Between getting Tobias moved out of the condo while packing for Chicago, and getting everything for their secret nuptials ready the following day, Tris was a little frazzled. Tobias is able to book himself a seat on the same flight Tris had to Chicago for that Monday since she was flying this time instead of driving back. Now that she had a condo in Chicago she had left her car there over her Euroleague season with Uriah. Zeke, Caleb, and Christina used it when they were in town instead of getting a rental so it wasn't just sitting.
In the State of North Carolina, you could apply for a marriage license and get married the same day, so Tris and Tobias plan for their wedding on that Friday.
"Are you sure you don't want Lauren or your parents to be there?" Tobias asks that night as they snuggle in bed together after he comes through her window.
"Yeah, I don't want to go through the whole everyone trying to talk us out of this. I want this to be about us and not what everyone else thinks we should be doing"
"So I should probably tell you that I have some competition for your hand in marriage. I really want to make sure you're confident about us before I break the news about us to him" Tobias says with a grin as he brings her hand to lips and kisses her fingertips.
Tris raises an eyebrow not knowing what he was talking about.
"Who are you talking about?"
"My little brother Hector, he's planning on marrying you when he turns 18 if you'll wait for him"
Tris giggles and covers her mouth trying not to laugh loud even though she didn't think her parents could hear that far.
"Stop lying" Tris finally gets out. Tobias had told her all about Hector and Fernando and she was so touched with how Tobias had embraced the role of being an older brother.
"I'm not! He's so serious, He knows all your stats, and his wall is filled with posters of you, Let's not talk about how that last part makes me feel." Tobias states as he scrunches up his nose.
"Oh my God" Tris leans against his chest giggling at understanding where Tobias was going with his thoughts of his preteen brother having pictures of her in his room.
"I'm scared he might rough me up and challenge me to a duel for your hand when I have to tell him we're married"
"Well, maybe I should meet him and Fernando. Stop this challenge from happening by declaring my love for you"
"I think that would be fun" He whispers giving her a kiss before they find a movie to watch.
"Tobias, I've been thinking, do you think Nicole is lying about the baby being yours?" Tris asks out of the blue while they watch Lean on Me.
Tobias sighs, the thought had crossed his mind especially since she admitted to purposefully not taking her birth control pills.
"Yeah, I've thought about it. I for sure want a DNA test done. I briefly talked to Niles my lawyer today and he's working on putting some things in place"
"Good, I'm wondering if we need a PR person, I'm thinking she's toying with us, Why hasn't she gone all over social media about you leaving her for me?"
"She's definitely toying with us. She must have some type of plan. I think we need to think about how much of our side of the story we want to tell. If this baby is mine, I don't want him or her to be able to look back when they are older and see their parents arguing all over the media."
Tris nods in response as she turns her attention back to the movie. Her instincts were telling her Nicole wasn't going to go about this quietly and she and Tobias needed to be prepared for it.
On Thursday morning, Tris and Tobias make a stop at his doctor's office to get tested for STDs. Both of them wanted to be able to enjoy each other with no barriers when they were able to make love, Tris had just gotten a new IUD the year before so they weren't worried about an unplanned pregnancy. The sexual tension was killing both of them, but they both knew if they snuck off to a hotel for a night, The Priors would suspect something. Tobias was adamant that he didn't want just a few hours, he wanted to lose himself in Tris when they made love again. After arriving in Chicago, Tris wasn't scheduled to report to training camp until Thursday so they would have two full days as a mini honeymoon to be locked up in her condo.
After their appointment, Tris heads to have lunch do a little shopping with her sister. Tris finds the perfect off-white Herve Leger dress for their ceremony in Neiman Marcus. It was classy but still sexy. It fit snug on her hips and showed off her ass just the way she knew would drive Tobias crazy. She picks out a pair of nude Bottega sandals with an ankle strap to go with it.
"What's up with you? You are like literally glowing" Lauren asks as Tris pays for her items.
"Nothing, I'm just happy. That's all" Tris says with a shrug and a smile.
"Ummm hmmm, and you were miserable literally a few days ago when you told me Tobias was engaged."
"I was not miserable" Tris defends but knowing that before she and Tobias reconciled she really had been miserable after seeing him with Nicole.
"So you just aren't going to tell me why you are all of a sudden so happy"
"Nope," Tris grins as she grabs the handles of Sienna's stroller and pushes it toward the exit.
