Haymitch

Haymitch looked across the living room and out the window. The sun was shining. Most of the snow had already disappeared. The only large patches were the remains of the snow people created yesterday.

He wasn't looking forward to leaving. He'd had a wonderful time so far.

Effie entered the room, wearing a bright red cardigan and dark wool pants that hugged her slender figure.

I never noticed how fit she is. She must work out.

"Want to finish that puzzle?" she asked him.

"Maybe later. I was thinking about taking a walk around the property. Would you care to join me?"

A shy smile appeared on her lips. "I'd love to. But let me change my shoes first. I expect the melting snow has made the ground muddy."

Haymitch didn't generally seek companionship, if anything he avoided it. But these past few days had reawakened a truth he'd forgotten – the realization that life was better, more fun even if it was shared with others. He was eager to share his realization with his secretary.

"Should we tell someone we're going outside?" Effie asked, when she returned.

"We probably don't need to; we're not going far."

As usual, Effie was right about the mud. The ground was mushy after the snow had melted.

Haymitch led Effie past the greenhouse and in the direction of the woods.

"This certainly is a lovely setting," Effie commented. "The online photos don't do the estate justice."

"Peeta mentioned that his family's bakery has catered weddings here."

"It would be a beautiful place to get married." Effie pointed to a stump. "Is that where you cut down the Christmas tree?"

"You found it," Haymitch said. "By the way, do we need to dispose of that tree before we go?"

"I didn't think about that, but I suppose we should. I'll call Sam tonight. Maybe he can come out tomorrow and take it to a recycling center."

"They recycle trees?"

"Practically everything is repurposed these days."

They walked through the woods, stopping at the stream. Chunks of ice remained in places, but the water was still flowing.

Haymitch turned to Effie. "I can't thank you enough for arranging all this. I can't remember when I had such a good time."

"I'm glad. But things didn't turn out exactly as I'd planned. I wrote backstories for everyone. They were each supposed to be playing a role, but that didn't work at all, and then because some of them knew each other before we got here since they're all local, well…" Her voice trailed off.

"You're beating yourself up over nothing," Haymitch said. "It's perfect. The little kids, the sleigh ride, the church service, getting to be Santa, even the marriage proposal this morning, which I suspect I played a small part in bringing about. Really I've had a great time.

"Anyway I've been thinking your talents are being wasted in your job. I'd like to offer you a position in Marketing."

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Effie

He's getting rid of me.

She kept a smile plastered on her face, all the while distraught that she would lose daily access to Haymitch.

I'm the one who keeps him organized. Who knows how he likes his coffee. Who keeps the temperature in his office at exactly 70 degrees. Who makes his life easier in every way I can.

"If you think that's best." Her voice faltered.

"You sound as if it's a demotion," Haymitch said. "It's a promotion, Effie, a big one. Your salary will be greatly increased."

"I don't care about the money. If you don't mind, I'd rather keep my current job."

"I'm thinking that's not a good idea. I don't want people to gossip."

Her eyebrows rose. "Gossip. About what?"

Haymitch smirked. "Look we just spent our Christmas vacation together."

"Not exactly. We had separate rooms."

Haymitch's face grew red as he realized what she'd meant. "Of course we did. But people talk. And if you're my secretary it will be difficult if we continue to see each other. It would be better if you're working in another part of the company."

Continue to see each other? Effie's heart raced. What is he saying?

A troubled look appeared on Haymitch's face. "I'm sorry. Did I read you completely wrong? I thought, after these last few days you might be amenable to expanding on our growing friendship."

Effie's racing heart slowed. Her eyes narrowed. Friendship? Like the kind that comes with benefits? What kind of woman does he think I am?

She straightened herself up. "I never would have expected this from you Haymitch, suggesting some kind of illicit…"

"What are you talking about?" he broke in. "How is it illicit if neither of us is married and we want to enjoy each other's company?"

"I'm not going to be your lady toy. You can't strip me of a job I enjoy and put me in an out-of-way position simply because you want me to be your special friend."

Haymitch guffawed loudly. "I'd like to date you - you know go out to dinner, see a movie, maybe play a round of miniature golf - with the intention of us having a future together, that is if you'd consider one with an old guy like me. People will talk if I'm dating my secretary. I don't care so much for myself, but I'm not out to ruin your reputation."

