Madge

Madge woke up with a start. Today is my wedding day.

She'd slept alone, forbidding Gale from her bed on her last night of being single. She rubbed her hands over her belly. "Am I doing the right thing, little one?"

But she didn't need an answer because she had no doubt. I love Gale. I want to spend my life with him.

It had been easier to see that after their three-month separation. Even a couple of days after she'd called it quits, but before she'd found out about the baby, she was regretting her angry words. She'd clearly blindsided him.

But that's what happens when, instead of talking to your boyfriend about your relationship, you leave him out of the conversation and talk to everyone else.

Getting married without family around to interfere and take charge was a relief. Although her parents had begrudgingly accepted Gale they'd never been overly fond of him because he was a mechanic, while Hazelle seemed jealous of any woman who her son paid attention to.

My parents would have wanted some elaborate extravaganza to show off to their friends, and Hazelle would have been making passive-aggressive comments about the money being spent. It would have been a nightmare.

When Effie had told them that they could have the wedding at Snow Mansion, she'd also insisted that they accept some sessions with a marriage counselor as a wedding gift.

Gale had complained to Madge privately afterward. "We don't need counseling."

Madge bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud. That's what you think.

"Well, I do," she said. "And it would probably help if you came along."

"Whatever you say, honey."

It's good thing he still on that baby news high. At least for now he'll do whatever I say without too much fuss.

There were still plenty of things she and Gale had to iron out. Where would they live? Madge's apartment was too small, and he was presently living with his family. And when the baby came, then what? Would she continue to work?

An unexpected calmness came over her.

You're getting ahead of yourself. Take a deep breath. It will all work out.

Had the baby provided that recommendation?

Don't be silly. Why don't I think about the honeymoon instead?

A smile came to her lips. I've definitely missed that part of our relationship.

Madge stretched. She got out of bed and put on her bathrobe. Cecelia had offered to fix her hair and dress her.

That woman is a miracle worker. With a few household items, she's managed to create a wedding dress that looks like something straight off Pinterest. I hope someone gets a picture or two of me wearing it.

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Haymitch

Is this what families do? Work together in a seamless fashion? From everything Haymitch knew, that was unlikely. Maybe it's because we're only temporarily related.

Haymitch had expected the holiday to coast to a slow ending. Instead, the unexpected wedding had rallied everyone to a fever pitch as they devised a dress, decorations, and a cake. He wanted to help as well, and wasn't sure what he could do when Effie handed him a bracelet and a pair of tweezers and asked if he'd take it apart and create a wedding ring for the bride.

He put on his reading glasses, sat down in his favorite chair in the living room and got to work. The ring he made for the bride was a thin gold chain that had a tiny blue bead dangling from it.

It doesn't look half bad.

Effie was impressed. "You have some hidden talents. You could make and sell jewelry at crafts fairs."

Haymitch laughed, picturing himself as an artisan hawking his wares.

But why not? If I retire, I can do anything I want.

"I think it's this chair," he said. "It's a dad chair."

Effie smiled. "If you like the chair so much, why don't I see if I can buy it for you. I never gave you a Christmas gift."

"You gave me these past few days. You've changed my life in ways you'll never understand. I like the chair, but you don't need to buy it for me. Just add the cost onto the bill."

The next morning, Haymitch put on the suit he'd worn on Christmas Eve. The bride descended the stairs looking like a Greek goddess, carrying white, long-stemmed roses. She asked Haymitch to escort her the short distance down the garden pathway to a stone circle where the ceremony would be conducted.

"Do you like my dress?" Madge asked. "Cecelia made it."

"It's stunning."

Cecelia is one creative woman. With a little capital she could go far.

As he led Madge along the garden path, strewn with rose petals dropped by Cecelia's children, Haymitch marveled at the lifetime of experiences that had been condensed into such a short vacation. He led her up to Gale and Sam who waited in the stone circle.

If this is what it's like to live in Effie's orbit, I never want to let that woman go.

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Effie

Effie was dressed and ready to go by six a.m.

I thought I'd be lazing about and packing this morning, but I'm more excited now than four days ago when everyone arrived.

When Sae got up at 7 a.m., Effie helped the cook ready the wedding breakfast buffet.

