The familiar buzz of my phone wakes me from a deep sleep. I try to pry my tired eyes open but I just can't do it, so I roll over and blindly feel around on the nightstand for the irritating offender. Once I have it in my hand, I switch it on. When I raise it to my ear, I can't help my frown. All I hear is a dial tone. I squint as I concentrate on the face of the phone, and I realize my mistake. The phone wasn't ringing, it was alerting me to an incoming text message. I chuckle and shake my head at my stupidity.

I open the message screen and confusion fills me as I scroll through the series of photos. That's it, pictures no message. There are four of them, one each of Tyler, Tessa, and Teagan and one of the three of them together but they aren't close up shots of them smiling and posing. They've obviously been taken from a distance. Tyler is on a swing, Tessa is on a slide, and Teagan is on a bridge. The one of all three of them together show them resting and drinking some bottled water. I study them closely. It looks like they're wearing the same clothes they were wearing yesterday. I automatically raise up on one arm and look over at my kids.

What the hell are these? Why would Bridget send me such odd pictures? I study each shot again, and in the photo of all three of them, she is sitting on the park bench almost out of frame. Obviously, she didn't take these. I exit out of the message and try to access the number attached to the text. Bridget didn't send them to me. It says it's from a blocked number. My heart rate picks up until it's beating violently in my chest.

I ease out of bed, making sure I don't disturb the kids. They're sleeping peacefully, and I wish I was as blissfully unaware as they are in this moment. I sit down in the rocking chair and open the disturbing pictures once again. I study every millimeter of each frame for any kind of clue as to who could have sent these but there is nothing. If I didn't know better, they look like your average snapshot. Should I disturb Tobias with this? What if they're nothing? The increasing panic subsides for a moment when I consider that they may be from Fiona. She and Liam usually go to the park with Bridget and the kids and yesterday was no exception. I'm dialing her number before I realize what I'm doing.

"Hey, Tris," Fiona says, answering on the third ring.

"Hi, Fi," I say trying to keep the panic out of my voice. My babies are fine. They're sleeping right in front of me. There is no need to alarm her. "I have a question for you."

"All right," she says. "Is there something wrong? You sound upset." I guess I'm not a very good actress when it comes to my kids.

"I'm sure it's nothing," I mutter even though I'm convinced it's definitely something, although what I have no idea. "When you were at the park with Bridget and the kids yesterday, did you see anyone lingering around who didn't quite fit?"

"Um, no," she says after a moment.

"Did you see someone with a camera?" I ask, trying a different route.

"No," she says, her interest definitely peaked. "What's going on, Tris?"

"I just got some odd pictures of the kids a little bit ago," I say.

"Pictures?"

"Yeah. One of each of the kids and one of the three of them together," I say.

"I didn't send you any pictures, Tris," she says, concern audible in her voice. "I took a few but I haven't even had time to look at them yet."

"Although I didn't see you or Liam in any of the pictures, Bridget is in the group shot," I say. "But I know they didn't come from you. The pictures you send always come from your phone number."

"Have you talked to Bridget about them?" she asks. "Is this something I should be worried about with Liam?" I never thought about that.

"I don't think so, Fiona," I say, "but I'll give Christina or Will a call and see if they got any strange photos."

"I really am sorry, Tris. I pride myself in keeping an eye on what's going on when we're watching the kids," she says. "I don't want you to think we were being lax."

"I don't think that, Fi. Not at all. You and Bridget have always been so good with my kids," I say. "Whatever this is, it's not your fault. Please don't think anything else. It's probably nothing anyway and I'm just overreacting." I must be too loud because the girls stir. "I'm sorry but I've got to go. The kids are waking up. Thanks for taking them to the park yesterday. They love it."

"We had a great time," she says. "Bye."

"Bye," I say then hang up the phone just in time to see Tessa's head pop up off the pillow. Thankfully, Teags settles back down. I put my finger over my lips indicating that she needs to stay quiet. She looks at her brother and sister then nods. I beckon her with my finger and she crawls to the end of the bed where I'm waiting. I pick her up and hug her tightly, comforting myself with her nearness until she starts squirming. I relax my arms so she stops trying to get away from me then sit back down in the rocking chair. I love how she snuggles into my chest as we gently glide back and forth.

"Mama, gotsta potty," she whispers after a while. I honestly thought she had fallen back to sleep.

