Chapter 4: A Postponed Visit

Five years later

Effie carefully rolled the suitcases to the hall, inwardly complaining what a mess it would be to have to carry all of these from the train station to the children's house in Twelve. As if she wasn't having second thoughts about this trip already.

She hadn't been to Twelve in almost five years and she wasn't quite sure she should still go. Especially when she was to bring another person along to that district.

But Katniss and Peeta were getting married, so there was no way on earth she would miss that, and when Peeta said Katniss was having trouble organizing everything and dealing with the reporters she simply had to help. Those poor darlings did not know anything about ceremonies or parties. And so when she offered and Peeta accepted and immediately asked if she could come perhaps a week or two earlier and stay with them, she couldn't simply decline. And she would bring Amabella with her, because she couldn't be away for so long, and she would be the flower girl and she still hadn't been to Twelve. Effie knew that the whole idea of Amabella visiting had been postponed enough, especially considering that the children had indeed visited three times since the child had been born.

So Effie managed to take a few days off from work, and found herself planning for a trip to Twelve. With a four-year-old in tow. It was not simple, but they did travel together every year on vacation and Effie was well used to her schedules. It helped that Amabella was used to them too.

The problem wasn't with Twelve, of course; in fact, she had only been hearing very good things about the district. Why, they had even set up a university there, and it was becoming a very popular and serious destination if one was sick and in need of a particular medical treatment. She knew the industry had advanced there a lot, and she knew that many people were in fact moving to live there. She supposed it couldn't be so bad, but the weather during winter was particularly harsh. It was spring now, though. Spring was always lovely.

The problem wasn't with Katniss or Peeta, either; although Effie wasn't sure how happy Katniss had been when Peeta invited her to stay with them, the young man was always so kind and genuine that Effie couldn't refuse. If anything, the distance had made her affection towards the both of them intensify. They had been through so much, she was just thrilled that they were together and getting better alongside each other, and getting married, this time for real! It was everything she had ever hoped for. And they were just so good with Amabella — her little girl absolutely loved them. She had been thrilled when Effie announced they would be visiting.

All in all, it was time they paid Twelve a visit. And it would be good for them to get a feel of the district, because she had received a work offer from Twelve and it was becoming too good to decline. She had made a life for herself in Four — she had friends there, and Amabella loved the sea and rarely minded if she had to stay with Johanna and Annie if that meant she got to play with Levi. She had her preschool here, and her little friends, and goodness, her daughter was not very quick to make friends. But she was still very young, and resilient, and moving to Twelve would mean less weird hours, no working for the government and, most importantly, more time to spend together.

It was a possibility she was seriously considering.

No, the only problem lay with Haymitch.

He had kept his distance and she had kept hers — that was probably what he wanted. In the five years it had been since she moved to Four, she had only seen him a handful of times, and only once when she was pregnant. He had yet to meet Amabella, and had never really asked many questions about her. Effie just knew this little trip would cause them trouble. She could feel it.

And yet, there was no way to postpone it any longer. Better now than when she decided to move there permanently. Which would probably happen.

She sighed, counting the suitcases to make sure none were missing — and she was sorry to see that the little girl had almost more luggage than she did — before she walked back inside the apartment to get said little girl awake. It was almost a battle in itself.

Effie stopped in the corridor to check her reflex in the mirror. Perhaps she should have applied more makeup — although no makeup would erase her thirty-nine years of age. Another outfit, perhaps? A dress? Oh, but she would be traveling all day long and she knew what a nuisance it was to wear a dress around a four-year-old. No, the pants looked nice. The top looked nice too. Chic, but not uncomfortable. Focus, Effie. Time to wake the little sleeping beauty.

Johanna called her a little monster sometimes, Effie remembered in annoyance. It was affectionate, but still.

The child's bedroom door was only partially open so Effie slowly opened it completely and watched as the light invaded her daughter's bedroom and reached her little face, and of course she immediately grabbed the blanket and pulled it over head. Of course she didn't want to get up.

"Come on, my angel, up, up, up!" Effie said happily. "It's a big, big, big day! We're visiting Katniss and Peeta, remember?"

Her only response was a groan, and the wriggle of a little foot that had escaped the blanket nest. Effie sighed and sat down on the bed, her hand brushing against the foot and the child quickly slipped it back into the blanket. Effie smiled fondly.

"Come on, Amabella," she called, pushing the blankets slowly from where she knew her daughter's head was. Indeed, her blonde curls were a complete mess and her eyes were still tightly closed. Too tight for her to be still asleep. Effie brushed her palm against Amabella's cheek and the child's gray eyes fluttered open. A wave of affection ran through her. "Good morning."

