A/N: Hey everyone! I'm pretty happy with the update time with this chapter :) see, you can rely on me haha anyway, I don't think I really have anything too important to say except for this chapters a biggie (plot wise) so yeah ;) I will say nothing else and let you get on with chapter 22!

"This shouldn't hurt too much," says the nurse brushing back a strand of violet hair behind her ear.

I turn my head away as she pushes the cool, thin needle into the skin of my inner elbow. I cringe at the thought of a blood test but she's right, it doesn't really hurt. Maybe that's because my mind is elsewhere.

I barely notice when she hands me a cotton wool ball to press against the injection site. I hold it in place with a shaky hand as she undoes the tie around my upper arm. I check that the small pin-prick is no longer bleeding before I pull down my sleeve over it.

I take a deep breath as she turns to dispose if the needle telling myself to calm down.

"So erm-" I clear my throat. "When will I be able to find out the results?"

The nurse lets out a small gentle laugh. "Goodness me, we are eager aren't we? Don't worry, we could get the results back today for you as there's no big queue at the minute. It should only take thirty minutes to an hour so if you would like to wait around-"

"Yes, that would be fine thank you."

She smiles. "Would you like anything to drink while you wait?"

For a moment I consider coming back with 'a hard liquor would be nice' but I'm not sure that is the best thing to say in an antenatal clinic. I don't even want to be here and am only doing this because if I don't I never will.

I shake my head and she stands and directs me towards a small waiting room at the front of the clinic. As much as I hate waiting, the only other alternative would be to go back to the Penthouse and spend the hour pacing the floor.

I sit myself down in a chair that is as far away from any other person in the room as possible. I look to my left and find a pile of magazines on a small glass table; I pick one up and begin to flick through the glossy pages.

There is page after page of interviews, photographs and betting odds for the upcoming Quarter Quell but I need just about anything to take my mind off the inevitable – no, probable.

There are countless pictures of Finnick Odair seemingly lacking in a covering for his upper half – honestly, does the man not own a shirt? I mean for lords' sake, the amount of times I've seen him wandering around the Capitol half naked is unreal. Not that I'm complaining of course.

I occupy myself with an article written about the 'star-crossed lovers of District Twelve' with numerous pictures from the Victory Tour and party at the president's mansion some of which I find myself in.

I emerge from my magazine after what seems like forever as my name is called. I feel my hands become slightly clammy at the prospect of what is happening next. I try not to show my nerves as I place the magazine back onto its original place on the table, stand up and smooth my skirt and walk into the consultation room.

The same purple haired nurse from before is seated behind her desk wearing a smile that could be visible from space. She's smiling, that can't be good. She gestures for me to sit after I close the door behind myself.

She sighs dreamily. "It is days like this when I just love my job. I have already informed three women that they are expecting today and you are the fourth!" she blurts it out all at once as if she cannot physically contain herself any longer.

"I'm sorry what?" I mutter before the words properly process in my brain.

"You're pregnant, congratulations! According to the test, you are already ten weeks along which is hard to tell just by looking but not to worry, different women vary and there is absolutely nothing wrong with the baby."

The reality hits me like a tonne of bricks and if I wasn't sat down I probably would've fainted. The nurse must be able to tell as she sends me a concerned look across the desk.

"Miss Trinket are you alright?" she speaks tentatively as if I am a bomb waiting to go off and to some point I probably am. "You know there are many different options available if you are not happy."

I shake my head. "No, I'm fine." I'm not fine, I'm anything but fine.

She offers a smile. "Just in shock then? Now, if you would like we could do an ultra sound scan today but if you are feeling like you have had enough news for one day then we could perhaps reschedule."

"Yes, I think that would be a good idea. Any time after the Games begin should be fine." I sound less hollow now like I am actually in the same room.

She spins in her seat to face her computer screen and what must be some sort of calendar, clicking her tongue as she does so. "How about the eighth?"

