Happy Reading Everyone!

A Runaway Family

Chapter 14

Time flies when you're having fun

Tobias' POV

It's funny how time flies, especially when you seem to have so much of it. Summer came and went as Tris' pregnancy progressed. We all felt a lot of anticipation wondering if something bad would happen and at the same time we all grew comfortable in our own little world. Zeke and Shauna come and go as often as they can, they actually spendt as much time as possible with us during the holidays. Tris and Marlene agreed that Zeke just couldn't be without me and Uriah. Let's not forget how Shauna probably threatened to kill Zeke every other day seeing that she was all that he had left back home.

Luckily D.A.A. has kept afloat. Sure we lost a few clients, but the most loyal ones have stuck by us, understanding that I have had to step back as a silent partner for now. It's been more than six months since we heard from Eric and Marcus' last whereabouts. Detective Caldwell and Will have no new leads on them. How I wish I had better news for Tris and the kids. I just wish that we could go home in time for Tris to give birth in Chicago. I just want my new baby boy to go home, his real home and be safe and sound, but with Eric and Marcus still on the loose we can't take the chance. For now we find comfort in having our closest friends with us and knowing that we are hopefully miles away from the monsters that threaten us. I know for now, it's best that we remain hidden.

Luckily we arranged for Ethan to be homeschooled this year. Tris has taken on the role of teaching our son with ease and I am surprised that Ethan has really taken to it. He is doing phenomenal with Tris being his teacher, even his reading levels and math levels have improved tremendously.

As for Maddy, she has really gotten the hang of walking down, along with running now too. She has finally found her balance, which luckily reduced a lot of stress for Tris and I. Although now, she is like a little firecracker and the terrible twos have really kicked in. She has really come into her own, stubbornness and all. But she is still the most adorable little one that I have ever seen before. Well that is next to her brother Ethan, that is.

As for Tris, she is in her 8th month of being pregnant with our son. She is very uncomfortably pregnant right now. She is more than happy to let everyone know how miserable she is, between being unable to sleep comfortably and finding the right position to even sit, let alone stand… I can't say I blame her though. The baby is the size of a watermelon, he is an Eaton after all, so he will be a big boy indeed, taking after me. Tris' petite size is a struggle for her to keep up. Someone always has to help her stand up from a chair and make sure she doesn't topple over with her big belly.

I'll admit when Tris finally hit her second trimester it was extremely enjoyable. The morning sickness had eased almost completely, the same thing happened with the exhaustion that she was feeling. As for our sex life, I was happy that we were back on track or perhaps we were even worse than before. We just couldn't get enough of each other, it didn't matter what was going on or what time of day it was, it was just an incredible itch that needed to be scratched. I was more than pleased to help her out with that. It could be in the middle of the day, Tris and I would sneak off to our bedroom, the bathroom, hell we even did it in the woods against a tree. The cravings that she had was like no other and it seemed to revolve around one thing, my dick…Whether it was in her mouth or in her delicious hot, wet pussy, she didn't care. She often complained when I would try and service her. She would actually get frustrated and demand that I stick my dick in her already. The doctor did warn us, well more than Tris, that every pregnancy is different. Some things may be the same or escalate or decrease with every child. Boy was he right, not only were the cravings of our sex life different than when she was pregnant with Maddy, but damn even her food cravings where different. Tris actually went as far as demanding ketchup and pickles in her brownie ice cream… Seriously? Who does that? Unfortunately as Tris approached her third trimester it all started to fade. She became achy and tired and craved everything in sight. When she isn't eating, she is sleeping. Sex is a non existing thing right now, for the first time in my life it's actually denied. Again, not that I blame her.

Halloween came and went just as fast. We tried to make it special for the kids given our lack of trick or treating. We all dressed up and threw a small Halloween party of our own for the kids, keeping it PG 13 of course. I remember Uriah even pouting that we wouldn't allow him to play a round of Candor and Dauntless, but seeing that we had two young kids with us, it was for the best. We thought it wouldn't be the best choice to play that type of game in their presence. Zeke and Shauna both came out a few days before Halloween and spent some time with us. They carved pumpkins with the kids and hung up Halloween decorations with them, which they were both so excited to do. Of course Ethan went for all the chocolates, while Maddy went more for the lollipop types of candy.