"You've done a wonderful job with all the meals these past few days," Effie said, as she helped Sae set the table one last time. "I hope you'll be getting a little break before you go back to work."

"That I will," Sae said. "The Collins' won't be back until January 2nd. I'm going to make a big pot of stew, relax on the couch, and binge watch some shows.

"Sounds fun. Are you watching anything special?"

"Season three of Outlander. I just love that Sam Heughan. I guess I'm partial to redheads. There's just something special about them."

Effie smiled at the older woman's girlish confession. "I know what you mean about red-heads. We have a young, UPS delivery man named Darius that has lovely red hair. All the secretaries like to tease him. He gets so embarrassed sometimes that his face turns as red as his hair."

Sae spent the next hour telling Effie all about the Outlander books series, a romantic saga about a British nurse from WWII who time travels back to the 16th century and falls in love with a Scottish highlander.

What a lovely lady Sae is. Too bad, I didn't get a chance to spend more time with her.

Sam arrived at 8:30 a.m. As soon as Effie opened the door, he handed her a white envelope. "Here's the bill for my services."

"About that," Effie said, "Haymitch would like to buy the armchair in the living room, the one closest to the tree. Do you think they would sell it to us?"

Sam's face went pale. "I guess I could ask. How much are you willing to spend?"

Effie waved her hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter to me. Start with a reasonable offer and then raise it if you have to. Haymitch said to add the cost of the chair to the final bill." She handed the envelope back to him.

Sam shoved it into the breast pocket of his suit.

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Dalton

What is it with these folks? Abernathy Industries must be rolling in loot.

"Who's the lucky couple tying the knot."

"Madge and Gale."

Are you kidding? Only three days ago that kid was trying to get her fired from the job. "Great."

I was secretly hoping for Katniss and Peeta. They're an attractive pair and seem well suited, but I suppose a couple of days are too short a time to know each other enough to make a lifetime commitment.

It wasn't long before he was standing with the groom watching the children come forward tossing rose petals on the ground. Next came Haymitch escorting the bride. She wore a beautiful white gown and carried long-stem roses in her free arm.

Did she bring that dress with her? Where did they get those roses? If they used any items from the house or flowers from the greenhouse, the Snow family is going to hold me responsible, and you can bet I'll be passing along the charges.

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Gale

Madge looked so dressed up as she walked toward him; Gale was glad he'd purchased the dark suit. He'd bought it to wear for Christmas dinner, never guessing he'd wear it to his own wedding.

What a roller coaster he'd had to ride get Madge to this place of becoming his wife. Maybe Katniss is right and I should have come up with a more romantic way to propose.

On the day of their breakup he'd made the last payment to the jeweler for Madge's ring. It had been sitting in his pants pocket and he'd felt the box when he'd pulled the keys from his pocket to open the car's trunk to put away the food he'd purchased for his mother's party.

He'd been so excited– it had taken several months to pay for it – that he couldn't contain himself.

What a mess that turned out to be. Guess that will be the topic of our first counseling session. But I'll get the honeymoon right.

He had a co-worker who owned an isolated cabin in the woods. Gale was going to call him as soon as Effie gave him his phone back, and see if he could borrow it for the next week.

Of course we'll need to stop by Dandelion City Hall first and get a wedding license before we leave town.

Sam had warned them that they needed it; otherwise the ceremony would not be legally binding.

Gale voice was strong as he spoke the vows, "I, Gale Hawthorne, promise to love and cherish you, Madge Undersea, all the days of my life."

It pleased him to hear a nervous tremor in Madge's voice as she recited the vows. He was glad that she was taking her commitment seriously.

We're gonna have a good life together.

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Katniss

Effie returned her's and Peeta's phones so they could tape the ceremony and take photos of the happy couple.

"Let me have your number," Peeta said, looking so attractive in his costume.

Katniss reached for his phone and punched it in. She handed him her own phone. "Give me yours, too."

"I'll text you my address," Peeta said, when he handed her phone back.

Katniss' eyebrows went up.

"I think for our first date, I'll cook you a special New Year's Eve dinner."

Yes! "Will you make some cheese buns?"

"I think that can be arranged."

Later, Katniss stood on the lawn taping Gale's wedding ceremony. On the other side of the lawn, Peeta held up his phone as well, snapping photos.

We make a great team.

