Effie

Seeing the men leave to cut down the Christmas tree cheered Effie immensely.

Haymitch's Christmas is underway.

Sam Dalton had gone with them, thank goodness, because Effie had no idea whether Haymitch knew the first thing about felling a tree.

But surely between four men and two little boys one of them will figure out how to make it happen.

Effie led the women into the kitchen. "Haymitch loves frosted sugar cookies. I thought we could make some for him. Also we need decorations for the tree. I was thinking about something simple like white paper snowflakes."

"I'll make the snowflakes," Katniss volunteered. "I made some to decorate my classroom this year." Effie handed her an unopened ream of white paper and a pair of scissors.

Sae had already made the dough and rolled it out on a marble pastry board. "I have a variety of cookie cutters: trees, bells, and angels," she said. "Thought the little one might enjoy using them."

Madge walked Tricia over to a step stool that been placed for her to stand on to reach the pastry board. She helped the child up and rested her hands lightly on the girl's waist to hold her in place.

"Which cutter do you want to use first?" Madge asked the child. Suddenly as if remembering her place, Madge turned to Cecelia who was loading the dishes from lunch into the dishwasher.

"You don't mind if I take over?"

"You're playing mom for the next few days; go right ahead. I love my kids, dearly, but sometimes I need a break."

Madge smiled. "Thanks. I can use the practice."

"For when you have your own child someday?" Cecelia asked.

"Yes," Madge murmured, her cheeks turning a lovely shade of pink.

Effie smiled at Madge. Such a pretty, refined girl. She looks a bit like me when I was younger.

"Are you currently in a relationship, dear?" Effie asked.

"Not anymore. It ended badly. He was so awful about it, too."

I know how that goes. "I'm sorry."

"Thank you, it has been difficult."

From across the kitchen a loud noise sounded, as if someone had pounded hard on a wooden surface. All heads turned toward Katniss, who sat at the built-in desk pointing her open scissors toward Madge.

"Is something wrong?" Effie asked.

"You don't get to play victim, Madge, when you're the one who ended the relationship."

An uneasy sensation came over Effie.

How do these women know each other? Will they ruin the wonderful Christmas I planned for Haymitch?

But Katniss wasn't done speaking. "Gale loved you. He still does. You broke his heart."

Gale? The man pretending to be married to Madge for the next few days? What has Sam done?

A thick tension hung over the room.

This has gone far enough.

"What exactly is going on here, ladies?" Effie's voice was firm.

"Please don't fire me." Madge wrapped her arms around Tricia, as if clinging to the child for support. "I have nowhere else to go for the holidays. My parents are in Europe."

"I have no intentions of firing you. But I'd like to know what's going on. How do you two know each other?"

"Katniss is Gale's cousin," Madge explained.

That explains the resemblance. I should have realized they were related, but the different last names fooled me.

"I see. Do you think you and Gale can set aside your differences for the next few days?"

"I most definitely can," Madge said. "As for Gale…"

"He'll behave," Katniss cut in. "He was happy to get this job; he won't do anything to jeopardize it."

"What about you, though?" Effie questioned Katniss. "You were hired to play a specific part, and to leave real life family matters at home."

Katniss' face went pale. "I'm sorry, Effie. I was out of line."

"Good." Effie looked around the kitchen. "Do all of you know each other? I know Dandelion isn't so big…"

Sae and Cecelia shook their heads.

"I work for the Collins' family," Sae said. "They went to Texas for the holidays, that's why I was available to take this job."

"I wanted to do something different this year," Cecelia said. "It's the second Christmas since my husband died. We don't have any family on this side of the country and after last year, I wanted the kids to be around other people."

Effie rushed to Cecelia's side to give her a side hug. "Oh you poor dear. Of course you'd want to do something different. I'm sure your children will appreciate having people around, too. That's exactly why I arranged this holiday for Haymitch."

Cecelia wiped away an errant tear from her cheek. "If you don't mind my asking, what exactly are we doing here?"

