AN: Hi everyone thank you for the following this story but here is the end. I thought I would be uploading this final chapter next week but oh, Everlark and Hayffie well they just dominated my heart. I am not sure if I should do an epilogue or not. Let me know.
I hope you all enjoy the final chapter. Please Review.
PS I do not own the Hunger Games
Three hours later Effie and Ginny Parks sat in jail.
Her boots were ruined.
For that matter so was her outfit. She had mud everywhere. Effie was sure she looked like a fool.
Thom had no other choice but to put them there because of disorderly conduct and a few other complaints leveled against the two women. Haymitch and Peeta were working on smoothing things over with the business owners whose shops were dirtied in the fight. They were lucky some found it amusing to see two grown women fighting over Haymitch Abernathy.
Ginny was new to town and many did not know her, but everyone knew of Effie. She had helped fund the school when it was rebuilt. She even helped decorate the classrooms. Though at this moment everything she did was forgotten.
Effie Trinket had become notorious for her ill behavior.
All of her life, manners and proper etiquette meant the world to her. This woman, Ginny, brought out the worst in her. Effie tapped her nails against the wood of the bench she sat in. The interior of the jail was horrid.
The cell was small with a bench like bed sticking out from the walls. Effie sat on one and Ginny sat opposite her. Both women were ignoring each other, each wrapped up in their own thoughts.
Effie should have listened to Katniss and stayed inside. Yet she had followed Haymitch. She needed to see what he was up to with this woman. Effie needed to certify she still had a chance with Haymitch. Body language gave a lot of information. As she followed them into the center of town she saw that Haymitch was not in love with Ginny. However Effie had to admit Haymitch held some affection for the woman.
It was a revolting thought. Yet Effie could not deny, the ease, with which they spoke. She recalled the laughter that escaped his lips at her quick quips. Effie closed her eyes momentarily coming to terms with that. From beneath her lashes Effie snuck a peek at the woman sitting across from her. That hoyden was evil.
She had many fooled but not Effie.
Tonight Ginny's actions confirmed every belief Effie held. It still amazed her no one checked on this woman's background. Delly introduced to her to Haymitch thinking she had done a good thing but no one bothered to ask, about her past. If anything Effie knew, in a nation that had just come out of a war, everyone had a past. Everyone could be traced. Snow was obsessed with keeping records on every citizen born. It bothered her that this woman had no past. Not even in the old records.
With dignity Effie lifted her chin as she leveled Ginny with a confrontational look. The woman with her plain face was glowering at her. Both women were covered in mud. They were given a small wet cloth to clean off their face and hands. Either than that, their clothing was caked in dry mud.
Ginny's cheeks turned red, her eyes flashed with anger.
Effie was not ashamed of her altercation. Or landing in jail. She had been in worse places. Sitting here was a picnic.
"This" Ginny pointed to the cell they sat in. "Is all, your fault!"
"My fault, you are the one who insulted me and followed up by saying disparaging words about my family." Effie clipped in sharp tones.
"Your family," Ginny laughed sarcastically. "Phft they are not family."
"Listen to me very carefully Ginny," Effie leaned forward to make her point. "Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch and I are a team. We have always been a team. They are my family. You have no right to say reproachful words about the people I love the most." Effie leveled a Katniss like scowl. "I will tear you apart if you continue this childish tirade."
"Ha, you couldn't tear apart a slice of bread."
Effie fired back, "Why are you so petty?"
"Why can't you let go of Haymitch."
"Because we are a team."
Ginny snapped her fingers and pointed to the space between them. "Look around you Trinket, you're not a team. You live in the Capitol and he lives here."
"It doesn't matter where we live, we always protect each other."
"Are you trying to tell me you are protecting him from living a happy life with me? Haymitch deserves to be happy. He deserves to be with me. You're just jealous."
"You are correct about one thing. Haymitch Abernathy deserves joy. You should understand, I would be happy to hear Haymitch chose the right person to live the rest of his days with. I would be the first one at his toasting to congratulate him. But you my dear are not the one for him." Effie spouted raising an eyebrow as she carefully inspected that woman.
"You are annoying now as you were back in the day."