"Do you need help?" I ask as I set her on her feet.

"No. I do it," she says then runs towards the bathroom.

"My independent girl," I murmur under my breath. One day you won't need me anymore. The thought makes me sad.

"Mama! Help!" she calls from the bathroom. This makes me smile.

"What do you need, little one?" I ask as I enter the bathroom. She stands up and points at the little potty. "I'll empty it after we clean you up."

"Otay," she says. "Mama?"

"What?"

"You otay?" she asks, staring up at me with wide, serious eyes.

"Of course, I'm okay," I say. I squat down to her level. "Why do you ask?"

"You look sad," she says. This takes me aback. If my two-year-old is picking up on the fact that I'm upset, Tyler would grill me for hours. I take a deep breath and gather her into my arms.

"Mommy isn't feeling very well today, little one," I say. "That's all." I try not to lie to my children but this is one time I'm not comfortable with the complete truth. I have no idea what the pictures mean, and I don't want to scare her needlessly. My stomach churns a little reminding me that what I said was the complete truth.

"Otay," she says with a sunny smile. "Can I pay?" I hate the thought of not having her in my sight right now.

"How about you get something to play with out of the playroom and bring it back here and we play together? How does that sound?"

"Fun!" She runs off toward the door and I tell her to walk just as she slams into Tyler.

"Hey!" he says as they both land on the floor with a thud. I hold my breath waiting for the tears but I think they're both too stunned.

"Are you okay, Tyler?" I ask.

"Yeah," he says. "Tess runned into me."

"I know," I say. "Tessa, are you okay?" She looks up at me and instead of tears I get giggles. At least she isn't hurt. "That is why you need to walk. You could have hurt your brother or yourself."

"I sowwy," she says. "Ty-ty otay?"

"I fine, Tess," he says as he gets to his feet. "I was just looking for everyone." He scans the room then frowns. "Where Teags?"

"What do you mean where's Teags? Wasn't she asleep on the bed with you?" He shakes his head and the panic that subsided envelopes me, practically crushing me. I spring to my feet, calling her name. I rush down the stairs and find her sitting in the kitchen watching Bridget put the groceries away. I grab her up in my arms, startling her.

"Mama!" she says, hugging my neck tightly. "Hi!"

"You scared me, Peanut," I say. "I didn't know where you were."

"I hewe," she says, looking at me like I'm nuts.

"I see that now, silly," I say. "Why don't you go upstairs and find your sister? She's picking out some toys to play with. I'll be up in a couple minutes."

"'Kay," she says. I watch as she slowly makes her way up the stairs, carefully hanging onto the banister the entire way.

"Are you okay, Tris?" Bridget asks, concern clearly written on her face.

"Honestly, Bridget, I'm not sure," I say. "Did you by chance see anyone hanging out at the park yesterday who didn't belong or stood out or maybe you saw someone paying special attention to the kids? Someone with a camera?" She looks up, startled.

"No," she says, her brows furrowed. "Why?" I have to admit that I'm surprised that Fiona hasn't forewarned her of this conversation.

"I received some pictures of the kids earlier," I say, "and they were from a blocked number."

"I didn't send you…," she begins but I cut her off.

"I know they didn't come from you," I say. I get my phone out of my pocket, open the text, and find the picture I'm looking for. I hand her my phone. "This shot has you in it." She takes the phone from me and her frown becomes more pronounced. She starts shaking her head.

"I don't remember seeing anyone with a camera, that's for sure," she says. "There was another family there. Dauntless, I think. Although they could have been Candor come to think of it. They were dressed in black and white. They had two boys about Tyler's age but they kept to themselves. There was a young man and woman there. Erudite. They looked like they were stealing a couple hours together. Fiona and I thought they should have been in upper levels. I don't remember seeing anyone else. No, that's not right. There were a few factionless hanging around the edge of the park. They never approached the playground so I didn't really think anything about it. I never felt unsafe, and I never thought the kids were in any danger."

"The factionless. Did you happen to see a young woman with red hair?" I ask, seething. I should have known she would be behind this. Damn bitch! "I've showed you this picture before." I swipe through my numerous photos until I come across the one I wish I could delete. "Her name is Olivia Nelson." She studies the picture carefully.

"I don't remember seeing her or anyone with red hair," she says.