"Of course you're probably curious. I'm Haymitch's secretary, and he asked me to arrange Christmas for him. He has no relatives or close friends, and I couldn't help but imagine he'd enjoy spending the holiday with a family."

"But we're not his real family," Cecelia pointed out.

"He doesn't have anyone. That's why Sam hired all of you."

"You're certainly dedicated," Cecelia said. "Giving up your own Christmas to make your boss' better. Is there something going on between you two?"

Effie's cheeks grew warm as the comment was left hanging in the air. "I've been working for Haymitch for over ten years. I care about him a great deal."

"It sounds like you're a good friend," Sae said.

Embarrassed at the comments regarding her relationship with Haymitch, Effie's demeanor turned businesslike.

"I'm so happy that all of you are here to make Haymitch's Christmas special. Remember, though, that you're all part of Haymitch's family for the next few days, so let's try to keep our personal lives private, and stick to the backstory I gave you." Her eyes darted between Katniss and Madge.

"Now let's get back to work before those men return with the tree."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sam

Sam rubbed his forehead. These poor men. Thrown together for a few days and none of them were saying a word to each other. Haymitch Abernathy appeared to be in shock. Gale wore a scowl. Only Peeta seemed to be making an effort. He was talking to the children, Timmy and Taiden, asking them about their favorite cookies and promising to bake up a batch.

It's a good thing I decided to stay.

He'd warned Myrtle that he might be spending some time at Snow Mansion over the next few days helping out, partly because he was nervous about the people he'd hired, but mostly because the entire venture intrigued him. Besides Haymitch Abernathy was a well-to-do business owner man with lots of connections. He'd be a great person to call a friend.

Sam carried the ax, which Effie had handed him before they set off. He pointed toward the tight grouping of trees just past the manicured lawn, and the large, glassed-in greenhouse. "The woods are that way."

The boys ran ahead, their high-pitched giggles breaking through the silence.

Sam came up beside Haymitch. "Looks like you're in shock."

The businessman nodded. "I asked Effie to plan my Christmas. I expected to end up at a resort where I'd spend my time reading by the fire. Maybe doing a jigsaw puzzle. Not playing dad to a bunch of strangers."

Sam nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, women can come up with some curious thoughts about what we men want."

"Effie knows me so well, though. She insisted this would be the Christmas I never knew I always wanted."

"Well guess you'll have to wait and see if she was right."

"I guess so." He paused, for a moment. "Is that kid's name really Timmy? Just like Tiny Tim in Scrooge."

"It is." Funny I never made that connection.

Taiden, bounded up to the base of a thin birch tree. "Chop down this one," he shouted.

"No," his brother Timmy said, running up to a maple tree. "This is the one."

"Those aren't Christmas trees, kids," Haymitch interrupted. He looked to Sam. "I'm guessing the owners of this place don't want us defacing their woods."

"You're probably right." In fact, he'd never even thought to request permission to cut down a tree on the property as part of the Christmas party.

I expect I'll have to add the cost of replacing a mature tree onto the final bill.

"How about this one?" Peeta asked pointing to a fir tree growing about ten yards further into the woods. It was about nine feet tall, large enough to make a good showing in the formal living area of the Snow Mansion. Timothy and Taiden left their choices to check out the tree Peeta had picked out.

"Looks good to me," Haymitch said. "It's far enough back not to be too obviously missing."

Sam handed the ax to Haymitch. "This is your Christmas. You do the honors."

Peeta motioned for the boys to stand clear as Haymitch took a few swings at the base of the tree, felling it.

The boys screamed in delight as it crashed to the ground, causing all the men, with the exception of Gale, to grin broadly.

"Well that was quick," Haymitch said. "Why don't we explore for a bit before we carry this back to the house. I don't know if Effie expects us back so soon."

The children led the way as the men followed behind.

"This estate is a fair size," Haymitch said. "Do you know how big it is?"

Sam shook his head.

