AN: I know it's late actually I haven't updated in a long while, but I was busy beaver during the holidays. But I am getting back on track.

PS..I do not own the Hunger Games.

Effie sat on the train, she was more than half way to her destination. The train stopped to refuel. Outside the sun was beginning to set. Effie spent the entire trip collecting her thoughts. With every mile that passed she neared District Twelve and Haymitch. She was not sure what excuse she was going to use to explain her sudden arrival. Normally she sent notice and or she made plans with either Katniss or Peeta.

This spontaneous act was not her normal style.

Effie was by nature a structured person. She liked to have a plan in place and a contingency arrangement just in case things did not work out as originally intended. She preferred to have an itinerary detailing the events of a trip or activity. Effie loved to coordinate her outfits for each event. Her clothing was normally shipped to arrive before she did.

Throughout the years, others benefited from her ability to keep everyone and everything on task. Her eyes narrowed in on the scenery. Her mind conjured up that old curmudgeon, Haymitch. He was the only one who hated schedules. No doubt upon her arrival he was going to be rude to her. Haymitch was going to question the reason she was in District Twelve. Effie could deal easily deal with him. She had done that for the better portion of her life.

It was that 'Ginny' she was going to have a problem with.

During the trip Effie came to terms with herself.

Although she was disturbed by this unknown woman and the potential threat to her family, this was not the real reason she broke all of her rules. It was the excuse she used. But, her assistant's parting words resounded in Effie's heart. Emery was correct she was going to have to tell Haymitch how she truly felt.

Effie denied it for years. The time had come for the truth to be known.

Deeply hidden in her heart, Effie knew the truth. She was madly and deeply in love with Haymitch. But she always speculated he only saw her as an annoying piece of Capitol fluff. She doubted he could ever see her as more.

Effie questioned how she was going to make Haymitch Abernathy fall in love with her. It was easier to over throw two despots than to make that man see reason.

"Effie Trinket, how are you going to pull this off?" Effie uttered out loud.

There was a knock on the door of her private compartment.

Effie got up from her chair looking at the small clock. It was ticking away a silent reminder she did not have much time. She opened the door.

"Ma'am would you like for us to turndown the room?"

"Yes thank you." Effie slipped out of the room toward the dining car.

Effie appreciated trains much more these days. In the old days they were an instrument to transport children to their deaths. Today they were converted to a commuter transportation system. They were not lavish, but that did not matter to Effie, because they had freedom. Effie was glad for that. She paid a high price to help Haymtich and the rest out.

She sat in the dining car she but did not look at the menu. She knew what she wanted. A waiter immediately appeared. "Good evening Miss Trinket, what would you like?"

"I would like a small bowl of your chicken noodle soup."

"Of course."

Effie sat back watching the outside once more. It was a wooded area. The trees in this segment of train track always reminded her of District Twelve landscape. Her nails tapped on the table. She audibly sighed. In the morning she would be arriving. It had been a quiet ride, and she had plenty of communications with her clients. However, Effie had yet to come up with a solution to her query.

Her mind was bogged down with thoughts of that woman with Haymitch and her family. She was restless. She was anxious to see Haymitch.

Effie supposed she could always say she came for an impromptu to visit to check up on her babies, or such. It sounded reasonable to her. The waiter brought the soup. Effie inhaled the soothing properties of the soup. The warm rich smell helped calm her nerves. She properly put the napkin on her lap before dipping the spoon into the broth.

However before she placed the spoon into her mouth she murmured "Darned Ginny Parks."

"Peeta did you send the pictures?"

Peeta poked his head out of the bathroom. He had a toothbrush in his mouth and was brushing his teeth. He gave Katniss and incredulous look. She was sitting on their bed folding laundry in one of his old button down shirts.

"Well."

He rolled his eyes then popped his head back into the bathroom.

"Seriously though don't you think we should have heard something from Effie by now?" Katniss uttered as she began to put away Peeta's shirts in his dresser.

Peeta rinsed out his mouth and washed his face. He wanted to smile. It was funny how life was. When he and Katniss first began their journey together, their evenings were spent trying to keep the nightmares away. Then it morphed into a carnal frenzy after their first time together. Now after two kids she was doing something absolutely mundane but it was precious and sexy to him.

