Being late was Effie's worst nightmare. "What do you mean late? What happened?" She shifted her weight to her side as Victoria babbled.
"The interviews ran late, the kids needed a lot of prepping for the ball." Cinna pressed a button for the top floor.
"Well are the kids at least ready? What about Haymitch?" Effie huffed, "They can go ahead without me." The elevator stopped and the 12th floor was chaos. Katniss and Peeta were surrounded by stylists. Haymitch looked half ready to go. Effie felt her stomach clench. "This is not good."
She handed the baby to Haymitch. "You feed her." She would be damned if any of them where going to be late. She turned toward Cinna and Portia and their teams. "you all focus on the kids. They'll be ready first."
Cinna started to protest and Effie snapped. "I will dress myself, and Haymitch just needs his suit jacket. Go! The kids need to be finished first."
She watched s everyone seemed to come together and focus on Katniss and Peeta. Peeta seemed to be laughing about something as Effie hurried to her room. She flung her interview clothes onto the bed and struggled into the gown Cinna prepared for her. A black thing with the finest lace details. It fit her like a glove and flared out around her knees. She turned as the door opened and closed quickly.
"The kids are making fun of you." Haymitch laughed and set Victoria down on bed. He dug around Victoria's bag for pajamas.
Effie rolled her eyes, "Why?" She hurriedly put glittering black earrings in and started pinning her hair to the side. Her blonde curls cascading over her right shoulder.
"They say you have a mom mode." He quickly changed Victoria's diaper, working quickly to avoid the crying that always came with diaper changes. The baby simply hated being put down.
Effie laughed lightly, "Well, it's true. And it gets things done. Are they ready yet?"
Haymitch smiled, "Yeah, they're done. Cinna wants to know if you need any help."
Victoria was dressed in little yellow pajamas and was out cold as soon as he put her in the crib. The little mobile chiming a sweet little lullaby. "No, I'm basically done."
She stepped into tall black heels and turned towards him and took in his outfit. "Oh… Why don't you wear suits more often? You look so handsome!" She smoothed her hands over the finely made jacket. He cleaned up nicely.
He groaned, "They're so uncomfortable. It's stuffy!" He made a show of tugging at his collar and tie.
"No, stop! You'll mess it up!" Effie warned and straightened his tie.
He kissed her cheek, not wanting to smear the lipstick she had just put on. "You look…" He started and spun her around in a little circle. "Wow…" He breathed.
Effie swatted him and smiled, "Stop, we've got to go." A knock came from the door. "10 minutes, Effie."
Once Effie and Haymitch were out of the room they were all rushing to the car waiting to take them to the president's mansion. Victoria was left in the car of an Avox who had been with the baby most of the day when Effie couldn't be around. It took almost all of the 10 minutes to drive there. Between the dresses Effie and Katniss wore there was little room in the car.
"Remember your manners." Effie lectured. "These are all people hand-picked to be at this ball. If you offend anyone Snow will know in a heartbeat."
Katniss nodded, "It's only for a few hours right?"
Haymitch nodded hesitantly, "Depends."
Effie raised an eyebrow, "On what?"
"You two are popular. It could last all night. My ball was only a few hours." Haymitch recalled as the car stopped.
Peeta looked overwhelmed and Effie shushed Haymitch. "Well regardless, it is what it is. Be cordial. If you need breaks Haymitch and I won't be too far away. We'll intervene."
In a blur of noise and flashing cameras, they were escorted into the ball. Katniss and Peeta were instantly snagged by eager fans. Haymitch was approached by several people and that left Effie on her own. She stuck by the kids looking for signs that they needed a break. They handled everything so well, and to the untrained eye they looked happy. Effie knew it was painful for them to be here. She knew it was hard every year for Haymitch to come back to the Capitol.
Dancing had started and Effie found herself being asked to dance by several men. It was exhausting work and Haymitch was across the room with a few other Victors. The man she was dancing with now keep grabbing her butt and eyeing her aggressively.
"It's been nice sir, but I must go freshen up." She made to leave as the song ended.
"I'll escort you there." He smiled and leaned in closer, "I can help you freshen up." He winked.
Effie shook her head, "I'm sorry… That wasn't an invitation."
"I've got a car waiting, be a good girl and join me. I paid dearly to get access to this party. You're the hottest commodity, darling. You need a husband. I'm not the only one here trying to get your attention."
Effie shook her head, "I'm sorry if you've been led to believe I'm eligible for anything. I am not interested." She moved to walk away when he grabbed her wrist.
"President Snow ask many eligible men to be here today. You're a loose end he needs to tie up."
The look on Effie face must have registered concern. Haymitch was making his way across the room, as was Peeta. Peeta reached her first and clapped the man on the back, "Mind if I cut in?"
Effie forced herself to smile as she felt a million eyes on her. President Snow watched from a balcony above the party. He raised his glass at Effie and smiled. It made her sick. She grabbed Peeta's arm and let him lead her away to dance. Haymith caught her gaze and nodded for a hallway off from the ballroom. Effie nodded and danced with Peeta.
"Are you okay Effie?" He asked quietly.
"Of course, Peeta. Thank you." She smiled and patted his arm.