Effie breathed a sigh of relief. How could I have misunderstood? He wants a relationship, not an affair.

"You're not so old Haymitch. I would very much like to date you. But I don't want to lose my job. I enjoy working with you."

Haymitch frowned. "Okay, then. I'll figure something out."

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Dalton

Sam helped his niece load up her car with gifts. He and his wife stood on the front porch and waved goodbye to her and the children.

"There goes another Christmas," Myrtle said. "The holiday has come and gone so quickly."

I feel as if I hardly had a Christmas since I've been working so much. Thank goodness that Abernathy gig is over tomorrow. Think I'll go inside and total up the bill.

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Gale

He was pleased that Madge had agreed to marry him. If they weren't stuck here at Snow Mansion until tomorrow, he would have insisted that she leave with him immediately.

Before she changes her mind.

But the practical side of him realized that he was never going to find someone to marry them on Christmas Day. "We could go to City Hall tomorrow if you want," he told Madge.

She frowned. "I work at City Hall. I don't want to get married at work. It would be weird."

"I get that," Gale said. "It's too bad, we can't get married here."

Madge's eyes lit up. "You know, that's a great idea."

"We better talk with Effie," Gale said.

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Katniss

"Oh Peeta, these are so good," Katniss moaned as she took a bite from the cheese bun on her plate.

Handsome, works well with children, can draw, and cook too. He's practically perfect.

When the cheese buns had gone into the oven, the boys had started to argue.

"Let's find something for you to do," Katniss suggested. She'd rifled though the drawers in the built-in desk and found some paper and pencils, which she'd passed out to the boys.

"Draw a picture of your favorite thing we did these past few days."

"That sounds like a class assignment," Peeta teased. "I'd like a paper and pencil, too."

Peeta set quickly to work and within minutes held up a drawing.

He's drawn me singing in church.

"That's good and you did it so fast. You're very talented, Peeta."

"Thanks," he said, as he added more detail to the illustration.

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Peeta

He put some foil over the remainder of the cheese buns and left them on the counter. "Sae can put these out with our dinner tonight," he said. "What should we do next?"

"Play with our Christmas presents," Timmy said.

"Okay then."

The group made their way back to the empty living room.

The kids ran toward their gifts, which lay under the tree. Timmy and Taiden each picked up a Lego kit and ripped the plastic covering off.

"Do you need any help making those models?" Peeta asked.

"No," Timmy said. "I know how to do it. I can help my brother, too."

"My Mama says we're destined for great things," Taiden said.

"Wish my mom was of the same mind," Peeta mumbled.

Katniss gave him a sad look. "We could finish that puzzle," she suggested, taking a seat in front of the coffee table.

"Okay." Peeta joined her.

The picture on the box was of a meadow, filled with wildflowers. But only a quarter of the picture was complete.

Peeta eyed the loose pieces. He began moving them around with his hand, grouping pieces together by color.

"What are you doing?" Katniss asked.

"Putting like colors together. It's obvious they must connect."

"I've never thought to do it that way. I look for shapes that are flat on one side because I know they line the edges."

"I suppose everyone's got their own method," Peeta said. "There are probably as many ways to put a puzzle together as there are people who do them."

As he spoke, it dawned on Peeta that the way he lived his life was as unique to him as his puzzle strategy. He'd been feeling badly about himself because he hadn't followed the plan prescribed by his college girlfriend – seek success in the big city – or his mother's scenario– get married and settle down, but in reality his life was perfectly fine. He was in the exact place he was meant to be.

If I hadn't spent Christmas here, I might never have met Katniss.

As they worked together to make the meadow expand and blossom, Peeta asked, "Do you have any plans for New Year's Eve, Katniss?"

Her cheeks grew pink. She looked up at him. "No."

"Would you be interested in spending it with me?"

"Yes."

This next year is going to be great.

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Madge

Madge and Gale scoured the mansion to look for Effie, and then went outside to search the property. They found her with Haymitch; the pair had their faces pressed against the glass door of the greenhouse.

"Those roses are so pretty," Effie said. "Too bad the door's locked, and we can't get inside."

"Could we talk?" Gale said, approaching the couple.

