I finally figured how to wrap up this story! I hated to end this story because it was my first idea for a fanfic but I have so many other stories that I can't wait to share with you. I hope you enjoy how I wrapped everything! I can't thank you all enough for all your reviews, likes, and favorites. They gave me so much confidence to keep writing and be creative!
In the months following after the announcement of the pending arrival of four babies to the family, there's much to celebrate as the preparations begin for the babies' arrival. Everyone is excited and proud when Uriah receives a Navy Cross for his heroism during the Attack of the USS Cole. The family travels to Washington D.C. at the end of May for is the ceremony at the Pentagon where Uriah is also promoted to a Chief Petty Officer with his own unit to supervise in Charleston. Uriah excels in his leadership position and Christina can't be prouder when she thinks about how far he has come since that first day they met at freshman orientation.
Marcus makes good on his promise and opens up a branch of Divergent in Charleston over the summer. He sells his condo in Chicago and relocates to spend time with his son and his growing family. Tobias's Lakeshore Dr. Condo becomes the hub for everyone visiting Chicago in the extended family. Tris and Tobias insisted that he stay with them the first few months he was in Charleston. Marcus thoughtfully had Stephanie pick out the house she wanted as their relationship grew more and more serious.
With the generous donations from Divergent, Marcus, Tris, and Tobias and the fundraising efforts, the Abnegation Boys Group Home opens and Natalie and Andrew are able to hire four full-time staff with Susan being promoted to supervise all of them. They also purchase two vans for transportation and Marcus helps provide internships for those interested in technology. Scholarships are set up for full rides to Dauntless University for all those who choose to go when they turn 18 and are about to age out of the foster care system. Natalie and Andrew would have never dreamed that this would have been possible when they started Abnegation. Shauna, Tris, and Susan work with the athletes who donated the previous year and work to set up another event co-sponsored with Divergent which will keep the group home in good financial standing for many years to come.
It's a lazy Sunday afternoon in early August and Tris and Tobias were resting comfortably on the couch with Queen Sugar playing on the TV. Tobias is stretched out so he can rest close to Tris' now growing belly and lovingly whispering to their twins growing inside his wife. Tris loves how Tobias has been reading to her belly and telling the twins stories of mischief he would get into with his brothers. Tris giggles as starts to blow on her belly. Tris was visibly pregnant now even though she was only four months. The doctors want her to make it to the 35-week mark which is customary when carrying twins.
When the doorbell rings they both look at each other and Tris shrugs indicating she wasn't expecting anyone.
"Wonder who that could be" Tobias comments
"Maybe Therese forgot her key" Tris replies. Even though Therese was living on campus she always popped by on the weekends to hang out or help Tris around the house now that she was pregnant.
"She went to CIAA in Charlotte this weekend, I didn't think she'd be back this early" Tobias reminds Tris.
"I'll get the door if you would fix me a snack please" Tris requests
"You sure?"
"Yes, I need to stretch and the babies are hungry"
"Anything in particular?"
"Ummmm, popcorn and chocolate sauce please" Tris relays. "Oh and hot sauce"
"Okaaayyyy" Tobias sighs and shakes his head. Tris' cravings were getting more weird as the months went on.
The doorbell rings again when Tris gets near the door.
"I'm coming, hold on a second" she yells.
"I'm sorry, I'm moving a little slow these days," Tris says as she opens to door to the Piazza, cradling her belly, and stops mid-sentence when she sees who on the other side of the door.
"Thomas" Tris gasps as she stares at Therese and Edward's estranged father standing on her doorstep. Tobias hadn't spoken to his mother in over a year after Evelyn's lawsuit against Tobias was thrown out when the final will was recognized naming Tobias the sole heir to his grandfather's estate. Thomas hadn't behaved as Evelyn had but he had kept his distance. Tobias had been adamant his mother nor her partner were welcome at their wedding.
"It's good to see you, Tris," Thomas says. "I didn't know you were expecting. Congratulations."
"Umm Thank you, Tobias, and I are very excited," She says quietly.
"I was hoping to speak with Tobias," Thomas asks.
