🍦Happy Monday!
A huge thank you to Bamberlee for editing this chapter!
The next one should be back on the normal schedule. If I can sell my soul and find a few free hours, we'll have a new outtake too!
Thanks to everyone for reading + reviewing đź’• I definitely read them, and some are far more entertaining than the chapters. (ahem, Akell1018)
This is what our wedding would have looked like.
Had I married Everly any other way than by not telling her I was doing so, this would have been the outcome. A party, planned by someone else, shoved down my throat as I was forced to parade myself and my wife in front of everyone. A very public display of who she was, at a time when I wasn't ready for any of this. People worming their way into the most private details of my life, feeling like they have every right to know all my secrets.
Even now, there are too many people staring at us, their gazes zeroed right in on my hands on Everly. My fingers digging into the heavy fabric of her dress, my side pressed up right against hers. Her head, somewhere in the middle of my chest, a few inches higher than normal thanks to the shoes. The way my knuckles were turning white as I resisted the urge to immediately retreat from this room and drag her along with me.
But I couldn't. While I could care less about most of the guests who'd come here, Everly did. I could see the joy in her expression, the delight that they had traveled from all over, even though most would have jumped at the chance to see this. Jack Kang would have walked here if it meant seeing Everly, and Cara would have joined him.
The only thing that makes this all worse, is that it was planned without me knowing about it. Despite my pristine record of not missing a single thing that went on in Dauntless, I had clearly missed the memo that a party was being hosted in our honor. I had missed Quinten – suddenly able to cook a decent meal, practicing all week. I'd missed Max's multiple attempts to guarantee my arrival, passing them off as him being his usual, annoying self. I'd missed Jason and Rylan, sharing secretive looks because one of them was bound to blurt something out if I looked at them the wrong way. I'd missed it all, and now, I would suffer.
"Oh my God."
Next to me, Everly is just as stunned as I am. But her surprise is not out of pure and utter hatred of this party, but happiness. Her eyes light up as she takes in the decorated room, the waitstaff in the back, the people beaming at her. Her mother looks dizzied, probably both with too much peace serum and with seeing her daughter again. Her friends look equally elated, both seconds away from shrieking in pure joy.
And Daniel, staring at me with an expression I can no longer place.
I glare at all of them.
Especially him.
He looks disgustingly thrilled that he's finally getting to see what he's always wanted. The image of Everly and I, as if we'd just been wed, while he pretends he was there to witness it. Arlene, like some annoying relative who everyone felt obligated to invite. Jason and Rylan, now high fiving each other after pulling off the surprise of a lifetime. I close my eyes for a moment, thinking they'll all vanish. When I open them, I'll be anywhere but here, preferably at home with my wife.
But it doesn't work.
Instead I see Blythe, looking suspiciously over at Four, her eyes just as narrowed as my own.
I stop looking around the room there.
Four.
Someone, whoever put together this exclusive list of people I'd want to celebrate my wedding with thought to include Four. Because that's exactly the person who's been the most supportive of my relationship with Everly.
I can't think about it for very long. Max appears like a strange and enthused party host, and he escorts us to our seats. He is practically glowing he's so happy, and he smiles the entire time. So does everyone.
So does Everly.
She turns to look up at me, and her smile is brighter than I've ever seen.
Everything is the worst.
Everly and I are seated at a table in front of everyone, just so everyone can stare at us. It's decorated in a manner I'd rather die than admit was wedding themed, and it's with great reluctance that I actually sit down. Eventually, I give in, because my seat is a fairly good vantage point. While not quite near the fire exit, I'm close enough that I could grab Everly and run if I could think of a good enough distraction.
That plan aside, it's also where I can see everyone. Just like right now. I can see Blythe staring at us, her gaze flitting back and forth from me to Everly, but it's blank. Not nasty or conniving, but also not sincere or polite. Just blank.
"I can't believe Max did this," Everly leans into me, whispering the words. She doesn't have to whisper. Hell, she could scream them and no one would hear her. Everyone is milling around, talking and greeting those around them, and the noise level is loud. Successfully loud and enthusiastic, and it hurts my head.
"Neither can I." I glance around the room again, mentally numbering those around me in the order that I will kill them, and I stop when I get to Four.
Not only was he invited, but because the stars and planets must have aligned tonight, he was sitting at our very fucking table.
I'm not sure who made this seating chart, but I have every intention of shoving them off the roof the first chance I get. I could possibly handle sitting through this dinner, especially because Everly looked really enthused to be here, but I was losing it at the appearance of Four. Someone had it out for me, and it was quickly becoming clear they thought they'd get away with it.
Luckily for me, there's plenty of alcohol. I take one very long sip of the wine someone's placed in front of me, and I watch Four and Tris sit next to each other. Close enough you might think something was up, but also far enough apart that you might not. I roll my eyes when Four averts his stare to the menu in front of him, and a second later, I follow his stare to a table further down. He looks sketchy as ever, doing his best to pretend he's comfortable when he's clearly not.
I see the issue immediately. Everly's mother is sitting there, along with Andrew Prior. He smiles at me in the same manner one usually does before I rip their head off, and I know he's only here because there wasn't a chance in hell we'd let Marcus in here. But the weight of his secret -that days ago he'd been talking to me, must be killing him. He shifts in his seat, listening to Everly's mother and Johanna say something, and Four looks increasingly uneasy every time he moves.
I have the urge to yell out that both he and Andrew should relax. There's a high chance Four and Tris have already gone as far as holding hands and gazing into each other's souls. It's not like Andrew's going to come over and lecture him or publicly berate him for being the only person alive who'd want to do anything with Tris. He'd probably thank him that she wouldn't die alone, or worse, return to Abnegation unmarried and permanently single.
I smirk in delight at my own thoughts, and I smirk even more when Andrew stands up. I take immense joy, the feeling more pure than anything I've ever felt in my entire life, when he stops at their side of the table, all because Four looks ready to vomit.
