AN: Hi All, I couldn't wait to get this one out to you guys. This is a long one, but I hope you all like the moments between Effie and her family. We are racing toward the end. I am writing the confrontation between Ginny and Effie. Thank you for the reviews and support.

Read and Review and as always...(ahem) I do not own the characters in the Hunger Games.

Haymitch was surprised and happy to see her but he did not act out on what he was feeling. He stood there paralyzed. It had been months since she packed up and whisked out of his life. Swallowing his eyes felt out of focus, he ran his palms on the crease of his pants.

"Good morning grandpa!" Willow happily chirped.

Haymitch's eyes warmed instantly at the sight of his little Cookie brightly smiling at him. His anxiety over having Effie so close lessened as he turned his affection to Willow. Haymitch crouched in front of Willow. "Good morning Cookie."

Willow threw her arms around her grandfather's neck.

"You have the best hugs." Haymitch uttered.

Effie waited for the tender moment to be over. Seeing Haymitch interact with Willow caused her heart to expand a little. His face contorted to pure bliss. Haymitch loved Willow.

Willow giggled as her grandpa tickled her. She loosened her grip her eyes shining with innocence and purity. She had very important news to share with her grandpa, so much so she was bristling with it.

Haymitch did not miss the way Willow's blue eyes twinkled with excitement; he knew she wanted to tell him something very important. "So what is new?"

"Auntie Effie brought me the most beautiful lion. Its fur is so soft. I wish I could show you but mommy and daddy insist there's no toys allowed when we eat at the table." Willow exclaimed happily as soon as she finished chewing her muffin.

"Why don't you draw me a picture Cookie?" Haymitch suggested with a conspirators whisper.

"Do you think daddy will let me?" Willow whispered back.

"It don't hurt to ask?" Haymitch stood up winking at Willow well aware Peeta heard every syllable they had spoken.

"Ok, daddy may I? May I draw, grandfather a lovely picture of my lion?"

"Yes, but just this once," Peeta said from his station watching Willow carefully slip from her chair and excuse herself.

With Willow gone the room vibrated with the intensity between Haymitch and Effie.

"What are you doing here?" Haymitch roughly said. His words nearly sounded like an insult.

Neither Haymitch's attitude nor his tone of voice disturbed Effie. She expected this little show from Haymitch. He was just as dramatic as she was and at times even more so.

"What no hello," Effie raised an eyebrow coolly speaking. She gazed into Haymitch's shocked eyes. "No, how are you doing Effie? Or, it's a pleasure to see you once again Effie." Effie sat back in her chair, comfortable in her own skin. She saw the way his eyes flickered slowly over her body. Effie was no fool.

She dressed this morning with care. She could have glammed it up Capitol style with a fantastic wig, and fabulous outfit. But learned Haymitch liked a more natural girl. It was obvious by the split ends in the picture of Ginny Parks; Haymitch was not the type of man that preferred a girl with discerning tastes. Effie had refined her look. A simple button down white shirt and charcoal grey skirt accompanied by respectable six inch cherry red heals.

Effie was going to fight dirty if necessary to get Haymitch to notice her.

Haymitch had no idea what she was capable of. Effie was out to prove she was no Capitol fluff piece. Looking at him squarely in he eyes she issued him a challenge to come and play in her world as he lazily inspected her. It was clear Haymitch liked what he saw for his eyes lingered longer than usual.

"Hi." Haymitch greeted. He ran his hands through his hair.

Effie looked wonderful to him. She wore no wig. Her hair was left natural though it had a streak of pink in it. It was in a simple bun at the base of her neck and she wore little to no makeup. Her only accessory was a pair of sunglasses that were hanging from her finger tips. Quiet the contrast to her normal self. This was the Effie no one saw unless she was with people she trusted enough to see the real her. Everyone else saw the public persona she expertly portrayed.

"Hello Haymitch and good morning."

"Great now that's over with," Haymitch gruffly said. "What the hell are you doing here Effie?"

He watched as her eyes curiously took him in. Haymitch grinned at the slight blush that appeared on her face. He could feel himself falling into his old behavioral pattern with Effie.

It was a flirty intense slightly rude short talk that was only unique to them.

