Tris let Tobias have his way on Friday night. He picked up reasonably healthy takeout from a local place they found was a favorite of both of them. He encouraged her to pick a movie while he was getting the food, and she found common tastes in his DVD collection as well. She settled on an old comedy from the 1970s that she was surprised to find on Tobias' shelves.
Tris had the DVD loaded to the menu screen when Tobias returned with the food.
"Are we watching The Jerk?" he asked. "I love this movie!"
"Me too," Tris said with a giggle. "My brother and I saw it when we were kids. It was heavily edited for television and my mom kept going on about it and how funny it was. We ended up recording it on the DVR. I must have seen it a hundred times. I had no idea how inappropriate some of it was until I saw it unedited as an adult!"
Tobias laughed. "I can't imagine letting a child watch this movie," he said as he handed Tris her dinner and plastic utensils. "I saw it at Zeke's house right after I moved in with his family. I have no idea where he found it."
"You lived with your friend?" Tris asked.
Tobias froze in place, realizing exactly where the conversation was about to go. "I, uh… Yeah," he stammered. "I moved in with Zeke and his mom and brother when I was seventeen. I… I didn't have great parents. When I needed somewhere to go, Hana took me in."
Sensing his discomfort and reluctance, Tris just nodded. "Okay," she said with finality so he would know that she wasn't going to press the issue. "It's good your friend and his family were there when you needed them."
"Yeah," Tobias replied on a heavy exhale. "It was. A few months later I started dating Lauren, and she and her family were there for me too. I, uh, I hate to say this, but losing my parents actually improved my sort of 'adult mentor' situation. Max, Veronica, and Hana have been amazing - a real upgrade."
Tris didn't say anything, she just hit play on the movie and started eating her dinner.
A few scenes in, Tobias surprised her by speaking again. "I'm kind of surprised you didn't Google me or something," he said.
"Before I agreed to be your surrogate?" Tris asked, and Tobias nodded. "I did. Why?"
Tobias sighed. He really didn't want to talk about it, but he was the one who brought it up.
"My mom died when I was seventeen," he explained, not lifting his gaze from the carryout box of food in front of himself. "My dad killed her. They… they never had a good relationship. Quite honestly neither of them were great people. Marcus was an abusive asshole, and Evelyn escaped from reality by drinking and popping pills. They fought all the time. One night it went too far. Marcus snapped her neck, and she died instantly. Thankfully, I wasn't home. He called 9-1-1 and told them she fell down the stairs, but something about the scene, or his attitude, or the marks on her made them suspicious. During the investigation it was pretty clear to the police that Marcus killed her. He was charged with murder and abusing both of us, found guilty, and put in prison."
"That… that didn't show up when I searched you online," Tris said breathlessly.
Tobias sighed, still refusing to look up from his food. "Maybe it's because I was a minor, but I assumed that it did. Otherwise I would have told you. I probably should have told you before the transplant. I hope you don't regret your decision. I promise I never laid a hand on Lauren; I would never treat my wife and child the way Marcus treated me and Evelyn."
"Tobias," Tris said gently. She waited a minute until Tobias glanced up at her quickly.
Seeing no anger, fear, or pity on her face, he held her gaze.
"You're a good man," Tris said calmly. "I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm sorry your parents weren't what you deserved. I have no qualms about you as a person, as Lauren's husband, or as a father. We aren't our parents, and nothing I have seen of you - or the way others react to you - has given me any reason to question you. That's what matters."
Tobias smiled wanly. "Thanks," he said. "Thanks for saying that, and for not looking at me like a kicked puppy. If it makes you feel better, Max and Veronica know. Zeke and his family know. My therapist and my boss know."
"Good," Tris said almost flippantly. "Obviously they have no concerns, and neither do I. Now if you don't mind, this next part of the movie is my favorite."
Tobias' smile grew to a real grin, that broadened even further when Tris started giggling at the movie.
.
That night, Tobias couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned alone in his big king-sized bed. It was weird having a woman in his house again. Watching a movie together, eating dinner, talking - it had all felt so… normal. Yet nothing about it was normal. He was a widower, planning on a baby, and having some kind of weekend sleepover with the surrogate. Tris was a stranger, yet she had agreed to carry his baby in spite of the fact that he was going to be a single father. She didn't seem to mind that he had come from an abuse background. He didn't understand it, but somewhere inside of herself, Tris had an odd confidence in him that he hadn't seen since… well, since Lauren. And while he should have been grateful for it, instead he felt overwhelmed and uncomfortable.
