Author's note: Oh, god, I wanted to finish the final edits of this chapter for like two weeks and literally couldn't because of my work load. But here it is, finally, I hope you like it! Pardon me for any typos, I am really tired.

A big thank you and a big hug to you sweethearts reading and responding to this story. You're the best and I'm so grateful! If you were here I'd follow in the prep team's footsteps and invite you over for tea and a batch of Peeta's yummiest cookies. ;)

Chapter 49, In vino veritas

ring ring*

Hello, this is Effie Trinket's answer phone. I can't pick up at the moment but do leave a message and I will call you back. Until then: have a very very nice day!
*peep*ring ring*

Hello, this is Effie Trinket's answer phone. I can't pick up at the moment but do leave a message and I will call you back. Until then: have a very very nice day!
*peep*
*ring ring*

Hello, this is Effie Trinket's answer phone. I can't pick up at the moment but …

click*

Hello? … um, helloo?

Hi Octavia …

Oh, there you are! I was getting really worried about you! Been calling for almost five minutes.

Sorry. It's … I was in the bathroom.

Of course you were. Silly young me! I'm getting ready here too. You all set? Such a thrilling day! Aren't you so excited? Oh, the twins will LOVE the Summer Breeze! We can't bring them on any of the roller coasters of course. Flavius always puke anyway. But there are still plenty of "baby-friendly" rides to go around. The Love Tunnel. Lucretius's Magic Carpet. The teacups. Hey, maybe it'll even help with your little problem? And we couldn't have asked for better weather, right? Everything's perfect!
Octavia, listen …

But before anything else, I need your advice on something. I'm sitting by my vanity – as we speak – and I cannot for the life of me decide which earrings to wear! On the one hand, I've got these spectacular neotropical scarlet macaws. You know, the famous red, blue and yellow parrot? Gorgeous. Obviously! But then I also own a pair of silver sea turtles with amethysts and well … you see my conundrum. What do you think? Which one of these will make me the prettiest girl at the fair?

I … I wouldn't know …

Oh, don't sell yourself short! Next to me and Flavius and Venia, you're by far the number one expert on beauty! Come on, Effie, this is important to me! I can't show up looking ghastly.

Course not … you …

I'm leaning toward the birds, naturally. You know, because colors are so colorful and fun. But then again, if I save the turtles for the Aquarium, won't it be a cliché? Maybe I should go with the amethysts after all. But if I do, what if people think …

Octavia, look … I … I know how excited you are about today but … I don't think I can make it.

Wait, what?

I don't feel very well and the twins … they aren't even dressed to go out yet.

Are you ill? *gasps* It's not contagious, is it? Because I cannot under any circumstances be sick this week.

No, no. Don't worry. It's just a migraine.

Have you had enough to drink today? Maybe you're dehydrated? Don't worry. Flavius and Venia and I will take the twins for a walk and you can treat yourself with a nice, long nap. It'll invigorate you in no time.

Thank you, but I feel I must take this day for myself. Raincheck? Doesn't mean you three can't have fun.

But it wouldn't be the same without you! Or the children! *tsks* Effiie! We had it all planned out!

I'm sorry.

Flavius will be so disappointed! He wanted to spin the chocolate wheel. *gives a heavy sigh* I guess, we'll just have to try and find something else to do, somehow. But it won't be as fun. Take care of yourself, sweetie.

You too. Give my love to the others.

Mm. As soon as I've figured out how to break it to them. What a day. No cotton candy. No stuffies for the twins. Nothing. *sighs again* Bye, Effie dear. Get well soon.

Bye.

toot toot*

xXx

"… and they lived happily ever after."

Effie whispered the words, lying on her side next to them on the bed.

Sandy hair fell over Ian's forehead when he rolled in toward her, seeking his mother's closeness and warmth. Effie dropped a butterfly kiss to his skin.

