7.

Keeping in mind that she had an indoor pool, Haymitch should have expected it but somehow it still blew him away.

Effie Trinket didn't live in a house.

She lived in a mansion.

Even Katniss gaped as she climbed out of the car.

It was modern, exactly the kind of things he hated, and he had had no clue that this sort of houses existed in the back end of Virginia. It looked as if it had been directly transplanted from L.A. It was geometric, huge white squares piled together in a precarious balance, with enormous bay windows that probably weren't hiding much at night when all lights were on – it was lucky the house was a little out of town and there were no immediate neighbors – the garden was perfect down to a T and he was certain she had a team of gardeners to tend it. It looked futuristic, a little ridiculous and completely crazy. It was out of this world.

It was absolutely Effie Trinket.

Katniss craned her neck to take everything in as they walked to the front porch. Haymitch was starting to feel out of place and uncomfortable by the time they actually reached it. If a butler opened it, he mused, that would be the last straw that would send him running.

It was Cinna who opened the door though, wearing only jeans hanging low on red swim trunks. His eyeliner was silver today, the diamond earring was still there and there was a huge spiraling gold tattoo on his right pectoral.

"Katniss." he greeted the kid with a grin. "Peeta has been asking for you."

"Uncle Haymitch got lost." Katniss sighed as if it was all a great inconvenience.

Haymitch shook the hand Cinna offered. "Effie's directions weren't exactly clear."

"She never is." the man teased. "Come on, the party is next to the pool."

He led them through a maze of rooms and corridors. The house was huge, white, modern and spotless. It almost looked uninhabited and Haymitch hated the feel of it. The furniture looked uncomfortable, the paintings on the walls – he had no doubts were originals – were intimidating, the big rooms with their minimalist interior decoration felt empty... How could she live in there all alone? His house was a respectable size but it was by no mean huge and he used to feel lost in it before Katniss moved in. Peeta wasn't living with her full time. How did she cope?

The pool room – another eccentricity that still had him stunned when he really thought about it – wasn't as large as he had started to fear it would be. The pool was a decent size but not too long or too wide, yet it still seemed full with all the people laughing and splashing in it. The bay windows ran from floor to ceiling all around the room making it seem as if they were actually outside. There were white comfy looking chairs spread all around the pool – he had a feeling they wouldn't remain white too long – small potted trees and a table covered with fluffy towels. The hot tub was tucked in a corner between a wall and a bay window.

He spotted Jo and two other kids he didn't know yet playing with a ball, wrapped in some towels. Finnick and Annie were in the water, looking as if they hardly needed the water wings keeping them afloat. Two other unknown kids were splashing next to them, also looking quite at ease in the pool which made Haymitch wonder if all those kids were taking swimming lessons. And then, there was Peeta who was sitting on the steps leading down the pool and didn't seem to particularly enjoy his party.

There were three adults in the water with the kids. Mags and Blight who waved at him in greeting and a woman with purple hair and a diamond earring that matched Cinna's. She walked out of the water as soon as she saw them and he made an effort not to ogle what the swimming suit wasn't really hiding.

"Oh, is this Haymitch?" she grinned, studying him up and down and circling him to Cinna's obvious amusement. "We won't make a model out of him but I must say I see the appeal."

Haymitch couldn't help but smirk.

"You're Portia." he deduced.

"I'm Portia." she confirmed. "Break my best friend's heart and I will break your nose."

This was delivered with a sweet smile but there was a dangerous glint in her eyes. It was hard to take her seriously because the top of her head barely reached his shoulder but tiny didn't always mean harmless and he was quick in changing the topic, discreetly nodding to Mags. "Is that safe?"

The old woman had looked frail the few times he had seen her.

"Oh, she spent her whole life in water!" Portia answered, waving away his concerns to crouch in front of Katniss. "And you must be the infamous Katniss. I heard a lot about you. Did you like the dress Cinna found for you?" Katniss nodded, reaching for Haymitch's hand, a little overwhelmed by the whirlwind that was Portia – definitely Effie's friend. The woman smiled wider. "You must bring her back to the store, Haymitch. Cinna only showed her his collection but I'm sure I can find some gems for her."

"Yeah. Okay." he granted, if only to convince the woman to leave them some breathing space. "Where's Effie?"

He didn't see her anywhere.

Unfortunately, before Cinna or Portia could answer, Peeta spotted them.

"Katniss!" he squeaked with delight. "Haymitch!"

