What if?

Chapter 16

I want to thank all of you for following, favoriting, reviewing, and reading. You don't know how much it means to me to know this many people actually read my fic. This is the final chapter and I made sure to make it long. While im here, i made a name for Katniss' dad cause i couldnt find anything that said otherwise. I do not own Hunger Games nor do I own Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts. Thank you and here go:

•no one•

The was only one person actually happy for the new couple and the was Madge. That happiness and constant nudging earned her the title 'Maid of Honor'.

•Katniss•

'It's really happening.'

I thought as the feeling of déjà vu hit me. My mother wasn't ecstatic, but at least she was putting on her best smile and Gale was the same. However both Gale and Peeta tried multiple times to get me to reconsider the choice I had made.

*a month before*

"OH MY GOD!"

I covered my ears as Madge's screeches got louder. She and Gale came to visit after their return home and I told her about Haymitch and I. She was happy.

"Oh my god, this is amazing Katniss. Do you realize what this means?"

She asked, finally done jumping and clapping.

"Hearing-aids?"

I said rubbing my ears. She gave me a look.

"No silly. Imagine, lilies and a beautiful dress and music."

Madge started twirling about the room and I got what she meant.

'Marriage?'

I thought. Haymitch and I just said 'the words' only two months ago, the things we've not been able to resist doing since then is another story entirely.

"A wedding Katniss."

She looked at me and saw my face.

"You do love him right?"

I snapped my eyes in her direction.

"Of course I do, but this whatever it is only just happened Madge, I don't want to ruin it."

I looked down. Madge sat down beside me on Haymitch's couch and put an arm around my shoulders.

"He loves you too. Don't forget that and I wasn't saying 'marry now or die' Katniss. I'm just like that, thinking of only the good that can come of a situation."

She smiled at me and I returned it. She turned her head to the door.

"It is starting to worry me, however, that they haven't returned yet."

She was referring to Haymitch and Gale. Gale wanted to speak with Haymitch and they left the house almost an hour ago. Madge shrugged.

"Oh well, more girl time for us."

Eventually they came back. Madge didn't waist time pushing Gale right back out the door, not giving him a chance to say hi or bye.

"Well that was interesting."

Haymitch said when we were alone. I looked at him and thought of what Madge had said.

"You're staring sweetheart."

I snapped out of my little daze as Haymitch spoke and walked closer to me.

"Are you okay."

He asked. I smiled up at him.

"Yes."

I cooked us dinner and he cleaned it up. We tried watching some tv, but that idea went out the door quick.

"Hatmitch."

I breathed as he trailed kisses down my neck.

"Hmm?"

He don't break the trail of fire as he answered.

"Would you ever marry me?"

I regretted that question five seconds before it left my mouth. He stopped kissing me and lifted himself so he rested on his elbows and was looking down at me.

"It was only a question and I don't expect...not that it wouldn't be...I just wanted to know..."

I started rambling before he could answer. He started to laugh, which caused me to stop.

"You're so cute when you do that."

He leaned down and kissed my lips, I didn't question as I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down. The kiss deepened and his hands trailed down my sides, again leaving a line of fire. He broke the kiss for only a second, long enough for him to answer my question.

"Of course I would. But would you marry an old drunk?"

His eyes held mine.

'Is he asking? Is that the question?!'

I mentally started freaking out, but I smiled.

"While you might've been a drunk, you're not any more and you're not old."

He pulled us both into a sitting position, not wanting to give up the closeness, I ended up in his lap.

"Yes."

I said, cutting him off from speaking again.

"Well then sweetheart, I guess this is yours."

Out of his pocket he pulled a black box.

"Gale took me to this place that had many of these and kept lecturing me about not hurting his 'catnip'."

I laughed. I grabbed the box from his hand and slowly opened it. Tears brimmed my eyes as I looked at the beautiful ring inside. While his proposal wasn't formal in the least, it was Haymitch styled and I wouldn't have it any other way.

*now*

"You look so amazing."

Madge said as she looked at her masterpiece. The strapless white gown fit to every curve of my upper body down to my hips, past that it simply fell to the ground. A golden ribbon was tied around my wast, the extra cascaded down the back and would end up trailing behind me.

"Beautiful."

My mother said. I looked at her.

"I really am happy for you."

She said smiling and I gave her a long daughterly hug.

"Okay, hair time."

Madge said, wiping a tear from her eye. My hair was out of its braid and left to curl around my shoulders. Simple. I liked it. A silver necklace and my mother's bracelet was the only jewelry I would wear, other than the ring Haymitch had given me.

"Okay, well as a the maid of honor I say let get this party started."

Madge, my mother, and I laughed. I looked in the full length mirror as Madge walked out the door with Gale. I remembered the dream I had and I put my hand over my mouth to keep from sobbing.

"Katniss?"

My mother said worriedly.

"I'm fine, it's just I wish Prim was here to see this."

Tears fell down my cheeks.

"She is here Katniss and she is so happy. Come on honey, it's time."

•no one•

Haymitch Abernathy had never easily surprised, but when Katniss Everdeen walked down that isle following her mom, he lost his breath. She was beautiful. When she reached him the music had stopped and the man standing between them began.

I set out on a narrow way many years ago.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of this man and this woman."

Hoping I would find true love along the broken road.

"If there is any one here that believes theses two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."

But I got lost a time or two

Wiped my brow and kept pushing through,

"Please repeat after me."

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you.

"I, Haymitch Abernathy, take thee Katniss Everdeen in sickness and in health, for rich or poor, till death parts us."

Haymitch said.

Every long lost dream led me to where you are.

"Katniss, repeat after me."

Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars,

"I, Katniss Everdeen, take thee Haymitch Abernathy in sickness and in health, for rich or poor, till death do us part."

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms.

Cathy Everdeen smiled as she wiped away the happy tears.

This much I know is true

Gale and Madge Hawthorne shared smiles.

That God blessed the broken road

Peeta Mellark looked at the girl he had once loved. He was beyond happy for her and was on his way to a new happiness of his own. He smiled as the preacher finished his words.

That led me straight to you.

Katniss looked into the eyes of the man she was about to be with for the rest of her life and she didn't plan on changing that any time soon.

I think about the years I spent just passing through

Unknown to anyone, a young girl watched from above. Primrose Everdeen cried the happiest tears she's ever shed. Her sister finally found that thing that kept her tied to a place.

I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you.

"Do you have the rings?"

The preacher asked.

But you just smile and take my hand

You've been there you understand.

Jason Everdeen stood beside his daughter holding her hand. His little girl had grown and been through more than anyone ever should. His Katniss.

It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true.

"By the powers vested in me."

Now I'm just rolling home,

"By the Capitol and the people."

Into my lover's arms.

"I pronounce you, Haymitch and Katniss."

This much I know is true,

"Man and wife."

That God blessed the broken road

Katniss threw her arms around Haymitch's neck and he wrapped his around her waist as the space between them disappeared.

That led me straight to you.

*five years later*

Katniss Abernathy went into labor.

That God blessed the broken road

Haymitch offered the name Zachariah.

That led me straight to you.