I wake up wrapped around Tobias like a victory flag feeling well rested, refreshed, and quite honestly more than a little sore. I lift my head and am surprised that the clock on his nightstand reads a little after noon. Well, I guess I'm not that surprised. He did have me up half the night coming … hard. An impish smile turns up my lips thinking about being tied to the bed for hours. It was sexy, erotic, passionate, fun, and deliciously frustrating. I press my thighs together to alleviate the ache that builds as I reminisce about last night. We had a spectacular time, and I wouldn't change a single second.
I could lie here like this for hours staring at my handsome husband but my bladder feels like it's about ready to explode any second. I stretch my sore, tired muscles then unwrap myself from around Tobias being careful not to disturb him. I slide out of bed, desperate to take care of urgent business then hurry into the bathroom and relieve myself. I think about jumping into the shower but remember I have nowhere important to go, the kids are with Stella and Zander, and my sexy as hell husband is still lying in bed naked as the day he was born.
I quietly go back into our bedroom and stop dead in my tracks, my eyes nearly bugging out of my head. Tobias is lying in the middle of our bed flat on his back, one arm raised above his head with the other wrapped tightly around his hard length, slowly stroking his fist up and down. He's never looked as beautiful as he does right now. His handsome face is turned toward me, his eyes closed, his lips slightly parted, his breathing deep and steady. I wonder if he's even aware of what he's doing. I stand rooted in place, my eyes fixated on the erotic scene unfolding before me. I've never seen Tobias take his pleasure into his own hands before, and my body temperature raises substantially. When I swallow, my throat feels like sandpaper. He's turning me on something fierce, and I don't care how sore I am, I need him inside me right now. I unstick my feet and walk to the edge of our bed while my eyes caress every delectable inch of his hard body. I crawl up on the mattress being careful not to disturb him when his phone loudly vibrates on his nightstand. His eyes fly open and his hand stalls. He seems dazed. He looks around confused then rolls over and picks up his phone.
"Hello?" he mutters. "Stella, what's wrong?" The moment her name rolls off his lips the erotic atmosphere evaporates and worry replaces the desire coursing through my veins. Tobias sits up while he listens to our good friend then let's out a little chuckle. "How about we meet you as soon as we can … Hey, don't beat yourself up. It's not your fault. Kids get hurt everyday … Yeah, she's right here." Anxiety blooms in my chest as he holds his hand out to me. I take the phone wishing I knew what was going on. "Someone wants to talk to you."
"Hello?" I say as he gets out of bed and trudges toward the bathroom.
"Mama," Tessa cries into the phone and my heart hurts.
"What's wrong, little one?" I ask, wishing I was with her to take away her fear and kiss away her tears.
"I falled and I gots an ouchie. It huwt bad." A rustling sound comes through the phone, and she cries even louder. "I want my mama!"
"I know you do, sweetheart," I hear Zander say. "I know you do."
"Tessa, baby, listen to Mommy." I hear her sniffle through the earpiece, and I know she's listening. "I love you."
"I love you," she says, pitifully.
"Mommy and Daddy will be with you as soon as we can," I say. "Can you tell me what happened?" She starts in on her tale but between her racking sobs and incoherent rambling, I don't catch a quarter of it. "I'm so sorry that happened. Is Stella and Zander taking good care of you?"
"Yeah," she says. "But I want you." I can actually hear her pouting. "I miss you."
"I miss you, too, and I'll be there soon. I promise," I say as Tobias comes back into our room fully dressed, with a wet head. I can't believe he showered already. It seems like he's only been gone a few seconds. "Can you talk to Daddy while Mommy gets ready to come pick you up?"
"No," she murmurs.
"He really wants to talk to you."
"Otay," she sighs.
"Be brave for Mommy," I say. "I love you, little one. Here's Daddy." I kiss her through the mouthpiece.
"I'll go get the car while you get ready, and I'll meet you at the curb," Tobias says as I hand him back his phone. "She'll be all right, love." I hope he's right. I still have no clue exactly what's going on. He kisses me tenderly then turns and walks out into the hallway. "Hi, Pebbles. Did you hurt your arm?" Arm? I don't hear him say anything else as he heads downstairs. Our sweet girl must be monopolizing the conversation. I jump out of bed and fly into the bathroom. Within five minutes my hair is put up in a messy knot on top of my head, I'm in and out of the shower, I'm dressed in shorts, a t-shirt, and running shoes, and I'm waiting impatiently for Tobias outside of the Pire. My foot taps anxiously against the cracked sidewalk as I stare in the direction of the garage, and I don't have to wait long. A black sedan screeches to a halt right in front of me and I get in.