Effie's sharp ears picked up the subtext behind Ginny's last statement. She decided to explore this avenue. "Back in the day, as you stated it, one kept their opinions to themselves, lest they were shot by one of Snow's people."
"You should have been shot." Ginny grumbled under her breath.
"No I had the fortitude to keep my opinions to myself and act the part for the sake of my life and the lives of others." Effie's quick mind assembled the information she knew.
"You mean the precious Star-Crossed Lovers of District Twelve." Ginny snorted and laughed.
Effie waited until the woman stopped laughing. "Are you quiet done."
Ginny snorted. "You still view her as the all precious Mockingjay. She is an idiot and you all are fools for following her. Mellark is a moron for ever falling for her."
"Unless you want a repeat of what happened outside I suggest you stop." Effie felt her control slipping.
"Honestly, why did they have kids now after all those years? What problem could they possibly have?"
"Let me take a minute to explain since you did not in the first place." Effie's voice shook with menace.
"Oh please do, Trinket. I am all ears."
"First off, what Katniss and Peeta do in their private lives should not be fodder for the nation? They are private citizens with a guaranteed right to live a peaceful victorious life."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Oh please."
Effie looked at Ginny fighting her urge to get up and slap Ginny. She ground her teeth before taking a deep cleansing breath. Effie could not understand why this woman was so annoying.
"Haven't you ever considered that they first wanted to get a hold of the trauma they experienced as a result of the Games and the War? Katniss lost her sister who she volunteered for in those wretched games. Primrose died in her eyes in that fire. Her body suffered many scars and it took years to slowly get her skin well enough. Peeta's own issues with the hijacking were another determining factor. Not to mention he was the one who pulled Katniss out of the fire. Neither one wanted to attempt to have children until they were mentally and physically ready. For an outsider like you to question their decisions, I say is poor taste."
This shut Ginny up. "I didn't know?"
"Of course you would not know. No one knows the trials they suffer; Katniss and Peeta do not broadcast it." Effie crossed her arms.
"Why do you have to be so confrontational?" Ginny was still spoiling for a fight. Effie seemed so self righteous.
"Maybe if you had not swung at me I would not have had to defend myself." Effie countered back.
"You were following us, what was I supposed to think."
Effie leveled a look on the woman. She had pieced the puzzle together. "This is a free country or did you forget you ex-peacekeeper."
"How did you know?"
"You fight like one." Effie declared. "Plus you still wear those horrendous black boots that were used before the 74th Hunger Games."
Ginny blinked before raising an eyebrow. "I didn't think Escorts were taught to do anything but look ridiculous."
"Well, when you are teamed with Haymitch there are things you should know." Effie smiled sweetly at the woman.
Ginny shut up but she continued to glare at Effie. After a minute she could not withhold her silence she spat, "I didn't want anyone to know of my past. I wanted to keep my years of service as a peacekeeper. My allegiance with Snow."
"That is the same way Katniss and Peeta want to put their past where it belongs and move forward. But regretfully people like you cannot seem to forget their role in the Rebellion." Effie wanted to break through this cycle of hate. This was the type of thing that could hurt the peace many had lost their lives to gain.
"They caused the uprisings. They were the reason we had to kill."
"They did not cause the uprisings the people who were tired of Snow and his tyranny caused that. The oppression you enforced." Effie reminded Ginny of her role in the unrest. "If anything Katniss and Peeta tried to appease Snow, stop the people from revolting and tried to be what the public wanted of them. The stress hurt their budding relationship. But you wouldn't know that because you don't take a broad look at history in general."
"The Games, the way she acted." Ginny opened then closed her mouth. Effie was surprising her. For a long time she only thought of Effie as another annoying Escort whose only job was to look stylish.
"Oh pish posh," Effie rolled her eyes heaven word. "In the first games they were scared children trying to survive. In the Quarter Quell Snow forced them in, he intended for Finnick to be the winner. They were fighting for each other unaware of the Rebellion or its intent to rescue them."
"So that's true, they didn't know."
"Ginny haven't you figure it out yet. Katniss in not a great actress."
"This is true."