Unfortunately, Amabella didn't seem to be in such a good mood yet.

"Why is it still night, Mommy?"

Her tone was positively dreadful, and Effie briefly wondered what was the problem in waking up early when her biggest concern was how much she would be able to play today. Which, granted, probably wouldn't be much, considering they would only get to Twelve in the late afternoon.

"Because Peeta and Katniss live very far away, and we want to be there for dinner, remember?" Effie explained patiently. "And what do you say to Mommy when you wake up?"

Amabella frowned. "Good morning, Mommy."

Effie smiled. "That's better. Now, weren't you so excited about this last night? You will get to meet Katniss' cat, and a little bird told me there would be chocolate cupcakes waiting for you when we get there."

Amabella smiled sleepily. "Really?"

"Yes, of course. But for that, we really need you to get up, have breakfast, and get ready," Effie patted the mattress and reached out to take the child's hands, prompting her to sit up. Despite being only four, her daughter was never one who was easy to convince or impress. She had a very strong personality.

Effie knew where she got that from.

After that, it was quite easy to coach the little girl to stand up and head to the bathroom. It was very early, Effie granted her that, and her daughter loved to sleep in so much that it was already a problem to get her to wake up on time for preschool. Effie distractedly made Amabella's bed and tidied her bedroom — really, hadn't she done that before the girl had gone to bed the day before? — and she was done by the time the child left the bathroom and Effie quickly told her to head to the kitchen for breakfast.

Their schedule was tight, so she only had time to prepare a bowl of chocolate cereal — the kind that was only allowed on weekends and special occasions — before the bell rang and someone was already keying themselves inside.

"It's me!" Johanna's voice filled the apartment, and Amabella looked to the doorway quickly, balancing her legs on the stool. Seven's victor appeared a moment later, dark bags under her eyes and a scowl on her face. Effie wasn't surprised. "Really, Trinket, it's six in the morning. Why did you call me half an hour ago? I was not gonna be late," she moved to Amabella and messed up her hair, repeatedly. The little girl giggled. Her hair became even more of a mess than before. Effie was not amused. "Hey, little monster. Where's the goose?"

"She's a chicken!" Amabella reminded her sternly. "Her name is Flower."

"Amabella, lips sealed when you are chewing. That is very unbecoming," Effie quickly reminded her, then looked at Johanna. "Terrace."

Johanna rolled her eyes and moved away.

Amabella reached for more cereal, and Effie noticed her mouth was still very full. "Slowly, darling. Remember what happened the last time we had a train ride."

Amabella scrunched up her face. "I threw up," she said unnecessarily.

Effie tried not to remember so vividly. "Yes, because you had stuffed your little stomach with too much cake."

The girl still chose the cereal. To avoid a mess, Effie poured one more portion into the bowl. "That cake was really good, Mommy."

Effie smiled and caressed her cheek. "Yes, it was."

Johanna got back holding Flower's big cage. "You do know you can't technically have this kind of pet in an apartment building, don't you?"

Effie raised her hands. "She got that egg at school and she grew attached to it. There was nothing I could do."

"You're too easy on her," Johanna rolled her eyes. "Some people have cats, of course your kid would have a bird."

"It's a chicken! That's a big bird!" Amabella reminded her once more.

Effie sighed. "Still a bird, darling, there is no need to shout," she said patiently. "Thank you for doing this, Johanna."

"No problem. Levi is looking forward to feeding Flower," she said with a smile to the child. That seemed to satisfy Amabella. "You all set to go?"

Effie nodded. "Almost. The train leaves in half an hour so I only need this little lady to get ready. Done?" she asked when Amabella pushed the bowl away from her. "Brush your teeth, baby, and then I'll help you get dressed."

The girl nodded obediently and ran away, stomping her feet loudly against the floor.

"She's as quiet as an elephant," Johanna commented. The chicken flapped her wings.

"Be nice," Effie clicked her tongue, picking the cereal box to put it back in the cupboard.

"You got her awake on time. Only you, Trinket," Johanna shook her head.

"She's excited about the trip," Effie smiled. "Call me if there's any problem with Flower, please. She is not supposed to be eaten, no matter what you say."

"Fine. Annie wouldn't let me, anyway," Johanna said. "If you move to Twelve you should find yourself a house. For the chickens."

"We will not have any more chickens," Effie said sternly. "And I still don't know if we will move to Twelve. I'll see what Amabella thinks when we get there."

