CHAPTER 45
FOR RICHER OR POOR

PLUTARCH was in his element when he began to plan the wedding. Although they agreed to a quick ceremony, he was doing his best to make it Capitol-worthy. He had a lot of negotiations with Coin about it. Due to the President's upbringing in Thirteen, she believed a wedding was simply two people signing a piece of paper and moving into a compartment together. Plutarch, on the other hand, with his standards, wanted a three-day celebration with everyone dressed in their finery.

They eventually came to an agreement. It was decided that they would host a one-day, traditional District Four ceremony. No one in Thirteen had the finery that Plutarch imagine, so they would wear their plain, grey jumpsuits – decorated if they pleased – while Kai and Annie's outfits would be made for them by Effie and Phoenix. Bex's old escort was ecstatic. He never expected to become a stylist in the lost District Thirteen, out of all places. But the course of this rebellion was beginning to surprise them all.

The ceremony was held three days after the decision had been made, right in the center of Thirteen, where they usually congregated for President Coin's speeches. Strings of hand-cut autumn foliage were hung up along the walls and rafters. A large group of the children had cut them out of colorful paper and tied the leaves to tiny lights. They even cut a large oak tree and glued more of their leaves to it, before hanging it up at the altar. It was a dream of autumn.

Bex stood next to Johanna near the front. Phoenix was in the first row, smiling proudly with Effie, while Coin and Plutarch stood to their right. Everyone looked to be in high spirits, just as according to plan. At least every citizen in Thirteen was in attendance, beaming from ear-to-ear. All except Finnick. He was nowhere to be found.

She hadn't even seen him at breakfast this morning. Bex had hoped he'd at least find her in the crowd and stand with her during the ceremony. She understood his absence, though. She had just hoped a little too high. Finnick Odair was still shattered on the inside and prideful, even with her hand to hold.

From the other side of the hall, Cressida and her team had their cameras in hand, capturing every movement. Kai waited at the makeshift altar with Dalton, a refugee from District Ten, who Bex worked with in the kitchens. Dalton was conducting the wedding. District Four ceremonies were, apparently, similar to the ones in Ten. He looked like he'd been doing this for a long time; his long beard matched his bushy brows, entwined with different shades of grey and white.

Kai was shaking. He was definitely anxious, but also excited, and his trembling only exceeded when the fiddler began to play. Bex wouldn't be surprised if he started sweating through his navy gloves, which conveniently matched his entire outfit. He was given one of Peeta Mellark's old suits that Effie had brought with her when she packed up, just tailored to Kai's slender body. "I don't like leaving iconic fashion choices behind," Effie had excused, and for once, her hoarding appeared to be useful.

A choir of children started to hum with the fiddler's tune. Bex was a little startled at their presence, let alone the magnitude of children that had helped decorate. She had heard of a smallpox epidemic that happened years ago from the kitchen staff. It had wiped out a lot of Thirteen's youth, but these ones looked healthy and well. The choir belted out an ancient, traditional wedding song from District Four, which likened marriage to a sea voyage.

They all turned to the aisle, where Annie began to walk down. She seemed a little taken aback to have everyone's eyes on her, ogling her like a hawk. But her face relaxed once her eyes connected with Kai's warm brown ones. Her smile replicated his and a blush crept on her freckled cheeks. Sometimes Annie liked to hide in her hair, but there was no shying away now with her golden-red locks swept back and her rosy cheeks on full display. She was wearing a dress made by Phoenix that was reminiscent of a traditional wedding dress from her District. Pearls lined the lace sleeves and the curved neckline, and the dress framed Annie's hourglass shape perfectly.

Once she was at the altar, she took Kai's hands immediately. His thumbs caressed the back of her hand, bruised knuckles and all. Dalton raised his hands, inciting the crowd to sit, and they followed suit. "Welcome everyone," he said calmly, "and thank you for attending. A special thank you, also, to President Coin for graciously allowing this wedding to take place."

Annie and Kai turned to find the President in the front row, bowing their heads in her direction. Coin simply nodded.

"We are here to celebrate the union of Kai Seaton and Annie Cresta," Dalton dawdled on. "These two are certainly a love story built for the ages. I have a feeling that whenever these souls are reincarnated, they always end up finding each other. Kai, just a few years ago, found Annie when she was in a dark place. But he, in all his efforts, helped her find the sun, and now she never wants to know the dark again."

