Okay I cannot believe how long I have left this! I am so sorry! With the holidays, uni and life in general I just haven't found the time but I hope you enjoy this chapter. There will be one more chapter of this story and I am hoping to get that finished within two weeks. Enjoy!

Chapter 38 – Tobias

I quietly make my way through the dark hallway into the kitchen, careful not to wake Tris or Ruby. I haven't been able to sleep much recently so I went to the gym to burn off some energy after we put Ruby to bed, and I came home to find Tris asleep on the couch with the TV still blaring. Admittedly I took a minute, or five, to appreciate the sight. It wasn't long ago that the vision of Tris was restricted to my dreams and imagination and the fact I get to go to fall asleep and wake up with her is simply mind boggling. I still can't quite grasp how lucky I am, or the fact she chose to give me another chance…my self-deprecation still ever so present.

After appreciating her sleeping form I lifted her as gently as I could and walked with her in my arms, bridle style, and settled her on the bed with a soft kiss to her forehead before I got in the shower.

The hot water pounding and cascading down my back managed to ease the tension and the muscle ache already starting to set in after the pounding I inflicted on myself. I can't quite pin point exactly what has wound me up, but it most likely has something to do with Christmas and Tris.

I try and shake those thoughts from my head for the time being and continue towards the kitchen in desperate need for a drink. I grab the orange juice out of the fridge door and as no one is around to tell me off I take a swig straight out of the bottle and it hits just the spot. I make a movement to take another sip when I feel a pair of arms slide around my back, forcing a sharp intake of breath when her hands ride dangerously close to the hem of the towel, the only thing keeping me from being naked.

"Don't think I didn't see you drinking straight from the bottle mister" her sleepy voice mumbles into my back. I slowly lower the bottle as she starts to pepper my back with kisses, afraid I'll drop it if she keeps it up. I clear my throat, trying to activate my vocal chords,

"I thought you were asleep?"

"I was…until I caught sight of a tall, handsome man draped in only a towel walk through the bedroom"

"Mmmm, maybe we should call the cops…I don't think that's normal"

She lets out a little giggle and it does nothing but speed up my heart which is already at maximum capacity. The things this woman does to me.

"Naaa…I quite like the sight"

I smile at her words, "so as long as they look good anyone can walk around here almost naked?" I question her teasingly.

"Pretty much…although there's only one man I love seeing like that" she squeezes me gently when she says love, and again I can't help but think she'll be the death of me.

Not able to withstand another second of not seeing her face I put the bottle…somewhere and spin around in her arms and I'm instantly greeted by her beautiful face and her lively eyes, which contrast the state of exhaustion I know she is feeling, and no amount of time could erase her from my memory.

Her hands glide from my back, over my abdomen and chest until they are draped around my neck, tingles of pleasure following in the wake of her touch. Every part of my brain disengages and all I can think about is feeling her and being present in this moment. I press my lips to hers and although it's only been a few hours since they were last in contact it's still a few hours too long and I think Tris agrees as she whimpers as I pull her closer to me.

Reluctantly I have to pull away to catch a breath and I nip at her ear, "have I ever told you how amazing you are" I say slightly out of breath. I feel her head shake and I immediately pull back to look at her intently and I am greeted by a cheeky glint in her eyes and a matching grin. "You're…such…a….tease" I say in between the kisses I place up and down her neck, unexpectedly to both her and I, I hoist her up and she squeals as I place her on the counter opposite the fridge where her legs instinctively wrap around me. I continue my assault on her neck as she tilts her head to the side to provide me with greater access as she rakes her fingers through my hair. "Tobias…I…I…love you" she breaths out and I stop what I am doing to look at her, she pouts at my withdrawal but I gently press my lips against hers to make up for it.

"I love you too Tris…so much." Our eyes don't leave one another's until I hear a noise from outside and instinctively I take off in the direction of the window to check it out, and as I move to turn around I feel the fabric of the towel being pulled away from me, leaving me stark naked. My jaw drops and my eyes seek her out in the dark of the kitchen as all I can hear is her giggles bouncing off the walls.

