EPILOGUE - SCENES FROM A WEDDING

Katniss and I face the crowd as everyone stomps, claps their hands, and cheers wildly. I can feel the back of my neck turn warm and glance quickly at Katniss. Her cheeks, neck, and shoulders are a nice rosy shade. It's official. We're both completely embarrassed by this display. I turn back to the crowd and somehow manage a smile.

I'm dimly aware of music playing, then of a hand on my shoulder. I turn my head, expecting to see Katniss, but it's not her. Effie is standing directly behind us, one hand firmly on each of our shoulders, urging us forward.

"Go, you two!" Effie hisses, her voice somehow carrying over the din and the music. "The music's your cue, remember? Down the aisle to the back of the hall to your table. The wedding party will be right behind you. You two are seated dead center of the long table - the one decorated with that horrid green and orange motif you insisted on!" Still, Katniss and I hesitate a moment too long, only to receive a firm shove from Effie's hand. "Now move!"

No Drill Sergeant was ever more commanding than Effie Trinket trying to keep two stubborn kids on a schedule.

Katniss slips her arm easily in mine as we both walk slowly, with an almost exaggerated dignity, toward our target - the long table at the rear of the hall. I try to tune out the din and the sight of everyone on their feet, watching our every move. Instead, I focus on Katniss - my wife.

Wife. It still hasn't sunk in. As I look at her I'm almost giddy with the surge of love that I feel for this wonderful, incredible girl - no, woman - that has just married me. Her face is impassive as she mechanically sets one foot in front of the other. I know how much she hates crowds and being the center of attention. I smile reassuringly at her but she doesn't notice.

She looks like she's walking to her execution, rather than her wedding celebration! I suddenly get an inspiration and stop dead in my tracks.

Katniss stumbles a bit from my sudden stop, then recovers and spins toward me, concern on her face. Immediately I regret stopping so quickly. She's probably thinking that I'm on the verge of a hijacking seizure!

"Peeta, what -" she begins, but never finishes her question as my arms slip around her slender waist and I pull her tightly against me, my lips pressing firmly against hers.

I feel Katniss stiffen in surprise, her hands pressing against my chest - and for an instant, I think that she's going to push me away - until I feel her relax completely in my arms as her moist lips flower open against mine and I feel her sigh into my mouth as she returns my kiss enthusiastically.

Katniss and I kiss for long seconds, completely lost in each other and unaware of the crowd roaring its approval. Finally, reluctantly, I pull my face back from hers, looking down into her face, now heavy-lidded, her cheeks rosy from a different kind of blush.

"Feel better now?" I ask softly. Katniss smiles, nods, and gives me a quick peck on my lips in response.

"We better get to our table," I say with a smile, "before Effie has a complete melt down right here and now."

And somehow, my wife and I manage to finish walking the short distance to the table, but not before Katniss softly whispers just exactly what she wants to tell Effie what to do with her schedule.

I'm pretty sure that what Katniss is suggesting is anatomically impossible.

Dinner.

Katniss and I were shocked to discover just how hungry we both were once we arrived at our table. Of course, neither of us had had much of an appetite the last few days. Now that we were officially married, our appetites had returned with a vengeance.

We waited until the rest of the wedding party joined us at the table before we sat down. Beetee looked especially grateful to finally be able to sit. It had been a stroke of genius to pair Nova with Beetee in the wedding party. Beetee had insisted that he stand for the entire ceremony and that he walk the aisle with Nova...a feat that he managed to accomplish only with the aide of a pair of powered leg braces of his own design. Combined with Nova's solicitous assistance, Beetee had managed to walk the aisle twice and stand throughout the ceremony. He's earned the right to sit for a while.

I quickly stand up and walk over to where Beetee was sitting. I want to thank him for the effort it must have taken for him to do what he had just done. As I approach, I see that someone had substituted his chair for his own powered wheelchair.

Beetee looks up and smiles as I approach him. It was so hard to believe that this gentle genius was not only a Victor, but had single-handedly killed the entire Career pack in his Games.

"Peeta," he says warmly. "A truly moving ceremony. My sincere congratulations to you and Katniss...and thank you again for asking me to be a part of your special day."

I squat by his chair, no mean feat with my Robo-leg. "I'm the one to be thanking you, Beetee," I say with a smile. "I know what it must have taken for you to stand and walk the way you did."

