"Wait … what? Pregnant? How pregnant?"

Effie laughed. "There's really only one option … but I suppose we could say very pregnant."

"The healer … she's sure?"

Effie nodded - wiping away a few happy tears from her cheeks. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"Are you happy?"

"When are we gonna get a chance to sleep?" Haymitch asked in reply.

"Sleep? Haymitch -"

But Haymitch only chuckled and pulled Effie into his arms, kissing her deeply.

Yes, he was happy. That had answered her question.


Katniss lifted Rosie onto her hip as she searched the front room for the baby's rather worn out teething ring. She looked up when Haymitch came into the room.

"Peeta brought her over," she said, passing Rosie to Haymitch. "He went into town. How's Effie? The healer wouldn't tell me anything obviously."

"Effie's … good. Healthy."

"But she's sick."

"Well … no."

"No?" Katniss finally found the toy and handed it to Rosie, who was already reaching for it.

"Looks like Rosie's gonna have a little brother or sister."

Katniss stepped back. "What?"

"Eff's pregnant. Again."

"You're kidding."

"No, ma'am. She's sent me downstairs to make an appointment in Four with the doctor who delivered Rosie."

"Wait - is it safe? I mean, I know Rosie came early and she's fine but … Effie wasn't even supposed to be able to have kids in the first place. Right?"

"Yeah - which is why we seem to keep ending up pregnant," Haymitch said. "Kinda pointless to use any sort of -"

"Okay - hold that thought. Too much information. But seriously - Effie. Effie is pregnant again?"

Haymitch nodded.

"Can you guys handle two kids?"

Haymitch shrugged. "Guess we'll find out. We're doin' all right with Rosie and those two across the street so … another couldn't hurt." Haymitch went to the kitchen. "I'll let you tell Peeta. Set the tone."

Katniss groaned. "I'm sorry - I should sound happier. You're … excited. In a good way. It's weird and I'm still not used to it."

"Nah - I understand. But you know Eff and I didn't do it on purpose."

"I'm sure you didn't," Katniss laughed.


"I feel a bit in shock," Effie said that evening, having finally made it out of bed after a long phone call to an overexcited Annie. "I don't think it's hit me yet."

"It will soon enough. For both of us. I don't remember half of what I said to Katniss before."

"Were they able to fit me in?" she asked.

"Appointment's next Monday. Annie'll probably want us to go for the weekend though. With Rosie. She was complaining last time about how we hadn't brought her."

Effie nodded and began to fix a bottle of milk for Rosie, who hard started acting a bit fussy. "Oh, sweetie …" Effie cooed as she knelt down to Rosie. "Mommy's making a bottle for you now."

"Hey, princess, how are we supposed to … I dunno … tell her?"

"Tell who?"

"Rosie."

"Tell her what?"

"That … you know! There's a stork or something bringing -"

"Haymitch!" Effie laughed. "She's not even a year! She doesn't understand!"

"You want her learning the alphabet already - how do I know?"

Effie smiled and stood, kissing Haymitch on the cheek. "How about this. We'll have a day out. the three of us and … not that Rosie can really understand … but we'll try to tell her there's going to be another baby. She'll likely forget but …" Effie kissed his cheek again. "It'll be a nice excuse for a picnic since the weather's gotten nice."

"And we need to celebrate."

"Oh, I imagine Annie -"

"No, I mean us. Just us. Before everyone else starts banging down the door."

Effie pressed her lips to his. "See. There's a reason I love you so much."