"Can you tell me exactly what's going on?" I ask when I realize he's no longer on the phone.
"Tessa and some little Candor boy were playing on the bridge. He tripped knocking into her and she fell to the ground on her arm. Zander ensured me it's not broken. She has full range of motion but she's scared and in pain. She wants her mommy."
"Well, right now her mommy wants her, too," I say as I stare out the window at the blurred scenery. He must be speeding. It's just now that I realize I don't even know where my kids are. I'm a horrible mother. "I take it they're at the park in the city center."
"Where else would they be?" he chuckles. "I swear they would live there if we would let them."
"You're right about that." I shift in my seat trying to get comfortable and feel Tobias' stare burning into me.
"How are you feeling today, love? And I want complete honesty. I got really rough with you last night."
"You weren't that rough," I say and I hear a low, scary growl emanate from deep in his chest. "Fine. I'm a little sore," okay, more than a little sore but he doesn't need to know that, "but it's the stiffness in my arms and shoulders that's most bothersome."
"I had you tied up too long," he says, regret twisting his face. "I'm really sorry." I reach over and stroke his cheek.
"I wouldn't change a single minute of last night, baby. It was beyond amazing." This makes him smile. I reach over and take his hand in mine, threading our fingers together. "Did I ever thank you?"
"You know you don't have to thank me," he sighs.
"I'm not talking about all the sex even though that was divine," I say, kissing our joined hands. "I was talking about planning such a perfect evening with my friends. The salon, the roses, the dinner, the necklaces. You made me cry and had the others questioning why their guys aren't so romantic and sweet."
"They aren't supposed to know I'm sweet," he says with a crooked grin.
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with them," I say with a giggle. "They all still think Four is scary … well, kind of." I laugh even harder.
"God, I love that sound," he murmurs.
"Can I ask you something?" I ask after we're quiet for a moment. His brows raise when he sees color flooding my cheeks.
"Sure."
"Were you asleep when Stella called?" I ask.
"Yeah, I think I was," he says, bemused. "Why?"
"No reason," I say as I turn my head to stare out the window again, escaping his probing gaze.
"Tris, please don't hide from me," he says as he strokes my neck. "Why do you want to know?" I force myself to look at him, and I swear I blush a deeper crimson.
"You had your … um … you were…" I sigh dramatically hoping he'll drop this subject but he doesn't.
"I was what?"
"You were touching yourself," I finally squeak. He looks surprised and a little embarrassed. Damn our Abnegation upbringing. Still blushing about sex even though we've been together for nearly three years now. "I didn't know if you were awake or not. I've never seen you do that before."
"Hhm." He tears his eyes from mine and stares out the windshield, his cheeks flushing slightly then he smiles. "I was dreaming of you. We were having one hell of a good time, although the details are a bit hazy. Did you like what you saw?"
"Yeah, I did," I quietly say. "I was just getting ready to join you when the phone rang."
"That would have been a nice surprise," he says as we turn into the park.
"You know I have to pay you back sometime for the three hours of torture last night, right?" I say.
"I figured that," he smirks.
"I'm going to make you pay," I say thinking of all the delicious things I can do to him.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"You won't even see me coming," I giggle.
"I don't know about that," he says with mischief lighting his eyes. "You're pretty unforgettable when you're coming."
"Tobias Eaton!" He laughs that deep belly laugh I love so much causing me to blush scarlet once again.
"I love you," he says as he parks in the familiar lot.
"I love you, too." We get out of the car after a swift kiss, and I immediately hear Tessa. I hope she hasn't been crying like this since she got off the phone with Tobias. She's sitting with Zander underneath the oak trees, and the minute she sees her father and me she starts crying even harder. My poor girl.
"Mama," she blubbers as I lift her into my arms.
"Sshh," I murmur. "Mommy's got you now."
"I gave her some children's acetaminophen I keep on hand," Zander says as I kiss her tears away as she wraps her little arms around my neck and weeps on my shoulder. I rub her back and quietly shush her.
"Thank you, Zander," Tobias says. "Are you sure we shouldn't take her for x-rays?"
"I'm confident it's not broken," he says. "If the pain lasts longer than three days or gets worse, then x-rays or a CT scan would be warranted."
