"How would you guys like to go to the Navy Pier with us?" Stella asks as I'm wiping the remnants of dessert off Tessa's face and hands as Tobias does the same with Teagan. After a long afternoon at the park watching the kids play and gossiping with Stella and Zander, we had pizza and breadsticks at Tastes of Italy and waffle bowl sundaes at the quaint little ice cream parlor next door.

"What do you think?" Tobias asks, first looking at me then each of the kids. A resounding yes echoes off the tin ceiling. They love taking advantage of my wedding gift just as much as I do.

"I want to go on the big wheel," Tyler excitedly says. "It's my favorite thing."

"Me, too," Tessa says, her pleading eyes shining.

"Can we go on it?" Tyler begs. "Please!"

"Peas!" Tessa and Teagan parrot.

"We'd love to join you, Stella," I say then I look into three sets of beseeching eyes and say, "and, of course, we'll ride the Ferris wheel."

"We can't stay out too late though," Tobias says. "It's been a very long day, and it's getting close to someone's bedtime."

"It must be Tess and Teags because I'm older and don't need as much sleep," Tyler says. I can't help but chuckle at his logic.

"I'm thinking it's getting close to your bedtime, too," I say.

"If I have to," he says with a dramatic sigh setting off giggles in his sisters.

"Do you really want to add to this chaos by having another baby?" Tobias whispers against my ear as we're leaving the ice cream parlor.

"Yeah, I do," I say as I take his hand. I tentatively look up at him out of the corner of my eyes. I relax when I find him wearing a tender smile. I think he's warming up to the idea.

We load the kids into the car then follow Zander and Stella's full van the short distance to the freshly paved parking lot across from the Navy Pier. Since the city refurbished the Crystal Gardens building, they have been tirelessly working on making the Pier a family destination. They tore down some of the crumbling structures that couldn't be saved and put in green space, a large playground for kids, and activities aimed towards adults such as permanent sand volleyball nets, tennis courts, and rock-climbing walls. Dauntless members love those, the stupid fools. Some of the old retail space was restored and Amity's farmers market was given a permanent home along with a few new restaurants and some quirky shops. Now the council has set its sight on fixing up what used to be called the Grand Ballroom that sits at the far end of the Pier. We're not entirely sure what it will be used for but there are a lot of possibilities including a secondary wedding location so more than one couple can get married on the same day and centrally located permanent council office space. The final decision is on the docket for this month's meeting.

"Hey, Zander," I call out after I remember something. "Earlier you mentioned that you got some news this morning." We got interrupted by some hyper kids, and we forgot to finish our conversation. "You hinted it was bad news. What's going on?" From the way his face falls, I know this isn't going to be good.

"Oh, yeah," he says eyeing the kids. I'm carrying a worn-out Teagan, Tobias is walking, holding both Tyler and Tessa's hands, and Zane, Nash, Nya, Sadine, and Gavin are encompassing their parents. "Why don't we let the kids ride the carousel and then I'll explain?" I was right. If he specifically doesn't want to talk in front of the kids, it's definitely something bad.

"Gavin, can you keep a close eye on Tessa and Teags?" Tobias asks. "I'll throw in a little extra when you watch the kids Saturday night."

"You don't have to do that, Four," he says. "I'm happy to watch them."

"Do you want to ride a horsey, Teags?" I ask when I can't get her to budge from my arms. She's usually not this clingy unless it's with her father. "Mommy and Daddy will be right here watching you. When you're done, we'll ride the big wheel."

"I done," she mutters sleepily.

"Okay. You can stay with Mommy." We send the rest of the kids to the carousel to ride for 15 minutes. Zander assures us that's plenty of time to give us his news. We find a bench within view of our brood and sit down.

"I got a call from Jack Kang this morning, and the city isn't pursuing charges against Olivia," he morosely says. I grip Teagan a little tighter to me, rubbing small circles on her back. "As a matter of fact, her doctors apparently made a very strong case for her immediate release from the mental health facility stating she's no longer a danger to herself or others." My heart rate picks up substantially at this news, and Tobias wraps me in his arms, gently kissing my temple.

"What?" I mutter, stunned, as Tobias asks, "They aren't seriously entertaining the idea, are they?"

"How can they think she's okay?" I ask.