Zeke and Shauna didn't return again until the day before Thanksgiving. We were all so happy and surprised when we saw Hana had joined them on their trip. She cried when she saw her baby boy in one piece with the rest of us. She hugged him ever so tightly, threatening his need for oxygen while she cried. Once she finally did release him, she hugged each and every one of us. Well that is until she got to Tris, she hugged her and cried, thrilled about the new bundle of joy that was soon going to be joining our crazy world.

We were thankful for Hana coming out for Thanksgiving. It just wouldn't have felt the same without her, without everyone. We can honestly say that it felt just as if we were back home. The place doesn't matter as much as the people that you are with, family. They are our home. We were sad to see Hana, Zeke and Shauna go so fast, but Zeke and Shauna both had to return to work on Monday since it's such a long and difficult journey to take to protect our whereabouts, they had to leave the Friday after Thanksgiving.

When Christmas came, we were all so happy to see our favorite trio arrive just a few days before Christmas. Hana of course added her special Christmas magic to not only the food, but to our Christmas decorations. If there was anything we learned over the past year was that family is everything.

Hana, Zeke, and Shauna stayed till after the new year. They headed back home just a few days after New Year's day. Zeke complained that it was the simplest, PG-13 New Years Eve that he has ever had. Although we were all thrilled by the news that Zeke and Shauna shared with us just a few minutes before the new year, as they told us that they too were expecting. We all shared hugs and congratulations to the happy couple. Tris cried, as she was thrilled that our newborn and theirs would be so close in age. The women even joked about the kids being best friends or worse… Married if they wind up having a baby girl. That pretty much stopped Zeke and I dead cold… My kid married...To a Pedrad, no less. Oh, fuck no! Over my dead body, those two together would be the end of me.

Which brings us all to today's event, Ethan's birthday. Unfortunately Shauna, Zeke and Hana can't make it out to join us. Shauna has been having a really rough time with morning sickness, so they thought it was best that they stay home. I just really hope that we can all go home before Tris or Shauna delivers.

It's odd how time can really change a person. Looking back at the person that I was four years ago, I don't even recognize myself. In fact, I'm pretty sure if you had told me that I would be happily married with two beautiful children and one on the way… I probably would have died of laughter. I didn't believe in love or marriage. Hell, I didn't do kids, especially ones of my own. I thought love was just another excuse to hurt someone. I didn't have good role models growing up to show me what true love really meant. Hell my own mother faked her own death and left me with my abusive father. She never looked back. My father was just as shitty, if not worse. He beat me every chance he got, locked me in a closet and made sure I knew how worthless I truly was. It wasn't until I met Tris, who was interviewing to be my secretary that I began to think anything different. But in the end I know it was also Ethan that helped change me for the better… That little boy was so innocent, yet so brave, just like his beautiful mother. Yet I couldn't deny him of what he asked of me, my love and to be his father. I remember how nervous I was about meeting him. I even called Shauna for advice. Boy that seems like a lifetime ago.

Flashback

"Hi Four," Shauna greets me.

"Hey Shauna," I say. Maybe this is a bad idea. I could always google what I need to know. No, she is a friend who has a lot of experience with kids. This is the right call. Yeah, okay.

"What's up? Are you getting ready for our trip to Florida?" Shauna asks, her voice filled with curiosity as to why I am calling her.

"That's kinda why I'm calling you," I say, I let my voice portray my need for help.

"Oh, is the big bad Four needing some advice?" She jokes. Alright, maybe I shouldn't have called her.

"Shauna!" I warned her. Wondering if I should just hang up on her right now.

"So are you asking advice about her son...Or are we talking about Tris?" Is she seriously mocking me right now? I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down as best as I can.

"Alright. Thanks. I'm hanging up now." Neverminded, I can google the damn advice.

"Oh come on Four, I'm sorry. It's just this has never happened before. You sure there isn't more to this..."Shit. Am I really that obvious?

"Shauna, I don't do kids, you know that! Just give me some pointers, please. I would hate to go through such great lengths and have it all blow up in our faces because I don't know how to deal with them," I say, ignoring her question.

"Okay. Okay. Well, spend some time with the kid for starters." Right, I didn't get to that.

"Well Tris invited me over tomorrow night for dinner and we are all going to the park on Saturday," I informed her.

"Well, that's a great start. Wow, the park on a Saturday," she says, her tone sounding a little more surprised than I expected. What the hell does that even mean? I'm so fucked!

"Yeah, I don't know how to interact with him," I confess. Shit maybe I am way over my head here.

"Well, he has special needs right? Autistic…I think Zeke said." No shit, Sherlock.

"Yes and A.D.H.D." I add.

