely them and your brother wanted to incorporate it into his proposal."

"Well, it wasn't exactly his first proposal."

His father looked to him in surprise. "What?"

"Oh shit! Don't tell him I told you," Peeta told him. "The first one was during a moment of…passion."

"Ahh." The man nodded, his cheeks flushing. "I'll just keep it to myself."

"Marshall, are you alright?" Katniss stood in front of them. "You're all red."

"Something went down wrong," he told her, squeezing her shoulder. "Thanks for checking in, sweetheart. I'm going to see what your mother's plan is, Peeta. We'll see you at home."

He walked off, leaving the couple alone. Katniss went to his side, reaching for his hand.

"You two looked like you were talking about something serious."

Peeta shook his head. "Just catching up." He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Was there anything else you wanted to do? I know you've had more than enough butterbeer."

"And those little burgers," Katniss said. "I ate one and your baby had five."

He laughed. "I won't tell."

"Good," she replied. "There is one thing I'd like to do before we leave."

Katniss walked to the far end of the station, passing the rest of Diagon Alley until they were standing in front of a photo booth.

"I'd like to have a photo strip for my desk," she told him with bright smile.

"Was this part of the baby shower?" he asked as Katniss guided him inside, before sitting on his lap.

"No." Katniss reached into her purse. "I guess it's here for people wanting to take pictures before getting on the train."

"Let me pay for this—"

A zing ran up his spine as he reached into his back pocket to pull out his wallet—this was it.

He handed Katniss the cash and she busily began to insert the bills into the payment slot.

His hands reached into his front pant pocket as Katniss straightened up and looked to him.

"What should we do?" she asked excitedly.

Peeta leaned towards her, covering her mouth with his in a full kiss. She responded, her arms encircling his neck as she let out a breathy moan.

They pulled apart, breathing heavily, and Katniss grinned. "What was that for?"

Peeta stared at her, his chest full of an all-encompassing love for the women before him. His best friend. His partner. The mother of his child.

"Katniss…will you marry me?"

Flash.

"What? Are you serious?" He reached behind him and presented the ring box to her. She opened it and gasped.

Flash.

"I've been trying to find the perfect way to propose to you," he told her. "Then—like you always do—you inadvertently found it. Hopefully—" He took the ring from the box and held it out to her. "I've executed it right."

Katniss blinked, tears falling down her cheeks. "It was perfect…and yes."

Flash.

Peeta slipped the ring on her finger, kissing the top of her hand.

"Peeta, I want to get married…this weekend."

"What?"

Flash.

Everyone was waiting in the living room when they got home. Their parents sat on long end of the couch while Rye and Delly got the shorter end. Prim sat next to the parents-to-be with Gale sitting on the armrest.

When they stepped in, everyone straightened up, their parents looked particularly excited.

His Dad had not so subtly tried to hide the champagne bottle behind his back.

"Hey, you two!" his mother started, not-so-subtly. "You look like you have something important on your minds!"

His mother was never meant to be an actress as her words came out a little stilted.

"Oh yes—" Katniss held her hand out to show everyone her engagement ring. "Peeta proposed. I said yes."

"What?" her mother cried out. "I thought we were going to be there!"

"The right moment just happened," she explained and pulled out the photo strip, giving it to her mother. "Pass it around. We're just waiting for a few more people."

Everyone gathered around Kate to look at the photo strip.

"It's actually pretty cute," Prim remarked over her mother's shoulder.

Rye snorted. "Why do you have such a dopey look on your face in this last photo?"

"We're here!" Clove called out, rushing into the room with Penny. Cato followed with Gregory in a sling against his chest. "The door was unlocked, so we just came in. What's up?"

Katniss held up her hand to show them her engagement ring. "This."

Clove rushed over to her, stopping short. "Is it okay to hug?"

Peeta smiled as he watched his fiancée—his fiancée—pull Clove into a hug; the two pulled apart to ?"
[dmired the ring.

Katniss excused herself to join him. "There is one more thing."

"We all know you're pregnant," Prim called out. "Unless you're announcing it's twins."

