As Katniss and Gale entered Victor's Village, they were greeted by someone calling to them and waving. "HEY! HEY! GALE! IT'S TURKEY DAY!" Haymitch called stumbling out of his house before drinking out of a bottle. "HEY, SWEETHEART!"
"The party's at four, Haymitch!" Katniss called. "I'll come get you!" Haymitch sat on the porch singing a traditional Harvest Festival song making up crude words about the Capitol as he finished his bottle and opened another one.
"KATNISS!" Prim called as she flung open the door.
"Prim! Get Buttercup out of my face!" Katniss yelped as Prim was making her cat wave at Katniss.
"Oooh, good, you got a turkey!" Mrs. Everdeen said smiling.
"I'll put it in the oven." Gale said. Katniss and Prim talked while cutting vegetables and making the side dishes for the party.
"Why don't you hang out with the Hawthornes in the back yard." Katniss said spotting Rory looking into the kitchen windows periodically. "I can help Mom." Prim grinned and washed her hands before going into the large new back yard.
"Well, we just need to wait for Peeta's family." Mrs. Everdeen said. Katniss nodded and gave her mother a rare hug.
"Thanks for letting us host this Harvest Festival, mom." Katniss said.
"Well, it's your house, dear." Mrs. Everdeen said. Katniss nodded before going outside. Posy was petting Lady who was grazing on some grass and Vic was building something out of sticks and leaves. Hazelle was relaxing on the porch watching her kids.
"PRIMROSE EVERDEEN!" Katniss yelled spotting a bush rustling.
"Katniss!" Prim yelped as her sister used her hunting knife and hacked away at some branches in a bush.
"Oh, I thought they were looking for berries back there." Hazelle called.
"Just make-out berries! GET OFF OF RORY AND GET OUT OF THERE NOW!" Katniss yelled at a very embarrassed Prim who scampered out from behind the bush.
"Sorry." Rory muttered before hurrying inside.
"I'm glad you were there for Prim during my - during the Games, just - no making out with my sister, ok, kid?" Katniss asked before ruffling Rory's hair.
"Eeeeeew! You were kissing!" Vic teased before he was tackled to the ground and given a sound wet-willie. "AAAAH! RORY! STOOOOOOOP!"
At four, Katniss and Peeta trooped over to Haymitch's house to collect him for the party. Peeta had come over to Katniss' house around 3:45. As usual, Haymitch was at the dining room table sleeping with an empty bottle next to him. "Ready?" Peeta asked filling a bucket of ice-water.
"I got your back." Katniss said standing a bit to the side of Peeta. Peeta tossed the ice-water on Haymitch before backing away a healthy distance. Predictably Haymitch woke up yelling and waving his knife.
"AAAAAAAAAAAH! WHAT THE HELL! WHAT THE SNOW - oh." He stared bleary-eyed at Katniss and Peeta.
"Turkey at my house." Katniss explained.
"Mmmkay." Haymitch muttered before going next-door.
"Are your parents coming, dear?" Hazelle asked Peeta.
"No, Mrs. Hawthorne. They would rather eat at home. Dad let me come over to be with Katniss." Peeta explained before he and Gale heaved the turkey from the oven. Gale began carving the turkey as Peeta cut the bread. They both wanted to impress Katniss with their skills.
"Why don't you sit down, Katniss. We'll take care of everything." Peeta said giving Gale a look that plainly said: It's on.
"Thank you, boys." Mrs. Everdeen said not used to being waited on. Haymitch sat at the table and sipped out of his flask. Hazelle got Posy, Vic, and Rory settled before sitting down herself. Prim sat next to Katniss.
"Here is some bread to get started." Peeta said placing a basket of freshly cut and baked bread on the table. "Made from the best flour with a subtle hint of spices for Harvest Festival. I also made the pumpkin pie later which is for desert."
"I hunted this turkey." Gale said appearing in the dining room with the turkey. Once again, his shirt had disappeared so his muscles as well as the turkey looked plump and juicy. "Just this morning. So, fresh game. Cut by an experienced hunter so you get the best slices." He set the turkey in front of Katniss.
"What do you think?" Peeta asked resting his arms on the back of Katniss' chair as she stared at the bread and turkey.
"If you could chose bread. Or meat." Gale added.
"Oh, I don't know." Katniss sighed. "Oh, I've never had to make this decision ever in my life." She whispered as tears came to her eyes. "Oh. Fine." she huffed before grabbing several slices of bread and tearing a drumstick from the turkey. She alternated between taking bites of bread and bites of meat. "Mmmmmmmm! This food is sooooo good!" Gale and Peeta exchanged glances.
"She didn't choose you." Gale muttered.
"She didn't choose you either." Peeta replied before Katniss burped and then excused herself while Prim giggled.
"No." Prim spoke up knowing exactly what the boys were up to. "She just chose food."
After Gale and Peeta sat down, everyone began chatting excitedly as the platters of food made their rounds. Katniss grinned as she piled her plate high with vegetables, meat, and bread that were homecooked by people she loved. She was grateful for everyone around the table, and she was grateful that tonight, none of them would go to sleep hungry.