"I am here on a visit." Effie smiled politely at Haymitch as he pulled the chair back then sat across from her.

Effie slipped her sunglasses onto her head. She noted Haymitch did look different. He was completely sober for once. His face was shaved and his clothing smelled fresh. His hair was not greasy or hanging limply over his forehead. It was glossy and well kept, which meant he had bathed.

"Visit my foot Trinket. You don't visit the wilds of District Twelve with out a good reason. Spill it why are you here? And where are your boxes of clothing."

"Did it ever occur to you that I miss my babies? Is it wrong of me to want to see them and not just in pictures?"

Haymitch opened his mouth to speak.

"Haymitch behave," Peeta said putting down the dainty saucer with delicate pink flowers painted on it.

Haymitch grabbed the cup and drank it. He hid his grimace at the taste of the dark bitter coffee.

Effie raised a careful eye at Haymitch's actions. "Peeta may I have another cup, please, since this troglodyte has usurped my libations."

"Haymitch," Peeta put down a cup for Haymitch. The cup was blue and green; it had a chip on the side of it.

Effie took the manly looking cup and drank from it issuing a challenge. "Still take your coffee light sweet I see."

"You still take yours black." Haymitch hated black coffee.

"Some things change and some don't." Effie sweetly smiled at Haymitch.

"I am back did you miss me?" Willow came running in with the crayons she sat next Haymitch.

"Absolutely," Haymitch reached out and ruffled her bangs.

Willow smiled happily unaware of the tension that was hanging over the heads of the adults.

Peeta turned around to see them glaring at each other like dogs in heat. It was a good thing his daughter did not know what was happening. She was busily coloring. "Haymitch I'm making omelets would you like one?"

"Sure," Haymitch said but his eyes did not remove themselves from Effie.

Katniss stepped back into the kitchen with Rye in her arms. She was about to speak but her words died on her lips at the sight of Effie and Haymitch. She came close to Peeta. "How long?"

"Ten minutes and counting."

Katniss said in a strangled whisper, "They've been playing chicken for ten minutes straight." She moved closer to Peeta trying to keep her voice low. "Peeta we didn't act like that, did we?"

Peeta glanced up looking shocked and surprised. Then uttered while batting those long lashes of his. "No we were actually friends."

Katniss chuckled at Peeta's whit and sarcasm. "Okay." She rolled her eyes. "I was just checking. What do we do now?"

"Well it's obvious she got the pictures." Peeta quickly cracked the eggs.

"That's clear." Katniss shook her head. Haymitch and Effie still had not moved. Katniss shook her head in disbelief.

"We tell her about the date." Peeta whisked the eggs in the bowl.

"You mean the one Haymitch has tonight with Ginny."

"Yep," Peeta grinned winking at Katniss.

Nodding Katniss took the lead. They had a plan but Effie arriving here before it was fully realized was a blessing and it was also a problem. Things had to be adapted to fit this new reality. "So Haymitch are you excited about tonight?"

Haymitch could not take his eyes away from Effie. It was a competition but part of him wanted to scoop her up in his pockets and take her him. However putting emotions aside he still questioned why Effie was present without a purpose. Her excuse while acceptable was not believable.

Katniss saw that Haymitch did not respond. She purposefully deposited the baby in his arms.

Haymitch broke his staring contest at the feeling of the squirming three month old child. Rye gave him a toothless smile. It was fortunate Haymitch learned his lesson's with his Cookie. He immediately placed Rye on his shoulders supporting his head with his free hand. "What?"

"Haymitch," Katniss chided. "Were you listening to me?"

"Ugh no," Haymitch admitted he was distracted by his grandbaby. Haymitch secretly loved this. The suffering he went through was a distant memory as he held his grandbaby. Rye Haymitch Mellark was his namesake. He felt the way the baby routed looking for his sent.

His firm little body was relaxing. Willow was small little thing, by comparison Rye was a giant, a beautifully round chubby child who was surprisingly strong.

Their children were dramatically different as babies. As an infant Willow was always alert, extremely curious never slept and independent. Rye on the other hand liked to sleep and sought out the comfort of familiar smells. Haymitch took a moment to smell in Rye's particular baby smell. Willow smelled like cookies. Rye smelled sweet like Cinnamon and Vanilla. Haymitch was not sure what nickname to call this baby.

