"What time is it?" I ask, giving in to a wide yawn. I'm standing with Tobias, Ana, and Brody watching the transfers' practice fights, fighting a battle of my own to keep my eyes open. For as impressed as I was with the Dauntless-born's progress this morning, I'm equally disappointed with the transfers' lack of this afternoon. I don't blame Ana or Brody though. They're doing the best they can with the lot they were given. The action, or lack thereof, on the mat in front of us frustrates me to no end. We watch as Oliver takes a beating from a girl half his size.
"It's nearly quitting time," Ana says, looking at her watch.
"Okay," I yell out, having had enough. The transfers all look my way. "It's suppertime. You can go for the night. Don't forget to be at the train bright and early for our trip to the fence tomorrow." I watch as the battered transfers slowly make their way to the door, dragging their feet. It's a good thing Eric's no longer with us or each one of them would have found themselves hanging above the chasm this afternoon. "Not you," I say as Oliver starts to pass. He stops, confusion filling his flushed face. I hope he's embarrassed and didn't actually work up a sweat. Once the door closes behind the last stragglers, I make my way to the center of the mat. "Come here." He drops his eyes to the floor and shuffles his way to me. Definitely embarrassed. Tobias crosses his arms across his chest, his hands balled into tight fists. I can tell he doesn't like Oliver this close to me. Brody and Ana move to flank him, their stances matching. They stay a few feet away, giving me the privacy I need to talk to the troubled initiate.
"Tris?" Oliver murmurs, barely audible.
"Tell me, what was the result of your aptitude test?" I ask. I already know the answer to the question. When I told Ana I would talk to him, I carefully studied his file, looking for what I didn't know. I just want to know if he'll be honest with me.
"Why do you want to know that?" he timidly asks.
"Answer her question, initiate," Tobias growls. He really dislikes Al's doppelganger, and I don't blame him. There's something off about him.
"D-dauntless," he squeaks. I take a step forward and crowd his space. I know he's lying.
"Care to rethink your answer?" I ask. All color drains not only from his face but from his entire body too.
"A-amity," he whispers, lowering his eyes. I nearly fell off my desk chair when I read that his test revealed an aptitude for Amity. Amity. That explained his passiveness.
"What are you doing here? Why did you join Dauntless? You obviously have no real desire to be here. You don't work hard at anything. You throw your fights. You're apathetic to weapons training. If automatic cuts were made, you'd be first on our list. You are most definitely not Dauntless material. So tell me. What. Are. You. Doing. Here?" He shrugs his shoulders, not meeting my eyes, and it pisses me off. "You can't even tell me what made you step up and drip your blood on the hot coals?" Pathetic! "You do realize that if you don't put some effort into your training that you will be factionless at the end of phase one. There is no place in Dauntless for weakness." This seems to spark something in Oliver.
"I'll do better," he says, straightening his spine. "I'll prove it to you, Tris. Give me a chance to prove that I can do this, that I deserve a place here in Dauntless." I still wish I understood his motives for wanting to be here. I look over my shoulder at Tobias. He nods once.
"All right. Here's the deal, initiate," I say, purposely avoiding the use of his name. "You have to pass each weapon's test at 100% and you must also win each of your fights whether they're practice or scored. Brody and Ana will work with you one-on-one for one hour before regular training hours to ensure that you reach your goals. If you are one minute late, if you fail one test, or if you don't give your all you might as well pack your bags. You've been given more chances to straighten up than anyone in the history of this faction." Okay. That might be an exaggeration. "I hope you appreciate this chance we're giving you."
"I do, Tris," he says. "I really do."
"Go," Tobias growls, pointing toward the door. We watch him hurry to the door them disappear into the hallway.
"An hour a day?" Brody asks as I approach them. He doesn't look mad but I can tell that he's not entirely happy with the situation either.
"I'm sorry, guys," I say. "That part of the bargain just came to me out of the blue. I know it's not something we discussed beforehand."
"But I like it," Tobias says. He puts his arm around me, and I snuggle into his side, once again feeling the fatigue that's been plaguing me since my talk with Christina.
"He's our responsibility so we're happy to do it," Ana says, giving her boyfriend some serious side eye. "Do you think it will make a difference?"
"Hopefully," I say not wanting to voice my doubts in front of them.
"Let's go home," Tobias says. "You look like you're about ready to fall asleep on your feet."
"I know," I say. "I can't figure out why I'm so exhausted." Tobias runs his hand over my small bump.
"I have an idea," he says.