The boy moved as if to stand up, completely forgetting about his leg – his missing leg – and ended up falling in the water. The water wings did their job though and he laughed at his own clumsiness. When Haymitch and Katniss came near enough he outstretched his hand so one of them would pull him near the edge of the pool again. Out of the corner of his eyes, Haymitch saw Portia going back in the water and Cinna walking to where the kids were playing with the ball.

Katniss was already undressing – and thank god he had had the presence of mind to tell her to put her swimming suit before leaving the house or she would have given everyone a show.

"Happy birthday, buddy." He ruffled Peeta's hair.

"Thank you." the boy answered. His grin wasn't as wide as usual though and he looked entirely too subdued.

"What's wrong?" he frowned. "You're not enjoying the party?"

Peeta shrugged. "My Daddy made me a castle cake."

"A castle?" Katniss wrinkled her nose. "Why a castle?"

Peeta shrugged again.

"Castles are cool." Haymitch cut in, trying to put a positive spin on it. "Look, your aunt practically live in one."

"Daddy said he would come to the party." Peeta continued. "But he didn't stay. Auntie said he had to work."

The kid looked completely dejected. Haymitch had never met his parents but he already hated them. "Too bad. He's going to miss all the fun."

"Auntie said we're going to take a lot of pictures to show him later." Peeta answered. "I don't think he'll want to look. I don't think my Daddy loves me very much. He loves Gary, Rye and Sal better 'cause they're grown-ups."

Haymitch hesitated, not sure what to say to comfort the boy but Katniss stomped her foot, finally down to her swimming suit.

"Then he's an idiot." she declared with all the authority of her four years of life before jumping in the pool to wrap her arms around the boy's neck. "I love you."

Peeta beamed and hugged her back. His smile was so bright, it was like Katniss had just presented him with the moon and stars on a plate…

Haymitch loathed to interrupt but he still insisted that his niece put on the water wings. That was a conundrum because she repeated she didn't need them – and she didn't seem to need them – but Finnick argued that he didn't need his either and it turned into a huge debate over who was the best swimmer. Peeta didn't look gloomy anymore, Haymitch was treated with a huge hug despite the fact that the boy was dripping wet. When the kid went back to play with the others, Blight discreetly signaled Haymitch he would keep an eye on his sulking niece, so he went in search of Effie.

Without a guide, the house looked ever larger. And that was just the ground floor, he didn't want to imagine what the first floor was like. He managed to find the living-room and, from there, it was mostly an open space that gave into a dining-room and the kitchen. Effie had her back to the room, facing the counter, and was muttering under her breath.

The table was covered with colorful plates, some with little sandwiches and some full of candies. Haymitch was quiet and she wasn't exactly paying attention. She startled when he wrapped his arms around her waist but soon relaxed into his chest.

"You are late." she accused. "Poor show of manners."

He dropped a kiss at the juncture between her neck and her shoulder. "That thing you're wearing? Not helping me keep my hands to myself, sweetheart." Could they even call that a bikini? It was blue, sparkling and not covering much skin. And she was wearing it really well. "You're sure you can wear that with kids around?" He growled in annoyance when he recalled who else was in the pool room and nipped at the spot he had just kissed. "You're going to give Blight and Cinna a boner."

"Cinna is a stylist and I used to work for him. He saw everything there is to see already and I can assure you he is not interested. Beside, Portia would kill him." she chuckled. "As for Blight... I am sure he is a gentleman."

"I'm sure you're too hot for anyone to be a gentleman." he grumbled.

She turned her head to kiss him properly, coiling a hand around his nape. "Why are you wet?"

"Isn't that my line?" he smirked.

Her eyes widened and she batted at his arm, unable to keep the laughter out of her voice. "Shocking!" She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, inspecting the front of his damp shirt while she was at it. "One of the kids hugged you, didn't they?"

"Your kid." he snorted. "He's a hugger."

"Yes, he is." she hummed with a fond smile. "You should take this off. You brought your swimming suit, didn't you?"

He averted his eyes. "I'm not going in that pool if I don't have to."

"Why?" she frowned. "You do know how to swim, yes?"

He rolled his eyes. "I was in special ops, sweetheart, that's basically a requirement."

"Then why would you..." she insisted, obviously confused.

"I have scars that aren't so pretty." he cut her off. "I think the kids could do without seeing them. I don't want a repeat of the awkward fifteen minutes long conversation with Katniss about them."

