CHAPTER SEVEN
THANK YOU: Thank you all for your reviews, follows, favs and PMs, they really mean a lot to me and I'm so glad a lot of people seem to like this story! Thank you!
WARNINGS: *Divergent AU modern days* *A bit of a slow burn* *Characters may be OOC*
DISCLAIMER: I don't own The Divergent Trilogy
The sound of the key in the front door keyhole brought a little confusion in the kitchen where - until the moment Lauren arrived - Emily, James, Tobias and Tris were enjoying a late snack sat around the table by the window admiring the red, orange and yellow leaves dancing in the wind creating little colorful vortexes in the beautiful garden while sipping some fruity hot tea and devouring the cinnamon orange cookies they had prepared and baked once back home after school.
It was a Friday afternoon - an exact week had passed since 'Uncle Toby''s return - and since both Emily and James had absolutely nothing to do - no homework, no music lesson, no soccer training - and it was really cold outside Tris had had to improvise something, walking home holding the kids hands they had passed in front of a supermarket and this amazing idea had hit her, James and Emily's reaction to the proposal to bake a cake or some biscuits had been priceless and the decision had been quickly taken: that afternoon they would have cooked.
The doorbell had rung while they were still in the middle of preparing the dough and when Tris had opened the door Tobias had come face to face with quite a cute and adorable sight: his nephew and niece were wearing their small aprons and their hands were covered in pale orange mixture but what he could not look away from was the kids' nanny, her shy and sheepish smile, her flushed cheeks that were both red in embarrassment and white in flour, her perfect teeth nibbling at her lower lip and the cute tip of nose covered in the white thin powder. He had found himself physically unable to tear his gaze away for a moment, the girl in front of him appearing more and more beautiful and desiderable with each day and they had already met six times...yeah because since his return from New York he had been hanging out at his sister's place every single day and Emily and Jason hadn't been the only reason of his assiduous visits, not that they minded.
At first coming face to face with Tobias had been hugely embarrassing and awkward for Tris who was well aware of her condition but she had soon shaken her head and taken a deep breath in order to calm down and make her heart beat slower, fighting the effects he seemed to always have on her. Stupid Tris, back on track.
This way, barely giving him time to take his coat and shoes off, Tobias had been recruited to help them in the cooking process, quite a funny and hilarious show if you consider that he had come to Lauren's directly from his office so he was wearing his work clothes: smart pants and a white shirt that had immediately ended up covered in dough and crumbs, he hadn't seemed to care about it and had even taken part in a flour fight with the kids driving Tris crazy at first but then she hadn't had any choice but to join the battle as well, the kitchen soon transformed into a total mess that had taken almost half an hour to be cleaned up while the cookies were already in the oven.
They had had so much fun cooking, both Tris and Tobias had acted as carefree silly and unworried children themselves for a couple of hours, their laughter echoing throughout the whole house, Emily and James overjoyed and thrilled. But it had also been quite a tiring and laborious activity that had left them all quite spent so a relaxing and well-deserved break had followed the preparation, the baking and cleaning up process.
They were in fact enjoying a hot cup of tea and their delicious cookies when, surprisingly earlier than usual - the clock hands still pointing to 5.20 p.m. - Lauren arrived back home, Emily and James happily rushing towards the hallway to greet her with a hug, loud noises and screams, the words 'cookies', 'baking' and 'flour' the only things Lauren understood of all that din.
"W-What happened? Are you okay?" at Lauren question the two kids just started screaming and interrupting one another all over again, their mum even more confused than before "Quiet" her loud voice higher than Emily and James' managing to calm them down a little bit, in that exact moment Tris appeared form the kitchen door smiling at the two excited and jumping creatures and their mother.
"Hi"
"Hi Tris, what happ -" Lauren's voice - now more polite and kind - didn't finish the sentence as her brother emerged from the room as well, following the kid's nanny, his eyes smiling as well as his lips "Tobias, hi. Here again? You've been visiting everyday" she says chuckling but taken a little aback to see him there, it was not like they were not used to him hanging out at their place quite often but 'everyday' really meant 'every single day' "Trying to make it up for when you were in New York?" her tone held everything but accusation and Tobias scratch the back of his neck slightly before mumbling something like "Kind of" not really wanting to give away the other part of the reason, still fighting internally against his inexplicable strong attraction to Tris before adding "You want a cookie? We've baked some" in an awkwards - and not unnoticed by Lauren - attempt to change the topic, his sister smiled quite knowing at him but dropping it anyway.