Madge held tight to her fiancé's hand. She let Gale do all the talking because he could be quite persuasive, but also because she was embarrassed about badmouthing him to Effie only a few days ago.

When Gale told them that he and Madge wanted to get married at the mansion before everyone left tomorrow, Haymitch clapped him on the back.

"Congratulations, son. I like that you aren't giving the grass any time to grow under your feet."

Madge eyed her Gale curiously. What's that all about?

Effie seemed less enthusiastic. "Are you absolutely certain about this?" Her eyes locked with Madge's.

I guess I deserve it. "Yes. I love Gale."

Effie bit her lower lip. "I'd like to speak privately with Haymitch first. Why don't you two take a stroll and we'll all talk when you get back."

"Sounds like a plan," Gale said. "And thank you for considering it."

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Haymitch

"I'm not sure about this wedding," Effie said, as soon as Gale and Madge were out of earshot.

"It's none of our business," Haymitch said.

"She said they had a bad breakup a few months ago, and he was awful about it."

"He told me she broke his heart. She probably did. But look, it all worked out."

Effie shook her head. "I don't know. They've only just reconciled. It seems impulsive."

"Effie, honey, we're not they're real parents. Besides what's to worry about? He's employed; they're in love. Many successful marriages have started out with far less. What could go wrong?"

"A lot," Effie said. "I don't want Abernathy Industries to be liable if things blow up between them since I hired them to play husband and wife for your holiday."

"I don't think the company would be legally responsible since it's Gale's and Madge's decision to make it real. Anyway if they don't get married here, they'll do it elsewhere."

Effie sighed. "You're probably right. But I'd feel better about things if the company would pay for a few months of marriage counseling for them. You could give it to them as a wedding gift."

Haymitch chuckled. "Maybe I should move you into Legal, instead of Marketing. I like how you're always watching out for me and Abernathy Industries."

A few hours later Haymitch faced his made-up family as they gathered around the dining table for an early dinner.

Everyone was in high spirits, although Timmy and Taiden were nodding off. They hadn't napped, and their lack of sleep the previous evening was catching up with them.

"This might be my last chance to talk with all of you about these last few days," Haymitch said. "I realize this is just a job to you, but I wanted to thank everyone for giving up your Christmas to make mine special.

"You have no idea the changes these past few days have wrought in me."

He had to stop for a moment to gather himself. I never expected to be near tears.

"As your pretend father and grandfather, I'd like to pass along some wisdom that this lovely woman," his eyes flew to Effie, "has taught me."

"Don't make work the main purpose of your life. Have some fun and enjoy yourself. Time goes by quicker than you think and before you know it you'll be old like me."

"Stop calling yourself old," Effie jumped in.

"Old enough to know that I need a change. Who knows maybe I'll retire?"

That might be the only way to get Effie to take the leap to Marketing.

"I've never traveled much, unless it was for work and then I only saw the inside of taxis and conference rooms. Of course I'd like a partner in my travels."

He winked at Effie.

"We can discuss this later," she murmured.

Oh, we will."

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Effie

As the dinner was drawing to a close, Effie tapped on her cider glass to catch everyone's attention. "We'll be having an unexpected addition to our schedule tomorrow morning." She tipped her head to Gale.

"I have an announcement." Gale reached for Madge's hand, raising it above the table for everyone to see. All heads at the table turned to look at him.

"Madge has accepted my proposal of marriage. We'll be getting married tomorrow morning before we go."

"You're getting married?" The surprise was evident on Katniss' face. "Right away? What about both of your families?"

Oh, no I didn't even think of their families.

"My parents are out of the country, and Gale has you here," Madge pointed out.

So her father isn't available to give her away. I know someone who could take on that task.

"I wish I'd known," Peeta said. "I could have baked a cake for the occasion, but I used up the rest of the flour this afternoon making the cheese buns."

"What about a flourless cake?" Sae suggested from the other end of the table. "The family I work for has a daughter who doesn't eat gluten. I've made her the occasional flourless baked good."

"That might work," Peeta said. "I can look through what's left after we're done eating to see what ingredients we have."

"I could probably make some decorations," Katniss said. "I'll pull the silver wrapping paper out of the recycling bin."

