Dalton

Sam woke to the excited cries of his niece's children as they raced to the Christmas tree. He rolled over and tapped his wife on the shoulder. "They're up. We might as well get up, too, and join them."

Myrtle groaned. "Are you sorry we never had kids?"

"I don't know."

They'd certainly given it a try when they were younger, but Myrtle had an abnormally shaped uterus, and his sperm count had been low.

It just wasn't in the cards for us. Still we've had a good life. Besides we helped raise Myrtle's niece after the girl's parents split up.

"Are you sorry?" he asked her.

"Not on days like today. I like sleeping in."

Idly Sam wondered how things were going at Snow Mansion. They had three kids in that house, and though they were cute as could be, those boys were a handful.

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Gale

"Let's go, let's go," a child shrieked. "It's Christmas. Santa Claus came."

Gale startled awake, thinking the child must be right outside the bedroom door. His eyes fell on Madge who slept by his side. Memories of the previous evening flooded over him.

I'm gonna be a dad.

He'd followed Madge back to her room to talk. Eventually, she'd let him kiss her, although they'd both stopped before anything got heated. Instead they'd stripped down to their underwear, climbed into bed and cuddled, and then talked some more.

It was nice, even without any sex.

Madge's eyelids fluttered open. "Was that Taiden?"

"I think so," Gale said. "Although it could be Timmy. Their voices are similar. Can you believe in a few years, we're going to get woken up like this on Christmas morning?"

A funny look came over Madge, and Gale felt his stomach twist.

Maybe I'm assuming this all wrong. We didn't talk about getting back together.

A worse thought came over him.

She'll have custody and I'll be the visiting dad. Or she'll find someone else and I'll have to share my child with some other guy.

Unsettled, Gale threw the blanket off, and sat up. "I'm going to go to my room and get some clean clothes." He got out of bed, gathered up the clothing from where he dropped it on the floor the previous evening, and walked to the door.

"Make sure no one sees you come out of my room in your underwear," Madge said.

Gale turned back to her, pleased to see a half smile on her face.

"It's okay. We're supposed to be married, remember."

Still he opened the door a crack and peered out to make sure the kids weren't in the hallway.

"Merry Christmas," Madge called out.

"Merry Christmas to you, too. I'll meet you downstairs."

As soon as I get dressed, I'm going to find Katniss and get her opinion of everything. I need to be sure of Madge. Katniss might have some ideas about what my next move should be.

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Katniss

Before Katniss' eyes opened, she felt an unusual, but welcome weight round her mid-section - Peeta's arm. They'd both tried to figure out a way to get out of the greenhouse the previous evening, but they couldn't make the door unlock.

"I don't want to break any glass, because I don't want to pay to replace it," Katniss said.

Peeta agreed.

Eventually, they decided to sleep in the building, on a canvas tarp.

"They'll notice we're missing in the morning, find us, and get us out," Katniss said.

Carefully she pulled Peeta's arm off her waist, trying not to wake him, and sat up. What time is it?

From the position of the morning sun she guessed it was at least 7:30 a.m. Surely someone in the house was up by now – the children at the very least.

Kids get up at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning. At least Prim and I did.

Hadn't anyone noticed that she and Peeta were missing?

Her eyes fell upon him. They'd talked for hours. She now knew everything about Peeta's job, his family, and his non-existent love-life, assuming he was being truthful about that.

He, in turn, knew the same about her. She'd even confessed that it was his costume that had caught her eye at first, although she left out the part where she liked the way the garments hugged his body.

"Maybe I should start dressing regularly like this," he'd joked.

It was the kind of first date talk that left her giddy, spilling over with fantasies about a future together. But they weren't on a date; they were simply locked in a greenhouse together. Now in the morning light, she wondered if they would even see each other after tomorrow.

Did he act like a complete gentleman because he's not interested in me?

The thought of him not becoming a part of her life after these past few days was disappointing.

Katniss stood up. I hope someone rescues us soon. I need to pee.

She paced the greenhouse, taking note of the roses in the morning light. It seems weird to see them flowering in winter.

Katniss came to the door and gave it a tug. Open, damn you.

If she hadn't been holding on to the knob, she would have fallen over when the door flew open.

"Peeta," she gasped. "The door opened."

From across the greenhouse, he groaned at the sound of his name. His eyes opened and his head turned in the direction of the door. "How did that happen?"

