I stand in the middle of one of the park's many small public restrooms, holding my precious 2-year-old daughter tightly against my chest. One hand is gripping her closely and the other is absentmindedly running up and down her back, trying to soothe her tears. My heart pounds painfully against my ribcage and a powerful wave of nausea crashes into me, threatening to knock me off my feet as my muddled brain tries to figure out what I just saw. I breathe deeply through my nose, trying to make the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach go away. I know without a doubt it can't be who I thought it was. It just can't. The bitch is locked up in the psychiatric wing of the city hospital on a mandatory, involuntary hold where she's been since shortly after she tried to kill me nearly two years ago. They wouldn't just let her out … would they? I can't bring myself to move thinking that maybe she's hiding just out of sight, ready to attack. I've got to protect my daughter.
"Olivia?" I croak again, something close to panic coursing through my veins. God, I hate how insecure she makes me feel even after all this time. I'm usually much stronger than this but it took a while but I now remember the feel of her blade slicing through my flesh not once but multiple times. I remember lying in the infirmary, fighting to keep my eyes open as Tobias begged me to stay with him. I remember nearly losing that battle. A shudder moves through me, and Tessa cries harder. "Sshh, baby girl! I got you."
"No, Tris, it's just me," Avery says as she prances through the open door and into the dimly lit restroom. She smiles sweetly at me and goes into an empty stall while I learn to breathe again. I'm still rooted in place when she comes out to wash her hands. "Who did you think I was?" When her eyes meet mine and she takes in my appearance, she frowns and concern lights her eyes. "Is something wrong?"
"I think I'm going to be sick," I mutter as my stomach churns again. "Take her." I shove Tessa into Avery's arms and rush into the nearest stall. Just as I lean over the toilet, everything I've eaten today comes rushing back out. Once the heaving stops, I let my head hang for a long moment, making sure I'm okay then flush the toilet. I walk to the sink, a little unsteady on my feet, and splash some cold water on my clammy face. I don't hear anything besides an odd rhythmic whooshing sound in my ears until Avery lays her hand on my shoulder.
"Tris! Should I go get Four? You're scaring me." I rinse my mouth out well then take Tessa into my arms, who has tears running down her face. My poor girl. I think she's worried about me.
"No, that isn't necessary," I say, trying to comfort my daughter but I'm still on edge and I'm sure she can feel the tension in my body. "Was someone just out there when you came in?" I'm trying to not totally freak out but something doesn't feel right about this situation. Am I nuts?
"No," she says, looking toward the empty doorway, confusion on her face. "There's no one out there. Are you sure you're okay? I think I should get Four." She takes a step toward the door but I stop her.
"I thought I saw someone I couldn't possibly have seen, Av," I mutter. A lot of that has been going on here lately as Oliver's face flashes through my mind. "I guess I'm just really tired and my mind is playing tricks on me."
"Who did you think you saw?" she asks, her concern for me visible on her pretty face.
"Nobody important," I mutter, embarrassed by my irrational reaction. Way to let your imagination run away with you, Tris! "Will you walk back over with me?" I ask as Tessa wraps her arms around my neck and presses her tear-stained cheek against mine. I run my hand up and down her back like I did when she was a baby, letting her know the only way I know how that everything is okay.
"Of course," she says. "Are you still feeling sick?"
"No, not at all," I say. "It came on all of a sudden and now it's gone."
"Hhm. Dad told me that there's a stomach bug going around Dauntless," she says. "Maybe you picked it up when you spent all that time with Tyler in the infirmary. How is he, by the way? He looks like he's feeling much better."
"He's back to his old self," I say as I find my son sitting on the red-checked blanket next to his father, looking longingly at the older kids including Zane who are already back on the play equipment. I know he's itching to get back out there himself. "Do me a favor, don't tell Four how you found me." She halts and pulls me to a stop beside her.
"Only if you promise to tell him yourself," she says. "You scared the shit out of me." Her eyes slide to Tessa and she grimaces then looks at me apologetically. "Sorry. He deserves to know."