She did something to him. With his family background, friendship had never come naturally to Tobias. Sure, he was nice enough, but he was introverted, and didn't like talking about his private life. He wasn't like Zeke who was instant best friends with everyone he met. Only two people had ever broken through Tobias' shell easily - Zeke and Lauren. Zeke, because he was gregarious and insistent, had taken on Tobias as some kind of challenge when they were in middle school. He'd gone out of his way to reach out to Tobias and get to know him on more than a friendly surface level. Their relationship had taken years to develop, but they were as close as brothers. In fact, Zeke's kids called Tobias their uncle.
Lauren was the other one who had connected to Tobias easily. Her style had been much gentler and more nurturing than Zeke's. Lauren was a listener. She was naturally skilled at getting to know people and giving them her full attention. Tobias had loved that about her. When the more outgoing extroverts in high school railroaded conversations, Lauren always made a point of asking Tobias for his opinion. She always asked him about his weekend, or commented on his performance in the most recent sporting event. She cared, and she came into his life when he needed that the most.
Caring and nurturing were her strongest traits. During the four years they dated, the year they were engaged, and the three years they were married, Tobias had blossomed under Lauren's gentle nurturing, and he knew it. She took a broken boy and held him together as he healed. She encouraged him all through their senior year of high school and into college. In her he found the confidence to excel in school and in his career. Through her he found the leader he was always meant to be. And then she was gone.
It terrified Tobias that he was connecting to Tris so easily. She was supposed to be a means to an end - a nice lady with whom he would work for a year or so in a very expensive business transaction that would get his life back on track. The fact that they were so easily becoming friends startled him. He unexpectedly cared about her comfort, wanted to meet her friends, and liked having her around. She made him feel normal and hopeful. She saw the man behind the labels of 'young widower' or 'abuse survivor.'
Eventually, Tobias drifted off to a fitful sleep. He dreamed of holding a baby that looked just like Tris, petite features, blonde hair, and grey-blue eyes. Veronica was standing beside him, looking at the little one, and she angrily remarked that Tris had put too much of herself into carrying the baby. Tobias felt torn between sorrow that the baby bore no resemblance to Lauren and happiness that Tris had given herself so fully to the surrogacy.
He woke up confused. The house smelled deliciously of cinnamon and coffee, and the warm sun streaming in his bedroom window told him that he had slept in much later than usual.
After a quick trip to the bathroom, Tobias padded down to the kitchen in his sleep pants and a cotton t-shirt. There he found Tris, humming to herself and swaying gently as she flipped French toast at his stove.
"Good morning," he said in a rough, sleepy voice.
"Morning," Tris said cheerfully.
"Did you sleep well?" Tobias asked.
Tris nodded and blushed a little. "I can't thank you enough for letting me stay here this weekend. I know it's awkward, but I really appreciate it. Sleeping in a real bed again was amazing."
"I only wish I'd known sooner," Tobias said. "I've had that bed sitting there empty while you were cramped on a couch. You could have been using my guest room sooner."
"That's really nice of you," she replied as she handed him a plate of French toast with stewed apples.
"Wow," he said, raising an eyebrow at the plate of food. "Now I really wish you'd moved in sooner. This looks amazing."
.
Tris and Tobias had a nice day together. After their late breakfast they worked side-by-side to clean up the kitchen. They talked about food, and Tris' new apartment. She told Tobias about the things she'd bought for her new place - mostly bedding, towels, and a few kitchen basics - and how she was storing them in the trunk of her car. She talked about her plan to buy a bed now that she'd received a $750 payment for the first embryo transfer attempt.
Tobias offered to take her shopping when the kitchen was cleaned, and Tris agreed. They had a good time together walking through a furniture store admiring this and that, then picking out a mattress set and frame. Tris arranged to have the bed delivered to her new apartment on the day she moved in.
After the furniture store, they took a leisurely walk through the mall. Tobias bought Tris a smoothie, and they went to the pet store to admire the puppies. All day their conversation was effortless, friendly, and comfortable. Tobias held doors for Tris. She put her hand on his shoulder once when she laughed.
When they left the mall, they made a quick trip to the grocery store. They'd skipped lunch after their big breakfast, and Tris offered to make them dinner if they could pick up a few supplies. Tobias agreed, but only under the condition that she rest between shopping and cooking.
She made them a penne dish with pesto alfredo, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken. Tobias wolfed it down like a starving man. He insisted on cleaning up, and Tris sat at the breakfast bar with a big glass of ice water while he did. As they had all day, they talked easily about their lives and loved ones.
