Chapter Twenty-Seven

Prim was asleep on her stomach in the cradle Peeta had temporarily moved to the Abernathy's nursery from their house when Effie agreed to babysit for the night. Haymitch peered into the cradle, a frown marring his face. It's been a few months but Haymitch still would not carry the little girl and when Effie had asked, he had muttered something about his hand being too large and the infant being too fragile.

"This can't go on, Haymitch. What's going to happen when the twins are born?" she asked.

"I'll get there."

I can't really hurt her, he rationalized with himself. Just carry her the same way Effie does.

He caressed her cheek with the back of a finger, watching Katniss' little child quietly. Haymitch had never once mentioned it but he was proud of her and the boy. Against all odds, they've made it to where they are now. Peeta, whose mind had been hijack, had led his life teetering between what was real and what was fabricated, and Katniss, his resilient girl, had fought so hard and lost everything. But his kids rose above it all and it made him swell with pride.

"Haymitch!" Effie's urgent voice brought him back to the present. "I have a problem."

"What is it?" he whispered so as not to wake the sleeping child. It had taken Effie nearly an hour trying to put her to sleep.

Effie beckoned for him to follow her. He could tell that she was upset judging by the way her lips were pressed together into a thin line. Effie said nothing as she led him back to their bedroom.

"Did a storm pass through in here?" he asked.

After months of living in a house that was squeaky clean with nothing out of place, he found himself slight disoriented by all the mess. Effie had been trying to distract herself from the boredom of having to stay at home by doing things he would rather avoid altogether. The cupboards in the kitchen had been thoroughly cleaned. She threw out things that had gone past its expiration date and sent him off to town to restock their supplies. The day before, she had rearranged what little books he owned in alphabetical order – "Oh, Haymitch, we should get more books for the twins, too. Bedtime stories, you know?" - and her collections of fashion magazines by its issue date. Judging from all the clothes and shoes strewn all over the floor, it appeared that Effie had taken it upon herself to clear out their closet.

Effie ignored his question.

Pulling out the stool from under the vanity table, he sat on it with his legs crossed and fingers drumming impatiently on his knees as he watched Effie rummaged through her piles of high heels.

After a while, he asked, "I thought you said you had a problem?"

"I do have a problem."

She whirled around to face him with a pair of silver stilettos hanging on the crook of her fingers. "I can't fit into my heels anymore! It's a disaster. Half of my shoes are useless now."

"Wha-" he opened his mouth to speak. "That's the problem? How …"

"Were you paying attention to what I said? I can't fit into them!"

To drive the point home, Effie dropped the pair of shoes on the floor next to where Haymitch was sitting. With her hand on his shoulder for balance, she jammed her right foot into it and Haymitch immediately understand what was making her upset. He started to chuckle derisively.

"I see," he nodded. "Effie, please, we need to work on your definition of the word problem."

"Haymitch! This is not to be taken lightly."

He did roll his eyes at that. "You'll fit into those shoes once you've given birth. Put them aside for and don't think about it. Why the hell were you trying on your heels, anyway? What happened to those sandals and … what are they called? Flats?"

"Yes, flats" she nodded distractedly. "I was just trying them on, I'm working through them to see which of those can be given away and that was when then I realized I can't fit into half of them! Oh, Haymitch, this is such a tragedy."

"Maybe you should give them all away now," he muttered under his breath. Slightly louder, he said, "save your theatrics, sweetheart. You're pregnant. Your feet are swollen. I don't know what you're expecting but logically, you won't be able fit into them for the next few months."

"Well… Yes, but I'm just -"

"Upset," he finished. "You're supposed to be resting, Effie."

"But I am. Cleaning is very therapeutic. It helps me relax. You should know that!"

"Right, of course," he nodded, running his hand over his face. "I've been meaning to ask, what did the guy at the factory said when you called him?"

"He said he understands and that I can take a leave of absence till I've given birth," she answered, carrying a pile of clothes in her arms and dumping them on the bed before she started folding and segregating them based on how often he wore those shirts.

Haymitch scowled at her. "Till you've given birth?"

Her gaze cut to his. Her senses were suddenly alert, picking out on the underlying unhappiness in his voice.

"You gonna go back to work after the twins are born?" Haymitch questioned.

"Not immediately, of course," Effie answered quickly. "But… Eventually, I would like to return to work - be it here at the factory or back the Court House if and when the law's repealed."

His brows creased. It was the way she said it that made him uncomfortable. The indifference in her voice as she talked about the law and about returning to the Capitol without the usual irritation or sadness or even anger that was always evident each time the topic came up made him fidget in his seat and Haymitch was not the kind of person who would fidget.