"I asked if you were excited about tonight." Katniss repeated as she hid her smirk at Effie's reaction of seeing Haymitch with Rye. Her face melted.

"What in tarnation are you talking about sweetheart?" He gently swayed the baby that was perched on his shoulder. Haymitch felt the moment Rye fell asleep.

"You know your date, with Ginny Parks."

"Oh, ah, yeah," Haymitch felt the beginning of a blush appearing on his face. He had forgotten all about Ginny.

"You are dating someone?" Effie picked up immediately.

"Yes well," Haymitch stammered not sure how to handle this.

"How long have you been dating this woman?" Effie tried to hide her blatant jealousy from her voice.

Haymtich's words failed him.

Peeta placed omelets on the table "Yeah they have been seeing each other every day for the past two weeks."

"Really this is news that we must celebrate." Effie sweetly replied, even though she wanted to choke on her own words.

"We really haven't." Haymitch gripped his fork tightly. "I mean we aren't seeing each other everyday." He stabbed his omelet with his fork and put a mouthful of eggs in his mouth. It was so hot it burned his mouth and he coughed it out. The jarring action woke up Rye. The baby having been woken up opened his little mouth and gave a loud protesting cry.

His wailing was so strong Willow put her little hands over her ears. Willow did not like it when her brother cried. She felt bad because there was nothing she could do. Her voice clearly distressed as she said, "Oh no not again."

Katniss immediately took Willow into her lap. She placed a kiss on the top of her head as she gently embraced her daughter. She looked to Haymitch clearly conflicted wanting to sooth both her children at once.

Haymitch tried to calm down Rye. But Rye would not have it he screamed louder. His round little face became red from the exertion, fat tear drops ran down his little face.

"Here let me," Peeta said swooping in taking his son before Katniss could do anything. Peeta gently took Rye in his arms and he squirmed about his little body searching for comfort. He took him out of the kitchen but his unhappy cries could still be heard in the room.

"Mommy, it hurts my ears." Willow complained.

It sounded as if Rye was not going to stop. Katniss wanted to run to help Peeta.

"Why don't I take Cookie with me?" Haymitch offered as he saw Katniss conflicted face.

"Can I go?" Willow asked excitedly.

"Okay," Katniss nodded grateful. "Go get your coat, while I pack up your breakfast."

Willow excitedly jumped off the seat. "Come on grandpa."

Haymitch was pulled out of the room.

Effie looked to Haymitch he had gotten off easy but she was not done with him. She turned her attention to Katniss. "Katniss go help Peeta. I will pack up her breakfast."

"Okay thank you. Rye has a temper." Katniss apologetically said in only the way a mother could when their child was acting out of sorts.

Effie could see Katniss was struggling. Impulsively she hugged Katniss. Normally Katniss was not a hugger but she needed it. The support of another woman was something Katniss did not have. She did not have her mother here, and Effie was the closest thing.

Katniss broke down and cried.

Somewhere in the distance the front door was opened and closed. Then Rye's cries began to diminish. Rye was appeased. Breakfast was temporarily forgotten.

Effie knew instantly something was going on, for Katniss to behave this way. "Come my dear, tell Effie what is going on."

Katniss uncharacteristically opened up. She started in a complaintive voice but ended up angry. "Those geese they get out and wake up every night. Peeta has to get up get them in their pen, and I have to get both of the kids back in bed! I am sooooo tired, so tired Effie I want this to stop."

"Every night?"

"Stupid GEESE!" Katniss whispered the moment she saw Peeta return with their son in tow.

Peeta read the situation. "You told her about the geese."

"Why hasn't Haymitch done something about this injustice?" Effie sputtered in strangled voice.

"Peeta has tried. He mentioned the birds escaping and his excuse was they fly. Peeta even offered to improve the pen. But Haymitch is oblivious."

"Well just leave that to me." Effie nodded firmly. As she gazed at Peeta and Katniss she came to see they looked tired, it was faintly there, hidden. "Why don't you both enjoy breakfast, while I handle this precious little one?"

Peeta did not have time to react. Effie had Rye in her arms before he could even blink.

"Now little one, you are going to behave and afterwards you are going to tell me all about this woman named Ginny."

