Update! It turned out shorter than I thought it was. Anyways, I hope you enjoy it and as always please do review! xxx
Ps. I quite like exploring Beetee and Effie's r/s at the end.
Effie
They sent everyone packing once they received the message from the Capitol. They would be sending the first batch of Thirteen residents over tomorrow. There weren't many people in the corridors, everyone seemed to be packing or celebrating in the cafeteria. Excited to see the world above ground again. Something shifted ever so slightly. No one seemed to care about the former escort walking through their district anymore. Maybe they finally realised that she was one of them. Maybe she wasn't a threat anymore now that they were in power. Maybe they just got used to having her around. There still a few stares here and there but it wasn't that often anymore. Maybe it is just because not many were crossing paths with her as they were occupied with the celebrations.
It took a little more than a day for them to declare the downfall of Snow's regime. Something happened before they took over but no one was saying anything, even Beetee. She could see it in his eyes, he was keeping something from her. She figured she would know once she reached the Capitol and see for herself or simply question Haymitch. She stood by her bed taking a glance through her bunk. There wasn't anything here that was hers. Her stuff were left behind in her grandfather's underground hideout. She had nothing with her when she was captured and then rescued by Thirteen. All she had here were her uniforms provided by the district and nothing else. What was there to pack apart from her extra set of uniform and her medication?
She grabbed her small duffle as she made her way out of her bunk and headed towards Haymitch's. He must have left some stuff behind since they left on such short notice. She quietly slipped into his room after making sure that no one was in. His living quarters were as bare as hers. A few pieces of clothing left here and there. She picked up a jumper and a jacket before leaving the room.
She sat on her bed counting the minutes till the time of departure. Six more hours. She could catch up on some sleep before the flight. Her throat was recovering and the doctor did say to get plenty of rest. With the entire country in war, rest didn't come often. She might as well sleep since she had no more packing to do. She slipped on Haymitch's jumper before lying down on the hard mattress.
It was almost like she grew overnight. Or maybe she didn't have time to notice her growing form with everything that had been going on. But she was almost certain that her protruding midsection was not that visible two days ago. Her clothes did a fairly good job at hiding her bump, but as she laid down with the help of gravity, the jumper hugged her middle and it was impossible to deceive anyone.
The ride to the Capitol was uneventful. She sat alone by the cockpit watching everyone else. Most of them onboard this hovercraft were soldiers. A few chatting away, some deep in thought and others busying themselves with their gear. Beetee sat opposite her with his eyes closed. Napping perhaps, or maybe visualising his next project, he does that sometimes. She placed her hand on her bump when she thought no one was watching. Her uniform barely concealing it. A little bigger and it would be glaring to anyone who was looking.
The little turbulence had her grabbing her seat. She looked up to see most people unfazed by what just happened as she locked eyes with Beetee. His gaze moving down to her hand and back up. He gave an assuring nod as he closed his eyes again. It was almost as if he knew the whole time. Perhaps it was obvious to everyone except for her who was in denial the whole time? This man of a few words has always been a little mystery to her. The way he observes, his knuckles against his lips as he is deep in thought, seemingly void of emotions. He was always focused on his work, they rarely shared conversations which were not related to the war. It makes her wonder about his story sometimes. The man behind the genius creations. They have gone through so much that she would consider him a friend. She wonders if he does too.
The gush of outside air flooded the hovercraft. It was bright outside. She was eager to welcome the fresh air and natural light but she patiently waited for everyone to alight before following behind. With her duffle in one hand, she made her way to the exit. Stepping off and embracing the life above ground, she took a deep breath, feeling the air entering her lungs. You never know how precious some things are before you lose it.
"Congratulations." A deep voice beside her said. She turned instinctively to see Beetee beside her. This was the first time someone congratulated her regarding her pregnancy. She didn't know how to react other than looking at him in awe and stuttering a short thank you. They exchanged a small smile before making their way into the presidential mansion.
Perhaps he does too. She thought.