"I design clothes for a hobby," Cecelia volunteered. "I could help Madge with her dress later this evening when the children fall asleep."

I love how Haymitch's family is pitching in to help.

Gale looked around the table. "Thank you everyone."

"You're all so kind," Madge added.

Heavens, we'll all be busy this evening.

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Dalton

The call came from Effie Christmas evening.

"Could you arrange to have a justice of the peace sent out here before we leave tomorrow to conduct a wedding?"

"I have a license; I can do it myself," Sam said. "I can be out there around 9 a.m." He was just about to ask what couple he was going to marry, when Effie spoke.

"One other thing. Will you take our Christmas tree away to be recycled?"

"Sure."

He was too busy trying to figure out how to transport the tree, whether he should rent a truck or tie it to the roof of his hatchback that he didn't realize she'd already hung up until he heard the beeping of the dial tone.

"Who was that?" Myrtle asked, when Sam set down the receiver.

"The folks at Snow Mansion. They want me to do a wedding out there tomorrow morning."

"Who's getting married?"

"Damned if I know."

"I hope they're paying you for it."

"Oh, they will. I'll add it to the bill right now."

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Gale

Gale spent the evening making long chains out of silver gift wrap and hanging them around the walls of the dining room, while Katniss made tissue paper flowers to set by everyone's plate setting.

"Are you sure this doesn't look too cheesy?" Gale asked, when he was done.

"It's the best we can do on such short notice." Katniss' voice was sharp. "I think it's great you two are back together, but why are you rushing things?"

"Madge is pregnant."

"Oh."

"Actually, I'm really excited about it."

"Well, that's good. So why don't you call up your mom and have her come by with the kids to witness the ceremony."

"I don't think Ma would be so happy about the wedding."

Ma's never really liked Madge. Hell, she's never liked anyone I dated. I think she'd be perfectly happy for me to stay single the rest of my life.

"It will probably take her a while to get used to the idea that I'm married."

"Maybe she'll feel differently when she learns she'll be having a grandchild," Katniss suggested.

"I hope so. You know what would be great, though, if you could get your phone back from Effie and tape the ceremony. I could show it to her later when she cools down."

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Katniss

Before she turned in for the night, Katniss knocked on Madge's bedroom door, curious to see the wedding attire Cecelia had created for Madge to wear.

While Katniss had been fishing wrapping paper out of the kitchen recycling, she'd overheard Cecelia telling Madge that she could whip her up a wedding dress using a lacy curtain panel that hung in her room and a white sheet on one of the beds.

Katniss had turned her head quickly to see Madge grow pale. Even Katniss was nervous for Madge.

That sounds like the materials for a Halloween costume, not a wedding dress.

But when Effie opened the door to Madge's room, Katniss' breath caught in her throat.

Madge wore a long Grecian style dress with one shoulder bare, a loose bodice with a high waist accentuated with a blue ribbon, and a long flowing skirt. She slowly turned around to reveal a lacy train that started at her waist and stretched out a couple of feet behind the hem of the skirt.

"What do you think?" Madge asked.

"It's gorgeous."

"Cecelia's quite talented," Effie said.

"You are," Katniss said, looking at Cecelia with new eyes. "Do you do this professionally?"

"I hope to someday."

"Do you think Gale will like it?" Madge interrupted.

"He'll love it," Katniss answered. "You're going to be a beautiful bride."

That dress is gorgeous.

Madge beamed.

As Katniss walked to her bedroom, thinking about how good it would be to sleep in a bed tonight instead of on a tarp, a sudden thought occurred. I should get some roses from the green house and make a small bouquet for Madge.

She yawned. First thing tomorrow morning.

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Peeta

He'd stayed up until midnight decorating the gluten-free chocolate cake made from Sae's recipe. Fortunately there was enough leftover confectioners sugar and butter to add a thin layer of icing.

Peeta had no frosting tips to decorate it properly, but there were plenty of sprinkles left over from the sugar cookies, so he'd decorated the top of the cake with them, setting each sprinkle down, one-by-one, to create a portrait of the bride and the groom.

As he worked, he thought about Katniss. He was toying with the idea of taking her to some "public New Year's event" or inviting her to his apartment for dinner and a movie.

Either way would it be too cheesy if I wore my costume?