Prologue

Surrender to what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be.
-Sonia Ricotti

It is five years after the war and the sun is kissing the horizon and mixing with warm tones of pink and oranges and cool ones of blues and purples, creating the allusion of dusk when we settle down for the special announcement that Effie called to tell us about. Haymitch and Peeta sit on either side of me, each as disinterested as I am to see what this oh-so important broadcast is about.

The new Panem seal – my mockingjay pin – displays on our screen, the anthem blares and a smartly dressed Plutarch Heavensbee walks onto stage, a rosy-cheeked Effie on his arm and a bouncing baby in her arms. I almost gag at how quickly those two settled down after the war, but when the baby is on camera I can't help but notice how adorable the little cherub is, with shining cognac eyes and blonde curls that are piled atop her head under a fur hat.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. As you probably are aware of, population is critical after the war," Plutarch begins, looking out on the crowd of people that have gathered in the Capitol circle. "The war had a lot of casualties, and our species decreased ten-fold during that rebellion, not to mention our economy is staggering greatly. Now, I'm not going to tell you sugar-coated lies about what we're trying to do here. To boost our economy and population, fertile women and men eighteen years of age and over will be paired together based on personalities effective immediately. Infertile women and men will be put together to raise and nurture orphaned children into health, to prevent the orphanages from becoming too full. Every family must have a minimum of two children in the first ten years of their marriage but to prevent overpopulation must have a maximum of six. Two orphaned children will be automatically assigned to infertile couples. You may choose your spouse, as long as it is done before October the fifth. As you see, I have fulfilled my duties and plan to keep fulfilling them to pull my weight. Please remember, this is for Panem today, Panem tomorrow and Panem forever. Thank you." The anthem plays – the hanging tree is our new national anthem, my hoarse and raspy voice blasting over the speakers – while Plutarch and Effie share a sweet kiss and wave to the cameras.

"Sick," Haymitch murmurs, turning off the television once one of Caesar's broadcasts of the latest outfits begins to flicker on. "Effie shouldn't have wound up with him." There is a pang of jealousy in Haymitch's voice and I pity him. He really loved Effie, but she turned him down because of the vast differences between them. He even tried sobriety for her, and she hurt him anyways.

"I think they're cute," Peeta hums, looking up from his sketchbook. Glancing down, I see that it is our new seal with a black background. Roughly, behind my pin is Haymitch and I, me with a bow and Haymitch with a bottle. It's creepily accurate. "So what does this mean for you, Abernathy?"

"Oi vey, I'm not sure kid," The older man grunts, taking a long drink from his bottle. "What does it mean for you is the better question."

"What do you mean?" I ask, raising my eyebrow. "We were together through the war, through everything. They can't… they won't separate us," I correct. Peeta agrees with me eagerly. If I'm being forced to have children, I want to have them with Peeta. It's the only person I'll willingly have them with anyway. Haymitch, however chuckles from beside me.

"They said based off of personality and fertility. You two couldn't be the same if you were twins, not to mention that you are infertile from your… ah…treatment during the war and sweetheart here is able to bear child," he points out. My eyes float to Peeta's who cheeks have reddened considerably. He never told me about his infertility, yet he was always talking about having children. Maybe he didn't know.

"No…" I whisper, my hands flying to my mouth as what Haymitch is attempting to explain hits me in my mouth. This couldn't be happening. I didn't want to have kids in the first place, yet alone with some stranger. Peeta's hand tries to find mine, but I stand and move away from him, my breaths becoming labored and heavy. No… no I couldn't get shacked up with some sleaze or some asshole… because if they're doing this off of personality, that's just what I was. A real asshole.

"There's no way they're going to waste Katniss' perfect ability to have a kid because you love each other," Haymitch grunts, sipping from his bottle of whiskey.

"And you, Haymitch?" I ask, more so to get my mind off of my fate than out of genuine curiosity. "What about you?"

"I would have been with Effie," he sighs, the jealous twang creeping back into his voice. "But she's in the same situation you're in. She was born with a narrow uterus, she can't have kids. Plutarch can't either; he is unable to produce semen for some… odd reason. I however, am fully functional."

"How do you know about all of this?" I ask him.

"People pass me off as the drunk, I get to quietly observe. I can tell you Gale already married off to an ex-Victor from District 1 named Allura. She and Gale have been dating since they met in District 13 a short time after the rebellion ended. Planning to get married, she's already knocked up anyway."

"What about Annie and Johanna?" Peeta asks worriedly. Maybe he could settle with one of them so he wouldn't be married off to some woman he didn't know.

"They're somewhat of a couple anyways. Johanna is generally helping Annie raise little Finley, and she's basically a rendition of Finnick as well, helping Annie with her flashbacks and nightmares. I'm sure the only thing they'll be forced into is two orphaned children, they already have one."

"Beetee?" I try, chewing my nails.

"Infertile. He'll be set up with someone," Haymitch shrugs. "Don't ask about your mother. She'll be pardoned considering she already had two children. If anything, they'll just ask her to adopt." He puts his hand up before I can ask and my mouth clamps shut. I can think of no one else right now that may just be pardoned, except…

"Paylor?"

"Mmm… Paylor… I'm not quite sure. She'll most likely go through with it too, to show that she stands behind the law," Haymitch pushes himself off the couch, brushing the dark strands of hair from his eyes. "I might get stuck with Hazelle, she's the only person I think of that is still able to have children but she's pardoned because she had what… five of 'em? Not anyone else."

"Except…" Peeta stands, tapping his pencil against his chin. "Except of course, Katniss."

"What?" I ask, at the same time Haymitch says, "No."

"Wait, think about it. When it comes to personality, you're exactly alike. You were able to communicate through the Games with lack of water and a tin of soup. If you can do that, your compatibility is commendable. And you both are fertile. I trust you with Katniss, Haymitch. I know you won't force her into anything she doesn't want."

"Peeta-" I start.

"I'm twice her age, boy," Haymitch interrupts. "Not to mention I was called the heart breaker for ten years after I won. You really trust me?"

"And he's… handsome! In that rugged, sort of really dirty… bad guy way… you can't possible trust him with me. I don't think I'll be able to control myself," I sigh. I'll do anything to get Peeta to see sense at this point, but the painter won't back down.

"That was weak, Katniss. Look, if you shack up with some freak he might not let you visit me or Haymitch, knowing our history. Haymitch will allow us to be together."

"I'm sure infidelities are punishable by death here in 12," Haymitch points out tiredly. "I'm not letting you two be stupid and get executed because you want to screw around."

"That's not what I mean! I mean, at least I'll be able to see you. At least I'll be able to be around you, Katniss. I'd rather Haymitch. Please, you guys. Agree with me?"

"I don't know…" I trail off, pulling my bottom lip between my teeth. Haymitch stands drunkenly, running a hand over his face.

"Fine boy, you win. You two have your last few nights together, and invite your mommy, sweetheart, we're getting married," he grunts, before marching out of the house and slamming the door behind him.


I've seen quite a few stories about a law that forces two people to marry and have kids for a baby boom. It's happened in different fandoms with different pairings, but I wanted to try this for myself. If you really like it, it'll become a full-fledged Aberdeen story. It's going to be pretty slow-burn though. So leave an R&R with your thoughts. Over and out.