Let me know what you all think. Thanks again for my regular reviewers! I love your comments!

"What?" he said, giving me a confused look.

I simply laughed to myself and repeated my phrase, "Full steam ahead."

He simply looked at my quizzically until it registered in his mind.

"Oh!" he said, dropping the knife he had been using to chop some vegetables. "Oh! Wait, are you sure? Like, now?"

The look on his face was too much for me to not laugh. He was confused, excited, and it was obvious he was trying not to show too much emotion; although he failed miserably. I simply laughed and shrugged my shoulders.

"Well, not right now. I'm hungry. And probably not tomorrow. But yes, in the future, yes. I'm sure. I'm as ready as I'll ever be, so why wait any longer, right?" I said nonchalantly, albeit a bit surprised that the words were coming out of my mouth.

Peeta dropped what he was doing and picked me up at my waist, spinning me around the room until we both became dizzy. Although I knew I meant what I said, a pit began to rise in my stomach. But I ignored it and simply tried to catch my balance when we both stopped and stood, laughing in the kitchen. He excitedly kissed me all over my face and neck, and stopped after a few minutes, pulling me closely and resting his cheek on the top of my head.

"Oh Katniss, you have no idea how happy you make me," he began. "I promise I'll make you as happy as you make me."

We stayed in that position for several more minutes until I finally pulled away, my stomach grumbling loudly enough for us both to hear.

"Well, if you want to make me happy, let's finish making dinner so I don't starve," I threw out, teasingly.

We ate in a quiet excitement and I washed the dishes while Peeta went upstairs to take a shower. As I scrubbed the pan we had used earlier I couldn't help but feel the pit rising again in my stomach. Why was I feeling ill? I knew Peeta was more than I ever deserved. Plus, it's true what my mom said; I couldn't imagine a life without him. Why was I feeling so anxious and nervous? I was tempted to call her again that night but didn't. Instead I cleaned up downstairs and slowly began trudging my way upstairs.

When I opened the door I noticed Peeta wasn't in there. I knocked on the bathroom door but heard no answer. I opened the door, nervous of what I would find, but the bathroom was empty as well. Had I not heard him come downstairs? Where was he? I went out on the landing of the stairs and called out for him.

"Peeta?" I called out.

"I'm in the study," I heard him call back from downstairs.

I guess I hadn't heard him come down the stairs. This was odd, given his gait, but I simply brushed it off and headed downstairs again to the study. I didn't venture back there often; once every week and a half at best. I guess I avoided it because while I had burned his rose, I couldn't help but think of Snow when I walked into the room. I opened the door and found Peeta kneeling in a corner. Immediately I froze, afraid he was having an attack, but when he heard me step into the room he turned around and greeted me with a smile.

"Sorry, I just need to grab something down here," he said as he turned back towards the corner.

I walked closer and noticed he was putting a few books back on the shelf while he had something else clutched in his hand. He pushed himself up and stood facing me with a big smile.

"What's up?" I asked, a little concerned that I didn't know what he was doing and still hung up on the fact that I hadn't heard him come downstairs.

"Don't worry, I just needed to get something," he said, brushing off the concern in my voice.

"What?" I asked, more curious.

"You'll see," he said with a smile.

I didn't enjoy his teasing. It irritated me. Sensing my irritation he suppressed the smile on his face and pulled me in for a hug.

"Sorry," he laughed, "I don't mean to be a tease," he said as he pulled away to look into my face.

I gave him a scowl and pulled further away. In the back of my head I had a nagging voice telling me what he went to find, but I didn't want to think about it. I was still processing the fact that I told him I wanted to get married.

He eventually put it in his pocket and we walked back upstairs. I climbed up the stairs and made my way to the bath. As I soaked I couldn't help but think about everything. Saying I was ready to get married (I wasn't, I just knew I would accept Peeta and I didn't want to make him wait that much longer), finding Peeta getting my ring, and him not even telling me about it. When I finally made my way out to the bedroom the lights were off and I could tell Peeta was in bed. As I climbed in, he scooted closer and finally pulled me so that my back was resting against his chest. He kissed my shoulder and whispered good night to me.

The next morning I woke up to find Peeta had left a note like usual. He said he wouldn't be able to make it back, but that if I was able to, I should walk over to the bakery whenever I felt up to it. My ankle had been feeling a little better so I decided that after eating breakfast I would give it a try. An hour or so later I changed to head to the bakery. I dug around in my closet for my usual black pants and boots, but upon pulling out the two pairs I had I realized I needed to wash my pants. A bit disheartened, I put on a skirt and shoes Zenobia convinced me to buy and headed to the bakery.

I felt a bit foolish, walking to town in a skirt. I usually avoided wearing them in public; choosing my pants instead. But the heat and my dirty clothes left me no other option. As I walked I noticed a few people looking at me but before I could start scowling, several greeted me with faint smiles and nods. My cheeks burned at my previous idea and I returned their smiles and nods. I eventually made it to the bakery where I was greeted with a crowd similar to the day before. To my surprise Haymitch was both awake and sober. And he greeted me with a whistle.