"I guess you're right," I say. We leave the training room behind after another exceptionally long day. When we reach the path, we say goodbye to Ana and Brody and head toward home.
"Love? Tris? Tris?"
"What?" I look up at Tobias, and I see worry in his eyes.
"You were a million miles away. Is there something bothering you?" he asks. "Christina and Will?"
"No. They're going to be fine. I just know it," I say. "I guess I was wondering why Oliver chose Dauntless when his aptitude test results were for Amity. You can't get further apart on the spectrum. I'd think he was a plant if he came from Erudite."
"I had the same thought when we first found out," he says.
"I could be all wrong but I think he has an agenda," I say.
"What kind of agenda?" he asks.
"I don't know," I murmur. "Depends on what he's actually doing here. You know, it bugs me that he wouldn't explain choosing Dauntless even though he's technically not required to do so."
"Yeah, that bothers me also," Tobias says.
"Do I sound paranoid?"
"No," he says. "Just think of the conspiracies and other crap we've had to deal with since you joined Dauntless: wars, stalkers, crazy initiates. Anyone who has experienced what we have would be cautious and possibly see bad guys around every corner."
"I don't want to live that way though," I say. "It's been so nice and calm around here the past two years. Why did it have to change?"
"There has been a lot of drama lately, hasn't there?"
"Yeah," I say as we reach our apartment. "Let's pray for a drama-free evening." Just as he opens the door, all hopes for a relaxing evening at home fade when I see Teagan make a header off the couch. I hold my breath hoping for the best but soon her wails fill the room. Tobias and I rush forward to make sure she's okay and that's when I see blood … everywhere.
"Get a towel, Tris," he worriedly says as he rushes to pick up our crying daughter. "Daddy's got you, Peanut." I hurry into the kitchen and get a couple towels, forgetting all of Dauntless' problems. I also grab a cold compress out of the freezer and rush back to Teagan. I hand a towel to Tobias and he presses it to the gash on her forehead. It seems like she hit the corner of the end table.
"Can I get you anything?" Bridget asks.
"Some wet paper towels please," I say. When she turns to go back into the kitchen I see Tyler and Tessa peeking around the corner. They both look worried for their little sister. "It's okay, guys. Teagan bumped her head on the table."
"Hers got a booboo?" Tessa asks.
"Yeah, she does," Tobias says. He moves the blood-soaked towel away so we can see her injury. "That doesn't look so good."
"I think we need to take her to the infirmary," I say as Bridget hands me the damp towels. "Can you stay with Tyler and Tessa?"
"Of course," she says. "I'll make supper. Tyler, Tessa, do you want to help me?" They love helping in the kitchen but they both look torn.
"Can we go with you, Mommy?" Tyler asks.
"No, buddy," Tobias says as I try to clean the blood off Teagan's face. Every time I wipe some away it's quickly replaced. "Mommy and Daddy need you to stay here with Bridget while we take care of Teagan."
"Okay, Daddy," he says, pouting. He turns to Bridget, resigned to his fate and mopes into the kitchen. Tessa stands staring at us then tears start running down her face.
"Hey, little one," I say. "It's okay. Why don't you help Bridget and Tyler with supper? You love helping in the kitchen."
"Otay," she says, sniffling.
"Teags will be just fine," I say. "You don't have to worry. Go with Bridget and Tyler." She gives me a small nod then disappears around the corner. "Is it still bleeding?" Tobias once again moves the towel away, and the wound continues to ooze.
"Can you give the infirmary a heads up that we're coming?" he asks.
"Yeah," I say as I get my phone out of my pocket.
"We'll be back as soon as possible," Tobias says. He carries her cradled in his arms like he did when she was a baby while I convey the emergency to the receptionist who answers the phone. The moment we burst through the infirmary doors we're immediately taken to the closest exam room, which has already been prepped for our arrival.
"Well hello, Teagan," Isobel says as she enters the room not two minutes later. "Did you fall and hit your head?" Teags nods, tears overflowing her big blue eyes. "I'm sorry to hear that. Can I look at you head?"
"No!" she emphatically states.
"Teags, Isobel needs to look at your head," Tobias says.
"Mama!" she says, holding her arms out to me.
"Come here, baby girl," I say taking her in my arms. I sit on the exam table and rub her back consolingly. "We need to check your head to see if it's still bleeding, okay? Can you be Mommy and Daddy's big girl?"
"I big giwl?" she asks.
"You sure are," I say.
"And getting bigger and braver every day," Tobias adds.
"'Kay," she says. I feel so bad for my baby. Her little body is trembling with fear and pain .
