Prompt(s):

TheEvilDucky -Could you perhaps do a one shot on a pregnant Effie and how she has mood swings and lashes out at Haymitch?

girlwhowasonfire21 - I'd love to see Effie and Haymitch settling on what they want from each other. I'm guessing that Effie would want kids and marriage, but I'm not sure that Haymitch would :)

(note: so I had to compromise here - I've gotten a lot of requests to follow up on the alternate plot (and quite a few about babies! I have to save some things for 'Geese ...'), but it would really just make two stories of the same story so I don't think it's a good idea (and as I mentioned, I don't know how well I'd actually write it as it was never fully planned - plus, I think it would sort of take away from the original if there's another 'reality' floating around) - so what I've done with this one is combined two prompts and sort of ... well, compromised ... I really hope no one's disappointed!)

"What're you doing out here?" Haymitch asked, walking out onto the porch where Effie was sitting on the swing that he had fixed with Peeta before she came.

"It's a nice night," Effie replied, pulling her feet under her to make room for Haymitch. "And you did the dishes."

"Well you cooked. Drink?"

"Coffee."

"I was thinking wine."

"Coffee," Effie repeated.

Haymitch sighed. "Coffee. All right."

He disappeared back inside for a few minutes, then came out with two warm cups of coffee.

"Gonna sober me up?" he asked, sitting beside her.

Effie shrugged and took a sip. "Maybe. I like sober Haymitch," Effie said, putting her feet in his lap. "Do you still have a reason to drink?"

"Suppose not. Do you want me to give it up? Is that a … request? A condition?"

"A condition?" laughed Effie.

"I dunno. Of this … relationship."

"I didn't know we were going to have conditions. Are you just grouchy I wanted coffee?"

"No - I only meant … I've never had someone else … here. I don't know how -"

"To be in a relationship."

"Yeah."

Effie smiled, leaning over and kissing Haymitch gently.

"Well, neither do I. You've seen how successful I've been."

Haymitch nudged her gently. "Hey, you bagged me. I'm a catch."

"Oh, yes," Effie giggled. "You are." She sat back with her coffee. "Would you try getting sober?"

"Cold turkey?"

"No. I mean … just not as much."

"Hell, Eff. You could ask me to give it up and I would. You know I would if you said so."

"But I know what you feel. Even being happy. There's still that pain and … we have to cope somehow. I just won't let you drink yourself into an early grave."

"All right. That all? What about getting married? Did you wanna get married?"

"Married? Really? Are you asking?"

"I could. If you want - I mean -"

"Honestly, Haymitch, I think I've had enough with ceremonies to last a life time. Even if it's just signing a piece of paper - we don't need that, do we? Unless you -"

"Waste of time," said Haymitch. "You're right."

"Besides," Effie added, "if you are going to give up some of the alcohol, I can't imagine how moody you'll be. Try planning a wedding around that - much less a walk to a justice building!"

"I'm not that moody -"

"You're practically hormonal, Haymitch. Katniss has told us about you going dry in Thirteen enough times to tell."

"Beer baby," joked Haymitch.

"Well, there's something you won't have to worry about -"

"Eff, I didn't mean -"

"I meant me. A pregnant hormonal me. Could you imagine?"

"How'd that be any different - I'm kidding!" Haymitch laughed as Effie kicked him. "It'd be a decent reason to be, though. You'd get away with it."

Effie smiled a little. "Who knows? We never will, hm? And I can't imagine you dealing with mood swings, anyway."

"I'd wait on you hand and foot - you know that. And I'd let you yell at me - more than you do now. Believe me, you and mood swings would be nothin'."

"You say that now!"

"It's the truth!" Haymitch chuckled. "I'd do anything for you and a kid! You know it!"

Effie went quiet. She sipped her coffee and took a breath. "We … we should change the subject."

Haymitch nodded and finished his cup. "Yeah …"

Effie looked away, out into the quiet street before them. The sun was just setting. There was a bit of a chill in the air now. She turned back to Haymitch, her voice cracking slightly, "Still have that bottle of wine?"

Haymitch shook his head. "We don't need it. Not right now."

Effie wiped her eyes and let Haymitch pull her into his arms.

"Got each other now, right?"

Effie nodded then rested her head on his shoulder.

"You and me," he said as he began to rock the swing gently with his foot, stroking Effie's hair. "All we need. You and me."