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“Come She Will”, An Again Outtake

Hello! After a long while, I’ve come back to this universe that I adore...hope you enjoy!

If you want to read more about the Again offspring, I’d read these first:

“You Don’t Know How It Feels”

“She’s Your Daughter”

Also, some musical inspiration here.

______________

Summary: Just when Johanna thought their family couldn’t get any stranger...

A very big event from Johanna’s POV

Come She Will, An Again Outtake

Monday, July 14, 2036

Noe Valley, San Francisco

“Lola?”

Gabe, Katniss’ grandson, looks up at me from the floor in front of the coffee table. It’s so goddamn weird to think that my best friend is actually a grandmother—almost six years after it’s happened. However, there is Gabe, staring at me with large grey eyes, a tanned complexion, and his father’s handsome expression.

I give him a smile. “What’s up, kid?”

“Do you like my picture?” he asks.

I lean over to look at the picture, trying to school my expression at the array of colors and what I’m supposing are people. Even when Adam and Callie were kids, I still couldn’t decipher kid drawings.

“It’s gorgeous, sweetheart,” I reply just as Katniss and Peeta walk back into the den with a plate of snacks for their grandson.

“Thanks, Lola!” Gabe jumps from his seat to run over to Peeta with his picture. “Grandpa, Lola likes my picture.”

Peeta runs a hand through his light hair, looking at the picture in confusion. “It’s very…artistic.” He looks to me and Katniss, who joins me on the couch, mouthing, ‘What is it?’

I shrug as does Katniss.

“Why don’t you go wash your hands?” Katniss suggests to her grandson. “Then you can have a snack and we can look over your homework before your Mom and Dad come.”

Gabe nods before rushing down the hallway and up the stairs to go wash his hands. We can hear his rushed stomping through the Mellark house.

“Why does he call you Lola?” Peeta asks as he sits next to Katniss. “I’ve been always meaning to ask you.”

“Or you keep forgetting, Grandpa,” I retort with the roll of my eyes. “It means Grandmother in Tagalog. I’m still in denial over my age and not ready for what I’m sure to most people our age is an honored title.”

Katniss looks me over in admiration. “Well, you look great. Yoga has done wonders.”

“And, sunscreen,” I add. “This—” I gesture at my sitting figure which I think is pretty damn tight for someone my age. “—is nothing compared to Haymitch. That man can still lift me up and bend me over with the best of them.”

Peeta grimaces. “Glad that I have that picture in my head.”

I snort. “You and Katniss shouldn’t complain. I mean, what kind of grandparents look like you?”

Katniss and Peeta stopped aging around the time they adopted Cinna—minus the fact that Katniss’ dark hair is now cut to a long bob grazing her shoulders and Peeta’s eyes crinkle only slightly more when he smiles. They look like the same couple I remember arguing over the daughter Peeta never knew about many years ago.

“Come on…no wrinkles…and Katniss’ tits have held up pretty well—I mean, I think they look better,” I continue.

Peeta nods, his eyes going to his wife’s green wrap top and going glossy.

“I have to agree. They are still very, very, very…lovely.”

“Peeta!” Katniss elbows him, pulling him out of his reverie. “Not now!” She looks at the gold watch on her delicate wrist. “The kids will be here any minute!”

I check my phone, seeing a message from Haymitch that he’s on his way with our own brood.

“My pack should be arriving as well,” I inform them.

“Look who we found!” A boisterous voice announces. We turn to see Thresh and Teddy walking into the den. Gabe is in Thresh’s arms while Teddy carries in a bag of groceries. “You still have children running around here?”

“Oh, you know.” I get up and reach over to hug my friend before giving Teddy a kiss on the cheek. “We all just had too many kids. One was bound to get lost.”

“Here’s one more!”

Olivia, Thresh and Teddy’s daughter, bounds in with her tiny face-framing curls bouncing with her. She is still in her scrubs from work, her deep complexion without an ounce of makeup, but full of that glow of youth. She gives everyone a bright energetic grin before going around to give us all hugs.

She stops in front of me. “Hello, Doctor Auntie Jo-Jo.” Olivia steps back, presenting herself to me. “Are you tremendously proud of your med school niece?”

“Doctor Olivia, I’m always proud of you.” I put an arm around her shoulders. “Any hot, young patients taking you out to dinner?”

Olivia leans against me and winks. “They’re there, but we’re not going out to dinner.”

Thresh groans though there is that proud glint in his dark eyes. “She’s too much like you.”

“That’s why she’s my favorite of the kids,” a deep voice says, making my heart upstart.

I look to find Haymitch at the doorway, his familiar smile still rugged and handsome as ever.

And once again, I am that young woman on that plane to Honduras with my head on his shoulder.

“Oh gross.” Callie, our daughter, peeks out from behind him quickly obliterating our moment. “Stop looking like you’re about jump each other right here in front of everyone.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” Behind her, our son Adam waves to me before walking inside to greet everyone. Simon, his partner, follows him in with a charming smile on his bronzed face. “Remember our ceremony?”

Simon walks over to me and Olivia as my children greet the rest of the crowd.

“You had my side of the family wagging their fingers,” Simon recalls with a mirthful grin. “But, it was a wedding ceremony for two men—there was bound to be talk.”

“I bet you never thought it would be about your in-laws,” Haymitch tells him as he joins us and looks to Olivia. “Hello, favorite niece.”

“Hello, favorite Uncle,” Olivia says with a smile and a nod.

Haymitch then swivels to Simon. “Hello, son-in-law.”

“Hey Dad,” Simon replies easily.

“Now both of you—go away,” Haymitch declares. “I have to say hello to my wife.”

The two scoot away in a flurry of giggles.

Finally, Haymitch turns to me. “Hello, my wife.”

“The wife part is still debatable,” I retort. “According to everyone but us.”

He moves his lips to my temple, the roughness of his light kiss sending shivers through my body.

“Indulge me.”

Reaching my hand to his squared jaw, I run my hand along the edges of his cheek before pressing my lips to his in a tender kiss.

“Hello, husband.”

++++++

The party immediately doubles in noise once Adina and her husband Eddie arrive. My goddaughter is all smiles, glowing even, as she walks in with her husband. They have just purchased a new home about ten minutes away from the Mellark home and were moving some knick-knacks into the house.

For the last month, they’ve been living with Katniss and Peeta which my best friend loves.

It’s a good thing that Cinna and Maggie have their own place.

Speaking of Cinna, he walks into the den along with Maggie, his wife of two years. She is also the daughter of our friends, Finnick and Annie, who follow the couple inside.

“Are we late for the party?” Cinna asks as he moves through the room and greets everyone.

“Is everyone here?” Adina calls out after she’s greeted her brother and Maggie.

“Wait!” Hanna Hawthorne, daughter of Gale and Madge, stumbles in as she takes off her stilettos. “Walking in these is like letting someone stab me in the foot every other second!”

“Then why do you wear them?” Olivia asks with a raised brow from her spot on the couch.

Hanna sits next to her, placing her feet on her friend’s lap. “Because they’re so cute.” She pouts and I see her mother’s charming countenance. “Massage them, please.”

Olivia scowls even when a smile threatens to cross her lips. “I’m a doctor, not a masseuse.”

“Why don’t we Round-Robin?” Haymitch suddenly interrupts over the din. “Kids, have a seat. Adults in the front.”

“Always the superintendent,” Finnick teases him as he sits on the ledge in front of the fireplace.

Haymitch smirks. “I schooled you as a teenager and I can school the rest of the pack.”

I walk to the front to join Katniss and Peeta. “You schooled me too, you know.”

“Well, you were bearable,” Haymitch responds, a blush on his face. “And, that is beside the point!”

“So cute!” Annie says from her husband’s lap. “You still get red over being Johanna’s teacher.”