"Oh, I'll tell him but not right now," I say. "I just want to enjoy our afternoon." She eyes me wearily then pulls me in for a hug.
"I love you, Tris," she says in my ear. "If I find out you didn't tell him, I'll be pissed, and I can kick your ass now. You taught me."
"I love you, too," I say with a small chuckle, hugging her tightly. "I'll tell him." After she releases me, she joins Callen who pulls her down onto their blanket and straight into his arms. Everyone is lazily lying around enjoying the beautiful afternoon.
"There's my girls," Tobias says as I sit Tessa beside Tyler and Teagan on the blanket then follow her down. I get my bottle of juice and take a few sips then slide Tessa's plate in front of her. She immediately starts shoving food in her mouth. "Hey, slow down, Pebbles. I don't want you to choke." She smiles up at her Daddy then looks around.
"I went potty," she whispers so low it seems like she only mouths the words. He leans over and kisses her cheek.
"You did?" he whispers back and she nods. "I'm so proud of you."
"I think it's almost time for you to graduate to big girl panties," I say with a smile.
"Take me soppin'?" she murmurs.
"That's right," I say. "We will have a date just you and me, and we'll shop for your first pairs of big girl panties."
"That's a big deal," Tobias says. "Once you get your big girl panties you officially won't be a baby anymore." Tessa looks up at me, confirming this information and I nod, a reverential smile on my face.
"That's right," I say.
"We'll even have a big celebration that night," Tobias says. He runs his finger down her cheek, and she grins lovingly up at him before getting to her feet and throwing herself in his arms then she hugs me tightly before returning to her meal.
"Can I play?" Tyler asks. I watch him carefully and he looks okay. I move my eyes to Tobias' and he's frowning at me.
"You sure can, buddy," he says. We watch Tyler's face light up and he gets up and joins Zane and his brother and sisters. "What's wrong?" When I look up, I realize Tobias is carefully studying my face. What do I tell him? I overreacted and made myself sick? Sometimes I'm pathetic.
"Can we talk about it later?" I softly ask. He slides closer to me and picks my hand up.
"It's just you and me here, love," he says, tucking a stray lock that escaped my French braid behind my ear. I take a deep breath and sigh.
"It's really embarrassing," I cringe. A look of surprise flashes across his pensive face. This obviously isn't the direction his thoughts had taken him. "I thought I saw … the bitch by the restrooms. It upset me so much that … I got sick." This shocks him. He pulls his phone out of his pocket and his fingers furiously dance over the screen, obviously sending a message to someone.
"Are you all right?" he asks, in pure protection mode now. "Should we go home?" His hands move across my neck, my cheeks, my forehead.
"I'm fine, baby," I say as I softly press my lips to his. "I would really like to stay." I feel some of the tension leave his body as our lips move unhurriedly together. I fist my fingers in his hair and he tightens his grip on my hips as the kiss deepens, getting lost in each other.
"Seriously!" Zeke snickers from right by our heads. "There are children present, pervs, and they don't need to witness this!" Tobias pulls away from me with a growl and turns his hard stare on his best friend but Zeke only belly laughs. I have to admit, though, if he keeps up the teasing today it might be former best friend.
"What are you doing?" Tobias snarls.
"I came to ask you if you want to play another round of volleyball," he says sounding hurt.
"Do I look like I want to play?" he asks, incredulously. Finally, Zeke takes notice of Tobias' sudden bad mood and concern overtakes his face.
"Are you all right, man?" he asks. I can actually hear the love and concern he has for my husband in his voice. "I'm really sorry for the wise cracks. You know sometimes my mouth overrides my brain." Just as Tobias opens his mouth to say something, his phone buzzes. He picks it up, and I watch as his Four mask settles over his face, rendering it completely unreadable, and the nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach returns. Zeke's eyes move from my husbands to mine, and he furrows his brows. "What's going on? You're scaring me." Tobias sets his phone down and his eyes quickly scan the perimeter.