It was still early, so Tobias suggested another movie. He picked another comedy, and they took the same seats on opposite ends of the couch.
Tris was asleep when the movie ended. Tobias was tempted to carry her to bed. He wanted to let her rest, but he also didn't want to make her uncomfortable, so he opted to gently wake her instead.
.
On Sunday Tris and Tobias prepared to host their friends for a barbecue. Tris prepared food while Tobias cleaned the bathroom and moved some things that his eighteen-month-old nephew was likely to get into.
The Cubs played in the afternoon, and they watched the game while enjoying a light lunch. Tobias made Tris lay down and rest again in the afternoon, but she was back in the kitchen after just an hour.
"Tris," Tobias said in a warning tone, "you're supposed to be resting."
"I'm fine," she insisted. "They told me to go back to my normal life. I'm not lifting anything heavy or doing anything too strenuous. Cooking and baking are relaxing for me. I'm enjoying this."
"Still," he grumbled. He would have said more, but was interrupted by the sound of his doorbell.
The bell rang a second time, then a third quickly after. Tris heard an angry toddler squeal, and watched Tobias' face positively light up as he hurried toward the door.
"No! Me!" Tris heard the indignant toddler yelling as Tobias opened the door to reveal two beautiful dark-haired toddlers bickering on his doorstep.
The kids startled at the sudden movement of the door opening. "Uncle 'Bias!" the older, a girl, squealed.
"Bias!" the younger, a boy, added in his baby voice.
"How are my favorite niece and nephew?" Tobias asked as he held the screen door to admit the kids.
Tris was instantly smitten with the beautiful children. The girl was about three years old with rich, caramel-colored skin, dark curly hair to her shoulders, and a bright sparkle in her golden brown eyes. The boy appeared to be under two years old. His skin was darker and less golden than his sister's, his curls cropped close to his head, and his eyes a deeper chocolate brown. Tris could tell instantly that the little boy was in a stubborn phase, and that he had a naughty streak in spite of his cherubic round face.
Both kids spoke at once as they threw themselves at Tobias. He picked up one toddler in each arm and gave them his undivided attention - even though most of what they said made no sense at all.
The noise came to a sudden stop when the little girl gasped. "Uncle 'Bias," she said, "there's somebody in your house!"
Tobias laughed, and Tris giggled. "Can't I have friends over?" Tobias asked playfully.
"You got more friends?" the girl asked, and Tris detected a note of jealousy and disbelief in her voice.
"A few," Tobias conceded. "This is my new friend. Her name is Tris."
The front door opened again, and a young couple let themselves into Tobias' house. They were about the same age as Tobias. The man was African-American, with a compact build and a mischievous twinkle in the golden brown eyes his daughter had obviously inherited from him. The woman was nearly as tall as her husband. She was the epitome of a Latina woman in her slim but curvy figure, flowing dark hair, soulful brown eyes that matched her son's, and the way she moved as if every step she took was a dance.
"Hey guys!" the man greeted boisterously.
"Mama, Uncle 'Bias has a new friend," the little girl announced as if tattling on her "uncle."
"I know, Baby," the woman replied as she toed off her shoes. "That's Uncle Tobias' new friend, Tris. Tris, I'm Shauna Rodriguez-Pedrad. This is my husband, Zeke, and our kids, Zoe and Oliver."
"It's nice to meet you," Tris said shyly.
Zeke and Shauna smiled broadly and carried armloads of food, supplies for the kids, and a case of beer into the kitchen where they set everything on the counter before Zeke picked up Tris and swung her around in a big, obnoxious hug.
"Hey," Tobias scolded, hurrying to put the kids down. "Precious cargo."
"Yeah?" Shauna asked eagerly.
"I… We don't know yet," Tris stammered. "I had the transplant on Friday, but we won't know if it took or not for a couple of weeks. I'm hopeful, though, and Tobias has been great about taking care of me and making me rest all weekend."
Zeke turned to his best friend and raised an eyebrow.
"I, uh, yeah," Tobias said, obviously uncomfortable talking about their arrangement. Tris wondered if it was because of Zeke and Shauna's reaction to his first announcement about the baby, or if he was unsure what to say in front of the kids. "Tris' friends Will and Christina will be here in a little bit. She's been living with them for a while, and I found out she was sleeping on the couch. I couldn't let that go on with the whole 'seed planting' thing, so I asked her to stay here for a few days."
"Why? What?" Zeke asked, clearly confused.
