The usual weekend update and a slightly longer one, too!
Chapter Fifty-Three
Changes, when it happened, were more often than not, very subtle and hardly ever occurred overnight. It transpired over time, unnoticed and as Haymitch crawled into bed, pulling Effie against him, he could finally pinpoint what was different about his wife – her smell. He buried his face in her hair.
When he had first met her as his colleague, he felt outright suffocated by the strong, sharp and overpowering fragrance of the perfume she wore and he never really thought about it until they were married. Having to spend most of his time with her, sleeping next to her and sharing the same bathroom with her, Haymitch began to associate the smell of vanilla with her skin and wild flowers with her hair – a combination of jasmine, lilies and vanilla as he found out when he had to buy a bottle of shampoo for her once. Vanilla and flowers - that was what his wife smelt like to him.
But it was different now and it took him nine months to notice but the fragrance of vanilla and flowers was now always, accompanied by the smell of baby powder – the powder she used on the children after each time that she bathed them. The combination was so inherently her, so Effie and yet very distinct from the person he once knew. He kissed her neck and then pushed his nose into her soft hair once again. It comforted him in a way he never knew was possible.
He slung his arm across her mid-section and Effie covered his hand with hers, sighing into the pillow.
"I shouldn't have brought her up," she whispered. "I'm sorry."
Haymitch nodded and mumbled into her hair, "I shouldn't have brought you and the boys here. Could have asked Felix to drop by the house and help you out while I was away."
It was as close as an apology as he could manage and Effie knew it, too.
"Ethan and Tristan are very much attached to you, in case you haven't noticed," she laughed softly. "To leave them behind for a few days while you go traipsing into the Capitol will be a disaster. They have never been away from you and I can assure you, little though they may be, they'll notice your absence and I simply cannot deal with two crying and cranky boys on my own. I can't explain to them that you'll only be gone for a while, they're too young to understand," she told him. "Let's just go to sleep, Haymitch. Tomorrow will be a better day."
"Tomorrow's the appeal," he reminded her.
He would have to see the self-important and pompous faces of the Council members and in his books that would not constitute a better day.
"Then sleep. It's a big, big, big day for you."
XxX
Effie had decided to take the children accompanied by their Uncle Felix to do some shopping. They were growing by the day and they were in dire need of new clothes. Felix was more than delighted at the prospect of shopping for clothes, naming off the boutiques he thought they should visit.
"This isn't coming out of my expenses," Haymitch warned.
"Oh, you are so frugal," Felix rolled his eyes. "Money is for spending, handsome, and I shall spend them on these two darlings."
Haymitch frowned, noting once more the stark difference between people born in the Capitol and those raised in the Districts. He opened his mouth to say that money was hardly easy to come by for some people and if money was made for spending, then it should undoubtedly be spent on food but Effie was shaking her head at him and in any case, Felix had already moved on to a different topic.
"Have the two of you ever considered baby modeling for the twins? I think they have what it takes," Felix tapped a long finger on his chin thoughtfully as he eyed Tristan. "There's someone I know who works in a baby modeling agency and I could help set the whole thing up. There're also contests which you can enter the twins into – kind of like a stepping stone, if you know what I mean – and there are usually scouts at these sorts of events. I – "
"No," Haymitch and Effie said at once.
"Oh well, that's a waste. Because little Ethan here has a smile that could melt people's hearts. He could do very well in the business – he's outgoing. "
"I have to go," Haymitch stood up, pushing his chair back to kiss Effie on her cheek. He walked over and ruffled the boys' hair. "Don't tire them or they'll get cranky at night," Haymitch said to Felix.
The appeal took up Haymitch's entire afternoon which should not surprise him because for the first time, Plutarch and himself had decided to bring up the issue of the Government's finances with regards to the policies involving the cash payout, financing the dollar for dollar children's development saving fund and the education subsidy for children born under the law.
"The people that I've talked to have expressed their concerns," Haymitch said. "Your administration does not have their full confidence; they think that you will be able to deliver what you promised. This country is still rehabilitating from the effects of the war and rebuilding the country is costing a lot of money. You'd understand why this is a concern, don't you? People are not very convinced that you will be able to sustain the policies with the current economic climate without some consequences."
"I concur with Haymitch," Plutarch nodded. "There were some complains across the districts that constructions of houses and other facilities are being delayed because of insufficient financial backing. The ongoing rebuilding and reconstructions of this country should not take a back seat. It is equally important. I trust you understand that the rebuilding of these places – schools, private clinics, additional factories and shops – will only contribute to the economic growth of this country. It sustains and provides employment which our country badly need at this moment. You cannot focus all your efforts into the law while giving half of your attention to others."
