Hi everyone I am do sorry for the long delay and I apologize that this chapter is not to the caliber i want it. If anyone has any suggestions about this next chapter let me know i feel like I am scraping the bottom of the barrel and I don't want that for y'all.
As they all packed up the aforementioned items, they began chatting about how life was (yes, Melark's and Haymitch were neighbors, but they didn't see the others as much as they would like). Annie's son is now a rambunctious 6-year-old who looks more and more like his father every day, and Joanna, no longer the badass woman with her guards constantly up, begins to relax and help out Annie.
"I can't believe how big Finnick is now," Joanna gushed, kneeling down in front of her godson. Annie smiled sweetly, handing off her son to her. "How are you, Finnick?" She whispered, kind of pulling herself away from the crowd. Joanna never really got over losing everyone or gained back enough trust to start a small family of her own, so she stuck with her adoptive family.
Annie turned away from Joanna and Finnick to ask the question on everyone's mind. "Which floor of the hotel are we going to for dinner?" She asked with a slight chuckle. It was tradition that they would gather for dinner whenever all the victors were together in one of the districts; the last time this occurred was for Finnick's 6th birthday party. It had been a while since the victors of 12 hosted, so with a nudge from Peeta, Katniss spoke up.
"Well, the winners and victims of 12," Katniss said in annoyance, lacing her voice. "We would love to have you in our penthouse suite for dinner. Right, Haymitch?" she continued, bouncing an agitated Primrose Rue on her hip. She was still nervous about having a second child, but Peeta and she would manage; besides, if Haymitch said yes, they could tell their family about their expected second child.
"Now hold up; I don't think I have enough to grill for the whole family. Which meant Peeta would have to run to the store with Effie. Please, dear," he said, adding the dear feeling of Effie's eyes staring at his back. Peeta and Effie almost immediately agreed, telling everyone they would be back soon. "Of course, Effie," Haymitch said, turning to kiss Effie's cheek. Peeta and Effie departed for the nearest supermarket, hoping there would be enough money to buy food for everyone.
Everyone silently agreed to meet up in 12 suites in 45 minutes, just to give them time to prepare and Katniss time to nap. Every time she came back to the capital, she was harassed more than any other war hero, and it not only pissed her off but took a lot out of her every time, so she napped. Haymitch started the grill and set the table. All the victors plus Effie had basically become a family, especially since most of them had lost their families in their games or the revolution. Haymitch was almost done prepping the spice bath for the meat when Primrose Rue started whining from her crib.
"Mama! Mama!" She sobbed when Haymitch walked into the nursery.
"Hey, shh, my flower, what's wrong? Grandad's here," Haymitch said, picking her up and gently bouncing her on his hip. She sniffled before mumbling something incoherent. "What was that flower?" He said, slowly walking out of the room, not to disturb Katniss.
"I miss my bed," she cried innocently.
"Oh, sweetie, it's okay. We will go home soon. How about you skip nap time today and come help Granddaddy make dinner?" He asked, hoping to prevent a meltdown. She joyfully agreed, and it was peaceful up until Katniss awoke from her nap.
"HAYMITCH ABERNATHY!" She shouted, walking out of her room. "Where is Primrose Rue?" She continued to shout, getting closer to the kitchen, where they were preparing brownies for dessert.
"Mommy, Mommy, look, Granddaddy is helping me make brownies," she said sweetly, mixing the brownies together with some added chocolate chips. Katniss' eyes softened from her glare upon seeing the sweet scene in front of her.
"That's great, baby," Katniss said. The knife in her hand did not go unnoticed by Haymitch.
"Hey, darling, it's okay. Primrose Rue just couldn't sleep, so she is helping me." Haymitch said gently, hinting that she should put the knife back in her boot so as not to scare the toddler on the bar stool in front of him. "Besides, the chef here is always a great help in the kitchen," he said with a slight chuckle in his voice.
"Of course the chef helps Daddy in the bakery all the time, right, baby girl?" She asked, capping the knife and sliding it into her boot. Primrose Rue giggled at her nickname before nodding aggressively. The descendants of the victors will probably never realize the joy they bring to every one of the victors and those affected by the games. Just as they were about to place the brownies in the oven, Peeta walked into the suite, followed by Annie, Joanna, and Effie.
"Hi baby girl, how was your nap?" Peeta asked, picking up Primrose Rue and placing her on his shoulders. Katniss quietly whispered to Peeta a summary of the last hour's events. "Oh, I see, and there's no blood. Okay, well, darling, would you like to lay down for a nap right now?" He asked the 3-year-old, who had clearly just yawned. She nodded, laying her head on top of his. He placed a delicate kiss on Katniss' cheek before turning to take a nap with the toddler.
After they left, Katniss and Haymitch turned their attention to the guests. Haymitch took the meat from Effie along with some salad fixings. Annie took Joanna and Finnick to play a board game, which the others joined in once they arrived. The whole party was in full swing by the time Plutarch and Gale arrived.
"Hey Katnip!" Gale boomed, walking into the sitting room. Plutarch quietly sat down next to Annie, which everyone thought was the safest option considering the death glare being shot across the room at Gale.
"No one invited you, Hawthorne," she replied coolly, turning back to Finnick, whom she was playing a riveting game of go-fish with.
"I thought you invited everyone from the set."
"I invited my family, which includes all the victors and Effie." She continued to not make eye contact with Gale. When Katniss said that it was like an arrow to the heart, Gale took that as his cue to leave, and with that, he grabbed Plutarch, and they left.
Again I am sorry a thousand times over but I am hoping to get my fanfics on a biweekly schedule.