Beetee reaches over and grasps my hand in both of his. "Peeta, don't think for a minute that I was going to sit through this most important day. Having said that, it feels wonderful to be able to sit!"

"And don't worry, Peeta," Nova adds. "I promise to take good care of Elder Beetee."

"You've done an excellent job thus far, my dear," Beetee says with a smile. "And Peeta...please remind Katniss to save a dance for me later on. I think I can coax a little more life out of my legs!"

"I'll go tell her right now," I say, clasping my hand on his shoulder before making my way back to my seat. Katniss turns as I sit and gives me a quizzical smile.

"What were you and Beetee talking about?" She asks.

"You, of course," I say, lightly kissing her. "Actually, I was thanking him for standing and walking during the ceremony. He has a message for you, also."

Katniss arches her eyebrows. "Oh?"

"'Save a dance for me,'" I say.

"A slow one," Katniss replies with a grin. "I don't want to overwork him!"

Before I could reply, Effie stands up and, picking up a microphone, begins to make an announcement.

"May I have everyone's attention?" She trills. "Oh, thank you! I would just like to announce that dinner will be served shortly. The wedding party will be served at their table. A buffet line has been set up over there -" she points to a long table covered with a spotless white tablecloth "- for everyone else. Madam President - Mister Secretary. I'm afraid that includes you as well."

President Paylor stands up. "Miss Trinket...this is the Mellarks' special day, not mine. And this is not the first time I've had to stand in line for my dinner. Mister Heavensbee and I will be just fine!"

No sooner did President Paylor finish speaking than a large plate was placed in front of Katniss, then another in front of me. I glance down at the contents of the plate, then turn and smile at Katniss.

"Lamb stew?" I ask.

Katniss returns my smile. "Why not? It is my favorite, after all!"

"Good thing I like it, too," I reply. "I just don't remember deciding on this."

Katniss looks nonplussed. "Oh, Peeta," she laughs, "It's just one of a thousand little details that you were oblivious too. All I can say is, thank goodness for Effie!"

I take her hand in mine, kiss it, and squeeze it gently. "I'm starved," I say suddenly, "and this smells wonderful!"

Katniss glances up and down our table. "Everyone has their dinner. Let's eat!"

Lamb stew has never tasted as good as it did that day.

Dinner was pleasant and relaxing, in spite of Johanna's lewd and sometimes shocking remarks about many of our guests. It was probably a good thing that she was seated directly to my left - I'm probably one of only two men in the Hob Community Center that exerted any semblance of control or influence over her.

The other man to have any influence whatsoever with Johanna is sitting near our table with his entire family. Captain Gale Hawthorne, resplendent in full dress uniform, seems to be enjoying himself, along with his mother, brothers, and little sister. He was even very friendly and charming to Callisto Birch, Rory Hawthorne's girlfriend - much to Rory's relief.

At one point, I see Gale glancing over at our table - a little wistfully (at least that's how it seemed to me), only to see his eyes widen a bit and a blush form on his face, then smile. I glance quickly over at Johanna to see her gazing intently at Gale, running her tongue suggestively over her lips.

"Jo!" I hiss. "Seriously! Now?" I find myself smiling in spite of myself.

In response, Johanna chuckles deep in her throat. "Remember the elevator in the Training Center?"

Now it's my turn to blush. "How could I forget?" The image of Johanna deliberately stripping naked in front of Katniss and I is burned indelibly into my brain.

Johanna leans close to me and whispers, "This - lovely - forest green color that your bride selected for our gowns has inspired me to recreate that moment. Tonight. For Soldier Boy, there." She inclines her head toward Gale. "But this time, I won't be getting off on the Seventh Floor."

I shake my head, laughing. "Jo, you're impossible!"

"You know me only too well, Stumpy," she laughs. "I just thought you would want to know that you and Katniss will have some competition tonight in the noise-making category."

"What's so funny?" Katniss asks, leaning towards Johanna and me.

"Jo and I were just talking about old times," I say, partially truthfully.

"And about this gorgeous shade of green that you chose for the gowns," Johanna adds - not very convincingly.

Katniss smiles at Johanna and I sweetly. "Your reminiscing wouldn't have included the time in the Training Center when you stripped buck naked in front of us both, would it?"