Tris looks fairly normal. She smiles up at her father, oblivious to her sweaty boyfriend beside her, and she introduces him.
By his numerical name.
"This is Four."
She sounds proud, and I roll my eyes at her enthusiasm. Four manages to smile up at who could one day be his father in law and moves to stand up. Andrew motions for him to sit down, and in the politest stand-off ever, they both awkwardly stare at each other.
Next to them, Blythe frowns.
Andrew smiles again, keeping his expression neutral. I wonder if there's a flash of disappointment that his daughter has chosen to date someone who identifies as a number, or if it's because he recognizes him as Tobias Eaton. Before I can helpfully interject myself into this conversation, I'm elbowed by Everly.
"Here." She nudges my drink at me, knowing full well what I'm watching, and I smile down at her. I have to admit she looks lovely, but I'm starting to doubt there is enough alcohol in this room to keep me quiet.
I abandon my plan to out Four when Andrew makes his way around to our side of the table. He wisely stays far enough away from me, and he offers a very genuine sounding congratulations.
To Everly.
To me, he offers a very intense stare, and I realize he's probably never seen her before. I'm sure he has a lot of questions, all impolite and none of his business, but he refrains from asking. He nods at me, and I sneer back, maintaining the façade that I would never speak to him in my life.
"Thanks." I answer him shortly, hoping he'll be on his way. But Everly elbows me, not knowing Andrew and I had come to an agreement that in order to keep up appearances, we'd stay away from each other. For the sake of Everly, I relent, but not before I glare at her. "Thank you for coming."
"Best wishes to you both." Andrew looks like he wants to smile. He bows his head at us, then steps back as the staff passes by him with their arms full of salad plates. They are quick, setting them down in front of each guest, and when I look back, Andrew has returned to sit at his table.
For a brief moment, there is a reprieve from people staring at us. Four and Tris are busy discussing the nutritional benefits of lettuce, and Max and Arlene are knocking back drinks. I reach for my fork, only to discover Daniel has sat down next to us. He's dressed up very formally, one step short of borrowing Harrison's tuxedo, and I have to say he looks impressive.
But I know he isn't.
"Everly, I don't believe we've met your mother yet." Daniel greets her with a large smile. To his surprise, Everly's face changes to what was probably very similar to mine.
Sheer horror.
"Oh, she's just been busy over…there..." She trails off, falling oddly silent.
I immediately look in her mother's direction.
In all the time I'd known her, Everly had only told me a few things about Amity. I knew about her father, about Hank's disapproval of her coming here, about how no one in Amity had thought much of her, but she'd been quiet in regard to her mother. I'd met her while in Amity, and she'd been very kind. Not at all judgmental or rude, and happy that her daughter was happy.
Beyond that, I had no clue about her.
I only know that right now, she looks like she's from Amity.
Her dress is red and gold, her hair is braided to the side, and she and Andrew are in deep discussion. They're pointing at the salad, and I wonder if they're bonding over eating food with no taste. She smiles at him, loopy and tipsy, and then she looks up over at Everly. Her mother smiles brightly, waving her hand as though she's just noticed we were sitting here, and Everly waves back.
Then she shrinks further down in her chair, focusing on her salad in front of her.
"What does she do in Amity?" Daniel asks, and he takes a bite of his own salad. I wait, patiently, and Everly takes a very long time to answer. She stabs at a tomato, then cringes.
"Um, well, she…"
"Yes, what does she do? I don't think you've ever said." I turn to look at her, my own plate forgotten. For someone so inquisitive, always questioning and trying to pry every ounce of information out of me, she's suddenly looking a lot like me. She's doing her best to avoid the question, which is odd. I lean in closer to her, my eyes right on her. "Funny, for all you've told me about Amity, you've never once mentioned what she does."
"I didn't tell you that much about Amity," She answers quickly, looking up at me with a stormy look on her face. I smirk at her, and I suddenly realize Everly doesn't want to answer the question. The Head of the Dauntless Interrogation Committee suddenly doesn't want to talk, but I'd bet she has a good reason why. "She... uh…"
Everly stalls again, this time, stabbing her lettuce over and over, when her mother appears. I raise both eyebrows at her arrival, as though she's swooped in to rescue her daughter.
"Everly! You look beautiful!" She immediately reaches for Everly, sounding rather emotional. She hugs her tightly, pushing her into the side of me, unaware of what she's doing. "Congratulations, darling."
Then she touches me.
She pats my shoulder like I'm a child, grinning into the air.
Before I can say a word, Everly stands up, hugging her mother again. Daniel watches intently, never having seen a family act in such a kind manner toward one another. I'm sure this affection is odd and unfamiliar to him, and he does his best to observe carefully. He watches as her mother beams at her without fail, brushing Everly's hair off her face and leaning in to whisper to her.
I hear every word of it.
"It's very dark here. Are you getting enough sunlight? You know what the lack of Vitamin D can do to a person."
I smirk.
Her mother sounds very worried about Everly's underground living. To her credit, Everly nods, and does her best to change the subject.
"You look so pretty." Everly tells her, and there's this hint of stress to her voice that I haven't really heard before. "I'm so glad you're here. I never thought I'd see you in Dauntless."
"I have something for you and Eric." Her mother isn't at all listening, and Everly can tell. She grows nervous, suddenly doing her best to step back as her mother reaches into some bag. Everly bumps into me, watching this unfold with secret interest. I've draped my arm across the back of the chair, and I rest my hand on Everly's waist, giving off the appearance that I don't give a single fuck what's in her mother's magic bag. But Everly's nervousness has made me curious, and I wait patiently to see what she's brought.
"You didn't have to do that…" Everly shakes her head, and she leans away from her mother a fraction of an inch. She stops midsentence, and a second later, I get why.
Her mother triumphantly pulls out a wreath of flowers. I cock my head to the side at the sight, wondering if perhaps she thought she'd missed the ceremony. But I'm wrong. So wrong. She reaches up, and with great pride and honor, places it on Everly's head.