Effie's voice drifted out of the door.

Katniss barely glanced toward Peeta before they were both locked in a supportive embrace. They stood there just appreciating each other giving the other what they most needed. As the day wore on it was noted between them that they were close. So very close to uniting Effie and Haymitch. Effie was the structure Haymitch needed.

It was interesting to see Haymitch and Effie dance around the inevitable. When the hour came for Haymitch to go on his date Effie was brimming with energy.

Peeta was cooking with their daughter in the kitchen Rye was with them in the playpen. Katniss was upstairs with Effie in her room. The day after the morning rough patch went well. Haymitch came back with Willow for lunch. Peeta and Effie basically took care of the kids.

Katniss was able to have a peaceful day. She even managed the impossible a bubble bath and a nap with out interruptions. She was so relaxed when she wondered into Effie's room she had forgotten the real reason Effie was here. As soon as Effie learned Haymitch was going to get ready for his date Effie lost all vestiges of indifference and coolness.

Currently Effie was peeking through the curtains to see Haymitch's house from the guest bedroom that faced the street. She held in her hand binoculars and was looking though them. Katniss had never gone through anything like this. She had never stalked Peeta but she had kept tabs on him as they were growing up.

Katniss found this behavior baffling. "Effie, why are you tormenting yourself like this?"

"This is not torment, this information gathering."

"Why go through this trouble? I mean you don't even like Haymitch."

Effie heard Katniss grumble. She paused, put down the binoculars, turned to face Katniss. Effie knew it was time to tell the truth. "You are right I do not like Haymitch."

"You don't?" Katniss was puzzled.

Effie put down her head then admitted, "Actually I love him, but the big dolt can not see it."

"Oh," Katniss said then her eyes expanded wide on her face as she comprehended what Effie had just divulged. "OH!"

Effie waited to hear some form of sarcasm.

"Effie this is wonderful," Katniss swallowed her eyes glowed with the news.

"You really think so? You do not find this admittance gross or wrong?"

"There is nothing wrong with falling in love. You deserve to be happy. This isn't a bad thing at all."

"Oh Katniss it gladdens my heart to hear you speak like this."

"I'm glad you have finally admitted your feelings for Haymitch. All you have to do is tell him."

"I would but that man is so stubborn it would be easier if I would speak to a rock." Effie said. "Besides I am afraid he will never see me as anything more than just fluff."

"I don't know Effie. Men can be pretty surprising. Just look at Peeta. He could have walked away from me, because of some of the things I did. But he didn't. After the Capitol got their hands on him Peeta didn't have to come back to me, but he did. Give Haymitch some credit."

"Well that woman he's with doesn't help." Effie bristled going back to the window. "What do you even know about her? This woman is moving in."

Katniss realized Effie was jealous. She had only experienced jealousy once in her life, in the elevator with Johanna, right after the chariot ride. Katniss never wanted to revisit that. Even if it was Johanna, whom Katniss now loved her dearly, it still made her blood boil to think of someone exposing their bodies to Peeta.

"Ohhh look at her." "

Effie exclamation caught Katniss attention. She got off the bed and walked over to the window.

"She is hideous!"

"Really?"

"Yes! Look at her hair. Even short it is utterly dry, look at all of that flyway ends, she needs a decent trim. Not to mention she is not dressed appropriately to go on a date with someone like Haymitch."

Katniss wanted to laugh at Effie's outburst.

Effie's disgust was palpable. "What do you think they are going to do?"

"Well from what Willow told me. Haymitch made them dinner. Then they are going to take a stroll around town afterwards."

Katniss wanted to laugh when she heard Peeta's uneven tread coming down the hallway. "Oops its dinner time."

"Alright." Effie lowered her binoculars.

Reluctantly Effie went downstairs with Katniss. She ate but her mind was on what Haymitch was going to do with that woman. She was desperate for answers. Yet that night she could do nothing about it and not for the next few nights. On the forth day Effie received her shipment of things from Emery. Effie was glad for the fabulous pieces that Emery sent.

By the fifth day Friday Effie was like a caged lion. Tonight Haymitch was skipping the Town Council meeting to be with this woman.