"Oh, my God! They let her go?" I ask, baffled that anyone could be so stupid. She's manipulative and dangerous.
"Not exactly but it could have been her you saw," he says and then calls out, "Zander!" Our friend turns his head at the sound of his name, and when Tobias motions for him to join us, he gets up from where he's lounging with his head in Stella's lap and comes our way.
"What can I do for you, Four?" Tobias gets to his feet and drags Zander about 10 feet away, just out of earshot. I can hear Zeke talking but my attention is solely focused on my husband so I don't have a clue as to what he's saying.
"Tris! What the hell is going on?" Zeke loudly asks, garnering everyone's attention. Damn it! That wasn't my intention.
"I thought I saw Olivia," I quietly say. My friends immediately recognize the bitch's name, and I see concern settle on their faces. They're worried about me. I'm suddenly worried about my sanity. I haven't had to fret about her in nearly two years. I pull Tessa and Teagan into my lap and hold them tightly against my chest.
"Is that what was wrong in the bathroom?" Avery asks. This is turning into a much bigger deal than I wanted to make. Why does Tobias have to know me so damn well?
"Yeah," I sigh never taking my eyes off my husband. He finally turns and pins me with his concerned gaze. Zander has his phone out, pressed to his ear, talking animatedly. After what seems like forever, he puts it away and shakes his head rather disgustedly. He says something to Tobias then turns my way but stops in his tracks. I look around and realize everyone is focused on him.
"It was her, wasn't it?" I ask. I can't keep the desperation out of my voice. Tobias sinks to his knees before me and caresses my face. "Tell me."
"Olivia's doctors think she's no longer a threat to herself or others," Zander says incredulously, "so she's been granted supervised furloughs from the hospital. Today is such a day. I'm not saying that you saw her but it's entirely possible. They should have at least given me a heads up since I'm one of the doctors on record who committed her. I'm sorry, Tris." I really don't need this stress right now.
"What exactly does this mean?" I ask, my voice surprisingly stronger than I feel. "I could just run into her anywhere?" Acid churns in my stomach again, and I pick up my juice with shaky hands and take a small sip.
"No," Tobias says. "This will never happen again. Zander made sure of that."
"I tried to get her privileges revoked but since I'm not a psychiatrist, my opinion was overruled. However, anytime she leaves the hospital her whereabouts are to be reported to Four, Simon, Tony, and myself," he says. "You never have to see her, Tris." Hearing that makes me feel slightly better, and I begin to relax and the knots in my stomach unravel.
"It sucks that they just let her out from time to time," Will snarls. "If they think she's okay now, why don't they put her on trial? She willingly helped Porter and Molly. People were hurt because of them. People died."
"That's actually a very good point," James says. "It's like she's getting a reward for her bad behavior. She should be getting punished."
"I'll call Jack Kang when I get home and explain the situation," Zander says. "I'll see if he can help us out. She shouldn't be allowed to just walk around free."
"Tomorrow," Stella quietly says.
"I'll call Jack tomorrow," he says and everyone snickers quietly. We all know who where's the pants in that family.
"How about another game of volleyball?" I ask. Everyone looks at me hesitantly. "We were having a lot of fun until the unwanted interruption."
"I'm up for it," Shauna says giving me a wink and I mouth thank you. I want everything back to normal and the focus off me. Most everyone gets up and heads toward the net but Tobias stays put.
"Thank you," I say then I blush. "I feel foolish for my reaction."
"You shouldn't," Tobias says. "She tried to kill you, love." He leans in so only I can hear, "It's okay to be scared even though you are a fierce Dauntless warrior." I breathe deeply, gazing at him. I know he's trying to lighten the mood with humor but he's not smiling. He has tension in his jaw and the worry line between his eyes is prominent. He looks like he's barely holding himself together.
"Are you okay?" I quietly ask him as I run my hand down his cheek.
"You amaze me," he says, an awed expression on his face that confuses me.
"Why?"