Later that afternoon when Lauren takes Sienna home for a nap, Tris and Tobias decide to surprise Hector during his last class for the day.
"Okay class let's open your books and turn page 215" Mrs. Watkins instructs her afternoon civics class. It was the last class of the afternoon and she could tell the 6th graders were a little restless. There were only a few weeks left in the school year and everyone including herself was ready for summer break.
Just then there was a knock at the door and Mr. Evans the principal comes into the room.
"Mrs. Watkins, I know you are just getting started and it's close to the end of the year but Hector has some special visitors that I thought maybe the entire class would enjoy meeting. It's not every day we get a WNBA and NBA player to drop by"
Tris peeks her head through the door smiling as all the kids gasp and start chattering at once. The class goes crazy again when Tobias walks in behind her. Tris chuckles at the high-pitched squeals that come from all the girls. She, Tobias, and Uriah all had their high school jersey numbers retired and there were pictures of them outside of the gym so she figured most of the kids would know who she and Tobias were.
"Hi Hector, Tobias has told me so much about you, I'm so glad I get to finally meet you" Tris smiles as she goes over to where he is sitting stunned, and leans down to hug him. Tobias had shown her pictures but she knew who he was immediately. He reminded her so much of Tobias when they were that age, but she also knew who he was because his eyes were as wide as saucers which made her chuckle.
Mrs. Watkins was thrilled to see Tris, she had taught her and Tobias. Tris had been a good student, Tobias not so much but she knew he was still a good kid. Tris and Tobias take some time to talk to the class about what it was like to play professional sports, how important it was to apply themselves in school now. Tris tells them about playing in Italy and Tobias is honest saying he wished he would have stayed in college even though he was drafted #4 in his draft class. The kids ask tons of questions too. Tris and Tobias smile for pictures and sign autographs. When the bell rings a few more of Tris and Tobias's old teachers stop by to say hello.
Tobias has Fernando meet them at the school to hang out for a bit. The four end up at the school's basketball court. Tris feels like she's come full circle from playing in high school as she shoots a jump shot while she and Hector play HORSE.
"I like her, she's cool. You should wife this one instead of that other chick" Fernando says as they watch Hector and Tris.
Tobias laughs "Yeah I think I'll keep her, as long as Hector doesn't mind"
After asking Myra if it was okay, Tris and Tobias take the boys to grab dinner. Tris loves how interested Fernando is in banking or accounting. She suggests that Tobias talk to her father about getting him an internship at Bank of America. Hector tells her all about his plans to try out for the middle school basketball team in the Fall. They were good kids, Tris could tell they loved Tobias and his presence had been a good influence in their lives. She can also tell how it gave Tobias something that he didn't know he needed.
When they leave the restaurant, Fernando heads back to Johnson C. Smith and Tobias and Tris take Hector home. When they pull up in front of Myra's house, Tris and Tobias get out and stand against the side of the car. Hector pauses before he turns to head up the walkway to the front door where Myra is waiting on the porch.
"It was so nice to meet you, Hector. I'm sure we'll get to see each other again soon. Make sure you tell me how your tryouts go. Keep working on your jump shot."
Hector smiles big as Tris gives him a hug.
"Tris, I'm okay with you marrying Tobias, I think he really likes you. Bro, I hope you treat her good. Make sure you buy her flowers when she gets mad at you." Hector announces before he runs to his mother.
Tris and Tobias both fall out laughing and wave to Myra where she waves back from the porch of her home.
Natalie and Lauren knew Tris had been up to something the last week She had been sneaking around and disappearing, all of a sudden Tris was busy during the day or for dinner on Thursday. Tris just kept saying she was in meetings or interviews. Both of them could see the change in Tris since the first part of her visit. She was happy, practically floating.
Tobias tells his mother that he and Nicole had called things off which was why he was moving things back to her place. He didn't give any more information to her.
"I think Tris and Tobias are together again, Tobias has been in an awfully good mood since he moved back home," Evelyn says with a smile as she sips her wine while having dinner with Hana and Natalie on Thursday.
"I do too, she's been disappearing the last few days but she's been smiling from ear to ear, But what about the girl he was seeing? Beatrice was all upset one afternoon about Tobias being engaged" Natalie agrees.
"Well, Tobias did break up with Nicole and that's why he's moving back in with me for the time being. The movers are bringing some of his things on Saturday, that much he did tell me, He hadn't told me anything about him and Nicole being engaged, that's strange," Evelyn adds.
