𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒕𝒖𝒔; 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒊𝒓

𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅

The day of the wedding brought on an anxious knot in Lilith's chest. Not the cold-feet type of anxiety, but the can't-it-happen-already type. She is desperate to get her happy ending before something bad happens.

She was able to convince Coin and the staff of the hospital that Peeta should be able to decorate the cake. They haven't spoken since the last time, but Lilith knows he would never let her down. She hopes baking has made him remember some good things and helped him, even a little.

Katniss had surprisingly been a big help. She and her sister Prim had helped Lilith find something to wear. They didn't have much to work with, but Lilith learned that Prim sees the beauty in everything. She had searched the entirety of District Thirteen for some sort of good looking fabric. And she had done just that.

The fabric that Prim found is smooth and simple. Prim and her mother had sewn the dress themselves — Prim insisted she be the one to do it looked like she envisioned. The dress they had come up with is, in Lilith's opinion, very meaningful. It's not the traditional white that most brides wear — Lilith has had enough of wearing anything white. Instead, it's a beautiful light blue; a perfect symbol of District Four and the man she loves the most in this world.

The dress stops at her feet, just barely touching the floor. The dress hugs her nicely around the waist, and flows around her legs. The neckline is v-shaped, but it's high enough to be more modest— which made Lilith happy.

The hours tick by as Lilith readies herself in her and Finnick's room. Finnick is somewhere else, but Lilith isn't sure where. All she knows is that he'll be waiting for her at the altar. She can't wait.

As Lilith places a few plucked pieces of babies breath flowers in her hair, she hears a knock on the door. She opens the door cautiously, covering herself with it. She sees Haymitch standing in the hall, looking more presentable than usual.

"Haymitch?" Lilith questions. "What are you doing here?"

Haymitch steps through the doorway when Lilith opens it a bit wider. He doesn't say anything for a second. "I know one thing you didn't think about for today."

"What? No, no, I'm sure I thought of everything," Lilith's mind begins racing of the things she could've forgotten. Her hand springs up to her neck and confirms that she hasn't forgotten the lotus ring necklace. What else could she have forgotten?

"You didn't think of who's gonna walk you down that isle," Haymitch states.

Lilith stares at him. "I was just going to walk by myself.."

"No way," Haymitch says firmly. "No way am I letting Silas's little sister walk down the aisle alone."

"You want to give me away?" Lilith says, the corners of her mouth twitching into a smile.

"I do," He says sincerely. "Besides, Silas would kill me if I didn't."

Lilith suddenly pulls Haymitch into a tight hug. She's grateful that Haymitch didn't give up on her recovery. Without him, Lilith would probably still be chained to a hospital bed and screaming her head off.

"Thank you," Lilith whispers.

Haymitch pats her on the back and clears his throat. "Okay, okay. Let's get you married."

After putting the finishing touches on herself, Lilith and Haymitch make their way to the ceremony. When they reach the long and daunting isle, Lilith spots Finnick at the end of it. All of her worries fade the moment she sees him. Haymitch hooks Lilith's arm around his and looks at her, silently asking if she's ready. Lilith nods with a grin on her face. They both look ahead and begin walking.

Finnick is wearing a suit — which is the most formal thing Lilith has seen him wear. It's a dark grey suit, contrasting beautifully with his blonde curls and green eyes. Lilith smiles when she locks eyes with him. She sees the anticipation and love in Finnick's eyes.

She and Haymitch finally reach the alter. Haymitch offers her a smile and kisses her on the cheek. Then he steps away, leaving Lilith and Finnick together. Lilith and Finnick grab each other's hands, and the ceremony begins.

Lilith had wanted to incorporate as many District Four traditions as possible, and so they did. Before the vows begin, the couple are wrapped by a net woven from long grass.

Lilith is instructed to say her vows first, and she talks a deep breath before. "I, Lilith Monroe, take you, Finnick Odair, to be my husband. I promise to love and cherish you for as long as I live. I promise to never give up on you, and to always stand by your side."

The officiant then gestures to Finnick. Lilith watches him with a grin.

"I, Finnick Odair, take you, Lilith Monroe, as my wife for the rest of our days. Whether we're together or apart, I promise to always love you with my whole heart. We will always be united as two parts of a whole."

His vows cause tears to prickle in the corner of Lilith's eyes. They then partake in another District Four tradition. They each dip their left index and middle finger into salt water, and bring them to each other's lips.

"You may now kiss the bride," The officiant announces.

Lilith closes her eyes as Finnick leans in and plants a soft kiss on her lips. The kiss is sweet and gentle, but filled with more passion than Lilith had ever felt. That one kiss solidifies everything. Her and Finnick were now one.

The festivities take off right away. The entirety of District Thirteen participating in dancing and mingling. Lilith and Finnick spend the whole evening together. They dance, thank people for coming, and bask in each other's presence. Everything turned out beautifully.

At the end of the night, one by one guests leave the area, going to their respective rooms. Finnick and Lilith are the last to leave.

"You are amazing," Finnick says softly as they walk back to their room.

Lilith smiles and looks over at him. The way he looks at her causes a warm feeling in her chest. She never wants that feeling to go away.

When they finally reach their room, Finnick can't keep his hands off of his wife.

"Let me open the door!" Lilith playfully squeals as Finnick's hands trail up and down her waist.

She finally gets the door open and closes it behind them. Finnick is quick to place his lips onto hers. His hands go to her hair, cradling the side of her head. Lilith wraps her hands around the back of his neck, pulling him closer.

"You're perfect," Finnick murmurs against her lips. And for the first time, Lilith actually believes it.