The last time Tobias attended a funeral was when he was in high school. Zeke and Uriah's father had passed away unexpectedly in a car accident. Tobias was devastated to lose who he considered another father figure in his life. Michael Pedrad was a good family man.

Tobias' grandfather, Harold, was a WWII veteran and his grandmother, Anne, was a nurse. While Harold and Anne obviously didn't like Marcus, they did not have the heart to disown and abandon Evelyn, especially after Tobias was born. They did not even know the full extent of Marcus' abuse until Evelyn started the divorce proceedings. They had tried convincing Evelyn many times to leave Marcus before something bad happened but Evelyn was obviously afraid for several reasons and had told her parents that she didn't want to leave until Tobias came of age. It might've been a reckless and risky decision but Evelyn was willing to sacrifice anything for Tobias. Somehow she was convinced that while Marcus was abusive, he was not capable of murder. That would have surely been something he wouldn't have been able to get away with even if he tried. For him it was easy to inflict scars and bruises without anyone outside of the household knowing but to potentially commit murder was a different story that Marcus was smart enough not to risk.

To this day Evelyn still doesn't know how she was able to protect Tobias when she could. There were times, especially on the weekends, when Marcus would pass out drunk and Evelyn would quickly grab an overnight bag and drive Tobias over to the Pedrads then pick him up early the next morning before Marcus would come to. Every time she risked that she thought Marcus would catch her. Although Hana never complained, Evelyn felt guilty at times burdening other people with her problems. She certainly didn't want Marcus to hurt anyone else.

Not long before his passing, Evelyn had spoken to her father and he had told her that he came to understand why she did what she did for so long. He was proud of her and of Tobias for how brave they were to endure Marcus' abuse for so long and then finally be brave enough to stand up for themselves.

Waking up that morning hit Evelyn hard but having Tobias back home eased her pain. She dressed in the appropriate mourning attire and made sure her mother was ready as well. She never considered herself the best homemaker but having to take care of her parents in recent years helped her improve her skills around the house and in the kitchen. As Marcus' wife she was expected to act accordingly. Her main focus was always Tobias. Marcus was never pleased whenever Tobias had to miss school for an illness. During the summer months was mostly when Marcus would abuse Tobias so that no one would ever see the bruises and scars. Of course Marcus mostly whipped Tobias' back and hardly ever hit his face or anywhere else that couldn't be covered by clothing. Tobias learned to mask the pain every time he went out in public, especially to school, whenever Marcus had whipped him the night before. Evelyn knew that going to the hospital would be risky so that option was unfortunately off the table even when things got bad. Witnessing Tobias defend her that last time triggered many emotions in Evelyn. Her hope now was that she and Tobias could grow closer once more and heal their emotional scars.

When they finished dressing she helped her mother down the stairs to the sitting room where Tobias was waiting. He stood up and stepped towards them, hugging Anne first then hugging Evelyn. When the hearse arrived, they got into Tobias' SUV and followed it to the church. While Tobias conversed with the other pallbearers who consisted of his uncles and male cousins, Evelyn and Anne were greeted and given condolences by other family members and friends. The Pedrads and the Priors were some of the first to arrive and immediately walked up and gave their condolences to Anne and Evelyn.

"Glad to hear that Tobias made it home safely, Evelyn." Natalie Prior said

"Yes. He arrived two days ago and will start his new job soon."

"Well congratulations to him. Hopefully we can get to talk to him after the services."

"Of course, I'm sure he'll be delighted to see you. I think he wants to know more about how Andrew is doing on the city council. He didn't really have an interest in it when Marcus was there but now that he is older he enjoys learning new things even if it'll have nothing to do with his upcoming job."

"I will be happy to discuss things with him." Andrew said.

"And how about Beatrice and Caleb? Are you both still on the same paths since the last time I saw you?"

Caleb answered first. "Yes, I'm still interning at Erudite. Jeanine Matthews, who is the manager, might give me a permanent position soon. At least that's what she's telling me."

"That's nice. I'm acquainted with Jeanine but it's been years since we've spoken. And what about you, Beatrice? Are you still volunteering?"

