A/N: I should explain the back-story here. Basically, after the rebellion in this story, Haymitch leaves Effie because he feels it is what is best for her. After a while, she settles for an evil, abusive man named Magnus, but always wanted Haymitch. And now, here we are about 3 years later at Katniss and Peeta's wedding in District 12. I needed to explain that because I'm too lazy to finish the series that would explain it. So I've skipped everything in the middle, and here's this chapter. Basically how they end up back together in my story.

-Ellie.

I sit down at a table out of the way of the main party. Magnus has excused himself to talk to Plutarch and some other Capitol officials, so I just sit here, sipping wine, enjoying the beautifully decorated meadow and minding my own business. It was a beautiful wedding. Katniss looked so beautiful and Peeta looked handsome – even more so than usual. It was an honor to be asked to be Katniss' maid of honor, as well as wedding planner. Of course, I would never have said no. These children are my darlings – even if they are no longer children, I will always consider them my own. It hurt seeing Haymitch after so long. It's been years – 3 painful years since he left me. After that, I settled. Magnus had pestered me practically non-stop, so I caved and said yes. I don't think I'll ever marry him, but I suppose if he asks me I will have no choice but agree. I've seen the consequences of declining him one too many times.

"Hey Effie." I look up to see Haymitch - looking handsome in his sharp, well-fitted black suit - looking down at me and smiling nervously.

"Oh, Haymitch. Hello."

"Can I sit?"

"Yes. Of course." He takes a seat next to me at the small round table.

"So how's life? How are you?"

"Life? Um… Fine, I guess. I get by. How have you been doing?"

"I'm alright. Lonely. Miserable. The usual."

"Drinking?"

"Not as much. It doesn't work. I've been making things." He hesitates for a moment. "Hey can I show you something?"

"Uh… Yes, I suppose so."

"Come with me?"

"Okay." He stands and holds out his hand, which I take and walk with him to his house. He opens the door and stands aside nervously as I walk through, taking in my surroundings. His house is clean, and the smell of alcohol and filth is gone. It smells clean, like fresh linen, but with the unmistakable smell of pine. It smells like him. I get the urge to stay. It feels like it could be home.

"You've cleaned up." I smile at him and he gives me a weak smile in return.

"Yeah. I got a housekeeper before the war and got used to it being clean. My old housekeeper was Gale's mom, Hazelle, but they've gone to District 2. I keep it up a little myself, but I hired a girl from the Seam to do it. Wanted to help out, you know."

"That's lovely, Haymitch. Very thoughtful of you." He smiles properly at me this time, and I can see that he's proud. I assume he's proud that I've approved of his actions. We remain smiling at each other for a few more seconds, before he gets nervous and jumpy again. He moves from the door and pushes it closed.

"Um… do you… uh… you want a drink?"

"What do you have?" He gestures through to the kitchen and I walk, looking around as I go. I notice a gorgeous canvas painting of the ocean at sunset that hangs above his mantelpiece. "Oh this is beautiful." I notice the initials P.M. in the bottom corner. "Did Peeta paint this?"

"Yeah. He did. It's the Quell beach. He wanted rid of it and I thought it was nice. Doesn't hold the same memories for me, obviously."

"It is nice."

"Yeah." He turns and walks into his kitchen. I follow him. "So, uh, drinks. I've got whatever I guess. Nothing fancy, mind. What about tea? Or something else?"

"Do you have wine?" He looks a little taken aback by my request.

"Wine? Sure… Yeah." He turns to a cupboard and retrieves 2 wine glasses, before pulling out a bottle of wine from another. I notice that it just happens to be my favorite – the wine from the Capitol that we shared on so many nights.

"Were you expecting me?" I smile at him. He chuckles a little nervously as he pours wine in the 2 glasses and hands one to me.

"Well, I was gonna ask you to come over, but I actually took a liking to the stuff."

"I see. Well I'm glad you have it."

"Is it still your favorite?" He looks hopeful. I smile at him softly.

"Yes, Haymitch." He smiles, looking genuinely pleased. "You remembered my favorite." I murmur, mostly to myself as I shake my head and smile.

"Of course I remembered. I couldn't forget even if I wanted to." I sense a double meaning to that statement, so I change the subject quickly.

"What did you want to show me?" I see a little disappointment flash through his eyes, but he pulls himself together quickly.

