Ablaze (after the Mockingjay) ON HOLD

CHAPTER 11:

"Today is Effie and Haymitch's wedding." Peeta reminds me when I wake up. Yeah, October 27. My sister's birthday. I would like to just curl into a ball and cry the whole day but, I have to be happy for Haymitch and Effie. I wonder how my mom is taking it though. I walk out of my room to make breakfast. I notice the smell of bacon coming from downstairs. My mom is making eggs while the children watch.

"Gee Mom! Thank you. You didn't have to do this!" I tell her even though I know losing herself in work is how she manages grief.

She says, "Oh it's no big deal." and we all eat. Then Peeta, Rye, Josie, and Mother go get dressed but I go to Haymitch's house. Apparently, Effie has bridesmaid dresses for Johanna and I.

When I knock on the door a blonde lady with not too much makeup opens. She says something but I don't pay attention. "Katniss, dear?" She says after a minute of silence.

"Effie?" I ask, confused.

She realizes I'm starting at her hair and says "Oh yeah! Haymitch likes my natural hair more." I look again at the wavy blonde hair that ends right at her shoulders and wonder why anyone would want to cover it up.

I walk in and ask "Where's Haymitch?"

Effie says, "He's not here of course! It's bad luck for a bride to see her husband before the wedding, you know."

"Right," I reply although I've never really been a superstitious person. Then Johanna walks in. "Hey!" I say. Then I notice she is holding a baby wrapped in a blue blanket.

"Oh my stars! He's precious!" Effie shouts. "Can I hold him?"

Johanna says, "Sure," and hands her the baby. "His name is Scout."

"That's adorable." I tell her.

We watch Effie rock the baby. Then, Johanna asks a question that I have sadly been thinking about ever since I saw Effie hold the baby. "Are you and Haymitch going to have kids?" She asks with a grin.

"No honey, I don't think so."

"Why not--"

I cut her off and say "Where are those dresses?" because the conversation is making me gag.

"Here," Effie gives Johanna the baby and walks away.

"Dresses?" Johanna whispers to me. I nod. She makes a disgusted face. I chuckle. Then Effie comes in with two dresses on hangers with a cover over them. She takes us to guest room where we can get dressed. Before Johanna walks in she makes Effie hold the baby.

"I'm scared." I tell Johanna and point to my covered dress.

She smiles as I zip open mine. I stare at the pink, puffy dress in front of me. Johanna laughs until she realizes she has to wear an identical one. We dreadfully put them on. "You look ridiculous!" she tells me.

"At least I'm not wearing a tree." I state quickly causing her to shut up and glare.

We then walk out of the room to show Effie. "You two look absolutely gorgeous!" Effie squeals with teary-eyes, "thank you for being my bridesmaids."

~~~~~

Peeta, the children, and I walk together to the building where the wedding ceremony will be. This wedding is a cross between an extravagant Capitol ceremony and a simple District Twelve toasting. First there's a wedding at the Justice Building- well now it's the "Representative Hall". Two representatives were picked from each district. I certainly didn't sign up. Besides, I don't think I'd be eligible considering the mishap with the knife- then, at sunset, there will be a toasting and reception in the meadow.