It's one of the few times I've ever seen Johanna speechless. Fortunately for her - and probably me as well - Galen chooses this exact time to rap his spoon sharply against his water glass as he stands up.

"May I have your attention, please," he says, trying to be heard over the din of the crowd. Effie quickly hands him a microphone. "Thank you, my dear. Ladies and gentlemen, may I please have your attention!"

Gradually the din quiets as Galen raises his wine glass. "I've only known these two for a short while," he says, "not even three years. And, our relationship, at first, was somewhat, ahem, rocky."

"Rocky, my ass!" Haymitch shouts out. "Katniss couldn't stand you!"

A quick ripple of laughter follows Haymitch's outburst. Galen grins at him and says, "Well, as I recall, neither did you!"

Haymitch responds by lifting his own glass in salute. I can see that it's filled with something considerably more potent than wine.

"But I digress," Galen continues. "I found, in time, that Katniss is a girl that does not easily let her guard down with people. To finally break through her barriers and become one of the select few that she calls 'friend' is indeed a rare accomplishment. And to earn her love is nothing short of extraordinary." Galen turns to Katniss and I and raises his glass. "A toast to the Mellarks. May their union last a lifetime, may their lives be fruitful, and may their love be eternal."

Galen lifts his glass and drinks, as our guests follow suit and do the same. Katniss and I each take a small sip from the flutes placed before us, and I turn to her afterward and grin. Our glasses have been filled with sparkling cider instead of wine or champagne.

And a good thing, too, as the toasts went on for over twenty minutes. Haymitch, Thom, Lars, Plutarch, President Paylor...a seemingly endless series of testimonials. But only two really stood out.

The first was from the man that I least expected to stand up and say anything - Captain Gale Hawthorne. When I saw Gale rise smoothly to his feet, wine glass in hand, I admit to feeling a moment of doubt. What's he gonna say? Is the thought uppermost in my mind. A quick glance at Katniss confirmed that she was thinking along those same lines. Our fears were soon laid to rest.

"Hi," Gale begins in a soft voice. Someone quickly hands him the microphone. "Hi," he says again, stronger. "I'm Gale Hawthorne. I was born here in Twelve and I've know Catnip -" another wave of laughter at Gale's revelation of the special nickname he had for Katniss "- I mean, Katniss -" more laughter "- for close to seven years now. I won't go into detail about our relationship, but I will say that she was the best hunting partner I could have ever hoped for."

The room is dead silent now as Gale continues. "The only time I ever saw Katniss smile back in those days was in the forest. But now, I see her smile for an entirely different reason." He looks pointedly at me. "It's you, Peeta. You make her smile. Only one other person was ever able to make her smile like that, and it wasn't me, or anyone else in this room for that matter." Gale pauses and I glance over at Katniss. She's sitting stock still, a smile frozen on her lips, tears trembling in her eyelashes. "Peeta...Katniss. I wish you love, peace, and a long, quiet life."

You could have heard a pin drop, it was that quiet. I'm still looking at Katniss when she looks directly at Gale and mouthes, "Thank you."

Effie quickly gathers up the microphone from Gale. "Well!" Effie says. "Those were certainly some moving toasts to our bride and groom! Does anyone else have anything they would like to say?" There's silence for a few moments, then Effie continues. "Then perhaps we should start the music so the Mellarks can enjoy their first dance as husband and wife -"

"I do," an unfamiliar voice says from the middle of the crowd. Katniss and I both search the room with our eyes in the direction of the voice as a woman stands up. Slightly built, her dark brown skin weathered by a life spent outdoors laboring in the sun, I recognize her the instant she rises to her feet. I have no idea what her name is but I will never forget her face.

Rue's mother.

I head Katniss gasp and I know that she, too, has recognized this woman as well. "I'd like to say something, ma'am," she says in a clear voice. Effie hesitates for a moment, then hurries over to the woman and wordlessly hand her the microphone.

"Thank you," the woman says politely, then turns to face us. "I never got a chance before...but I would like to thank you, Katniss, for the kindness you showed my little girl. When I said goodbye to her -" at this her voice hitches "- when we said goodbye, she told me her biggest fear was dyin' alone. I know you bein' there with her brought my Rue peace. Thank you...and bless you both."