Seeing her do the impossible, become a mother and a wife to him was a victory. He found this version of Katniss irresistible. He never would have thought to have this with her. Never could Peeta have guessed how great life would become. They still had hard times that came about as result of their past, but they were practically non existent now.

At this present time, their problems were the ones normal people faced. He reached for the towel and dried off his face. He looked at himself in the mirror. His face bore the marks of what they had gone through. Their path was not an easy one. Yet they conquered everything together as a team, as Effie once pointed out. They were more than a team they were a family and now it was time the family needed to be tightened.

That meant getting Haymitch and Effie together.

"Peeta" Katniss leaned up against the door frame. Her grey eyes took in his strong back. The way his shoulders broadened as he stood up to full height made her mouth water. It had been quiet sometime since they had been together. She looked into his eyes through the reflection of the mirror and sucked in a breath. Peeta was always so handsome and when she did remember it caused her insides to turn into jelly. "You didn't answer my question."

Peeta looked into the mirror and gave Katniss a small smirk. Katniss was scared Haymitch was becoming attached to Ginny. Katniss asked him to find out if her fears were warranted. Peeta spoke to the woman in private today. Ginny was enjoying her time with Haymitch. But she was not serious about him she was dating someone else. Haymitch knew about it though.

"Peeta…"

"Yeah I sent the pictures." Peeta turned around and in one move slid his arms around her middle. He sniffed her hair. It smelled of lavender, pine needles and spring flowers.

"When," Katniss asked as she rested her cheek on his shoulder. His skin was firm yet soft under her cheek.

"Two days ago."

"Then why haven't we heard from Effie?"

"Katniss" Peeta gently rubbed her back. "I don't really want to discuss Effie now."

Innocently Katniss asked "You don't?"

Peeta chuckled, "No."

"No" Katniss pulled away from Peeta puzzled as to why he did not want to speak about what they were conspiring to do.

No matter how many years they had been married, Katniss still had that wide eyed innocence. She clearly did not know all of the impure thoughts he was having at the moment.

Peeta knew he had to be a bit more aggressive. He ran his finger gently over the spot on her neck that caused her knees to quake. His voice dipped deliciously low as he spoke her name. "Katniss."

Katniss looked to Peeta in the eyes it was then she got what he wanted. His fingers lazily traveled up and down the column of her neck. She could feel her heart rate spike. She licked her lips. With a five year old and infant they did not have much privacy. Especially when she was so tired do to anything romantic or sexy with Haymitch's Geese getting loose in the middle of the night. "Peeta."

"The kids," Peeta placed a kiss on her pulse point on her neck and scrapped his teeth against it. "Are they sleeping?"

Katniss hands gripped his muscular shoulders. "Yes."

"Is the door locked?"

"Yes," Katniss locked it temporarily when Peeta was unwinding at night. After he finished showering he sometimes walked around with only a towel slung around his shoulder. Nakedness never bothered him but with a five year child, with the curiosity of her mother and the communication skill of her father, there were certain measures that had to be taken. To night he wore those tight boxer briefs she loved to see on him.

Peeta bumped his nose with hers. He could see how large and luminous her silver eyes looked. "We have got a few hours before those dammed Geese get loose."

Katniss lashes lowered as she licked her lips. "Hours?"

"Hours," Peeta repeated right before he picked her up and strove with her to the bed.

Katniss wanted her husband desperately.

Their lips met and their hands became desperate, seeking to make contact with overheated flesh.

"I have missed you…." Katniss ground out as her hands strained to pull his shorts down.

Peeta grinned then pulled back.

Katniss was breathing heavily. Her body trembled. "Mellark what are you waiting for?"

Peeta saw the fire in Katniss eyes. His hands went to the buttons of his old shirt, he intentionally played with them. He saw how large her irises became. "Oh no Katniss, we are not rushing this."

"We are not?"

Peeta could hear the disappointment and desperation in Katniss voice. "We have hours, and I am going to take it slow. Then afterwards when the Geese show up I'll let you shoot at a few."

Katniss cracked up laughing knowing Peeta would never allow her to shoot Haymitch's Geese. But the fact that he said it with a straight face was good enough to make her recall he was the mischievous one in the family. As he neared his face to hers she slid her palms up his chest. She wanted to rip his shorts off, but his promise was much more intriguing. She was willing to play. Katniss thought about how lucky she was to have Peeta. Haymitch and Effie led lonely lives.