"She's a kid. She won't mind. You're postponing this because of something else. Or someone else," Johanna said slowly. She shrugged started to move towards the door. "I'm gonna go. Tell Peeta to please use condoms. Between Levi and Bella, there are enough kids around."

"Oh, must you be so crude?" Effie frowned, but Johanna was already out of sight. "You can tell him yourself when you get there."

"I'll see you at the wedding. Have a good trip!" She yelled. The neighbors would be having a great day. "Bye, little monster!"

"Goodbye, Auntie Jo!" Amabella replied somewhere inside the apartment.

Effie heard the chicken flap its wings once more and Johanna yelp; she remembered she once made fun of Haymitch for having geese as pets and of course now she had a chicken in her own home.

"Mommy, may I wear the blue tights?"

Amabella's voice reminded her there was still a lot to do. Effie was inwardly proud of the child's wording and considered it a small victory, and so early in the morning too. But the blue tights would absolutely do not go with the dress she had initially picked for Amabella, so she better go and choose a better outfit — that included the blue tights, anyway. They had a tight schedule, and she knew Felix would be arriving any minute now.

It was going to be a big, big day.

Amabella had fallen asleep somewhere between Eight and Eleven, after lunch, and Effie did not have it in her heart to wake her up when they reached Twelve. She had had a very early morning, after all.

The train was on schedule, but Effie had told Peeta not to worry about getting them from the train station in case there was a delay. Instead, Felix had called for a car, and was anxiously getting the suitcases. Not at all like the train rides she used to take during her time as an escort; even in first class, this was nothing like the luxury from before.

But Effie would rather not think about that. As the train came to a full stop, she slowly put her arms around Amabella and lifted her.

"Do you want me to take her, Effie?" Felix promptly offered.

Effie shook her head. "No, it's fine, dear. We may need a cart for the suitcases, though."

Amabella didn't even groan; Effie supported her weight as the little girl wrapped herself around her, and rested her head on her mother's shoulders. She might be only four and a little on the small side, but she was way too heavy to be carried for long.

"Maybe we should have brought her cart," Felix joked, and Effie did laugh at that.

It was only a short walk to the car, though, so it ended up being no trouble at all. The train station was almost empty and most people didn't even get off the train, which would go all the way to Thirteen. Effie was sure that would be a busiest station. Twelve was still changing.

The first thing Effie noticed after she got inside the car and started moving were the trees. There were trees around. That was nice. It didn't look as gray as before, even in the dusk light. There were shops and lights and people walking around. It looked like any small town, and it was hard to understand this was the same district she used to visit every year. Of course she had visited that one time during her pregnancy, but it had been a quick visit and it had been a while. The image of Twelve that she always remembered was the gray, gloomy streets, the unhappy citizens, and of the children.

Always the children.

Effie closed her eyes and rested her cheek on Amabella's head, breathing in her sweet smell, of that fruity pink shampoo she used and a reminiscent of her baby smell. Effie had styled the little girl's hair in pigtails when they left Four, but between playing around, being bored, and sleeping, her hair was loose once more.

As if on cue, the little girl raised her head.

"Are we there yet?" she mumbled sleepily.

Felix chuckled beside them. She had made that question a dozen times already.

"Yes, darling, we are," Effie said with a smile. Amabella gave her a bright smile, awake now, and turned to look outside the window, still sitting on her mother's lap. "We'll see Katniss and Peeta soon."

"Ugh, I can't wait until we get there and there's a couch," Amabella complained. Felix coughed, trying not to laugh. Effie simply looked amused. "I didn't forget the chocolate cupcakes, Mommy."

"That is for dessert, don't forget that," Effie pinched her little nose. "You wouldn't want to be rude."

Amabella nodded seriously. Effie knew that a few years down the line her daughter would probably roll her eyes at every little thing she said about rudeness and manners, but she savored these times, where everything she said was considered a rule and the most proper thing to do. She was still so little, and she looked up to her so much. Even if she was indeed a little sloppy with her manners and a much more active child than Effie herself had been — at least from what she remembered, because she unfortunately could not ask her parents about this — she followed her mother's requests and was a happy child. She was her own person, and she lived a childhood that was not dictated by Capitol rules and etiquette.

"I will not be rude," Amabella said seriously, then looked outside the window again. "Look at the colors, Mommy! It's so pretty!"

She was looking up to the sky, and it was indeed very pretty. Effie ran her fingers through Amabella's blonde locks, trying to tidy them up a little bit. She sighed.

"You okay, honey?" Felix asked, and Effie met his eyes. She had almost forgotten he was there.