“Not that we don’t love hearing how our parents almost had a Mary Kay Letourneau kind-of-relationship, but we’re all getting old here,” Callie calls out. “I’ll start the Round-Robin.” She smooths the leather skirt that she borrowed from me before smiling at everyone. “The tattoo parlor is in its second year of ownership under yours truly.” Everyone claps and she takes a bow. “We have increased our hours of operation and I’m currently looking for another tattoo artist.”

We started the Round-Robin tradition about two years ago as all of the kids were getting ready to graduate or getting married or something equally life-changing. It was a way for all of us to feel like we knew what was going on in their lives. Also, it was a way for everyone to get together and to give or get advice.

“I might know someone, Callie,” Cinna offers. “I’ll give him your number. He’s licensed, but has been paying bills by working at a start-up downtown.”

Olivia stands up. “I’ll go next.” She clears her throat before giving everyone a smile. “I’ve been assigned to UCSF Children’s hospital and I’m really enjoying it so far. I think that this might be where I want to stay.”

“That’s great, babe,” Thresh tells his daughter.

“Any word on other hospital offers?” I ask her.

“Well, Uncle Cato has been offering to bring me back over to Stanford,” she tells me. “But, it’s really not what I’m looking for. I need something busier and so far, UCSF is giving me what I want.”

“Talk to Portia,” Katniss tells her. “If you’re into the children’s ward, she could be helpful. I mean, she’s been in obstetrics so she can advise you.”

“Thanks, Auntie Katniss,” Olivia replies before sitting back down.

“I suppose I’m next.” Hanna leaps to her feet. “The art gallery is doing well under my management. We’re having a fabulous new photography exhibition coming up and I hope you’ll all come.”

“Who’s the artist?” Peeta asks. He is the most art-centric of the bunch being the famous photographer and all. The man has several photography books published, one being used as a college textbook.

“I am.” We all turn to Cinna in surprise. He smiles shyly, taking Maggie’s hand. “Thanks to a certain blogger and vlogger, Hanna called me because the owner was interested in featuring my work.” Cinna looks to his wife proudly. “Someone here also reached her three-millionth follower on both her sites.”

“Yes,” Maggie says proudly. “One of those online lifestyle magazines wants me to write for them and I’m considering it.”

“That’s great, darling!” Finnick says to his daughter. Annie beams in pride as they gaze at the young couple.

About two years ago, we all weren’t very happy with Cinna and Maggie as they left for a trip for Bali and returned as Mr. and Mrs. Cinna Mellark. They had barely been engaged a month before it happened.

There were tears—from Peeta and Finnick. Annie and Katniss were upset but accepting.

Adina cried over not being in her brother’s wedding which actually set Cinna and Maggie into a major crying session. The rest of the kids followed suit, especially Adam as he had wanted to be Best Man.

Now everything is forgiven.

Speaking of Adam, he stands up quickly. “Simon and I have just found an apartment. It’s close to my office at the symphony and the Asian Art Museum so we can practically walk to work.” Simon is a curator at the museum; he and our son met during an evening event there. His eyes go to his partner who nods. “Also, I’ve been promoted.”

“I could tell you were hiding something,” I say to my son.

Adam looks to Haymitch and me. “How?”

“Your mouth twitches to the left,” Haymitch says with a small grin. “Whenever you lied as a kid, it happened.” He puts an arm around me. “So tell me and your Mama what you’re doing now.”

“I am the new program director for the San Francisco Symphony,” Adam says and we all gasp at the news. He is barely 21, but with all his stellar work at the San Francisco Music Conservatory as the program director for their shows, it’s not that big of a shock to me. “They’re looking for an edgier approach to the music.”

“You’re going to do wonderfully,” Adina tells him. She was his mentor at school and so this is a triumph for her as well. “Not to mention, I was one kickass reference.”

“Mommy, you said a bad word,” Gabe tells her from where he sits on Eddie’s lap.

“I think that means that you get the next turn,” Eddie tells him. “Go on, son.”

Gabe stands up, his chest puffed out in exaggeration to everyone’s amusement and adoration.

“Everyone,” he begins before turning to his parents, who smile in encouragement. “I’m going to be a big brother!”

++++++

Inner Mission, San Francisco

“I can’t believe that Adina is on her second kid,” I say to Haymitch as I plop down on our bed. “Makes me feel a little old.”

“You don’t act old,” Haymitch replies with a grin. “And, you don’t look it.”

“If you’re trying to get lucky…” I move closer to him, putting my head on his shoulder. “…you probably will.” He presses a light kiss to the tip of my nose. “Yup, you definitely will.”

“You still want me?” he asks. “Some of my parts aren’t working as well anymore.”

“Well, they worked pretty well last night,” I whisper against his lips. “And the night before that.” His hand moves along my waist inching up towards the opening in my robe. “I’m pretty sure they’ll work tonight.”

There’s a knock at our door and Haymitch lets out a thick groan.

“Hold that thought,” he tells me before looking to the door. “Come in.”

Adam, Simon, and Callie peek in before our daughter widens the door and hops onto the bed just like she did when she was a kid. Our girl is 20 and an established business owner, but she has that youthfulness about her.

Adam is slower, following in with an indulgent smile at his sister’s antics It’s hard to believe that he is a married man but our son has always been an old soul and Simon, who is two years older, is mad for him.

I think the only time I’ve ever cried in front of anyone besides Haymitch was when Simon asked for our permission to propose to our son. He is a good man, his family is from the East Coast and made of an African-American father and a Filipino mother, and since he is an only child, he adores being among our crazy crew of people.

“Did we interrupt some Mommy-Daddy time?” Simon jokes.

“To tell you the truth—yes,” Haymitch tells the three. “I mean, look at my lady. Anytime we’re alone, I’m going to make it our time.”

I have the good grace to blush.

“This won’t take long,” Adam tells us solemnly. “But it’s about something I’ve been thinking about for a while now.”

I straighten, the tone in his voice causing me to tense up. “Go ahead, Adam.”

“Simon and I…want to start a family,” he starts. “I know that you probably think we’re too young but we’ve been married for a year now, and we’ve wanted children much longer than that. I mean I’ve always wanted to be a Dad…”

Haymitch and I look at one another; we’ve talked about this before. Our son has always been a sensitive, compassionate soul with a great capacity to love. He is patient with children, especially with Gabe and loves to indulge him. I don’t have any doubt that he’ll be a good father.

There is one thing that gets in the way, however.

“How exactly do you think that will happen?” Haymitch asks bluntly.

Simon chuckles, used to his father-in-law’s brashness. “Obviously, we’re not anatomically able to create the children, but there are other avenues like adoption or surrogacy.”

“We support you,” I tell our sons. “But you know these things can take a long time to happen. There will be interviews for adoption or surrogates. Also, there’s a lot of money involved when it comes to medical procedures.”

“We have the money and we just got the place,” Adam says calmly. “As for the other issues—”

“That’s when I come in,” Callie interrupts. “You’re right. Adoption can take a long time to happen. So I made Simon and Adam an offer.”

“What kind of offer, Calliope?” Haymitch asks sternly.

Our daughter knows that her father might possibly implode but continues anyway.

“I offered to be their surrogate,” she says. “And, they said yes.”

++++++

“Did you really expect that from Callie?” We have scooted the trio out of the room immediately after our daughter’s declaration. Callie is going to sleep in her room tonight while Simon and Adam will head home for the evening. Haymitch and I are flabbergasted, confused by the logistics, and numb at the news. “I mean I was not expecting that.”

“Yeah, I was thinking that she was going to segue into something else like she’s pierced another body part or she married one of those knuckleheads at the tattoo parlor,” Haymitch replies in disbelief. “But, having a baby?”

“For her brother,” I conclude. Looking to him, I take his hand. “We’ve always instilled that need to help others in Adam and Callie and they have always been down for one another.” I almost snort. “Why can’t they hate each other like regular siblings?”

“Because we made them freakishly close,” Haymitch says. “We’re all freakishly close, traveling the world, and socializing them in places where they needed to depend on one another to get by. It is a very kindhearted gesture of Callie…but she’s so young.”

