Querencia | Finnick Odair

Seventeen

Katniss' prep team finished my make-up and left the room, leaving me alone.

I stand in front of the mirror, admiring my beautiful green dress, my curled hair, the small hair accessories.

My hands were shaking a bit when I flattened the dress for the hundredth time.

A soft knock is to be heard and Gloss enters the room, dressed in one of his suits from District One.

"You look beautiful", he smiles and hands me a small bouquet made from wildflowers from District 9.

"Thank you"

"How are you feeling?"

"Nervous. I can't believe that this is real", I explain and twist one of the pearls in my hair back into place.

"But it is. And you deserve it. Thank you for asking me to give you away."

"That is what big brother does isn't it?"

"Yes, yes it is", he says an gives me a small kiss on the forehead. "Come, otherwise Effie will strangle me. Or Plutarch."

We walk through the hallway and stop in front of a set of double doors in front of which Johanna awaits, dressed in a simple orange dress. She is carrying our rings and will announce my arrival.

"I am so happy for you guys", she grins and enters the big hall.

I can only catch a glimpse of the room, decorated in greens before the doors shut again.

Then the children start singing District 4s wedding song. Theresa, who for the first time in a long time doesn't carry sadness in her eyes, singing the solo part.

The doors get opened. I stop breathing.

Finnick stands at the end of the aisle, looking stunning in his suit. The ground is covered by green fabric and flowers are pinned to the sides of the chairs.

"Ready?", Gloss asks and I nod.

Slowly we walk down between the rows of people, Katniss and Prim are smiling at me from the second row and Haymitch grins, giving me a thumbs-up from the first.

Once at the front, my smile grows even bigger and I hand little Theresa the bouquet, while Gloss talks to Finnick.

"I would tell you that I would kill you if you hurt her, but for one she is quite capable of that herself, and second, I strongly believe that you will never do that."

He steps away and I take Finnick's hand.

"You are stunning", he whispers.

"You are too."

We turn to Dalton, a kind man with a kind voice, who officiates our wedding.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. We have gathered here today to celebrate love. The love of these two people, who fought against all odds and showed all of us what true love is and can be in the hardest of times."

He talks some more, explaining the wedding rituals. The ribbon wrapped around our hands, the saltwater touched to our lips, and the net that will cover us when we exchange our rings.

Then it is time for our vows and I am already close to tears, looking into Finnick's eyes.

"My love", I start, tightening my grip on his hand, "it is true we didn't have it easy. We had uncertain times more than once. But one thing I was always sure of. That I love you. I love you utterly and completely and madly. I want so badly to be able to explain all the love I have for you. Not the love of butterflies and stomach knots—but more the entanglement of myself with another soul. Love is a word that is much too soft and used far too often to ever describe the fierce, infinite, and blazing passion that I have in my heart for you. You are a million dreams and a million prayers of a little girl come true."

I pause shortly, taking a deep, shaky breath.

"Some seats are empty here today, but my heart is not empty. My heart is filled with hope and happiness. It is filled with your kindness and your patience and your love. I....", I stumble over my words. And see Finnick, beaming with happiness, tears in his eyes. "I am so grateful, that life has given us this chance, that I have you. I cherished every moment I spent with you and will cherish every day that is to come. You are the best thing that ever happened to me and I promise that I will never let a day pass without making sure you know that."

Now I have tears running down my cheek and Finnick catches them with his thumb.

"Is it my turn?", he asks, a little insecure.

Dalton chuckles. "Yes, it is."

"Okay. So...my tiny one, my shortcake, my darling, my love. For such a long time I could only dream of this day. And now you stand here, looking so beautiful. Just as beautiful as when you get stuck in a shirt, just as beautiful as you are covered in paint. You are just perfect. Perfect for me. And today I have the honour of becoming your husband. To spend the rest of my life with you, however long that might be. Sometimes I look at you and it is the smallest things you do that show me again and again that I am the luckiest man alive. You are kind. You are silly. You are intelligent. Your laugh is contagious. You know me best. All my strength and all my flaws. You know what to do when I need you but also respect my boundaries. You make me want to be a better person every day. I take you as you are now, tomorrow, and for eternity to come, to be my wife. Because we have been through so much and letting this happen wasn't easy, but now I can promise you: even when the day comes that we're old and grey, I promise to always see you with the same eyes and the same heart that I see you with at this exact moment. So today, I promise that whatever life throws at us, I will stand by your side. I love you. Utterly and completely and madly and forever."

More tears roll down our cheeks and Johanna, whose smile is almost wider than mine holds out the rings to us.

I push it onto Finnick's finger and he tries to get his onto mine, but his hands shake so much. I chuckle, take his hand, and help him with it.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss", Dalton says and I pull Finnick close, press my lips to his and the whole room erupts into cheers.

We walk back down the aisle and the people throw grain onto us as it is a tradition in nine. Our hands and eyes never leave each other.