"Yes, yes. It's just… it's been a long time," she smiled.

Effie would never forget those children, but every time her daughter smiled because of something she did she felt lighter. Maybe it was selfish of her, but she didn't care.

Before long, the car was parked right outside the Victor's Village; the driver mentioned that no cars were allowed inside, even though there were roads now. Plutarch had told her security had been upped in the district because of Katniss and Peeta's wedding news reaching the public's ears, and indeed she could see two reporters right outside the gates. To try to make things a little easier, Effie showed her credentials and ID to the officer in charge, which in itself attracted attention. The man approved their entrance amid flashes of photography and Amabella frowned at them, hiding her face against Effie's neck.

It was enough to make Effie angry.

"Really," she glanced at Felix as the car advanced into the village. "You'd think we were intruders. Having to show my credentials and identity. It is no wonder Katniss does not want to deal with this. It is just like it used to be."

"They are rude," Amabella declared.

"They certainly are, my darling," Effie agreed quickly.

They reached Katniss and Peeta's house, and the car came to a full stop. Felix was the first to exit, and he was quick to go around the car to open Effie's door. He was always such a gentleman. Of course, it was Amabella who exited first, probably very bored of train and car rides, and Effie grasped her hand before she could run astray. The houses in the village had never looked so good, in her opinion. Few of them were completely dark and most looked well taken care of. It was nothing like it used to be.

Her eyes only ran briefly over Haymitch's house, and it was almost exactly how it always used to be. Completely dark. It didn't look abandoned, though. That was an improvement.

The driver was taking the suitcases from the truck and Felix joined him, just as the front door opened to reveal Peeta, looking happy and relieved to see them. Effie smiled as he quickly walked down the stairs.

"Hi, Peeta!" Amabella said excitedly, and Effie let her meet him halfway, crushing in his arms. "I'm visiting you now!"

Peers laughed. "Yes, and we're very happy to have you!" The boy said, then stood up to hug Effie. "Hi, Effie."

"Hello, dear," she hugged him as well, and patted his cheek when they pulled away.

"I'll help them with your bags," the boy said. "Katniss is inside. Please make yourselves at home!"

Amabella was clearly intent on doing so, because when Effie looked around she had already reached the door and was getting in.

"Amabella!" She called, shaking her head and following the little girl. Of course she had decided this was the time to ignore her mother. Unfortunately, the heels Effie was wearing did not make her as fast as a four-year-old who was too curious for her own good. She simply entered the house as if it was her own. Just like that. Effie tried hard not to yell, and hurried her steps. "Amabella."

"It's fine, Effie," Katniss' voice answered her instead from where she was crouched near the floor, clearly having been greeting the smallest guest. The young woman was not the best mannered but she was not bad with children, even if it left her a little awkward. Amabella, of course, simply adored her, and, being an affectionate child, would often surprise her with unexpected hugs. Katniss stood up. "Hi. Thanks for coming."

"Hello, my dear," Effie said, kissing the girl's cheek and hugging her. "I must say I am amazed that there must be officers outside the village. Officers! As if you were prisoners in a cell. Goodness."

"Yeah. They've been there for a week. Before that, they'd walk around and take pictures," Katniss rolled her eyes. "I haven't even been going to town."

Effie clicked her tongue in disapproval, her eyes following her daughter as she walked into the living room and looked around. "You would think they would have learned to have some decency. I suppose the media thinks everything has been too slow lately. How ever did the wedding reach the news, anyway?"

Katniss did not answer as Peeta and Felix arrived with the suitcases. The young woman nodded at Felix quietly, having met him a few times in the past. Peeta quickly ushered them to the dining room for dinner, clearly playing the host much better than Katniss, but Effie did not hold that against her. Dinner did not take very long, after all; they were all exhausted from the trip and Amabella was trying not to fall asleep even before she had finished her first cupcake for dessert. Thus, Effie declared it was time for a bath and then bed.

Katniss and Peeta had prepared three bedrooms upstairs, and Effie assured them only two would be necessary, thanking them all the same. Their suitcases were already there so it only took her a few minutes to settle everything before going to the bathroom to give Amabella her bath; she did not fall asleep in the bathtub, thankfully, and was much more alert by the time Effie was dressing her in her pyjamas, and she insisted on going downstairs to say goodnight to everyone, although Effie was quite sure she just wanted to postpone bedtime.

Felix was already on his way upstairs to retire when Effie and Amabella returned, and the little girl wished him a quick goodnight. Katniss and Peeta were in the living room now, and Effie was happy to notice everything in the house seemed to be in very good order.