It was only then that I realize that I've been holding my breath while she speaks. As I exhale, I hear the scraping of Katniss's chair and turn just in time to see her spring to her feet and hurry into the crowd. Effie retrieves the microphone right before Katniss gets there, so I can't hear what she's saying to Rue's mother, but then I see both women crying as Katniss hugs the older woman tightly to her, then kisses her on her cheek.

Johanna, seated next to me, sums up my feelings in a single word.

"Wow."

Effie is the perfect Mistress of Ceremonies. Following the last toast, she quickly and efficiently gets the reception back on schedule, almost shoving Katniss and I onto the dance floor for our first dance as a married couple. That was followed quickly by the rest of the wedding party, then the remainder of the guests. I do notice that once Johanna's "duty dances" were finished (dancing first with Galen, then me, then the other men in the wedding party) she firmly latched on to Gale...who didn't seem to mind the attention one bit.

There were other little ceremonies to perform during the reception - cutting the wedding cake and Katniss and I feeding each other a slice of cake ("Is this some kind of Capitol toasting or something?" Katniss had asked. I just shrugged my shoulders and smiled, ignoring the calls from people in the crowd that Katniss and I should shove the cake in each others' faces. "Wearing their wedding cake must be some sort of Capitol tradition," I had whispered as I carefully fed Katniss her cake). This was followed shortly thereafter by a ceremony where Katniss threw her bouquet of flowers backwards over her head in the general direction of the single women and girls, then I performed the same ritual by removing a garter from Katniss's thigh (which made me blush a little) and tossing it backwards over my head toward the single men and boys.

Elder Mimas caught Katniss's bouquet, while Rory Hawthorne caught the garter.

Effie explained to both Katniss and I that, according to legend and tradition, whoever caught the bouquet and garter would be the next to marry. Katniss and I thought that was funny. The Capitol sure has some strange legends and traditions.

Elder Mimas thought that was the funniest thing she had ever heard. Rory was, predictably, horrified, until we managed to convince him that he was not expected to get married until he was good and ready.

Finally, though, we were both able to enjoy the party and mingle with our guests. Katniss became a very popular dance partner with the men and boys, while I had a steady stream of women and girls asking for dances. Neither of us refused, although, speaking for myself, I would have much preferred being able to dance with my wife instead.

My wife. Those words haven't still sunk in completely. I catch a quick glimpse of Katniss dancing with Gunter Broadax...or, more accurately, she was grimly hanging on while he was twirling her around the dance floor with reckless abandon, although, to her credit, her smile never wavered. I was dancing with President Paylor at the time, who seemed, at least to me, to be uncharacteristically relaxed, even insisting that I call her by her first name.

Fortunately, the music soon ended, and I thanked the president graciously, while making a bee-line toward the beverage table, trying to find Katniss at the same time. I never made it.

"Tired already?" A woman's voice says from behind. "I thought Victors were supposed to be tough!"

I recognize the voice and the soft accent, even though I've only spoken to her a couple of times. I stop and turn to face her.

Enobaria.

She still has the same athletic build that I remembered so well, even though it was well hidden by the conservative dress that she was wearing. She gives me a tight-lipped smile and grabs me by the hand, leading me firmly back on to the dance floor.

"Come on, Twelve," she says with a laugh. "It's a slow one. I promise I'll be gentle."

As if I have a choice. We begin to dance slowly. To my surprise, she's an accomplished dancer and follows my lead effortlessly. We don't speak at first but when she smiles at me I know the expression on my face showed my surprise.

Enobaria's teeth were...well, normal. Two rows of perfectly even, white teeth. Gone were the fangs that had become her trademark during her heyday as one of District Two's most popular Victors.

"Surprised, Mellark?" Enobaria asks, her grin widening.

"A little," I admit.

"I had to have them all capped," she explains. "But it was worth it. I couldn't wait to get my mouth back to normal!"

"I don't understand," I reply in confusion. "I thought that your teeth were your...well, trademark."

"Not mine!" Enobaria hisses angrily. "The Capitol's. Snow's! Finnick Odair wasn't the only Victor that the Capitol 'owned.'"

So Enobaria was like Finnick. Forced into prostitution. "I'm sorry," is all I could think to say.