"Oh Thank God, I could tell she was out for money at that cookout you had," Hana smiles with relief.
"I know, I couldn't stand her either! I'm so glad he came to his senses. I always knew Tris was the one for him" Evelyn confesses.
"Why do you think they are not telling us?" Natalie asks.
"They probably don't want to hear everyone telling them to take things slow or asking are they sure this is what they want" Hana offers. "Just be happy for them and act surprised when they come clean"
Natalie and Evelyn agree and the three mothers spend the rest of their evening wondering when they would come clean since Tris was leaving for Chicago on Monday morning.
On Friday morning, Tris slips into the off-white Herve Leger dress she picked out while shopping with Lauren the day before. She smiles as she smoothes the soft fabric down around her hips in front of the mirror on the back of her bedroom door. She had styled her hair with her loose natural waves and added her pearl earrings. She added some light makeup, just some bronzer, eye shadow, and mascara to make her eyes pop. She finished off her look with her favorite nude lip gloss.
"Well, you look very beautiful sweetie where are you off to?" Natalie asks as she stops in Tris's room with the laundry basket on her hip to collect her dirty clothes. She wanted to have all of her things washed for Tris since she would be leaving for Chicago in two days.
"Ummmm a few meetings and interviews Zeke set up for me, it will probably take all day" She didn't want any questions. She knew everyone would try and persuade her and Tobias that they were moving too fast.
"Okay, Dear" Natalie agreed as she chuckled to herself. She had a feeling she was sneaking off with Tobias for the day but she didn't make a fuss about it.
"Can I borrow Grandma's pearls? I think they would go great with this dress"
"Of course, Let me go get them." Natalie comes back a few minutes later and fastens them around her neck.
"Just like before your prom. You are so beautiful, baby girl"
"Thank you, Ma, it's been nice the past week. I'm glad we've been able to spend some time together" Tris admits as Natalie fusses with Tris's hair as they look in the mirror together.
"Me too sweetheart" Natalie felt so thankful that she was finally forging a relationship with her younger daughter like she had with Lauren even though they were still working on it.
Tris and Natalie had both been committed to working on spending more time together and working on their relationship since their blowup. It was still a bit awkward but Tris could see her mother was trying. It had been a little limited with Tris trying to balance Tobias but Natalie was really making an effort and that meant the world to Tris. Tris knew how to cook and enjoyed it when she had a day off but she was enjoying trying to learn how to make some of the things her mother made often. She and Natalie had been making breakfast together almost every morning that week. Natalie was asking Tris more about her teammates and playing basketball. Natalie was even more proud of her daughter not really understanding the amount of discipline and work Tris was putting in.
"Ma, how did you know Daddy was the one for you?" Tris asks after a moment.
"Well, your father made me feel like I was his entire world. And we hadn't dated very long when I realized I felt like he was my entire world too. Like nothing else mattered outside of the two of us"
Tris smiles as Natalie gives her shoulder a squeeze before heading downstairs. Tris smiles in the mirror again, that's how Tobias made her feel. It was another reminder that he was where she felt at home.
Natalie heads downstairs to start the laundry and start on dinner for that evening. Tris slips on her shoes and takes another look in the mirror before grabbing her phone. She grins when she sees a text come from Tobias.
Tobias: Ready to go get married?
Tris: You bet! Meet you outside?
Tobias: Yeah pulling out the garage now.
"Are you borrowing the car to go to your meeting Dear?" Natalie asks when Tris makes her way into the kitchen.
"Nope I called an Uber, It's waiting for me outside, Ma do you mind if we have some guests over for brunch Sunday?" Tris asks.
"Sure sweetheart, how many?"
"Just two," Tris says vaguely as Natalie continues to work on peeling the potatoes for the potato salad for dinner.
"Are you going to tell me who?" Natalie inquiries as she picks up another potato.
"No it's a surprise," Tris smiles.
Natalie simply nods. Natalie had a feeling what was going on after her dinner the night be before with Evelyn and Hana but she decided to just roll with it.
Tris slips out the front door looking back to see if her mother was looking before she walked to the end of the driveway where Tobias was waiting with his Range Rover.
"Wow" He breathes out. He felt like she was moving in slow motion as he watches her walk to the car, tossing her hair over her shoulder and smiling.
