This is quite a long chapter and I'm excited for you to read it!

Chapter 25

They had stood outside these two buildings months ago, weeks after the law was abolished. It was quieter now, less crowded. Haymitch hoisted Tristan up, reached for Effie's hand and led his family up the steps into the Family and Justice Building.

While Haymitch was at the reception counter, talking, Ethan was bent at the waist, touching the carpeted floor curiously. He straightened up and grinned at his mother when he was reprimanded.

"It's soft," he commented before joining Effie at the sofa.

"Your children's names again, sir," the lady requested.

"Tristan and Ethan Abernathy," Haymitch answered, drumming his fingers on the surface of the counter. "Troy told us to – "

"Yes," the lady nodded, smiling. "I have it on the system. Why don't you and your son take a seat while I inform the Registrar that you are here?"

It wasn't a long wait which was something Haymitch was thankful for because Ethan tended to get listless and restless in such situation. Haymitch caught Effie's gaze over the boys' heads and she gave him a smile which he returned easily. A nervous energy swirled between them, the boys oblivious to it. Haymitch could hardly believe that this was happening, that they were very close to getting their children back. The only thing standing in his way was the wooden door separating the corridor from the Registrar's room.

"You may go in," the lady returned and pushed the door open for the family of four.

Effie stooped down and gave a hurried word of whisper to her children. "Be on your best behaviour. Mind your manners, smile politely and talk softly, okay?"

"Yes, mama," Tristan nodded, always eager to please.

Ethan grinned, never one to make promises and that was the only reaction Effie could extract from him which was not very assuring. But Haymitch knew his sons and he knew with the way Effie and him had raised them, they would behave themselves.

The woman sitting behind the oak desk was the same old woman with the same greying hair tied in a neat but that they had appeared before months ago. She recognised them as easily as they recognised her, and the smile she gave them was a pleasant one as they shook hands.

"These must be the children I've heard plenty about," she remarked, peering down her nose at Tristan and Ethan.

"Hello," Ethan beamed at the stranger.

Tristan was more wary and cautious. He turned to Effie, seeking her permission and when she nodded, he stepped forward, extending his hand to the Registrar. Where Ethan had a self-possessed charm and a laid back personality, Tristan was mellow and mindful of appearing on people's good side. Twins or not, these differences became more pronounce as the boys grow.

Haymitch and Effie took a seat while the boys retired to the side of the room, sitting side by side on an empty sofa. Tristan watched his parents carefully though he had no idea what was going on while Ethan looked around, marvelling at the peculiar trinkets in the room but never once reaching out to touch them after he had dared to earlier only to have Effie shot him a look of warning.

"I'm bored," Ethan whispered.

"Shush," Tristan frowned. "Mama and dada said it's important."

Over where the adults were talking, a series of questions and answers were being exchanged and Effie was growing agitated by the second.

"Well, how would you like to do this?"

Haymitch paused before he asked, "What do you mean? We were told that the custody of the boys belong to us again now."

"Yes, yes. That is not the issue," the Registrar smiled gently. She rifled through the files and pulled out the familiar green form Effie and Haymitch had filled up months earlier and submitted to the Registrar – the Agreed Parenting Plan. "It states here that you have both agreed on joint custody with care and control going to Miss Trinket. Would you like to make any amendments to it or should it remain as it is?"

"We'd like to have custody," Effie told her but clearly that wasn't the answer the Registrar was looking for.

"Yes, I understand and you will both have it – joint custody – but will the care and control still be with you, Miss Trinket? Will the children be living with you here in the city and will you be the one to make all day to day decisions for them?"

"They'll be living with me," Haymitch jumped in.

"So I'll change the care and control to Mr Abernathy and the place of residence of Tristan and Ethan Abernathy shall also change accordingly to your current – "

"No," Haymitch closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. "No, they will all be living with me in District Twelve, Effie included, so, care and control ain't necessary, is it? Or could it go to both?"