I nod and she pulls several forms for me to sign from the bottom drawer of her desk and I do so subconsciously as the news takes its sweet time to sink in.

Pregnant – a word I have thankfully never been able to associate with myself until now. In a matter of months I will have a baby that I will have no idea whatsoever how to look after. I am probably supposed to feel some unconditional love for the small life growing inside me but I don't, I feel nothing. I am not ready for a baby and I cannot be fully responsible for another life, I shouldn't even be allowed a child after all that I've done when so many good people cannot.

I am bought out of my thoughts as the nurse waves a hand in front of my face. I blink rapidly and force my eyes to focus again.

"Goodness me, we are in shock." She lets out that small laugh of hers. "Will you be alright getting home or do you require a-"

I don't let her finish which I know is extremely rude but manners are really the last thing on my mind at the moment. "No, I'm perfectly well thank you."

She looks unconvinced but nods anyway. "Well, I think that's all for today, just take these papers to the assistant at the front desk and she will file them accordingly. Just to confirm, you will have your eleven week scan on the eighth."

I nod as she hands me the several forms she had me sign. She leads me out of the room and into the entrance of the clinic.

She bids me goodbye and I make my way to the front desk where an attendant is seated typing away on the computer. He notices me almost straight away and takes my papers from me, doing a double take on seeing my name. I half expect him to say something but he doesn't and just keeps typing and filing the forms accordingly.

He reaches in one of the drawers, takes out a small yellow book and passes it across to me on the counter.

"These are your maternity notes; you can keep them at home but just remember to bring them to every appointment. Just to confirm, your twelve week scan will be on the eighth."

I nod for about the twentieth time today, I'd rather people just didn't speak to me about it all together but I know that I'm going to have to talk about it a lot more when I get back.

The elevator doors open up to a seemingly empty Penthouse. Good – I can't face anyone right now. I place a bag containing a dress I saw on the way back on one of the side tables and sit down on the sofa, relishing in the peace and quiet.

I close my eyes for a moment before I hear voices coming behind me eliciting an exasperated groan from the back of my throat.

I connect one of the voices immediately with Haymitch and the other I am not so certain of so I turn in my seat and see none other than Plutarch Heavensbee.

I straighten up in my seat as they both enter the room, halting their conversation.

"Mr Heavensbee, how lovely to see you." I smile politely and he bows his head in return.

"And it is lovely to see you too. You're looking well, and please – call me Plutarch."

"Well, thank you very much Plutarch."

There is a slightly awkward pause where no one really knows what to say but Haymitch interrupts the silence. "Effie, do you mind getting out for a minute?"

I am about to reprimand him for manners but Plutarch speaks before I have chance to. "No, it's fine Haymitch. We will resume this another time, Miss Trinket looks as if she's been busy already and could do with taking the weight off her feet."

Haymitch looks as if he is about to object but relents. "Fine, just say when."

"I will do. Good afternoon both of you." With that he leaves Haymitch and I alone in the Penthouse.

"What were you talking about?"

"I think you should go first sweetheart, or have you spent the last two hours shopping?" he gestures to the bag on the table and I frown, avoiding his eyes as best I can.

He waits for me to answer but I don't. "Great, the silent treatment, and you call me the fucking child."

I'm not sure what posseses me to speak but now feels right somehow and the words come tumbling out all at once. I speak barely any louder than a whisper but I know he has heard me.

"Haymitch, I'm pregnant."

A/N: OHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Cliffhangerrrr ;) I know I'm evil but you haven't had one in a while! This chapter has (overall) taken me so long to write because I wasn't sure if I wanted Effie to be pregnant but my good friend Kara told me to do it so I took a risk! How do you think Haymitch will react to the news? Well, you'll have to wait and see in chapter 23 won't you? Please, please, please continue to review as it means the absolute world to me :) feel free to let me know if you have any ideas for upcoming chapters (especially for while Katniss and Peeta are in the arena!) and I will see you lovelies next time!

~H x