Chaff had his stump, he had a particularly ugly scar running down his right side from where he had almost been gutted. It was still swollen after all those years, still angry looking and definitely not kid friendly. And that was without mentioning all the other smaller but no less ugly white lines marring his chest. Fun memories.

"Oh." Effie breathed out, leaning in to place a soft gentle kiss on his mouth. "I am sorry."

He didn't know if she was sorry about the scars or about bringing them up. He shrugged. "So what are you doing hiding in here?" He looked at the plates covered with food – entirely too many. "You did all that yourself?"

She actually laughed at him. "Please. Do I look like I can cook? That's what catering is for. I do wish they had made an effort on presentation though. I have been trying to arrange everything in a prettier way."

Always the perfectionist.

He sat at the kitchen table and watch her ponder over the terrible decision of choosing to place cucumber sandwiches – he was certain no kid would touch – with the mini-pizzas or on a separate plate entirely. The thing was, she was half naked and gorgeous and he could probably have watched her all day long. He had a good view from where he was sitting.

"You really live here?" he asked, after a few minutes. "'Cause this place..."

"The house is amazing, isn't it?" she beamed before he could finish his thought. "I had it built from scratch. I love it."

He was starting to know her well and her voice was too cheerful, forced.

"Bullshit." he accused.

"Language." she rebuked him automatically. "It is a little big for one person. I was used to my mansion in Los Angeles, I was afraid a country house would never do. I had not anticipated I wouldn't throw as many parties as I used to."

"How long have you been here?" he asked, curious.

"Oh, a little over two years now..." she answered distractedly, finally deciding the cucumber sandwiches deserved a plate of their own. "I was not planning on staying here full-time at first but... Life does not always turn out like you expect it, I suppose."

"Tell me about it." he snorted.

She placed the two plates on the table and grabbed a piece of cloth forgotten on a chair. It was blue and matching her bikini. She expertly wrapped it around herself making him think the whole swimming suit thing had been for his benefit only.

"Peeta was bummed his father didn't show." he commented. "What's the deal with that?"

"It is a long and complicated story." she sighed. "Dylan is not a bad man, you know. He wanted to be here but Liddy decided he had to open the bakery and so he had to open the bakery."

Liddy was Peeta's mother, he figured.

"And you can't stand Liddy." he clarified. "And she can't stand you. How did you even end up being the kid's godmother? His father was an old boyfriend or something?"

"Not at all." She made a face that indicated clearly that would never had happened in a million year. "Our fathers knew each other quite well and my father is a successful businessman, I was still a big name in the fashion industry at the time and Liddy has always been greedy about money. Peeta was not exactly planned as you figured out. She was forty-four when she had him. By the time she understood she was pregnant it was too late to terminate or I have no doubt she would have done it in a heartbeat. She thought they might at least get something out of it and that having a rich godmother was one step toward it."

He lifted his eyebrows, not exactly surprised. "Nice people."

"Dylan is not so bad." she insisted, looking over her shoulder to make sure they were alone and no one would hear. "I did not take a huge interest at first. I accepted to be his godmother because I had some fond childhood memories with Dylan but that was the extent of my implication in Peeta's first years of life. I sent gifts for his birthday and Christmas or whenever the fancy took but I do not think I was quite what Liddy hoped for. It changed when..."

Her voice trailed off and she went to get herself a glass of water. She offered him one but he declined, watching with a small frown as her hands shook slightly.

"I do not want to say it was neglect." she continued, her voice harsh. "But Liddy did not want him. I can understand to some extent, she already had three children and they were all adults or almost there. Sal was fourteen but he is an independent boy. She didn't want a baby, she didn't take care of him as she ought to, she still doesn't."

"This has to do with the leg?" he asked.

He had been wondering about that, he must admit.

"He was almost three and he was in the bakery's kitchen by himself. She claimed she only left him there for a second to take care of a customer. I do not understand how a three years old can open an oven but I supposed it can happen. He was hungry and he wanted some bread. Something fell, I don't know the particulars, and it burned his calf. They treated it at home, Dylan is used to getting burnt while he works." she explained. "It festered. They took too long to get him to the hospital."

"How do they still have custody?" he scowled.

Although how did he get custody over Katniss? Child services were sloppy in this area. With the mines so close and the cave-ins so regular, there were too many orphans as it was to go around and take more on their hands.