I hold out a hand in front of her and say, "Take my hand and squeeze it as hard as you want to." She grabs hold of my hand with both of hers and squeezes with all her might. "Oh! You're getting so strong. If you squeeze any tighter you might break my hand." This brings a smile to her face.
"Are you ready?" Isobel asks. She hesitantly nods once, her eyes on me.
"Can you look at Isobel, Peanut?" I ask.
"No wanna," she pouts, hiding her face in my chest.
"How about I stand next to her and you can look at Daddy?" Tobias says. She peeks up at him and his smile coaxes her out completely. "That's a good girl."
"I'm going to clean around the wound," Isobel says, "but I'm not going to touch it yet." Teags tenses but she doesn't move.
"You're being such a big girl right now, Peanut," I say.
"I big giwl," she repeats. I hold her tight while Isobel cleans all the blood off her face.
"It looks like the bleeding has stopped," she says. "I'm going to look before I touch. Is that okay, Teags?" She looks up at me, and I encourage her with a smile and a nod.
"'Kay," she says. I watch as Isobel tenderly examines the area around the gash.
"Good news," she says. "Head wounds bleed a lot but it's not as bad as it seems. It doesn't need stiches. I can close it with a few butterfly closures." Teags perks up at this and I'm sure it is because butterflies were mentioned. Now to break her heart.
"It's a type of band-aid, Teags," I say and immediately her face falls.
"Do you like butterflies?" Isobel asks, catching on to the problem.
"Mm-hm," she says.
"Well I think I have something right over here that will make your day." Isobel goes to a cabinet in the corner of the room and returns with a little stuffed butterfly.
"Tanks!" Teags says, reaching up and taking the toy.
"That was nice of you," I say once she has the wound cleaned and closed, which takes her no time at all.
"Every sick child needs a reason to smile," she says. "I'm glad I could help."
"You ready to go home, Peanut?" Tobias asks. He holds his arms out to her, and she immediately goes to him, obviously feeling better.
"Don't get the bandages wet, come back in five to seven days to have the wound looked at, I'll leave it up to you to make an appointment, and you can give her children's acetaminophen if she complains of pain," Isobel explains before letting us leave.
"So, what do you want for supper tonight, Teags?" I ask.
"Poni pitsa peas," she says.
"Pepperoni pizza sounds like a good choice," Tobias says. "How about some ice cream for dessert?"
"Chokit?"
"I know I could go for some chocolate," I say.
"Alright," Tobias says. "Pepperoni pizza and chocolate ice cream for dessert. How about you two head home and I'll stop by the store to pick up what we need?"
"Mama, hold peas," Teags says, holding her arms out to me.
"Come here," I say taking her from her father. "Could you get me some ginger ale, too? My stomach is feeling a little queasy."
"Of course," he says. "Do we need anything else?"
"I can't think of anything," I say.
"I'll be home soon," he says, leaning over and gently touching his lips to mine.
"No kiss," Teags indignantly says.
"Do you want a kiss?" Tobias asks her.
"No!" she huffs.
"You don't want Daddy to kiss you?" I ask her, surprised. She loves kisses from her daddy.
"You're making me sad, Peanut," he says with an exaggerated pouty face.
"'Kay," she says, relenting. She puckers up and leans over, giving him a sloppy smack on the side of his lips. She giggles, presses her little fingers to his cheeks, and kisses him again. "Lub 'ou, Dadda."
"I love you, too," he says then continues under his breath just loud enough for me to hear, "more than you will ever know." I smile warmly at him and he kisses my temple. "Go. Get her home. I'll be right behind you with supper."
"Take your time," I say. "We'll be waiting for you. We love you."
"I love you both," he says, turning into the commissary entrance.
"How is your head?" I ask Teags when we are almost home.
"It huwts," she says, raising her hand to touch the bandages.
"You better not touch it," I say. "You might make it hurt worse. I'll get you some medicine when we get home. How does that sound?"
"I need now," she says.
"I don't have any now," I say.
"'Kay," she sighs. She wraps her arms, stuffed animal and all, around my neck and lays her head on my shoulder.
"Are you okay?" I ask her.
"No. I gotsta boo-boo."
"Do you like your new toy?" I ask her, trying to get her mind off her head.
"Lub it," she says then she kisses the butterfly.
"It was very nice of Isobel to give it to you," I say.
"Yeah," she says. "She nice."
"Yes, she is," I say. I dig my keys out of my pocket and open the door, surprised to find Tyler and Tessa patiently sitting in the, entry way, staring at the door. "Hi guys."
