Both the healer and general doctor agreed that it would be best to keep Rosie in their care for the better part of a couple months - but were sure that she would be home by late December. Effie was kept for only two days, then released with the strong suggestion she keep activity to an absolute minimum.
"I want to bring her home," Effie said as Haymitch helped her into bed. She was still sore - her body still ached when she moved.
"We'll bring her home soon."
"It doesn't sound like soon."
Haymitch sighed and pressed his lips to her cheek. "Comfortable?" he asked.
Effie nodded.
"Get some rest. We'll have lunch then go back to see her, all right?"
"Where are you going?"
"Annie's keeping me on a pretty tight leash - I'm helping with the laundry."
Effie laughed a little - that was true. Annie knew the trouble Haymitch was having and, to prevent any slip ups while he was in Four, she was monitoring his every move.
"You shouldn't keep her waiting."
"Yeah, but I can tell you're upset."
"I just want my daughter."
Haymitch push a lock of hair from her face. "I know. And so do I. But we'll be with her - just an hour or two."
Effie could feel his hand against her cheek - it was trembling. The tremors were back. "Are you going to be okay?" she asked.
Haymitch nodded - knowing what she meant. "Annie'll distract me. Then I'll come up to get you. Then we go see Rosie."
"Do what Annie says," Effie said with a yawn. "You do need to learn how to do laundry properly."
"What's that mean?"
"Dish soap in a sink of dirtied water doesn't count."
"It doesn't?"
Effie playfully swatted his leg. "Go," she said. "I'll rest."
She waited until Haymitch left the room. Rolling onto her back, Effie stared up at the ceiling and finally let herself cry. She missed her baby.
"When will I be able to feed her myself?" Effie asked, sitting comfortably in the chair as the healer passed Rosie to her.
"Stable lungs, first. Then we'll see if she can suckle - it will depend on her muscle development."
Effie nodded, bending down to kiss Rosie's forehead gently. She then looked up to Haymitch, who was biding his time while the healer fussed around.
"Will you try holding her again?" Effie asked.
"Yeah, yeah. I like watching you though."
Effie grinned. "She won't break."
"She looks like she will."
"You heard them all. She's nice and strong. From you, no doubt."
"Nah - I think she got that from both of us."
Effie felt her face flush. "Did Annie show you how to use a washing machine?"
"Seeing as she just got one installed, it was a learning experience for both of us. But I'm not too bad at hanging things on a line."
Effie's eyes narrowed.
"Properly," Haymitch added. "With clothespins -"
"Oh, you make yourself sound positively idiotic. Will you sit down? You're making me nervous."
"I don't want to get too -"
"Close? Haymitch …"
Keeping his arms crossed tight against his chest, Haymitch sat in the chair that had been brought in for Effie the day before.
"You're doin' better at it," Haymitch said.
"Well, being away from her makes me want to hold her all the more. If I could sleep in this chair I would."
"And I wouldn't?"
"That's not what I meant."
"I know, sweetheart." Haymitch went to reach forward but stopped himself.
"She doesn't bite. And if she did - she doesn't have teeth."
"I just don't want to … I don't know -"
"Break her?"
"She's tiny. I've got these huge hands and -"
"All the more to protect her," Effie said. "Oh, what stories we'll have to tell her about her birth and how daddy would not hold her because he was afraid he would -"
"All right, all right! Jeez - just give me some time."
Effie saw him folding his hands. "Are the tremors -"
"No, nah. I've been taking those meeds regularly - they only come on in the morning and evening."
"But is that -"
"No. She's just so … fragile."
"She looks fragile. But she's an Abernathy."
"What's that mean?"
Effie only smiled and began to rock back and forth in the chair.