"You and Everdeen...I mean, Katniss - your wife - are lucky," she says with a bitter laugh. "'Star-crossed lovers.' And untouchable because of it. And I didn't know whether to be happy for you or envy you for it. So I think I ended up doing a bit of both."

I was feeling more than just a little uncomfortable. Enobaria had been one of the more visible faces of the Games, and had always outwardly been a staunch supporter of the Snow regime. I guess being forced to whore for Snow changed her mind, I say to myself.

"Anyway," Enobaria continues, "I just wanted to let you both know I appreciate your including me today. It seems that no one in Two really knows what to do with me." Another bitter laugh. "Not much call for a retired Career Victor."

"Were you Clove's Mentor?" I find myself asking.

"Yeah," she replies curtly.

"I'm sorry," I say. "About Clove, I mean. And Brutus too."

Enobaria fixes me with a searching gaze. "I really think you are sorry," she finally replies. "But you don't have to be. She knew the odds. Brutus too."

"I'll always be sorry," I say. "It was such a waste."

"And all it took was a Rebellion for me to see that," Enobaria says softly. I look at her in surprise.

"Enobaria -" I begin to say before she stops me.

"My friends just call me Eno," she says. Now it's my turn to examine her face closely.

"Are we friends?" I finally ask.

"Well," she replies after a moment, "We aren't enemies any more. I'm not sure if we ever really were. Besides, there's only seven of us Victors left. We understand each other in a way that outsiders never will. So why not friends?"

After a moment, I smile at her and nod. "I can't argue with that, Eno," I say. "I have one condition, though - you call me 'Peeta,' and not 'Mellark!'"

For the first time, Enobaria's smile is actually friendly. "Deal!" She says, then, "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead," I reply.

Enobaria hesitates before bringing her mouth close to my ear. In a whisper, she asks, "What do you and Katniss do when your nightmares come?"

After the dance ended, Enobaria agrees to go with me to find Katniss. Enobaria's unexpected vulnerability is still a surprise to me...and I'm sure it will be just as big a surprise to Katniss.

We quickly find Katniss, standing near a table, talking with a group of people. As we draw nearer, I realize that the group that Katniss is talking with includes Rue's mother and a dark skinned, athletic looking girl that appears to be roughly the same age as Katniss and I. This must be Thresh's sister, I say to myself.

Katniss smiles broadly when she sees me, and her smile never wavers when she realizes who I am with, although I see her eyes narrow just a bit.

"Peeta," Katniss says warmly, standing and giving me a quick hug and a kiss. "I was just talking to our guests from Eleven." She pauses and looks pointedly at Enobaria. "I see you've been mingling as well."

"Just being a good host," I say with a smile, turning to Rue's mother. "Hello, ma'am," I say, taking her hand. "Thank you so much for coming. I'm Peeta."

Rue's mother stands and hugs me, murmuring her thanks for my generosity. I realize that she's referring to my promise that I had made during our Victory Tour, when I gifted the families of Rue and Thresh one month's Victor's earnings per year as long as Katniss and I live. I have no idea if either family ever received so much as a single coin, and truthfully I have no idea how to ask.

Fortunately, Katniss comes to my rescue. "Harvest was just telling me that the government has set up a trust from both of our Victor's accounts and has finally paid both families." Katniss nods towards the tall, athletic girl as she speaks.

"Three months' worth, in fact," Harvest says with a grin. I notice that she speaks with the same lilting sing-song accent that I had heard from Thresh...the few times I actually heard Thresh speak, anyway.

"I'm glad that the new government is making good," I reply. I gently disengage myself from Rue's mother and extend my hand to Harvest. "I'm Peeta. It's a pleasure to meet you, Harvest."

"Likewise," Harvest says, grasping my hand firmly in hers. It's about at this time that I notice the little girl standing closest to Rue's mother staring, wide eyed, at Enobaria.

Enobaria, who, up until now, has been standing quietly by my side, notices the little girl at about the same moment that I do. She squats down gracefully and smiles at the girl, who bears an amazing resemblance to Rue.

"Hello, honey," Enobaria says, extending her hand. "I'm Eno. What's your name?"

The girl stares at Enobaria and makes no move to take the proffered hand. "I know who you are," she says flatly. "You're the lady from District Two with the scary teeth."

