Whew, today was more hectic than I thought but here you go! See ya'll next Friday. Thanks for all the love. Please let me know what you think about this chapter.
The following week Tris and Tobis have their photoshoot for Essence magazine. Tobias dons a simple tailored black suit with a black dress shirt open at the neck so you could see his necklace with his number 4. The stylist chooses for Tris a Chicago Bulls Jersey one-piece swimsuit customized with Tobias's number and Prior Eaton on the back for her. At first, she was about to object regarding her outfit but the make-up artists and hairstylist kept going on and on about how incredible she looked she wanted to see Tobias when he saw her all made up. She talked to the stylist who reassured her. The second look was Tris in her Chicago Sky jersey with Tobias shirtless in a pair of basketball shorts, so that there was contrast with the both of them.
Tris with a pair of black heels and her hair blown out and curled Tobias thought he was going to throw her over his shoulder and drag her off to the bathroom to have his way with her when she shed her robe to reveal the swimsuit. Her golden-brown skin was radiant against the red of Chicago Bull's swimsuit. It highlighted every curve of her body. The stylist added a pair of rose-colored shades. Tris playfully pulled them down her nose and winked at Tobias.
The photographer immediately started snapping pictures, noticing the natural chemistry between the couple. He has one of the assistants toss Tobias a basketball and they get some more playful shots before he poses them. When Tris has her foot propped on the ball on the floor and Tobias places his hands on her hip, he leans down to whisper in her ear.
"I want to drag you off to the nearest bathroom like that night during All-Star Weekend. You look so fucking sexy right now, Baby"
Tris lets out a little whimper as she twists her head around and bites her lip as Tobias squeezes her hips and they stare at each other. She forgets for a moment that they are surrounded by a room full of people.
The photographer clears his throat bringing them back to reality. They both giggle trying to focus. After they change for the second look, Tobias grins as Tris eyes him up and down. The production assistant had started to rub baby oil on him so his skin would pop on camera. She slowly backed away when Tris gave her a death glare proceeded to finish it herself. The shots are equally as steamy as the first, with the photographer catching an intimate moment with Tobias kissing Tris's scar on her jaw. After they change back into their regular clothes, they sit down with a reporter who had been observing the photoshoot before the interview.
"So it's been a little social media drama about the two of you getting back together, Tobias can you tell me more about what prompted you to end your engagement to Nicole Myers even though the two of you are expecting a child and so quickly marry Tris?" The reporter asks cutting to the chase and wanting to get to the rumors that had been swarming about the couple.
"I've known Tris since I was 11 years old, the pressure of college ball and things that happened during my freshman year, lead to us breaking up. I think anyone who has been in a relationship with someone where it just didn't fit, understands how you can't ignore that one person who fills your thoughts, who makes you want to be a better person, that makes everything in the world stop when they walk into a room. For me that's Tris. I fault myself for letting things get so far with Nicole but at the end of the day, Tris and I were meant to be together. I never wanted to hurt anyone but I needed to do what was best for me instead of staying in a relationship that wasn't allowing me to be my best self."
Tobias had decided that he wasn't comfortable letting the public know that Nicole got pregnant on purpose, he knew the world could be cruel and he didn't want his son to know that. Tris supported his decision, she knew Nicole would play dirty any chance she got but she understood where Tobias was coming from.
The reporter smiles as she turns to Tris while writing down a few notes. Taking in the playful nature of the couple but also the love she saw evident between them.
"Tris, you are a powerhouse in the WNBA and overseas, after having a very successful college playing career, what made you want to settle down? Are you worried about having a blended family with your husband?"
"With everything, there has to be balance, Tobias understands more than anyone all the time and dedication it takes to play basketball on a professional level. I don't back down from a challenge, Tobias is going to be a great father and I'll be there to support him. So many of my teammates are great mothers and figure out how to do all the things and still play. It won't be easy but we will face it together"
They chat with the report for about an hour, not giving too much away but enough. When they get home that afternoon, Tobias wastes no time in pulling Tris with him onto the couch and taking off her clothes.