"He was looking at you like a predator hunts prey." Peeta explained. "I figured it would be better if I got to you before Haymitch did."
Effie breathed softly, "Yes.. Haymitch would have made a scene." The song ended and Effie squeezed his hand. "Go find Katniss and stick together. I'm going to make sure Haymitch is behaving."
She worked her way towards the hallway and spotted Haymitch pacing on one of the many balconies overlooking the gardens. "I'm fine." She whispered and stood next to him aware people could be watching.
Haymitch raised an eyebrow at her, "What was that all about?"
Effie crossed her arms. "Snow told all these single men that I'm a loose end that needs tying up."
Haymitch looked at her incredulously. "What does that even mean?"
Effie felt herself panic, "You know what that means."
"He can't make you marry someone." He defended.
Effie scoffed, "Oh, yeah like he can't sell Finnick to the highest bidder, or kill a Head Gamemaker who displeased him. Or sink his claws into Victoria before she can even talk." She stared out at the garden. "I'm at his mercy. I've already told you this."
Haymitch pushed her against the pillar, blocking them from view as his kissed her hard. Effie pushed at him, "Haymitch!" She warned.
"You're mine." He said firmly.
"I know that." Effie breathed. "I know." She felt helpless. He buried his head against her neck. Effie sighed and wrapped her arms around him. "We can't… we can't do this here."
He pulled her tightly into him. "I'm going to Snow. Where is he?"
Effie stiffened, "Haymitch you'll do nothing!"
He shook his head, "Every time I am here, he takes more from me. My family, my sobriety, my livelihood. He's not taking you!"
Effie grabbed his hand, "Don't do this now. We get on that train tomorrow, please don't make a fuss."
"A fuss, Effie?" He groaned, "How are you so calm about this? Do you want to be married to a stranger?"
Effie blinked, "I don't want that. You know it." She whispered and peeked around them. Praying no one was nearby.
"Then fight back!" He breathed, his face only inches from his.
Effie sighed, "I can't…"
He nodded furiously, "Yes you can."
Effie lowered her gaze. "I can't for the same reason as you can't. The minute we go public with our relationship it gives Snow more to hold over us. He already knows that Victoria is yours. As far as he knows it was just a one night stand. He can hurt you if he doesn't know how deep our feelings run. If I play his games I protect Victoria and you." She held his face in her hands, "Don't do anything right now. Go in there and talk with your friends. Go dance with Katniss, the press will like that. I'll be fine."
"Effs…" He said softly.
"Listen to me, this one time. We need to just get through a few more hours. Then we won't have to worry about this place until the reaping." Effie kissed his cheek and pushed away. "We've left them alone for too long. We have to go back."
Effie hurried back into the room and for a while both her and Haymitch stuck close to the kids. The men for now had stopped hounding her and she wished she was able to have a glass of champagne. She couldn't risk it if she was pregnant again. Katniss danced with Plutarch Heavensbee and to Effie's surprise the girl was nice to him.
It was well after midnight when people were trickling away. The party had extended out into the garden for fireworks hours earlier. The marvels of Capitol technology kept the garden free of snow and pleasantly warm despite it being winter. The last throngs of people were crowded around Katniss and Peeta inside the ballroom.
"How about a dance?" Haymitch ran his fingers down her bare back. "And before you say no, we're the only ones out here. Finnick is standing guard, ready to dazzle anyone who tries to come out here."
Effie smiled, "Well if you've gone to all that effort."
He pulled her close and gently swayed with the soft music. Haymitch spun her around slowly, planting a kiss on the top of her head. Momentarily Effie almost forgot where they were.
"Think we can leave the kids? I want to get back to Victoria." She breathed.
He debated for a second, "I don't think so. They should come with us. I bet Katniss wanted to leave hours ago." He dipped her backwards as the music swelled and trickled to a stop.
Effie laughed and kissed him softly. Haymitch kissed her harder, more urgently. Effie giggled and leaned into him. His hands brushing over her bare back and down to her hips.
"Just wait till I get you home." He whispered against her ear.
Effie laughed until someone cleared their throat. She broke away from Haymitch and tried to not look like they were just caught making out like teenagers. Katniss was leaning against a pillar and Peeta was close by.
"If it's okay with you two, we'd like to leave." Katniss said sassily. Haymitch laughed as sassiness did not suit the girl.
"Can it, Everdeen." Haymitch gruffed and headed for the exit.
"Are you sure we needed the birds and bees talk? It looks like you two need it." Katniss retorted.
Effie blushed and looked at Katniss. "Champagne makes you sassy. I like it." She smiled and hurried to their waiting car.
Once piled in the car, Peeta was looking very tired and Katniss rested her head on his shoulder. Haymitch started laughing, "How many glasses of champagne did you both have?"
Effie scowled smacked Haymitch, "Oh please. They'll learn when they have hangovers tomorrow. You would know, Haymitch. Capitol champagne tastes so good going down until it obliterates you the next day."
Drunk Peeta and Katniss provided some much needed relief. I'm feeling very guilty about what I've finished writing for next few chapters. :( What do you think of Snow's latest plan for Effie? She's so not impressed. Poor girl. :(