"Peeta could certainly act. But he would never leave her alone if he knew they were going to be rescued. That's the mistake Haymitch made. He should have clued Peeta in to the plan." Effie sighed she was losing her anger. "I knew the risks when I helped Plutarch and Haymitch get free."
"You were captured."
"Yes and I paid the price. Yet my innocent children paid the highest price because they simply fell in love. Their love story was used as a ploy by both sides. Katniss killed President Coin because she was just like Snow. Another tyrant willing to kill for power."
What Effie was telling her was something that was whispered about during the trial but no one verified it.
"After the war they just wanted to start over and recover. You of all people should know what it means to want to start over."
Effie had made her case but Ginny clenched her jaw. Listening to Effie, Ginny realized how to strike her. Effie was all about family and respecting them. She used this to her advantage. "Okay so I was wrong, but I still do not like you. Nor do I think Haymitch deserves someone like you."
Effie looked down at her muddied boots. She acquiesced that Ginny had a point. Haymitch was his own person. He did what he felt was correct. Quietly she spoke. "We should let Haymitch decided what he needs. If he wants you then I will continue to be exactly what he desires of me."
"And what would that be?"
With a trembling voice Effie whispered, "An acquaintance from his past."
Viciously Ginny smiled. "For once Trinket I agree, that is exactly where you belong."
Effie squared her shoulders readying herself for the rejection.
"Is that what you really think Ginny?" Haymitch's voice reverberated in the small cell. Both women were so wrapped up in their conversation none noticed when Haymitch came into the room.
"Haymitch," Ginny stood.
Haymitch shook his head in disgust. "You really believed that stuff you were spouting."
"Haymitch she," Ginny began to defend herself, to deflect the blame on Effie.
"No this is about you and me," Haymitch swallowed angrily. He jammed hands in his pockets.
Effie wisely kept quiet. When Haymitch felt he was slighted it was best to let him calm down.
"This is all her fault, for following us and making me angry." Ginny accused Effie. "She is trying to split us up."
"Ginny, stop blaming others it's not a good look." Haymitch growled, "I saw the video. I heard what you said about Sweetheart and the Boy. They've been nothing but nice to you. Shared their home, food and life with you, for my sake and you said things about them that are wrong."
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion, why can't I have mine."
"You're right. Everyone is entitled to their opinion." Haymitch hand slowly traveled from his pocket to scratch his chin. When he walked into the room with the holding cell he had a choice to make. He had to choose a future, though they did not make it easy. He was beyond being upset with both Ginny and Effie.
He was mad because Ginny was a strong powerful woman who should have known better than to sink to Effie's levels. He was mad at Effie because of the stunt she pulled tonight. Both women caused considerable damaged to the material that the District purchased to help with the road that led to Peeta's establishment.
Haymitch was well aware of what happened on the footage. He heard Ginny's words. But he gave her the benefit of the doubt because she was angry at time. People said the worst things when they were angry.
However having eavesdropped on the conversation between Effie and Ginny shed light he was blind to. What Ginny said in the tape was not in anger, it was her belief. Nothing anyone could say would sway her point of view about Katniss and Peeta. Haymitch was more than just their Mentor, he was the Grandfather of their two children or Toastbabies as Effie called them.
Critically he looked at Ginny before he replied. His hand slipped into his pocket where the key to the cell was. He gripped the key in his hand, squeezing it hard. He was outraged because he was fooled. "But I can't get behind your opinions."
Ginny furiously looked to Effie. "You caused this."
"Princess you ready to go."
Effie stood but did not say a word. She could see Haymitch was vibrating with anger. Haymitch opened the lock and slid the bars open.
Haymitch watched Effie as she walked out. Even caked in mud the woman managed to look regal.
Effie did not bother looking at Ginny in the face. Ginny was not worth the effort. Effie tried to educate her but such people could not be educated.
"You choose her." Ginny exclaimed spitefully yet completely in disbelief as she watched the bars slide back into place. Her eyes flew to Effie Trinket, shock and loathing poured through her system.
Effie silently stood behind Haymitch. The one valuable lesson she learned from her years dealing with Snow was the ability to keep her mouth shut when the situation warranted it. Wisely she let her eyes do the speaking, the glittered brilliantly like diamonds.