Tris knows she's being rude by not inviting him in but she's not sure how Tobias would react if she did. His protective nature has been in overdrive since they found out they were expecting.
"Baby, who was at the door", Tobias calls and he freezes when he sees Thomas.
He gently grabs Tris and moves her behind him.
"Tris please go inside. Your popcorn is on the coffee table. I'll be back in just a minute" Tobias says quietly.
"You have no right showing up here," Tobias says in a cold voice as he steps on the porch closing the door.
"I know, but you, Therese, or Edward weren't taking any of our calls and I needed to speak with you about your mother" Thomas explains. Tobias looks at him and takes in that he looks exhausted, there are deep bags under his eyes.
"We have nothing to say and Ed's been in London, why come all the way to the states" Tobias crosses his arms in front of his chest.
"I haven't been able to get Ed to speak with me. I thought I could try you and Therese. Maybe we could go inside and talk?"
"Yeah no, I'm not going to have you upsetting my wife, she needs her rest. You need to get to the point and then get off my porch"
"Your mother wants to apologize, she had been under so much stress and wasn't thinking clearly…. Since last year she's had a lot of time to reflect..."
"You mean since she decided money was more important than her own children?"
"Tobias I don't think you understand where your mother was coming from"
"Oh no she made it perfectly clear where she was coming from."
"I just want to help her" Thomas pleads.
"And you really thought I would be able to do that, the son who looks like her father who she hated?" Tobias wasn't fooled for a minute with Thomas and his performance. He thought his mother would try a different tactic he just didn't know how she would do it.
"I know she said a lot of things, she.., we made a lot of mistakes in how we handled things. If we could just sit down and talk about how we could work and together without the lawyers to talk about your grandfather's estate"
"Yeah, I've heard enough, you need to go, and don't bother to come back. And you can tell Evelyn she's never going to see a dime of the money, not from me, not from Therese, and not from Ed. Sending you to do her dirty work won't change things, she couldn't even bother to make a convincing argument herself, she had to send you".
Tobias turns and goes back into the house and shuts the door leaving Thomas standing on the porch not bothering to let him get in an additional word.
"What was that about ?" Tris asks as Tobias settles next to her on the couch pulling her legs into his lap so he can massage her calf muscles and feet.
"Nothing to worry about, let's say that my mother isn't giving up on trying to manipulate her children for her father's money. But that is nothing for you Mama to worry about" He leans over and kisses her swollen belly. That chapter for him was closed and he was done letting it affect him. He made sure that he let Therese and Edward know that they didn't need to cut Evelyn out of their lives because that's what he chose to do, but they made it clear they had made their peace with their decision as well. Tris knew that Susan was the only one of Thomas's children that had decided to have any kind of relationship with him even if it was still strained.
"Those two are unbelievable" Tris just shakes her head as she extends the popcorn bowl towards her husband.
"Yeah, that would be a no" he laughs out pushing the bowl back to her as she shrugs and grabs another handful.
Tris has a relatively smooth pregnancy but has to slow down the larger she gets as the months go on being petite. Shauna has a much more difficult pregnancy and ends up on bed rest at the six-month mark. Hana, Christina, Rose, and Therese all pitch in to help with cooking and cleaning. Tris is on duty to keep Shauna company when Lynn and her mother, weren't in town. Tris needed to take it easy too so she and Shauna binged TVs and movies, played board games. Natalie comes down at the beginning of October to help get the remodeled nursery done and help out as Tris gets closer to her due date.
When the babies come, Tris has a big decision to make if she wants to give up her position at Dauntless to stay at home with twins. Tobias lets her know that he supports whatever decision she wants to make, she has plenty of options. She could help manage the foundation she and Tobias wanted to start but Tris knew her true passion was working on campus with her students. Natalie and Hana both give her their perspectives never being able to be stay at home mothers due to having to work to keep their families financially stable. In the end, Stephanie gives her a recommendation that she loves. Tris gets Max to agree to reduce her hours so she will only work 4 days a week and hire an assistant Dean of Student of Activities.