"I'm moving into a new apartment on Tuesday," Tris said quickly, not wanting to explain the whole Peter situation with these people she just met. "It was really generous of Tobias to let me stay here for the weekend."
"Nonsense," Tobias argued. "You've been no trouble at all. Plus, she's a good cook, so I'd say I'm winning in this arrangement."
"You never could cook much," Zeke teased. "This one time…" He launched into an obnoxious story about Tobias attempting to cook spaghetti and lighting the noodles on fire with his mother's gas stove.
Tris halfheartedly paid attention to the story, smiling and laughing when it was appropriate. Her real attention was on Tobias, who still knelt on the floor with the two kids. Zoe was telling him a story about something, while Oliver ran around them like a car on a racetrack. Tobias practically glowed. It was obvious that he doted on his little niece and nephew, and that they were crazy about him, too.
"Oh, he's not that bad," Shauna scolded, swatting at her husband. "Ignore Zeke," she instructed Tris, "he exaggerates. Anything to get a laugh."
The doorbell rang again, and Oliver bolted to open it. Zeke sprang after his son, who admitted Christina and Will.
"Hi!" Christina greeted. "Tobias?"
"Nope," Zeke replied. "I'm his brother, Zeke, and this is Oliver. Come on in."
Tris bustled to the foyer to greet her friends and introduce them to everyone else. When she finished, Christina piped up in her typical, filter-free way.
"You two don't look like brothers," she said.
Zeke, Shauna, and Tobias laughed, and Tris smiled.
"His mother took me in when we were teenagers," Tobias explained briefly. "We're not actually related."
"Remember that time Mom introduced us to her coworker?" Zeke added. "She said something like 'Ezekiel and Tobias are seniors, and Uriah is in tenth grade.' Her friend was so confused. She thought Uri and I were twins, and she was confused about where this white boy fit in. It was obvious you weren't younger than us. But she was too afraid to ask. We didn't offer any information, either, we just let her stare in confusion. That was so funny."
"Oh my god!" Christina interjected. "I knew you looked familiar. If your younger brother Uriah Pedrad?"
"Chris, I'm sure…" Tris started to say, but Zeke interrupted.
"He is!" he declared.
"Wait, really?" Tris said. "You mean, you guys are Uri's older brothers? How did we not figure this out already, Tobias? Chris and I have been friends with Uri since he started dating our friend Marlene back in college."
"Small world," Shauna interjected.
The new friends clicked with one another seamlessly. It didn't hurt that they all knew Uriah and Marlene, or that Zeke and Christina were hardcore extroverts and social ringleaders. Tobias and Will had a lot in common, too. After dinner Tris found them sitting on the deck together talking about work and recent technological advances.
Tris was always more of an introvert than Christina, and though she liked them both, she found the combination of Christina and Zeke somewhat overwhelming. Apparently, Oliver felt the same way, because when she found Tobias and Will on the deck, Ollie was with them, held in Tobias' arms with his sleeping head resting on his uncle's shoulder.
Tris could swear her heart melted at the sight. The feeling intensified when Tobias smiled at her in his sweet way.
"You should sit down," he said gently. "Put your feet up for a bit. You're supposed to be resting this weekend, and I only gave in to this get-together because you promised to take it easy."
"I'm fine," she assured him. "The doctors said I can live my normal life, just no heavy lifting or strenuous activities. This hasn't been strenuous."
"Still," he said, patting the chair beside him.
Tris gave in and sat down. Tobias and Will continued their conversation about home ethernet systems or whatever boring tech jargon they were talking about. Tris watched Oliver's chubby cheeks and long, dark eyelashes as he dreamed peacefully in Tobias' arms.
.
The scrape of the patio door startled Tris awake. "Hey, there you are!" Zeke's boisterous voice cut into the relative quiet on the deck.
"Hey, hey," Tobias said quietly, wrapping an arm around Tris. "It's okay. You fell asleep."
"Sorry," Tris said.
"Hey, sorry Tris," Zeke said, and Tris could tell he genuinely felt bad. "We should get the kids home to bed, and you need to rest too."
"No, it's okay," Tris insisted, but there was no changing Zeke's mind.
He and Shauna packed up their things and their adorable children, and said goodnight. Christina and Will followed their lead. As they were heading out, Christina drew Tris into a hug.
"You didn't tell me he was so cute," she whispered in Tris' ear. Tris blushed furiously, and Christina laughed at the heat radiating from her best friend's cheeks. "You should do something about that."
"Chris," she said in a warning tone.
"I know," Christina conceded. "But still."
Still indeed, thought Tris.