Chapter 1: Young Marriage

Katniss Everdeen stood nervously in the white bridal dress as the clerk went over final details. The Justice Building's chill did not help alleviate the shaking that was coming over her body.

Across from her was her soon-to-be husband, Gale Hawthorne. He was also her best friend.

Ordinarily, Katniss never would have wanted marriage, least of all a family. No, she was not pregnant, thank goodness, but her mother had insisted she wed once she turned 18. Her reasoning had included family tradition ("I was your age when your father and I got married") - a weak argument, in Katniss's mind. But, her father had not opposed, so the eldest Everdeen daughter had been overruled.

Still, if she had to have a husband, the only person she would even think of marrying was Gale.

As the holy man blessed them, Katniss scanned the small group of people one last time, out of hope. Her other best friend wasn't here. Peeta. She sighed. To his credit, he had been even more hurt by her arranged marriage than she had been, though why exactly was something he did not disclose. It stung that he had not accepted hers and Gale's wedding invitation.

She turned back to her future. We'll make it work. Somehow.

"…..pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Gale pulled Katniss into his arms, eyes full of love and wearing a beaming smile. Katniss smiled back, and then Gale kissed her.

The grin did not leave Katniss's face as her lips curled against his. How strange. Kissing a man was not as horrible as she imagined it would be. And Gale tasted especially good.

And Katniss Everdeen Hawthorne thought, maybe there was some blessing in marrying him, after all.