Zendaya Marie Prior-Eaton and Zion Nicholas Prior-Eaton make their debut the third week of October. Three weeks early but otherwise healthy. Two and a half weeks later Aria Raquel Pedrad and Aiden Christopher Pedrad join their large extended family. Aria and Aiden stay in the hospital for an extra week due to their early arrival but make up for in a few months. The first few months are chaotic with Christina running the restaurant, Zeke's football schedule, and two sets of twins. Hana and Max shuffling between houses as everyone gets used to the four newest members of their family.
The first week after the twins come home, Tobias kisses his wife's forehead as he takes Zendaya from her when she finishes nursing and lays her in her crib. Tobias kisses both of the babies on the head before he joins Tris in their bedroom.
"I'm so tired" Tris yawns and half mumbles as she crawls into bed a few minutes later. "I have no idea how I would be making it if my mom wasn't here to help out"
"I know," Tobias says softly as Tris snuggles up to him. "But they are so worth it"
Tris chuckles in agreement. She smiled anytime she caught Tobias holding one of the twins and whispering to them.
A state of normalcy emerges by Christmas. Everyone usually gathers at Hana and Max's house on Sunday afternoons and the twins become accustomed to being together. Christmas is a fun affair with everyone coming to Charleston. The day is relaxed with everyone taking turns holding the babies. As it gets later in the evening, Tobias goes to pick up Zion from the floor where all the twins are having tummy time on a blanket to put him in his carrier so they can head home. He doesn't get far when all four of the babies start to cry.
"Seriously Zion, You aren't wet," Tobias says flipping him over in his arms trying to figure out why he's crying. He figured the other babies started crying because he was.
"Come one guys, we've had a good day" Tobias sighs bouncing Zion trying anything to get him to stop crying.
Tris comes over and picks up Zendaya, wondering if it would help soothe them so they could get them in the car. It doesn't and all four babies continue to cry.
"You two just ate, you can't possibly be hungry," Tris says with her eyebrows furrowed.
"Tobias put him back on the floor with the other babies" Natalie instructs as she, Hana, Zeke, and Shauna have come over to see what all the commotion was about.
Tobias shrugs and does what she asks. Anything to stop the crying. He loved his children and his niece and nephew but when all of them were screaming at the top of thier lungs it could be a lot to deal with. As soon as Tobias places Zion back on his tummy next to Aiden, after about a minute all four of the babies settle down.
"Are you serious?" Shauna laughs out. "This is what they want when they are screaming their heads off"
"Oh my God, I thought it was just when Zion and Zendaya couldn't be near each other" Tris says as she shakes her head.
"You have got to be kidding me, You would think they were quadruplets, not cousins," Sharon, Shauna's mom says as she had come over to see about her grandbabies.
"They are that attached to each other already?" Zeke adds.
"Looks like these four are going to be inseparable" Hana chuckles.
Tris, Tobias, the twins Natalie, Andrew, Caleb, and Cara who are now engaged, Marcus, Stephanie, Christina, and Uriah all spend their New Year's in London with Rose and Edward. Rose applied for a study abroad program to spend the Spring and Fall semester in London and everyone is expecting that an engagement announcement from Rose and Edward would be coming soon. Marcus takes the time to show Stephanie, Tobias, and Tris where he grew up in London with his parents, where he went to school so that Tobias could feel more connected to his English heritage. The two were planning another family trip to Jamaica once the spring semester ended so Marcus could reconnect with his Jamaican relatives again. Tobias had enjoyed learning more about his family history and he and Tris wanted to take a trip to Greece and Zimbabwe when the twins were older as well.
Everyone expected that there would be a proposal to Stephanie during the trip to Jamaica that summer, as Marcus and Stephanie, were still going strong and very happy together. Tris and Christina help him pick out a stunning ring and plan the perfect proposal which Stephanie eagerly accepts after a sunset dinner on the beach.
By the time October rolls around again, Tris and Shauna plan a large family get together to celebrate the birthdays of both sets of twins. Natalie, Andrew, Cara, and Caleb who are now engaged make the trip for the birthday celebration. Rose and Edward join via video chat to see all the babies blow out their first candle.