"Don't you want to know what was in the bag I brought home from the shoot?" Tris teases as Tobias elicits a moan from her as he attacks her neck gently kissing and nibbling.
"Ummm it can wait" Tobias mumbles against her neck as his hands grip her thighs.
"I think you want to know now" Tris breathes and Tobias pulls back and gives her a curious look.
"They let me keep the swimsuit," Tris whispers in his ear. She laughs when Tobias's eyes turn completely lustful.
"Oh you can put that on right now" Tobias quickly gets up and pulls Tris with him.
She giggles and scurries to grab the bag and run into the bathroom to change and give her husband a show.
Tris and Tobias cherish every moment the rest of the summer, enjoying being together with their friends. Tobias brings Hector, Fernando, and Myra along with his mother out for a weekend to visit. Tris lets them use her complimentary tickets to the Sky's game. All her teammates make the visit extra special for Hector. Tris and Tobias crack up when he develops a crush on one of the rookies on her team from Louisville.
The internet goes crazy when their cover and spread in Essence magazine comes out. There had been a lot of talk around Tobias and Nicole the past few months as Nicole played being single and pregnant for anyone who would listen. The positive response from the magazine spread, with the exclusive look inside their wedding pictures and their steamy photoshoot had helped quiet some of the noise even though Tobias knew he didn't look favorable in this situation at all. He could have been upfront with airing out Nicole's dirty laundry that she got pregnant on purpose by lying to him but he didn't want to do it that way. He just committed to focusing on planning for the baby, Tris, and his game.
"Tris the photos are seriously hot" Christina gushes as she flips the pages of the copy she picked up that afternoon. Tris had a morning practice and team meeting since the Sky had a game the next day so she had the afternoon free. She loved that she and Christina could hang out like this again with them living in the same building.
If you don't believe in such a thing as having a soulmate or one true love, being in the presence of Tris Prior-Eaton and Tobias Eaton will change your mind. The young couple radiates a love that isn't forced and has a story that many of us who have had ups and downs in a relationship can relate to. Did I mention the sex appeal? I'm shocked the room didn't catch on fire from the smoldering looks between these two. I'm looking to see what the first couple of basketball does not only on the court in Chicago but how they will inspire those looking for a second chance with the one they love.
Christina grins as she reads the expert and Tris throws her head back in a laugh.
"We do look good don't we?" Tris says playfully as she leans over to look at pages.
She loved that they included her favorite photo of them from freshman year at Dauntless during Media day as well as several photos of them from their wedding day in Charlotte in the spread.
"Evil Baby Mama is probably losing her shit right now" Christina cackles. " People are eating this up. I swear you two have more fan pages than I've ever seen"
Tris snorts with laughter. Christina was right. Nicole had gone on IG live with a dramatic tearful rant after the magazine hit stands. The tables flipped when people asked her what she was doing for herself, and she alluded to living off Tobias. People equated to how hard Tris worked playing for two teams which infuriated Nicole even more. Tris was glad people saw through her antics. She assumed she would be linked to another ballplayer or a rapper as soon as she gave birth and got back to her pre-baby weight.
One of her teammates posted the video of Tobias surprising her with her Porsche which people loved. Their fans loved little videos they would post of each other. It had been fun just sharing little glimpses of their life together. For all the drama with Nicole, people seemed to like them together.
"So when are you and Uri going to take the leap, especially since you two are living together now? I think Caleb's going to propose to Marlene over Thanksgiving or Christmas" Tris smiles.
It felt like yesterday they were just freshmen at Dauntless, talking about life and now everyone was getting married and having babies. Lynn and Kima had gone through a sperm bank and done in vitro. They were expecting a baby girl in November. Kima was taking a year off from working so she could be with Lynn playing overseas instead of alone for half the year in Seattle with a new baby.
"Ummmm, I don't know, I'm just happy right now, I'm not putting any pressure on him. If asks though, I know I'd say yes"
Tris and Christina launch into a conversation about what kind of wedding Christina wanted while they wait for Tobias and Uriah to get home from practice. This was the life Tris wanted but she knew these perfect days were coming to an end soon.