My eyes widen and my immediate reaction is to bite down on the side of my cheek, hard enough to draw blood.
It's not that the image in front of me is offensive. Everly still looks beautiful. She most certainly looks like my wife, except one who wishes she could vanish into thin air. The flowers are large and intricately woven together, and her mother adjusts them further, pushing Everly's hair out of her eyes and making sure her crown of flowers stays in place.
"It was always my dream to watch you wed in Amity." Her mother talks while she works, oblivious to the show she's putting on. Arlene is watching her with a look of sheer…something on her face. Like she can't figure out whether she should laugh at the situation or step in and stop it. Four and Tris are both watching with wide eyes, and Max, well he's staring at Everly as though he's been waiting for this moment for a long time. "You would have been a beautiful bride."
Everly stays perfectly still. I can feel her breathing, completely unsure of what to do. I know that her dream was never to be married in Amity. She'd told me, perched atop my bed and watching me undress, that the idea of being married in a field wasn't what she envisioned. That she'd never wanted that with Landon, and no matter how badly her mother did, she didn't.
Everly turns to say something, but she can't. Her mother has moved on, moving too fast for me to see what she's doing. She moves at a lightning speed to shove herself right beside me, only pausing to place the matching wreath of flowers onto my hair.
She certainly has balls, this lady.
I immediately snatch it off my head, snarling the second my fingers touch the flowers. For one searing, hot moment I could scream, because even if I'd lost my fucking mind and decided I wanted to wed Everly in Amity, I'd never put this shit in my hair.
Ever.
But I don't.
Because Everly looks just as horrified, as though I might divorce her on the spot.
"Absolutely not," I hiss at her, and I toss the flowers onto the table. I look at her mother in utter annoyance, only cutting her the most minute slack because she was here for our anniversary dinner. "Do not put that on my head again. Ever."
Anyone else would have bolted.
Left the room, left the faction, never to return.
To be brave enough to dare touch me, let alone place such a thing on my head, was one thing. But to think I'd want any of this was another.
Her mother blinks, then smiles, nodding as though I've spoken gibberish to her. Everything in me tenses up, hating being front and center while everyone witnessed this exchange, and still hating the fact that I was stuck here.
"I didn't want you to feel left out. I wasn't sure how big your head was, but Everly's friends said you were quite large."
Everly chokes.
I find myself nodding, counting to a very high number in my head.
"No."
"You really should wear it," her mother insists. "You two look adorable in them."
In the distance, I hear people laughing. I know that if I turn, I'll see Jason and Rylan, probably in tears over how this was playing out. Perhaps Christina and Meghan, all waiting to see if I survive this night, or if I will snap at some point. There is a beat of silence, then a sharp whistle to catch my attention.
I look over at Rylan, and I haven't drunk enough to appreciate who he is as a person.
"Aww, c'mon Eric, those flowers are just so you!" He laughs, tilting his chair back, then pointing at the table. "Put them back on. We gotta get photos."
"Fuck, NO!" My answer is snarled at him, but also everyone else in this room.
"You don't have to wear that," Everly whispers, and she looks rightfully horrified. My fingers have dug deep into her side, and I'm seconds away from jerking her into my lap and marching the two of us out of here.
"I'm not about to." I snap at her, my aggression coming out at the worst moment. "Take that ridiculous thing off your head, too." The words keep coming, and she looks at me in surprise. She doesn't at all look happy, but I hate the sight of her looking like she's not who she is. She's been given enough shit about being from Amity, and this certainly isn't doing her any favors.
"I will." She nods her head, and I can tell that even though she doesn't like it, she doesn't think I'm being very nice. I look away from her, examining the table with great interest until my rage has subsided.
"I don't like it when you look like some peace-loving hippie stranger from Amity." I announce, hoping her mother hears. She's moved on to the next seat over, and hopefully her next victim is more willing to look like they've wandered out of some festival.
"Here." Everly leans into me, and her fingers find my hair. She smooths a few pieces back down, lingering at the nape of my neck, then moves to take the wreath off her head. Once out of her hair, she sets it down on the table next to mine.
"Thank you for these," Everly graciously smiles at her mother. "I think we will save them for later."
Her words make it sound like we're about to use them for some Amity fetish inspired role playing, and I snort at the idea. Her mother misses my interpretation of what Everly's said, and instead looks at Blythe and Daniel.
"Are these Eric's parents?"
"They are," Everly answers, far kinder than she should, considering how they originally treated her. She pauses to look at me, and her eyes are wide and pleading for me to say something. I shake my head no. I'm not about to introduce them, nor am I about to assist in this exchange in any way. They don't deserve to hear me say their names, and no one deserves to meet them.
However, Everly is undeterred. In an attempt to move on from the flowers, she looks at Daniel and pauses before speaking. "This is Eric's father and mother, Daniel and Blythe."
Daniel wipes his hands off on the elegant napkin he's holding. He then stands up immediately, greeting her warmly. "It's lovely to meet you. I didn't catch your name?" I notice he shakes her hand, politely and professionally, all while Blythe smiles like she's had a little too much wine to drink.
"Eden," Everly's mother announces. "It's wonderful to finally get to meet the parents of my son-in-law." She looks over at me as though she's thinking hard, then back at Daniel and Blythe. "I'm afraid I don't know the first thing about you two."
Daniel grins at her, fully prepared to discuss how wonderful he is. I'm sure she's the perfect target audience for him. She'll be won over by what a kind hearted and dedicated surgeon he is, and even better, the fact that he's here, celebrating with his son. How family oriented he is. How big a part of my life he is.
I wait impatiently for Eden to realize that while he is brilliant and he is a surgeon, there's not much else to him.
But she talks to him forever. Their polite conversation floats in the air around me, as I watch him interact with her. He's never been biased about what faction someone is from; he's always been quick to help anyone, and even now, he has infinite patience while Eden talks. She stops to ask him something, and he finally reveals exactly what he does. A second later, her eyes light up, and she steps closer.