"I don't know. I just turned the knob. Maybe it was frozen stuck last night because of the cold."

She stepped outside the greenhouse and surveyed the surroundings before returning inside to Peeta. "That must be it. It's much warmer. The snow's melting."

I really need to get out of here and find a bathroom.

"I'll see you inside." Katniss dashed out of the greenhouse and headed for the mansion, entering through the front door. The door to the downstairs bathroom was closed.

Crap.

She hurried past the living room, noticing the kids were opening packages. Silver paper was strewn across the carpet.

Katniss reached the bottom of the stairs when she met Gale.

He grabbed at her arm. "I need to talk with you. It's important."

She shook his hand away. "Not now. I need to pee or I'll explode."

"You don't have to be so rude."

Katniss sped past him, taking the steps two at a time, racing for the bathroom.

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Peeta

The door opened by itself?

Peeta was both surprised and relieved that they were able to get out of the greenhouse so easily. He stood up and folded the canvas tarp.

Last night had been wonderful, but maybe Katniss hadn't felt the same, considering the way she'd bolted so quickly without even waiting for him to join her.

He'd woken up at his usual 3 a.m time, and watched her sleep for a couple of hours before he'd dozed off again.

I should have asked her out for New Year's Eve. I wanted to. But he knew why he didn't. It would have been too awkward if she rejected him while they were trapped together in the greenhouse.

I'll ask her today. We have a spark. Surely she must feel it, too.

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Madge

Madge got out of the warm shower. Holding the towel around her backside, she studied her naked figure in the mirror.

Gale's right about my breasts. They're bigger.

She was relieved she'd told him about the baby, but confused about the status of their relationship now that he knew. His comment in bed had equally warmed her heart, as much as it had unsettled her.

We need to talk about ourselves, and our relationship.

A loud pounding sounded on the door. Madge dropped the towel, and put on her robe before opening it.

Katniss stood in front of her.

"I suppose Gale told you."

"He didn't tell me anything," Katniss said, sounding irritated. "Could I use the bathroom right now. It's an emergency."

Madge took in Katniss' appearance. She was wearing the same dress she'd worn at dinner, but it was very wrinkled, flecks of mascara had collected around her eyes, and her hair was a mess.

What has she been up to? She looks like she never made it to her bed last night.

"Here, it's yours." Madge gathered her things and exited the bathroom to get dressed in her bedroom.

She wondered if breakfast has been set out in the dining room yet. After being sick the previous evening, her appetite was back in full form.

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Haymitch

He sat in his favorite armchair watching the children open the gifts they'd set out. Cecelia had also carried in a small sack of presents when she brought the children down; Effie placed them around the tree while the children were occupied with the first round of gifts.

After Taiden opened a box containing a Lego kit, he came bounding up to Haymitch. "Can we put this together now?"

"Sure, I'll help you. But you still have more things to open."

The boy shoved the kit into Haymitch's hands, and returned to the pile of gifts.

From across the room Haymitch caught the eyes of his secretary, and exchanged a grin. Moments like this were priceless. After living with these kids for the past couple of days, he almost felt as if he could be their real grandfather.

This is exactly what I needed – to be part of a family.

He settled back into the armchair. I need a chair like this for myself. It's so comfortable.

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Effie

Where are all the others?

It's already past eight. I've a mind to go knock on their bedroom doors and wake them up.

As soon as the thought passed through her mind, Gale entered the living room.

That's one less door to knock on.

A big smile appeared on his face as he took in the frenzied sight before him. He sat down on the sofa to watch, leaning forward with his hands on his knees.

"Merry Christmas, Gale," Effie said. "You look like that cat that swallowed the canary."

Gale turned to her and chuckled. "I was the recipient of some very good news last night."

Is that why you never returned after you left the table? Those two must have gotten back together. That would certainly explain the happy look on his face.

From the corner of her eye, Effie noticed Peeta walking past the living room in the direction of the stairs. His hair was sticking up in all directions and he was still wearing that costume.

He looks worse for wear. What has he been up to?

A few minutes later Madge appeared, dressed in a flowing frock. She took a seat in an armchair across from the sofa. She, too, seemed fascinated by the children, while Gale's eyes left the children to focus on Madge. His tongue ran over his lips as if he was a wolf waiting to devour a lamb.

They need to keep their personal lives to themselves.

Katniss strolled into the room when Haymitch began to hand out gifts to the others. "You didn't have to do this," she said when Haymitch handed her a slim box. "I didn't bring anything for you."