The girl gave a soft whine. Crinkled her face up from whatever dream she was having. Her chest rose and fell in puffy little breaths as she opened and closed her fists.

"It's OK, precious", Effie whispered. Ever so gently she caressed a light fingertip between Amy's closed eyes and down her nose.

A trick that Sae once taught her. It never failed to help settle the girl down. That and papa Haymitch's strong, safe embrace. "It's OK to sleep. I'm here. Mama's here. Everything will be alright."

Her own eyelids felt dipped in lead. What she wouldn't do to just crawl under these covers and sleep the day away. Today and the rest of the week, for that matter.

She knew she shouldn't have lied to Octavia. About the migraine. But what else could she say?

Certainly not the truth. "I'm sorry Octavia but Haymitch is slowly destroying his brain with alcohol as we speak and if you drag me into an amusement park for three hours I'll end up on the news, having a nervous breakdown right in front of all those poor chocolate-sticky children. My own included."

No. It was better this way. Better for all involved.

She nuzzled Ian's skin. Caressed Amy's hand between her thumb and forefinger.

"What are they doing now, you think?" she whispered to her children's sleeping faces. "Uncle Flavius and aunt Octavia and aunt Venia. Enjoying a ride on the Ferris Wheel perhaps?"

She saw it as clearly as she did Amy and Ian.

The three of them, snuggled together in a passenger car. Heading for the place of birds. Giggles. Chatter. Bowls of buttered popcorn, warm to the touch. And down below: a spectacular view of the city. The river. The distant Capitol mountains.

Because of course they never cancelled. She didn't believe it for a second. They'd been looking forward to this all week long. Especially Flavius. And the tickets were already bought and paid for.

Maybe Haymitch is right, she thought unhappily. Maybe they will grow tired and move on.

The possibility stung, but who could blame them? She hadn't exactly been fun company lately.

R-i-i-ng!

The bell only just managed to break through her haze.

Not the phone. The front door. Far, far away – in a different life it seemed. Effie closed her eyes. Curled into the twins. Like a baby still in the womb. Nose in Ian's soft, angel hair. Hand around Amy's.

Her mother all but cleared her throat, telling her to go get the door, but Effie shrugged her off.

Just this once, she wasn't going to care. Whoever it was, whatever they wanted – it could wait. Ill-mannered? So be it.

R-i-i-ng!

Her brows came together, eyes still promptly shut.

It's not the prep team, she thought, despite herself. Way too discreet.

Their rings were always forceful. Insistent. Headache or no.

Couldn't be Haymitch either. Doorbells equaled decorations in his book. He walked straight in.

That day when he showed up at her doorstep, out of the blue, hours before they made love in a bed for the first time, he'd pressed the bell. But that was a rare thing.

A sort of honeymoon treatment he definitely gave up on after she'd slept with him long enough to have his babies.

Maybe it's Mrs Pluckrose.

Effie swallowed a sigh.

Yes, her delightful neighbor. Going on and on about howsomeonedidn't bother to mow their lawn this week and "we uphold a certain standard around here, Ms Trinket, in case you forgot".

R-i-i-ng!

Oh, go away. Eyes squeezed shut, Effie pressed her lips together, willing her to leave. Just let me sleep.

Maybe the person – whoever it was – heard her thoughts, for a fourth ring never followed.

Effie caressed her daughter's hair, breathing a sigh of relief. Silence resumed. She had almost gathered her thoughts when,

Tap-tap!

Startled, her eyes flew to the window.

She'd pulled the curtains shut earlier but behind them – a shadow was moving. Face shrouded in darkness, silhouetted by the brilliant sun.

Heart pounding, Effie sat up in bed.

"Who is it?"

And on the other side of the glass, a woman replied,

"Don't be alarmed, ma'am. I've just got a delivery for you."

Effie inched the curtain aside. Then some more.

Face tilted, the lady smiled as they came eye to eye.

"Thought someone was home", she said. "What with the stroller out front."