"We have a lot in common," Eden tells him, and next to me, Everly makes a funny sound. I realize her eyes are screwed shut, and I know this will be good. While Eden is very nice, there is not a chance in hell she has anything in common with a man who lives by a strict code of rigid medical ethics. "I've worked in Amity as an Alternative Medical Specialist for years."
I take great delight when Daniel's face changes to both surprise and dismay. I smirk when he stumbles over his next words, for once, not sure what to say. "Alternative...Medical Specialist?" He stops, years of prestigious education imprinted on his brain. I wonder if she knows how many hours he spent studying, how many labs he's worked in, how many complex surgeries he's completed then figured out different ways to do them. "You, uh, so you're a…you're a doctor there?"
He sounds like he's dying. His expression is now one of forced politeness, but the blood has drained from his face at the thought of Eden fancying herself to be the same profession as him.
She doesn't notice.
She smiles widely, like he should have picked up on this himself. "I have a small practice out of my home. I treat everything with a more organic, natural method. I specialize in working with herbs, essential oils, anything that promotes spiritual healing. Everly has never had so much as a painkiller in her life."
Oh boy.
I find myself smiling, really smiling, as this unfolds before me, second by second. Daniel looks ill at the idea, and I know he's thinking of all the poisonous things in the Amity fields. Of all the things that could go wrong if one decided to ingest some plant to cure their headache, or perhaps blend up some weeds to drink in the morning.
He looks over at me, then Everly, his all too precious daughter in law, still standing there watching, and his eyes are wide. I can see the million thoughts behind them: was it true? Had Everly ever been vaccinated? Was she currently carrying some weird strain of a highly preventable mutated virus that would infect us all? Did she believe in the mystical healing powers of things like rocks? How was she even alive, without ever having real medical care?
Daniel rubs the back of his neck, his anxiety on full display, and he tilts his head at Eden. His frustration is palpable, all over his face now. "What sort of... uh... things do you use?"
"Anything from the ground is good for the soul. Do you have any idea what sort of healing properties can be found in some of the more commonly known herbs?" Eden declares, and she looks at both Everly and I. I pretend I'm not listening, but I really am. I had no clue that my wife's family was into this sort of shit, though I should have assumed. I idly eat my salad while Everly sort of wilts against me, and I shake my head and nudge her back. After all, this was her mother, and Everly was the one who wanted to stay here and party. "There are a few basic ones that grow in the wild throughout Amity. We use them daily in our teas. I had Everly start a fertility tea once she turned sixteen. It's a staple in almost every home in Amity."
The lettuce lodges itself in my throat. I choke, mostly at her bold declaration that she'd been giving her daughter something that would hopefully improve her odds of getting pregnant for two years, and also because I can see Four trying not to laugh. His face is red as he reaches for his drink, and next to him, Tris looks mortified on behalf of her friend.
Daniel looks over at Everly slowly, and even he can't hide the look of horror on his face.
"A fertility tea? What's in it? Isn't that a little…dangerous? How do you make it?" He asks, and it's a stupid question. Stupid because it can't possibly be an actual thing, and stupid for encouraging Eden to talk about it.
Next to him, Blythe is watching intently, but her blank stare is gone. I haven't so much as uttered a word to her, and I don't plan on it. But there's a shift in her expression, the dull, fuzzy gaze replaced with something sharper.
I realize she looks annoyed, especially when Arlene elbows her out of the way.
"How does one go about ordering this fertility tea?" Arlene demands, not bothering to downplay her joy at discovering this. She looks over at me rather smugly, then steps closer to Eden.
I decide to shut this down, right now.
"No. Arlene, go sit down." I bark, and I shake my head at her. There is no way in hell she's ordering any such tea, and I decide that from here on out, Everly and I will drink nothing from Dauntless. Ever again.
Arlene only smiles at me, a smile that tells me she has every intention of getting her hands on this magical, bullshit drink. She inches closer, fully ready to place an order, and I throw my napkin down.
"I said…" I try to stand up, and Everly shoves me back down in my seat to prevent me from killing Arlene.
"Why on Earth would you be concerned about such a tea, Arlene?" Blythe demands, sounding like her normal, vile self. She's sitting perfectly straight, and her stare is unimpressed. "That's the last thing you should be worried about."
"I don't think you should be at all concerned with what I worry about," Arlene barks back, not at all backing down. There is a moment when I think Blythe will reply, because this whole exchange is very obviously about getting Everly pregnant. There's a dark look on Blythe's face, either irritation at being told off or the horrific thought she could potentially one day have a grandchild, but she clamps her mouth shut and leans back in her seat. There's still a weird look to her, like she's struggling to break free from something, and she just can't.
Good.
Arlene isn't fazed by Blythe's commentary at all. She resumes her plan to make my life a living hell. I'd already come to terms with the idea that I liked the thought of having a baby with Everly, but that didn't mean I needed the entire faction to be aware of my reproductive plans, nor Arlene in charge of it.
"I'd like to know more. Please send the information to my office. Daniel can give you my email." She winks at me, and I decide the next time I get her alone, I will kill her. I will shove her head first into an examining table, and I will make sure she doesn't get up.
For once, I can appreciate the foul look Blythe throws in her direction. But Daniel shakes his head at Blythe, encouraging Eden to continue talking for some odd fucking reason. "Sorry about that. You were saying?"
"Red raspberry leaf, green tea, nettle leaf, peppermint leaf, chasteberry…" Eden prattles on, and Daniel's curiosity turns back to panic. "Do you ever use any alternative methods? You could come by sometime if you'd like to learn more. They might be useful in your practice."
Everly's hand finds my arm, and her nails dig right in. I smirk at her, imagining Daniel in Amity, destroying their theories on how plants can save lives. But he's saved when a server steps between them, handing Eden a cup of something.
"You asked for this? Unfortunately, we don't have any raw ginger root." The look on the girl's face is priceless as she struggles to not wrinkle her nose at whatever Eden had requested.