"Yes, I still volunteer with my mom. I am currently applying for jobs. I finished my degree in bookkeeping."

"That's great! Good luck in your job search."

"Thank you."

Just then the priest came out and informed Evelyn that the service was about to begin. All of the guests were ushered inside while the immediate family stood by the casket as it was prepared to be carried in.

Once everyone was situated, the priest began the service. Soon enough it was time for Tobias to speak. He walked up to the podium.

"Hello everyone. My name is Tobias. I am Harold's grandson. First of all, on behalf of my family I want to thank everyone for coming to celebrate my grandfather's life. Because that's what this should be: a celebration. A celebration of the great man my grandfather was. My grandfather was always an important male figure in my life. I looked up to him and saw all that he accomplished in his life. He was not only an amazing family man but also a successful man in his career. He was kind to everyone he crossed paths with. I will cherish every memory I have of him. He taught me so much growing up about life. The hardships he went through only made him stronger. I can only dream to have the fulfilled life that he had. I will miss him a lot but I know his spirit will live on."

After the service everyone moved to the reception hall to eat and converse. Those who did not get a chance to speak with Evelyn and Tobias before the service did so then. Eventually Evelyn and Tobias reached the table where the Pedrads and the Priors sat together.

Hana and Natalie were the first to stand and greet Tobias.

"Hello Mrs Prior it is good to see you again," Tobias said.

"Likewise, Tobias. Good to have you back in Chicago. You look well. And congratulations on your new job.'

"Thank you. It is certainly good to be back home with my mother."

Behind Natalie, Andrew had also stood up from his seat. Tobias shook his hand in greeting. Then Tobias noticed Caleb and Tris.

"Hi Caleb, Tris."

They both smiled and nodded in greeting.

Tobias had obviously met Tris when most people still called her Beatrice but he can remember the day when she started going by the nickname. Tris started as a freshman in high school when Tobias was in his junior year and Caleb was in his sophomore year. Tobias quickly gained popularity in high school as the school's hot new cross country star, much to Eric's dismay, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes when Tris greeted him as such when he saw her during the lunch hour on his first day as a junior, her first day as a freshman. She had been standing next to a mocha skinned girl whom Tobias learned was named Christina.

"So your name is Four now?" Tris had asked.

"I guess." Tobias answered with a shrug.

"Wait, so you know his real name? All I've been hearing is everyone talking about this guy named 'Four'" Christina said.

"Yep. We kinda grew up together. His grandparents live next door."

"So what's your real name then?"

"I am not going to answer that if you don't mind. Here my name is Four and that's all there is to it."

Christina didn't back down. "Why 'Four' though? Were one through three taken?"

Tobias tried not to roll his eyes. "I ran a mile in four minutes flat during cross country tryouts my freshman year, if you must know."

"That's why he's a star athlete here, Christina," Tris said.

"Impressive."

Tobias shrugged. "Thanks. So…why 'Tris' then?"

"Christina thought my name was too long and old fashioned."

"I see. I like it though. It does suit you."

"Thanks. I'm warming up to it, I guess."

"Better watch out, Tris. You might have a lot of competition now."

"What competition? We are friends."

"Exactly. Even just being friends will make girls jealous."

Tobias almost rolled his eyes again. He was surprised that Tris already became friends with someone as blunt as Christina. What could they possibly have in common? The Tris he knew was quiet and normal. But it would be a lie to say that he wasn't hopeful that he and Tris could be more than friends now that they were in the age of starting to date. Tobias hadn't really had much time to go on dates and wasn't too interested in school dances and such. To him, that was something all of the football players and cheerleaders did. He never wanted to relish his popularity in school. All he wanted to do was study hard, get good grades, and run cross country. But Tris was different. She was exactly the type of girl he wanted to date.

There were two girls in particular that he knew of that had their eye on him. One of them was not as aggressive as the other in trying to get his attention but still he always knew when she was trying to flirt with him. While in a way Christina was right, Tobias still cherished his friendship with Tris and really paid no attention to the gossip.