"I'm afraid they're taking the request quite seriously," he says. "Since I'm the doctor of record who had her committed I requested and was granted her entire medical history. I should have a general overview of her progress for you in a few days. They will take my opinion into consideration also but it won't be weighed as heavily because my specialty is not psychiatric medicine."

"I don't mean to sound conceited here but what about what I want?" I ask. "She tried to k-i-l-l me, and she's just going to walk free? How is that right? Where's the justice in that? Lauren even got five years for her involvement in that scandal, and she was blackmailed into doing it. She didn't physically hurt anyone, not like the b-i-t-c-h did." We've taken up spelling certain words around the kids now that they have the tendency to repeat everything.

"I agree with you wholeheartedly, Tris, but the city sees something different. Their stance is that the nearly two years she's been involuntarily committed to the health care facility has been punishment enough. I don't know how they've reached their decision but I'm hoping her records help. I agree that time served, so to speak, is not adequate punishment but I'm not sure there is anything we can do." The hell there isn't.

"There has to be something we can do," I assert. "By the way, how involved in the decision-making process is her father? Or mine for that matter? Shouldn't the council have the final say in whether a dangerous person is let loose on society?"

"Her father?" Zander questions, confused.

"Her father is Kent Nelson, one of Candor's leaders," Tobias answers.

"Okay. Yeah, I think I knew that. The final step in determining if she goes free is petitioning the council but your father will have to recuse himself for obvious reasons, Tris. I'm sure her father will, too," Zander says. "I'll definitely confirm that tomorrow with Jack though. He shouldn't be able to sway the decision. He's too close to the case." I let out a frustrated sigh.

"I really didn't think I'd have to deal with her ever again," I say.

"Mama, otay?" Teagan asks, sensing my stress. Her arms are wrapped around my neck, and she's resting her head on my shoulder.

"I'm fine, my sweet girl," I say, kissing her head. "You don't have to worry about me."

"You won't have to deal with her, love," Tobias says. "I promise. I'll make sure of that."

"I know this isn't what either of you wanted to hear," Zander says. "I tried my best. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," I say.

"And we thank you for what you've tried to do," Tobias says. "Keep us in the loop."

"I definitely will," he says. "One other thing, they will more than likely need affidavits at the minimum from both of you going over your history with Olivia."

"I kind of figured that," I say.

"Me, too," Tobias says.

"I hope this news didn't ruin your day," Stella says. "I know what she put you through."

"I'm not happy about this … development but I refuse to let her steal my happiness," I say.

"I'm proud of you," Tobias whispers in my ear. I look up just in time for his lips to press against mine. Electricity sparks a flame of desire, and I moan softly as he pulls away. I swear I hear Zander and Stella both lightly snicker. My face burns bright but I don't care. I love my husband. The carousel slowly stops and the kids make their way to us.

"Who's ready for the Ferris wheel?" I call out. Seven sets of hands pop up and they dance around excitedly. "Don't fall asleep Teags. We're going to go on the big wheel. Do you have to go potty?"

"I do," Tessa says. I should have been tipped off by her jittery dancing but I guess I mistook it for excitement. After a quick potty break for everyone, we head to one of my favorite wedding presents. Since we all won't fit in one gondola because of safety regulations, we bid goodnight to Stella, Zander, and their kids and wait for the next car. Tobias and I sit on the bench, Tessa on my lap and Teagan on Tobias' with Tyler between us.

"Why don't you guys tell us what you did last night and this morning before we met up with you at the park." We listen carefully as each of them regale us with their tales. They played games then watched a movie and ate popcorn. Before bedtime, the girls helped make a fort out of sheets and various pieces of furniture with Sadine and Nya then Tyler, Zane, and Nash infiltrated, tearing it all apart. Sounds like they had a great time. They're definitely all in agreement that they need to spend more time at Zander and Stella's.

"What about the park this morning?" Tobias asks.

"I swinged … a lot," Tessa says as she plays with my hair. "I goed weally high."

"I slide," Teagan says as she snuggles in Tobias' arms. Sometimes I think it's her favorite place to be. Who could blame her though? It's definitely one of my favorite places, that's for sure.

"Zane and me explored the woods," Tyler excitedly says.

"I hope Gavin and Nash were with you," I say, my chest tightening thinking about my not quite 5-year-old in the woods with his best friend.

"Yeah and Zan," he says. "No girls allowed." I return his bright, infectious smile. "It was so cool."

