The break has been agonizing for both Effie and Haymitch. They badly miss each other and none of them had the courage to pick up the phone first to make the call. Effie is afraid to bother him while Haymitch fears to let Snow knows just how much Effie means to him so they endured the entire duration of the break alone with their own vices to carry through them.
By the start of the 68th Hunger Games, Effie rode the train early so she can have few more hours with Haymitch alone and it was worth it. They cannot keep a hold of themselves any longer and they don't want to. They waited for months to be together again and it wasn't fun. On the morning of the Reaping Day they both lay on his bed naked as the day they were born, cherishing the last few sane moments before the fiasco once again begins.
"We should get dress and get going. The ceremony will start in an hour", Effie muttered while wrapping her arm around Haymitch's body.
"I don't want to go yet, princess. I just want to stay right here", he said.
Effie hummed. She wanted that too more than anything but that's not their reality. They have to play their parts or Snow will come raining down on them.
"Why do I get the feeling that this year is going to be worse than the last?" she asked.
She's been having that feeling since the break. She would wake up panting and sweating every night from the nightmares and ever since, she cannot shake off the feeling that something bad is bound to happen.
"I feel that every single year. The only consolation I get when the season starts is I get to see you again no matter how annoying you are", he answered.
That earned him a slap on his shoulder. Effie gracefully got off the bed and then grabbed her clothes on the floor and went to the bathroom. They only got an hour left and she got a lot to fix on her face and hair. She basically has to redo everything. By the time she's done, he is already gone from the room. She went downstairs and found him fixing himself a drink consists of coffee and whisky.
"That is an odd combination", she commented while wrinkling her nose.
"As long as it works, I have no complaints", he muttered mockingly.
"I'm quite sure of that", she replied and smoothened her dress. "We better go now or we will be off schedule", she said and then went outside his house.
The Reaping went as usual. Effie reaped two kids from the district both age 12. The Escort took it in her stride and smile like a robot through the crowd before going to the train. She made sure she brough enough cigarette with her to ease her stress while she deals with the new season. Once on board, she hurried the kids to bathe and rest in their rooms while she attempted to finish some paperwork but she was unsuccessful because Haymitch had pulled her into his room and undressed right away.
Their journey to the Capitol went just like that. The kids are oblivious by the relationship between their Escort and Mentor but it proves to be for the best. The two are always in their best mood which is beneficial for their Tributes. Haymitch drinks less and Effie smokes less too. Being together has proven to be better than any vice they have. When they reached the Capitol, they had to spend time apart because Effie has to arrange everything for them. It is her job after all. She found new stylists for them and she already booked the interview.
Haymitch didn't waste any second when she returned to the penthouse. One could say that the season became a sex fest for them too because they couldn't get enough of each other and frankly, it helps to take their minds off the games.
Of course, the training went horrible. The two kids don't know anything to help them survive and the interview was just awful. It's not news that the Tributes from Twelve are helpless. After Haymitch won, no one from that district has been crowned Victor and everyone doubt there will be. Still, that didn't stop Effie from doing her best to get them help.
"Your Escort doesn't know when to give up, does she?" Chaff commented once they are in the bar.
Haymitch is in guard duty from a far. He learned to let her do her thing but he always keeps an eye on her. He also learned not to stop her from trying because it helps her sleep at night and that's very important for her.
"No, she's stubborn that way but no one can really stop Trinket", he answered.
"I guess so. I trust you know what you're getting yourself into though", his best friend said.
"What are you on about?" Haymitch asked.
"I am not blind and some people aren't also. You are bickering in public less and less each year. You are less and less drunk each year. Don't you think that won't go unnoticed by some? You changed and that happened when she came into the scene. Not all Capitol are dumb, my friend", Chaff answered.
Yeah…like Snow. He changed and that is a fact. Honestly, he thinks that's Mags goal, to save him from alcohol poisoning but she didn't intend for the two of them to have a relationship. Now they have and it's dangerous.
"She's my Escort and she threatened to take my booze so what do you want me to do?" he lied.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night", Chaff muttered mockingly but his eyes are wary.
Haymitch continued to watch Effie dazzled the party until both of their Tributes died. She smoked as usual and he drank. It is their coping mechanism. By the morning, Effie ran to the bathroom and poured her guts out. It is odd considering she doesn't get hangover from liquor and certainly she doesn't throw up the morning after. Something is off. Haymitch insisted on coming to the Mentors' Lounge that day to spend time with Chaff, Mags, and Finnick to which she didn't protest. She needed the time and the day off from him. She discreetly went to a store to purchase that little box and went back to the penthouse.
When Haymitch returned from the Lounge, he found Effie smoking by the bay window. He is not drunk and he surely didn't stay long so he's no sure if she's upset with him or with something else.
"What's wrong, princess?" he asked.
"…center table", she simply said.
He frowned but went there anyway and looked at the table she's talking about. He then saw a pregnancy test lying there with a plus sign. The alcohol seemed to have left his body completely. He became sober in an instant.
"What's this?" he asked like he doesn't know.
"I was late but I didn't notice because everything is happening fast as usual. We're under a lot of stress, aren't we? Thinking about it now, I should've known. We've been doing it ever since the Reaping and we do it couple of times in a day. I should've known", she muttered as she blows the smoke away.
"Wait, hold on…are you saying you're pregnant?" he asked again.
Effie turned to him and put out her cigarette.
"Yes, that's what I was saying, Haymitch", she answered.
"…but you're on a pill", he said.
"I am and I do take it every day but there were times I am not sure if I had taken it on time because you kept pinning me on close flat surface. It's not foolproof, Haymitch", she explained.
That is true. They hadn't be very careful. All they think about was to be able to be together and for that release.
"We are not keeping it", he suddenly said which made her raise an eyebrow.
"Oh, so that's decided already? I don't get a vote?" she asked.
"No, you don't. I am not having a kid, Effie", he answered and used her name at the same time.
"Is it that dreadful to you? Am I not qualified to be a mother of your child?" she asked.
She never thought of having a child but she didn't dislike it. She likes children, she always does. She likes caring for her Tributes so it's not far-fetched to love the idea of being a mother herself.
"You know what happen to people around me. Do you really want to sentence our kid to be a pressure point all its life? You already sentenced enough kids in your lifetime. Don't you think that's enough?" he snapped and that strike a nerve.
She understood his point. She does. She just wished sometimes for him to watch his words. She is not dumb to need harsh and hurtful words to make her understand things.
"Alright…consider it done", she muttered coldly.
"I am going with you", he offered and she waved her hand.
"There's no need. I can handle it myself", she declined and left.