I can’t imagine the girl who bounced onto our bed like a five-year-old as a woman who wants to bear the child of her brother and her brother’s partner.

“I know.” My head goes to his shoulder. “I think that it’s a good thing, but they are all so young. Adam and Simon have only been married a year. How is Callie going to run a business pregnant?”

I have a list of questions a mile long in my head.

“We will ask them all of this,” Haymitch concludes before letting out a long sigh. He looks to me, his stare long and his smile wry. “We might be grandparents soon.”

I turn to him, going to my knees and bringing my palms to his cheeks. “Yeah…do you still want to do it?”

“Do grandparents still have sex?” he counters, a tiny smile growing along his weathered lips as his hand reaches to undo my silk robe.

I have to say that my breasts have held up pretty well.

“We were always unconventional.” I straddle him, removing his shirt. Haymitch is long with sinewy muscle along his strong frame. I never tire of moving my hands over the hard planes of his abdomen. I do it now, watching his breath catch along his bare chest as he gazes up at me in adoration. “And, I’m proud of that fact.”

Haymitch reaches for the nape of my neck, drawing me down until our faces are only inches apart.

Even after all this time, I still shiver in anticipation at that bold dare in his gaze.

He breathes gently against my lips before whispering, “Prove it.”

++++++

Wednesday, July 16, 2036

Noe Valley, San Francisco

“That’s a lot to take in,” Adina says as she sits next to Katniss. She munches on the biscuits in the tin that Cinna brought over to relieve her morning sickness. “I don’t know if she realizes how hard it’s going to be physically and mentally.”

“I agree,” Cinna adds from where he stands by the counter of the Mellark kitchen. “She’s going to see that child and know that she’s only its Aunt every time she sees him or her.”

“We understand that,” Haymitch says with a sigh. He sits next to me, his steel eyes overwrought in contemplation. “The thing is—I don’t know if Johanna and I will have much say. They’re adults now.”

“But, you’re their parents,” Peeta argues as he pours himself a cup of coffee from the coffeemaker on their marble counter. “You should have a say in it.”

“Do you know our children, Peeta?” I retort. “They’re headstrong and passionate. They think with their hearts and not their heads. Haymitch and I have done everything to help them have insight into themselves. I think we did our job a little too well, though.”

“Headstrong and passionate,” Katniss snorts into her coffee mug, ironically labeled ‘World’s Best Grandma’, before she turns to me. “The apples don’t fall far from their eccentric trees.”

“Oh, fuck off,” I say in irritation.

“Gunning for that title of ‘Grandmother of the Year’, aren’t you?”

We look to see Adam, Simon, and Callie at the kitchen doorway. Our son with his witty remark walks in first. He leans down to give me a kiss before going to Katniss and then Adina to do the same. He hugs Peeta and Cinna before settling next to Haymitch at the table.

Simon greets everyone before giving me a kiss and then sitting next to Adam. Callie is last, tiredly waving to everyone before going to me and settling on my lap like she did as a little girl.

“You mad at us?” she asks quietly.

I feel my ire quiet before reaching to steady her. My eyes go to those wide eyes just like her father’s and my fingers toy with the long, thick hair that is from me. Callie wears a mesh top with a red tank top underneath and I can’t help but chuckle at the outfit, completed with a pair of loose jeans.

“Did you take that from my closet?” I ask and she nods, my smile on her lips.

“Because I want to be like you,” Callie explains. She looks over to Adina and Katniss. “You helped Aunt Katniss raise Adina and she is one awesome human being. Why can’t I do the same for Adam and Simon?”

“I didn’t give birth to Adina,” I reason weakly. “It won’t be the same. Can you actually tell yourself that after you go through a pregnancy and childbirth that you’ll be able to go on pretending like it never happened?”

“Callie won’t have to pretend,” Adam reasons. “We have every intention of telling our child how he or she was brought into this world.”

“She’ll be involved with as much or as little as she wants, Mom,” Simon adds.

I turn to Haymitch. “Tell us what you’re thinking.”

He looks around for a moment before meeting my gaze, his expression unreadable. His hand reaches for mine, giving it a squeeze, and I can see worry—worry for Adam and Simon, worry for Callie, and worry for me.

This is new territory to all of us.

Haymitch meets our daughter’s gaze and I can see the glint of pride in his eyes. He could never deny her anything.

Though neither can I when it comes to Callie and Adam.

“Damned if you aren’t the spitting image of your Mama, right now. Calliope, do you think you can handle this?”

She straightens her shoulders, letting out a small puff of breath before giving him a tremulous smile.

“I’ll have to,” Callie tells him. “We lied to you.”

“This was going on way before we told you,” Adam informs everyone. “A month ago, we went to a fertility clinic and we used Callie’s egg with Simon’s…”

He stops, blushing.

“Just say sperm, Adam. We all know how much everyone in this room enjoys it, judging by the sheer amount of offspring,” his sister says bluntly. “Anyway, we went for this procedure and they took a long tube to put into my va—”

“I think they get the picture,” Simon says in a rushed voice. “Your mother has turned an unearthly shade of red.”

He’s not that far from the truth; I can feel the blood burning my face and my insides going numb.

Haymitch speaks for me. “How did you know about all of this? The clinic? The procedure?”

“Me.” Olivia walks in with Thresh and Teddy. Behind them Hanna and Maggie have also returned from shopping with Finnick and Annie. The Odairs look to us nervously before entering the kitchen. “I recommended the fertility clinic…I’ve referred others because this place has a stellar reputation.”

Joining Cinna, I see Maggie pale.

Obviously, she is the other referral.

It’s as if I don’t know any of these children and the thought hurts. When did they all become these adults who kept secrets from us?

“Anything else?” I croak out.

“Yes.” Callie turns around, her arms wrapping around my neck to steady herself. “Mom…we found out today—I’m pregnant.”

++++++

“You’re not talking,” Haymitch says, later that night. “Say something.”

I’ve been sitting in our bed for the last half-hour with our children’s words repeating over and over in my head.

“This was going on way before we told you…”

“I’m pregnant…”

“They kept something from us,” I finally state. “They lied. Our children didn’t tell us for weeks! Our daughter is having a baby…her brother’s baby! Just when I thought we couldn’t get any more fucked up…this happens!”

“To be fair, it’s not Adam’s sperm—it’s Simon’s,” Haymitch responds diplomatically. “Our kids are strange, not incestuous.”

I glare at him, crossing my arms. “Do you think this is funny?”

“Of course not,” he replies. “I think you’re acting funny. When have you cared about being fucked up? We are fucked up—that’s the Mason-Abernathy family motto in my opinion.”

I stand up, contemplating whether I should punch him or just find something to throw at that obnoxious head of his.

“Because if they lie…keep things from us…what does that say about our family?” I turn away, looking out the window onto the lonely street of our home. Surprisingly this particular part of the Mission is quiet most nights with only the occasional siren or parade coming around. “I tried so hard to be a good mother…the complete opposite of my own…and if we aren’t alright then I’ve failed—and I’m not going to be alright.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” Haymitch is already behind me, encircling his arms around my shoulders to pull my back flush against his chest. “We have not failed. You have not failed.”

I shake my head, closing my eyes lest I do something stupid like cry. “Then why do I feel like we did?”

Suddenly, there’s another set of arms encircling my front and my eyes open to find Callie embracing me. Behind her is Adam enclosing our circle.

“Mom, the reason I want to be a parent is because I want to give my child the great life that Callie and I had,” Adam says to me in a thick voice. “You and Dad did that for us. Why would I not want to be the encouraging parents that you are? The most loving? The strongest?”

“Why wouldn’t I want to bring good into the world?” Callie continues in a tear-soaked voice. “You’ve taught Adam and me to be the good and to create it. I know that Adam and Simon will be good parents. I’m going to be the best Aunt. That’s because you’ve given us this great ability to love.”