"How often are factionless at the park?" I ask.

"To tell you the truth, I think they are there every time," she says. "They've never bothered us though. Fiona and I are both quite vigilant when it comes the kids. I'm sorry this is happening."

"So am I," I say. "Unfortunately, I'm not sure exactly what this is. I'm probably working myself up over nothing."

"You let me know if I need to do anything," she says. "Anything at all."

"I will, Bridget," I say. "I better get back upstairs. I promised the girls I would play with them."

"They will enjoy that," she says. "All three of them were disappointed when you were asleep when Four brought you home this morning. That's why I asked him if I could take them to the pool. They were bound and determined to wake you up. I kept catching them trying to sneak upstairs." She shakes her head but a smile lights her face. "They really wanted their mommy this morning."

"Now I feel bad," I mumble.

"Oh, that wasn't my intention," she says.

"It's not your fault, Bridget," I say. "I was already feeling guilty for sleeping instead of spending time with them but the twins are wanting me to sleep like 20 hours a day. I'm absolutely exhausted. I couldn't fight it this morning. Well, I better get upstairs. Thank you for shopping for us and thank you for making stew tonight. It's one of the kids' favorite."

"I thought it might be one of Four's favorites since he asked for it," she says.

"It is," I say with a chuckle. "Actually, anything you make is one of his favorites and mine too. You could open a restaurant if you wanted."

"Oh, you flatter me," she says, blushing tomato red. "Looking after children is my passion. Cooking is just a hobby."

"Mommy!" Tyler calls from the top of the stairs. "Tessa wants you. She said you would play with us."

"I'm coming," I call up the stairs then turn back to the kitchen. "Thanks again, Bridget. For all you do."

"It's my pleasure, Tris," she says then starts softly chuckling. "You better get upstairs before they tear the house down."

At the first landing, I call over my shoulder, "You certainly know my kids."

"That I do," she says.

"So, did you find something to play?" I ask as I enter my bedroom. The kids are sitting on the floor around a board game I forgot we had. We spend the next two hours playing the game. Sometimes Tessa wins, Teagan wins once. But it's Tyler who dominates the afternoon.

"I'm leaving," Bridget says from the doorway.

"Is it that time of night already?" I ask, looking toward Tobias' nightstand.

"It sure is," she says.

"Have a good evening," I say. The kids each jump up and give her hugs and kisses then she disappears down the stairs. "I can't believe it's after 6 o'clock."

"I'm hungry, Mommy," Tyler says.

"Me, too," Tessa says.

"Yeah!" Teags adds.

"I could eat, too," I say. "Let's go downstairs. Hopefully, Daddy will be home soon."

"Is supper ready?" Tyler asks when we reach the dining room.

"Bridget made us beef stew," I say, taking in the aroma. "And it looks like she made us a treat also."

"What?" they all ask in unison.

"Ooey gooey monkey bread for three little monkeys," I say as I close the oven door. "We'll have that for dessert. Do you want to help me set the table?" The kids eagerly agree and within minutes the table is set, and they are seated and ready for supper.

"I think Daddy is home," Tyler says when we hear the front door open and close.

"I think you may be right," I say as Tobias comes into the kitchen.

"Good evening, love," he says. He gives me a soft kiss then looks at the kids. "How are you guys doing?" Of course, they all talk at once, fighting for their father's undivided attention. I serve supper while they all catch up.

"Mommy played with us all afternoon," Tyler says, beaming ear to ear.

"Is that right?" Tobias asks.

"Well after our nap she did," he says. "First she had to find Teags. I didn't even know her was missing."

"What?" Tobias asks, looking and sounding alarmed.

"She wasn't missing," I say. "She was just downstairs with Bridget. I overreacted a little when she wasn't where I thought she was. We'll talk about it more later." I really didn't want to broach this subject in front of the kids but I didn't know that Tyler was going to tell on me. Hell, I didn't even know I made that much of an impression to let him know I was scared.

"Is there something I should know?" he asks.

"Later. Please," I say.

"Okay," he says. "I have a few things to talk to you about also."

"Oh, how was your appointment?" I ask, totally forgetting about his physical.

"I'm healthy as a horse," he says with a sexy grin.

"You not a horse," Tyler says a little indignant.

"I wanna horsey," Tessa says.