"You nearly come face-to-face with the girl who tried to kill you and you're asking if I'm all right."
"Just as much as I don't need the added stress right now, neither do you. It's been a bitch of a 24 hours," I say.
"Yeah it has," he says.
"And what the bitch, Molly, and Drew did, didn't just happen to me. It affected you and the kids as well."
"I don't want you to worry about me," he says.
"Too late," I say. I wrap my hand around the back of his neck and drag his lips to mine.
"You gonna play or make out all afternoon, Four?" Zeke calls out and I giggle. I just know he intentionally waited until we were kissing.
"Go play," I say. I give him another quick peck then pat his cheek lovingly. "I'm going to stay here with the girls and rest. I'm beat. I love you."
"I love you, too."
"Love you," Tessa calls out as Teagan says, "Lub 'ou."
"I love you both very much," he says, kissing each of their heads. "You stay here and take care of Mommy, okay?"
"Otay," Tessa says as Teagan say, "'Kay!"
"Let's lie down and watch Daddy play volleyball," I say. I lie on my side with my head propped up on my hand, and the girls lie head-to-head in front of me. Even with all the trash talking, hooting and hollering, and uncontrollable laughter, they fall into an easy sleep within minutes. I watch the game for a while but feel fatigue weighing me down. I'll just rest my eyes for a moment.
"Mama." The anxious voice sounds so far away. "Mama." It's getting closer and more urgent. "Mama! I gots to potty." Tessa's exclaimed words finally break through the fog of sleep and I sit up, disoriented. I have no idea how long I've been out but the game is still going on so it must not have been too long. I look toward the restroom and anxiety knots my stomach.
"Tobias, baby, I need you!" I call out before thinking and his head whips my way. God, I just used his given name. I hear Zeke giving him crap and others laughing. He comes jogging over and I apologize. "I am so sorry. I'm still half asleep."
"That's all right, love," he says, panting from the physical activity. His eyes shine as he caresses my cheek with the back of his fingers. "They all know my name. We're with friends."
"I'm sorry. Tessa needs to go potty," I say, my eyes sliding to the restroom to Tobias and then to Teagan who is sound asleep before me. "Can you stay with, Teags?"
"Nope," he says, shaking his head. "I'll take her. Come on, Pebbles." He picks her up, blows a raspberry on her neck, making her giggle, grabs the diaper bag, and then gives me a smile and a wink. Tessa waves to me over his shoulder as he carries her across the street. When they go in the men's room, I dig my bottle of juice out of the cooler and take a few refreshing sips then lie back, resting on my elbows. I see that Tyler and Zane have abandoned the swings and are resting comfortably with the Parrish twins, watching the game. I'm thankful he's resting on his own and not having to be told. It makes my life much easier. When my tummy grumbles, I get the small package of cheese and crackers out of the cooler. I'm nibbling on the snack when Tessa comes running up and launches herself into my arms.
"I goed potty on the potty," she says, a brilliant smile on her face. She's proud of herself and she should be.
"Good job," I say as I wrap my arms tightly around her and kiss her head.
"I hungwy, Mama," she says eying the snack beside me.
"You can have some," I say.
"Don't eat too much," Tobias says. "You won't be hungry for dessert."
"We don't have any dessert," I quietly say. A grin overtakes his face as he lowers himself to the blanket.
"You'll see, love," he says, kissing my cheek. He gets a bottle of water out of the cooler, unscrew the top, and nearly drains it in three long gulps. God, I'm a mess today. He's turning me on just by drinking.
"Are you going to play some more?" I ask, my eyes roaming up and down his sexy, well-defined arms.
"Ahem." My eyes slide up to his when he clears his throat, and he's wearing a positively indecent smirk. "My eyes are up here. I'm not some piece of meat." I flush but can't help but grin.
"Was I objectifying you again?" I ask, batting my lashes at him.
"I'm more than a pretty face you know." When he sticks his bottom lip out, fake pouting, I pounce, knocking him back to the ground. I kiss him ferociously as I hear Tessa giggling.
