This is going to be the last chapter for this story. I hope you guys enjoyed it. It was supposed to be a one shot and now I feel like I have been dragging for too long. It's only going to bore everyone. Do check out my other story Of Things Unsaid. I am also currently working on another multi-chapter story so do look out for that too! Love you guys!
Four months. How could they not know.
Well… Effie wasn't showing. Her periods were never regular. Pregnancy has never been a topic they thought of.
It wasn't a surprise they didn't find out earlier.
They found out they were having a boy. Both Effie and the baby were healthy. There weren't any complications to worry about. The risks of her pregnancy had also decreased since they have passed the first trimester.
He sat in the doctor's office while the doctor rambled on everything regarding the pregnancy.
He wasn't listening anymore. It just felt like everything was muffled and he was trapped in his own little bubble.
It suddenly felt really really real. In a few months, they will be having a screaming baby in the house.
The room suddenly felt small. He felt suffocated.
Effie must have sensed his distressed as her hand found his.
He stood up and left without excusing himself. Effie would tell him off for having bad manners.
He heard Effie apologising for him. But he couldn't care less. He need air. Fresh air.
He got out of the clinic. He should be there with her.
But he needed time alone. Everything felt so foreign.
He thought of heading to the meadow. He thought of heading home.
He went to the bakery instead.
He walked in, casually greeting Peeta and Katniss, grabbed a bag of cinnamon buns and left. They were asking him things but his mind was somewhere else. He didn't care anyway.
He figured that he should get something for her before heading back to the clinic.
Even though it has been a while since the war, not everyone was accepting of her presence in Twelve.
He knew no one would dare touch her because of him, Peeta and Katniss. But it didn't settle well with him leaving her alone. That's why he would call everyday while he was away.
He has had too many people taken away from him in his life. He didn't want to take the risks with Effie too. Or their child.
The thought made him walk faster.
She was looking at the pamphlets in her hands when she bumped into someone.
"Sorry." She muttered without looking up and continued walking. Mother would be appalled but she had other things on her mind.
She felt the stranger following her. Confront or escape?
"What do you -" She said as she turned around to face Haymitch.
"What do you think you are doing?" She pursed her lips.
"Sorry." He said pulling her in.
"For leaving or following me?" She tried to wriggle her way out of his arms but he tightened his hug.
"Both. I'd be worried if you didn't sense that I was following you. At least you are alert enough."
"I am not dumb and I can protect myself if I have to."
He smiled. "Why not leave the protecting to me?"
"You aren't always with me are you?" She was clearly still slightly mad with him.
"Apology accepted?" He flashed a bag of baked goods in front of her.
Cinnamon buns. The smell made her mouth water.
"You are lucky I like cinnamon buns so much."
"But I know you like me better." He smirked.
"Are we going to stand here with you hugging me or are we going home?" She swatted his arms which were around her.
"Home." He let go of her and laced their fingers together.
She removed her hand and started opening the bag of buns.
He instinctively removed the documents she was hugging.
They both knew she couldn't stay mad for long. Nor can she stay away from cinnamon buns.
Peeta makes the best buns ever.
She wasn't mad at him. Just disappointed.
She knew he was one tough man to love. He needed space and time. He has gone through a lot in his life.
If she wanted a loving and understanding man, she would have married long ago. But she love him.
And she knew this was what comes with loving Haymitch Abernathy.
Their relationship through the years was anything but easy.
She was always giving. He was too afraid to give. But he was learning.
He love her too. They just have different ways of expressing their love for each other.
She knew she couldn't blame him. Over the years, he had changed with her.
This was new to him. To them. And Haymitch wasn't the best with relationships or changes.
Too many relationships ended. Too many bad changes.
He is back now. See. He is learning.
"What happened after I left?" He watched her finish the last of the buns and tried to catch her hand again. This time she let him.
"Nothing much. The doctor gave me some vitamins and pamphlets. We scheduled another appointment next month." She leaned against him.
She didn't ask if he wanted to go.
He paused as they entered the house.
"You want to talk about it?" He heard her ask.
He tugged her closer to him and kissed her. It was gentle. Nothing crazy.
But he'd hope she understood what he couldn't say.
His life was never normal. Getting thrown into the games at the age of 16. Having his whole family killed by the government. Drinking for most parts of his life to fight his demons. Watching kids die every year. Leading a rebellion.
He never knew what normal was.
But being here, with her, this was a normal he could get used to.