"Since we have you all here for a celebration, we thought everyone would like to know there's another baby about to be added to this crazy family of ours" Uriah announces as everyone gathers for cake.
"Baby Pedrad will make their debut in May" Christina grins placing her hand on her belly.
Shauna and Tris each holding a baby pull Christina into a side hug while Hana and Stephanie squeal with joy at Uriah and Christina expecting.
"Are you sure it's only one baby?" Zeke teases.
"I hope so, I don't know if we can handle another set of twins around here" Tobias adds.
"Oh, you two stop it" Hana fusses swatting at her two oldest sons as they both make a half-hearted attempt to get away.
Christina made four small Dauntless smash cakes for each of the babies. It doesn't take long for icing and cake to end up everywhere even though Tris and Shauna try to keep it contained. Everything goes awry when Zeke and Tobias start throwing cake at each other and it's not long before they chase Uriah around Hana's back yard trying to smear him with icing too.
Lilly Rose becomes the talk of Charleston. The restaurant did so well that within a year and a half, Christina was able to open a second location in Mt. Pleasant, a suburb of Charleston. Marcus had advised her on a business plan and felt that in two years if the growth continued she would be in a great position to open a third location. Isaiah David Pedrad makes his debut on time in May. Uriah and Christina feel like pros by the time their son arrives after all of the diapers and bottles from their nieces and nephews. Christina and Uriah work out a groove with the demands of running two restaurants, being a navy commander, and parents. Their family support system is always there to help. Stephanie is happy with her choice to move to Charleston with Marcus to be there to support Christina and Uriah.
Christina is offered a stage at the Essence Festival in New Orleans the following year. Sharon, Natalie, and Hana keep all the grandkids for the week while Stephanie, Rose, Zeke, Shauna, Tris, and Tobias go down to support. Christina, Tris, and Shauna squeal with delight when a tv producer approaches Christina after seeing her cooking demo and loves her stage presence and wants to discuss signing her to a deal for a cooking show on the Food Network.
Therese decides the stay in the U.S. once she finishes her degree and she and Tobias establish the Voices of Hope Foundation to provide scholarships and aid to communities in need and set up the offices in Charleston. Harrison keeps the funds for Voices of Hope growing supported through Tobias's inheritance, corporate donations from Divergent, and several other major businesses in the United States and the UK thanks to Marcus. Over the years the foundation not only funds the Abnegation Group Home but also a group home in Charleston and one in London. All the young people are offered full scholarships to Dauntless including books and housing.
When Edward finishes school, he becomes a co-manager of thier funds as well as Marcus's funds, learning from Harrison and Marcus the ropes of finance and investing. Tobias and Harrison partner together to open a financial management firm where Harrison and Edward are the managing partners. Edward leads the European offices and Harrison the offices based in Charleston. Their portfolio grows quite large with several of Marcus's business associates investing with the company.
When Zion and Zendaya are four, Tris and Tobias find out they are expecting again. They weren't sure how large they wanted their family. Zeke and Shauna were content with Aria and Aiden. Christina and Uriah were expecting again too and hoping for a girl. Tobias had taken her to Greece for a quick getaway so they could enjoy some time alone before the new baby comes. With the twins starting school soon, their life was going to get even crazier with Tobias still teaching and Tris still serving as the Dean of Student Activities. They loved their jobs and were happy that Therese and Edward had taken on activities roles with the foundation and finance management to allow them to keep doing what they loved. Tris was thankful for the romantic getaway, Tobias was always thoughtful making sure they took time for themselves even though the twins would travel with them often.
"I think this is another boy," Tris says running her hands over her still flat belly. The windows were open to their room in Santori and there was a warm breeze blowing the white curtains in their suite.
"What makes you think that?" Tobias says as she plays with the curls of her hair.
"I don't know, just a feeling" Tris shrugs.
"Thank you, Tris," Tobias says quietly.
"For what?" She furrows her eyebrows wondering where her going with this.
"Giving me this amazing family, this life we have"
She sits up and leans over to kiss him softly.
"I can say the same thing"
He smiles and pulls her to him.
"I'm so glad fate brought us together"
"Me too" she whispers as she laces their fingers together.