"Mama, Dadda! 'Top!" We tear our lips away from each other's, and we start peppering kisses all over our oldest daughter. She squeals with delight then laughs heartily.
"What are you doing to Tess?" Tyler asks, his eyes wide. He's huffing and puffing from running over to save his sister. He may say that he wants a baby brother because his sisters are yucky but he loves them dearly and would do anything to protect them. Tobias grabs ahold of him as I pull Tessa into my lap and tickles him softly then peppers kisses all over his face.
"Daddy!" he laughs loudly. "Quit it!" Tobias stops but keep him in his grip.
"I love you, buddy," Tobias says, completely serious while hugging him tightly.
"I love you, too," he softly says reminding me that he's almost at the age where telling your parents you love them is a crime. I hug Tessa tightly then let her go when she starts to struggle.
"Have I told you today how much I love you?" I ask Tyler. He shakes his head. "I love you to the moon and back and to the stars and back and to the other side of the galaxy and back." Tyler's eyes widen and then I see tears gather in them. Oh! I didn't mean to make him cry.
"That's a long way," he whispers then throws himself in my arms. "I love you, Mommy."
"I love you, too, my sweet boy," I say right next to his ear, holding onto him tightly then I kiss his head. "Don't ever forget that." I don't know why but Tessa starts crying … loudly. "What is it, little one?" She incoherently mumbles something then cries even louder, big crocodile tears rolling down her cheeks, breaking my heart. "Come here." She obviously didn't sleep long enough. I move Tyler to my left leg and pull Tessa into my lap, too. "See there's enough room for both of you." I kiss each of their heads and they grin up at me.
"Sit, too," Teagan says, rubbing her eyes as she sits up.
"Did you have a good nap, Teags?" I ask as she gets to her feet and stands before me. She nods.
"Why don't you sit with me?" Tobias asks but she stubbornly shakes her head.
"Mama," she murmurs. I pull my legs up until I'm sitting cross-legged then let her squeeze between her brother and sister.
"I need a picture of this," Tobias says, pulling his phone out. "Everyone smile and say cheese." I smile and we all say cheese as Tobias takes a couple shots.
"Get in the picture, Four," Stella says as she takes his phone from him.
"Thanks," he says. He sits behind me and puts his head just over my shoulder then we once again smile for the camera.
"That's a good one," she says as she admires her handiwork. "You might want this one framed." She hands the phone back to Tobias, and he shows me the snapshot.
"Look, guys," he says holding it out for the kids to see. "You were all smiling so nicely. Stella is right, we're going to frame this one." They all admire the pretty picture. "Who wants dessert?" The kids go wild, and I frown still not knowing where this mythological dessert is coming from.
"Are we ready for ice cream?" James calls out. Tobias nods.
"We've been taking turns churning homemade ice cream for more than an hour now. You were napping with the girls," Tobias says pointing to where James, Stefan, and Trevor are sitting.
"This is a nice surprise," I say.
"We wanted to do something nice for our girls. You guys have been working so hard lately," he says. "So, we decided on an ice cream sundae bar. I think we have every topping known to man. What would you like?"
"Chocolate strawberry," I say.
"Okay. What about you, buddy?"
"Hhm. I want crushed up cookies and peanut butter," he says and my stomach flip flops. That sounds awful.
"Tessa?"
"'Trawbewwy," she says.
"Strawberry?" he confirms and she nods eagerly. "What about you, Teags?"
"Chokit," she says.
"Chocolate?"
"Mm-hm," she sweetly says.
"Chocolate cookies, chocolate sauce, or chocolate sprinkles?" he asks.
"Chokit!" she says, nodding her head.
"All righty then! I'll be right back, my beautiful family."
"Did you know we was having ice cream today?" Tyler asks, his eyes on his dad.
"No. It was a surprise," I say.
"A good surprise?" he asks.
"Ice cream is always a good surprise," I chuckle, causing him to smile brightly.
