A Thing Called Joy

A cold evening with cold grounds. Mariannes father was indeed resting at this time in the form of deep sleep so he had no idea the kitchen was just disvirgined. Both sweethearts lay on the kitchen floor, Marianne leaning her head on Peetas soft chests both covered in a piece of cloth. Both of them were tired at this point.

"I enjoyed that".. Marianne said calmly as she slid her slender fingers across his nipples.

"Marry me Marianne." This was an unexpected request from Peeta completely unforeseen by her.

Completely startled, Marianne adjusted up and had to be sure of what he said.

"What?" she said like she wanted to hear it again. The words made her body tingle.

"I want to be with you Marianne.."

"I love you and I want to be with you, always and forever."

At this point Peeta's face resembled that of a puppy that just lost its favorite bone. He looked at her with intent and complete sureness that he just said the right thing. All Marianne could do was in turn deliver an unexpected kiss. Tongues locked, Marianne released and responded; "But of course my love, I'll be yours forever."

Both of them embraced once more. Soon after they had to leave their kitchen fantasy and get back to everyone's common reality. Both dressed back up.

"Have you seen your mother yet?" Marianne asked whilst tying her apron.

"The twins said she went off to the market shortly before I returned." He said.

"Well perhaps she's back now, I suppose." said Marianne. Peeta's arms were wrapped around her waists for one last embrace for the night, looking at her eyeball to eyeball.

"Go and meet your family love, they're waiting for you."

"Beidh mé ar ais ar do shon." Peeta replied in his native tongue. Marianne always looked like a lost soul anytime he used his mother tongue on her and she showed it again in a funny look.

"You do this on purpose don't you!?" she said jokingly shoving him a bit.

"What does it mean Peeta!?." Marianne asked inquisitively.

Kissing her forehead softly he responded with; "I will tell you tomorrow." And with that he let go of her, leaving her in a state of happiness but slight inquisition on what he had said in Gaelic. The night had ended for her like she would always imagine.

Rhisa had come back from the village market a few hours ago. Being the caring mother she was, she was already setting the table for supper. The blabbering twins hadn't enlightened her on Peeta's return. As she wanted to share the meal equally for her family, the door creaked slightly. The twins had seem him earlier in the day so they were no longer surprised. It would seem they wanted their mother to experience that same state as well.

"Mother, look" Adrian said as Aden was washing his hands. She turned, slowly. And she saw her son. Immediately, Rhisa dropped her wooden pot spoon and ran to go hug her first born.

"..but you didn't tell me you were returning!!" she said.

"Oh ma, it was all impromptu"

"Nevertheless, I'm happy you're home. Welcome back my love"

Peeta went to take a bath in the tub and prepared to join them for supper. There was one more person who was unaware of his sudden return to home. His father, Mikael.

And as he stepped on to the food table to join his family, Mikael stepped in. Literally looking down all tired and sweaty from his look. He also not aware of Peeta's return. As he turned to close the door behind him, Peeta made his presence known in a sober way. It was the first time he had been away from his family and his family away from him so these feelings had not been experienced by any before.

"Father." Peeta called out to him in a gentle way.

He turned, like he heard a familiar voice which had become unfamiliar due to his absence for a year.

"You're home." Mikael said soberly. Like he wanted to cry. The man was always strict with Peeta but that was not the case now. He had missed his son and he evidently showed it from his countenance. Mikael walked up to an already standing Peeta and gave him a fatherly hug forgetting his sweaty and dirty body.

"Oh forgive me son. I must go freshen up" Mikael lightly joked. Everyone inside looked at the two men smiling. There was closure at home. The environment had felt more comfortable than it had been in a while. Soon after Mikael went on to to bathe. The family waited for him to join them at the table. Everyone was in glittery smiles, and they all had dinner together; each of them simultaneously experiencing a thing called joy. Peeta went to sleep with thoughts of Marianne. Marianne was already asleep dreaming of a family with Peeta. A happy day it was for everyone.