"Come on, darling. It's bedtime. Wish Katniss and Peeta a good night and then we will be off," Effie said.

"Five more minutes!" Amabella pleaded, clutching to her gray stuffed rabbit, the only toy she always took to bed. It was an old thing by now, since she had had it since she was a baby, but Effie did not have the heart to take it from her.

Effie looked down at her, trying her best to look stern. She was tired, she needed a shower and she desperately wanted to take off her heels.

But she could not resist those eyes.

"Five minutes. And then we'll stop imposing on Katniss and Peeta."

Amabella let out a triumphant gasp, sitting down on the couch next to Katniss and babbling about everything she had seen on the way over. Perhaps the bath had woken her up more than it was intended.

Effie sat next to her, and Peeta offered her a glass of wine. She declined.

"Amabella is not the only one who needs sleep," she smiled.

"I'm sorry to bring you here only to have you work, Effie," Peeta said, tearing his gaze away from Katniss and the child, who were talking animatedly.

"Nonsense. I am happy to be of some use for you. When Plutarch explained to me just how bad it was, I knew there would be no other option for me but to come," Effie said sincerely. "And it is not just work. We have a wedding to properly plan. And I do miss my victors, you know."

Peeta smiled. "You are missed too, Effie. It's good to have the team back together," he then rolled his eyes. "Only Haymitch is missing, of course. But he'll be here tomorrow."

Effie automatically looked at Amabella, but she did not seem to be listening to their conversation at all. She recovered only a second later, and smiled.

"Right, of course. I do hope to see Haymitch," she said pleasantly. "How has he been?"

Peeta sighed. "The same, really. He's been trying to slow down on the alcohol. We had a, uh, situation a while ago. Nothing to worry about," he was quick to tell her, and Effie thought she probably hadn't hidden her feelings so well. "So he had an appointment today. He probably would have been able to come to dinner but I guess he didn't want to impose or… whatever."

"I am certain he was not very eager to see me," Effie joked, though her heart wasn't in it.

Peeta immediately shook his head. "No, he was actually happy to hear that you'd be visiting early, for the wedding," Effie looked skeptical, so he laughed. "Well, as happy as Haymitch could be. But he'll be here for dinner tomorrow. I told him to get a present for the kid."

"Oh, you really shouldn't have," Effie cringed. "He will already find us trying just for that."

"Well, it's proper, isn't it? He hasn't met her yet," Peeta smiled. "Although he did send her that rabbit. I guess I shouldn't be surprised his gift ended up being your daughter's favorite toy."

"Gets me every time, really. The irony," Effie clarified, taking a deep breath Amabella was now leaning against Katniss, looking very much sleepy. "Okay, baby. It is really bedtime, now."

Amabella hopped down the couch sleepily and took Effie's hand, yawning quietly. She mumbled a goodnight to Peeta and Katniss without any complaints whatsoever and she was nearly asleep by the time Effie tucked her in, still clutching the rabbit and blinking heavily. Effie ran her fingers through the girl's hair and smiled.

"Goodnight, darling. I love you," she said before giving her forehead a kiss.

"Love you, Mommy," she mumbled, eyes closing slowly.

She did not even ask for a story, which was just as well. Effie took her heels off in the first opportunity and left a lamp on as she started putting away the clothes from the suitcase into a mostly empty wardrobe, taking special care of the dress she would be wearing at the wedding and Amabella's dress as well; she left her own creams and lotions at the bathroom, thankful that they would not have to share it with anyone else. Amabella's toys she decided to put on a desk near the window, and she looked outside distractedly as she finished.

Her gaze automatically settled on Haymitch's house — it figured that her bedroom view would exactly be his house —, but it was still completely dark. The lights outside were not enough to give her a clear view. She sighed, closing the curtains completely and deciding to take a quick shower. She had a lot to do in the morning and a good night of sleep would do her wonders. Tomorrow would be a big, big, big day.

It was not everyday that a child would get to meet her father for the first time.

A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who's left a review so far! I got Amabella from Big Little Lies because I really like that name and I feel like it was posh enough that someone like Effie would want to use it. So... we know who Amabella's dad is. Or at least who Effie thinks he is. And who exactly is Felix? Let me know your thoughts on this one :)

I know I said I'd update every Thursday but I'm traveling next week and I'm not sure if I'll be able to update then. Maybe if there's enough feedback I'll update in advance on Wednesday (hint, hint!)

Next chapter: Haymitch meets Amabella, there's a revelation, a small accident, and an argument.