"Okay," Tobias says as four sundaes precariously balance in his hands. "One strawberry." He hands Tessa her treat after the kids move off my lap. "One peanut butter with crushed cookies." Tyler reaches out and takes the dish with a thank you. "One hot fudge." Teagan frowns.
"Chokit," she pouts.
"It is chocolate, sweetheart," he says. "Here you go."
"Be careful. It's hot," I tell her. "Don't burn your tongue." She looks down into her bowl and blows on it, making me chuckle.
"And lastly, one strawberry and hot fudge," he says, a roughness to his voice as he hands me my sweet treat. I wonder what it's about.
"Where's yours?" I ask as I dig in. I moan loudly around the first sinful bite. Damn, that's good! Just like a chocolate covered strawberry, which is one of my favorite treats.
"I'll have my treat later," he says. Even though the statement itself is innocuous enough, the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes nearly set me ablaze. It's a good thing I have something cold in my hands right now.
"Would you like a bite?" I ask, my voice raspy, suddenly full of desire.
"Oh, I'll have a taste later," he promises as he winks flirtatiously. He's absolutely mischievous today.
"Are we going to be able to play some more?" Tyler asks as he takes his last bite.
"I want you to rest a little while but then you can play," Tobias says.
"Me too?" Tessa asks. I get a wipe out and eradicate the strawberry residue off her face, hands, legs, and overalls. I should have put a bib on her, too. I look at Teagan and cringe. She has more hot fudge on her hands and face than probably made it into her tummy but her outfit is saved by the long bib I tied around her neck before her first bite.
"All three of you can," I say. "You done, Teags?" She shakes her head no and puts another bite of the now liquid hot fudge and ice cream mixture in her mouth. Well some makes it into her mouth, the rest dribbles on the bib. "Maybe you should drink it."
"Dink it?" she asks looking puzzled.
"Yeah. Drink it like you do the milk left over after you've eaten all your cereal," I say. Her eyes light up with understanding, and I intercept the spoon just before she lays it in the grass. She tips the bowl up, drinking the melted ice cream as I get out several wipes.
She sets the bowl down with a big, "Ah!" then swipes her arm across her face, making an even bigger mess.
"Was that good?" Tobias asks and she grins from ear to ear.
"Let me clean you up," I say and carefully remove the bib. I wipe her sticky hands and chocolate-smeared face then make sure none of it hit her outfit. "There you go. Good as new." Tobias takes a wipe and hands it to Tyler.
"Wipe your hands and face please," he says. Tyler takes the wipe and quickly but thoroughly swipes it across his mouth and chin then wipes his hands.
"Can we play now?" he asks.
"Yeah, can we pay?" Tessa asks.
"Just take it easy and if your stomach starts to hurt, come back and sit down. That goes for all three of you," I say. "I don't want you sick." We watch as the scurry off to the play equipment. Not a minute later all the Parrish kids join them, and I know we won't see them for the rest of the afternoon.
"I have an idea, guys," Zeke says. "How long has it been since we played dare?"
"Considering I really have no idea what that is, I'd say never," Will says as he releases Liam who immediately joins the other kids.
"It's been that long?" James mutters. "That's hard to believe."
"What is dare?" Kevin asks. He's sitting next to Murphy with his arm draped over her shoulder and her hand is resting on his thigh. Last year his ex-girlfriend from Erudite, Aimee, joined Dauntless and stirred up trouble for the happy couple. We practically had to stage an intervention to get her to leave him alone. He calmly explained to her, in the middle of the crowded cafeteria nonetheless, that he would have waited for her but that she made it perfectly clear when she broke things off that she wouldn't be following him to Dauntless so he moved on. He then turned his back on his ex and strode back to our table and kissed the shit out of Murphy, and they aren't ones for public displays of affection. That was the first time he told her that he loved her. All the girls had tears in their eyes including me.
"Well, it's basically Candor or Dauntless without the truth option," Tobias says. "And we aren't playing that right now."