"Don't worry. It's just leftover stuff Effie found in the supply closet."

Katniss giggled.

"Haymitch," Effie hissed.

"It's alright, Effie. I think we're all long past the pretending stage."

Peeta walked into the living room, dressed in jeans and a sweater.

I specifically told Sam that the clothing allowance was because I didn't want people wearing jeans.

"What are we pretending?" Peeta asked.

"Just that we're all related," Haymitch said.

Gale cleared his throat. "Some of us are related, though. Katniss and I are cousins. And there may be one more relationship that is real." At that point he hopped off the sofa and walked around the coffee table stomping on wrapping paper, and to the chair where Madge sat. He bent down onto one knee and stared up at her.

"I know you rejected me before, but I'm begging you to reconsider. Will you marry me Madge?"

Effie's mouth fell open. Her eyes flew to Haymitch first, and then to Madge's face.

The poor girl looks like she's in shock.

"I don't know," Madge said. "We need to talk more."

"But are you willing to consider it?"

A tiny smile appeared on her face. "Yes, I'll consider it."

Gale grinned jubilantly, as if he'd won a great victory.

But she didn't say yes.

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Sam

Sam went outside with the excuse to shovel snow, even though it was practically melted. But he had to get out of the house. While he enjoyed his niece's children, they were driving him crazy.

Wonder how things are going at Snow Mansion?

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Gale

The idea had come to him in a flash. He knew instinctively that it was the completely wrong way to go about things. But after watching those little kids open their gifts, and knowing that in a couple of years he'd be observing his own child do the same, his emotions got the better of him and the words spilled out.

Although Madge's answer wasn't what Gale had hoped to hear, still he was pleased.

At least she didn't go running from the room screaming, or pick a fight like she did after my first proposal.

From his position on bent knee, Gale leaned forward and met Madge's lips.

"Ooh, kissing," Taiden squealed.

Madge put her hands on Gale's chest and pushed him back.

She was shaking her head at him. "Not now," she mouthed.

She's right.

He nodded to her and turned his body to sit on the floor by her feet.

This is turning out to be the best Christmas ever.

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Katniss

Madge must have told him about the baby. Or maybe he figured it out for himself. That must be what he wanted to tell me at the stairs.

Her eyes flew to Peeta. He gave her a knowing look. She'd talked about Gale and Madge with him last night. She hadn't told Peeta of her suspicions regarding Madge's condition but rather of Gale's disappointment that the relationship had soured, especially after a three-year run.

"That's too bad," Peeta said. "But three years is a long time. He should have proposed sooner, struck while the iron is hot, so to speak."

"You think so? What would you consider a reasonable length of time to know that you want to spend the rest of your life with someone?"

Peeta had closed his eyes for a moment, causing Katniss to take notice of his long eyelashes. How did they not get tangled together?

"I don't think you can set an exact length of time. It could be a day, a month, a year. It just depends on the couple. But personally, I think three years is a long time."

I wonder if Peeta is one to fall in love fast.

Katniss opened the gift with her name on it. An iPad. Haymitch treats his employees well. She looked around, noticing that everyone had received the same gift.

After a chorus of thanks from all the adults, everyone made their way to the dining room. Sae had set out a feast – scrambled eggs, sausages, and waffles with various fruit toppings. There were also bowls of fruit, a few containers of yogurt, and muffins.

Katniss piled her plate high before taking a seat next to Peeta at the table.

"I wonder if Sae would let me take over the kitchen this afternoon," Peeta said. "I promised the kids I'd do some baking with them. Do you want to join me?"

"Sure."

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Peeta

The house party would be over tomorrow at noon. Peeta wanted, no he needed, to find ways to spend more time with Katniss in the time that was left. Looking at the generous contents of Katniss' plate had given him the idea.

That's one need I can easily fill.

After the breakfast ended, he approached Sae. She readily agreed to let him spend the afternoon baking, as long as he cleaned up afterward.

Since their morning meal had been more of a brunch than a breakfast, she was planning to put out a second buffet later around 4 p.m. Fortunately, she didn't need to prepare anything. In fact, she planned to serve the leftovers from the other meals since they were all going home tomorrow.

Next Peeta spoke to Cecelia. "Katniss and I can take the kids off your hands this afternoon, if you like. We're doing some baking in the kitchen."