"Oh, um, this actually." He gestures to the table in front of him. "I made it with you in mind." I turn to look at the table. It's beautiful – hand crafted with intricate floral patterns down the legs and forming a rim around the outside of the tabletop.

"You made this?" I run my hand over the detailed etchings. "It's beautiful, Haymitch."

"Like I said, I made it with you in mind." I hear him murmur, but I don't think he meant for me to hear. I take a deep breath and ignore his comment.

"You have a talent." I turn around and smile at him. He grins.

"I make stuff for all the new people in the District, and all the destroyed homes. I've kinda become the District 12 Carpenter, unofficially. People seem to like what I make. I kept this though. It reminds me of you. I couldn't get rid of it."

"Haymitch…" I begin, but he carries on.

"It's Mahogany, by the way." He smirks at me and I can't help but smile a little. "Do you remember? On the train?" I nod. I remember all too well.

"I don't know how we ever sat there with a straight face again." I mutter quietly and chuckle. He smiles.

"Me neither. It was expensive though… The wood, I mean."

"Yes. I'm sure it was."

"Worth it though. It's my personal favorite out of all the stuff I've made. Holds some very good memories, this wood." I smile sadly.

"Yes. It does." We hold each other's gaze for a few moments. I feel my heart flutter, and I'm ready to get lost in his silver eyes when he suddenly looks away. It makes my heart break a little.

"Please, sit down." He pulls a chair out for me. I take it and thank him. He sits at the head of the table, next to me. I look up at him and smile. He smiles back but looks down at the glass in his hand sadly.

"So… You got a man, I notice. Combe?" I notice how he avoids eye contact, and I can't miss the sadness in his voice. I shrug in reply.

"Yes. I'm with Magnus again. He asked and I figured it doesn't really matter."

"Are you happy?" I look down at my own glass.

"Miserable." The wine suddenly looks more appealing to me. I pick up my glass and down it in one desperate gulp. "But I couldn't wait for you forever."

"Effie… I'm sorry." I look up to find him staring at me with sadness clear in his eyes. I quickly avert my gaze down to my glass.

"No. I understand. You didn't want me. Why would you? I'm nothing but a wreck, physically, emotionally, mentally… you name it." I feel tears forming in my eyes.

"You're beautiful. You're always beautiful." His words make my heart flutter, but it hurts.

"Yes, but not enough, so it seems." He reaches out and takes my hand in his. I feel the spark immediately.

"I miss you, Effie." This time, I can't stop the tear escaping down my cheek.

"Don't do this to me again, Haymitch." I murmur. He reaches up to wipe the tear away, his hand lingering on my cheek. I look up into his beautiful, shimmering eyes.

"I do, Effie. I miss you. I was stupid. I've thought about you non-stop. I should never have let you go."

"Well, you did, and I had to move on and live, which was rather difficult, I must say."

"What do you mean?" He looks at me curiously, concern clear on his face, but I won't tell him what happened with the pills. I look down to my empty glass again, avoiding eye contact.

"Oh that doesn't matter. I'm still alive. I followed your timeless advice."

"I miss you, sweetheart. I want you to come back to me." I glance up to him, trying to keep emotion out of my eyes.

"You should have thought about that." I turn my eyes to the pattern on the edge of the table, examining it.

"Effie, don't be cold with me. Please. I love you." I can hear the sincerity in his voice.

"Yes, I'm sure you do." And I love him so much it hurts, but he broke my heart.

"Don't you love me still?" I shrug and avoid eye contact, not wanting to open up to him again. He gently pulls my face towards his with his fingers, forcing me to look at him. I feel my heart race – we're only inches apart. "If I kiss you, will you love me again?" He's so close, and his shimmering eyes melt my resolve completely.

"Haymitch, you know you don't need to kiss me for that." I breathe. He smiles at me and inches a little closer.

"I think I should kiss you anyway, just to make sure." He murmurs, and I feel his breath on my lips. His taste. The taste I have missed and craved so much, every single day of my miserable life since he left me. He leans in a little closer and I feel butterflies.