"Okay...Well the key to interacting with any kid is getting down to their level and into their world. If they like dolls, play dolls with them, if they like stars, talk to them about the stars. When it comes to Autistic kids, they have different ways of thinking. They think outside of the box with much more of an imagination. So find out what he likes and get into it with him. Play with him. But be observant, children with Autism have trouble expressing what they are feeling. Too much of something can overload him." Oh sure that helps a lot. What the hell does overload mean?

"Um overload?" I ask.

"Okay. You know when you are having sex with someone for the first time. You don't know their likes and dislikes right?" She asks. What the fuck? Where is she going with this?

"Um Okay. I'm following you." Relating sex to kids...Okay then lets go with that.

"Well you have to pay attention to their actions, their noises and their expressions...Right?" She continues.

"Okay, sure." I'm selfish in bed. I don't really care what the woman wants, as long as I do what I damn well please.

"Okay. So somewhat the same here. With autistic kids, you need to pay attention to their expressions, their words and their actions. That will lead you into knowing if something is too much or too little." Okay? That makes sense, I guess. "Just follow what your gut tells you to do and what the kid's actions are. You'll be okay. Also Tris will be there, let her help guide you. I'm sure she understands that you won't be an expert about her son overnight. No one is."

"Okay?" Oh hell, maybe I should start calling around for actresses, just in case. I can't do this.

"And Four?" Shauna asks, getting my attention. I fear what she might say. This is Shauna after all.

"Yes."

"Don't show fear to the little boy. And don't be a dick, because kids can smell fear and they will use it against you. Always stay calm, no matter what," she says, before saying goodbye and ending the call. Well that went well. Shit I'm so fucked.

Flashback ends

I laugh as I remember that day. I was so nervous about going to Tris' house and meeting her son for the first time… Believe it or not I sat in my car for over twenty minutes talking to myself about getting out of the car and making it up to her apartment. I didn't do kids, I didn't hate them, but I couldn't stand them. I was freaked out, what if I had messed it all up. Not only would that mean losing a client like Amar, but I would lose Tris forever. Although I grew to care about Tris over the years that she worked with me… I didn't want to jeopardize losing her. I knew I would never be good enough for her, a fear that was embedded in me by Marcus… But I also knew I would never be good enough for what Ethan needed. I'm glad I was wrong.

My first meeting with Ethan went better than I could have hoped. Our second meeting went just as well…

Flashback

"Hi," I greeted her. That's something else that I started to notice about me when I'm around Tris, I can't help but smile all the time. Not even the girls I take home and fuck, can't get me to smile, like ever.

"Hi, Four. So how's your morning been?" Tris asks, while glancing at me for a second and then giving her attention back to the park where Ethan is chasing another child. She really is a wonderful mother, always keeping such a close eye on him.

"Good. You?" I can't help but glance back and forth between both Tris and Ethan. Ethan seems to be having a great time playing with the other kids. He has the perfect form of a TREX, stomping his right foot and then charging after the other children, as the other kids just laugh and take off allowing him to chase them. A deep laugh coming from within my stomach escapes me at the sight of the kids enjoying themselves. I can't help it, it's interesting to watch.

"Entertaining isn't it? Watching the kids play, they're so innocent at this age," Tris comments.

"More entertaining than anything else I've seen lately," I respond, stretching my right arm and resting it on the back of the bench behind where Tris sits. If she takes notice, she doesn't show it, so that's where it stays.

We continue this dance between us for another half hour, glancing back and forth at each other and then watching Ethan play and run. We talk about things that aren't important, but are safe topics to discuss. Finally Ethan takes notice of me sitting next to his mother and stops, and I mean stops moving all together, frozen in place. I see him tilt his head to the side, reminding me of how he looked at me the first time he saw me for the first time the other night. He suddenly begins to stomp his way over to us slowly, just like a t-rex hunting his prey. I can see how Tris suddenly tenses, preparing for however Ethan may act towards me. I know she has mentioned before that Ethan can often flip his switch, I would hate for that to happen and sour the day for him. But to our complete surprise when he is at an arm's length away from Tris, he stops, he doesn't say anything, instead he allows his right hand that is still curled up and close to his armpits to wave at me slowly with the smallest smile on his face. The movement is so small and it happens so fast, that if you weren't watching him closely you would probably miss it.

"Hey buddy, do you remember my friend Four? He came to see you today," Tris says, taking his attention away from me. He glances between both Tris and I without saying a word, he nods his head at Tris, letting her know that he does in fact remember me and that he is okay with me being here. I swear I can hear Tris' silent sigh of relief from Ethan's response to me.