A murmur rippled through the Council members. President Paylor was frowning as she looked at each of the Council members in turn. While Haymitch was certain that President Paylor had been fully briefed of the problem involving the reconstruction in the districts, Haymitch also had a distinct feeling that this was a problem that was in constant debate between the President and her Council members. Decision-making did not lie in President Paylor's hand alone. Panem had seen the effects of such immeasurable power in the hand of a single man so the moment the battle was over and the war was won, when Plutarch had asked for Haymitch's assistance in setting up a new governing body, Haymitch who had fought his entire life and only wanted to be left alone, gave only one advise – 'separation of power; have a system of checks and balances, Plutarch. Don't let one person make all the decisions.' With the system in place, President Paylor could not pass a law without the agreement of the Council and the Council could not make any decisions without President Paylor's approval.
"So we decrease the government's funding into the cash payout or we ceased the dollar for dollar savings in the development fund," a council member suggested.
"You do that and you will lose the believe people have in your Council. There are people out there in the districts and in the city who are still struggling to rebuild their life, and you are asking these people to have two children at minimum. Having another mouth to feed post-war is already putting on undue pressure, much less two," Haymitch argued. "Your cash payout is helping them tide things over and the education grant you will be giving will greatly help them when it comes to enrolling their children in school but all of these will chip into the government's budget. In the long run, assuming all other factors remain constant, you will have more marriage law babies, more money needed to spend on this and it will have a major financial effect."
"And if the law is repealed, Mr Abernathy, do you suggest we stop all these policies with immediate effect to save the budget?"
"Of course not," Haymitch shook his head. "The policies were your promise to all of us who were married and had children as mandated. It will be bad form to retract on it when it suited you. My suggestion is this," Haymitch managed a smirk, "the cash payout should still be handed out until the children reach the age of 7 just as the law states. Your policy also states that the Government will match every dollar that the parents save for the child under the development saving fund until the child reaches the age of 7 and that should also remain in place when you cease the law, at least until the child turns 8. The education grant and subsidy should also be in effect for children born under this law until they have completed compulsory education, as promised."
"In short," Haymitch gestured with his hand, "the policies should remain as it is for anyone affected by the law but no longer applicable to anyone who has children after the law has been repealed."
"That will not have a heavy impact on the budget and it will allow your government to recoup financial losses under the policies," Plutarch added.
XxX
At eleven the next morning, Haymitch woke up with a heavy feeling on his chest, quite literally. He cracked his eyes open to find Ethan sitting and bouncing on his chest as Effie held him steady with a huge smile on her face. Ethan made a grab for his nose excitedly when he saw that Haymitch had opened his eyes but Haymitch turned his face away.
"Okay, okay, I'm up," Haymitch grumbled, picking the boy off him.
"Give your son a good morning kiss, Haymitch, he did a good job waking you up for me," Effie teased.
It took her nearly an hour to get her boys, including Haymitch who can be such a child at times, ready and out of the house.
"How did it go yesterday?" she asked the question that had been burning in her mind.
Haymitch took his time answering as they alighted from the taxi. "I think it went well. It has turned lesser into an argument and more into a dialogue between us and the Council members."
"That's good, isn't it? A discussion is always better than two sides butting heads. It might even work out better than you expected; you and Plutarch could collaborate with the Council and smooth things out, ensure the best for everyone. The way I see it, your concerns are for the people while the Council is more concern for the country – they both go hand in hand."
"If, for whatever reason, they reject this appeal, maybe the next time I should take you with me for one of these discussions," he said, reaching down to the floor to pick up the hat Ethan had thrown out of his stroller.
The chilly silence that surrounded the cemetery was occasionally punctuated by the unintelligible blabbering of the twins as Haymitch pushed the double stroller up along the empty pathway. He couldn't really help the chill running down his spine. Haymitch had always hated cemeteries. In Twelve, there was a wall memorial engraved with tributes' name which he avoided, just as he avoided the marked graves of his family and his girl.
He had tried to visit a few times but it only served to dredge up painful memories. Each time he returned home from these visits he only drank more because the nightmares became so much worse. In the end, Haymitch stopped visiting altogether.
But Effie had wanted to visit her late sister and she had wanted to bring the twins along. It seemed important to her and not wanting to get into another disagreement, Haymitch had agreed to accompany her.
Since he did not know the way, Haymitch trailed after her as Effie led the way with Tristan. They had left the strollers behind at the walkway, knowing that it would be difficult to maneuver it on the grassy pathway.
"Settle down, tiger, you're not making things any easy for me," he spoke quietly to Ethan. "I want to get out of here as much as you do but we gotta to do this for your mama, okay?"
Haymitch knew exactly why Ethan was squirming and why the boy looked close to tears. He wanted to be let down so he could have his freedom to crawl all around. Ethan had never liked being held and carried around much ever since he learnt how to crawl.
"Shush, don't go crying on me. You won't do that to me, I know you won't," Haymitch said, trying to calm him down.
Effie had come to a stop. His eyes flickered to the headstone, reading the name engraved on it; Eirene Trinket. Effie glanced over her shoulders to check on them and smiled, beckoning Haymitch to stand next to her.
"We're here," she said. Haymitch nodded. "Hello, Eirene," Effie whispered so softly. "I haven't visited since the day before my wedding. I'm sorry. I haven't forgotten about you. I think about you all the time and I … So much has happened since I was last here and I – I wish you were here to see me now. I thought a lot about what you would say to me if you're here. You would be proud of me, I think. I've made a life for myself, Eirene."
