(Tobias' point of view)

My heart beats faster as I leave the hospital. I know I shouldn't have left Tris there all by herself but I feel like punching something. And if I stayed there any longer, it may have been her...

I don't know how long I've been walking, or where I'm going; all I care about is getting as far away from the bright lights of the hospital as possible. I promise myself I will go back to the apartment when I'm ready. I just don't know when, if ever, that will be...

After walking for a while, I start thinking of what Tris is going through right now. I shouldn't have left her there. As soon as I think that, a deep aching worry washes over me. She feels alone. For the moment, she is alone...

I reach into my pocket and pull out a small box. Inside, tucked away in a little pillow is a ring that I got while I was walking. I realize how stupid it is that an entire promise is held on something so small, so...fragile. Its so hard to think about Tris and I getting married, but the more I struggle with it, the more it makes sense. I will never love anyone but her, so why not tell her? Why not tell the world?

I barely realize where my feet are taking me until I end up back at the apartment.

[page break]

Am I sure I want to make this commitment so soon in my life? Well, I guess it's not so soon in Dauntless standards. And it wouldn't be good for the child to be raised by parents that aren't even married.

But what if she says no? What if she's not ready to make this commitment? I wouldn't blame her, I don't even know if I'm ready to make such a big commitment.

I finally decide to be brave, to walk in the apartment, to pretend this fear doesn't exist, just like all my other fears.

I walk into the room, just to see the heartbreaking sight of Tris sitting on the couch crying. When she see's me, she calms down a bit, but the tears still stream down her face.

"I thought you left me," she says quietly.

I was so caught up worrying about proposing that I forgot about how I just left Tris sitting there in the hospital. She must have felt so alone. "Tris, you need to understand that I would never do that. I would never leave you, I love you too much." I say.

"I love you too Tobias," she responds, "but... what are we gonna do? I just don't know... I'm only 18 Tobias! I never thought this would happen!"

"I know how you feel, but this is something that we are going to do together, no matter what happens. This is our kid, and we'll get through it. No matter what, we'll work it out, together. It'll be okay." I say reassuringly, though I don't know if I can promise that. Tris is so strong, I will always think that, but I honestly don't know how this is going to work out. Tris will be an amazing parent, but what about me? She's right, we still are young, maybe too young, but a marriage proposal isn't going to help things out right now. It will only make things more scary and confusing... for her, and for me.

No, I'm not going to let my doubts get in the way. This is right, this is the right thing to do. I didn't realize it, but my mind has been made up since I found out she was pregnant. A new emotion has obscured all the doubt, fear, and anxiety: love.

"Tris I know how hard this is for you, but none of this will never get in the way of my love for you. I love you so much."

I slowly get down on one knee and pull out the ring from my pocket.