Eden nods, and she graciously accepts the cup. "You'll have to excuse me. Johanna and I were just about to have some tea. I'll come back in a bit." Daniel nods, not saying another word. He sinks down beside Blythe, his eyebrows furrowed together as he tries to process what just happened.
"Why didn't you tell me your mother was the Head Potions Master in Amity," I politely ask Everly, with only the slightest amount of glee in my tone. But she doesn't appreciate my brilliant commentary. She sits down, narrowing her eyes at me. "Now I know why you like those books so much."
"She's not a wizard," she answers, sounding hotly defensive for someone who's been drinking fertility tea for the past few years. " She just doesn't believe in modern medicine. Almost no one in Amity does." She points this out, then reaches for her wine glass. She takes a very long drink of the dark wine, until the glass is almost empty.
I lean into her, elbowing her when she sets the glass back down.
"She really gave you fertility tea?" I ask, and for a split second I wonder if this means there's a chance we'll wind up having triplets. "And you willingly drank it?"
"I didn't know that's what it was until last year, shortly before my Choosing Ceremony. She had told me it would help me wake up," Everly answers grumpily, crossing her arms over her chest. She looks embarrassed, and she shakes her head. "I haven't taken it in over a year, not since I found out, so don't worry."
Her tone hints that she's assuming I'd ready to run screaming, but I'm not. If anything, I understand exactly how she's feeling.
Even though Blythe would never have been dumb enough to give me anything from Amity.
"How fitting. Both of our mothers are insane." I announce, loud enough for everyone to hear. Especially Blythe. She shoots me a look that tells me the feeling is mutual, but even weirder is Four. His head whips in my direction, and his stare is just as odd as Blythe's. He looks like he's contemplating something, his face scrunched up in my direction.
"At least neither of them kidnapped your wife and tried to wipe her memory." He mutters the words, but he's had a few drinks and he's louder than he thinks he is. Tris startles in her seat, and she shoves him to the side, reaching to move his drink out of the way.
He doesn't appreciate her gestures, and I don't appreciate him joining my conversation.
"Well, maybe you shouldn't have been sneaking out and helping her," I snap, and his hands tighten into fists. Blythe leans forward, her eyes fixed on me, then Four, watching this very unimpressive soap opera as it picks up.
"I wasn't aware of what she was planning." Four is louder now, and a few heads turn in his direction. "I wouldn't have agreed to any of that."
"Oh, right. You would have suddenly found some balls and disobeyed Mommy," I retort, enjoying the way this is escalating quickly. Four's face turns red, and he shoves his chair back, fully ready to fight me.
At my own anniversary dinner.
"Four!" Tris yelps. "Now is not the time." Her voice echoes loudly, and Blythe zeros right in on him.
"Did you say Four? What kind of ridiculous name is Four? You walk around with a number for a name? What the hell is wrong with you?" She snaps at him, and just like that, she's the Blythe I know. I feel an odd sense of relief that she's once again rude. A quiet Blythe wasn't a safe Blythe, and at least I knew where I stood with this one.
So does Daniel. He acts quickly. He pats her arm with fake affection then reaches for her wine glass. "Blythe, I'll get you some more to drink. Sit tight," he tells her.
"Fine." She snaps, suddenly not enjoying her time here. In fact, she continues to glare at Four, and he glares right back at her.
I watch Daniel fumble to get out of his seat, and he looks oddly determined. I squint when he finally heads around to the bar, his gaze fixed on the bottles lined up on the counter. He waves over one of the bartenders, and quickly orders something. I find his actions suspicious, because he could have waited until someone came by to refill her drink, but I figure it all out when he reaches in his pocket.
He's drugged her.
I knew something was up. I had found her appearance odd. There wasn't a chance in hell I'd willingly invite her here, and I was surprised Daniel would bring her along. Knowing how the dinner went, knowing I hated her, knowing this could fuck with his chances of getting to know Everly, bringing her here was a definite risk. But that risk must outweigh the option of her finding out he'd come here without her, or her showing up when she realized where he was at. But he'd decided to chance it, perhaps hoping if she were higher than a kite, she might be pleasant. Or at the very least, quiet.
Unfortunately, it's wearing off.
I turn my attention back to Four still glaring at Blythe. His look is indignant, and while he doesn't have to like her, he could at least be respectful. He seems to be baiting her, daring her to say something else.
"Four," I bark his name loudly, "Shut up and stop glaring at my mother before I permanently wipe that glare off your face." I turn to Blythe, also glaring and I point at her. "Blythe, go find Daniel before Number Boy tries to punch you."
Neither of them move. Tris attempts to fix things by grabbing Four's arm and pulling him out of his seat, struggling when he doesn't move. "Come with me to get another drink," she urges him, and he throws Blythe one last, nasty look.
Blythe huffs in her seat, crossing her arms in disgust. "Uncouth Dauntless heathens." She fumes, before looking at me. "I'm not moving."
Her voice is forceful, but I leave her be. She's still slightly under the influence of whatever Daniel gave her, because a second later, she resumes eating her salad and looking around the room to find someone else to dislike more than Four.
I lean back in my chair, and I can feel my blood pressure increase. In fact, I can feel my brain pounding inside my skull, as I realize this will go on forever. I'm trapped here, through dinner, through dessert, through drinks. I will die here, in this chair, while everyone around me watches.
I feel a small hand on my arm, tugging on it to get my attention. I turn to look at Everly, and she smiles sweetly at me. She moves the heavy steak knife away from me, then leans in.
"Happy Anniversary," She announces, and her words are sincere. Sincerely insane. "I can't think of any other way I'd rather celebrate." She tries not to laugh, and the ridiculousness of this all hits me. We haven't even been served dinner, and I've already watched Four try to fight my mother while Daniel learned that Everly is possibly carrying around measles.
"I can," I declare, and I bend down to kiss her. I'm sure everyone in this room is watching, because of course they fucking are, but I don't care. My hand slips into her hair, and for a few seconds, everything feels okay.