Peeta chimed up. "Ten acres I believe. My family's bakery has catered several weddings here over the years."

"Then you probably know this place better than any of us," Sam said.

"I know the kitchen mostly, and the greenhouse where we set up the food. But my dad and I have walked the grounds once or twice when we had time to kill on the job. There's a stream once you get past the trees."

"Well lead the way then," Haymitch said.

Peeta jogged forward to catch up with the children.

"Those kids look like they could really belong to Peeta," Haymitch said.

"They're the children of the cook's helper, Cecelia," Sam responded.

"What about their father?"

"As I understand, Cecelia is widowed."

Haymitch rubbed his hand over his chin. "You seem to know what's going on. What's your role in all this?"

Sam reddened. He'd spent the last couple of hours driving Haymitch here and he'd avoided talking about his integral part in arranging the entire event.

Would Effie care if I said something? Would it matter?

"I'm the owner of Dalton Employment Agency. Effie engaged my business to hire these folks for the next few days."

"I see," Haymitch said. He lowered his voice. "Are they all actors?"

"Nah," Sam said. "None of them are. They all have other means of regular employment, well, other than our cook, Sae. She is a cook. A fine one at that. She comes highly recommended."

"Good to hear," Haymitch said. "I live by myself and eat mostly from cans."

A rich man like you?

"You're a man of simple tastes."

"That's true. I grew up poor and started my business when I was young. Never expected it to take off the way it did."

"Never married then?"

"Nah, there was this one girl a long time ago, but she died before I did anything about it."

"Sorry."

"You're married?"

"I am," Sam said. "Almost twenty-five years. Her name's Myrtle. But we never had kids."

Peeta and the boys made their way to the edge of a rapidly moving stream. They picked up twigs and threw them into the water watching them flow downstream.

As Sam and Haymitch got closer, Gale who'd been lagging behind, sidled up to Sam. "Can I speak with you privately?"

Irritation washed over Sam. What's wrong with him? He'd been scowling ever since I got here.

Sam threw Haymitch an apologetic look, and watched as he walked forward to join Peeta and the children at the water's edge.

Once Haymitch had left, Gale spoke. "That woman you hired to play my wife, well, I know her."

"And…"

"She was my girlfriend, but it ended a few months ago…"

Sam interrupted. "That's too bad. Is it going to be a problem to be in her presence for the next few days? I could tear up your contract and you could leave right now, but of course, you'll have to pay back the clothing allowance you were advanced."

Gale reddened. "No. It won't be a problem. I just thought you should know, in case Madge causes any trouble."

"Well thanks for letting me know."

Somehow I doubt she'll be the one causing a problem.

Gale walked back to toward the water, picked up a small rock and threw it in.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Gale

"So Sam's filled me in on what's going on," Haymitch said to Gale and Peeta as they stood beside the stream. "Its kind of silly both of you pretending you're my relatives. Why don't you tell me something about your real lives?"

Haymitch turned to Peeta first.

"There's not much to tell," Peeta said. "I already mentioned that I work at my family's bakery in Dandelion."

"And they didn't mind you cutting out for the holiday?"

A sheepish look came over Peeta's face. "I told them I won a contest and was going to Disney World."

"I want to go to Disney World," Taiden whined.

Haymitch's eyebrows rose. "Why would you do that?"

"I really hate Christmas at my parent's house," Peeta explained. "My mom criticizes all her kids for not meeting her standards. I'm the only one still single so I get the worst of it. It's not like I want to be single; but I haven't met anyone yet."

"It doesn't matter," Gale blurt out. "Cause even if you meet the one meant for you, she'll likely not want you anyway."

Peeta and Haymitch turned to look at Gale.

Oh crap, I sound absolutely pathetic.

"Something like that happen to you, son?" Haymitch asked, catching his eye.

Gale opened his mouth to speak, but he suddenly he sensed Sam's presence. He took a deep breath and muttered, "Yeah."

"You loved her?" Haymitch's eyes bore into him like a laser.