Could it be that she had finally accepted the inevitable; that she would one day moved back to the Capitol when they dissolved their marriage?

"What of them?" he nodded at the swell of her belly. "Who'll take care of them if you're going back to work?"

"Haymitch - "

"Listen, Eff. You're your own person. I get that. You've always done what you wanted. You want to go back to work? Fine. I can't stop you. But I have the right to ask after my children. Did you factor them in when you -"

"Of course, I did!" she replied indignantly.

Effie reached over and grabbed the folded newspaper he had left on the vanity yesterday. She flipped through the pages until she found what she was looking for. Pointing to the advertisement on a nanny agency, she said, "the law may be absurd but one can't accuse the Council for not trying to make its citizens' life easier."

"You trust someone else to -"

"Only while I'm away at work, Haymitch, just those few hours. I'll still be with them after work and over the weekends. I can't just sit at home with the twins. What about money? I need to support them and –

"I think you're forgetting the fact that I'm their father," he pointed out. "I – Effie, when the law's over … I won't just… I'll still…"

Haymitch clenched his jaws. He couldn't understand why it was so difficult for him to get the words out, to make Effie understand that they were his responsibility and he recognised that. He would never turn his back on them even without the law to bind him to them.

Effie nodded and patted his hand having clearly understood the words he couldn't say.

"I have an aunt I could possibly ask to look after the twins. You met her at the wedding, she's the one that … that…"

That was disgusted by the fact that you married a drunk, Haymitch completed the sentence Effie refused to say out loud.

"… Well, anyway, I don't think you'd like that," she finished.

"No, no, I wouldn't," he exhaled slowly, folding the papers and setting it back on vanity.

"You're okay with it then? Getting a nanny?"

Haymitch shrugged. He couldn't think of any other option at the moment. He supposed those nannies would have the necessary qualifications where children are concerned. Still, he made a mental note to ask Plutarch about it. That man is in the Government, surely he would know the background of the agency, the credibility of the organisation and most importantly, how the nannies were selected for the job.

"When will the next appeal be?" Effie asked out of the blue, as though merely thinking of Plutarch on his part was enough to summon the topic of the appeal.

"The six month is up next month so that's when we can submit the appeal. But there's still that second round of interviews through the districts to do, so I'm not sure if we would be able to appeal by then. The month after next would be a better estimate."

"Oh, one more thing, it kept slipping my mind with everything that's happened so far," she smiled. "It may be nothing, really. I could just be overthinking about things, you know me. But, on the day we left Four, I thought… I thought Elias didn't seem quite happy with you. Did something happen that I should know about?"

Haymitch only barely managed to swallow the chuckle. He remembered that particular moment Effie was referring to rather well despite the panic he felt with Effie in pain.

Elias wasn't pleased, not after the way Haymitch had walked into his room while Effie and Annie were distracted with the last minute packing in their room. Haymitch had told them that he was going to handle the paper work at the front desk while they pack to expedite their return but he had gone off to find that pompous git Effie had the misfortune to call a cousin.

Haymitch had informed him, rather harshly, that while Effie was still legally married to him, he and him alone would determine what was best for his children and for Effie after taking her opinion on the matter and that Elias had no say in it under any circumstances. Haymitch didn't just stop there and went on to tell Elias that even if Effie and himself were separated after the law, he was sure Effie would not appreciate her cousin poking his nose where it didn't belong.

Elias had gone beet red by the minute and just when he thought that poor man was going to explode, Haymitch straightened up and politely thanked him for his hospitality, for all the alcohol and liquor he had freely consumed during his stay. The unexpected gratitude for his hospitality seemed to throw him off guard. Haymitch smirked. Effie would be proud to know that all those lectures on manners were not in vain. He had used effectively on Elias, if he may say so himself. When he met Felix at the lobby and told him what he had done, Felix threw him a wide grin.

"I like you. Remind me to never get on your bad side," he had said before adding in a more serious tone, "Elias isn't going to let that go, though. Be careful."

Haymitch must have forgotten to answer her because Effie prompted him impatiently, seeking an answer to her question.

"I didn't notice," he shrugged. "It's probably nothing. I'll check on Prim – make sure she's still asleep."

XxX

During one of those days that she went on a cleaning spree, Effie moved his clutter of papers and interview tapes he left strewn on the kitchen island up to the study and told him to make full use of it instead of messing up her kitchen. He wasn't aware she had claimed ownership over the kitchen but rather than picked a fight, he merely snorted and trudged upstairs.