“But, we need you too,” Adam tells us. “We need you to be there for us, because even if we’re grown-ups who made this decision—we need you by our side. To yell at us, to be worried…and to love us.”

“Because like the Mason-Abernathy family motto states: We are fucked up,” Callie declares. “We will make mistakes in this strange little project of ours.” Her eyes go to my stiff form, pleading for me to say something. “What do you say, Mom?”

It all happens in small bits, a slight pressing back against Haymitch’s chest, and he kisses the side of my head. One hand reaching to pat Adam’s cheek to which he lets out a teary gasp of relief before pressing a grateful smile into my palm.

Finally, my other hand reaches to the nape of Callie’s neck to bring our foreheads together.

“You’re going to have to curb that cursing,” I tell her before pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Babies can hear inside the womb.”

++++++

Wednesday, August 20, 2036

San Francisco General Hospital

“You’re all making it very hard for me to retire,” Portia says with a grin. “Just when I think that I’m done with someone in your little crew of friends, you all decide to have another. Though I have to say that this story is a little bit…different.”

“I think it’s kind of funny.” Callie lays back on the exam table in her hospital gown. “It’s really funny to tell people that I’m having my brother’s baby.”

“That’s a very Phoebe Buffay state-of-being,” the obstetrician replies before looking to Haymitch and me. “How are you two doing?”

“As well as anyone can be,” I tell her with a nervous smile.

“She’s hiding her panic face very well,” Haymitch adds, putting an arm around me.

I have to say that Haymitch is taking it much better than I expected. Two years ago, he took Callie’s decision to become a business owner much worse. However, the fact that she is impregnated with our son-in-law’s little swimmer doesn’t seem to faze him in the least.

“It’s not easy for me,” I admit to everyone. “But, coming to this appointment is an assurance that Callie and the baby are healthy.”

“And, I’ve just moved back home,” Callie adds with a quiet smile. “They spoil me.”

I find myself letting out a laugh. “It’s so true; it’s not even funny.”

Callie asked to move in two weeks after her announcement. She lived with roommates and didn’t feel comfortable throwing up every little thing in front of them. Also, the story that goes along with this pregnancy is weird enough.

I enjoy having Callie home and I know Haymitch does as well. Adam and Simon come over more often to talk to their little one and to bring their sister the prenatal vitamins that she can’t stand. Her morning sickness is throughout the day and so I’ve spent the last few weeks holding her long hair up at the toilet.

It’s a real mother-daughter bonding kind-of-thing.

“And, where are the fathers?” Portia asks.

As if on cue, there’s a knock on the door and Adam peeks in. He looks around, a tightness in his expression.

“Sorry I’m late,” he says as he walks over to us. “The MUNI was crazy, but what did I expect since it goes down Van Ness Avenue.” He hugs Haymitch before kissing me and then the top of Callie’s head. “How is it going?”

“We were just about to find out,” Portia says. “Where’s Simon?”

“He couldn’t get off work,” Adam mutters stiffly before looking to Callie. “You nervous?”

“A little,” Callie tells her brother. She stares at him for a moment. “You cool?”

“Yeah.” He lets out a sigh. “Just feeling a little tired, is all.”

“Why don’t we start?” Portia suggests.

I nod in agreement. “Let’s see this baby.”

Haymitch takes my hand and I know he is remembering our own appointments. Getting to see Adam and Callie in those first sonograms was amazing. Now here we are, seeing our grandchild for the first time.

“I’m sure you already know how this goes,” Portia says to Haymitch and me. “But for the newbies, Callie’s medical records from the fertility clinic indicate that the fetus is a little over eight weeks. So we’ll have to use a different camera this time around.”

The obstetrician takes out the long camera wand and Adam starts at the length of it.

Callie, however, chuckles before turning to the three of us. “It’s not that scary-looking to me.”

“God, I don’t want to know why,” Haymitch responds.

“Deep breath,” Portia tells Callie.

Callie does as she says and Adam blanches as Portia inserts the wand into our daughter. Haymitch’s grip tightens on my hand. Even though Callie is covered by a blanket and a hospital gown, the grimace on her face is enough for us to know that she is more uncomfortable than she is admitting.

“Our girl is a trooper,” Haymitch whispers in my ear.

“So we’re looking at a ten-week fetus,” Portia begins. “Good size…here is the head…the spine…and the heart…all perfect.”

“Look at that.” I find myself walking over to the monitor, watching the little blip on the screen. Just a little kumquat with its large head and that rapid beating heart, then I look over to Callie—and I can’t believe that this baby is inside her.

Because to me, Callie is still my baby. I can remember how she felt kicking inside me and the feeling of time just flying by causes my insides to twist in that uncomfortable way that makes me want to sob.

I want to freeze this moment before everything changes.

Then the galloping beats fill the room and Adam bursts into tears, beaming at all of us.

“That’s her,” he says as I join my family and take Callie’s offered hand. “That’s our girl.”

“You’re so sure, Adam,” Haymitch says with a smile.

My son looks to me and then Callie, his dark eyes beaming with joy.

“Yes, I’m sure,” he says. “This family is made of strong women. It’s just meant to happen.”

++++++

Friday, October 31, 2036

Cresta Winery, Napa

“Do you remember when the kids were little and we always ended up competing over their costumes? I feel like we’re still doing that—just a lot more hardcore,” Annie says as we sit in their large kitchen, sipping wine aged the same year that Adam was born. She looks over at me. “Who are you supposed to be?”

I straighten the skirt of my red dress. “Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory—the trippy version from the 70’s, not the creepy Johnny Depp one.”

“Okay, I totally get Haymitch’s costume now,” Madge says as she places the plate of cheese in front of Annie and me. “He looks dashing with that top hat and purple blazer.”

Madge and Gale, along with Mason and Beatrice, drove down from Washington to both visit Hanna and to attend the Odairs Halloween Party. The Hawthornes are all dressed up as The Incredibles—Madge cuts a fine figure in the red skintight suit.

“You’re looking pretty good yourself,” I reply. “And, Bea and Mason are so tall! What the hell happened?”

“That’s all Gale.” Her eyes go to where Peeta—dressed as Gomez Addams—and Gale talk at the far end of the kitchen. “Did I tell you that they both got into Yale? It’s a freaking nightmare!”

Annie chuckles, taking a sip of her wine before adjusting her ornate crown. “Why is that?”

“Two kids going to an Ivy League school?” Madge shakes her head. “Yeah, that’s not going to put us in debt.”

“They’ll pay it back,” I assure her. “Or, they just live with you and Gale forever.”

“You’re no help at all, Miss Salt,” my friend retorts.

Once upon a time, I wouldn’t have been caught dead talking to Madge Hawthorne née Undersee. We never spoke in school and had nothing in common—except for Gale.

That, however, is all in the past.

“Mom, do you know where Adam is?” Callie walks into the room in her Violet Beauregarde costume, her swell looking very much as if she is at the beginning of becoming a blueberry—though we’d never tell her that. She’s been prone to crying lately with Haymitch and Adam having no idea how to deal with it. “He has my purse.”

“I’ll find him.”

Getting up, I make Callie take my seat. Annie and Madge are immediately at her side, making sure that she is comfortable. As I walk out into the entryway, Katniss is coming down the stairs trying to adjust her fitted black dress.

“Have you seen Adam, Morticia?” I ask her as she nearly stumbles on the last step. “Why in the world did you pick this outfit?”

“Because of us,” Adina interrupts as she joins us in her black dress with the white peter-pan collar, her long dark hair in two braids. Eddie follows in, wearing dark pants and a black and white striped shirt. “We wanted to do something that fit the whole family and I get to wear this wider-shaped dress to accommodate the little one.”

“I think he’s outside,” Eddie tells me.

I start towards the front door. “Thanks guys.”

“Come back in soon,” Katniss says. “We have some news.”

I nod before opening the door and stepping out.

