Author's note: So sorry this update took so long. I'm the fool who decided to have three WIPs at once. This one is close to being done, though. Just a few more chapters, I think.
Happy reading!
Chapter Eleven
"Are you sure you want us to meet this woman?" Iris asked as she set the table.
Haymitch grinned and finished forming the last patty, this one made of ground turkey for Effie. "I'm ready for you to."
"Haymitch has a girlfriend." Katniss sang as she walked into the house. She laughed and pointed to the bag of charcoal. "You want to do this part or do you want me to."
"I'll do it, thanks." He washed his hands. "You can help me, though." He walked out the back door. He pulled the grill away from the wall and took the lid and grate off. He picked it up and dumped the old ash into a trashcan he left nearby for the purpose.
Katniss sat the bag of charcoal down and opened it. "So Effie Trinket, huh? Sure she's not a porn star?"
He chuckled and started to stack the charcoal in the bottom of the grill. "Not a porn star. A model. And I hope you like her. I just want to warn you. She's a little over-the-top sometimes and I know you are just like me and prefer people that are a little calmer."
"So how did you even get to know her if she's so over-the-top? You avoid those people like the plague."
"I met her at a very low point in her life and she worked up to it as she got better, so she doesn't always act so giddy around me. She lets her guard down."
Katniss smiled. "That's kind of sweet." She handed over a lighter. "Doesn't get you out of the teasing, though."
Prim poked her head out the door. "I think your girlfriend is here."
Haymitch was almost giddy as he walked through the house to the front door. He opened it before Effie was even all the way to the front steps. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard on the mouth. He mumbled, "I'm so nervous."
She giggled. "Me too. I missed you and I love you."
"Same here." He kissed her once more and let her go. He took her hand and led her into the house. His sister and nieces stood in a cluster just outside the kitchen. Katniss had a calculating look on her face. Prim was barely able to hold in her excitement. Iris just looked indifferent.
Haymitch swept his hand toward Effie. "This is Effie."
Effie beamed and held out her hand to Iris. "You must be Iris. It is so lovely to meet you. Haymitch has told me a lot of fun stories about you two as kids. I can't wait to get the embarrassing side from you."
Iris smiled cautiously. "Sure thing."
She moved to Prim. "Primrose?"
Prim nodded and shook her hand. "Prim. It is so nice to meet you, Effie."
"Haymitch just adores you, Prim. I've heard nothing but good things about you."
Prim was even more excited after that. "We've heard a lot of good things about you, too."
"And you're Katniss?" Effie said, shaking the young woman's hand. "Haymitch says you're very smart and care a lot about your family. I look forward to getting to know you more."
Katniss just nodded. She looked over Effie's shoulder at Haymitch. "Way to go." She smiled at Effie. "Welcome to the family. If you screw it up… Well, I know how to use a bow. Let's just keep it at that." She walked out the back door to tend the grill.
Haymitch rubbed Effie's back and kissed her cheek. "Prim, why don't you get Effie a drink and I'll get the burgers on the grill? I made a turkey one for you."
"Thank you!" She grabbed his face and kissed him hard. "You're the best boyfriend ever!"
"I do what I can." He chuckled. He kissed her cheek and walked out with the patties. "So you like her." He stated.
Katniss laughed. "Yeah, she seems sweet. You could use sweet to smooth out your rough edges."
"She already has, I think." He grinned. "I'm risking my job, Katniss."
"How much longer does she have?"
"A month."
She nodded. "You can make it."
He knocked the coals over and placed the grate back on top. "Well, I took my vacation. That's a full three weeks. And I could probably use up a few sick days on the other end because I'm never sick."
"Then what?"
He shrugged. "I guess we'll do what we can from there."
A loud laugh erupted from inside and they both turned to see Effie telling the other two something with large hand gestures and all three were laughing.
"Well, I guess she's a hit. I haven't seen Mom laugh like that in a long time." Katniss said wryly. "Why don't you go in? I'll get this finished."
He pulled her into an awkward tight hug and then let her go without another word. Inside, he wrapped his arm around Effie's waist. She waved her hands around as she finished telling them about some runway mishap.
She finished and turned to Haymitch. With a giggle she grabbed his face and kissed him. "Are you making Katniss do all the work?"