A corner of Bex's lips lifted. She wasn't known to get too sentimental over things, but Dalton's words were sweet and kind, like a gentle touch.

Annie and Kai went on to say their vows as Dalton placed a net woven from long grass over them, bringing them closer together. They continued to gaze deep into each other's eyes, mouths just inches away, as they poured their hearts out to one another for everyone to see. Annie could be so ... disordered sometimes, lost in her own head, but she had never looked more radiant than when Kai said his vows to her. She was in a daze of happiness.

Bex's heart burned, and she silently wished Finnick was sitting beside her, clutching her hand.

A young boy from the choir strode beside Dalton with a bowl of saltwater. The conductor cleared his throat and said, "Annie, can you repeat these words, please: I, Annie Cresta, take you, Kai Seaton, as my husband from this day forth."

Annie was beaming as she recited, "I, Annie Cresta, take you, Kai Seaton, as my husband from this day forth." She then glanced towards Dalton. "Don't worry, I've studied the rest of the words."

Dalton chuckled and lifted his hands in surrender. He let Annie deliver the words independently.

"In sickness and in health," Annie continued, tears brimming her eyes, "for richer or poor, I promise to love and cherish you each day. You're my light, my sun that rises and sets against the ocean."

Annie dipped two fingers in the bowl of saltwater and touched them against Kai's lips. He laughed and darted his tongue out, tasting the saltiness. Kai then turned to look at Dalton, who nodded his head for the groom to go forward.

"I guess it's my turn now," Kai huffed, causing Annie to giggle. "I, Kai Seaton, take you, Annie Cresta, as my wife from this day forth. In sickness and in health, for richer or poor, I promise to love and cherish you each and every day. You're everything to me, Annie Cresta. Our souls search for each other at least every millennium, and I'm so glad to have found you once again. You're my life. Always."

He submerged one finger in the saltwater, and with a huge grin, he brushed it on her pink lips.

Dalton took a step back and informed the couple, "You may kiss the bride."

Immediately, Kai leaned down to press his lips against Annie's. She smiled into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck, as everyone began to applaud. Even Bex's eyes crinkled at the sides as she grinned. When the couple leaned back, they cheered and sprinted down the aisle, holding their hands up for all to see. Annie was certainly glowing.

Dalton clapped his hands together. "Let the party begin!"

Everyone worked together to move their chairs out of the way and turned the center into a dance hall. Their seats circled were propped up against the walls as the citizens of Thirteen instantly formed together to start a jig. The fiddler began playing songs from District Twelve. Bex learned from Johanna that he was a lone survivor from the District, but at this moment, he looked free of all his worries. Katniss even seemed to be enjoying his tune. She stood on the sidelines, clapping along and watching her younger sister dance. These songs must remind her of home, Bex assumed.

The whole crowd was dancing. The propo team stood along every corner of the room, filming the group, their joy being recorded for Snow and the Capitol to see. Like Katniss, Bex waited on the side surrounding the dancers, clapping with the beat. She wasn't the best dancer, so she assumed it would be safer for everyone that she didn't partake.

"Why aren't you dancing?"

Bex gasped and almost jumped forward at the sound of Finnick's voice. She turned to find him standing on her right, hands in the front pockets of his jumpsuit. He was smiling at her, despite the obvious pain in his green eyes, before looking out at the crowd. People went off into pairs and continued the jig.

Bex waited for her heart to stop beating so fast before she settled back beside him, crossing her arms over her chest. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "I'm not a dancer," she exhaled. "And, frankly, it's kind of hard to be happy when the last of your family is being held prisoner."

She looked at him and took in his blank expression. Her head tilted to the side. "Why didn't you come to the ceremony? I was waiting for you."

His eyes went to the floor. "Sorry," he muttered. "It's also kind of hard to be happy when someone you used to care for moves on and is at peace with their life."

Bex furrowed her brow. Her mind began swirling with questions and she tumbled into a daze. Did Finnick still care for Annie? Had Bex been following him all this time like a lovesick puppy? She pursed her lips, a waterfall of seething words threatening to slip out, but he started to smile again.

"And then, I realized how much of an ass I was being," he continued, lifting his head. "I am happy for Annie. We all deserve a little happiness, especially her, after all that she's been through. Kai seems to bring out the best in her. He used to be one of my fishing buddies as a teenager." He shook his head at the memories. "It was rude of me to not come to the ceremony, but I'm going to try to make up for it."