Throughout those two years that they were in high school at the same time, they were almost inseparable. People talked, of course, but neither of them cared. Eric especially enjoyed tormenting Tobias and Tris about their friendship. He had held a grudge against Tobias ever since the cross country tryouts. Tobias, however, got the chance to brag about Tris when Eric challenged him to a game of Capture The Flag with paintballs. A decent sized group of people they knew were gathered together and divided into teams where Tobias and Eric were the captains. Tobias, of course, chose Tris first even when Eric made a snide comment about choosing weak players. In the end, Tobias' team had won when Tris and Christina had gotten past a girl named Molly on Eric's team who was guarding Eric's team flag. He had given a satisfied smirk in Eric's direction after he hugged Tris telling her how proud of her he was. Eric could do nothing but scowl. When Tobias graduated Tris couldn't stop telling him how proud she was of him.

Before Tobias left for New York, he and Tris said their goodbyes. While Andrew and Natalie knew what had transpired with Marcus, Tobias could not bring himself to confide in Tris about Marcus' abuse and also tell her how he felt about her.

Tobias had taken Tris to his secret spot which he called The Chasm. They sat side by side, reminiscing.

"I'm going to miss you," Tris said sadly

"I'll miss you too but I'll be back for the holidays and maybe a few weeks during the summer, if I can."

"A lot can happen in two years. What if you meet new friends who are better? What if I decide to leave Chicago too one day?"

"Then we'll figure it out. You mean so much to me, Tris. I…"

"You what?"

Tobias swallowed but couldn't get the courage to tell Tris that he was falling in love with her. He couldn't do that when he was about to leave. He didn't want a long distance relationship. It wouldn't be fair to Tris when the future was uncertain. If he would be able to return to Chicago, he had no idea when that could even happen.

"I care so much about you. You are one of my best friends. I don't want that to change even though I'm going away."

"Me neither, Four."

Tris rested her head against his shoulder and he kissed the top of it and wrapped his arm around her, holding her close to him.

After talking to Tris and Caleb a little bit about their lives and jobs, Tobias turned to Andrew.

"So, how are things going on the council?"

"Very well. We've made some vast improvements around the city and are doing our best to help those in need. Natalie and Tris have been in charge of the latter."

"Great and I am not surprised. I could never thank you and Natalie enough for helping my mother and I whenever we needed it."

"It has been our pleasure. I only regret not being suspicious of your father earlier. A lot of things may have been avoided if I had."

"You don't need to apologize. Besides, things are much better now. Some people might not understand why my mother and I stayed but we did what we needed to do and Marcus is gone now and we, and the city, are better off because of it."

"You are a good kid - man - Tobias. If I could choose someone for my daughter, it would be you, not who she is currently with."

Tobias was surprised by Andrew's words. He didn't want to seem too happy to hear them but he obviously knew Peter pretty well and never liked him. He almost wished he could get inside Tris' head and see what she saw in Peter.

A/N1: Sorry for the long delay. I might be slow to update but I promise not to abandon this story

A/N2: A few things I want to address before I get deep into this story: firstly, I just wanted to make sure that having Evelyn not divorce or turn in Marcus sooner makes sense. I didn't want to portray her as a selfish mother like she is in the original story. For my story I want to portray her in the opposite way but have the relationship between her and Tobias still not be 100% perfect because of the abuse that they suffered. Essentially what I'm trying to portray is that the memory of Marcus is still somewhat in their minds which has caused a slight rift instead of bringing them closer together. They both have pretty much the same mental and emotional scars but deal with them differently. Secondly, since I'm making up a family for Evelyn (parents and possibly siblings) I didn't want to write about the topic of familial estrangement either despite the decision Evelyn made to stay in an abusive marriage. Not all women may be able to convince their loved ones to accept and support a decision like that. Thirdly, when I detail desperate actions that Evelyn took in the past to protect Tobias, I hope that it comes off as realistic as possible. I don't have personal experience with domestic abuse so if something doesn't come across as realistic please leave a review or PM me and let me know.