Is this really the only way to reply to an anon -_-? Oh well, maybe other readers questioned it too... So why didn't she question her parents' lack of presence in her life or wondered why they supposedly abandon her. The answer (or should I say answers) is(are?) simple really. In chapter 1 she mentions that she believes that her parents loved her so she tries to be optimistic about her situation. (nothing wrong with that now) and in majority of the story she already knows that she was taken.

Remember chapter 4? Remember Granny and her line "Know that you're parents loved you very much and never think that they did not. You had to be taken away from them. It wasn't their choice. They tried to look for you but they couldn't find you."? See, I had, like 4 chapters prior to her knowing and at that time all she could think of was about the games because she was nervous; she was too busy blocking out the games to question these things and she already has this belief from the start that her parent's never meant her harm (" I don't know who they are or if they're alive or not but I'm sure that they loved me") And who's to say she didn't question it before? The story didn't start with her birth. I mean, don't you guys like a little anonymity in a story?

Erm, you know maybe I can use that in the plot later on... Yisssss! XD Thanks anon! More on that in later chapters!

Regardless to your answer to the question above, I will leave the 12 years of her life in the orphanage to the imagination of the readers :D

By popular demand I updated this chapter a day earlier than what I intended...

Light shown through Haymitch's eyelids. He'd prefer to go back to sleep but the light was blinding and his head was aching from last night's drinking session. He hesitantly shook the sleep from his eyes and groggily got out of bed. He was still out of focus but not enough to not notice the girl tribute enter his room with a tray of food.

"What's that sweetheart?" he asked.

"It's your breakfast. You passed out from drinking yesterday. We had to carry you to your room." she answered.

Haymitch was wary of the girl's kindness. People aren't usually kind to him. They were before but he has changed. The games made him that way. The only person he has ever opened up to was Effie and even then, he kept some things from her. It was mainly about their daughter, he can never tell her hoe much it hurts. He was her strength and her sanctuary; he can't show weakness. He can't let her down.

"Why are you helping me?" he asked with the hint of urgency and suspicion in his tone. She must be trying to get on his good side; thinking that it will help you win the games.

"I want to and shouldn't we be looking out for each other?" She said. She looked at the floor with downcast eyes; regretful that she might have done something wrong.

"Ah, so you're schmoozing. Eh, sweetheart?"

"Erm, schmoozing?" Amaryllis cocked her head to the side in confusion.

"Yeah, you know talking me into doing something that you want. Listen, there is no need for all this. I've already decided to help you. Okay, Maryl?"

Amaryllis smiled a little but it was quite obvious that she was still confused. She never intended to 'schmooze'. She just wanted to get closer to her father and she hated herself for making it seem otherwise.

"What? What else do you want? I'm not giving you anymore liquor, so you can forget about it!" He was harsh in his tone and this only made Amaryllis more miserable. What could have she done to make her father so angry?

They both didn't notice Effie when she entered the room. She smiled sweetly before speaking up. "So are you two getting along?"

The both of them jumped in surprise. Haymitch was confused and a little angry. Did Effie make the girl do this and why did she? He warned her not to get close to their tributes; it will hurt her thrice as much when the tribute dies in the arena. Amaryllis on the other hand was nervous on Effie's reaction; she's afraid that her father's reception of her might affect her mother's thoughts of her.

"Ah, so you made her do this then!" Exclaimed Haymitch.

"Why yes, I thought you'd be happy." She replied.

"Why would I- Didn't I tell you not to get close to the tributes?"

"She's not just a tribute Haymitch! She's our daughter!"

"Effie, stop fooling yourself. The chance of ever seeing her again is one in a million. She might even be dead."

Amaryllis just stood there, listening and watching her parents fight. Can they even agree on anything? They seem so incompatible. How can two opposites get along, fall in love and bring forth a new life in the world? It doesn't really make sense but their love seem so right.

"She's not dead! She's standing right in front of us!"

Haymitch sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Alright princess, why don't we see for ourselves?"

He walked towards the young girl, crouched down and looked at her straight in the eyes.

"She has your eyes, Haymitch..." Effie said. Her tone was softer now. There wasn't a hint of anger in her voice and it almost sounded as if she was begging. She wanted to make him believe and she knows that he shouldn't deny the truth.

"Yeah, that's not enough though..." His voice grew distant. He sounded unfocused and distracted. He tried to concentrate on controlling his thoughts and emotions but he can't help but to be distracted by the small speckle of hope. Could the girl be his daughter?

He asked her to pull down her right sleeve. She pulled down the fabric and exposed a small flower-shaped birthmark on her shoulder.

Haymitch looked at it with his mouth agape. He distinctly remembered the mark on his daughter's shoulder. It's a little faded now, but nevertheless it's still in the same shape and size.

He walked into the room and saw the midwife hand Effie their daughter. He could tell it was a very painful labor; sweat trickled down her face and the agony was still evident in her eyes yet she looked so happy. There were tears in her eyes but Haymitch knew that they were tears of joy.

He took a step closer to them and Effie smiled when she noticed his presence. "She has your eyes, Haymitch..."

She hands the infant to him. He watched the little girl struggle in his arms but she eventually calmed down. She looked up at her father and gave him a smile. Haymitch couldn't keep himself from crying. This was the life that he helped create. She was his daughter; his little girl and nothing could ever change that.

"You reek of alcohol." stated Effie.

"It was just a couple of glasses. I was nervous for you, princess..." he smirked.

"Whatever..."

"She's beautiful, Effie. I-I can't-" he choked.

"And you wanted me to abort her..." she replied sarcastically.

"I'm glad you didn't..."

He choked a sob and tried to keep himself from crying. 12 years of keeping his emotions locked up has finally taken it's toll. His daughter; the little girl who smiled at him twelve years ago was the very girl who stood there right in front of him.

"You really are... I-I-" Haymitch couldn't find the right words to say. He hugged her daughter tight and allowed the tears to stream down his cheeks.

"I love you too, daddy..." she said.

They loosened their hug and Haymitch turned towards Effie. "You're right, she is our daughter..."

Effie nodded in reply. She walked closer to the two and they all hugged each other. Their eyes were wet with tears; it felt so good to feel their little girl in their arms once again. They're a family is whole once again.

Maximilian peered through the crack of Haymitch's door. Through the paper thin walls he heard everything. He was happy for his fellow tribute but he couldn't help but feel jealous.

The three of them didn't sense his presence but he was still there watching nonetheless. He closed the door shut and walked back to his room. He couldn't fight off the tears so he let them fall down from his eyes.

He collapsed in his bed and continued to sob. The pain was too much for him to bear. He wished for the games so he can finally meet up with his inevitable end.

In certain times, death can be your closest friend...

A little short? Well, I am quite satisfied with it.

Anyways, the next chapter won't come anytime soon. (I almost didn't update this week) I'm really sorry but I'm very busy. I have to help with the bulletin board in our club, to train for my cooking contest, to study for my tests, to advance read the lessons, to finish the assignments, to design our homeroom, to clear my stuff, to comply with my parent's need for family leisure time (I'll stop there) Well, those things are awesome and I love doing all of them but yeah, the catch is there's no more time for fics...

I'll try to update next week though... Please review XD (I read them all. Seriously, I do)