It is not okay when Everly abandons me to get another drink.
I sulk in my seat, eyeing everyone around me, daring them to talk to me.
Luckily, most people seem to get the hint. They stay in their seats, focused on what's in front of them, which is an extravagant dinner Quinten has made. To the thrill of those who live here, it looks oddly appetizing, and it's a far cry from what he normally serves. Even our visitors seem impressed, and they dive right into their meals.
Except for Arlene.
She chooses this time to join me, taking Everly's seat before I can tell her to go away.
"How are you enjoying your evening?" She raises an eyebrow at me, looking obnoxiously pleased. "I think it's going rather well if I do say so myself."
I stare at her, and she smiles even wider.
"You can thank me any time, by the way."
"Never," I answer through gritted teeth, and next to her, Blythe takes a single bite of her dinner. She makes a face, displeased at our lack of culinary skill here, then sets her fork down with unnecessary force. "In fact, call it off. I'd like to go home."
"Not a chance." Arlene shoots back, eyeing me up and down. "You robbed us all of the sight of you getting married. Let everyone enjoy themselves."
I roll my eyes and I pick up a fork and contemplate stabbing it into Arlene's arm. "I don't owe anyone, anything. Except for maybe an apology to Everly for not having figured this out sooner."
To my dismay, Arlene scoots the chair closer.
"Everly hasn't been back to see me yet. I'm assuming maybe this fertility tea worked." She's half whispering, but she's far too loud for me. I eye her threateningly, and she pretends she's blind. "Have you thought about that? Maybe you have more to celebrate than your wedding anniversary?"
"She stopped taking it a year ago. So go focus on something else." I answer smugly, struggling to ignore the sudden thought that maybe it had some strange side effects I should be worried about.
"You aren't seriously planning on having a child with her, are you?" Blythe interrupts, speaking directly to me. I look over to her stare, icier than ever, and she shakes her head. "She's a child herself."
"Fuck off, Blythe." I glare at her, and she glares right back. "I don't remember asking for your opinion. Ever."
"So you are going to knock her up." Blythe rolls her eyes, and she looks disappointed. "I don't know why, but I suppose I still expected more from you. Oh well. Say goodbye to your life here. You'll be stuck at home, tending to both of them. I highly doubt your precious wife will be able to both work and take care of a baby."
I'm seconds away from leaping at her neck when Arlene clears her throat. "Ignore her. Maybe your father will accidentally poison her once he's back." I would smirk at her words, but she leans in, loudly proclaiming I look like I have a fever. She reaches out to feel my forehead, and I slap her hand.
"Both of you, go away." I point at Arlene and Blythe, but neither move.
"You'll be sorry. That's all I'm saying. But do whatever you want Eric. We all know you know what's best for everyone."
Blythe's words are condescending and sharp as she makes yet another less than subtle point.
I choose to ignore her.
"And here I was, thinking maybe you two had finally chosen to be civil. Eric even referred to you as his mother." Arlene throws an unkind look in Blythe's direction, and the intent behind her words is clear. I suppose by acknowledging who Blythe was, I was graciously giving her the chance to be a decent person, but her words show me I'm wasting my time.
"How generous of him." Blythe snaps, and her eyes flash to Daniel walking back to the table. "Enjoy your life, Eric. I hope it's everything you wanted."
"It is." I retort immediately, and Arlene stays between us.
She throws Daniel a look, this one also unkind, and his smile is tight.
There is no doubt he knows Blythe has said something, and I hope he's realizing what he's done by bringing her here.
The night only gets worse as it goes on.
I eat my food while Blythe glares at Everly. The glare eventually lessens, mostly because of whatever Daniel has given her, and eventually, she stops altogether. But it tells me what I've always known, that she'll never forgive me, and I'm alright with that. I'm still skeptical about Daniel being here, and I'm still hesitant about these dinners he wants to have, but at least he's trying. I grudgingly give him credit when he smiles at Everly, elbowing her to point up at something in the sky.
There's a point when I think things might be winding down.
The dinner has been served, people are eating, and the room falls quiet. Right as I've decided it's the perfect time for us to leave, Everly nudges me. I look up to find Max standing beside Arlene, and with great and utter irritation, I realize he's about to say something.
"He just gave a speech. He doesn't need to talk anymore." I bark, mostly at Everly. She shrugs, but the room falls absolutely silent as he clears his throat.
To my horror, he takes it upon himself to make a toast. I eye him warily, wondering what on Earth he could possibly have to say in front of all these people. There is a disturbing moment when I expect him to talk about how he brought Everly to me, how he shoved her right at me and gave me no choice but to train her. I expect him to take full credit for my marriage. Full credit for keeping Everly alive this whole time.
Full credit for giving her a key to an apartment that didn't work.
To my surprise, he is oddly affectionate. He speaks proudly, proclaiming how happy he is for us, and how this wasn't something he saw coming. I ignore his lie, because he'd never once asked me several key questions, like why my initiate lived with me, or why it was fine that I'd married her when she hadn't finished training. He continues, wishing us a lifetime of happiness, and congratulating us on finding each other.
Everyone in the room finds his speech heartwarming. They gaze at Everly and I in a disturbingly sweet manner, and even Andrew Prior manages to smile in our direction.
Max thanks everyone for coming, as if they had a choice, then steps away to let someone else speak. I realize my grip on Everly's waist has grown tight, and it only tightens more when Rylan stands up.
"Oh fuck." I swear loudly, loud enough that he hears me, and he grins.
"I just have a few words to say. I'll be quick, because Quinten is on a schedule and he said there's cake soon and not to fuck that up." Rylan announces loudly, and I realize he's living for this moment. He's wearing my dinner jacket, his hair is combed, and he looks excited.
Which means something horrific is coming.
"We need to leave. Now." I hiss at Everly, and she must be drunk, because she shakes her head no.