"Okay," he says. I look around and find Tyler and Teags taking turns on the small slide. They both wave at us. It's nice to see Tyler taking care of his baby sister during this crisis. I know he loves the big slide because he can zoom down it but it scares her because it's too high.
Out of the corner of my eye I notice a very nervous young woman who looks oddly familiar standing off to my left dressed in typical Candor black and white. Standing at her feet are a little girl and boy with matching blonde curls and troubled deep blue eyes.
"I'm sorry for the misfortunate accident," she nervously says. "My son really didn't mean anything by it." If I'm not mistaken she's scared of something.
"It's all right," I say as we move closer to her. "Accidents happen. Isn't that right, Tessa?" She lifts her head off my shoulder, tears streaking her cheeks and nods gently.
"I sorry," the little boy says. I slowly walk over to him and kneel down since Tessa has a death grip on my neck and won't let me put her down.
"Wasn't that nice of him to say he was sorry, little one?" I ask.
"Yeah," she says so softly that I almost don't hear her.
"I'm Tris and this is Tessa," I say as I straighten up. I nod up at Tobias and add, "This is my husband, Four. Tyler and Teagan are on the slide."
"I-I know who y-you are," she stutters. Do I know her? She does look familiar but I can't place her. She clears her throat then takes a deep breath. "My name is Margarete Simonson and these are my twins, Jacob and Jasmine. Molly Atwood was my sister." I gasp and automatically take a step back, putting distance between her and my daughter. I glance up at Tobias just in time to see his Four mask fall firmly into place. Gazing back at the woman, I see it now. She does resemble Molly but she's much nicer to look at. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm nothing like my sister. I swear. You can ask my Aunt Ruth. I just brought my kids here to play." She sounds sincere. "I'm sorry for what Molly put you through. She was always a handful but I didn't think she was capable of such atrocities. I'm also sorry for your daughter getting hurt. I'm just thankful it wasn't worse."
"How do you know who we are?" Tobias gruffly asks.
"Jake, Jazz, why don't you go play," she says. "Be careful this time."
"Yes, Mommy," they say in unison then dart off toward the play equipment. They can't be much older than Tessa.
"I was at Molly and Drew's interrogations, sentencings, and executions," Margarete says. "I recognize you both." That makes sense.
"I thought you looked familiar when we walked up," I say. "I'm very sorry for your loss." Her mouth drops open, and she looks befuddled.
"How can you be nice to me and offer me sympathy?" she asks.
"We aren't monsters, Margarete," I say.
"We'd never hold what others did against you," Tobias says. "You aren't responsible for Molly's actions or Drew's for that matter. We know that."
"You're nothing like Molly described."
"You spoke to her about us?" he asks.
"Your wife mainly. I wanted to understand why Molly did what she did," she says to Tobias then she looks at me. "I'm afraid she didn't paint a pretty picture of you."
"That doesn't surprise me," I say, stunned there's no bitterness in my voice. "We had our differences from the day we met."
"She was jealous that Peter liked you." It's a statement, not a question. I flinch at the mention of his name then hate myself for reacting that way more than two years later. He's dead. He can't hurt me.
"We don't like to talk about him," Tobias roughly says. He slides his arm around my waist and pulls me close to him. He obviously saw my reaction.
"I'm sorry to bring up such painful memories," she says looking towards her kids. "I wish we could have met under better circumstances. Aunt Ruth talks about you all the time, Tris. She credits you with her transformation." I shake my head.
"Your aunt is a strong woman. She's worked really hard to get where she is. I had no part in that," I say. "I'm just glad she's so happy now. I do love her." For as much as I hate her son that is how much I love Ruth Hayes. I consider her a second mother. I go to her for advice just as much as I go to my own mother. I tried thinking of her as a mother-in-law but that just reminded me of the kidnapping, forced marriage, and assault, so I decided to look at her as a mother figure and I haven't had any second thoughts. My kids love her, too, and even call her Grandma Ruthie. We see her about once a month.
"I need to be getting back to Candor before my husband gets off work," she says. "I'm sorry again for the accident. I'm glad she wasn't really hurt." I look at Tessa and find her peacefully sleeping in my arms.
"No need to apologize," I say. "It was nice to meet you. Tell your aunt hello for me the next time you see her."
"I will," she says as she walks towards her twins.
"What are the odds?" Tobias mutters under his breath.
"Do you think we should be worried?" I ask.
"No. We did our due diligence when Drew and Molly were arrested. None of their other family members were implicated in their vendetta," he says. "I just think it's a coincidence she's here today."
