TUSETHA (Edited)

Chapter 6 ~ A Small Ritual

I stare at myself in the mirror. I wear a white flowing lace dress falls to my knees, the sleeves coming just to the tops of my elbows. My golden hair in perfect ringlets. A pearl necklace is placed around my neck by a woman standing behind me, I believe her name is Maria, the Mayor's sister-in-law and a good friend to Haymitch.

I could have done this myself, but she insisted on 'helping a friend out.' I don't know this women but she seems very nice, though she hadn't spoken a word to me yet.

"You look absolutely stunning..." She says very quietly.

I force a smile at her through the mirror. "Thank you. And thank you very much for helping, I appreciate it."

"Oh, it's no problem." She beams at me before heading towards the door. "I wish you two the best of luck."

"Thank you again." I roll my eyes as she leaves and lay my head against my hand. "I can't believe I'm doing this..."

I stare down at the small baby bump forming under my gown and shake my head. "If he decides to ask about consummating the marriage I'm using you as an excuse..." I rest my hand on the bump. "Sorry..." I mutter as I leave Haymitch's guest bedroom.

He paces the floor at the bottom of the stairs, wringing his wrists and murmuring to himself. Once he hears the quiet clicking of my high heels he turns and smiles up at me. "Effie...God, Effie, you look amazing."

I keep the tight smile on my face as I carefully walk down the stairs. "Thank you. You look very handsome." I tell him as I straighten out his tie. I didn't know he could clean up this nicely, or...not smell of liquor for once.

We begin the ritual by walking all the down to the Justice Building where we both sign several papers as well as a contract or two. I read through each paper carefully, which makes Haymitch mildly impatient. But to be perfectly honest, he's so attractive when he's flustered or pondering on something for a long amount of time.

I excuse myself once or twice to the ladies room to throw up nearly everything but my memories. I wish I could though, I'd rather just wake up from this horrid nightmare and forget everything. Start again. Move out of the country to an entirely different world.

"God, I wish." I mumble to myself as I clean myself up a bit before joining Haymitch again and taking our "official marriage paper," as he called it, back to his - not his - our home.

He places the paper on the coffee table and sets a small plate of bread in front of us. I stare down at it for a moment before realizing what this is for.

"The marriage isn't official until we've done the toasting."

"Isn't that what the 'official' marriage papers were for?" I tease.

He kisses the back of my hand gently before we toast the bread together. Slowly. Making sure it doesn't burn. So it's just right.

I'm married to Haymitch Abernathy.

What have I done?

(A/N: Comment! Vote! And as always, keep on reading my little Hayffie shippers! I'd love suggestions for the next chapter!)