"Not now, Four," Zeke says, exasperatedly. "Next Saturday night. All you parents get sitters."
"Sounds fun," I say, "but can we limit the amount of alcohol consumed?" I pointedly look at Zeke, thinking of the disastrous Candor or Dauntless that nearly cost him Shauna, and I think I see him blush.
"Definitely," Tobias says. "Only bring a flask or two. We're adults. We shouldn't need to get fall-down drunk to have a good time."
"As much as we want to say yes, that is our anniversary," Ciara says as she looks longingly at James. I have a feeling those two will be leaving here shortly and probably do a little early celebrating. He leans over and lightly places his lips exactly where her neck tattoo is and she giggles. "Plus, I shouldn't be jumping on and off of trains in my condition."
"Anyone else have to bow out?" Zeke asks. One by one all our other friends agree to the game. I'm interested to see how it goes, knowing that a game of dare is when Tobias got his first tattoo. I need to start thinking of a really good dare. If I understand correctly, each person only gets one but with as many people as there will be, the game could last most of the night. "Will, you let Christina know and Marlene, will you tell the pansycake?"
"Yeah," she says as she rolls her eyes. "I'll let your brother know."
"I'll tell Brody and Ana," I say.
"This has been a wonderful day," Stella says with a sigh. "It's nice to get out of the compound once in a while."
"It is," Nathan says. "Four, how is the construction of Dauntless 2.0 going?" That's what everyone is calling the building being refurbished for the older Dauntless members instead of making them factionless.
"It's nearing completion," he says.
"It's really nice," Shauna interjects. "The workers are doing a great job. It may not look like much from the outside but on the inside, it resembles some of the newer construction around the city. I'm glad we decided to do it. I've never been comfortable with the fact that one day I would be factionless just because walking around our compound was a hardship. Talk about throwing someone away."
"That's how I felt," I say.
"If it weren't for this one's persistence," Tobias kisses my neck, "that building would still be falling down and we all would face a bleak future." I blush at Tobias' compliment.
"It made perfect sense to me," I say. I look to my left and easily find the kids taking turns on the slide. They all look so happy. "Every Dauntless member deserves respect. How disrespectful must it feel to hear, 'Sorry, you gotta go. We don't want you anymore?'"
"What you did was a great thing," Zander says.
"I only made a suggestion," I say. "Four is the one who turned my idea into a plan and made sure it happened."
"Here's to our fearless leader," Will says holding a bottle of water up in toast. "You've made Dauntless a much better place."
"Here here," several of our friends say as they raise their drinks to my husband but he shrugs off the attention.
"I'm only doing what I think is right," he grunts.
"You're doing a great job," Stella says.
"How long before capture the flag?" Stefan asks, changing the subject.
"A couple weeks," James replies. "Why?"
"Trevor and I want in on the action this year," he says.
"That's right, man," his twin brother says, bumping fists with him. "I haven't played since my initiation. It's long overdue."
"I'll shoot you a message with the date and time," Tobias says. "All you have to do to play is show up."
"Awesome," he says. Cries from the play area capture my attention, and I leap out of Tobias' lap and run toward where Teagan is lying on the ground. Every step I take feels like I'm trudging through drying concrete as I try to get to my motionless daughter. My heart stills and my head pounds.
"What happened?" I yell as I fall to my knees beside my baby.
"Don't move her," Zander calls as I reach for her. Just as he falls to his knees beside me, she takes a deep, gasping breath and starts wailing at the top of her lungs. Thank God!
"She falled off the swing," Tyler says, tears streaming down his face. I see Tobias scoop him up but my focus is on my baby right now. Please don't let her be hurt. Zander does a quick examination, focusing on her head and neck first then working his way to her torso and limbs before letting me gather her up in my arms.
"It looks like she just got the wind knocked out of her," he says. "There are no bumps or abrasions. She's fine but it can be a very scary experience." Her arms are gripped tightly around my neck like an iron vice. I don't think she's going anywhere in the near future. I sit with her, patting her back, trying to comfort her. I can actually breathe again myself. I was so scared. When I saw her lying on the ground not moving, terrible thoughts ran through my head.