"Hi," Tyler says, jumping up. "Is Teags okay?"
"I 'kay, Ty-Ty," she says.
"Where Dadda?" Tessa asks, looking forlornly at the door.
"He stopped to get supper," I say.
"Poni pitsa," Teags says.
"Yeah! Pizza!" Tessa squeals.
"And chocolate ice cream for dessert," I say.
"Is that new?" Tessa suddenly asks, eyeing Teagan's butterfly.
"She got that for being brave at the doctor's office," I say hoping that it doesn't cause too much jealousy. What one girl has the other always wants.
"See!" Teags says, holding the stuffed animal out so her sister can examine it.
"Ooooh! That cool," she says then she looks up at me. "I want one." I knew it.
"No, little one, I'm sorry but you can't have one," I say. "Your sister was really scared and this helped her be brave."
"I'm always brave," Tyler says matter-of-factly.
"Is that right?" I ask with a chuckle and he nods. "Okay. How about we move away from the door and set the table for supper? Daddy should be home soon." I sit Teags on her feet and my three hellions start to run toward the kitchen. "Walk!" They stop in their tracks and look back at me. "I don't want to have to take any of you to the infirmary again tonight."
"Sorry, Mommy," Tyler says and Tessa and Teags add, "Yeah!"
"Hi, Bridget," I say when we round the corner into the kitchen. She's emptying the last of the clean dishes from the dishwasher.
"Oh, Teags! Your poor head," she says, examining her wound. "I'm sorry you fell off the couch but I'm glad your mommy and daddy were here for you."
"It wasn't exactly how I planned to start my evening off but I'm glad we had just gotten home."
"The laundry has been done and put away. I also ran the dishwasher and the dishes have been put away. The window washers stopped by today. I'll do the inside tomorrow when the kids take their naps. Also, Gunner left this note for you." She taps on the plain white envelope on the island.
"You do so much for us," I say. "I can't thank you enough."
"I enjoy my work, Tris," she says. "You don't have to thank me but it is nice to hear." She smiles bashfully. "Well, if you don't need me anymore I think I will head home for the night," she says.
"We're fine. Thanks for staying late with Tyler and Tessa and thanks again for everything you do around here. I'd be lost without you," I say. "Say goodnight to Bridget, guys." They gather round her feet and hug her legs. She bends and gives each one a tender kiss to the top of the head.
"I'll see you guys tomorrow," she say and they say goodbye in stereo, speaking at once.
"Goodnight, Bridget," I say, following her to the entry way.
"Goodnight, Tris," she says. Just as she goes to open the front door, Tobias walks in. "Oh my!"
"I'm sorry, Bridget," he says with a chuckle, juggling the pizza and grocery bags to put his keys away. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"You just startled me a little is all, Four," she says, her hand over her heart. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight," he says, securing the door behind her.
"Hi, Daddy," Tyler says. "Do you need help?"
"Here, you take the pizza and put it on the table," Tobias says. "Thank you." Tyler beams as he carefully takes the box that's nearly as large as he is from his father and slowly makes his way into the kitchen. I trail closely behind him, making sure our supper doesn't end up on the floor. When Tobias enters the kitchen, the girls are circling his feet trying to help him with the bags.
"Careful, girls," I say. "Let Daddy put the bags down."
"I help," Tessa says. "Peas!"
"Yeah," Teags says.
"We didn't set the table yet," I say, getting paper plates out of the pantry. "Here, girls. You can help me." The excitedly leave Tobias and join me at the table. I supervise as first they set plates at each setting, then forks, napkins, and glasses.
"I got some root beer," Tobias whispers as he passes me.
"That sounds good," I say. "Who wants root beer?" Three eager hands immediately go up. "I'm not sure you got enough, Tobias."
"Don't worry. There's another two liter in the refrigerator. I was going to get a gallon but they were out."
"This is a nice treat," I say. "Thank you." He grazes his finger along my jawline and tilts my head back. His lips gently brush against mine, heating my blood to near boiling. Damn hormones! A simple chaste peck shouldn't garner such a reaction in my body.
"Careful, love," he warns, reading either my expression or my suddenly dirty thoughts. "We have an audience." I look down and find three sets of blue eyes staring intently at me.
"I'm hungry, Mommy," Tyler says, looking down at the box in front of him and then back up at me. "Can I give the pizza out?"
"If you be careful," I say. "It might still be hot."