"Yes. I agree. I think we should definitely make sure." I whisper, his lips almost touching mine. I feel the electricity already, and I just want him to kiss me already. "Haymitch…" I breathe against his lips. I sigh happily when his lips crash into mine. I kiss him back hungrily and run my tongue along his lips, begging him to let me in. He allows me access and I explore his mouth, taking in the taste I've craved for so long. His tongue battles against mine and he moves around the table to place his hands on my waist, pulling me closer. I rise and he pulls me onto his lap, my knees perched on the edge of the chair, either side of his legs. I thread my hands into his hair to deepen the kiss, eliciting a deep moan from him, and he wraps his arms tighter around me. I pull away, gasping for air, and let out a moan when his mouth finds my neck. He kisses and lightly nibbles from my neck to my shoulder, sucking and most likely leaving marks. I know I'll have to deal with them, and Magnus noticing them, later, but right now, I really don't care. I want to be his. I want him to claim me as his, in every way possible.

His hands move to my thighs and slide up underneath my dress, gripping my waist. He pulls me lower onto his lap, and I feel his body's reaction beneath me. I find myself wanting some friction, so I push down onto him, grinding against him. We both groan at the sensation, and his hands guide my hips to repeat the action, over and over again. I feel myself losing control.

"Oh, Haymitch." I breathe. He lifts his head from my neck and I lower mine to look at him. I see the lust swimming in his eyes, and I'm sure the desire clear on his face mirrors mine.

"Effie." He groans against my mouth and attacks my lips hungrily. I push down against him once more, hard, and he growls in response. His hands lower and slide under my thighs, and he lifts me up and pushes me back onto the table.

"I can't take this anymore. I need you." His gruff voice sends another wave of lust through me. I look at him through my lashes, smirking, and grab his tie, wrapping it around my hand loosely and pulling him closer.

"Then have me, Mr Abernathy." I purr and he snaps. He lurches forward at the same time as I pull him to me, collapsing into me completely. His hands desperately push at the bottom my dress, eventually lifting it over my waist. We have no time or patience to undress properly. This will have to do. His lips remain attached to mine as he fumbles with my underwear, pulling the lace down my thighs. I lift my hips to allow him to remove them, but he has to move away to pull them over my heels – we don't bother removing those. When he collapses back into me, I reach down to fumble with his belt, letting out a frustrated huff when it refuses to budge. He chuckles against my lips and pulls away, stepping back and reaching down to unfasten it himself. When the buckle is loose, he opens his arms and smirks at me, nodding down to the belt and inviting me to remove it. I smirk and oh-so-slowly pull the belt through the loops of his pants, snapping it in the air when it's finally loose and extending my arm to drop it onto the table. He chuckles lightly at my display, eyes openly roaming my body. I can't imagine what I look like right now, but I take in Haymitch's appearance. His jacket hangs slightly off one shoulder over his semi-unbuttoned shirt (which I don't even remember unbuttoning), his tie now hanging loosely, slightly to the side. His dark hair is messy and sticking up at odd angles, and his mouth and the skin under his rough stubble is slightly tinted the pink color of my lipstick. His grey eyes look amused, but dark and lustful. Overall, he looks wild - rugged and sexy. Exactly what I want in a man.

I gesture with my finger for him to come closer, and he obliges, smirking. He stalks closer to me and slowly slides his hands up my thighs to lightly grip my waist, causing me to shudder. I slide my hands into his hair again, pulling his face to mine. He kisses me, slow and erotic, causing my heart to thump wildly in my chest. I reach down to push his pants and boxers to the floor and our bodies collide completely.

I collapse back onto the table and he falls on top of me, both of us panting wildly.

"You went a little crazy there, sweetheart." I hear his gruff voice in my ear. I smile.

"Yes well, it's been a long time since I had… well, that."

"What? A good fuck?" I can hear the smirk in his voice. I chuckle.

"Yes, Haymitch. A good fuck."

"I like hearing you swear. Sounds sexy in your voice." He murmurs smoothly into my ear.

"Well you do know how to compliment a lady." I smirk.

"Well, we both know that behind closed doors, you're far from a lady, sweetheart."

"Hmm… I guess considering our current position, you're right."

"That's fine. I don't want a lady. I want you."

"Good. I want you too."

"I love you, beautiful." I smile widely and turn my head to look at him. He grins at me.

"I love you too, ugly." He feigns hurt and I laugh, genuinely, for the first time in years. "I'm joking. You're beautiful too."

"It doesn't matter. I'm talented." He winks at me. I smirk.

"Well, I certainly know one thing you're more than talented at."

"Two things." He grins and taps the table. I remember where we are and gasp.