"Cookies? You've made cookies?" she said in a light and surprised tone looking down at her son and daughter before asking further details they happily and excitedly shared before dragging her to the kitchen to show her and for Lauren to try them, the two kids feeling really proud of themselves when their mother exclaimed "Delicious, they're amazing. Titches they're super yummy" before taking and biting a second biscuit, Emily clapping her small soft hands in joy and James wearing a pleased expression on his face looking extremely cute with his round glasses and smug smile before running to the table, collecting their cups and cautiously carrying them in the dining room where some of their toys were abandoned on the big wooden table to start playing while sipping some of the hot fruity tea.
"One second, Tris?" Lauren stopped mid eating a cookie covering her half full mouth with her left hand, the right one holding a nibbled biscuit "You got Tobias to help you?" her tone incomprehensible, a mix between incredulous and slightly accusing Tris couldn't really understand, she had no idea where Lauren was getting at. Her confused expression must had given away her total confusion and this caused Lauren to start laughing hard glancing between the poor nanny and her own brother who apparently got what she was referring and hinting at since his face turned from relaxed and smiley to horrified in a matter or seconds.
"Lauren" Tobias' glare was intimidating and his deep voice was now quite threatening, Tris could tell even if she was facing his sister and he was standing tall behind her "Lauren don't you dare" Lauren's laughter was unstoppable and it took almost a couple of minutes for her to finally calm down, tears in her eyes. In the meantime the poor uninformed nanny who still had no idea what was going on kept on shifting her eyes from Tobais to Lauren and vice versa, looking for an explanation since she was for sure confused.
"I have to tell you this" Lauren started after taking a deep breath still shaking with chuckle.
"Lauren!" Tobias stern and slightly embarrassed tone interrupted her but it didn't seem to bother her as she didn't change her mind "I'm sorry little brother" - yeah he actually said 'little brother' at what Tris couldn't help but throw Tobias an amused smile - "I have to tell her this. At least to prevent it from happening again, I don't want my house burnt down" Tris, who finally seemed to have understood what had previously happened or at least she had a clearer idea about what was going on, couldn't help but tease him "Tobias what have you done?" his cheeks were flushed and Tris let herself enjoying his awkward cuteness for a second before cussing at herself.
"It was nothing, it was an acc-"
"Nothing? You're kidding right? He almost set our house on fire trying to bake a cake once. How old were you? Twenty? Well he didn't really know how to turn the beep off and he ended up rotating the temperature know the wrong direction, let's just say he obviously burnt the cake and he was close to burning down the whole house as well. The firemen had to come and we were taken to the hospital where they run tests on us to make sure we were okay" while Lauren was talking Tris face turned from shock to hilarity then to worry and finally concern but she soon burst into laughter at the sight of Tobias' face that was now on fire but with embarrassment.
"You" laughter "Your really did that?" laughter.
"It was an accident" was the only thing he managed to say at his discoulp once again scratching the back of his neck.
"Well Thank God I set and turned off the oven myself this time" Tris said laughing and evoking a deep chuckle from him as well, most of his embarrassment dissolving as he actually admitted to himself that had been quite a memorable accident and his sister kind of had the right to tease him, the amusement in Tris' sparkling eyes making him feel slightly better. Sure he hadn't really done a great impression but he had made her laugh, and women like men who can make them laugh, right?
"Okay, I'll admit I was quite a troublemaker while growing up" he said with another chuckle thinking back at some of his biggest mischiefs.
"Oh really? I want to hear some of them" Tris couldn't help but chime in, intrigued by anything related to the man standing now beside her, leaning against the door jamb.
"Tobias, don't you dare sharing them in front of Emily or James, they do not need to improve their troublemaking-ness. Do it and I'll-"
"Mommy you called me?" Emily's high pitched voice interrupting that 'adult conversation' as they moved to the livingroom finding the two kids playing with dolls and plastic dinosaurs looking happy.
"No little princess, don't worry" her uncle reassured her, his tone clearly softer and sweeter as he took a couple of steps until he was right behind her, his hands going to her golden locks as Tris glanced at the wall clock - six p.m. almost time to-
"Yeah Tris, you can go now, you've done quite enough this afternoon and I'm sure you could enjoy some rest or a night out or whatever. Thank you for the cookies and for watching them of course" she said nodding towards her son and daughter.