"Uh, she can't have a horse until I get a dog," Tyler says matter-of-factly.

"I lub doggies," Teags says. "But I wanna bebe seester." Tobias and I just look at each other. How did we get on this subject?

"Um, Tessa, no you cannot have a horse," Tobias says and I add, "Ever."

"Tyler, you know you can't have a dog until you are responsible enough to take care of it yourself," he says.

"I promise I would take care of it all by myself," he says.

"You are four years old," I say. "You can't even go outside by yourself. How would you walk him?"

"I'd walk him around the apartment," he says.

"No, Tyler," Tobias says. "You need to wait a few more years. You know this. If you keep asking, you will never get a dog. Do you understand?"

"I only asked because Tessa asked for a horse," he says like that explains it all.

"Tyler," I softly scold. He sighs dramatically.

"I understand," he says, looking so forlorn.

"As for you, Teagan Grace," Tobias says and she looks up with a huge smile, "I know you and Tessa want the babies to be girls and Tyler is hoping for boys but we all will have to be happy with whatever we get."

"Whatever we get?" I raise my brows at him.

"Okay. That didn't come out like it sounded in my head," he says, looking bashful. "Tyler, I know you want baby brothers and girls, I know you want baby sisters but all your mommy and I want is two healthy babies we will love just as much as we love the three of you. Mommy and I don't really care if they are boys or girls but it would be nice to give you all what you want. Understand?"

"I wanna chalk," Tessa says. The change in conversation nearly gives me whiplash.

"Yeah!" Teags says, bouncing in her seat. "Chalk! Chalk! Peas!"

"I'll draw you a horse, Tess," Tyler says, "but only if you draw me a dog." She nods enthusiastically at him. I fake a cough to cover my chuckle.

"Sure, we can go to the roof," Tobias says, shaking his head. "Love, why don't you take them, and I'll clean up the kitchen."

"Wait, guys," I say. "We have dessert, remember?" The mention of the monkey bread changes their train of thought. They ooh and aah as I take it out of the warm oven. "Tobias, would you get some bowls out of the cupboard for me?"

"Sure," he says. "I didn't know you made dessert, Tris?"

"Bridget made it for us," Tyler says.

"Well, it's a nice surprise," Tobias says.

"I said the same thing," I says as I scoop out a small amount for each of us then join my family for more conversation and laughs. Once we're finished, I take the kids to our rooftop deck and sit in the shade watching them use the sidewalk chalk on the pavers. Tobias joins me after he cleans up the kitchen and puts the leftovers away.

"How are you feeling?" he asks.

"Tired," I say. "The nausea finally went away."

"That's good," he says. "You didn't eat very much. Is that because of the morning sickness or is something else bothering you?"

"You know me so well," I murmur.

"I do," he says. "What's going on? You said we could talk later. It's later." I dig my phone out of my pocket and open the offending text message. When I look up, I see the color drain from him face.

"Do you know something about this?" I ask, handing him my phone. "Did you send these to me?" That thought had never crossed my mind.

"It wasn't me," he says. He pulls his phone from his pocket and with the slide of his finger, up pops the same message that's been on my mind since it woke me. Those were the last truly peaceful moments I've had today.

"You got pictures of them, too?" Anger surges through me. If someone wants to come after me, fine, come at me head on but try to get to me through my children and I'll kill you. "What the hell is going on, Tobias?" My voice wavers as the panic surges through me once again. "What do these mean?"

"I don't know," he says sounding just as angry and confused as I do. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close. "I don't know." We sit wrapped up in each other for the longest time, vigilantly watching the kids. Neither of us know what to make of the pictures, although we both have an idea.

"It has to be a threat," I softly say. "That's all it can be."

"I think you're right," he says. "It's the only thing that makes sense."

"Nothing about this makes any sense," I say, hugging him tightly. "We need Zeke to go through the security footage from the park yesterday. Maybe whoever it is was caught on video."

"I already tried that," he says. "Someone spray painted all the security cameras in that area. They knew we'd be looking at the tapes."

"Son of a bitch!" I murmur under my breath, not wanting the kids to hear me even though I'd rather be shouting it at the top of my lungs. "Why would someone want to hurt us like this?"

"I don't know," he says, "but there is one thing I do know. We'll figure out who it is, and when we do, we'll make them pay."

"Yeah, we will," I say, "with their life."