Hayffie prompt. Katniss is in labour with twins. Katniss is close with both Effie and Haymitch but extra close with Effie since her mom isn't there anymore. Effie stressing over Katniss who is having problems giving birth, Haymitch stressing over Katniss too but trying to keep calm for everyone.

I only basically followed the main idea for this one because I didn't see why Katniss had to have twins so… I don't like what I wrote much to be honest and I hesitated to publish it at all but… I hope some of you like it anyway =)

Motherly Concern

"They should have given us news by now." Effie complained, bolting out of her plastic chair to pace some more.

Peeta shot Haymitch a long suffering look.

Haymitch's only response was a helpless shrug.

"It's absolutely outraging to be kept in the dark like this." Effie went on, glaring at the nurses office facing the waiting area and failing to notice the good number of people actually glaring at her. Haymitch couldn't blame them, she was a pain. Ever since Katniss had gone into labor, Effie had been frantic and it had only gone worse when they had to take Katniss in surgery for a C-section. "And you, Peeta dear… You must be so anxious. This waiting is unbearable! Are you sure you don't want to eat something? A sandwich. I'm sure they must sell sandwiches in this awful hospital. Haymitch, go buy Peeta a sandwich."

Peeta, despite his gentle nature, seemed ready to bash his head into the wall repeatedly out of sheer frustration. He had already refused her offer for something to eat six times.

"Food sounds good." Haymitch said, if only to shut her up. He stood up, grabbed her arm and tugged her along. "Come on, sweetheart."

"Oh, but we can't leave Peeta by himself!" she started protesting.

"He will do just fine." he grumbled. The poor boy was distressed enough as it was – they all were – and he didn't need her incessant ramblings.

He let her rant all the way to the cafeteria, taking a sip from his flask every now and then. He was an expert at tuning Effie Trinket out. Her nagging extended to the choice of sandwiches – or rather the lack of thereof – to the point even the vendor started glaring at her.

"Would you stop fretting?" Haymitch finally exclaimed, placing his order for two tuna sandwiches.

"How can you not be fretting?" she hissed. "Katniss is on a surgery table, she's about to give birth… This is a traumatic experience and…"

"And you repeating she might be dying every two seconds is helping how?" he cut her off.

That finally made her fall silent.

"Oh." She played with the thin golden chain on her wrist. "Have I been very annoying? I am so anxious, Haymitch, she was so nervous about the pregnancy and the birth and…"

"And you're ranting again." he sighed, guiding her to a table. He pushed one of the sandwiches in front her but it remained untouched. "And, yes, you are annoying."

"It's taking so long…" Effie avoided his eyes. "I don't think I could bear it if anything happened to her."

"Nothing's going to happen." he grabbed her hand over the table and squeezed. "Katniss' tough."

"I hope you are right." She forced a smile on her lips. "Childbirth is no easy task."

"And that's why we never had a baby." Haymitch grumbled. He couldn't even begin to imagine what Peeta must have been feeling. He was worried about Katniss too, obviously, but he was always worried about Katniss.

"Is it?" she smiled mischievously. "And there I thought it was because you didn't want children."

"That too." he snorted.

"We have Katniss and Peeta, though." Her face fell again. "If anything happen to her…"

He wanted to promise nothing would happen but the truth was he didn't know. There was no point in making that kind of promises. So, instead, he forced her to eat her sandwich and chose not to mind that she refused to let go of his hand.

Of course, when Peeta burst in the cafeteria and rushed to them with a bright smile on his face, Haymitch breathed a little more easily.

"It's a girl!" the boy told them proudly.