"I brought them," her voice cracked just a little. "When we were little children, we promised to bring our own families for dinner every weekend, do you remember? I thought you would like to meet them – this is my husband, Haymitch, and these are my children," she gestured, a small smile on her lips. Haymitch stood silently next to her and Ethan, having sense the shift in his mother's mood had grown quiet.
"They're twins – Tristan and Ethan – nine months old and as Haymitch often complaint, a handful, especially that one," Effie nodded at Ethan, giving her son a fond smile. "You would love them and they would have been so lucky to have you as their aunt. You've always loved children; you and Felix both."
Haymitch understood then why she had wanted to take them along, why it had been so important to her. Effie wanted to introduce her family; her pride and joy. It felt mindless, not to mention odd that she was talking to a headstone but he had always heard that it made some people feel better to be able to visit and talk out loud to the dead. He had never truly understood that because he had tried talking to his brother years ago, an act that only increased his guilt ten-fold. He supposed it was different for Effie. Unlike him, her sister had not died because of something she had done.
Next to him, he could hear her sniffle. Haymitch drew her close and kissed her temple gently. "She would be very happy for you, sweetheart," he said.
XxX
Haymitch took them to lunch at a small restaurant to lift the mood back again. It felt nice to be out with his family, something they hardly ever do in District Twelve because whenever they needed something from town, one of them would make a quick trip while the other stayed at home. It was easier to shop for groceries without the children. Haymitch made a mental note to himself to take them out once in a while to Greasy Sae's.
With time to spare before the boys needed their afternoon nap, Effie suggested a walk in the park. Haymitch indulged her as a way to make it up to her for the strained and uneasy time they had between themselves a few days back.
"I've been thinking… there's enough space in our yard for a swing set," Effie made a flippant remark as she placed Ethan at the top of the green slide and guided him down, much to the child's delight. "So… I thought, maybe, you could set one up for the children. He loves it, see!"
Haymitch grumbled under his breath. This was the modus operandi in their household. Effie would have all these ideas of what she thought would be nice to have and then it would be up to him to do it all. He remembered the incident with the furniture for the nursery all too well.
"A swing set at my house," he snorted. "That's a sight to behold. If he was alive, Chaff would love to see that, I bet."
"Can I have an outdoor swing, too?" she smiled cheekily. "I saw this absolutely pretty rattan swing yesterday and I asked, they said they could deliver it to Twelve. We just have to pay a little extra. It won't take up much space," she added hastily, "I promise."
"What would you need that for? Is it really necessary?" he scowled.
"Just," she answered. "It'll be cozy. We'll get the two-seater and you can come and join me. Come on, Haymitch, let's get it."
"Children's swing set and then we'll see about yours," he said.
Effie beamed at him, more than happy with that compromise. Effie didn't really care much for an outdoor swing but she had voiced it out because she knew between getting something for her and something for the children, he would choose the children. But Haymitch would yield sooner or later. Despite all his grumbling, he always tried to get for her the things she asked for. Not immediately, but eventually, just like when she had craved for strawberries during the pregnancy. It was these inconsequential little things he did that made her heart fluttered and convinced her that she had not made a mistake falling in love with him.
"What do you think their first words will be?" Effie asked out of the blue.
Haymitch shrugged. "Does it matter?"
"In the grand scheme of things, probably not. I'm very excited for them to start talking. I'm certain their first word will be mummy. That'll be nice," Effie grinned.
Haymitch wrinkled his nose.
"I thought I heard Tristan called 'Da' just the other day when I walked away from him. Pretty sure 'Da' was me," he smirked.
Effie stared at him, mouth opened slightly in disbelief. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?!"
"Does it matter?"
"Of course, it does!" she exclaimed, suddenly changing her stance. "It's supposed to be me."
"That's the most childish thing I've ever heard coming from you. Has the children rubbed off on you?"
The smirk, Effie was sure, was going to be a permanent fixture on his face.
"Besides," Haymitch went on, "I thought you say it didn't matter in the grand scheme of things."
"But - I thought… I thought," Effie sputtered. "Since I'm their mother, it would be me they first called out for."
"Says who?" Haymitch lifted an eyebrow mockingly. "Too bad, sweetheart," Haymitch lifted Tristan from the slide and then right in front of Effie, he planted a big, wet kiss on the boy's cheek. "I'm his favourite, clearly. Ain't that right, peanut?"
Effie glowered. He could see her thinking it out because she said, "they're only 9 months old. They can't really talk, not yet anyway. You probably just misheard it. In any case, 'Da' is not even a real word, Haymitch. It's the babies babbling as they learn to communicate. Their first real word will be mummy."
"Whatever makes you sleep at night, Effs."
She walked away and sat on the swing with Ethan on her lap and Haymitch thought that was the end of the conversation. Except she looked up, concern etched all over her face, "did Tristan really said Da?"
He smirked.
I promised fluff and so I tried to scatter bits of fluffs here and there so it's not angsty this time. I hope you like it. Please leave a review!