"Ah, I understand. However, there is an administrative problem, Mr. Abernathy. You are their father and Miss Trinket, their mother. These facts are on record. It is reflected in their birth certificates. The problem is that the record in the system also reflects the fact that your marriage has been annulled and to date, has not been renewed. And because of this, the system requires that I indicate very clearly the party who will have care and control – usually care and control goes to one parent - because for all intents and purpose, you are separated. The system does not care if you're on amicable terms and have worked things out. They need a clear indication. They will not let me proceed to grant an approval otherwise. If you could just give me a name, either you or Miss Trinket, then I shall key that in. All four of you may decide to live together but I still need an answer for the system."

"Excuse me for a minute," Effie said and turned to Haymitch, dropping her voice to a whisper. "I understand what she's trying to say. We just need to give a name. It wouldn't matter, would it, if it's your name or mine?"

"It'll be official – black and white," Haymitch murmured. "Whoever have care and control has more power over the other."

Effie blinked, surprised. "Haymitch, I don't – "

"What difference does it make," he muttered to himself, "now or later."

"What are you talking about?"

Haymitch raised his head and addressed the Registrar, pushing his chair back and standing up. "I'm terribly sorry for this inconvenience but if you could let us have half an hour? We'll return within that time. Will that be okay for you?"

The Registrar let out a breath and closed her file. "Very well," she acquiesced. "When you're ready, just inform Nila out front and she will let me know."

"Thanks," Haymitch said hurriedly. His fingers closed around Effie's elbow and tugged her up. "Come on, sweetheart. Boys," he called out, and they hurried after him.

Once outside the room, at the corridor, Effie pulled her hand free. "What are you doing, Haymitch? We could have settled the custody right there. Why do you need half an hour?"

"Sweetheart, I have a – "

"You're afraid if I have care and control, I can take the children and leave you at any time and they'lll stay with me while you'll only have visitation rights?" she questioned him, laying it bare for him to deny or agree. "You know I won't –"

He rolled his eyes. "No, but what's the point of one of us needing care and control anyway?"

"We don't but the system – "

"I know what the system need," he snapped.

"Dada," Tristan tugged on Haymitch's pants. "Are you and mama fighting?"

"No, no," Effie denied quickly. "We're just discussing something."

"Is it about me and Ethan?"

"Yeah, peanut, it's about you and your brother, and it's very important that I get something done."

"Get what done?" Effie frowned. "If you want to get custody done, then it's through that door. We should go back inside."

"Trust me," he told her earnestly. "Just trust me, okay?"

XxX

With her small hands in his and with the children in tow, he led them out of the Family and Justice Building, a single destination in mind.

"Haymitch."

He looked at her with a rare glint and an air of excitement about him. "Trust me."

They walked the short distance. As Haymitch steered them towards the steps leading up to the adjacent building, he glanced briefly behind his shoulder to see the look of complete confusion on Effie's face. Her eyes darted from the marble slab stating "Registry of Marriages" to the front entrance before settling on him.

Still, undeterred, Haymitch ushered them all forward through the main entrance, down a corridor and then another.

"Haymitch, stop!"

"We're nearly there," he insisted.

Haymitch paused briefly at an intersection. To the left was where they had been previously to sign their Dissolution of Marriage Certificate. He took a right turn, reading the signs and the directions as they went, navigating the hallways until finally, they came to a stop. There were a few people waiting around, couples mostly, and Haymitch found them a quiet spot because Effie, no doubt, would demand some answers. The boys stayed closed to their parents, waiting.

"Haymitch…" Effie pulled on his hand, looking up at him curiously. "What's going on? Why are we here?"

"Effie," he exhaled. His grey eyes were warm and gentle as he gazed down at her. "I told you I'm going to marry you. I know this is kind of abrupt but," he gave a nonchalant shrug, "seems like a good time as any."

She stared at him, rude as it was. She stared and he watched as her eyes widened in surprised, the pupils dilating. "Now?"

"Yes."

"Now?" she hissed. "You want to marry me now?"

"You said you'll marry me," his brows creased a little, his tone slightly defensive. Had he done something wrong?