Haymitch glanced at Ginny. Her eyes held no warmth they coldly stared at him and Effie as he locked the door. "Why are you so mad? We were never exclusive anyway."
Ginny watched Haymitch walk away with Effie walking not behind him but beside him. Neither one looked back. It was still dark outside when they left the building a man brushed by them into the justice hall. The man paused and addressed Haymitch.
"Is she in there?"
"Yep, Milton she is."
Effie frowned. She waited until the man disappeared into the building to speak. "Who is he?"
"The other guy Ginny was dating." Haymitch kept on walking down the stairs.
"Oh," Effie said her head snapping back to the doors. She stood on the steps pointing to the building. "Wait a moment you mean you knew she was seeing another man?"
"Yeah, we had no secrets between us." Haymitch looked up from where he stood.
"You mean she was," Effie balled her fists. "Ugh, how come you dated that woman of all people Haymitch?"
Haymitch saw the way Effie bristled with emotions. "Come on Princess it's over."
"No, not until you make understand."
"Effie now is not the place to have another fight." Haymitch ran his hand through his hair.
"You care about her, and yet you yell at me. You speak to her with kindness and you insult me." Effie folded her arms.
Haymitch heard her words, but he did not understand them. "Woman, keep your voice down."
"No Haymitch I will not, I do not understand men sometimes. I really don't."
Haymitch climbed the stairs. He glared into her face. "You drive me insane."
"I drive you insane."
"Yes you do. Effie you are one of the most infuriating women I have ever known." Haymitch bit out trying not to yell.
"Aha the truth, according to Haymitch," Effie put her hands on her hips.
"I least I tell the truth." Haymitch said.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
"Why don't you tell me the truth, why are you here?" Haymitch grinned thinking he caught her. She would never say it.
Effie gasped. She looked into his dear face. It was time for the truth. Effie's eyes shifted away from Haymitch. She did not want to look at him when she told him the truth. She was afraid of being rejected. Her hands became cold. She looked up toward the night sky.
Finally she gathered the necessary courage to speak. "Because I love you and I was terribly jealous of Ginny Parks."
Haymitch did not expect her to confess it he was stunned.
Effie swallowed his silence was more than enough. Swiftly Effie descended the steps to the Justice Hall. She quickly walked through the town her head held high even though tears slipped through them. Somehow she reached the Victors Village. She stood in front of Katniss and Peeta's house.
No sooner as had her shadow graced the front when the door opened.
"EFFIE" Peeta and Katniss both came spilling out.
They heard what happened in town from Delly. Delly told them what Ginny said bout them. Everyone was in shock, especially Delly who thought Ginny was the perfect playmate for Haymitch. They all lamented brining Ginny into their plans. They regreted letting a perfect stranger close their homes.
Katniss just wanted Hayffie together she did not want her family hurt.
"We were worried about you." Peeta said crushing her into a tight embrace.
"I am sorry," Katniss blurted out feeling rotten.
"Nonsense child you did not know. You only wanted everyone to be happy." Effie hugged Katniss.
"Are you alright?" Katniss asked.
"I told him and…." Effie blubbered as she spun into an ugly cry tears spilt from her face. Her face scrunched up in pain.
"Effie" Haymitch cried out. He was bent over breathing harshly. He ran all the way from town trying to keep up with Effie who was surprisingly quick even with her nine inch heels.
The trio stopped.
Effie sniffed as she dried her tears.
Haymitch was ready to do anything to keep Effie here with him. He wanted to wind her up. Standing up he put his hand behind his back as he began to breathe normally. "Seriously woman don't you have any shame in waking up Sweetheart and the Boy."
Effie recoiled at his sheer stupidity. She hiccupped as she spoke, "I spill the contents of my heart and you complain that I am waking up Katniss and Peeta."
"Well the proof is in the pudding Princess." Haymitch winked salaciously at Effie. He could see Peeta holding Katniss back.
"Haymitch Abernathy you should know that I would never intentionally disrupt their lives."