She would accompany him as he worked on the appeal and without really meaning to, they fell into a routine. Effie would curl on the lazy chair in the study, a hand resting lightly on her stomach as she read softly to the twins from a children's book Haymitch came across at the town's library. He found this arrangement extremely distracting. Haymitch would discreetly watch her from his place behind the desk, his long hair which framed his face like curtains did a good job of masking the hint of smile on his face at times.

When Effie started to teach them the letters from the alphabets, Haymitch began to seriously question her sanity.

"I did tell you they can hear us," Effie sighed exasperatedly. "I'm just starting them early. They'll grow up to be smart children."

He actually managed to get some work on the appeal done one afternoon without Effie's presence to distract him. She had simply poked her head in the study to inform him that she would be downstairs.

That night, motivated by the grumbling noise from his stomach and the smell of something delicious wafting from the kitchen, he finally emerged from the study with his silver flask clutched in his hand. He had not had anything to eat save for his liquor since breakfast and he only just realised how famished he was.

There was a spread of food waiting for him on the dining table, complete with a red candle on a gold stand, the flame slowly burning through its wick. A bottle of wine was sitting in a bucket of ice with an empty glass placed next to the plate and cutleries. Dinner had always been a simple affair between them unless they were at the Penthouse during the Games. It was fast becoming clear to Haymitch that he was missing something.

Cautiously, Haymitch approached Effie. She was sitting on one of the chairs, swirling a glass of sparkling juice and smiling daintily at him.

"What's going on? It's not your birthday, is it?"

She shook her head. "No, it's not. Come sit, let's have dinner," she beckoned him forward.

He poured himself a glass of wine, tipping his head back as he took a sip. Effie had prepared a fancy dinner and he was, at the moment, clueless as to the reason for this. It came as no surprise that he was itching to get something stronger from the kitchen. He'd need the drink if Effie was going to be upset in the event that he truly did forget something significant. Haymitch eyed the slab of meat on his plate warily. Effie was a terrible cook. She had improved over the past few months but he wasn't sure she had mastered the art of searing a good steak.

Nonetheless, Haymitch cut into his steak, chewing on it before he stopped suddenly.

"This steak taste familiar," he chewed slowly. "It tastes like… Did you buy a take away from Greasy Sae?"

Effie blushed and averted her gaze. "I did," she admitted. "You know that I can't really cook that well. I messed up the sauce and I didn't have the time to prepare everything from scratch. I overcooked the meat, too. I couldn't get it to cook to medium rare."

"So you walked to town to buy a meal?"

"I did, yes," she smiled.

"Let me understand this, you spent your day standing on your feet attempting to whip up a meal? And if that's not enough, you went out?" he was frowning and Effie stiffened at the tone in his voice. "You're supposed to be resting, not do things to make yourself exhausted as if you cleaning the closet or the kitchen weren't taxing enough."

"I'm not tired. I've been resting and it was just a short walk –"

"You could have asked me or Peeta," he interrupted. With a frustrated sigh, Haymitch went on, "you know damn well the risk your pregnancy entails. Do you even care, Effie? Do I need to remind you every damn day that your pregnancy is delicate? And you know what what's even more disturbing, sweetheart? I'm your husband but you don't even trust me enough to tell me what happened to you when you were captured. Do you know how useless that makes me feel because I can't help you! How am I supposed to make this pregnancy easier for you when I don't even know what those people did to you that could have that kind of consequences our children? And you're not helping much when you're actively trying to go against -"

"Stop!" she exclaimed, slamming her fork down on her plate. "Enough, Haymitch."

"I was just – "

"I said enough," her voice was firm. Effie pushed her chair back and stood up, glaring at Haymitch as she did so. "Just stop it. Don't make this about you! And don't make me feel like I owe you an explanation for something that happened to me, for something that I had to go through."

"Now, listen here, I never – "

"I didn't ask Peeta because I didn't want to trouble him," she raised her voice to drown his, "and I certainly didn't ask you because I wanted this to be a surprise! I was just trying to do something nice considering that today's… We were married on this day, a year ago. But, of course, you wouldn't remember that and it's fine, really, it is. I don't expect you to remember such a thing but all I wanted was to have a nice dinner with you without getting a lecture about how you think I'm an irresponsible human being. Clearly, I'm expecting too much."

Oh shit, he bit his tongue.

"You're suffocating me, Haymitch," her voice caught in her throat. "Dr. Bell says to rest. Rest is not synonym as bedridden, why can't you understand that? I can do things like walk to town to get something as long as I don't tire myself. I feel like you've put me under house arrest and I'm going insane." Effie took a ragged a breath as Haymitch walked around to where she was. He tentatively reached out for her but she was quick to pull away. "I'm not your prisoner."

"I don't think you're irresponsible," he said, quelling the hurt he felt at being compared to her captors.