"I hope you're right," I say.
"Let me take her," he says.
"Nope. I've got her," I say as we turn and walk back to Stella and Zander.
"I'm sorry, Tris," Stella says as I manage to sit down against the tree with Tessa still in my arms.
"You have nothing to apologize for," I emphatically say.
"Four, can you help me pack up the car?" Zander asks.
"Sure," he says. "Can I get you anything, love?"
"I could use something to drink," I say.
"Here's a bottle of water," Stella says. I take it from her with some thanks and watch as Zander and Tobias gather up coolers, blankets, and toys and take them to our cars.
"Hey, thanks again for watching the kids for us last night," I say.
"We love your kids," she says. "You know that. They are always welcome."
"I hope they weren't any trouble."
"Your kids are never any trouble," she laughs. "If you want to know about trouble I'll send Nash and Nya home with you for about five minutes." She may be laughing but she's also completely serious. Those two could singlehandedly destroy the faction if left to their own accord.
"Yeah, they are the definition of the terrible two but my kids can be a handful," I say. "For you and Zander they are perfect little angels but when they are with me or their father they attempt to burn the apartment down while simultaneously flooding it."
"They can't be that bad," she laughs.
"Well, maybe not that bad but close," I say joining her laughter.
"Hey! What did you do?" she asks as she moves my right sleeve higher up my arm. I watch as her smile falters then her eyes fly to mine. Oh God! Here we go. "Explain."
"It's not what it looks like, I swear," I say, pulling my sleeve back into place. I thought I put on a shirt that covered the bruise so this very thing wouldn't happen.
"It looks like a handprint!" she exclaims. "My God, Tris, does Four hurt you?"
"No!" I emphatically say, thankful Tessa is asleep and doesn't have to hear this. "Four doesn't hurt me. It was a stupid accident. He feels horrible. He doesn't abuse me. He doesn't hurt me. He's never done anything but love me. This," I hold up my arm, "isn't what it looks like."
"It looks like a bruise in the shape of his hand," she says. "Something like that doesn't get there by accident, Tris."
"I've known women who have been abused by their husbands, Stella. I am not one of them," I say. "Four and I had a horrible argument a few nights ago. It was rough. We both said and did some things that we regret. If I could take back my actions, this bruise wouldn't be here. If I would have just talked to my husband like an adult instead of acting like a cantankerous 2-year-old, he wouldn't have had to turn me around to look him in the eye. We were angry and it never should have happened but he's never hurt me … not once." Her concerned eyes bore into mine as if she's trying to confirm the truth straight from my head.
"I didn't mean to upset you, Tris," she says. "It's a nasty bruise, and I just wanted to make sure you are all right."
"I am," I say. "I swear. I'm not lying."
"What are you two talking about?" Zander asks as he sits down beside Stella and drapes his arm over her shoulders. I sigh then smile up at Tobias nervously and his face falls.
"Stella saw it, didn't she?" he asks as he joins me by the tree. I nod but I'm shocked his mind went there so quickly. I guess it's haunting him more than I know.
"Saw what?" Zander asks, his curiosity peaked.
"I made a horrible mistake a few nights ago," Tobias says, pained, after a moment of silence.
"A mistake? What the hell is going on?" I gaze into Tobias' eyes and he nods so I lift my sleeve and show Zander my arm.
"Tobias Eaton, what the hell?" Zander asks, obviously getting upset. "I thought you were better than this."
"He didn't do anything wrong. He has never hurt me. Not. Once. I wouldn't put up with abuse, and I certainly wouldn't make excuses for him," I say, my voice pleading, hoping they believe me but not for my sake, for his. "You should know he would never betray me that way." I carefully lie Tessa down on the blanket beside me then turn to fully face my so-called friends. "This damn thing," I mutter under my breath. "You know, what goes on in my marriage is between Four and me. It's no one else's business." My voice raises angrily with each word. "I thought you were our friends."
"We are your friends, Tris," Stella says. "Yours, too, Four. You know that."
"I know, Stella. Love, you need to calm down," Tobias softly says. Frustrated tears gather behind my eyelids, and I turn and throw myself into his arms. He envelopes me in a tight embrace.
"I am so sorry, baby" I mutter into his chest. "This is all my fault. I hope one day you can forgive me."