"Really Tris?" I question feigning annoyance. At my words she suddenly appears from behind the countertops with my towel hanging from her forefinger and giggles still escaping from her mouth.

"Missing something?"

"Very funny" I retort as I move around the kitchen to get to her. It's a classic game of cat and mouse, however her speed and agility will not come in handy as the kitchen is not big enough so I can easily take her in my reach. And that's exactly what I do. When I have contact with her I pull her towards me in a vice grip, not too tight, but tight enough so she can't wriggle free.

"Didn't think you'd get away with it did you? I whisper in her ear from behind as she tries to escape my grasp.

"Maybe, maybe not…but I did get my wish"

Wish? In my confusion I release my hold on her and she turns to face me, "and what was that exactly" I ask with curiosity.

"To get you naked as it'll help with what I want to do next" she says suggestively as she trails her finger down my chest and saunters out of the kitchen leaving me stood firmly in place with nothing but my own skin and bones…until I chase after her like a bee to honey.

…..

"You think she'll like it?" I question with obvious apprehension.

"Like it? Dude she will love it!"

"You don't think it's too much?"

He hesitates for longer than I deem necessary, "well…you've certainly out done yourself…and everyone else."

I rake my fingers through my hair, seriously starting to reconsider the decision I have made. It's the day before Christmas Eve and I don't have time to back out now but I suppose I don't have to show Tris, and therefore what she doesn't know won't hu-

"Don't." Zeke says firmly as he places his hand on my shoulder. "It's a big step, but you've obviously made the decision for a reason so don't start second guessing yourself now. You've both come along way…and what is the worst that can happen?...She can only say no."

I scoff at his words and mumble, "that is the worst that can happen Zeke." Or she could call things off completely…

I start pacing, ignoring the amused look Zeke currently has plastered on his face. I can't help but doubt what Zeke has said but I suppose I should accept it as I did ask. I can't help that my mind can only conjure the worst possible scenarios, a far cry from when I first thought of doing this for Christmas. "You're going to ruin the floorboards and burn a hole into the ground if you keep going." I turn my glare back onto him as he raises his hands in the air with a coy smile now etched across his stupid face. I seriously question how we became friends at times like these.

"C'mon man, you're going to give yourself skin failure," not even a second passes before he starts laughing uncontrollably at his own words, and I can only shake my head at his blatant reference to The Simpsons. "You have too much spare time" I tell him as I walk past his crouched form in desperate need for some fresh air.

I knew this was not going to be an average Christmas gift, it comes with a lot of adjusting and it is a step I definitely want to take, I'm just not sure if it is too soon or I made the wrong choice. I should have asked Tris for her opinion, this is definitely something she'd want to be involved in. Oh God I'm so stupid! I can't believe I've made this life changing decision without her, she is definitely-

"going to love it" says that voice I just want to escape from. "I can read your thoughts like an open book. Look, you're jumping into conclusions which haven't even happened yet. Are you really questioning whether or not she'll like it, or afraid of the possible repercussions?" I groan in frustration as he tries to unpick why I am suddenly questioning everything I have been planning for over a month.

"I…I just don't want her to think I'm trying to push her into anything. Or that it means she has to say yes. What if she likes where she is now, where we are now?" I rub my face before looking directly at Zeke, "I can't sleep because of it, I just want a fresh start with her and Ruby, I can't take back what has happened but I can try and show her I'm in it forever."

I hear his feet shuffle towards me as he places a gentle touch on my left shoulder, "she loves you. You, no one else. For everything you two have endured she wouldn't be with you now making it work if she didn't want it to." He huffs before continuing, "you two question everything about your relationship, you love her and she loves you. It is clear as day to everyone, even people who have never met you two could see that you're made for each other. Stop thinking about everything that could go wrong and start thinking of all the possibilities of what this means, for you, Tris and Ruby…Now if you don't mind I think we should call it a day because this has drained me of all my emotional vulnerability and I need to save some for Shauna tonight." I screw my face up at the thought but I do give him a small smile of appreciation for the words prior to his admission of what he plans on doing tonight.

