Effie had explained to her parents her plans to marry Haymitch and live with him in the mountains. Shock was an understatement; Effie's parents were not expecting their daughter to marry, let alone marry a mountain man. And they did not like the idea of their daughter away from them. However they knew once Effie put her mind to something little could be done to persuade it. So they wished their daughter the best happiness until they would see her again next spring.
Haymitch and Effie stood in front of the parson in the old court house. They spoke their vows to one another. Once finished they ended the ceremony with a small kiss. It was a tight lipped kiss, and their first one, not to mention it was in front of Effie's parents and god. So Haymitch kept the kiss chased.
Both Haymitch and Effie said their goodbyes to the town and Effie's parents. Haymitch knew this would be hard for his new wife. But none the less was smitten with his new wife and the fact that he actually got himself a wife. The boys back home would be put in their places for not believing he could do it.
Haymitch helped Effie into the wagon to begin their long journey home.
Once in the wagon they waved goodbye to the townsfolk passing them. He gave a huge grin to the men looking at him in jealousy for he had got himself a price wife to be won.
Leaving town Effie gaped at the mountains in passing like she had never seen a mountain before.
"What's the matter?" Haymitch nudged Effie.
"I've never left this town before today."
"Well I suppose it is quite beautiful to look at… the mountains I mean. You will get sick of them once winter comes."
"I don't think that's possible"
"Well we'll see wont we?" Haymitch smiled
They traveled on for hours, and then went down a narrow mountain side. Haymitch explained to her that this mountain side was called The Pass. When Effie looked at him in question he then explained to her that it blocked out the town from the woods. She could hear the entire conversation being bounced of the mountain walls. Haymitch then proceeded to show off and smacked the horse's rear to get him to whinny. Then Effie heard the full power of the echo in the pass which was profoundly loud. She then smiled at him with excited and amused eyes.
Another hour passed without event and just as Effie was beginning to sag with fatigue Haymitch pointed out a wide log house ahead explaining to her that it was her new home. Effie's emotions switched fast once she saw for herself the house she could finally call her own.
Haymitch guided the horses to the back of the house where there was a barn outback. On the back porch which wrapped around the cabin was a tall man hunched over the railing. The man was tall broad with blonde hair and a full blonde beard to match. His mouth was agape staring at Haymitch with awe.
Before the man could speak Haymitch jumped from the cart with a hand extended to Effie. Effie gratefully took his hand and he guided her to the ground. Then turned to the man to in front.
"Effie I'd like you to meet Brutus; Brutus this is my wife Effie." Haymitch spoke with a grin. Brutus gave Haymitch disbelieving eyes but remains tight lipped.
"It's awfully nice to meet you Miss Effie" He took her hand and kissed it. Then Haymitch handed Brutus the reigns and told him to take the horses.
After Brutus was out of sight Effie looked to Haymitch and proceeded to ask if Brutus lived with them. Haymitch lowered his gaze and nodded to Effie. He then started to guide her into the house.
She walked up the porch steps and then walked behind Haymitch into the house. She assessed the room in which she was in she couldn't really tell what room it was supposed to be because it was covered in filth. Clothes strewn everywhere old dishes left out furniture thrown about.
"I know it don't look like much but with some cleaning it should be suitable for your taste." Effie nodded at this knowing full well that Haymitch expected Effie to clean the house. She was slightly disappointed but never the less nodded to Haymitch.
Haymitch walked to a corner of the room jostling another man awake.
"Hey wake up we got company" he said.
The man rose from the rocking chair and stared at Effie with wide eyes just like Brutus. He then ran around a corner and shouted.
"Rye, Marvel he done did it" the man hollered then two more men appeared from the back room.
Effie turned to Haymitch now very confused and growing irritated, she thought she had a house of her own. But was starting to realize her husband had let out a few details to her.
"This hears Finnick, Rye and Marvel" he told her shyly avoiding her eye contact.
"And where do Finnick, Rye and Marvel live?" Effie inquired looking at Haymitch with worry in her voice.
The boys all looked to Haymitch awaiting his answer they knew he hadn't told her yet.
"They live here they all share a room upstairs and I have my own room. They help out on the farm and all board here." He replied
Then in waltzed Brutus with two other boys.
"And that's Brutus whom you've met and Peeta and Cato." Haymitch just about had his head as low as it could get.
"Are there any more?" said Effie
"No that's all of um"
Effie was flabbergasted she knew all too well why Haymitch hadn't told her about the others they would be living with because who in their right mind would say yes to cooking and cleaning a house full of seven backwoodsmen. But she had been the sucker to fall for it she thought. She wasn't happy but she knew she would have to live with these men so she didn't want to start out her first day of being married with a fight, so she sucked it up.
"Well it's nice to meet you boys, but if you don't mind I'm feeling quite tired from the journey and would like to rest." The boys all nodded and smiled politely to her.
Haymitch then took her hand and showed her the way to his room and now hers as well. He offered her the bed and gave her an apologetic smile.
She smiled back sorrowfully to him and sat on the bed. She didn't know what to feel which made her all the more tired. She needed her rest and thought maybe once she woke up she would have a better idea of what to think.
Haymitch wished her a goodnight and closed the door for her. She then curled in a ball and found sleep quickly.