"Yes, I did, but not dressed like this," she gestured, her hand movements were wild and erratic.

The panic was beginning to settle in, he could tell. She was not prepared and he didn't blame her for that, though he didn't see anything wrong with what she was wearing. Effie had picked out a turquoise coloured knee length dress with capped sleeves that morning before they left the house to bring the children to the playground. The dress itself was embroidered with designs and the curves hugged her perfectly. A simple silver necklace hung from her neck.

"I don't see the problem," he told her rather truthfully. "You're beautiful."

That startled her slightly. "You could have told me."

"I didn't think it mattered when we get married as long as we do," Haymitch sighed. He broke his gaze and it shifted to the safest spot – his sons. "I didn't plan on marrying you today when I woke up this morning, but why not, sweetheart? I only had that thought back in the Registrar's room. She said something 'bout us not being together on their system. It'll be easier for us where the custody is concern. It'll show that we're married and they'll award us the custody, plain and simple, without you or me havin' to settle visitation hours or care and control."

"If this is about the custody then – "

"It is and it's not. I want to marry you," he cupped her cheek. "Don't ask me if I'm sure 'cause I am."

Ethan stomped his foot angrily, having picked up the words and what it meant. "You can't! You didn't buy mama a tiara yet. We gotta go get a tiara first."

She found great amusement at the anger in Ethan's expression.

Effie's laughter trickled through the tense atmosphere and Haymitch relaxed a little. She stepped closer to him, wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. Haymitch returned her embrace, holding her close to him.

"This is just a formality anyway, something legal," his breath blew wisp of her hair as he spoke. "The real wedding – the toasting – we'll do it back in Twelve, just as I said we would."

"The toasting is the one the matters the most, isn't it?" she asked to be completely certain.

"Yeah," he nodded. "Listen, sweetheart, I don't want you to do something you don't want to. If you don't want to do this today then that's fine. We can come back or we can sign the papers when we're all back in Twelve. Whenever you're ready, whenever you think is right."

"Haymitch Abernathy," she pulled back slightly, an indulgent smile gracing her lips. "You are a changed man, indeed. I never thought you were this thoughtful and considerate, so mindful about my feelings."

"Careful," he warned. "Just cause I love – "

Effie silenced him with a kiss, a quick peck on his lips but it was enough of a distraction.

"I've been ready for a very long time, you silly man. How could you not get that? This was a little surprising, yes, but you've never been one to respect my schedule, anyway. Now take me inside and marry me."

XxX

It turned out, Effie might be agreeable to it but Ethan wouldn't allow it so Haymitch was stuck outside of the room.

Ethan threw a fit in the middle of the hallway, lying on the floor with his arms wide open and refusing to move unless Haymitch get a tiara or a crown.

"I can't believe this shit," he grumbled, his patience tethering on a frayed nerve.

"Language."

"I won't move, dada. I won't! I won't. I want a tiara for mama."

"I didn't mean it literally," Haymitch frowned, mentally counting to ten before he lost his temper with his son. "Look around you tiger, nobody's got a tiara! You don't need a tiara to get married."

"I think I need a tiara, don't I, baby?" Effie whispered to Tristan sitting quietly on her lap as he watched his brother's drama unfold. "If your father's gonna make me the Queen, he might as well do it right. A pretty glittering diadem on my head, with a stone jewel carved on it. Just like the stories I told you and Ethan, yes? I'm not even dressed proper, the horror! Turquoise is hardly an appropriate colour to get married in but your father, my darling, was never very good with fashion."

"You're not helping, sweetheart," he glared at her.

Her eyes sparkled with mirth and he sighed, knowing she was enjoying this more than she let on. They were the only ones left, the others having already completed their business. If there were other people to witness this, Effie would have been stricter with her son.

"Ethan, get up, right now!" Haymitch told him sternly.

"No! You said…" he glared at his father. "You said… a tiara! You said so. You lied to me. You can't lie – it's really, really, really bad, dada!"