"They claimed they didn't realize how serious it was. They said Peeta didn't complain. That tells you everything you need to know, if you ask me." she hissed, placing the glass down so violently he was surprised it didn't shatter. "At that point, Dylan called me. The hospital here isn't exactly on point and they were talking about amputation, he knew I had contacts and he was hoping I could recommend a doctor. I had Peeta transferred to the best hospital I could find naturaaly, I got him the best doctors, but that wasn't enough to save his leg. Can you believe I had never met him before?" A small smile graced her lips. "When I saw him, I fell in love. I know it sounds..."

"No, I get it." he promised.

When Buttercup had pushed his head out of Katniss' bag and she had shoved the cat back in, he had known. Maybe he hadn't realized it at once but he had known the kids was his and biology had nothing to do in the matter.

"Yes." she whispered. "Yes, I believe you do."

"What happened next?" he prompted.

She gave a tiny shrug. "You can imagine that if Liddy wasn't thrilled with a toddler, she was even less thrilled with a toddler who couldn't walk anymore. And the hospital bills were heavy, she wasn't thrilled by that either. I took care of it. I took care of giving him the best medical care I could find. Dylan wouldn't have let me, I think, but Liddy was only too happy to take whatever money I wanted to give. I did not care as long as I could spend time with Peeta, he was such an amazing child even then. I wrote them checks. Not all of them went to Peeta." She leaned back against the counter, keeping her eyes riveted to the floor. "I wasn't in a great place myself at the time. I was growing old, my career was quickly going down the drain, I was doing too much partying and things I am not exactly proud of that always ended up on the front of gossip magazines..."

"That's a good point to say I've no idea who you are?" he joked.

"That is not actually a bad thing." she declared, crossing the short distance between them to sit on his lap. Another thing he would probably have denied anyone else because they weren't sixteen and it was ridiculous. He brushed her hair out of her face. It was loose today and he loved it like that, all curls. Their eyes locked. "Peeta gave me a purpose. I wanted to move closer to him because it was so obvious Dylan was completely under Liddy's thumb and Liddy couldn't care less about the boy. He needed me and... It was time for a change anyway. Cinna and Portia were tired of working for big names who never looked at their work. They are my best friends, the best friends anyone could ask for. We all moved here, opened a store, designed our own clothes, launched our own brand which works tolerably well for a small town... And I suppose you know the rest."

"Peeta's scared his mother won't let you see him anymore." he told her.

She pursed her lips with annoyance. "Yes, she sometimes remembers she is his mother and resents me taking such an important place in his life. I would sympathize and keep my distances if she wasn't so... She would never hit him, not with me keeping such a close watch. But she screams at him, she becomes hysterical and she is mean. She is not a good mother, Haymitch. I am not trying to steal her child. She is just not a good mother to Peeta and I want to protect him."

He wondered if that woman had actually called her that to her face. Child stealer.

She shook her head. "She threatens me all the time but won't do anything anyway. She hates me but she loves my money."

"And his dad just lets his wife do what she wants?" he frowned.

"He is not a very brave man." She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. "He loves Peeta though. But in an aloof way. He wasn't ready to be a father again either. I have seen them with their three older boys, you know, and they are so different... I don't know what Peeta did to deserve less than their love. He is such a good boy..."

"He's great." Haymitch offered. "You did a good job." She hummed in a dismissive way, not willing to take credit where it was due. He tilted her chin up. "You did a good job, sweetheart." He brushed his lips against hers.

"That stubble itches." she teased. "Don't you ever shave?"

"I'll scratch that itch for you." he smirked.

She chuckled. "That was terrible. Your innuendoes need some work."

"I'm the king of innuendoes." he protested.

Someone cleared their throat and they startled guiltily. Portia stood there, wrapped in a white towel with an amused smile on her lips.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, mainly because I know how long it's been since Effie got laid, but your kid just tried to drown Marvel, Haymitch." the stylist declared.

"Portia." Effie snapped.

"What's Marvel?" he frowned. It wasn't like Katniss to push an animal in the pool. And he hadn't known Effie had any pet.

"Marvel is a boy." Effie sighed, getting off his lap to go back to arranging plates. "Not the nicest but you should see his mother. Her name is Cashmere. Weird family if you ask me. They all have odd names."

Still…

It seemed extreme to try to drown a boy for that.


To be continued... What did Marvel do? :p If you're interested I put a picture of the house that inspired me for Effie's on the tumblr post. Peeta's backstory is unlocked! Let me know what you think!