"No, it's not your fault, love. This is all on me," he says into my hair. After my tears run dry, he puts a finger on my chin and gently tilts my head back. I expect his Four mask but he's just my sweet, agonized Tobias right now. He lowers his lips to mine and gives me a sweet, soft kiss then pulls away with an agonized sigh. "Zander, Stella, I can explain." Tobias fills them in about the details of our horrible fight Saturday night and everything that led up to it. "We were both hurt and angry. Things were said that can never be unsaid, things that can never be unheard."
"It didn't help that I was acting like a petulant child that night. He grabbed me by the arm and turned me around so that I would have to look him in the eye. That's it. That's what happened. We were both shocked to see what was left behind." I point at my arm. "His touch has been much more aggressive when we're making love and he's never left bruises."
"I nearly lost my mind when I saw what I did," he says, his voice pained, regret plain on his face. "One of my greatest fears came to life right before my eyes that night. I just knew I'd lost her forever." He hates himself so much right now. "I actually left her. Who wants to be with someone who hurts them?"
"Thank, God, you came back," I say. He leans in and kisses my forehead.
"I didn't believe her at first when she said I didn't hurt her. I have two eyes; I saw what I did. I thought she was just trying to placate me, let me off the hook but she got through to me somehow. I know it was a misfortunate accident. If I were to ever intentionally hurt her, I would lose her forever. She refuses to be with a man anything like my father and who could blame her? I grabbed ahold of her when I was frustrated and angry just so I could get her to talk to me, and I will regret it and hate myself forever."
"The last thing in the world he would do is hurt me. He loves me. Can't you see he's beaten himself up over this enough already?" I ask, an aching desperation in my voice.
"Yeah, I can see that," Zander says. "Four, I know you better than to accuse you of hurting Tris. You'd cut your own arm off to keep from hurting her."
"Ugh! Don't give him any ideas, Zan," Stella says and we all laugh. I smile at Stella thankful she diffused the tension.
"Thanks," Tobias says, "not only for believing me but for worrying about Tris. I'm glad she has such good friends."
"You don't have to thank us. You are two of our closest friends," Zander says. "There are medical reasons why you might bruise easier, Tris. Come by the infirmary, and I'll run some blood tests."
"Is this something we should be concerned about?" Tobias asks.
"I don't think so," he says. "But it's best to get it checked out."
"Okay," I say. If there were an innocuous medical reason for the severity of the bruise, maybe it would give Tobias some peace of mind. "I'll stop in when I have some free time."
"Sounds good."
"Hey, I meant to ask when you sat down, who was that woman with the twins?" Stella asks.
"You won't believe it," I say. "That was Molly Atwood's sister."
"As in Molly Molly?"
"Yeah," I say.
"What are the odds of that?" Zander mutters mainly to himself.
"Four and I thought the same thing," I say.
"I still think it was a coincidence that she was here, and I don't see her as a threat," Tobias says.
"Was she investigated when Molly was arrested?" Stella asks.
"She was," he says. "As a matter of fact, each member of Molly, Drew, and even Peter's families was heavily scrutinized. They all came back clean with no vendetta against Dauntless, Tris, or me."
"That's good to know," Zander says. "Especially after the news I received this morning."
"What news?" I ask but before he can tell me Tyler and Teags interrupt.
"Mommy, Mommy!" he yells as he runs over from the playground with his baby sister right on his heels chanting Dadda over and over again. When they reach us they're both flushed and out of breath.
"I think you two need to sit down and rest for a while," I say as I pull Tyler into my lap, hugging him tightly. Teags launches herself at Tobias who wraps her in his embrace. "You look tired."
"I'm not tired," Tyler says, affronted that I would suggest something so absurd.
"Me eater," Teags says even though her eyelids are heavily drooping.
"I tell you what, just sit here and relax for a bit then you can play some more," I say.
"'Kay," Teagan says around a huge yawn.
"Are you going to take us home?" Tyler asks. I can't help but wonder what the pouting is about.
"Eventually," Tobias says. "Why?"
"Because we is 'pose to get pizza and ice cream for supper with Zan and Stella," he says, his bottom lip nearly hitting the ground. "You don't want to make us miss that, do you?" I can't help but chuckle at his seriousness.
"We wouldn't dare," Tobias says. "If Stella and Zander still want to take you, you can go with them."
"Of course, they are still invited," Stella says. "Why don't you and Tris join us? We'll make an evening out of it." Tobias looks my way and I nod. A fun afternoon and evening out with our kids and our friends sounds like a pleasant way to finish up our impromptu day off.
"We'd love to join you," he says.