"I'm glad you had fun," Tobias says. If I'm not mistaken, I hear a tinge of jealousy in his tone.

"I played with Zane, too," Tessa says dreamily.

"Yeah, Zane kissed Tessa," Tyler says with a clear look of disgust on his face, "before her falled." Uh oh!

"What? Did he kiss her on the cheek?" Tobias asks like the overprotective father he is.

"No, the lips," Tyler says. I look down at my girl and she's smiling ear from ear. Tobias must be looking at her, too, because I hear a growl emanate from deep in his chest, and I can't help my giggle.

"This isn't funny, Beatrice Grace." Ooh! My full name! "This is how it starts. First, an innocent kiss then our daughter is shacking up with some good for nothing loser, barefoot and pregnant." I momentarily wonder if that's what my dad thought about him but quickly shake off the depressing thought.

"Careful," I quietly say. "Little ears." We definitely don't want Tyler telling Zane that we think he's a good for nothing loser. "Not to mention the Parrish's are in the next car. They might be able to hear us." Tobias grumbles something under his breath that I can't quite make out. He's going to be a joy to live with when the girls become teenagers. I don't know whose hormones will be worse, his or theirs.

"I don't want you kissing anymore boys until you're 30, Pebbles," he says. "That goes for you, too, Teags." She grins up at him, sleepily.

"What about me?" Tyler asks, upset he's being left out of the conversation.

"No kissing any boys until you're 30, buddy," I say with a chuckle.

"I'm not going to kiss any boys," he says. He looks at me like I'm nuts.

"Your mother thinks she's being funny but she's not," Tobias says and I roll my eyes at him. He's the one who's being absurd. "No kissing any girls until you are 30."

"I'm not kissing any girls either," he says, turning his nose up like it's the most disgusting thing he's ever heard in his entire life. Yeah right! Tessa and Teagan look at him then lean over and kiss him smack dab in the middle of each cheek. Tobias and I burst out laughing. Tyler on the other hand frowns and hurriedly wipes the affection off his cheeks. "Don't kiss me." They giggle loudly and kiss him again. "Mommy, make them stop." I have to force myself to stop laughing and remember they're violating his personal space no matter how cute it is.

"Tessa, Teagan, enough," I say. They each frown, and Tyler sticks his tongue out at them one at a time. "I saw that, mister."

"Sorry, Mommy," he says, pouting. "I'm gonna look at the city from over there." He moves across the car and kneels on the bench, looking out at the picturesque cityscape. Tobias and I stand the girls between us so they, too, can look out at the scenery.

"So, you're really okay with Zane kissing Tessa?" Tobias softly asks after a few quiet moments. I raise my brows at him.

"You're telling me that you're really not okay with it. They're just kids, baby. It doesn't mean anything"

"But he's more than twice her age, Tris," he says and a giggle erupts from deep in my chest. He narrows his eyes at me.

"You're acting like she's 15 and he's 30," I say shaking my head. "He's 5."

"I should have known I wouldn't get any support from you," he mutters. "You let Teags sleep with Liam."

"Nap, Tobias … nap not sleep together. Dear God! They're babies," I say.

"I lub Yiam," Teagan says.

"I know you do, sweetheart," I say, running my hand over her soft waves. Tobias throws his hands up in the air and sighs loudly. "Teags, tell your daddy he's being silly."

"Silly, Dadda!" she says, a huge smile on her face.

"Don't ever get married and leave me, okay?" He holds his arms out to our baby.

"Neber," she says as she goes to him without hesitation. He sweeps her up and hugs her tightly. "Lub 'ou, Dadda," she says as she puckers up. I can't keep the smile off my face as I watch him kiss her then whisper in her ear. She turns my way and says, "Lub 'ou, Mama."

"I love you, too," I say then I get a big, wet kiss, too.

After a full rotation of the big wheel in unusual silence – my kids are never this quiet unless they're asleep – Tobias says, "Girls, did you know that I had the Ferris wheel fixed up for your mommy as a wedding present?" Their eyes widen with wonder as they shake their heads.

"I was there," Tyler says. "I saw him give it to her."

"Did I see?" Tessa asks.

"No, you weren't born yet," I tell her.

"Was I?" Teagan asks.