"No. Last time we checked, there was only one in my uterus," Katniss retorted. "The reason Peeta looks so surprised in the last photo is because I told him I wanted to get married before we leave."

"But you're leaving tomorrow evening!" his mother replied.

"We wanted to do it now because both of our families are here," he explained.

"We don't want anything fancy," Katniss added. "We just want to be married." She looked to Rye and Delly. "Your wedding was beautiful, but we're not really into all of that stuff. Planning a huge wedding and having a baby is a lot for us to undertake."

"And, we want to be married before the baby comes." Peeta looked around the room. "I hope you all understand how important this is to us. We figured that tomorrow we could head to City Hall early and see if we could get an appointment for the license application and civil ceremony—"

Delly stood up. "No!" She went to them. "You will not do that."

Katniss looked crestfallen. "I'm sorry if you don't support us—"

"No." Her expression softened. "You will not get married tomorrow. You will get married tonight."

"I don't understand," he said to his sister-in-law.

"My Dad is a Judge—he's retired now but he can perform the ceremony and file the paperwork tomorrow. Dad knows a few people at City Hall who can probably have the license in your hands by the time you depart," she explained with a smile. "I've already texted my parents to head over after picking up my gown at our place, which you can borrow."

"Delly, that's really generous of you." Peeta pulled her into a hug. "You're the best."

"Your tux is in the upstairs armoire," his mother added, and she looked to Prim. "Your sister's dress is here, as well—that is, if you would like to wear it."

"I'd love to." Prim stood up to join them and turned to her sister. "I can do your hair and makeup, too."

"Thanks, Prim," Katniss said. "You'll stand with me, right?"

Prim sniffled. "I'd love to."

Peeta looked to his big brother. "Rye?"

Rushing over, Rye pulled him into an embrace. "Of course. I'm always here for you."

Then, Peeta found himself looking to Gale. "Gale?"

His friend nodded, his voice thick when he responded, "Of course."

"We'll have the ceremony in the backyard, loves." His mother along with Kate stood up. "Kate and I will decorate."

"I can help as well," Clove offered.

"Actually, we'd love if Penny would be our flower girl," Katniss said. "And, if you would stand with me too."

"It would be an honor," Clove answered and looked to her husband. "Will you be alright with Greggie?"

"Of course," Cato replied easily. "I can help with music."

"I will coordinate," Delly called out. "Why don't the Dads and Moms get out of their costumes and start working on the backyard? Cato, explain to me what you mean about helping with the music. Prim and Clove—get the bride upstairs and start fixing her up. Gale and Rye—same thing but with the groom. My parents' ETA is about an hour so let's get moving!"

"Oh, holy fuck, Katniss…you look beautiful."

Katniss smiled at her sister as she walked over to the mirror.

"Thank goodness, Clove and Penny just left the room—the mouth on you!" she replied with a laugh. Her eyes went to her reflection. "Oh, I look…different."

The gown was beautiful, and she fit it well—through the cups of the top were a little small, but not enough for boob spillage. Prim had arranged her hair in a low knot but added some volume to the crown of her hair and to show off what her sister called her graceful silhouette. Her makeup was simple; lined eyes, some mascara, and rose lip gloss.

Prim joined her at the mirror. "Is that a bad thing?"

"No, it's just that I'm surprised how much I feel like a bride in this," Katniss replied. "Like there's a little bit of bridal magic from last year."

"Or maybe it's because you're an actual bride," her sister told her with a smirk.

There was a knock on the door and Clove peeked inside. "You ready—oh my God, Katniss…" She stepped into the room. "You look beautiful."

She felt her cheeks grow warm. "Thanks."

Clove took her hands. "Thank you for letting us be part of this day."

Katniss squeezed her hands. "Everything is as it should be."

Her friend nodded in understanding. "Your father is waiting to walk you down the aisle."

"There's an aisle?" she asked as they walked down the stairs, her father waiting for her at the bottom.

"Yes," Clove said. She helped her down with Prim holding her skirt. "There's definitely an aisle."

"Katniss…" Her dad stepped towards her. "You look lovely."