"I know you love them Effie, I heard you defend them. But these kids they need their beauty sleep especially sweetheart over there."
"You can not seriously mean that." Effie was in between two waters, part of her wanted to fight and the other side was willing to give up.
"Princess I love those kids of ours, and I love you but honestly you have to keep it down. My grandkids are sleeping."
Effie blinked. His words slowly sunk in. She wanted to laugh at Haymitch's backwards confession. She was not leaving here. She was moving here. Placing her hands on her hips she lifted her chin in the air.
"Seriously, how could you sit here and say that you love those children when you are not even aware of the havoc you cause in their lives." It was time Haymitch knew what his precious geese were up too.
Haymitch expected her to fall into his arms at his declaration. "What are you yapping about now?"
"Oh you could be clueless at times." Effie waggled her finger at him.
As evidenced by the fight Effie had tonight, she did not often get angry but when she did she was a force to be reckoned with. "Darn it woman you know that I don't understand when you speak in circles with me."
"Haymitch you are blind at times your geese are running amuck in the middle of the night."
"They do?" Haymitch scratched his hair.
"My question to you is what are you doing when they get lose?"
"I take walks at night it's either that or drink. I promised Katniss I wouldn't drink."
"But Peeta has spoken to you about the geese?"
Haymitch looked at Peeta apologetically, "Really?" Peeta smiled the acceptance of his poor apology. Then Peeta pointed to his ring finger. Haymitch understood. He needed to make sure Effie did not leave here again. Haymitch tried to strategize. "I didn't know."
"Katniss and Peeta have babies who wake up."
Haymitch didn't answer right away. He wanted to wind her up a little so that he could ask her to stay. "So that's what babies do isn't it, they wake up in the middle of the night screaming."
"But it's your fault."
Haymitch innocently said, "My fault how can it be my fault!"
"You really are that clueless!" Effie huffed angrily she could not believe Haymitch could be this oblivious. "Do you know how hard it is to get an infant to fall back asleep when it is rudely awoken in the middle of the night?
Haymitch wanted to smile at this. He missed this fighting. He missed this spitfire Effie. This was the woman who screamed murder when Katniss stabbed the mahogany table, the very same Effie that beat up Ginny because she insulted their family. "Well why don't you educate me princess?"
"Every night your geese escape their poorly constructed pen you keep those fowl smelly creatures."
"Effie they have wings they can fly."
"Domesticated geese do not like to fly Haymitch."
Haymitch slipped his hands in his pocket. He grinned and he saw Katniss and Peeta relax in the background. "So what does this have to do with me?
"Peeta has to get up run around in the dark too coral your geese. Isn't that right Peeta?"
"Ugh," Peeta coughed to cover his laughter, "Yeah."
"While poor Katniss has to get Willow back in bed and the baby too settled back in. My dear girl has dark circles under eyes, she is covering with makeup. They have not had a decent night's sleep!" Effie pointed to Katniss.
Katniss broke from her husband's arms and walked up to Effie and whispered something in her ear.
Effie nodded. She had a plan now thanks to Katniss.
Haymitch at first did not have anything to say. He was wondering what Katniss whispered into Effie's ears. "Well it aint your problem is it?"
"Yes it is!" Effie huffed hiding her secret smile.
"No it's not because you don't live here!"
"Well that's because you've never invited me."
Her shout stopped Haymitch in his tracks. "You need me to invite you?"
Effie crossed her arms over her chest. "If I am going to move in with you, then yes."
"You want to live with me?" Haymitch was surprised she would say that.
"Of course that is what happens after a toasting?"
"Yeah it is." Haymitch rubbed his chin. "What about your business?"
Effie relaxed her stance a little. "Emery is more than capable to handle the business and Tigress. I can travel when necessary and there is always visual calling."
"Yeah there is that." Haymitch inched closer. "You wanna have a toasting today?"
"I never thought you'd ask." Effie threw her arms around Haymitch.
"Okay Princess let's have a toasting."
"First though we need to do something about those geese Haymitch, my Toastbabies need their sleep."
"Anything you want Princess anything you want."
Katniss and Peeta gave each other high fives.
That night the Mellark clan slept a whole night.