At this Enobaria smiles widely, showing her teeth completely. I see Katniss's eyes widen in surprise as I move closer to her, slipping my arm around her waist. "I'll explain later," I whisper. Katniss can only nod.

The little girl's eyes widen in surprise as well. "Your teeth!" She says. "They look normal!"

Enobaria laughs and says, "I did have scary teeth once, but I got them fixed. See?"

The little girl examines Enobaria closely, then slowly extends her hand. "You're not scary any more. I'm Sage," she says. "Nice to meet you, Eno."

"The pleasure is all mine, Sage," Enobaria says huskily as she squeezes Sage's hand gently in her own.

Finally, thankfully, the party begins to wind down. Katniss and I are both pleasantly exhausted, even though we know that we have one more ceremony to perform. The toasting.

Only a handful of our closest friends have been invited to partake in the toasting. The rest of our guests will probably stay on here at the Hob Community Center...eating, drinking, and dancing until the small hours of the morning.

Katniss and I are taking one last slow turn on the dance floor, holding each other close and, every now and then, taking turns murmuring our love in each others' ear. At one point, as Katniss and I lazily spin on the floor, I catch sight of Enobaria, now sitting with the contingent from District Eleven, chatting and laughing animatedly.

"That's really great," a voice says from off to the side. I glance over to see Cressida dancing with Elder Willem. Cressida and Pollux had, hours ago, put away their cameras and recorders at the urging of Katniss and myself, and had joined the party. In fact, Pollux had let both Katniss and I know that he had been selected to be one of the Avox to participate in the clinical trials for tongue regeneration as soon as he returned to the Capitol.

"Eno's not a bad sort at all," Cressida continues, "and when I look around this room, seeing Eno sitting with Eleven, and all the other districts mingling with each other and with us vain Capitolites, I'm seeing an unexpected benefit of your wedding taking place right before my eyes."

"What's that?" Katniss asks.

"She's talking about district relations," a new voice says from behind us. Katniss and I spin slightly to see Plutarch Heavensbee dancing by with Nova Winter. "This single wedding reception has advanced district - and out-district -" he adds, smiling at Nova "- relations forward about ten years."

"I couldn't agree more, Elder Secretary," Elder Willem says with smile, pulling Cressida closer to him.

"There you two are!" Effie's voice says. Katniss and I see her hurrying toward us, an amused Haymitch hanging tightly onto her hand. "This party's winding down, and we still have to go back to the your house in the Village so you two can do this 'baking' thing!"

"'Toasting,'" Katniss corrects gently. "It's a 'toasting,' Effie."

"'Toasting,' 'baking,' whatever! We have a schedule to keep! So come along, you two!" Effie spins away from us, only to be brought up short by Haymitch.

"Whoa, Princess!" Haymitch laughs. "Don't get your corset in a bunch! Have a drink and relax!"

"And you!" Effie barks at Haymitch, then shocks all of us by throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him soundly. "You're conspiring with these two! Well, I wasn't born yesterday, you know! Now let go so I can make the announcement!" Katniss and I both notice Effie's gaze soften a bit before her next statement. "I'll deal with you personally, Haymitch! Later. Much later!"

As she strides toward the band, no doubt to announce the upcoming toasting, Katniss and I look questioningly at Haymitch, who actually blushes, shrugs his shoulders, and says, "I'll explain later."

"You better," Katniss says teasingly. We both listen as Effie makes the announcement, then Katniss and I both quickly say our goodbyes and walk out of the Hob Community Center into the cool, clear night.

The cool air hits us and we both inhale deeply, arms around each others waist. We both gaze up at the stars and moon, shining brightly in the dark sky above. A car pulls up near us and the driver leans out the window.

"I'm here to drive you to the Village," the man says.

I look at Katniss and smile. "How do your feet feel, wife?" I ask her.

"Fine, husband," she replies with a grin. I bend down to kiss her quickly and then turn back to the driver.

"Someone else can ride up," I say. "It's a beautiful night. I think my wife and I will walk home."

"Yes, sir," the driver says with a smile. Arms firmly around each others' waist, Katniss and I begin strolling towards the Village.

My wife and I are going home.

Okay, don't beat me up too badly! I know I said that "Renaissance" was completed, but I had a request for a "deleted scenes" epilogue, so here it is! I hope you all enjoy, and thanks again for reading!