Her father, usually austere, took in a deep breath to steady himself and she found her own eyes beginning to fill.

"Dad, thanks for being so understanding," she said as he offered her his arm.

They began to walk towards the backyard, Clove and Prim, trailing behind them.

"When Peeta asked us a few months ago, I had prepared myself for the moment you would announce your engagement," he told her. "However, seeing you now, about to get married—it just reminds me how fast time passes." They reached the doors to the backyard, where the faint sound of a guitar reached her ears. "You picked a good man to love, sweetheart. I wouldn't have given you up to anyone who wasn't the best of the best."

They stepped onto the top of the stairs overlooking the backyard. The aisle had been created by tealights leading them towards the lone tree at the edge of the yard. The lights that once hung for Delly and Rye's reception, now floated along the branches of the tree.

Right below, stood Peeta.

"You never going to lose me Dad," she assured him. "Our family is just getting bigger."

Prim and Clove started their walks down the aisle, taking the opposite side of the groomsmen.

Her father nodded. "Let's go. Your soon-to-be husband is waiting."

They began their march.

"Don't fuck this up…don't fuck this up…"

"Those words sound awfully familiar," his brother said, a soft smile on his face. "At least you're not connected to any sort of microphone."

He grinned back. "True."

Their mothers had done an amazing job in just one hour. The lights above them were soft and romantic. Delicate tea candles create a makeshift aisle and they took every chair they could find to bring out onto the backyard.

Cato was surprisingly skilled at the guitar, strumming Dream a Little Dream quietly in the background as the procession arrived.

Penny headed down the aisle, still in her Hogwarts uniform and throwing rose petals from a basket his mother found from Easter. Waving at him, she joined Delly, who held Gregory in her arms. Prim in Katniss' MOH dress from last year and Clove in her Hogwarts uniform walked slowly down one by one before heading to the opposite side of himself and the groomsmen.

Mr. Cartwright had taken off his Snape wig, but kept the deep black robe since, according to him, he felt more official this way.

Suddenly, the music changed and Peeta was brought back to the moment when he decided that Katniss was his forever.

"Wise men say…only fools rush in…" Cato crooned softly.

Katniss headed down the aisle, arm in arm, with General Everdeen; her eyes on him as they marched.

His bride was nothing short of spectacular.

Soon, they reached the front and he walked over to father and daughter. Her father shook his hand before pulling him into his embrace.

"Take care of her," he whispered in Peeta's ear.

"I promise I will." The man nodded before going to his daughter and kissing her cheek.

Finally, Peeta turned to her.

Katniss grinned. "It feels like it's been forever, right?"

"I can only hope," he replied, leading her up to Mr. Cartwright.

"Welcome everyone," Mr. Cartwright started. "It is my pleasure to officiate this wedding between Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen.

The man asked them to join hands.

"I've known Peeta for a long time. He, along with Rye, had grown up with Delly and I think of them as my own. As a boy, Peeta was always kind and considerate and these traits have transcended into adulthood. I've seen it firsthand in the relationships he has with our families as well as his friends. While I've only known Katniss for about a year, from the conversations we've had, I've seen an intelligent, independent, and loving woman. Her parents, I'm sure, are very proud of her."

The General and Kate nodded in agreement.

"So, now that I've said my spiel, I'm going to hand it off to our couple. They have elected to create their own vows." The man turned to Katniss. "Ladies first."

Katniss turned to him, grey eyes full.

"I was never one to show my feelings. You've known me long enough to realize this. However, you have always shown me that your love and friendship are unwavering. Whether I'm your manager, your girlfriend, or even just that girl that you got drinks with after work—I've always been confident in your care and I've known that you would always protect my heart. I promise to always be steadfast and unwavering. I promise that you'll never doubt my love. I promise that I'll always protect your heart."

His mouth trembled as Katniss tried in vain to blink her tears. However, two escaped, trailing down her cheeks.

He reached over and swiped them away gently. "I love you."

Mr. Cartwright turn to him. "Peeta?"