"Felix has rubbed off his melodrama to him," Haymitch pinched the bridge of his nose. "Listen, tiger, I'm gonna take your mother and your brother inside that room. I'm gonna marry her, okay? If you don't get up by the time I'm done counting to five, then you're stayin' right here which means you don't get to see it, you understand."

"Don't threaten my baby, Haymitch."

Ethan blinked and pushed himself into a sitting position, his brain registering what Haymitch was telling him.

"That's right. Your brother's going to be able to witness it, see it for himself. Don't you want to see your mama and I get married?" Haymitch tried. Ethan tilted his head, considering. "Now are you done throwing a tantrum?"

"No," he shook his head and relocated himself right in front of the door where he lay sprawled on the floor. "I won't let you marry mama. I don't like it."

Haymitch rubbed his temples in frustration. Effie laughed, burying her face in the crook of Tristan's neck. He grinned crookedly at his father.

"Ethan's being naughty," Tristan commented.

"Well, since no one gave you the usual speech when you married me the first time, I supposed that's your son's way of saying if you hurt me, you will have to answer to him. He's such a sweet, protective boy. My son," she sighed contentedly.

"Stop kidding yourself. Where do I get a damn tiara? Is there a shop nearby or somethin'?"

He could scarcely believe the words coming out of his mouth. He, Haymitch Abernathy, was actually thinking of getting Effie a damn tiara just so he could marry her. Effie must have realised the oddity in itself and partly surprised that he was even considering it because she stood up, drawing a line with Ethan's tantrum.

Haymitch seriously hope the boy would outgrow it. He couldn't throw a tantrum each time he wanted things to go his way, although, whenever he did have one, neither Haymitch nor Effie actually gave in to his demands. Still, he was learning it a little too slowly for Haymitch's liking.

"Ethan," Effie knelt in front of him. "I don't need a tiara, darling, not all queens wear a tiara. I don't think so. Let's not put your father into a state, shall we?"

"But – You'll look prettier," he pointed out.

She smiled. "How about this… I don't wear a tiara for this one but at the toasting, that's another wedding we'll have at home, I'll make sure your father buys me one, okay? There'll be people there – your Aunt Katniss and Uncle Peeta, Prim will be there too, Aunt Annie and Finn, Aunt Johanna… more people to see me look pretty. May I please get married now, darling?"

Haymitch rolled his eyes.

"Uncle Felix?"

"Uncle Felix, too, when he wakes up and leaves the hospital," Effie agreed.

Haymitch paused, wondering for a brief moment if Felix's condition had changed since they left the hospital. He made a note to himself to call the hospital once this was done and before they return to the Family and Justice Building.

"Okay," Ethan nodded and stood up.

There was a collective sigh of relief from Effie and Haymitch.

"Thank you," Haymitch muttered, "never thought it was going to be that difficult to marry you."

Trying to placate Ethan and talk sense into him took a far longer time than marrying Effie, he realised.

Once they were inside the room, and the children were quietly settled, Haymitch and Effie filled up the forms. They were asked, "Are you renewing your marriage or is this – "

"Not renewing besides it's been months in between the annulment," Haymitch answered. "I'm marrying her. It's a fresh start."

Effie smiled at him and squeezed his hand.

They filed the Notice of Marriage and waited for the marriage certificate to be produced before they both signed at the bottom of it, Effie first followed by Haymitch.

It felt almost anti-climactic how fast it was over.

Almost, if not for the fact that Effie stepped in front of him, framed his face and kissed him soundly on the mouth in front of the Registrar and their two sons. He forgot to breathe as her scent enveloped him. He forgot to think as his arms automatically wound themselves around her waist, kissing her back and nearly lifting her off the floor. The feel of her soft lips made his spine tingled and he forgot to feel embarrassed by the disgusted sounds Ethan was making at the back.

Effie was his wife, again. He was hers for always.

Yay, they're married! Somewhat. There's still the toasting... and Felix, poor Felix. I had such a marvelous time writing this chapter, I enjoy it immensely so I hope you do too! Let me know what you thought of this and drop a review :)