"Oh. We seem to have a bad track record with mahogany tables." I giggle.

"I'd say it's a pretty damn good track record, personally. This is definitely my favorite creation." He grins at me and we both burst into laughter. He kisses me softly on the lips. "I've missed you, Effie." He caresses my cheek gently with his hand. I reach up to return the favor.

"I've missed you too." I smile and kiss him again.

We walk back through the District hand in hand, only releasing each other for discretion as we round the last house and come into view of the meadow. He walks me back to my table, making small talk, neither of us able to wipe the smile off our faces. It feels natural being with him again. The conversation and laughs come easy. It's effortless. It's right.

"Do you wanna dance with me, sweetheart?"

"I… Well, yes, but Magnus is somewhere…" I glance around, but he's nowhere to be found.

"I forgot to mention I saw him walk off with a bunch of Capitol men when we were talking at first. That's the whole reason I approached you. Had to wait for him to clear off before I could win you back. Plutarch owed me a favor or two, luckily."

"You made Plutarch lead him away?" I find myself smiling at him.

"Of course. Wanted you to myself again, Princess." He grins at me.

"You know… you'd only have to ask, and you'd have me all to yourself right away."

"Oh really?" He smirks and leans in to kiss me, but our lips don't touch yet. He wraps his arms around my waist and rests his forehead against mine so our noses are lightly touching. I look up at him and smile, bringing up my hands to rest on his shoulders.

"Yes. I'm yours. I always was yours and I always will be."

"Good. Keep it that way."

"I plan to." He smiles at me and I'm vaguely aware of his arms tightening around me a little more, so I wrap my arms around his neck. I realize we're swaying lightly to the slow music. We're dancing.

"You're beautiful, you know." He looks into my eyes and I almost melt from the intensity.

"You're beautiful too." His smile widens and he inches a little closer.

"Am I?" He murmurs softly. Closer.

"Yes." I whisper. Closer. I feel the spark between our lips.

Just a tiny little bit closer and…

"Effie. What are you doing?" My eyes widen and I break away from Haymitch immediately. I turn to face the source of the voice. Magnus. He's angry.

"M-Magnus. I…"

"Save your breath." He marches over and grabs my arm roughly, pulling me towards him.

"Magnus, please. Don't make a scene."

"Shut up, Effie."

"Magnus, I'm sorry." He pulls me so his face is right in mine.

"What do you think you are doing? You were about to kiss him, weren't you?"

"N-no. I'm sorry. Please, Magnus."

"Hey, you let go of her!" Haymitch pulls at Magnus' arm in an attempt to release me. Magnus pushes him away, but lets me go with a violent shove. I whimper.

"We're leaving, Effie. We're going back to the Capitol. Right now. Come."

"No. I don't want to, Magnus. I want to enjoy the rest of the reception. Please, dear?"

"I think you're enjoying the reception a little too much, dear." He sneers. "We are leaving."

"I want to stay."

"Yes! And I can see why! So you can whore around with this scumbag!"

"Don't call him that!"

"And a lot worse than that. He's the biggest scumbag of the District where ALL the scum of Panem lives. The worst of the WORST! I WILL NOT lose you to the biggest trash of this pathetic District. You belong to me, and I have much higher standards, my dear!"

By now, a crowd has gathered and the District 12 residents are beginning to murmur angrily. I realize that I feel just as angry as them. This is MY District. I find the courage to stand up to him, after all this time. These people give me strength. I walk up to him and slap him hard. His head snaps to the side and I feel smug and proud of myself.

"DO NOT talk about this District like that! These people are good people. This is MY District, and I love that man!" I point at Haymitch. "He's a real man, and you wouldn't know what that means even if one punched you in the face, which, Haymitch, I do hope you're considering." I smile at Haymitch and he smirks at me. I turn back to Magnus. "I AM NOT and will NEVER be your property. You do not own me! I can be with whoever I damn well please, and that certainly is not you! You're a pathetic little man, Magnus. Pathetic." He looks furious, but I don't care. I turn to walk to Haymitch, who smirks at Magnus and puts his arm around me. "Oh and another thing. I assure you, dear, the scum of Panem live in THE CAPITOL!" The crowd around me begins to clap and cheer.

"Hey Combe." Magnus turns to Haymitch. "Get the fuck out of my District before our girl on fire puts an arrow through your heart."