Effie blinked at the beaming lady, standing there in her flower bed.

Stout. Burly. Dressed in a lavender uniform and carrying what looked like some kind of gift basket wrapped up in cellophane and tied with ribbons.

She looked about Venia's age. Dark skin. Silver mascara. Purple hair gathered in a ponytail.

A name was stitched on the side of her chest. Effie squinted at the letters. "Briar Rose".

Briar Rose! Same as Snow's youngest daughter.

"Oh, don't hold it against me", the lady said lightly when she saw her look. "We don't all get to choose our own names. Besides", she added, "the story it derives from goes back way beyond the Snow's dynasty."

Effie hesitated, then reached for the hooks on the window. Opened it ever so carefully.

"I just put my babies down", she said, under her breath.

The woman called Briar Rose, nodded.

"I'll make it brief then."

"I didn't order anything though."

"Well, it says right here, 'Effie Trinket', and there's only one Effie Trinket in the city, right?" The woman sounded almost amused.

"Yes?"

"Then I've come to the right place."

Briar Rose settled the gift basket against the windowsill.

Effie's eyes were instantly drawn to the sealed envelope attached to it.

A match of hope struck inside her.

"From District 12?"

"I'm afraid not." The cellophane rustled quietly under the woman's hands. Purple nails that matched her hair, Effie noticed. "Sorry I startled you before", Briar Rose went on. "I know this is most irregular, but they said you were feeling a little under the weather. That I had to make sure you got it."

"They?"

The woman smiled.

"You must have some generous friends indeed. Sign here, please."

Alone again, Effie settled on the bed. Basket on her lap.

Aphrodite's Beauty Spa. The famous logo was printed along the ribbon. The envelope had one word written on it. Effie. In beautiful calligraphy letters.

She swallowed and swallowed.

Not a gift basket.

A wellness basket.

Eyes burning, stinging, like standing too close by a smoky fire, she carefully turned it from side to side. Peered at the items through the cellophane.

Packets of dried herbs and flower petals. Bottles of essential lavender oil. Scented candles. Coconut oil. Body cream infused with vanilla. Aromatic soaps shaped like water lilies, so small they fit on your palm.

Bath bubbles and bath salt. Lip smackers. Face masks, bath sponges in three different colors and, shoulder to shoulder with a set of fluffy baby-soft hand towels: a neat package of wrapped up boiled lemon sweets.

With trembling hands, Effie opened the envelope. Got out the card, printed with a field of gorgeous sunflowers.

Her eyes travelled from left to right and as she read, her face crinkled up, shoulders beginning to shake with silent sobs.

She tried to be quiet. Didn't want to wake the children. But despite her great efforts, she couldn't quite keep the small, strangled sounds from escaping her throat.

More and more tears just rolled down her cheeks, dropped from her chin and into the wellness basket.

All that built-up heartache for months and months, if not years just … poured through her eyes.

Dear Effie

We're so sorry you're feeling unwell. Staying in bed when you don't want to, is just the worst (especially when you can't also have sex with a hottie). You know Flavius would offer but he's just not that into redheads. At least not this season. And sometimes rest, real rest, is all you need to really bounce back again. And you will, darling.

Now try and sleep as much as you can and, when you're ready, go pour yourself a nice, warm bath. Add some oil, some petals, light a candle and just relax and unwind in the bubbly water.

Once you're back on your feet, you have our numbers. We'll bring dinner and iced tea and then we can play a game of Scrabble together. Won't that be fun? If we can keep the twins from eating up the pieces, that is.

Take care of yourself, dear!

Love

Octavia, Flavius and Venia

PS: Don't worry about the tickets. Flavius knows someone who works at the Breeze. We got a full refund. The fair will always be there and who knows? Maybe next time, Haymitch might want to join!

xXx

ring ring*

… Mm?

Eff? Did I wake ya?

Mm.