“Everyone is waiting for you…” Adam is on the phone, pacing in the driveway in his long socks, lederhosen, and white collared shirt as Augustus Gloop. “This is the second time this week that you’ve worked late. What is going on with you?” There’s a pause. “That’s real nice. Fine—bye.”

Adam closes the phone and turns just as I step down the front steps.

“I bet you heard all of that,” Adam says shakily.

“I did—but I can pretend I didn’t,” I tell him. He tries to smile but I can see the strain in his gaze. “Couples fight.” I sit down on the porch bench and pat the empty side next to me. “Believe me, you’re not the first couple to have an argument out here.”

Adam sits next to me. “Who else?”

“Your Auntie Katniss and Uncle Peeta—when your Uncle found out about Adina,” I explain. Pointing to the window on the second floor of the house, I smile at my son remembering those hazy days. “Your Uncle Thresh and I watched them from through that window with Adina. Then Adina really gave it to her Dad—a real savage, that girl.”

“I guess she got it from you,” Adam replies before sighing. “I get that Simon has to work, but we haven’t had time to even sit down with one another and with the baby coming, I’m afraid that we’ll stop making time for one another.”

“That’s the thing about being partners; you have to make time to make your relationship work,” I try to explain. “It’s not easy, but it’s possible. A baby will change your relationship, but I hope that it works in both of your favors.” My hand reaches to Adam’s cheek; I see Haymitch in his set jaw and solemn eyes. “You’re going to be a wonderful father.”

“It’s only because of you and Dad,” my son says softly. “Thank you for supporting me.”

“Anytime.” I take a deep breath before giving him a smile. “We should go inside. Your Aunt Katniss has some news.”

Adam puts an arm around me and together we head back into the house. Everyone has gathered in the kitchen and Adam goes to check on Callie while I join Haymitch by the large island to the middle. He presses a kiss to my forehead before we look to where Katniss stands with Peeta in all their macabre glory. It’s a huge contrast to Finnick and Annie, who are dressed as Guinevere and Arthur.

Thresh, Teddy, and Olivia are dressed as The Mod Squad, decked out in their 70’s garb. I see my Thresh fussing over his daughter’s halter top, loose and connected by bits of string. Finally, Olivia turns to roll her eyes at him, urging him to pay attention.

The Hawthornes stand in line and I chuckle over how Gale stands in a superhero stance. Hanna’s arm is wrapped around her mother’s waist while Mason and Beatrice tower over their older sister and mother. The twins have inherited Gale’s height and coloring as Beatrice resembles Posy, Gale’s younger sister.

Adina and Eddie stand to one side, next to their parents. Gabe is trick-or-treating with a friend of his and will be sleeping over so they are sans their son tonight. Lurch and Grandma Addams or Cinna and Maggie both lean against one another, next to Finnick and Annie.

“Everyone!” Finnick calls out. “I just wanted to say thank you for making it out to our little party. It seems like we were all out here many years ago, dancing to Montell Jordan, and trying to get laid—”

“Wait, didn’t that happen last night?” Thresh shouts at him.

“Okay, so we did dance to Montell Jordan yesterday,” Finnick relents.

“And, I got laid,” I add.

“So did I,” Katniss responds with a shrug. “If we’re just being honest.”

There’s a collective groan from our kids.

“Anyway, before we all lose focus,” Annie continues for her husband. “Thank you for coming to our very first Halloween party as Grandparents—”

“Shut the fuck up!” Hanna looks to Maggie. “Cinna finally knocked you up?”

“They’re married,” Olivia states. “So it’s not really being knocked up.”

“Everyone be quiet!” Adina shouts out before beaming at her brother. “You’re going to be a Dad?”

“Yes.” Cinna’s hand goes to Maggie’s stomach and we all notice the small bump. “We didn’t want to steal your thunder, but we’re due about two weeks after your baby.”

And, suddenly the kitchen explodes with noise and a lot of crying—most of it from the guys.

++++++

“Simon and Adam were fighting.”

Haymitch closes the book he’s reading to look at me. “I’ve noticed.”

“Do you think we should step in?” I sit down on my side of the bed, facing him. “I mean, is it a good idea?”

“If you’re questioning it, then it probably isn’t,” he tells me. “They are a couple who is going through a lot of big changes. They need to figure this out on their own or they never will. Adam will come to us when he needs help.”

“God, I hate when you’re right,” I mutter before getting under our blanket. “Must you always be the teacher?”

Haymitch puts an arm around me and my head goes to his shoulder.

“I enjoyed being a teacher, I enjoyed being your teacher,” Haymitch says into my hair. “Because you were always learning and excited to do so. Then I fell in love with you and I no longer wanted to teach you. I wanted to learn with you, I wanted to learn how to be in a healthy relationship.”

“You consider us healthy?” I ask and he nods. “I guess after Maysilee and after Gale—we both had to learn how to work to keep this going.” I turn, resting my chin on his shoulder. “You happy?”

“Pretty happy,” he replies with an easy smile. “And, yourself?”

“Sure, why not?” Haymitch reaches to flick my nose. “Just joking, Grandpa.”

“We’re going to have find an alternative. I might cry if I hear that come out of our grandkid’s mouth.”

I lay down and Haymitch follows suit before I turn to face him, our legs entwining together instinctively. A sudden memory flashes in my mind and I guffaw in remembrance.

“Do you remember?” I shift slightly to press myself against him. “A Halloween long ago…when Adam was just born and we hadn’t been together in what felt like ages?”

My hand reaches along the waistband of his linen pajama bottoms, teasing my finger pads along taut muscle as Haymitch hisses at the contact.

“I remember.” He is already undoing my shirt, reaching to cup a full breast, and letting his thumb graze over a peaked nipple. “The night we conceived Callie.”

“Isn’t it wild?” I say in a tight voice, his hand now moving my panties off my hips. “And, now here we are.”

Then I am silent, my mouth covered in his kiss.

++++++

Sunday, December 21, 2036

The frantic knocking awakens both me and Haymitch. Sitting up, I look at the clock—2:15AM. There’s a feeling of dread quickly pooling in my stomach; nothing good happens after 2AM. I turn to Haymitch who is scrambling up from our bed and I stand up, throwing my robe on.

“Do you think it’s for the neighbors?” I ask. “The Kwons’ daughter is coming from Korea and could have mistaken our place for theirs.”

“No. They would’ve waited up for her if she was coming at this time,” Haymitch responds as he goes to our bedroom door and throws it open. I follow him down the stairs, looking to Callie’s room to make sure that she hasn’t gotten up. “Whoever it is though, is going to get an earful from me.”

I stop at the top step of the staircase since the phone is nearby and I may need to call the cops. There are a few bars near our place and it could be some drunky-monkey kid who can’t hold their liquor.

Instead when Haymitch answers the door, we find Adam in front of us.

“Hey Dad…Mom.” His eyes are red, teary, and he sounds like he’s swallowed rocks. “I forgot my key or I would’ve let myself in—”

“Doesn’t matter,” Haymitch says ushering him in. “What’s going on?”

“May I…may I stay for a while?” Adam suddenly asks. “Simon and I…we had a fight—”

He crumbles before us and Haymitch catches him, pulling him into his arms like he did as a boy. My hand reaches to caress the back of his head as I meet Haymitch’s eyes.

Over the last few months, there seemed to be some distance growing between the two. Simon hasn’t gone to many prenatal appointments and during family dinners, he’s put very little input about the baby—even small things like the color of the baby’s nursery.

“Of course, you can stay,” I tell him as we lead him into the living room. “What happened?”

Adam sits down and we cover his sides as he brushes away his tears. He takes a slow, shallow breath before looking to Haymitch then to me.

“We had a fight—” he begins. “—and it ended with him telling me that he’s not ready to be a father.”

“What the hell,” I find myself growling. “How could he do this?”