"You look, wow, You look amazing," he says quietly as she slides in the car and fastens her seatbelt.
"Well I am getting married today" she grins as she leans over and he indulges her in a brief kiss.
He grins puts his SUV in drive and heads off downtown to the courthouse. He couldn't wait to make Tris Prior his wife.
An hour later, Tris and Tobias stand up in front of the judge. Tris feels like her heart is so full. Tobias was so handsome in his perfectly tailored dark blue suit, with a baby blue dress shirt, white pocket square with a white tie with blue polka dots. He had shaved his beard down so it was more of a light scruff now but trimmed close. He had gotten a haircut as well. He was so unbelievably gorgeous.
Tris laces her fingers with his as they wait for their turn in front of the judge after filling out their paperwork. After about an hour it's finally their turn.
"Tris if you would recite your vows to Tobias," The judge says.
"Tobias, I have loved you for most of my life. I see you as the man you have become, I see how much you've grown. I want to face everything that life throws at us together. I want to love you through all of it. You are my everything, my one true love. The only one I want to face this world with. I promise, to love you forever, even when we argue, even when you push me. This, us, is my forever, our forever."
"Tobias, will you please say your vows" The judge instructs.
"Tris this, you and me, is the best thing that ever happened to me. Even when I was lost and unsure about everything in my life, you were the one thing that could never leave me. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you. You push me to be a better man, you make me want to be the best version of myself. I feel like I can do anything when I'm with you. This is how we are supposed to face life, together"
Tris tries not to cry while Tobias says his vows but she feels the tears well up in her eyes.
"Now by the power vested in me by the State of North Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride"
Their kiss is was soft and sensual as the others in the courtroom clapped lightly. For Tris, it feels like the most special kiss they have ever shared. She grins against Tobias' mouth as he holds her tightly against him. They lace their fingers together as they sign a few papers. When they get back to the car, Tris leans against the door while she puts her hands on Tobias' waist. Even though Tris insisted that she was fine with their simple courthouse ceremony with just the two of them, Tobias still wanted to make it a special day for her so he had a few surprises planned.
"I can't believe we did it" Tris grins as Tobias pulls her in for a kiss.
"Me either, Mrs. Eaton" Tobias replies as he places a soft kiss on her jaw where her scar is.
"That's Mrs. Prior-Eaton if you don't mind" Tris giggles.
"Of course, how could I forget." Tobias isn't shocked, he half expected her not to change her name at all with how independent she was. He didn't care, as long as she was his, that was all that mattered. "Well I have a few surprises for you"
"Really, what are they?" Tris asks excitedly as she runs her hands over his shirt underneath his suit jacket to feel his muscles.
"Not that you perv, you gotta wait until we get to Chicago. Come on"
Tris sighs dramatically which causes Tobias to laugh as he opens the door for her. Never in a million years would he have believed that he would have more willpower than Tris when it came to sex.
Tobias makes the short drive to Romare Bearden Park not far from the courthouse downtown. Tobias has a photographer waiting for a photo session.
"T….Oh my God, This is...You are so thoughtful" Tris whispers feeling emotional.
"Everyone, especially both our mothers are going to be upset they missed our wedding but I thought this would be nice so they don't feel as left out"
The photographer has a small bouquet of white roses for Tris to take some photos with along the Charlotte skyline. They do several posses through the park. After the photographer feels confident she has all the shots, she bids them farewell, and Tobias guides Tris back to the car where he navigates them to RH Rooftop, an elegant restaurant that sat on top of a high-end design gallery. In the middle, there was a fountain. It felt like an atrium to Tris with glass ceilings and ornate chandeliers.
"This is so beautiful…." Tris was at a loss for words again for the second time that day as her eyes scanned over everything.
The waitstaff hands them each a glass of champagne as they are escorted to a table for two just past the fountain.
"Where is everyone else?" Tris asked curiously as she cranes her neck looking around the restaurant.
"I rented out the entire restaurant"
Tris' eyes go wide and she starts to protest. "Tobias, this is too much"
"No it isn't, Tris, it's our wedding day, and you deserve to be spoiled. I have 5 years to make up for"
"You know I don't need all that, I just need you," Tris reassures him. "How did you pull off all this in two days?"