"Thanks," Cecelia said. "I'd like to take a nap. The kids kept waking me up last night thinking Santa had arrived. I didn't get much sleep." She decided to keep Tricia with her, though. The little girl had become whiny and was in need of sleep.

Peeta, Katniss, Timmy, and Taiden gathered in the kitchen thirty minutes after the meal ended.

"What are we going to bake?" Timmy asked.

"Let's set out the ingredients and see what we've got first."

Once all the supplies were set out onto the counter, Peeta eyed them carefully.

"Maybe some kind of bread," Katniss suggested. "We still have sugar cookies leftover from when we baked a few days ago."

Peeta opened the refrigerator. "Do you like cheese, Katniss? I have an idea."

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Madge

After eating, Madge returned to her room. The bed was still unmade, and she realized Cecelia hadn't had time to take care of it.

Quickly, she did it herself. Then she sat down in the chair in the corner of the room and thought about Gale's proposal.

Why did he do it now? And in front of everybody like that?

But she knew why. He's overjoyed about the baby.

And she had a good idea, too, about why he'd done it in front of witnesses. He was scared about how I'd react to another proposal. The first time he'd asked, I was a bitch.

She'd wanted Gale to propose for so long – she expected him to ask - but he hadn't. For the last year they were together, she even considered that he might be stringing her along until someone better appeared. She'd gotten that notion from some articles about relationships she'd read, and a few disparaging comments from co-workers, and even her own mother. Consequently, she'd begun to mentally prepare herself, in case the relationship was to end.

Still all the while, Madge hoped that Gale would prove her wrong because she loved him. But because of her inner turmoil, his proposal was too late and too half-assed.

He'd been so casual about it. Instead of taking her to a fancy restaurant or to a secluded spot with a scenic view – doing something that showed he'd put some effort and thought into it, he'd asked her in the grocery store parking lot when they were loading up his car with food he'd bought for his mother's birthday party.

Did he expect we'd go back to the house and tell Hazelle all about it? That I'd spend my engagement night hosting a party for his mother?

Instead of accepting his offer of marriage, she'd blown up at him. They'd had a huge fight in which she'd complained about their differences never addressing how she was really feeling – completely unappreciated.

We might never have broken up if I'd brought up my feelings earlier.

A soft knock sounded at her door. She got up and answered it. Gale stood in the doorway. "Can we talk?"

She let him in and returned to sit in the chair, while Gale sat at the end of the bed.

His face was serious. "You didn't give me a straight answer. I love you, but you can't keep stringing me along."

Stringing you along? Madge snorted.

Gale scowled. "It's not funny."

"But it is. I dated you for three years with no word of marriage, except for a few random musings about your future children. I thought you were stringing me along."

"I had to finish my automotive training, get my state certification, and get some money saved for the ring. Anyway you seemed focused on your career."

Her heart twisted. He bought me a ring. I didn't know that.

"Maybe you wanted to get all your ducks in a row, but you could have explained instead of letting me think you were only hanging onto me until someone better came along."

"Why would you think I'd do that?"

Because that's what it felt like to me. "It just seemed as if you didn't appreciate me. Like I wasn't special to you any more.

"Of course I focused on my job. It was the only thing I could be sure about."

Gale's head dropped and he studied his hands. "I didn't mean to make you feel that way; you never said anything. You're my life, Madge. The last three months have been hell." After a moment of silence, he lifted his head and caught her eyes.

"I love you with all my heart Madge Jean Undersea. If you accept my proposal of marriage I will be the very best husband you could ever want and the very best father to our child that you're carrying now and to all the other children we'll have in the future. I'm begging you, please give me a chance; give us a chance."

He dropped from the bed to his knees.

Madge was in shock. She'd never seen this side of Gale.

I had no idea I had this kind of power over him. He's asked me to marry him three times now. Am I too weird to be liking this?

Madge loved Gale. She had no doubt that he would be a faithful, protective, and hard-working spouse. But could she trust herself enough to speak openly and honestly to him about her feelings when problems arose? And if she did, would he listen, and make an effort to right things? There was only one way to find out.

"Yes, I'll marry you. But I'd like to do it sooner, rather than later, with the baby coming and all."

Gale stood up. "I'd marry you right now even without the baby coming. My mom could put something together if you think your parents.…"

"No family," Madge cut in. "This marriage is for us. Let's just elope and get on with our lives."

"I'll do whatever you want."