"I want to hear what he has to say. Isn't he…isn't he your best friend?" She looks over and up at me like I'm nuts, and I sigh.
"Yeah, which means this won't be good. For either of us." I retort, and I start to get out of my seat. But Everly is unfortunately smart and quick; she shoves her elbow into my stomach and pushes me back into my chair.
"Exactly thirty-seven years ago, I met Eric in kindergarten…"
Rylan's words float into the air, and everyone turns to look at me. I catch not only Arlene's furrowed brows, but Everly's strange expression as she contemplates exactly what he's saying. After she struggles with figuring out basic math, she turns to look at me.
"Just exactly how old are you?" She whispers and I stare at the ceiling, groaning.
"Not that old." I hiss, and I vow to kill him once this night is over.
"Everly probably wasn't even born yet. Which is fine. Because if Eric knew her, she would have been a baby. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, I was always in trouble, and so was Eric. It was the start of a beautiful friendship. One that continued until we met up again here, in Dauntless. For years, we have lived here, far superior to the other leaders and trainers." He pauses, winking at Four. "Eric and I, and Jason, wherever you went, we were best friends. Up until Everly came along. Then suddenly, Eric did not care that we'd made plans for happy hour, or that I'd borrowed his favorite shirt and lost it. He was an Eric unlike any we'd ever known."
He stops to make sure everyone is looking at me. His speech isn't terrible, and it's sort of nice if you omit the fact that he stole my shirt and lost it. Or the part where he's hinting that my wife is far, far, far younger than I am.
I tune him out for a second, still trying to quietly yet furiously whisper to Everly how old I really am, when I decide it's probably safer if I pay attention to what he's saying.
To my surprise, I've missed a good chunk of it.
"Okay, so Quinten is gesturing that I have to wrap this up. Eric, congratulations that you've found Everly. I hope the two of you are very happy together, and I know you are, because you no longer return my calls in a timely manner. I'd also like to say that I was the first one to approve of Eric's relationship with Everly, despite the fact that I'm pretty sure sleeping with your—"
I stand up to stab him, but he's cut off by Arlene, who violently shoves him out of the way so he can't announce to everyone that he'd approved of me sleeping with Everly ever since she arrived here.
"Thank you, Rylan. That was very...informative." Arlene shakes her head, and she makes sure Rylan is back in his seat. I wait for her speech, cringing inwardly at the thought of the shit she could tell, but I must have done something right in my life, because there are no more speeches. Instead, she makes a quick announcement before going back to her own seat. "Cake will be served momentarily. Thank you all for coming."
"There." I announce to Everly, who's sitting and trying not to laugh. "Was that what you wanted to hear? That he approved of us from the start?"
"I have to say, it wasn't that bad." She grins, and she leans into me. "I was honestly expecting much worse."
"I don't know. Andrew Prior might have cried had Rylan finished that statement. Me, sleeping with you, when you weren't even officially a member yet." I take a very long sip of my drink before I set it down. "The horror."
She laughs, and if we weren't sitting amongst my closest enemies, this is an image of her I'd like to remember forever. "And to think, I had no clue you were ready to retire. What did I get myself into?"
I find myself smiling at her joke, the rare kind of smile where I don't know I'm actually smiling until she smiles back.
It's interrupted by someone grabbing the plates from in front of me, and I realize this party, while an unfortunate disaster, isn't the worst way I've spent my night.
That feeling is short lived.
By the time I decide faking my own death might be the only way out of this party, Eden appears.
Again.
With something in her hands.
I immediately lean away from her, fully prepared to tell her off if she tries to put anything else in my hair. I relax when I realize she's only come by to present us with a large gift bag. My eyes narrow at it, wondering what on Earth she could have brought that she thought we wanted. I would expect not a single person to feel obligated to give us anything, especially something from Amity.
Everly seems to feel the same way.
She gingerly takes the bag from her mother, smiling sweetly, but announces we'll open it at home. I would guess it's full of all kinds of things that neither of us want. Perhaps more teas meant to conjure the dead or improve one's eyesight. Maybe something alive, like a squirrel that she's hoping we'll keep as a pet.
Everly is gracious enough that Eden doesn't seem to mind one bit. She nods enthusiastically, whispering that Everly will love them, then kisses her goodbye before heading toward the bar with Andrew. The two of them return to talking about plants, and Everly scoots over closer to me.
"Did you want to open this now?" She asks innocently, and I shake my head no.
"Absolutely not. You can open that outside. Far away from me." I answer quickly.
Everly laughs, and she leans in. I move my arm around her shoulder, feeling her bare skin beneath my fingers.
"Are you having fun?" She asks, her tone teasing as ever. I look at her out of the corner of my eye, and I suppose this could be way worse.
Not that that makes it any better.
"Tons."
My answer is incredibly short, but I'm distracted. I'm watching Blythe and Daniel talk with Cara, and I remember Cara's words that she knew him. I see him leaning in, smiling easily as Cara says something, and Blythe gulps down her wine with a sour look on her face. I feel Everly shift even closer in her seat, close enough I'm tempted to yank her onto my lap, but far enough away that I can't. I idly let my fingers wander down her side, when I feel hers find the waistband of my pants.
"How long do you want to stay here?" I ask, narrowing my eyes as Karl laughs loudly. He's sitting with Four and Tris, both looking slightly intoxicated, but so does everyone else. Everly's friends are shrieking with laughter, inching their way closer to him with every second, enjoying this party way more than me.
"We could leave after dessert?" Everly offers, and her fingers move beneath the waistband of my pants. They work their way down my boxers, and when her fingers find the bare skin of my thighs, I spread my legs wider without thinking. As though I'm completely fine with what she's doing, and my only real requirement to shake this shitty mood is this. Her hands, down my boxers, while everyone around us waits to eat cake.
"Unless you're feeling adventurous now..." Her voice is very innocent as she leans in to whisper in my ear, but her actions are not.