"I'm someone who has never been able to speak up. I'm typically quiet and don't mind just hanging in the background. I'm not that way when it comes to you. Every day, I wake up and I can't believe that you picked me. I've more than once had to stop myself from shouting it on our rooftop."

Katniss laughed wetly.

"I'm digressing…my Mom recently said that words meaning nothing if they don't have heart. So, with all my heart, I promise to respect you, to stand next to you in whatever happens—good or bad—to raise our child with all the love and respect that our parents gave us and, last but not least, I promise to love you until beyond."

Prim was sobbing behind her sister and he could hear the faint sniffles behind him, not sure if it was Rye or Gale…or both.

"Do you have the rings?" Mr. Cartwright asked.

They both turned to one another.

"Oh shit…" they both said.

"Peeta—" They turned to his mother, who pulled off her ring. "Use this one as a placeholder."

Her father followed, removing his band to give to Katniss.

Quickly, they exchanged rings. Her father's fit a little loose and his mother's only reached her knuckle, but it mattered little in the moment.

"By the power vested in me and by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the man said. Mr. Cartwright grinned at them. "Go ahead and kiss already!"

Peeta turned to his now-wife and his hand went to her cheek. Katniss beamed as they reached for one another; his arms going to her waist and hers weaving around his neck before their lips met in a kiss.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear as they moved apart "Always."

"Always," Katniss repeated before pulling him into another kiss.

Two days later…

"I am not ready to go back," Katniss whined as they stepped onto the elevator.

Peeta wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing a kiss to her to the curve of her neck. Katniss let out a moan and he could feel the blood rush down to his cock.

"Well, we can just stop the elevator and you could let me finish what I started this morning," he suggested with a grin.

"No, but we're definitely going home for lunch," she replied. "I'm planning to sit on your face."

Peeta groaned. "I cannot go up there with an erection…" He took a calming breath. "We're going on a honeymoon as soon as we can."

The brief day they had to themselves, he spent most of his time in-between Katniss' thighs and the other time…hydrating.

"I don't want a honeymoon," his wife (he would never get tired of calling her that) grumbled. "Just a weekend of climaxes before this baby takes over my body!"

His mouth went to her ear. "You got a deal." Katniss turned to him, eyes heated. "Now kiss me, Mrs. Mellark."

She actually purred. "I love when you call me that."

Her mouth was on his in seconds, his hands moving under her dress to cup full cheeks. This had been a particular spot that they had spent their free day experimenting with.

First, with his fingers, and hopefully the next time with his cock.

They didn't even hear the ding of the elevator.

"SURPRISE!"

Katniss almost leapt into his arms at the shouts.

They looked out of the elevator to find their whole office gathered to greet them.

Behind the crowd, a large banner hung from the top floor: CONGRATULATIONS KATNISS AND PEETA!

Effie and Haymitch stepped forward as walked out of the elevator, bright smiles on their faces.

"I know that you wanted to keep it a secret, but I dragged the information about your proposal out of Finnick!" Effie gushed excitedly.

"I suggested that we have the party," Haymitch added proudly. "Let's see the ring!"

The crowd behind them cheered.

"Actually," Katniss began nervously. "We'd like to make a change of relationship."

Effie's face fell. "Oh, fucking hell, not again—I'll be in my office gathering the paperwork."

She huffed, heading back to her department.

Haymitch guffawed, his eyes glancing over to Peeta's left hand and catching the glint of the golden band.

The man went to a nearby desk being used as a serving table and grabbed a bottle of champagne.

"I have a feeling we're going to need this." He smirked at the two. "We'll see you in five—congratulations."

FIN.

Thank you from the bottom of my Harry Potter/Hunger Games loving heart for reading!

I hope you enjoyed it and this made you laugh and cry and swoon…

Yes, the Cartwrights are filthy rich and have a great connection when it comes to Harry Potter swag.

For anyone who is curious, there is a Napa Wine Train that you can take for a nice lunch or dinner.

Anyway, I'd love to write some one-shots. Feel free to message me on Tumblr with requests or even comments!

As always, I appreciate you taking the time to read.

Until the next story, LaLa