"Don't give me that look my friend, I know you and Tris have been making up for lost time" he says giving me a wink and walking back to his car. Usually I would be embarrassed by his words but it only makes me smile as I remember the events of last night.

Tris POV

Tobias is out again, this time he told me he is hanging out with Zeke and it raises my suspicion as to what they are up to as he was very coy when he left. However his absence and Ruby taking a nap gives me time to wrap his Christmas presents, which I found almost impossible to buy as he kept saying he didn't want anything. I think he thought not asking for anything was being unselfish, however it is selfish to deprive me of buying him something, especially considering he's been out multiple times to buy something for me. I tried to be as thoughtful as I could but buying something for someone who doesn't want anything is virtually impossible, a stark contrast to our daughter who wants everything under the sun.

That is one thing I have treasured this year, which is being able to go Christmas shopping with Tobias for Ruby. I thought I was bad last year in wanting to spoil her with anything and everything but in comparison to Tobias, I was merely scratching the surface. I had to reign in him otherwise we would have ended up with Toys R Us overrunning our house, I even thought at one point I'd have to drag him out of the store kicking and screaming before he put anymore in the trolley.

It just cements to me that this Christmas will be special, as ever since my parents passed and Caleb wasn't Caleb anymore, Christmas just hasn't felt the same. When Ruby came along it did provide that special feeling but something was always missing, and now that part has been found. Now we are a family, Tobias, Ruby and I and it feels complete, along with the excitement and wonder that this magical time is known to bring. I know Tobias has never really liked this time of the year, I suppose it all changed for him when his mum passed away as Marcus would hardly have made the effort for him. It upsets me knowing he lost that part of his life and almost had it taken away from him again because of Marcus, I just hope being with Ruby and I will make this time of year a special one for him, where we can all start to make new memories and traditions.

Usually the days before Christmas I like to stay at home and relax but tonight we are heading over to Shauna and Zeke's for a Christmas party as we will all be busy doing our own things on the day. I am looking forward to it as we will all be together, I just hope I don't have to do too much because I'm exhausted.

One thing I know I am really looking forward to is our secret Santa, I drew out Shauna and straight away I knew what to get…as she voiced it aloud that whoever got her had to buy her a bath hamper so she had a reason to leave Zeke on night. I had to laugh at her reasoning, but I know better than to ignore her wishes.

"Tris…Tris." I stop what I'm doing as I hear my name being called out and quickly realise its Tobias and I still have his gifts strewn all over the bedroom floor, my thoughts have obviously kept me occupied and time has flown by.

"Umm…give me a second!" I shout back rather flustered.

I hastily gather everything together and shove them inside my suitcase which resides on the floor of the wardrobe, I only just manage to lock it before I hear a knock on the door.

"Come in"

"Hey" he says with a small smile, but I can see his eyes tell a different story. I walk over to him, questioning him with my eyes as I move closer. "What's up?" I question as I take his hands in mine, looking up at him.

"Nothing," I raise my eyebrows up at his response as I can tell something is not right, "just tired" he says with a shrug of his shoulders. I can believe he's tired but I know he isn't telling me something. "You look lovely," I look down at my attire and question how grey sweatpants and an old baggy jumper could look appealing and I think the look on my face says it all as he says, "no matter what you wear you are always beautiful." He says it with such sincerity that I can't help but believe his words, but then I realise he almost…almost was able to catch me off guard and change the subject. "Oi, don't think I don't realise what you're trying to do with old subject change trick...so are you going to tell me what's wrong or are you going to keep me guessing?"

"It's nothing, honestly. Just a lot on my mind…but I am very happy to see you and don't doubt my words, you look exceptional."