A second later she takes the length of me in her hand, squeezing tightly before stroking me up and down. My vision grows blurry, and all I can focus on is how smart I was to marry someone who would boldly decide she'd like to jerk me off beneath the table during our wedding anniversary dinner. That thought lasts a split second, because her hand starts to feel good, really good. My legs tense up every time her fingers graze the head of my dick, and it's nearly impossible to stop myself from thrusting into her hand.
Common sense tells me if I don't stop her, this really will be a party people don't forget.
"What are you doing, Everly?" I manage to grit the words through my teeth, and my hand has moved to the back of her neck. My fingers dig into her skin, both spurring her on and hoping she'll stop torturing me. "I hope you aren't starting something you can't finish, Amity."
I notice the blood rush to her cheeks as she does her best not to look at me.
"Don't worry, we're gonna finish this at home in bed, not in the middle of the compound." She finally looks at me with a pointed look, and I smirk at her. She slows down, one more slow and purposeful stroke that makes my jaw twitch, before she lets go of me. Her hand leaves my pants and I reach for her, roughly pulling her face toward me.
"Cute."
I mutter the word at her, unable to be anything other than amused that she'd even pull such a stunt. I kiss her quickly, more than willing to head home, but unable to stand up. So I kiss her some more, my lips pressing against hers firmly, growing more and more demanding, until someone stops by to bring us an oversized piece of chocolate cake.
Hours later, Everly is eating the last bite of cake.
We'd shared a piece, but she'd enjoyed it more. I'd sat there, willing the throbbing erection to die down so we could leave, but that proved impossible when Everly stared at me with each bite she took.
"Who's the woman from Erudite?" she asks, eventually handing me the fork.
My stare swings to Cara, still standing by Daniel and Blythe. She's listening to Daniel talk, but she's taking in everything around her. Her gaze finds Everly and I, and I notice her smile at Everly. I flash back to her saying she was hoping Everly would come by, and I can't help but notice the contrast between them. Cara has a sharpness to her that everyone in Erudite shares; a love for pristine, tailored clothing and clean, neat hair that announces how refined they are. How in control. Untouchable. Or how they believe themselves to be.
Everly, while dressed up in a form fitting dress, has more of a wildly romantic, often crushing softness to her. She is warm and small, easily forming herself right up against me, like she was meant to fit there. Even now, her hair falls against my arms, pretty waves that seem endless, and she's kicked off her high shoes. She looks up at me from beneath her eyelashes, her fingers finding my arm without looking.
Cara notices, too.
She seems to like Everly, or perhaps the idea of knowing her as my wife, and she smiles again.
"Cara," I announce, taking a bite of the cake. I have to admit it's better than what I've had before. "She's the newest leader of Erudite. She's smart, but she's also compassionate. Something Jeanine wasn't capable of being."
Everly nods, leaning in until her head can rest on my shoulder. I let her stay there, knowing that she's growing tired. Given her track record, I wouldn't be surprised if she fell asleep right then and there.
"Where's Ashley?"
Her question is quiet, both unbothered and bothered. She knew Ashley had worked for Jeanine, and the assumption that she would now work for Cara was one anyone would make.
Except not.
Cara was smart enough to see through Ashley's façade, and she'd immediately replaced her with people she could trust.
It was also highly unlikely she'd have shown up tonight. A while ago, sure. Ashley would have strutted in, deciding I was done with Everly and this was her shot to worm her way back into my life. But not now. Not after I'd refused to acknowledge her existence one final time.
"She was probably reassigned to work in another section. Cara will pick her own assistants, and I doubt Ashley would be someone she would choose." I pause when Everly lifts her head up, and I find myself smirking at her. "Were you waiting for her to drop off an anniversary present?"
She nods mockingly. "I'm still waiting. I'll give her until tomorrow."
Her words make me snort. There was no chance in hell Ashley would ever accept my marriage to Everly, and certainly no chance she'd come prancing in here with a gift for her.
Nor would we accept it. I think of this as I lazily glance around the room, following Everly's wandering stare. All around us, the party is going strong. People are everywhere, talking and catching up, happy to be celebrating. It's the first time in my existence that others are genuinely happy for me, even the ones who I'd never expect.
My eyes find Four and Tris, both having loosened up after a few drinks, and far more relaxed now that Andrew Prior wasn't hovering around. Four is listening to whatever Harrison's saying, and I would bet Harrison is about to ask him to join him outside. His expression is very stern, and it grows more intense when he points to something on his watch. Beyond that, my friends are at the bar, laughing loudly while Christina records Rylan taking shot after short of a bright green drink.
Next to them, Arlene is walking along with Andrew. I hadn't noticed them talking, but Andrew looks unscathed, and he throws Everly a bright smile. He throws the same one at me, and I'm hit with the oddest sensation that this was what it felt like to lead a normal life. To have people celebrate my successes, and that included my marriage to Everly. The feeling is like a blow to the stomach, a sense of normal, genuine happiness I've never experienced, and I'm thrown off.
Despite the insanity and chaos of all these people here, they'd come with the best intentions, not only for Everly, but for me as well.
I find myself grasping onto Everly tightly, and I realize I want to leave. I'm overwhelmed by the most basic niceness of why people came tonight. A niceness that wasn't commonly shared toward me, ever. It feels sticky, a little too good to be true, and I decide we will leave on this high note before things slide back to normal.
In the morning, I will return to hunting down the woman who kidnapped my wife, and Four will have one hell of a hangover.
"You want to head home?" I ask Everly, and she nods her head. I lean toward her, my head resting against hers, and I can almost feel the luxuriousness of the sheets I'm about to toss her onto.
"Whenever you are," Everly answers, and her fingers find mine.
Before either of us can move to leave, Max reappears, and the look on his face makes me lift my head away from Everly. He remains stoic as his eyes flash to Everly, and his lips press together in a frown. I catch sight of Harrison scrambling to his feet, and I know something is up.
His next words confirm my theory.
He bends down, and very quietly announces that Evelyn's been spotted.