"No problem, really. It was extremely fun. Thank you, I'll see you on Monday"
"Sure, thank you again and have a nice evening" Tris lips smiled kindly in response.
"I'll go as well, I still have some paperwork and stuff to do" Tobias said kissing her niece and nephew goodbye before hugging his sister "I'll see you on Sunday?" asking her just to make sure she still remembered about their plans and their family lunch at their parents' as he headed towards the doorway collecting his things and handing Tris her jacket before opening the door "Bye" they both screamed at the same time, their faced directed towards the inside, as he hold the wooden door open for her to step out before - as a real gentleman! - earning a knowing smile from Lauren who couldn't wait to start and tease him about his not so well hidden interest even if she didn't really know how she felt about it and how he felt about her, anyway she had always loved teasing her brother.
"Well then… bye" Tris started once hopped down the small steps
"I'll see you on Monday" stupid stupid stupid why are you assuming you'll see her on Monday? Tobias cursed at himself "I mean...next week...or whenever..."
"Well I'll be here on Monday" Tris chucked at his rambling trying not to get lost in his dark deep eyes, always so captivating and sensual - Tris don't you dare, don't stare - and managing to make him laugh as well, he couldn't remember laughing so hard and often and he was sure he had never felt this embarrassed and awkward in years and years, he was a successful thirty-year old businessman for God's sake, not a teen dealing with his first immature crush.
Wait. Crush? Tobias scowled at himself, who had ever mentioned having a crush on Tris? A crush? That was what was 'wrong' with him? He had a crush on her?
Better shaking that thought away and trying to pretend it had never crossed his mind, pretend everything was normal with Tris even if deep inside his inner voice persisted in arousing doubts in his mind and he was unable to shut it up.
"Okay, I'll see you then. Have a nice evening and weekend. Uh and thank you for today, it's been fun and the little titches loved it" He said taking his car keys out of his coat pocket, a 'beep' announcing his vehicle's doors were now unlocked, and smiling at her
"Totally fun, we have to do it again some times" at his happy nod she finished wrapping her scarf around her neck and headed towards her home after giving him a last smile and wishing him 'a good night and a great Saturday and Sunday as well', it would have taken her about twenty minutes but she enjoyed that chill air that made her feel alive, luckily the wind had calmed down and it was no longer quite freezing outside, anyway at home she would have prepared another tea or infusion, it was the right season: Autumn had officially started and one thing Tris loved about it, apart for the colorful leaves and the breathtaking red and orange landscapes, was sipping some hot relaxing beverage while reading a book. It was paradise to her and that was exactly what she wanted to do once home that night, not a crazy or loud evening out. It was Friday and she was exhausted.
--
"And Susan? How is she? And my little niece or nephew?" Tris asked to change the subject, she was happy to hear her brother's voice and loved him but wasn't really that fond of his scientific explanations or progress and couldn't stand more than ten minutes of that. They both had had busy weeks and incompatible timetables so it was their first call in like five days and sincerely Tris would rather hear something about his niece/nephew more than some DNA new theories or God knows what.
"Susan… she had to stop working because our peanut is giving her some problems, she must rest for a couple of weeks, staying in bed most of the time and you know how she is… not really enthusiastic about it as you can guess and-"
"But the baby?" Tris voice full of concern and worry.
"Don't worry he or she is fine, just a little too wild" Caleb said faking annoyance but Tris could get the small amount of worry in his voice.
"He's going to be a fighter, a rascal. I love it" she said chucking trying to picture her future niece or nephew running here and there, up and down, hiding in every possible hole or closet and making a mess in their apartment, throwing Caleb's science magazines everywhere and spilling Susan's still half full coffee cups all over some important documents. Hilarious. Tris couldn't wait to see his brother, a wreck nervous and everything but patient and practical, dealing with all that, she couldn't really wait.
"Any name idea?" Tris asked, deep inside her the fear her brother would have named his firstborn after some scientist or biologist, she wouldn't have let that happen and she was quite confident Susant would have been against it as well so she didn't really listen to her inner voice that much, they wouldn't have permitted him to call him or her something like Albert Einstein or Isaac just because of Isaac Newton, no way.