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Peeta

I'm definitely wearing the costume on our date even if I have to pay extra to the dry cleaner to get it back in time.

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Madge

Madge nibbled at her wedding breakfast. Although the meal was delicious, she wasn't hungry; she was ready to leave Snow Mansion.

I want to begin my new life.

Peeta carried in the cake and sat it in front of her and Gale.

Madge's eyes teared up, and she looked around the table. "I don't know what to say … You've all pitched in to make this the most memorable day of my life. Thank you so much."

"Yeah, thanks everyone," Gale repeated.

The party soon broke up. It was 11:30 a.m. and they were supposed to be out of the house by noon.

"You got everything, wife of mine," Gale said, as he came into her bedroom. Madge had changed out of her wedding attire and put on a pair of loose pants and an oversized sweater.

"Yeah, it's all packed."

Gale picked up her bag. "I'll follow you back to your apartment, so we can drop off your car. Then we'll drive over to City Hall and pick up our license before we head out of town to start our honeymoon."

Her eyes narrowed. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," Gale said. "You'll have to trust me on this one, Mrs. Hawthorne."

He's actually planned something. I can hardly wait.

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Haymitch

Haymitch got into Effie's car. She was going to drive him back to the city.

"That was a great group of people we met these past few days. I'd like to keep in touch."

"That shouldn't be a problem," Effie said. "I've got all their phone numbers and addresses."

"And I'd like to help Cecelia start some kind of clothing business. I was talking with her at breakfast. She's been supporting herself through odd jobs."

Effie took her eyes off the road, to smile at Haymitch. "That's very kind of you."

"Nonsense. I've got a wheel barrel full of money, and then more in the bank. About time I begin to spread it around and let it do some good."

They drove down the highway and Haymitch stared at the winter landscape. "I am serious about retiring," he said. "I never realized how much I've been missing out on while I've been holed up in my office."

"Are you planning to make an announcement when we get back?" Effie asked.

"Not right away. I've got to get all my ducks in a row first. Figure out who I want to name as successor. I'm leaning toward Boggs, rather than Heavensbee."

"I think Boggs is a wise choice. He's a man of high character. Besides he's always punctual when you call a meeting. Heavensbee operates on `Heavensbee' time."

Haymitch chuckled. "That he does. And my offer about moving you to Marketing is still on the table. I expect whoever takes over the running of the company will bring his own secretary along."

She frowned.

"Don't fret, Effie, everything will work out for the best, you'll see."

Traffic was backed up and their speed slowed. It started to get dark as they approached the outskirts of the City.

"How about we stop and get a bite to eat," Haymitch suggested. "It can be our first date."

Epilogue

Effie

"Hurry up, Haymitch. We have a schedule to keep. We're supposed to be there at five."

Her fiancé put on his sports coat. He was looking so relaxed these days, like he'd dropped ten years since he'd retired.

"Let me drive, Effie, you've had a busy week."

"Well, I had to take care of things. Can't have the Marketing department fall apart while I'm away."

"They're professionals. They should be able to hold it together without you."

"I suppose so."

Fortunately traffic was light and they were soon out of the City and heading to Dandelion.

"I'm so excited about this reunion," Effie said. "I can't wait to see how they're all doing."

"You know how Cecelia and the kids are. You're on the phone with her all the time."

Effie smoothed her hands down the sides of her pink satin skirt. "You know, she made the dress I'm wearing. I'm so proud of her. She's getting a lot of attention. You were so good to give her the seed money."

"She's a hard worker," Haymitch said. "But how are Madge and Gale doing? I understand they've taken advantage of that counseling gift you suggested. And are Peeta and Katniss an item? I can't wait to meet Sam's other half."

"Do you think they'll be surprised when we tell them that it's more than a reunion Haymitch? You don't mind that we're not doing it up bigger and inviting everyone from work?"

"No, I'd rather have it small. These people seem like family to me."

They arrived at the restaurant and were guided to the private dining room. Effie and Haymitch stood outside the room ready to greet their guests. Sam and a plump woman he introduced as Myrtle arrived first.

"You're really going through with this?" he asked Haymitch.

"I am. Effie and I couldn't be happier."

Effie felt a tingle run down her back. It was as if her wildest daydream was about to come true.

