Effie rolled over and grabbed the alarm clock and stared at it incredulously. It hadn't gone off. Panic struck deep in her stomach and she shot up. It was nearly noon, "Haymitch!" She huffed and threw the covers off. "Haymitch, we're late! Get up!"
Haymitch cursed and sat up, "No.. Eff… Get back in bed, you're out of commission for two more days."
Effie put her hands on her hips at stared at him. "What?" She muttered. There was no way she was off of her duties for two days.
"Bed rest, sweetheart. Get your ass back here and lay down." He covered his face with a pillow and patted the spot next to him.
Effie's stomach turned. It wasn't just an awful dream. "No.." She whimpered and brushed her fingers through her hair. She ran her hand across her stomach and felt flushed. Effie clapped her hand over her mouth as she felt bile rise up her throat. The slamming of the bathroom door startled Haymitch and he sat up again.
He fumbled for the remote for the tv in her room and turned it on to check on the kids. Katniss was high up in a tree tending to the nasty burn. He flinched and grabbed Effie's tablet, too lazy to go back to his room and find his. He heard her start the shower. With her on bed rest even if she failed to accept it, he had work to do. He had to get Katniss medicine for the burn. She stood a chance to win, and he'd be damned if that burn got in her way.
After exhausting all the sponsorship money they had collected for the tributes this year for a small jar of medicine, Haymitch begrudgingly scheduled meetings. He loathed talking to rich Capitol citizens who liked to funnel money towards the games. It made him sick, but now… His tribute stood a chance. It had lit a fire in him. Haymitch smiled as a notification popped up on the screen. A gamemaker had approved the sponsorship item.
He called in a request for food more so for Effie. He could eat later once she was situated. He tossed the tablet aside and went into the bathroom.
"What's wrong?" He asked quickly spotting her crouched over the toilet in a towel fresh out of the shower.
Effie looked up at him blearily and scowled. "Morning sickness.."
He gently helped her up, "You'll feel better once you're back in bed." He noted and brushed a piece of hair away from her face.
"I'm fine.. There's work to do. Honestly I slept for like 12 hours." Effie rested her head against his chest.
Haymitch could see the gears turning in her head. She was trying to talk her way out of being stuck in bed all day. "Not buying it princess." He kissed the top of her head and wheeled her around and pointed her toward the door. "Go get comfy clothes and get back in bed."
Effie opened her mouth to protest, "Haymitch…"
"No." He said shortly and pointed to her dresser.
Effie rolled her eyes and pushed past him. She changed into wildly patterned leggings and a black shirt. She knotted her hair in a messy bun and walked past him and grabbed her tablet. Haymitch was no stranger to her mood swings but now they seemed more common.
"No work." He pointed out and took the tablet from her hands before she could even react.
Effie snapped, "What can I do then to occupy myself, hmm? You can't make me stay here! Prisoners have more freedom than this!" As soon as she said it her hands clapped over her lips and her eyes widened with tears.
Haymitch stepped toward her seeing the tears and worrying slightly if he should call the doctor.
Effie brushed the tears off her cheeks and looked at the ground. Thinking to herself that this was what it must be like to lose her mind. "I didn't..." she stammered. "I didn't mean that… I'm sorry.. I'm losing my mind."
He gently held her shoulders, "I know." He answered, "You're upset, but really Eff, you've gotta do what the doctor says. Two days of rest."
Haymitch glanced back as the door opened after a quick knock. The food he ordered for Effie had arrived. He watched Effie peek at the food and her expression changed. "Hungry?" He asked quietly.
Effie's mouth watered at the sight of the fresh fruit, toast and eggs. "Yes."
"Go sit." He murmured and took the tray from the avox. He set it down and took the coffee off that he had ordered. Momentarily his hand hovered over the orange juice he got for Effie. He knew that Effie would be pissed at him for this but it was really for her own good. He dumped a half dose of sleep syrup into the drink and brought it to her.
Effie had curled up in bed and eagerly took the tray and started eating. Haymitch glanced at the clock then the tv which was tracking a few other tributes. Effie was deep in concentration, eating and watching the show. As she sipped the juice she hadn't paused to note how uncharacteristically sweet it was.
"Eff, I've got some stuff to do for the kids. I'll be back in a little bit to check on you." He downed his coffee in a few gulps.
Effie yawned and took another sip as she finished her meal. She stared at the glass and yawned again. He took her food tray away and let her finish the juice. Slowly it clicked and Effie set the glass down with a heavy thud.
"Seriously, Haymitch!" She fought to keep her eyes open. "You're cruel! Totally uncalled for you bastard."
He leaned over to sort of tuck her in as she scooted down into the covers, "You can't be trusted. We both know you would have left the room the moments after I did." He kissed her temple and stood up.
"Go'way.." Effie mumbled and gave into sleeping.
He could handle her later when she had properly cooled off. Perhaps he'd need to sleep in his own room for the next two nights. Effie seemed rightly upset over it, but what she wouldn't get was that he did it because he cared. Effie was going to work herself into permanent bed rest or something awful like losing the baby. He walked down to his room to shower, wondering slightly if that was what she wanted. Or did she want the baby? He couldn't get a read on her or the emotional hell storm that she had summoned up during the morning.
*So what do you all think? Does Effie want the baby or not? Let me know what your thinking! Get ready for Effie to let Haymitch have it for his little trick!