"Hey Ethan, are you having fun out there with your friends?" I ask, trying to get him to engage with me a little. He nods his head with another small smile that I can't help but return back to him. He takes both Tris and I by surprise when he allows his right hand to reach out for my hand and tugs on it ever so slightly, trying to signal to me what he really wants. "ROAR!" He growls at me. I take the hint and stand up, finally understanding what it is that he is wanting from me. From me! Once again giving Shauna the much needed credit in my head, I bend over and try to replicate the same thing he does. I curl my arms up, bringing them as close to my arm pits as possible, I then arch my back, tilt my head and stomp with my right foot just like he does. He must like what I'm doing, because he then lets out a playful roar, in which I happily return back to him. Just as he takes off stomping, he looks back at me while nodding in my direction for me to follow him. I hear Tris behind me laughing really hard and loud, I guess she too enjoys this playful and foolish side of me, as I take off after Ethan.

"ROAR!"

Flashback ends

Yeah that day was something alright. We fooled around at the park for what felt like hours. Until Tris joined us, we chased her together acting like two t-rex on a hunt. We finally caught her, all laughing as we pretended to claw at her. After our play time, we got take out from Mcdonalds. I laugh thinking about the drive thru lady as Tris and I fought over who should pay…

Flashback

"Four, I invited you," Tris says. As if that argument is enough for me.

"So what? You bought me dinner on Tuesday, it's my turn," I point out. I should at least help out with the meals.

"But this is my treat, stop being so egotistical," she says. Seriously? I am egotistical. Oh it's on.

"Mmm...But you see, I'm your husband now... That's what husbands do," I responded. She looks at me with one raised eyebrow like "Oh please." Yeah. I didn't believe that either.

"Okay, so if you're my husband... Then my money is your money. Therefore, take my card," she quickly replies. Smooth, I'll give her that. But two can play that game.

"Na. See, this card right here gets us points," I say, nearly laughing. The window to the drive thru opens up just as I finish. Here we go.

"Excuse me, don't take that card. It's a bad one. Here take this one instead," Tris yells out. Did she seriously just say that? She reaches over me and tries to hand the cashier her card. I'm momentarily distracted since her boobs are directly in my face. Shit. Control yourself, Tobias. Focus.

"Nope, this card is just fine. She's on drugs, don't listen to her. Take this one," I say, a little louder now. I gently push Tris back into her seat. Luckily the lady at the drive-thru window has a confused look on her face, not knowing what to do or which card to take. She ends up just reaching out and takes the card that is the closest to her. Which luckily happens to be my card. Yes!

"Ha, I won!" I scream, fist pumping in the air, getting all sorts of looks!

"Seriously, what are you five?" Tris asks with a small chuckle of annoyance. What can I say, I have obviously been around Zeke too much.

"Hey I'm Four and a half. Alright?" I fire back with complete amusement. Tris laughs out loud at my goofiness.

Flashback ends

I think back on those days, amazed at how far we have come. Not just in my relationship with Tris, but with our son. I love that little boy more than anything, just as much as I love his little sister and of course his mother.

I was stunned the day he called me Daddy, he was trying so hard to behave for me and Tris. We could see his ache to move about, as he had to sit in a chair at the table. He called out to me asking to go to the park. I was so stunned, as much as Tris was… I swear he was calling out to my heart that day. There was no denying him after that. That little guy snuck his way into my heart and latched on for dear life. I don't think I would have it any other way.

I still remember the day I surprised Tris and Ethan when I took them both to Dinosaur world while we were visiting Orlando, Florida. Ethan was so excited when he saw the dinosaur statues as we arrived. It was in that moment that every doubt, every concern that I had about taking him was all for nothing. It was well worth spending the day there, just to see his little face light up. That's why when Tris and I both realized that there is a Dinosaur World here in Texas we just knew it was the best place to spend his birthday. I was even more pleased when Zeke and Shauna both agreed to come out. It seems Shauna was starting to feel a little better from the morning sickness and they both didn't want to miss their nephew's birthday. I can't be more pleased with the family that Tris and I have. We are definitely blessed.

A/N

Thought that was a fun little recap chapter to play with. I hope you all enjoyed it as well. Like they say, to get where you are going… you need to remember where you have been.

Revised with : FDFobsessed

Like always happy reading, stay safe and above all else, stay healthy!

Trini