She was beginning to want them together not just so that she could get a night sleep. Katniss was beginning to want Haymitch and Effie to have the same thing she and Peeta had. Peeta's mouth began to trail a path from her lips to her neck. His busy fingers quickly unbuttoned the shirt. His mouth knew what spots to hit to make her body hum. Her last thought just before his lips touched her navel was just how lucky she was to have a man love her the way Peeta did.

Hours later Peeta was out side corralling the Geese back inside their pens with some seeds. He was awake thinking about Effie when he heard the stirrings of the geese. He quickly got up slapped something on as he headed outside before his kids woke up. Thankful his kids did not wake up. He was sure Katniss was fast asleep and did not hear them. Peeta came back inside his quiet house. He quickly locked the door and went around the lower half of the house making sure it was secure. A habit he formed during the years when the press discovered they were living together.

Katniss found a man sitting at their table after a long hunting trip. The man was lucky Peeta was not home. It would have sent him into a violent episode in those days. Peeta paused by the computer in the downstairs office. Waving the mouse he quickly checked his emails and did not see any messages from Effie. Normally by this point he would have received some sort of message that she got the pictures.

Peeta felt his anxiety rising. He truly did care about Effie. They were altogether in prison during the war. He knew what Effie suffered. He hoped this worked out. Worriedly he stood up and grabbed the back of the chair and began to breathe in steady breaths.

His episodes normally came when he was stressed or when his anxiety over something threatened to overwhelm him. Over the years Peeta learned to recognize the symptoms of an episode. It was only after Peeta mastered this did he agree with Katniss to have children. Normally he would have a slight throbbing in the interior of his head right before, his vision blurred. He often lost sensation at the tips of his fingers.

Breathing exercises helped him calm down and focus.

Peeta breathed in and out, concentrating on the things that made him happy.

His children and the sound of his daughter's laughter mad him happy. His baby boy's legs as they wiggled about when he was trying to change his diaper. The way Katniss hummed around the house. Her braid. The look on her face when she comprehended a joke he made. Soon he could feel his fingers regain sensation. His grip loosened on the chair. His heart rate came down and his mind seemed to relax. He stood there just a few moments longer wanting to make sure he was absolutely out of the episodic haze before he let the back of the chair lose.

Needing something to do with his hands Peeta quickly went to the kitchen and made fresh muffins. He was glad tomorrow was Sunday and he could sleep in.

Reluctantly he went up the stairs to his bedroom, stripped then promptly fell asleep.

They were startled the next afternoon when they heard an eek coming from the downstairs.

Alarmed by the sound both Peeta and Katniss slammed into each other as they tried to get out of bed; they tussled and ended up rolling on the floor.

"My goodness," the voice of a woman could be heard at their door along with their daughter's happy squeals.

"I thought the door was locked." Katniss grumpily complained, struggling with the sheet.

"I am sorry Katniss," Peeta answered.

Katniss gasped as the door opened. Katniss was somewhere tangled up in the sheets on top of Peeta, upset because she did not have the foresight to put on his shirt before drifting off to sleep.

Peeta blue eye peeked out from a corner of the blanket. "Effie?"

"Good Morning," Effie greeted.

"Mommy look Aunty Effie came back and she brought me a lion."

Their little girl ran and jumped on top of her parents.

"I thought you were in the capital," Peeta said as he held his baby girl.

"Isn't the lion Aunty Effie gave me pretty, daddy?"

"Yes cookie it is." Peeta quietly said.

Effie wanted to laugh at the scene before her. At first the scene looked innocent. Peeta always slept shirtless, but then her eyes picked up on Katniss. Effie realized Katniss was trying to cover her upper half of her body. "My little one, why not go downstairs and help me make some thing to eat? I think your mommy and daddy need to be properly groomed?

"Properly groomed?" Willow tilted her head. "What does that mean?"

"It means your mommy and daddy need to brush their teeth and most definitely take a shower after their long night." Effie wrinkled her nose after she took whiff of the air.

Willow laughed hard suddenly "Oh they got stinky breath."

"Yes my dear." Effie shook her head slightly.

No sooner had Effie left then both Peeta and Katniss began to try to separate. Katniss found the shirt Peeta removed last night and slip the shirt over her shoulders. Then she quickly scrambled to help Peeta with his leg. They somehow spilled into the bathroom hurriedly to brush their teeth and make themselves presentable.

"I didn't think she would actually come." Katniss said as she spit out the toothpaste in the sink.