"You was in Mommy's tummy," Tyler matter-of-factly says. He knows how much Tobias and I love him but sometimes I hear sadness in his voice when he talks about me being pregnant with Teagan and it pains me. To this day, we don't know why he cut ties with Evelyn after he came to live with us. He still won't talk about her. I have my theories but I've made peace with the fact that I'll probably never know. "Why did you do it?"

"Well, I fell madly in love with your mommy on this Ferris wheel shortly after we met. Do you want to hear the story?"

"Yeah!" all three kids eagerly say at once. After settling the girls in our laps again and Tyler taking his seat between us, Tobias tells our children every detail of following me the night of my first capture the flag. Listening to him retell a very important event in our love story makes me overly emotional and tears flow unrestricted down my cheeks. I try to wipe them away but there are so many. I wonder when the PMS will go away. This is ridiculous. One minute I'm bawling like a baby and the next I'm growling like a grizzly. It's so weird.

"You all right, love?" Tobias asks, noticing my irrational tears.

"I'm fine," I say. "I was enjoying your story."

"Can we hear more?" Tyler asks, enthralled.

"Yeah!" Tessa and Teagan excitedly say.

"Sure." We sit for another hour telling them about how we met, fell in love, got married, and adopted Tyler and Tessa. We've told this story before but they seem to like it better each time they hear it.

"'Bout me?" Teags asks holding her hands by her head in question. I gaze lovingly into Tobias' eyes remembering exactly how I worded this with Tyler.

"Well, Mommy and Daddy love each other so much that that love spilled over and gave us you. You were such a big surprise."

"Prize?" she asks, looking up at her father.

"Yeah," Tobias chuckles. "We weren't expecting you at all but we loved you the moment we found out about you. You looked just like a peanut." She giggles at her old nickname.

"You were my greatest Valentine's Day present ever," I say.

"Balantime's Day?" she questions.

"Yeah, we found out you were in my belly on Valentine's Day," I say. "No one can ever top that no matter how hard they try."

"We should get home," Tobias says. "Who's tired?"

"I am," I say as I raise my hand and yawn, causing my family to laugh. They are so easily entertained tonight.

Once the Ferris wheel comes to a slow stop, the operator unlocks the gondola, and we file out. My eyes sweep our surroundings looking for the Parrish's but they're nowhere to be found. We stop by the farmers market to get some fresh produce since we're running low then file to our car. After getting everyone situated, we make a leisurely trip home. I expect the kids to fall asleep before we get back to the compound but they're all hanging on for dear life when we pull up in front of the Pier even though it's obvious they're on their last legs. Within an hour, Tyler, Tessa, and Teagan are in bed for the night, Tobias has taken the car back in the underground parking garage, and we're lounging on the couch with a couple empty popcorn bowls on the coffee table in front of us. There's a loud action movie playing on the TV but neither one of us are paying any attention to it. We're more focused on each other. We've been making out almost nonstop since he put the DVD in. I don't think I could come up with the name of the movie right now. Hell, I probably couldn't even come up with my own name. I swear I'm intoxicated from his skillful kisses.

"How about we take this to the bedroom?" he murmurs breathlessly, his eyes shining with lust. "I want to be inside you right now." He runs his hand under the hem of my tank top, up my stomach, and cups my bare breast, teasing the hardened peak with his thumb while our lips move together. If he keeps doing that, I'll give in no matter how I'm feeling but the truth is I'm sore; my shoulders are stiff again, and I can still feel the pronounced ache between my thighs from his enthusiastic pace last night.

"I'd like to say yes."

"Then do," he says, rolling the pebbled nipple between his thumb and fingers then gently pinching causing me to gasp.

"Enough," I groan, dragging his hand away from my chest. "I'm sore, baby … all over."

"You're still sore?" he asks, alarmed. "Oh. My. God. Did I hurt you last night? Should I take you to the infirmary? I knew I was too rough. Damn it, Tris! You lied to me." He starts muttering what sounds like self-loathing profanities under his breath.

"This is exactly why I hate telling you these things," I murmur as I get up and head into the kitchen.

"I worry about you," he says from right behind me, causing me to jump. I didn't know he followed me. "Sorry, love." He flops into a dining room chair and sighs. "You know I don't want you hurting because of me."

"Stop it, Tobias Eaton," I say with a sigh. I stand about six feet away and stare at him.