From inside the circle of dancers, Annie looked over her shoulder, her bright red hair whipping across her exposed back. Her eyes lit up at seeing Finnick and she waved excitedly in his direction. Finnick raised his hand and waved back before Annie was pulled into Kai's arms again.

Bex's expression relaxed, but she couldn't stop herself from cracking her knuckles.

Finnick heard the sound and glanced at her, wary. Bex hid her hands behind her back and attempted to cover the silence by saying, "I'm sure she appreciates you being here now."

Hiding her hands hadn't been enough. Finnick's lips pulled upwards as he reached behind her and grabbed one of her hands, smoothing his thumb over her knuckles. They went limp in his hold, either out of nervousness or cracking them too often, Bex didn't know. Her heart rate quickened as he asked, "Do you want to dance?"

"I just told you that I'm not a dancer," she replied, too stunned to pull away. "And we've danced before. No matter how many balls I attended in the Capitol, nothing could help with my coordination."

Finnick's eyes went narrow. "I think we should do it anyway."

She shook her head. "Finnick, no way –"

She had to bite back the scream that rose in her throat when Finnick pulled her onto the dance floor. Bex looked around, wide-eyed, as the dancers around them continued with the jig. Finnick seemed to have already gotten the hang of it. Bex grabbed his hand and allowed him to drag her through it. Attempting to keep up with everyone's fast movements had her heart thumping against her chest. Sweat gathered at her hairline.

Abruptly, the fiddler ended his song. Bex huffed and almost fell onto Finnick. He gently helped her to stand up straight, one hand pressed against her back, as the crowd clapped for the musicians. The fiddler lowered his bow to his instrument again and began to play a much slower tune. He was accompanied by the choir of children, who harmonized with him.

With Bex pressed to his chest, Finnick viewed down at her deep onyx eyes and lifted his free hand for her to take. "Shall we?" He asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

Bex sighed and slowly placed her hand in his. He was already holding her by the small of her back, so she figured she had no choice in the matter. But as she got into a rhythm with him, she realized just how much this reminded her of how they danced at Snow's last party, when they finally began to understand each other. And she was suddenly filled with a sense of peace that she hadn't felt in a long time. She lifted her chin and rested it on his shoulder. Her eyes shut and she allowed herself to be moved by the soft music.

His lips eventually lowered to her ear. "I still got it."

Bex scoffed under her breath and looked off. In the center of the circle, Kai held Annie close and swayed to the music. She watched him whisper sweet nothings in her ear, and Annie went red in the cheeks, her lips spreading wide. They never looked more in love.

Instinctively, Bex clutched Finnick even tighter.

"Sometimes I forget how strong you are," he groaned, spine going stiff. "Are you trying to break my back?"

"Oh," she murmured, loosening her grip on his hand and shoulder. She then leaned back to send him a smile. "Sorry."

Finnick's grin faded quickly. He licked at the corners of his lips and searched her eyes. Butterflies rammed against the inside of her stomach, and she could've sworn his heart was beating almost too loudly in his chest.

He exhaled, "Hey, Bex ..."

She raised a brow.

"I know – well ..." He frowned, gathering his thoughts. "I know it's been awkward, to say the least, since we got to Thirteen. But it doesn't have to be. I meant everything I said to you in the arena. You know that, right? I think I've said it enough."

Her eyes flickered again to Kai and Annie. She took in their happy expressions, the love in their eyes, the way they moved together as if they were molded like pottery. Bex glanced back at Finnick and whispered, "Now isn't the time to fall in love."

To her surprise, he laughed. "We're dancing at a wedding, Bex. It is most certainly the time to fall in love. We don't know if we'll get another chance."

The fiddler ended his song and was applauded by the crowd of dancers. He took a bow, but Finnick and Bex were still holding each other as if the song was still ringing in their ears. In the distance, they heard Dalton announce that it was time for a toast. Children began to walk around and hand out apple cider. Bex and Finnick still hadn't moved, clutching each other like their lives depended on it.

That was, until, Bex leaned in and kissed him.

━━━━━━

A/N: well, well, well.....it looks like this couple has FINALLLLYYYY patched things up!! I know it took a while to finally get here (again, after the first kiss lol), but these two needed more time while in district 13 to deal with their trauma and understand each other even more than before. bex is finally opening herself back up to finnick and love in general. things only can get better from here..........or can they 👀