He stroked her hair. "She volunteered. And there are plenty of other things to do we just have to wait for the burgers to be done."
She kissed him again and he looked away quickly. He didn't want his sister to see the emotion on his face.
Iris stood. "I can at least start chopping things for the salad."
Effie combed her fingers through Haymitch's hair and kissed his cheek. She pressed her lips to his ear and whispered, "I really did miss you today"
Haymitch smiled and squeezed her knee. He whispered, "Same."
Prim giggled. "I'll help Mom with the rest of the prep." She got up and started digging though the fridge.
Haymitch stood and pulled Effie into the other room. He pressed her against the wall and kissed her hard.
She smiled against his mouth before he finally pulled away. "I'm sorry I'm being all mushy."
"You can't really help it, can you? That's just the way you are. It's one of the things I love about you." He grinned and kissed her again.
"I love when you're so stoic." She squeezed his bottom and moved out from under him. "But I really like your smile." She walked out to the patio to talk with Katniss. He couldn't keep his eyes off her ass.
Effie smiled sweetly at Katniss. "Hello."
Katniss looked her over and made Effie self-conscious for a moment. "Hi."
She fought the urge to wrap her arms around herself. "You and your uncle are pretty close, huh?"
"What makes you say that?" Katniss flipped the burgers.
Effie kept on smiling. "Well, he talks about you almost like a best friend rather than a niece. He dotes on Prim and usually avoids too much serious talk about your mother, but you're there quite a bit."
Katniss smiled and nodded. "We've raised Prim together, pretty much. It brings people close, I guess. And he's a great person to vent to."
Effie said, "Well, you've done a fine job with Prim. She's really sweet and respectful."
"Thanks."
The door slid open and Haymitch stepped out. "Are those burgers still not done? You know you're pretty much useless when it comes to the grill."
"Shut up, you old windbag." Katniss chuckled. "It's almost done."
Effie retreated inside. They ate just a few minutes later. She tried a little of everything, but kept calculating all the things in her head that she was eating. She stopped after a while and pushed her plate away.
Haymitch rubbed her leg and she looked over. "You okay?" He asked softly.
She nodded and sipped her water. "Saving room for dessert." She said just as softly. She ignored the fact that she had eaten so little.
After everything was cleaned and put away Iris, Katniss, and Prim left. Effie watched them back out of the driveway and then pulled on Haymitch's shirt as she led him down the hall. She pushed him down on the bed and kissed him until she couldn't breathe.
He smiled up at her. "Did you have fun?"
"Not nearly as much as I'm about to have."
He laughed and rolled her beneath him. "I love you."
"That's the third time you've said that today."
"It's the first time I've actually said it, though. I'm not good with showing my emotions. You're going to have to bear with me on that front."
"You don't ever have to say it again if you don't want. Because I love you, too. And I know how well you show it even when you can't say it."
He kissed her, sliding his hand up her shirt. He cupped her breast and massaged it. He trailed his mouth down her neck.
"I want to marry you." She whispered.
He lifted his head and looked down at her. "You do?"
She bit her lip and nodded. "What do you think?"
He kissed her softly and moved away. "That's big, Effie."
She sighed and sat on the opposite side of the bed. "I'm sorry. I've always been all or nothing."
He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm not saying no. But we can't right now."
"I know. Because I'm still in treatment."
"And because we don't know each other. I want to keep dating you for a while. Then maybe we can move in together and discuss it more."
She reached up and tangled her fingers in his hair. "Do I have to leave?"
"I don't want you to."
"But do I have to?"
He kissed her neck. "No."
She turned and pushed him onto his back and returned to their earlier activity.
Effie was sure it got better every time. She came explosively with a loud cry that she was sure the neighbors heard. Haymitch wasn't much better. Spurred by her cries, he let out a loud string of curses.
He collapsed on top of her, panting heavily. He kissed her cheek when he finally regained his faculties and rolled away. "You were feeling a little insecure, weren't you?"
She watched him a moment and then nodded. "Yeah."
He pulled her onto his chest. "You are a vibrant woman. Please don't ever lose your shine."
"I'll do my best." She rubbed her hand over his chest. "I think I want to start going to church."
"Okay." He said softly.
"Will you come with me? At least the first time?"
He kissed the top of her head and gently scratched her back. "Sure."