Effie spent the past five days seeing Haymitch during the daytime, five days of sparing and laughing yet no movement toward anything romantic. Effie was getting desperate. This evening she descended the stairs to find Katniss was picking up toys. Willow was already asleep and Rye was quietly getting some floor time.

"Where are you going?" Katniss was suspicious as soon as she saw Effie's outfit.

"I am going to spy on them," Effie said as she slipped on her black leather gloves.

"Effie I do not think that this is a good idea?"

"Pish-Posh my dear," Effie said straightening out her iridescent dark purple skirt.

"Why would you need to do this?" Katniss put down one of Rye's stuffed bears that Willow was playing with earlier.

"Do you know I have been here for over five days now?"

"Yes I know." Katniss said evenly wondering where Effie was going with her speech.

"Not once did that woman did not bother to come to meet me. To see who I am. I know Haymitch is partly to blame since he always scurries out of the house to see her. It is funny that he comes here bright and early in the morning does not leave until his date then comes back here immediately afterwards until it is bed time."

Katniss thought about what Effie said. Effie was correct Haymitch stopped bringing Ginny around the moment Effie arrived. It seemed Haymitch visits were more frequent now that Effie was here. "You're right."

"Of course I am."

"Why do you think that is?" Over the past few days Katniss had gotten closer to Effie. It was quite the insight to see Effie in love. It was sweet and endearing. Effie became a comrade and a confidant. Effie was no longer just her Escort or Survivor of the War, she was Effie her friend.

"I believe he has avoided bringing the illustrious Ginny Parks over because she is not the one for him."

"That could be, though I wonder where he goes to after he leaves here?" Katniss was grateful Effie lent a helping hand without being asked.

"I don't even want to know but someone needs to tell them about the disruptions those Geese create." Effie had awoken up because of the ruckus the dammed Geese made in the middle of the night. It was followed shortly by her two angelic Toastbabies crying. Both Katniss and Peeta were sleep deprived. Effie was dying to yell at Haymitch but he always had one of the children with him.

"It is not that easy Effie." Now that she was older Katniss could truly and really appreciate how wonderful Effie was.

Effie shook her head slightly to clear her frustration. "He is just so…"

"Obstinate."

Both women stood in agreement. "If I were in Haymitch's life you this would be different. I would have those geese in shape."

"You are the only one who can do that." Katniss agreed.

"When will that stubborn man realize I am the love of his life?" Effie cried in a strangled voice.

"It will happen you will see." Katniss gave Effie the best advice she could manage at the moment.

"No my dear sometimes you have to take life by the wheel and drive around for a little until it's either for another car to use it.

Katniss grey eyes took in the whole outfit. The puffy sleeves of her dark purple blouse were not that bad. However Katniss could not imagine how Effie was going to move around in the skin tight skirt and nine inch healed black boots. The rain had just stopped a few hours ago and those boots of hers were not good for walking around in the District. "Effie do you want to borrow some of my clothing, I can lend you my boots if you are going to do this."

"Nonsense this outfit is perfectly suitable for inconspicuous sleuthing."

"Maybe in the Capitol but not out here Effie," Katniss saw Effie's face fall as she spoke. Katniss knew instantly she did something wrong she asked herself what Peeta would say then she blurted out, "People here are not as fashionable as the capitol."

Effie took this into consideration. District Twelve was always so much more rustic than any other place in Panem. Then she shook her head, "Katniss dear you can come with me."

Katniss thought about how she could help along the process of getting them together. She was going to open her mouth when she heard her son whimper. "I have to feed Rye."

Effie's face softened it warmed her heart to see Katniss become such wonderful mother. "Oh dear I forgot about Peeta is at the council meeting tonight."

Peeta volunteered to go since he was already in town. Katniss stayed behind with the children. Effie helped Katniss

"It's okay Effie, though I have to say you and Haymitch would be happy together."

"You really think so?"

"Of course" Katniss sighed and spoke from the heart. "You compliment each other, much like Peeta and I do."

Effie's smile radiated from her eyes "Go and feed that beautiful boy of yours."

Katniss nodded and then said, "If you need help use this."

"What is this?" Effie took the small dark medallion.

"It is a communicator that Beete made for Peeta and I for well just in case?"

Effie was intrigued, "In case of what?"

"In case you get in trouble Effie."