"Me either, I was worried though about her." Peeta rubbed his face with shaving cream. Today was Sunday and normally he did not shave but Effie was someone he respected. Effie suffered tortures at the hands of Snow just like he and Johanna did. Never once did she betray them. For that Peeta was thankful.

"Peeta do you think she really in love with Haymitch?"

"Yes I do. But she would never say anything because she was inculcated to be alone."

"I can understand that." Katniss said right before she rinsed her mouth out. The Capitol under Snow was a cruel place. For a long time she did not think herself worthy of Peeta's love. Peeta was good and she was not. Just when she was ready to admit to herself that she loved Peeta he was hijacked. "I just hope this works."

Katniss removed her shirt and she could see Peeta's eyes following her, as she turned on the shower. She blushed at his heated stare. Even after two kids and with battle scars Peeta found her sexy. She frowned and grimaced as he wondered if that is what Haymitch saw in Effie. It was a little like thinking of her mother and father doing other stuff. Katniss shook her head and hopped into the shower. She left the door open for Peeta.

When Peeta joined her Katniss had shampoo running down her arms. "Just bathe Mellark we have no time for shenanigans."

Peeta wrinkled his nose. But he ultimately knew his wife was correct they had no time for any extra curricular activity. "Alright."

Katniss rinsed her hair and smiled. "Good boy, now be on your best behavior Effie is here and we have got to keep it clean."

Peeta cold see Katniss meant business. "I promise to be a good boy."

Katniss laughed at his insincere face. "I love you Peeta Mellark."

Peeta pressed a kiss on her fore head as she left the shower. He quickly finished and turned off the water. Katniss was already dressed, she wore a dress for Effie and was about to braid her hair when he walked into their bedroom. Katniss had laid out for him dark jeans and a polo shirt.

He dressed quickly.

"Ready." Katniss said as finished braiding her hair.

Together they walked downstairs. When they reached the kitchen Effie had their daughter in her chair with a cup of milk, apple wedges, oranges and a muffin. She was gently crooning to their son.

Peeta and Katniss gazed at each other. Speaking the language only they could understand. A sort of short hand that they developed from having been in the Peeta fingers brushed up her hands and Katniss nodded slightly. It read 'see I told you' and 'I am glad you're right.'

"Good morning Effie," Peeta greeted Effie before he stopped by his daughter. "Good morning Cookie," Peeta placed a kiss on his daughters head.

"Morning Daddy."

"Good morning Peeta." Effie's attention was on their son Rye.

"Effie would you like some coffee?" Katniss asked lightly. She was stealing a piece of her daughter's muffin and making a funny face at her.

"Mommy you're so silly." Willow laughed at her mother's antics.

"Coffee sounds delightful." Effie's face reflected the happiness within the walls of Peeta and Katniss's home. They had taken their time to decide to have children.

Katniss made the ultimate choice, but Effie was proud of the way Katniss discussed it with Peeta. They held no secrets. They learned earlier on in their lives that it was never good to withhold information.

"So Effie, are you here on business and what would you like for breakfast?" Peeta questioned as he removed the egg container from the refrigerator.

"I would love anything you and Katniss make and no I am not here on business." Effie cooed as she made little faces at the baby.

"So you are on Vacation then." Katniss asked as she dug out the coffee maker. Peeta drank tea and so did Katniss. They only made coffee for Effie.

"You could say that."

Peeta shared a look with his wife.

Katniss grinned back at Peeta.

"We are glad you are here," Peeta said as he began making omelets.

"Just wait until you meet Ginny." Katniss sat down to Effie to pick up the baby. "I'll be right back I need to feed the little guy."

Rye smiled a toothless smile.

"Ginny?' Effie repeated as she watched Katniss walk away to the living room.

"Ginny Parks the woman Haymitch is dating." Peeta replied.

"Oh is he dating someone?" Effie breezily questioned.

Peeta was playing along. "Didn't you get the pictures I emailed you of the kids and Haymitch?"

"Well you know how busy I am."

"That is true. Ginny is the woman Delly set Haymitch up with. They hit it off, gone on several dates."

"Really, well I never thought someone would want that old curmudgeon."

Peeta laughed at Effie's joke. "Seriously though, they have..."

The back door swung open startling Effie.

"Good morning neighbors" Haymitch's words died on his lips. "Effie?"