"I'm sure it's fine," Tobias says. "It's been 10 minutes since I picked it up." Tyler lifts the box and apprehensively touches the first slice. Finding it not too hot he serves himself first, even taking a bite, then gives a slice to Teags and then Tessa. They dig in while he puts a slice on Tobias' and my plate.
"So, did you guys have a nice day at the park with Liam?" I ask. Tobias frowns as Teags recounts every minute of her afternoon with her "boyfriend." I try not to laugh as he grumbles under his breath. His view of little Liam is so skewed.
"Mama, we watch fishy movie?" Teags asks when she finishes her second slice of pizza. Going to the infirmary must have worked up an appetite.
"Nemo or Dory?" I ask.
"Meemo," she says.
"I don't see why not," I say. "Let's get your jammies on first though."
"Can I play in my room?" Tyler asks.
"Of course," Tobias says. "Put your pajamas on, too, okay?"
"Okay, Daddy," he says. "And thanks."
"Come on girls," I say. They each hold out their hands and we make our way upstairs into the nursery, which reminds me I have to read the note from Gunner. The girls' room should be done soon and I for one cannot wait to see it. I dig out matching short and cami outfits that have little fishy all over them and help the girls into them after putting them in pull-ups for the night. "You go down and get ready for the movie. I'll be down in just a few minutes." Once the girls are safely on the first landing, I go into Tyler's room. He's up in his treehouse with a flashlight. "What are you doing?"
"Making shadows on the wall," he excitedly says. "See!" He points at the wall at what looks like a bunny.
"How did you learn that?" I ask. "And where did you get the flashlight?"
"Daddy show me," he proudly says. "That night when it was just him and me. He told me it was something he did when he was little." Hhm. I never knew this. I wonder why Tobias never shared this with me.
"Well, that's pretty amazing," I say. "Are you sure you don't want to watch the movie?"
"No, I playing," he says then yawns widely. It wouldn't be surprised if he falls asleep in that little alcove. He's done it before.
"All right," I say. "If you change your mind, you can always join us. I love you, buddy."
"I love you too, Mommy," he says then adds just as I'm walking out the door, "to the moon and back."
"To the moon and back, Tyler Aaron." He grins widely then goes back to his shadow puppets.
"Are you weady, Mama?" Tessa asks when I walk into the living room with Gunner's note in my hand. "We waitin' for you."
"Awe that was sweet of you," I say. "I'm definitely ready." I set Gunner's note on the end table and snuggle in beside Tobias. The girls climb up onto our laps and within half an hour they are both out.
"Should we take them to bed?" he asks.
"We might as well," I say. "I bet Tyler is already asleep, too. They must have played hard today." We easily get the girls into bed without waking them then we check on Tyler. Just as I expected he is sound asleep in his treehouse. Tobias carefully gets him out, and I tuck him in. He only grumbles a little, which makes me smile. He sounds just like his father. "We should have Bridget take them to the park everyday if it makes bedtime go this smoothly. And speaking of Bridget, I think we need to give her a raise."
"What brought this on?" he asks.
"Let's talk downstairs," I say, kissing Tyler's forehead. "Sleep tight, buddy."
"So, do you want to finish the movie?" Tobias asks with a glint in his eyes as we hit the stairs.
"What if I said yes?"
"We'd finish watching Meemo," he says so sincerely.
"Meemo," I murmur under my breath.
"So, about this raise," he says after we sit on the couch, the movie off and forgotten. My feet are in his lap, and he's rubbing them.
"She does more than I do to keep this house in order. If it weren't for her, none of our clothes or dishes would ever be clean. She actually told me that she is going to do the windows tomorrow when the kids are napping. Hell, all I want to do when the kids are asleep is take a nap myself. I'm convinced our house would fall apart without her. She's not just the nanny. She's our housekeeper, too. And what are we going to do when we have two more kids? Is she going to be able to handle it? Hell, are we going to be able to handle it?" I toss my head back until it's resting on the cushions and groan, whether it's from frustration or the amazing foot rub I don't know.
"You are a busy woman, Tris," he says. "You have three children, a fulltime job, and a very demanding husband." I pick my head up and narrow my eyes at him. What is he talking about?
"Demanding?"
"Yes, demanding. And maybe a little needy, too," he says, trying to keep a straight face.
"Demanding and needy." I can't help but chuckle. "That's a dangerous combination."
"Very dangerous."
"What are we going to do about it?" I huskily ask.
"I can think of a thing or two," he says.
"I bet you can, baby," I say. "Well, take me to bed then, Tobias."
"You don't have to tell me twice," he says as he sweeps me up into his arms and rushes us up the stairs.