"Oh, you do," she gave a shrill laugh. "You all but implied that I am. It's just … Forget it. We can never have something nice between us. We're too…"

"We're what?"

"We're two completely different people," said Effie in a single breath. "Just… finish your appeal, Haymitch, so that I can go back to the Capitol and we can live our lives away from each other."

XxX

There was a tense, heavy silence in the kitchen the next day. Effie pressed a cup of coffee into his hand without a word. He poured his liquor in it and handed her an empty plate for their pancakes without her having to ask for it. Their movements were steady and familiar. After years of working together and a year of staying under the same roof, they knew enough of each other's morning routine for them to work side by side flawlessly.

Haymitch grimaced at the taste of slightly burnt pancakes. He opened his mouth to make a remark but one glare from Effie silenced the words on his lips. A series of loud, purposeful knocking on the door jolted them both. They exchanged a look and waited for the familiar voice of Katniss or Peeta to announce their presence. When nothing was forthcoming, Haymitch frowned and arched a questioning eyebrow.

"I'm not expecting anyone. The furniture will be delivered next week and Felix never mentioned anything about dropping by," she told him. "Please go see who it is."

"If we ignore it, maybe, it'll just go away," his distaste for any social interaction was apparent that early in the morning.

She glared at him. Knowing that it aggravates her, Haymitch pushed his chair loudly and true enough, the sound of the chair scraping against the tiled floor made her wince.

"If you're some kind of salesman, then so help me I will – "

Two government officials dressed in their starched blue uniforms bearing the insignia of a flock of birds taking flight in the air stood at their front door. The Department of Social and Family Affairs, he eyed them distastefully and shut the door behind him quietly. One of them was clutching a black leather bound folder in her hand.

"Good morning, Mr. Abernathy," the man greeted him jovially. Formerly a Capitol citizen, Haymitch noted, watching the way the skin stretched tight across his mouth as he spoke, evidence of some kind of a former beauty surgery.

"Is it, though?" Haymitch answered.

He heard the door opened behind him and felt Effie's presence as she stood next to him. "Good morning to you, too," she replied, her manners still impeccably intact. "Would you like to come in? We're having breakfast and there are more than enough go around. There's coffee, too."

"No," Haymitch said quickly. "Just state what you want and be on your way."

"Haymitch!"

"It's quite alright, Mrs. Abernathy. We're here on official business. There is a facility in the City that is catered with the most advance medical equipment and doctors with wide range of expertise to deal with any pregnancy complications that might occur during or after the pregnancy. As you are aware, during your medical evaluation a few months ago, we are very concern about the infants born under this law and also, to the physical well-being of couples married under this same law. For the law to be successful, certain measures have to be put in place, I'm sure you understand?"

"Yes," Effie looked at Haymitch as she nodded her understanding. He had a scowl on his face and Effie had a feeling that the unexpected visit from these two officials could not be good.

The man nodded satisfactorily. "Having said that, we would like to take you in and house you in the facility to monitor your pregnancy until you have safely delivered your children."

Haymitch's reaction was immediate. "What?!"

"According to your medical records, the recent discovery of uterine fibroids is an added risk to an already risky – "

"Isn't that confidential medical information?" Haymitch demanded.

"No, sir, it is not. Well, not to the relevant department at least, and we are one of those departments. Now, in this facility, there will be doctors and nurses that will be on duty 24/7 in the event of an emergency. We don't extend this courtesy to those whose pregnancy is relatively normal, you see. You have done your part in this law by getting married and getting pregnant as mandated, so now, let us do our part by looking after you," the man gave what Haymitch thought was supposed to be a comforting, charming smile but it only made the blood in his vein boil.

"I don't understand – "

"She's not going anywhere," Haymitch told him off tersely.

"Haymitch?"

His fingers curled into a fist at the sound of her voice, brittle and unsure, and he stepped forward in front of her, shielding her from their view when he felt Effie slipped her hand into his and gripped it tightly. She pressed herself to him, grounding herself and seeking his safety.

"Now, Mrs. Abernathy, if you would just consider the benefits of – "

"I said no. Leave my wife alone."

"Can Haymitch … Is my husband allowed to come with me?"

"Eff?"

He eyed her questioningly. Haymitch moved, turning his back partially to the two officials to face her. The way she was looking at him made his breath hitch. Her soft blue eyes glittered with a certain determination which he did not like.

Oh... What's Effie thinking?

Alright, this has been quite a long chapter and editing it has been painful. If there are any mistakes, my apologies, i might have gotten cross eyed somewhere. Please leave a review and tell me your thoughts, it means a lot :)

Thanks for reading!