"Looking good, Sweetheart. Got important plans for tonight?" he chuckled as I shot him my filthiest scowl.

"Shut up, Haymitch," I said as I pushed past him and caught Peeta's eye; he winked and I smiled before finding a stool to sit on.

Haymitch came to sit next to me.

"How's the ankle?" he asked as he tapped my foot.

I punched him in the arm and said, "fine."

Peeta came over a few moments later once he had caught a break and brought Haymitch and I some cheesy buns.

"I wasn't expecting you until later," Peeta said.

"Oh, I just thought you wanted me to come over when-" I began to explain before he cut me off.

"No worries," he smiled.

He gave Haymitch a certain look as he glanced at the man and he stood up from the stool.

"Well, thanks for the bun. It was pretty good. And remember, don't worry," he said as he laughed.

Peeta gave him a dirty look and the old man left the bakery.

"What was that all about?" I asked.

"Nothing. I was asking Haymitch about some stuff. Nothing to worry about," he said as he patted my hand. "How was your morning? You look nice!" he said, finally noticing my clothes.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "The morning was fine. Nothing interesting," I said quickly.

Peeta looked at me and I gave him a sassy smile. Before he could get the next few words out of his mouth a new wave of people came in and he left to go help them. The day was busy as waves of people came in every hour. I didn't get to speak with Peeta much, but he kept me full with cheese buns, Danishes, cookies, and things to drink. Eventually it was time to go upstairs for his class and I made my way up the stairs behind him. I sat in a chair towards the back of the room and watched as the kids filed in with their canvases and art kits.

Peeta set up station in the front and greeted all of the kids with a warm smile and strong handshake. When everyone had set up Peeta began with a quick explanation of their lesson. I didn't understand everything he was saying so I kicked my foot up on an empty stool ahead of me and closed my eyes. I began to drift in and out of sleep, every once in a while hearing him explain certain things.

The last thing I remember hearing before finally falling asleep was Peeta stating, "now you go ahead and paint your happiest memory."

I wanted to open my eyes, but sleep took over and kept them shut. As I slept I dreamt of a warm, comfortable place. I hadn't been there before. It was a room with a couch, chair, and small table. As I woke up on the couch I looked over to see Peeta reading in the chair near me. He looked older, but was happy as usual and greeted me with a warm smile. I felt happy and content. As I continued to wake up I could smell something delicious and Peeta began to tell me about the fruity quick bread he was baking. As the dream continued I kept thinking "I don't want to wake up from this," because in the back of my head I knew this was a dream, to my dismay. I eventually did wake up; Peeta shook my shoulders and I noticed the classroom was empty. I looked up at him and he greeted me back to reality with a soft smile.

"You ready to go home?" he asked softly.

"Yeah," I said as I looked back at him. As the room came into focus I noticed the painting behind him. I was thrown off a bit but couldn't help but smile when I saw what he had painted.

"I told them to draw their happiest memory, so I thought I would draw one too," he smiled as he explained as he noticed what I was staring at.

The painting was of a young girl singing while standing on a stool in a classroom, surrounded by her classmates while the teacher looked on. It made my heart happy and I smiled as Peeta helped me stand and we walked home.

When we entered the house there was a meal waiting on the stove for us; a note was left on the counter near it.

I knew you'd be getting home late so I brought over some food – Sae

Peeta opened the pot and the delicious smell of lamb stew greeted us. We smiled at each other and set the table quickly, hungry and excited for the mouthwatering meal awaiting us. As I sat down Peeta went to grab the cups and opened the refrigerator to get a pitcher. I didn't pay much attention to it since we usually kept a pitcher of water there, but I was surprised when he placed it before me and it was filled with orange juice. I looked up at him and gave him a knowing look and he blushed as he shrugged, pretending like he didn't know what was up. He sat down and divvied the stew up between the two of us while I poured the juice. The meal was heavenly.

As we sat back with full bellies Peeta and I smiled at each other, reveling in the repast we had just devoured. Peeta stood up and pulled me up from my chair, continuing to pull me as he headed towards the couch. We plopped down, and sat next to each other, stretching our legs out in front of us and talking about how wonderful of a cook Sae was. After a few minutes of this things grew quiet and I happily sat there, Peeta grabbed my hand and turned towards me.

"Katniss, you don't have to say anything," he said as he reached in his pocket. "You don't have to act surprised either, because I know you aren't a big fan of surprises either. But I just need to give you something," he continued as he took out the little box.

Inside was the pearl. It had been fastened to a simple ring. I looked up at Peeta who was looking lovingly, but intently, into my eyes and smiled

"You knew I couldn't give the pearl to anyone else," he said softly as he took it from the box and placed it on my finger after which he kissed me softly on my lips.