Gale nodded, a thick lump forming in his throat. He looked away from Haymitch and stared at Timmy and Taiden who were tossing twigs into the stream.

I wonder if Madge and I would have had blond-haired kids.

He blinked his eyes rapidly, staring at the ground to compose himself.

Be a man. Don't cry, damn it.

"Still do. I thought she'd be the mother of my children."

Haymitch frowned. "I had a similar experience when I was younger, but my girl died. If your girl's still breathing, don't give up hope. You may have a chance yet."

Ha. You don't know Madge at all.

Taiden took advantage of the momentary silence to pose some questions to the group. "Will Santa know we're here, instead of at home? How will he find us?"

"Oh, Santa knows exactly how to find you," Peeta said. "Trust me, I'm sure of that."

Haymitch bit his lip to hide a smile. "He's right. Santa Claus is a pretty smart guy."

"Good," Taiden said. He turned toward his brother. "You're wrong Tim, Santa will bring our presents to us here."

Gale wandered down the stream bank away from the others. He'd never expected to be so upset over seeing Madge. He'd tried his best to avoid thinking about her after the breakup, filling his days with work and helping his mom by painting her house.

He'd hoped that this silly job over Christmas would have been a chance to relax, but he knew now he was going to earn every penny as he forced himself to put on a happy face around Madge for the next few days.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Katniss

Katniss focused on cutting snowflakes. A snip in the wrong direction and the intricate pattern could be ruined.

I should have kept my big mouth shut. Why did I go after Madge like that in front of everyone? I complain about Gale's stupidity and I'm just as bad.

Maybe Madge is having a difficult time, like she said.

There was certainly evidence to prove it. Her personality had changed drastically since the breakup. The driven career woman had never been interested in children before, and would have scoffed at the idea of baking cookies.

Even her style of clothing was different. She'd gone from skin-tight jeans to a loose and flowing dress.

It's almost as if she's having some kind of mental breakdown.

By the time the men returned to the house, Katniss had made a stack of snowflakes and a large paper star for the top of the tree.

Everyone but Sae, who had already started preparing dinner, left the kitchen to watch Gale and Peeta carry the tree into the living room, setting it up in a corner of the room.

"It's beautiful," Effie trilled. "Did you pick it out Haymitch?"

"Peeta found it, but I cut it down."

"You did a wonderful job."

"It was just a couple of swings of the ax," Haymitch said.

Katniss made her way to Gale's side. "I need to talk with you," she whispered. "It's important" She nodded toward the front door.

A couple of minutes later Gale appeared to join her on the front porch.

"Let's go for a walk," she said.

"We can't go too far. Effie wants to decorate the tree."

"Fine, this won't take long." She didn't want to tell him what had happened in the kitchen but he needed to be warned that Effie was aware of his previous relationship with Madge, and that she'd be watching his behavior.

"Say, has Peeta mentioned if he has a girlfriend?"

Gale's mouth flew open. "You made me come outside to ask me that?"

"I was just wondering."

Gale laughed. "You crack me up, Katniss. Nah, he's definitely single. Let's go back in the house. The temperature must have dropped ten degrees since we carried that tree in the house."

"There's something else," Katniss said.

"You want to know more stuff about Peeta."

"No. I may have accidentally told Effie that you used to date Madge."

"What?"

"I got mad at Madge when she was talking about your breakup, and it all came out."

"Everyone knows? For crying out loud, Katniss."

"I know. I'm sorry."

Gale sighed. "It doesn't matter, anyway. I already mentioned it to Sam. I thought he ought to know in case Madge caused any trouble."

"I don't think she'll do that. She's changed."

"Changed? How?

"She's like a different person. You should have seen her holding on to that little girl Tricia. She said she was practicing for when she became a mother."

"That doesn't seem like something Madge would say. She's never even wanted to talk about having a kid, let alone hold one."

"She also mentioned she's been having a difficult time with the breakup."

"Madge really said that? I never would have guessed."