"Are you okay?" I ask her but she says nothing and doesn't move. She just continues crying. "Was it scary when you couldn't breathe?" She nods. "Mommy is so sorry, Peanut. I love you very much, baby girl." She doesn't even argue with me when I call her my baby.
"Lub 'ou, Mama," she whispers in my ear.
"I think we need to go home," Tobias says. "Tyler, Tessa, say bye to your friends."
"Bye, Wiam," Teagan quietly says as Tyler and Tessa say goodbye to Zane, Nash, Nya, Sabine, and Lincoln who is being supervised by Ciara.
"I'll bring the volleyball net home," Zeke tells Tobias. I get to my feet and wonder how I'm going to get her in her car seat without her throwing a fit. Everyone says goodbye, most of them giving her kisses and well wishes while Tobias packs the trunk.
"Come on," he says as he picks up Tyler and Tessa under each arm and carries them to the car like sacks of potatoes.
"We had a really nice time today," I say. "Sorry we have to leave early."
"Come on, Liam," Will says. "We need to go, too. Mommy will be off work soon." He frowns but doesn't argue with his father.
"Are you sure he's Christina's?" Zeke calls out, teasing. It's nice to know that he spreads the love.
"Positive," Will smirks, knowing exactly what he means. Christina tells it like it is, and if she's not happy, she lets you know. But not her handsome baby boy. He's more reserved like his father.
"How am I going to get her in her seat?" I ask Tobias. He looks at her then grins.
"She's asleep," he says. "She was just scared."
"So was I," I say. He opens the door and I get her buckled into her seat without waking her and make sure she's okay.
"Zander, is it okay that she's sleeping?" I ask. "She already had a rather long nap." He comes over to the car and checks on her.
"She's fine, Tris," he says. "She's just napping." I wrap my arms around him and give him a big hug.
"Thank you so much," I say. "Also, thanks for coming today. It was nice to see you, Stella, and the kids."
"I loved every second," he says, looking over to where Stella is talking to Avery and Callen. "Even the time I had to spend with that boy."
"You sound just like my dad did when he found out about Four," I chuckle. "It was rough but I set him straight."
"What did you tell him?" he asks, sounding curious.
"That Four was the best man I had ever known and that he didn't have to like the fact that I was dating him. I told him he just needed to love me but it was a rough road. Dad hit him when he found out we were engaged." Zander's eyes widen. I see Tobias rubbing his jaw out of the corner of my eye, probably remembering the punch.
"Your father is Abnegation," he says, obviously in shock.
"He is," Tobias says, "but first and foremost he's a father. I've never blamed him for how he felt about me in the beginning and I never will. I have two daughters now. I know how he felt."
"I love Callen, I really do and he's such a good kid. It's hard to believe he's Dauntless. He acts a lot like an Amity." He does! "But she's my little girl. I'll kill him if he ever hurts her."
"Believe me, he knows this and respects you for it," Tobias says. "It means you love his girl as much as he does. We've got to go."
"I'll see you guys later," he says.
"Bye," I say. "Kiss your wife for me."
"I'll do a lot more than that!"
"Ew! Did you just say that?" I blush as an embarrassed giggle erupts from my lips.
"I did," he proudly says. "Bye, Tris. Bye, Four."
"Bye, Zander," we say as we get in the car.
"Listen peas!" Tessa says.
"Sure," I say as I plug my phone into the car's sound system. She doesn't care what type of music it is as long as she can sway to it so I put on our love song playlist. As soon as our song Fade into You comes through the speakers Tessa starts swaying back and forth gently in her car seat. I give her a big smile then look at Tobias who has a smoldering look on his face, and I notice his eyes are dilated. I reach over and rest my hand on his knee, and he captures it with his and brings it up to kiss the palm. My man is so horny today.
"Are you ready to go, baby?" I ask.
"More than ready, love."