Oh, shit. Fuck. Didn't realize how late it was. 'm sorry. Go back to sleep. I'll call y'up some other time.

You're here now. What do you want?

Just tell ya … well, how sorry I um ... for bein' sucha a dick afore.

You really were. Even by your standard.

Yeah … *slurs* those three odd birdies really bring out the worst in me. Go figguh.

*sighs* Haymitch, if all you're going to do is joke around, might as well hang up now. I'm not in the mood.

No, no. I won't. Come on, Effs. Don't be so snippy. You know me. You know how I really feel about things. *hick* Didn't even mean what I said 'bout the prep.

Good.

Well … ma'be some of it, but like … not the stuff that were like really mean. Honest, swee… I mean Eff. They're your friends. I wants you to have friends. If they wanna come over and sing n read n … do theatre, that's fine.

…

It's just … I should be doin' those things!

I know.

I shoulda been there for Am's first word! What's next? Ian's gon' start callin' Flavius "papa"? I'm glad someone's there helpin' ya out. I am, but damn it … it should be me! Right? Why can't I be a part of their life too? I'm their father!

You know why, Haymitch.

But I 'aven't been drinkin' all that much lately. Honest! And there are ways around it.

It's not that simple.

Why couldn't it be? I know I ain't perfect, sweetheart. I know I'm not good at it like you are but … don't 'ey need me too? Just a lil' bit? I mean, come on! You said I could see 'em if I was sober.

And you're not!

I would be. If you were here. And it's not like they know wha's goin' on, anyway. They're babies, Eff. Even if I had a cold one right in front of 'em it wouldn't affect or hurt 'em. I won't fuck 'em up. I won't!

That's what you need to believe in order to sleep at night.

Why'd ya have to be so mean, I already said I'm sorry! *sobs* I cleaned the house up. Tha's where I was before. Ask Peeta if you don't believe me. Whole fuckin' place: spick and span now. I don't even live with Sae no more. All week long I just wash everything. Threw out a mountain o' crap. G-got all their toys ready, so you and … you … Effs, I can't live like this! It feels like a part of me's been cut off! I need to see my kids. Bring the prep team along if you must, I'll wait on them hand and foot, just … please come home! You can't keep punishing me like this, Eff. It's too cruel. *sobs* They're my children too.

I'm not being cruel. I'm just trying to keep this family afloat. Haymitch, I know you're hurting … but this isn't about you. Or me. It's about them. What's best for them. *draws a deep breath* Look … what we can do or at least try is buy a videophone and install it in the nursery. That way you can both see and talk to each other.

sniffs* For real? You promise? Yeah … yeah, that'd be great!

But, Haymitch! You need to show me that you're serious about it, OK? You have to be a grownup here. A real parent. If we do this and you disappoint them …

I won't! Never!

No showing up drunk. Or hungover. And if we say Tuesday at 2PM that means Tuesday 2PM. No excuses!

No excuses. I swear.

We'll try that for a while and if you can make it work – then we can talk some more about the prospect of you visiting. But you have to earn it, Haymitch. You must do the work. You.

Yeah, totally! Absolutely! *wipes his nose* Can I tell 'em g'night? I won't wake 'em or anything. Just g'night?

Not when you're like this. Tomorrow maybe. We'll talk then. You and I for sure. Now, put that bottle down, Haymitch and go to sleep. Or if not sleep then at least try and rest. Lay down on the bed or the couch and close your eyes. Things will feel different in daylight.

Can you at least tell 'em I love 'em? I mean, like … really make sure they know?

I will. Of course. I already do. Every day.

Author's note: And Haymitch's destructive cycle has gone full circle again, only to start over AGAIN. The Trinket Abernathy family truly is completely codependent. What do you think will happen next? Tell me in the comments!

Also, anyone else feeling curious about this Briar Rose character? She was supposed to just be the delivery woman in this one scene but I have a strong feeling this isn't the last we'll ever see of her.