I mull it over for a few moments and decide to leave it at that because whatever is on his mind he obviously doesn't want to talk about, but I do reward his kind words with a quick tender kiss.

Looking at my watch I suddenly realise how much time has passed, "well I hadn't realised how much time had gone by, so why don't you get ready for tonight whilst I get Ruby ready and then you can watch her when it's my turn."

"Sounds like a plan," he kisses me quickly before making his way to the bathroom flaunting his bottom as he goes, knowing I can't help but admire.

….

I can't tear my eyes away from Tobias as he walks from the back of the car towards me in his black button up shirt and dark jeans where he is holding Ruby tightly by his side, I thought he alone was attractive beyond belief but add him carrying our child and my ovaries are exploding. His smirk only serves to increase the fluttering spreading like wild fire through my body.

"You ready?"

I can only nod and take the free hand he is offering as we make our way towards Zeke and Shauna's front door.

We walk through the front door and realise we are the last ones to arrive, and immediately they make us aware that they have all been waiting on us for the secret Santa. I don't know if we were late or everyone is just super impatient. But either way they're not going to wait any longer as they take the presents out of my hands and start handing out them all out. It's not the relaxing start to the night I was after, but once Tobias makes some room on a couch for us I feel slightly more settled.

"You alright?" he whispers gently.

"Yeah, they just caught me off guard…don't think I've quite woken up ye-"

"Tris!" Christina so kindly interrupts as she throws a present at me, narrowly missing Ruby who has settled between Tobias and I, I give her a deserved glare in which she obviously tries to ignore. Presents continue to fly across the room under the strict instruction that we must wait and open them all together.

Once everyone has their gift, some clearly wrapped better than others, Zeke shouts out that everyone can now open them and with Ruby's help I start ripping at the paper. The sound within the room gets louder by the second as everyone starts sharing what they got and trying to identify who it was from, whereas I am getting redder by the second at what I have just unveiled in my lap.

"Tris, what did you get?" an expectant Zeke asks and I am extremely reluctant to answer as embarrassment floods through me. I can't quite make eye contact with anyone but I am extremely curious as to who gave this to me, but before I can avoid this situation all together Ruby ever so kindly takes it from my lap and kindly waves it about for all to see. Initially everyone is quiet but then Will and Zeke start laughing and the rest follow suit, "a pregnancy test" Zeke manages to say through his laughter. I cast my eyes slowly up to Tobias and see he is already looking my way. He looks slightly red himself but he also adorns a soft, genuine smile which makes my heart flutter and butterflies to stir within me.

"Now I have to know who Tris's secret Santa is," Christina declares as she gives me a half sympathetic and a half amused look. I cast my eyes around the room, silently questioning who would have done it. Based on their reactions I don't believe it was Will, Christina or Zeke and I'm not sure Uriah would go there just yet. So that leaves Shauna, Lynn or Marlene and out of those three I know only one which would not give a thought about anyone else's reaction but mine, and when I make eye contact I just know. I narrow my eyes at her and all I receive is a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders and a devlish grin. I don't voice my confirmation as it will keep them guessing and frustrated for the rest of the night, or forever if they don't figure it out.

"It was Lynn wasn't it?" Tobias whispers right next to my ear. I give him a small nod in confirmation, "well for what it's worth I will be there on the day we use it…or you really" I smile at his correction, "and when we see a positive sign I will be there every step of the way."

His words ignite something deep within me and as I look from him to Ruby and back to him, I can't hold back my grin, "I would love that" I say as I move closer to give him a tender kiss which confirms how happy I am at the idea.

Thanks again for all the kind words, favourites and follows, it means a great deal. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I know it took way too long but I hope it was worth the wait. Let me know what you think and I will be back shortly with the last chapter!

For the guest reviewer who asked if I could do a separate M chapter, I think it's a great idea but I really don't think I'd do it any justice at all! I'm not great at writing in that level of detail and I'll leave it up to all of your imaginations as to what they get up to..