"Watcha lookin' at?"

Effie took the cup of tea Haymitch handed her with a thank you, then held up the letter she had been reading.

"Date of Aulus' trial," Effie said.

Haymitch took the letter and read it himself - it was direct from Plutarch, probably to soften the blow.

"Two months?"

Effie nodded. "And I'll be seven months by then."

"That all right?"

"Yes. Of course." She sipped her tea and reached for the newspaper on the coffee table.

Haymitch read the letter again then glanced at Effie, who was clearly affected. "Eff?"

"Hm?"

"Those um … those nightmares -"

"The books say -"

"Well, just to be safe. And now that we know the trial date …" Haymitch put his hand on her shoulder. He could feel her trembling. Effie rested her head against his hand and took a breath.

The healer finished measuring how large Effie's bump had grown then let her slip her cardigan back on and sit comfortably in one of the chairs the healer had set up at her home practice. Haymitch made himself scarce in the corner of the room while the usual check up went through then took a seat in the other chair once Effie was comfortable.

"Everything's normal - not surprising, of course," the healer said with a grin. "You're progressing well, Mrs. Abernathy, and, according to the charts sent from the Capitol and today's check-in, the baby is nice and healthy. Now, you mentioned something about nightmares? Are they about the baby in anyway? It's very normal -"

"They're … they're not about Rosie. Well, not usually, at least," Effie said. "I mean … they're like memories but different and sometimes Rosie is there but sometimes it's … it's like before."

The healer knew what she meant - for some time she had given Effie sleeping aids when she had first returned to Twelve.

"Well, I can't give you anything now with the baby," the healer said, "but the nightmares can be normal. How have you been feeling besides?"

"Health-wise? Nothing out of the ordinary. Um - there is stress."

"Is this due to the trial Mr. Abernathy mentioned?"

Effie nodded. "Not … not just that." She could hear Haymitch turn in his chair. "It's … we never were supposed to be able to have a baby. Rosie was never … a possibility and now … there's so much … and I don't know how I'll ever be able to tell her about what I … what I did and how …" Effie broke into sobs.

"Sweetheart … why didn't you say anything?" Haymitch asked, pushing Effie's hair behind her ear as she lay in bed. The healer recommended she take bed rest for the week - longer if needed.

"What could I have said?"

"I dunno … something." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Not … keep it all inside - and don't tell me that's hypocritical. I know."

Effie smiled weakly. She felt tired.

"We'll talk about it later - hm? You need to rest."

"I know."

"I'll bring you dinner."

"You'll have Peeta bring me dinner."

Haymitch laughed. "Yeah, true. I better get over there now before he starts cookin'." He kissed her again.

"Haymitch? Did you hear her, though?"

"Hear what?"

"She called me Mrs. Abernathy."