Effie was surprised when she realized that the weather was getting slightly warmer. Had it been that long already?

How many months had they had Rosie home?

Time seemed to just slip by and though Spring was still some time off, the first signs of it were starting to show and, not only that, but Rosie was growing by the day. She was able to hold up her head and push herself around on the floor when Effie laid down a blanket for her. She was curious about everything - which of course meant that someone needed to be on watch at all times.

Haymitch was starting to come round - or at least understand that the kid wouldn't break in his arms. Though, it did surprise Effie so much when he picked up Rosie for the first time and held her naturally that she dropped the plate she was holding and broke it.

Katniss thought Haymitch slow understanding was brought about by Faxon and Linus. Faxon kept his distance, but Linus was constantly asking questions - he was getting more and more talkative they all realized - and poking at the baby. Haymitch had no choice but to pick Rosie up from time to time. It was probably when that started happening he realized that, while he was strong, he wasn't accidentally going to snap Rosie in two just by lifting her.

"Do either of the Grennings know you're here?" Haymitch asked while burping Rosie. Effie had gone into town - though Haymitch knew she wouldn't be gone long. Longer than before though - he had to somehow manage to be independent with Rosie.

"No," Faxon said, helping Linus to reach a glass in the cupboard, which he then helped him fill with water from the sink. "But Mr. Grenning's been talkin' about us going to Eleven for the summer again. Mrs. Grenning doesn't know and they've been fighting all morning."

"What did you do over the summer?"

"Work," said Faxon. "My fingers started swelling 'cause of the needles on some of the plants. Mr. Grenning said that I had to tough it up so I did. Says they'll start taking Linus when he's old enough. He'll cut off his hair like he cut off mine."

"He cut off yours 'cause it was green," Haymitch said.

"I don't care why he did it. But it hurts 'cause he holds the scissors real close."

"Did she burp yet, Mr. Abernathy?" Linus asked, now trailing behind Haymitch, watching Rosie over his shoulder.

"Did you hear anything?" Haymitch asked.

"No."

"Then probably not. She burps like her father. You'll be sure to hear it."

Effie put the fresh milk in the fridge then shut the door, crossing her arms and leaning against it. "Well it'll be a couple of years until he brings Linus, surely."

"What about Faxon?"

Both were keeping their voices down - Rosie was sleeping.

"How do we cautiously ask to keep him here? You said it was already a very sore spot that the boys liked to sneak over."

"I've got them to agree to stop doin' it since it is creating bad blood. Mrs. Grenning was nice enough about Linus, but I'm getting a weird feeling about Faxon."

"Why do you say so?"

"She's usually talkative and when I made sure the boys went back today she was … short. As if she didn't want to talk."

"That isn't like her. True." Effie uncrossed her arms. "Well it is a terrible situation if you think about it. They're the ones who adopted the boys and its clear the two have shown their preference, though, to be here. And we've done nothing to discourage it. We've actually blatantly encouraged it for their own good - but now I'm beginning to think that it's become a bit harmful."

"So we turn 'em out?"

"No - no, not at all. That's not what I meant. I suppose … we tread a little more carefully. We know why Mr. Grenning wanted to take them in but as far as we know Mrs. Grenning did it out of kindness. And unless we know otherwise, it isn't fair to try stealing favor."

"We're hardly having to try."

"We at least need to enforce that Mrs. Grenning is a good woman more than we do now."

"You think it'll fix the situation?"

"I don't think much will fix the situation entirely. But we can do our best to make it better any way we can."