“When I asked him,” Adam continues. “He said that he didn’t think that it would happen so fast. We went to one appointment thinking that it would take a few tries. But we were lucky—it happened the first time. But, he didn’t think that...he said that since Callie found out about the baby, it’s been killing him inside.”

There’s a gasp and we look to find Callie in the doorway, her eyes brimming and her hands on her full stomach.

“This is my fault,” she says in a watery voice. “I ruined your marriage…” Callie looks down at her stomach. “We ruined your marriage.”

Adam stands up, shaking his head. “No, no…sis. You couldn’t ruin what was already falling apart.” They join us. “I wanted this baby too much—and he didn’t.”

“So what then?” Haymitch asks in a tight voice.

I can tell he is fuming—but so am I.

“I don’t know yet,” Adam responds. “I need to get my things from our place and make arrangements.”

Without even thinking, I’m standing up, grabbing my keys from the entryway table, and walking out of the house.

++++++

I bang my fist against the door, not caring that I’m bothering the whole floor of the complex.

No one messes with my kids.

The door opens hastily and I find Simon in front of me, his eyes tired and his glasses sitting askew on his face.

“I need to get Adam’s things.”

I push past him, shoving his side harshly. Heading towards the back part of their large apartment, I go into their hallway closet to pull out a duffle bag. Going into their bedroom, I head over to Adam’s dresser, knowing where his side of the room is. When they first moved in, Katniss and I helped pick out their furniture while Callie had put things away for her brother.

I open his drawers, stuffing everything I can into the bag, just barely aware of Simon standing in the doorway. I’m buzzing with anger—about an inch from going off—but I have to focus on getting my son’s belongings out of this place.

“Mom—”

I whip around, charging at him.

“Don’t you ‘Mom’ me, Simon! You broke my son’s heart. You’re abandoning your child. You don’t get the privilege of calling me ‘Mom’ anymore. Not when Adam is trying to figure out how he’s going to be single parent—”

“I never said that I didn’t want to be a parent,” he argues. “It’s all just happening so fast!”

“That’s life. A child is coming whether you get your head out your ass or not,” I say, my eyes blazing into him. I want him to hurt, to feel just an ounce of the burning anger that I feel inside. “You’re supposed to be a family, supposed to love one another.” I meet his chocolate eyes, feeling myself waver. “You know nothing about the dynamics of love or marriage.”

Simon’s jaw drops, words unable to come out before he bows his head. “I guess I don’t.”

Quickly, I return to Adam’s dresser, continuing to grab the rest of his clothes. I’ll have Katniss and the rest of the crew grab his things in the closet. My best friend knows where everything is—and she’ll keep the guys from kicking Simon’s ass.

“Is that everything for now?” I ask once I’ve zipped up the duffel bag.

Simon moves aside, his expression crestfallen. “I think Adam has some stuff in the nursery.”

I nod before crossing the hallway towards the nursery.

Switching on the light, I almost sag against the doorway looking at the half-painted room. Walking inside, I can see the remnants of their relationship, a mish-mash of excitement and wariness in its walls. I walk over to the painted side and pick up the copy of ‘What To Expect When You’re Expecting’. There are notes written inside, some in Adam’s print and some in Adina’s cursive.

I laugh dryly to myself when I see the copyright date: 1994, as well as the watermark for the public library.

Katniss borrowed it when she found out about Adina and never bothered to return it. Years and many kids later, it is now in my son’s hands so he can learn the basic of child rearing.

If only I could tell him that no book will ever prepare you for protecting your child from pain.

My eyes go to the crib, the one that Gale had built as a baby shower present to Haymitch and me and I pick up the stuffed duck. It was Adina then Cinna’s. He gave it to Adam when they were little kids—to protect him from the boogey-man.

Taking the worn duck, I let out a trembling breath before leaving the apartment with the slam of the door, not bothering to say goodbye to Simon.

I’m too angry.

I take that anger with me as I drive the fifteen-minute journey to my home.

It’s a relief seeing the house, the bottom floor dark though the lamp in my bedroom is lit. Carrying the duffle and the stuffed duck, I head back into the house and up the stairs.

When I reach the top, the door to the bedroom opens and Haymitch meets my tired gaze. Wordlessly, he takes the duffle from my grasp.

“How are the kids?” I ask.

“See for yourself,” he tells me before ushering me into the room.

Adam and Callie are asleep on our bed, both snoring. Callie rests to the side, cradling my pillow since Portia told her she couldn’t sleep on her back because it would restrict blood flow to the baby. Adam snoozes with his arms behind his head— how he used to sleep as a child.

“They really aren’t children anymore,” I find myself saying to Haymitch.

“No. Judging by the size of Callie’s stomach, they’re definitely grown-ups.” Haymitch walks over to me. “How did it go?”

I turn to him, ready to go off about Simon and our conversation.

Instead, I cry, still clinging to that little stuffed duck.

++++++

Wednesday, January 14, 2037

San Francisco General Hospital

“We’re getting there,” Portia says as we look at the monitor. “Baby is nice and big. Have you been getting enough iron and protein?”

“Do quarter-pounders count?” Callie jokes from where she rests on the exam table.

“Yeah, they’re like a staple for dinner,” Adam adds with a smile.

“Your children aren’t very much into haute cuisine,” Portia says to me and Haymitch.

“Well, they were raised to eat whatever we had around us,” Haymitch recalls. “When we were traveling, Adam and Callie just ate what they were given in whatever village we were staying in.”

“Their stomachs are made of iron,” I add proudly.

“But since you are in the vicinity of grocery stores, I would suggest more fruits and vegetables,” Portia informs us. “Chicken breast, any lean meats…” Her eyes go to the monitor once more as she finishes her measurements. “Have you been counting kicks?”

Callie nods. “I have—I get a lot of nice punching and kicking from my niece or nephew.” She looks at her belly. “I better be your favorite. Even if your Aunt Maggie owns a winery. You lived inside me.”

There’s a knock on the door and a young man peeks inside, giving us a bright smile.

“Come on in, Alex” Portia calls out. “Everyone, this is Doctor Alex Strom, one of our new residents in the obstetrics department—and my nephew. Alex, this the Abernathy family—Haymitch, Johanna, Adam, and of course—Callie.”

“Nice to meet you all,” Alex says. “Feel free to call me Alex. I’m not quite ready to be deemed a doctor yet.”

Alex is tall with golden skin and a square-chin. The shadow of a beard along his jawline and the dark circles under his eyes indicate that he’s been up for a while. Though he is young, there is an astuteness in his gaze.

“So, do you just like staring at vaginas?” Callie asks bluntly.

Alex looks to her, flustered in his stare. “Huh?”

“I’m feeling a lot more confident about having him in the vicinity of my lady parts,” our daughter says sardonically.

The good doctor recovers quickly. “I am perfectly capable. I’m actually planning to go into pediatrics, but have been working at Stanford with Dr. Cato—”

“I went to school with Cato so I think you’ll do just fine,” I interrupt.

“He mentioned a Dr. Johanna Mason…” Alex starts. “But, he also mentioned something about a keg party where Dr. Mason punched out some podiatrist.”

“Bitch had it coming,” I retort. “She took the book I needed for my thesis.”

“So Alex will be helping me with some of my patients,” Portia informs us. “That will also include you kind folks.”

Alex looks between Adam and Callie. “First kid for you two?”

Callie snorts. “Adam is my brother!”

The young doctor flushes. “Oh, good—I mean…okay.”

“But, this is his baby,” our daughter finishes.

Alex tilts his head at her. “That’s weird.”

“Trust me.” Adam chuckles at the man. “That’s not even the weirdest part of our family.”

++++++

Saturday, February 14, 2037

The whimper comes from Callie’s room as I get ready for dinner. Haymitch insisted on taking me out and Adam insisted that it was on him. He feels guilty that he and Callie are currently squatting in our house.

However, Haymitch and I enjoy our time with our children, knowing that soon enough Adam will be moving out when he finds another apartment.