"Money talks Mrs. Prior-Eaton" Tobias grins at her. After all the money he wasted on Nicole, he wanted to make Tris feel special. He was already trying to figure out how to coordinate a special getaway for just the two of them. He was encouraged now that he was going to train over the summer but he felt confident about playing overseas if he didn't get resigned by the Hornets. He had a child on the way and now a wife, he was going to make something happen.
Tris laughs. Tobias was worth way more than her with his 5 years in the NBA and she wasn't used to the level of spending he was able to do. She was doing well between her Euroleague contract and her three endorsement deals but she didn't go crazy. She indulged in sneakers that was her thing. The occasional purse and outfit but for the most part, she was very lowkey.
The waitstaff pipe in a soft R&B playlist while they eat. They talk about their plans for Chicago. George and Christina had agreed to work with Tobias. Christina had been trying to get Tris to give up more information about their relationship status, Tris knew it was killing her. She would put her out of her misery in a few days after they told their parents. When I Gotta Be by Jagged Edge comes on Tobias stands up and holds out his hand to his bride.
"We have to have our first dance"
Tris grins as she places her hand in his. He pulls her close as they sway to the music placing a hand on the small of her back. Tobias softly whispers the lyrics to the song in her ear. This had been the perfect day. Just the two of them declaring their love for each other.
"I love you" She whispers as she rests her head on his shoulder.
"I love you" He replies emphasizing you.
Tobias gives her a soft kiss. He feels so at peace at this moment. It was odd because everything else in his world was on fire. His playing career was up in the air, he was going to be a father with a woman who had taken advantage of him because of his money but the fact that he had Tris made everything seem like it was going to be okay.
When the song changes, the restaurant staff brings out a small cake, just big enough for a few slices.
"You remembered Hummingbird is my favorite" Tris bites her lip with a smile after they cut the cake.
"Of course I remembered," He says as he gives her an evil grin.
"If you smash cake in my face, I will fight you" Tris warns.
Tobias laughs as Tris backs up. He settles for placing a bite on a fork for her to taste. He loves the look on her face as she closes her eyes and lets out a soft moan at the taste.
"I'd much rather be able to do other things with this icing" he whispers in her ear.
"If you don't want to end up like that time we got caught on Senior Skip Day, you better stop it" Tris warns as Tobias lets out a hearty laugh at the memory.
Everyone had gone to the lake and Tris and Tobias decided to drive to a random road away from everyone else in the state park. They had been in the back of his G Wagon, the windows fogged up as they frantically made love. Tris was mortified when a knock came on the window from a state park ranger. Thankfully the state park ranger was a huge basketball fan Tobias was able to talk their way out of him calling their parents or giving them a citation.
"And with that, we better get going to our next destination" Tobias shakes his head with a laugh.
"Okay, where to next?" Tris girns when they make it back to the car.
"It's not that far" Tobias grins as he pulls out his phone to navigate to their next destination.
"Can I get a hint?"
"Well since we don't have rings yet I thought of an alternative until we can pick them out"
Tris thinks her face should be hurting from all the smiling she had done that day but she can't help it. Tobias had been so thoughtful, pulling out all the stops for her.
"I mean I still want a wedding band but this is cool as hell," Tobias says as he inspects his ring finger.
"Yeah me too, but I like that if I get a ring and I take it off to play, I still have you with me"
They hold up their hands and Tris snaps a picture with her phone. Tattooed on her ring finger were the roman numerals for the number 4. Tobias had the roman numerals for the number 6 on his ring finger.
Tobias was going to trade in the ring he bought Nicole for a new one for Tris even though she kept insisting she didn't need a big fancy ring. He wanted her to have one. All the money he spent on Nicole was empty. She just wanted things. Tris just wanted him and it made him want to give her the world.
When Tobias pulls up on their street they take a few moments to enjoy their last few moments alone until Tobias was able to climb in her window that night. Tobias leans in to kiss Tris with everything he had in him. Even though Tris was still in the passenger seat she could feel her knees go weak as Tobias placed his hands in her hair. She grips his forearms and whimpers, loving the energy flowing between them. It was more than her body being wound up because she wanted sex, it was that thing that they always had, that connection.
"I wish we were making love tonight," Tris says breathlessly looking into his eyes when they break apart.
"I know Baby, we just have to get through tomorrow and Sunday."
Tobias felt like the past week with no sex had been powerful for him and Tris reconnecting. He couldn't wait to make love to her but he cherished the small intimate moments they had.
"See you later tonight" Tris blows him a kiss as she walks to the front door.