Next came Cecelia and the kids. Tricia had grown into a little lady and boys had gotten taller.

Sae appeared. "Thanks for the invite. It's nice to eat a meal I haven't made myself."

"It took me a couple of weeks to get down to my fighting weight after your delicious cooking over Christmas," Haymitch told her, rubbing his hand over his mid-section.

Before Sae could enter, Effie touched her arm. "You were right about that show." Effie put her hand to her heart and sighed.

Sae chuckled.

Next came Madge and Gale. Madge's belly was so large that it looked as if she'd stuffed a beach ball under her dress.

Haymitch leaned into Effie. "I guess that's the reason for the quickie wedding."

Last in were Katniss and Peeta.

She looks so happy. Radiant, even. And he has on regular clothes for a change.

Effie spied her left hand. A pearl ring sat on it. "Are you two…" she began.

Peeta wrapped his arm around Katniss waist, leaning in close to kiss the side of her head. "Our wedding is at the end of the summer."

He pulled two envelopes, one for Effie and one for Haymitch, from his coat pocket. "We hope you both can make it." His voice lowered. "But if you talk to any of my family at the event, don't mention Snow Mansion. They think Katniss and I met at Disney World."

Conversation flowed as platters were set on the table, and the group feasted. As the eating slowed, Haymitch stood up and tapped a spoon against a water glass to get everyone's attention.

"We're here today for more than a reunion," he said. "You're like family to us. We invited you to witness this important day in our lives. He held out his hand to Effie. We're getting married right now. Sam will be officiating."

"Oh my," Myrtle said. "Why didn't you tell me, Sam?"

Sam turned to his wife. "Haymitch and Effie swore me to secrecy."

Effie and Haymitch stood at the end of the table, positioning themselves to face the group, while Sam had his back to everyone.

As she repeated her vows to love and cherish Haymitch, Effie thought about how she'd already been doing that for years.

The man beside her wasn't anything like her former fiancé - who had already been married three times she'd last heard - but a kind, decent man who gone through hardship in his youth but instead of becoming a victim, had picked himself up and made something of his life.

I'm lucky to have found him.

Her cheeks grew warm as Haymitch kissed her, making a loud smacking sound as their lips met when Sam pronounced them "husband and wife."

Gale whistled loudly, and the others began to clap.

A waiter wheeled in a small, two-tier wedding cake on a trolley.

"Hey, I decorated that cake this morning," Peeta said. "I had no idea it was for you two."

"I had the restaurant place the order because I wanted to keep things secret," Effie said. "But I wanted you to do our wedding cake."

She was feeding cake to Haymitch when, Madge let out a scream. All eyes turned to her.

"My water broke."

"You got any other talents we don't know about Sam?" Haymitch asked.

"I've never delivered a baby, and I don't plan to add that to my repertoire today," Sam replied. He turned to Gale. "Son, you better get your wife to the hospital."

The party broke up shortly, as soon as Gale hurried Madge out of the room to take her to Dandelion General.

While Haymitch paid the check, Effie packed up slices of cake for Sam and Myrtle, Cecelia and the kids, and Sae. The rest of the cake she boxed up to bring to the maternity waiting area, where she, Haymitch, Katniss, and Peeta each had a piece.

Effie gave away additional slices to Madge's parents, Gale's mother Hazelle, his brothers Rory and Vick, and his teenage sister Posy.

Katniss' mother Lily ate a slice while she was on her dinner break at the hospital.

After a long wait, Gale came into the waiting area. "It's a boy."

The entire room burst into cheers. "I want to see my daughter and new grandbaby," Mrs. Undersee said.

"I want to go in too," Hazelle seconded.

Haymitch leaned in close to Effie. "Maybe we should get going, we're not really family to them."

Overhearing his comment Katniss shook her head. "Haymitch, family is more than a blood relationship. It's a group of people who share laughter, sadness, victory, loss, happiness and success together. I consider you and Effie family to us. I know Gale and Madge feel the same."

"Besides," Peeta added, "every family needs a rich uncle."

THE END

Thanks so much for your interest in this story. I wrote it in July when I participated in Nanowrimo with a group of THG fanfic writers. It's been torture for me to sit on it for all these months; I'm so glad to finally be able to post it and give you a chance to read it.

Merry Christmas and a very happy 2019!