Knocking against her doorway, I find my daughter sitting on her bed watching that movie where Julia Stiles falls in love with a prince. She has a carton of ice cream on one side of her bed and a bag of potato chips in the other.

“Hey,” I greet lightly. “What’s going on?”

Callie gives me a smile which quickly crumbles into another sob. “I’m just freaking out!”

Quickly, I go to her side to take the carton of ice cream and the bag of chips.

“First, let’s put all the junk food away…” Then I sit down next to her. “…and let’s talk about the waterworks.”

“I’m scared, Mom,” Callie tells me bluntly. “Adam took me to my Lamaze class and they screened this video about childbirth. Shit—it’s scary.” She turns to me. “Why would you do that to your vagina? Does it even feel the same after?”

“Obviously, it felt good enough for your father to impregnate me while I was still breastfeeding Adam,” I tell her.

“Oh God…gross.” She blanches at my words. “Also, what if it is hard for me to give up the baby? And, will anyone ever want me after all of this?”

“You know that your brother wants you to be involved,” I say. “Even before all this stuff with Simon, they wanted you to be part of their child’s life. That’s not going to change.”

There’s a knock on the doorway and Haymitch along with Adam step in.

“Cal, Mom is right,” Adam tells her. “I want you to be there for the baby. You’re her Aunt and the woman who gave birth to her. It’s important to me…you’re my best friend.”

Callie chuckles wetly. “God, that’s sad.”

“Also, a real man is going to admire you for what you’re doing, sweetheart. Don’t sell yourself short,” Haymitch says to her. He suddenly looks to me in my little black dress and winks. “You look pretty.”

“Thanks.” I eye him in his navy blazer, white button-down, and dark slacks. “You’re looking pretty good yourself.”

“Yuck,” Callie grouses. “No wonder you got pregnant so fast after Adam. But really, I hope I have what you have one day.”

“Ditto,” Adam agrees.

He stops for a moment and I squeeze his arm. He hasn’t spoken to Simon since December. Neither has made any moves on separation paperwork, either.

“I was working on something for the baby,” he suddenly says. Getting up, Adam steps out into the hallway and returns with a guitar. “I was reading that it would help calm the baby if she knew my voice. It’s going to just be us during those sleepless nights.” He turns to Haymitch. “Dad actually helped find the song.”

I look to Haymitch. “Are you singing, too?”

“Why don’t you just wait?” he counters.

Adam places his fingers on the strings, testing out the guitar’s tuning. He softly counts down before strumming the gentle tune and then nodding at his father.

“April, come she will, When streams are ripe and swelled with rain…”

I remember the song as Haymitch has been humming it for the last few weeks. So I’m not that surprised when he begins to sing along.

“May, she will stay, Resting in my arms again…”

I take his hand as he and Adam continue their sweet lullaby for our grandchild.

“June, she'll change her tune. In restless walks she'll prowl the night…”

I look to find Callie’s eyes fluttering closed, her hands protectively atop her belly. My free hand reaches to tuck a long tendril of her hair behind her ear.

“The autumn winds blow chilly and cold. September, I'll remember. A love once new has now grown old…”

Adam rests his guitar on the bed before looking to Haymitch and me. There is a calmness in his gaze; our boy is anchored by his music and I hope that the baby inside Callie inherits his musical nature.

“You two will be late for dinner,” he says. “Don’t worry. I’ll watch her.”

“You sure?” I ask and he nods. “Well, alright.”

“Come along,” Haymitch says, offering his hand to me. “I have a whole plan of wining and dining you.”

“Oh yeah?” I raise a brow as I take his hand. “I’m intrigued and slightly turned on.”

“Before this gets a little too freak-nasty.” Adam stands up and hands Haymitch a pair of keys. “I thought you’d want these.”

“The keys to our cabin?” I ask.

“There is a private car out there ready to take you to dinner,” our son says. “After dinner, it will take you to the airport where you will fly to Oregon. There will be a rental car waiting for you at PDX. This is our Valentine’s present to you both. Callie and I thought you could use some time alone.”

“Damn son—that’s about the nicest thing you both could have done,” Haymitch says gruffly.

I hug Adam, giving him a kiss on the forehead.

“Thank you, babe. Thank your sister when she wakes up.”

When we’re in the car, I put my head on his shoulder.

“What are you thinking?” he asks into my ear.

I smile to myself before replying,

“We have the good kids.”

++++++

Tuesday, March 31, 2037, 7:00pm

It happens quite suddenly.

Callie places the book that she’s reading down. “Mom?”

I’m looking over a study that Cato sent me. “Yeah?”

“My water broke.”

My eyes shoot over to her. “You sure?”

“That or I pissed myself,” she retorts.

“Adam! Haymitch!” I call out. “It’s go time!”

++++++

San Francisco General Hospital, 8:00pm

“Are you comfortable?” Adam asks his sister as we all settle into Callie’s room. “Do you need anything?”

“I’m fine,” Callie assures him. “Did you bring my bag?”

“I got it, sweetheart,” Haymitch says. “I put it in the closet.”

There’s a knock on the door and I’m surprised to find Alex stepping in. “Hello, Abernathys!”

“Hey!” I give him a smile. “What are you doing here?”

“Portia is checking on two of her other patients,” he explains. “Then she’ll check in with you.” Going to the fetal monitor next to Callie’s bed, Alex looks over the printout before looking to our daughter. “How far apart are the contractions?”

“Uh…five minutes?” she replies. “I don’t know, really. Kind of spaced out during the classes.”

Alex grins at her. “It’s fine. I’ll let Portia know and then after her examination just let me know if you need anything for the pain. Something tells me that you have some time.”

“Give me the drugs,” she tells him firmly. “I will totally fall in love with you if you do.”

“Is that all it takes?” Alex replies, his gaze warm.

“Depends.” Callie sits back, her hands going to her full belly. “What else do you have?”

“Are you seriously making a pass at my sister while she’s having my kid?” Adam asks with an amused grin. “You going to propose while she’s crowning?”

“I think that’s your signal to leave,” I tell him. “Let me walk you out.” Everyone says goodbye and I follow Alex outside before putting a hand to his shoulder to stop him. “So have many babies have you delivered?”

“If I count your grandchild…531,” Alex informs me. “I know that doesn’t seem like a lot, but Cato and Portia have trained me well. If you’re not comfortable, I can tell Portia and we can have someone else come in. She has faith in me and I want you to, as well. It’s a very busy night. We have another family whose having two grandchildren on the same night—”

“Jo-Jo?”

I turn to see Katniss in the hallway.

“What the damn hell?” I cry out. “What are you doing here?”

“Adina and Maggie—both in labor,” she explains tiredly. “We were expecting Adina about a week ago, but then nothing happened, then Maggie started having pains during dinner and while we were checking her in, Adina’s water broke. What happened?”

I point to the door next to me. “Callie is in there.”

“Holy shit,” my best friend breathes out.

I let out a laugh. “You read my mind.”

++++++

10:00pm

“It’s really starting to hurt now…” Callie lets out a slow exhale. She looks to Portia, who is just finishing up an exam. “I’d like an epidural now.”

“I’ve called the anesthesiologist and he’s just finishing up with some of my other patients,” Portia says to her. “In the meantime, you are doing great—about halfway there.”

“Wow, really?” Adam says from his seat next to Callie. “That fast?”

Haymitch sees him faltering. “You okay there, son?”

“Yeah.” Adam nods uneasily. “I’m not freaking out at all…”

“You know it’s going to be okay, right?” Callie assures him as her contraction ebbs. “We’re all here for you and the baby.”

“I know,” he replies. “It’s just…” His eyes close for a moment before he shakes his head. “Never mind.”

My eyes go to my husband, communicating what I think is bothering Adam.

Haymitch nods and I step outside to make a phone call.

++++++

11:45pm

“I forgot how long this can take,” Katniss says to me. “Adina is actually ahead of all of them, though.”