"I won't bite," he says. "Unless you want me to." A small smile plays at the edge of his lips. I move closer, and he pulls me down onto his lap. I expect his lips to land on mine but he makes no move to kiss me. "I should never hurt you." I start to protest but he silences me with a reverential kiss and I melt against him. "I know you get tired of hearing the same things again and again but it's how I feel. I should be careful with you, love you right."

"Tobias, baby, you do love me right … in every way," I say. "Do you like having sex with me?" His brows furrow like he doesn't understand the question.

"Of course, I do. You should know that after nearly three years together. I can't get enough of you."

"Do you want to continue having sex with me?"

"What are you getting at?" He actually sounds a little pissy.

"It doesn't matter if you're rough like you were last night or if you're gentle like you've been so many times before, I always feel you when we're done." Once again, he looks at me like I've lost him. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm always some degree of sore."

"Why don't I know this?" he quietly asks.

"You do know. I've told you." I'm quiet, letting it sink in. "Unless we stop altogether, which neither of us want, I'll be sore. But I need you to understand this, you … don't … hurt … me. You've never hit me. You've never said cruel things. You've never belittled me. You've never undermined me. You've never forced yourself on me. You've never tried to kill me. I've been hurt, Tobias, but never by you. You should know that." He wraps his arms tightly around me.

"Remember after our first time?" he murmurs. I nod, a sappy smile on my face.

"How could I forget? At that point, it was the best night of my life. You were patient, gentle, so loving. I didn't know what to expect, and it was so much more than I could have imagined. And when you gave me my first orgasm, I didn't think it could ever get better than that. Boy was I wrong. Each time is just a little bit better."

"We remember the same event so differently."

"Please tell me you remember more than just that painful scream?"

"I do," he says, "but the fact that it hurt you is still front and center in my memory."

"Did you honestly think it wouldn't hurt me?" I ask.

"I guess I didn't think about that part," he bashfully says.

"What did you think about?" I ask, intrigued.

"I wondered if I would be able to last long enough to make it any good for you. I worried that I wouldn't be able to make you come. I worried that I wouldn't be any good at it. I worried that I would only last seconds." A giggle escapes my lips before I can clamp my mouth shut. What he's saying is definitely not meant to be humorous.

"Sorry but for your peace of mind, you've always had mad skills in the bedroom," I say kissing his right ear. "Go on. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"Mad skills, huh?" I nod. "I love you so much, Tris." He grazes the back of his knuckles down my cheeks.

"I love you, too, Tobias," I say.

"Sometimes I can't separate it." Now he's lost me. Apparently, the look on my face betrays how I'm feeling and he tries to explain. "I can't separate the fact that I'm nearly too big for you to take and the vow to never hurt the ones I love the most in this life. I should never hurt you and the fact of the matter is, I do every time I push myself into your body to love you." I can't help it, I blush at his words.

"It's not painful, Tobias. It's a stretching, full sensation that I quite honestly can't get enough of. And after you pull out of me, you leave a sweet reminder that you were inside me. I love that. I wouldn't change our love life for anything. You are perfect for me. You have the uncanny knack to read my body. You know what I want and need before I do."

"I just wish you weren't so sore," he says.

"It just means we had a really, really good time last night," I say with a loving smile.

"Do you think I'm being silly?"

"Not at all," I say. "You're concerned about me and my well-being. It shows me how much you love and care for me. You don't want to hurt me. You don't want me hurting. I respect that. I love that." I absentmindedly run my fingers through his messy hair, combing it into some semblance of order.

"You always put my fears to rest, love," he says as he nuzzles the crook of my neck. "What did I do to deserve you?" He then leans back and stares into my eyes. I relax into his arms as his lips find mine. He coaxes my mouth open with his tongue and thrusts it through my parted lips, finding mine and stroking it with a delicate touch. I thread my fingers into his hair and pull him closer to me as the kiss deepens. A loud knock pulls us apart.

"I wonder who that could be this late," he breathlessly says.

"I don't know," I say as I get off his lap.

"Hey, Will," Tobias says as he opens the door. "What can we do for you?"

"Can I come in?" he asks.

"Of course." Tobias steps to the side, letting our unexpected guest in.

"I'm sorry for just dropping in like this unannounced but I thought you two should know something."

"What's that?"

"There's a rumor going around Dauntless that Four is abusing you, Tris, and by the looks of your arm, I guess they might be true," he tightly says, his eyes on my bruise. Great.