Comming Home

Jeanetty stood by Effie at the of the Palace and watched Katniss and Haymitch descend. "I couldn't let you go without a proper goodbye," Effie said to them. She sighed and pulled Katniss in. "It's your job to take care of yourself now, Katniss." She took in the form of the younger woman. Promise me you'll find it."

Katniss looked confused. "Find what?"

"The life of a Victor."

"Goodbye, Effie," she said pulling in the former Escort close once more.

"Goodbye, my girl."

Haymitch approaches next. "Effie, don't be a stranger," he said giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Take care of her."

"I will"

Jeanetty was talking to Katniss. "And don't let the old bear get too ornery."

"I won't," Katniss laughed as Haymitch approached his wife.

"I'm still a little mad at you."

"Regardless of what happens, I will see you in three months. By then you might feel the baby kick."

"Three months is too much time. If you're not back by then, I'm gonna drag you back."

"Kicking and screaming?"

"I promise." He kissed her deeply. "I love you. And the baby."

"We love you too, Haymitch," she said kissing him back. "Now go, before you miss the train.

He nodded and followed after Katniss. The two women watched them go before returning to the palace and their respective duties.

Over the next three months, Peeta made great progress in his recovery. When the snow melted he and Jeanetty Made their way back to District 12. Jeanetty immediately went to one of the homes in Victors Village That was still standing and found Haymitch inside. He was cleaning the kitchen, and amazingly mostly sober, though she did see an open bottle of whiskey on the table.

"It's a boy," she said startling him. He whipped around to look at her, surprised by both her quiet entrance and the size of her stomach.

"What-? How-? When-?" He shook his head. "Forget it. Come here." He pulled her in as close as he could without crushing the baby. "I've missed you."

"I did promise only three months."

Peeta came in behind his Mentors. "Where's Katniss?"

"Out hunting," Haymitch told him before approaching and giving him a hug as well. "How're you doin?"

"Better. Most of my real memory has returned." He pulled away and looked around the house. "When did Katniss leave?"

"Not long ago," Haymitch said clearing off the table. "She usually goes out and comes back before dinner."

The younger man nodded. "I'm gonna go for a walk, then. I'll be back."

He left quickly and Haymitch turned a questioning look to his wife. "I think he's been cooped up in the big city too long. He's been very excited to get back." He nodded in understanding before pouring her a lemonade. "You are surprisingly sober."

"Yeah, well, I figured my kid doesn't need a drunk of a father. Besides, I've only recently realized how bad alcohol actually tastes." She looked at him surprised. "What?"

"You think alcohol tastes bad. It's a strange thing to hear to come out of your mouth," she said teasingly.

They sat and continued to talk. An hour later they looked out the front window to see Peeta planting something in the center of the walk way. "What's he doing?"

"They're primroses," Jeanetty said softly.

Later, Katniss returned home and found Peeta and the flowers. After a small breakdown they returned to the house. The four sat around the table eating dinner, watching President Paylor being sworn into office. "There's Plutarch, right in the middle of it all."

"And they say no one ever wins the Games," Haymitch said placing his hand over Jeanetty's.

It was a rainy day in the fall when the water was cold but not frozen and falling down in sheets. That's when Jeanetty gave birth to her son.

It was a year later when Katniss brought her own son into the world. Life was quiet for the former Victors in the former District 12, but they wouldn't change a thing.

Fin

A/n: hey everyone! I just want to thank you all for reading. Again, I'm very sorry I couldn't find the initial list of readers whom I promised I would inform when I re-posted this story; I am still looking for it! And I want to thank all of the lovely reviews I've gotten, both posted and PM, they helped a lot. Thank you!