“Isn’t it weird?” Annie adds. “If they all deliver after midnight, our grandkids will all have the same birthday.”

We’re all resting back against the wall next to Callie’s room, each of us in scrubs and awaiting the impending births of our grandkids.

“That’s going to be one hell of a birthday party,” I reply. “I can’t believe my daughter is in there about give birth to my son’s kid. How do you explain that to people?”

“This is the Bay Area,” Annie assures me. “Your situation is not that uncommon.”

“Katniss!” Peeta is running down the hallway towards us. He looks to me in confusion. “Am I missing something?”

“Oh, I forgot to mention—Callie is in labor, too,” Katniss explains to her husband.

Peeta grins, giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Far out.” He turns to his wife. “Adina is just about ready.”

“Annie!” Finnick is waving to us, camera in his hand. “Mags is ready to blow!” He looks to me and winks. “Callie, right?” I nod and he lets out a laugh. “Something is in the air tonight.”

The door next to me opens and Haymitch sticks his head out. “Alex says that Callie is all set to go.” He gives everyone a wave. “Hey everyone.”

Everyone greets Haymitch before heading over to their rooms.

“You ready?” My husband asks me.

I give him a nervous smile. “Sure.”

++++++

Wednesday, April 1, 2037, 12:20am

“Okay, Callie…bear down!” Alex instructs from where he stands in front of Callie. “1…2…3…4…5—”

Callie stops, letting out a sweaty breath. “It’s too hard!” She looks to him, her eyes watering and her voice at a sharp pitch. “I want more drugs!”

“It’s too late for that,” Alex says simply. “You just have to do it the all-natural way. Push through the pain.”

Callie groans in irritation, resting her head against me as I hold her hand. On the opposite side, Adam holds her other hand with Haymitch next to him, keeping him from falling over. There have been some pretty close calls, especially when Alex checked out how dilated our daughter was and Adam caught a full-frontal.

Because Adina is more of a high-risk, Portia is with her as she delivers my best friend’s second granddaughter—Maggie delivered just ten minutes before her, right at midnight.

However, Alex has earned our children’s trust, easily melding into our crazy clan.

“Mommy, this hurts!” Callie whines. “Make it stop!”

“I can’t, Callie,” I inform her calmly. “You’re just going to have to push for the pain to stop. I know you’re tired, babe, but we’re so close.”

“Callie, this next one is a biggie,” Alex calls out, his voice muffled from behind his face mask. “Okay…push!”

I watch Callie push, her chin to her chest, and her eyes scrunching closed. Next to her, Adam watches in concentration as his sister grips his hand.

“Head is out,” Alex tells her.

“Ow…” Callie groans. “I really felt that!” Her eyes go to Alex desperately. “Can you just pull it out?”

“It’s not as simple as it sounds,” he responds easily. “You can do it, Callie. You’ve gotten this far.”

“He’s right, sweetheart,” Haymitch urges her. “Like everything you’ve set your mind to, you’re going to do this—and successfully.”

“Come on, Cal,” Adam tells her. “You’re so strong. Just a bit more.”

Then Callie looks to me and for a split second, I don’t see her as a sweaty woman in labor, but as the little girl in the cerulean dress that she always loved to wear.

“Mommy?”

I blink and she is back as she was.

Pressing a kiss to her damp brow, I give her hand a squeeze.

“I’m right here, baby,” I say in a thick voice. “Just concentrate.”

With a deep breath, Callie nods before looking forward and pressing through.

The room fills with a buzzing silence and Alex’s voice muffles as he encourages Callie to continue. Time seems to stand on end as we watch Callie go through this final contraction.

The shrill cry cuts through the still air of the room.

Alex holds up the squalling baby for all of us to see. “It’s a girl!”

“I knew it!” Adam sobs before reaching to kiss the top of Callie’s head. She tiredly rests her head against him. “Thank you…thank you…”

Callie is crying in relief, watching as Alex suctions the baby’s mouth. Haymitch wipes his eyes quickly before his eyes meet mine and he mouths that he loves me.

Alex ushers Adam over to cut the umbilical cord Haymitch goes to give our daughter a kiss.

“You did so well, Callie,” Haymitch tells her in a rough voice. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too,” Callie responds in exhaustion. Sitting back, she grins tiredly at me. “Mom…did I do good?”

“You were perfect.” I don’t even realize that I’m crying until the words come out of my mouth. “You did so well, Callie, and I’m so proud of you.” I look to where Adam is holding his now-swaddled daughter and our eyes meet. “I’m proud of you both.”

Adam quickly goes to us. “Look.”

My granddaughter’s hair is a thick raven-black, and I can see Simon’s almond-shaped eyes as well as his tanned skin. The sprinkle of light freckles is from Callie as well as her full peach lips.

She is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

“Mom, do you want to hold her?” Adam asks me carefully.

I nod, too choked up to speak and he heads over to me to place the pink bundle in my arms. Leaning down, I take a deep inhale smelling the sweet scent of baby—that distinctive smell of new life and hope.

“Adam wanted me to come up with a name,” Callie croaks out tiredly. “But, I think that you should.”

“Why?” I ask them.

“Because having all of this happen just made us realize how special it is to give life,” Adam answers for his sister. “You gave us life—and, you are the best mom.”

“I couldn’t ask for better kids,” I reply as Haymitch goes to my side, putting an arm around my shoulders. He gazes down at our first granddaughter as I stare at that sweet face. “We got a good one, first-time around, didn’t we?”

Haymitch pulls me closer to his side. “So what’s her name?”

“Middle name is Clio—for her great-grandmother.”

My husband presses a quick kiss to my lips before looking adoringly at the little girl.

In the back of my mind, I hear Adam and Haymitch singing her lullaby.

I know her name instantly.

“First name is April.”

“I like it,” Adam declares.

“April Clio Abernathy,” Callie sounds out. “Good choice.”

There is a knock on the door.

It could be Katniss coming in to show us pictures of Adina’s daughter, Imogen. Or even Annie, with pictures of Diana, her first grandchild.

Or, maybe it’s Simon—I left him a voicemail. I remember Peeta’s pain over not knowing his daughter for most of her life and tonight, I saw the regret in my son’s eyes over his partner not being there.

April’s father should be here, too—if he wants to be.

However, in the end, the only person who matters is the tiny bundle sleeping my arms with that bit of my smirk on her tiny lips.

Leaning down, I press a kiss to her forehead and introduce myself.

“Hi April. I’m your grandmother.”

FIN.

Notes:

“Lola” is one of the names used for grandmother in Tagalog, I use “Nanang” for my Grandmother, but there is also “Inang”.

Mary Kat Letourneau is a former teacher who went to jail for having relationship with her student, Vili Fualaau, who was twelve at the time. She was incarcerated between 1998 and 2004 and during that time gave birth to two daughters by Fualaau. In 2005, they were married.

Phoebe Buffay is a character on the TV show Friends and is played by Lisa Kudrow. Her character actually has her brother’s baby using his wife’s egg and his sperm, thus the similarities between the character and Callie.

Anyone recognized the stuffed duck, it was in the Again outtake, “September”.

The movie that Callie is watching during her freak-out is ‘The Prince and Me’.

PDX is the shortened version of Portland International Airport. It’s been mentioned in another drabble but Haymitch owns a cabin on the coast of Oregon.

The last part of this story pays homage to two of my favorite movies, ‘Nine Months’ (1995) and ‘Father of the Bride, Part II’ (1995) as the ends of these movies feature multiple births between friends/family happening at the same time.

I should mention also—Haymitch and Johanna are not actually married. They’ve just been together so long that it’s gone common-law and they pretty much consider themselves lifers.

The ending is very open-ended as I wanted readers to come up with their own conclusions to Adam and Simon’s relation.

Also, there is another ship that I have started…I’d like to tell you that it progresses much slower, but very nicely.

Songs: “April Come She Will”-Simon and Garfunkel

Thank you for reading!

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