"Uhm not really but there's still time to think about it, we don't even know the gender. What about Mama and Dad, how are they doing?"
"Not bad, we've had lunch together today, Granny was also there, she's visibly better now. Thank God, that fall down the stairs was super dangerous, she could have gotten killed. She's back to sprightly again"
"I had no doubt, she's like Wonder Woman or something" they both couldn't contain their chuckle, it was true: at her age - 84 years old - she was still incredibly lucid and quite 'sportive' as well compared to other people her age, her bones were quite fragile and the fall had shown it for sure but she was till very lively.
"I'm glad to hear this anyway, you know I should be able to take a couple of days so probably next week or in the near future we'll come and visit you all, if Susan is feeling better and our little fighter calms down of course"
"Really? Yeee, I can't wait" a squeal left her mouth and it quite surprised herself as well, was Emily infecting her somehow?
"Yeah sis, and what about your-" audible knock and ring at Tri's' door stopped Caleb mid question and took Tris aback: it was Saturday night and she was enjoying a chat with her brother, it was 9.30 p.m. ... who was out of her door?
"One second, someone knocked on the door, I'll go and open. If it doesn't get too late I'll call you later, okay?"
"But who is it?"
"No idea, really"
"You sure? You don't have a mysterious admirer or even worse a boyfriend, do you?" despite his attempt to keep his voice light and playful she certainly didn't miss the panic and protectiveness behind it.
"Don't worry, no boyfriend and no admirer" Unfortunately "Now I really need to go or they'll break down my door and you'd be the one to blame. Bye" she said chuckling before ending the phone call and heading from the couch to the small hallway, with each step the bang on the door getting louder, this had to be Chri-
"Tris come open this damn door, I know you're in there. Get you lazy ass here please, I'm freezing out here. Beatrice Daisy Prio-" her bestfriend's insistent voice didn't stop until Tris reached the door know and opened it coming face to face with Chris who was wearing a mini dress, her coat open and no scarf or hat even if outside it was windy and quite chill, it was late night after all, almost night.
"What you're doing here? And I bet you're freezing, you go around half naked" was the first thing Tris said before stepping out of the way to let her come in, her best friend's face visibly relaxing once stepped in, the warmth of the house already showing its benefic effects.
"I am not half naked, I have these amazing fishnet stockings" she stated matter of fact, Tris shook her head unable to stop her eye-roll. Incorrigible. "They're keeping you warm I bet" she muttered under her breath.
"What?"
"Nothing" she said louder "Why you're here?"
"Will had to leave for work or something so I'm by myself this weekend so here I am. At my bestie's to have a super girly night" she said as if it was obvious, Tris should have known it, it was not like it hadn't happened before in fact this time Chris was equipped: an huge shopping bag full of sweets, candies, ice cream and 'girly night food' in one hand and dvds in the other, her excitement never leaving her, her malicious and inquisitive eyes already sparkling in anticipation, that glitter that meant just one thing: torture.
"Get ready girl, it's gonna be so fun" at this Tris expression was like 'Uhm yeah, sure' fake enthusiasm written all over her face but soon enough she gave up, it was useless to fight Christina, if she had decided they would have had a girly night that was it, girly night it was.
Two baggy pajamas and two spoons later they were sprawled all over the comfortable couch, a dvd already on to 'create some atmosphere' for the 'girly stuff' that would have followed.
Tris couldn't let Chris know about a certain blu eyed attractive man she was slowly getting to know and that, for mysterious reasons, had a strange effect on her, her mind and heart, her best friend couldn't find out about his gorgeousness and her seemingly unsuccessful attempt to get him out of her head, Chris couldn't find out anything about Tobias, no way. Tris would have never seen the end of it and she could already picture Chris setting a date or organizing something, planning out a trick or something. No way, no way. It was not like there was actually something to say, not really anyway but even the smallest detail or the smallest hint to a possible interest would have made her best friend go wild... no way, no way. Tris had to figure that, whatever it was, out by herself, find a solution, something to keep him out of her mind and interest, the fact that they were often together and close surely wasn't helping but Tris had to find a way, it was absolutely unprofessional and she just couldn't' let anything happen, she had to fight herself and her stupid attraction sparkle. No, no. Chris was not going to find out!
Hope you enjoyed the chapter, reviews and comments are always much appreciated.
Thank you,
~OceanicGirl