Tris and the Sky play well but get knocked out of the playoffs during the first round. With her making the playoffs, it delayed her season to Rome until After the 3rd week of October because of her two-week mandated break in her contract. She was happy she was able to be present for two of Tobias's first games as a Chicago Bull. He looked confident and poised, showing everyone the natural talent he had as well as the increased skill and control he worked on over the summer.
The day Tobias takes her to the airport to catch her flight to Rome they stand in the terminal in front of the TSA checkpoint embraced for several minutes with their arms wrapped around each other.
"I love you, I don't know how I'm going to make it these six months," Tris says quietly after Tobias gives her a kiss that makes her knees go weak.
"I love you too Tris, It will be over before you know it and you'll be back here in Chicago with me. I'll see you during the All-Star Break so that's just 4 months"
Tobias wipes a tear away from her cheek with his thumb and gives her one last soft kiss. Tris reluctantly pulls away and heads to show her boarding pass and ID. Tobias was still standing there when she looked back and he gave her a wave. It was tearing her apart to leave him behind. She wasn't sure how much longer she was going to be able to last playing overseas.
The days tick by slowly in Rome for Tris. Nita could tell she was unhappy. Even though they weren't sleeping together anymore, Tris and Nita still hung out practically every day and went to dinner or shopping. Tris Facetimed with Tobias every day if she could but sometimes the seven-hour time difference made it difficult with their playing and practice and travel schedules.
Evelyn, Hana, Natalie, and Lauren come for a week which lifts Tris's spirits which helps Tris a little. They all can tell Tris was really missing Tobias even though she was putting on a good front.
Even though Tobias missed Tris like crazy, he was focused on proving himself in the NBA. Tris, Uriah, and Will all encouraged him to just play his game and not think about all the commentators and opinions. That's what Tobias did. He dominates throughout the season coming off the bench averaging 20 points per game. The Bulls' coaching staff and the commentators are very impressed with his performance.
When December comes Tobias is nervous as Nicole's due date arrives. he's excused for his game against the Denver Nuggets to travel to Atlanta where Nicole had moved after their break up for the birth of their son. He wanted to be a good father, he had no idea how any of this was going to work yet but Andrew and Caleb had been giving him sound advice on fatherhood that he was taking to heart.
Tobias had never met Nicole's mother while they were together, she wasn't much for family but after spending hours in her hospital room with the both of them while Nicole labored he could see how Nicole ended up the way she did. Her mother basically shaped Nicole's view of the world that she was a pretty face and that was all she needed in life and men would take care of her and buy her whatever she wanted. From the few conversations they had, her father hadn't seen her mother as more than that, a pretty face.
It made Tobias kind of sad but based on what he had gone through with his own father he was going to make sure his son knew what it meant to treat the person they loved with respect and love didn't equate to money. Tris had encouraged him to start a journal of all the things he wanted to teach his children, it had been a great help to fill the quiet nights alone while Tris was in Rome but it was helping him become more confident understanding this journey called fatherhood he was about to be thrown into.
Tobias is so overwhelmed he has tears in his eyes when the nurses place his son in his arms, he's amazed that he helped create this life. He held him and counted all his fingers and toes and watched him as he squirmed before falling back asleep.
"He's beautiful" Evelyn whispers as Tobias places him in her arms. She had hopped on a plane as soon as Tobias said he was heading to Atlanta. She was excited to meet her grandson and she wanted to be there to support Tobias not knowing how Nicole would act especially since Tris was in Rome.
"Yeah, he is. I need to call Tris, she wanted to know when he got here and everything was fine"
Evelyn nods as she gazes at her sleeping grandson.
"Have you two picked out a name yet?"
Tobias sighs and chuckles. "Nicole wants to name him Tobias, Jr., I think we'll call him TJ because you know how I feel about Toby"
Evelyn chuckles, she had been reading a baby book and thought Tobias was a beautiful name during her pregnancy. Tobias detested anyone calling him Toby from an early age.
Tobias looks at his watch and does the math in his head. It was 5 am in Rome but he decides to call anyway.
"Hey Baby, is he here?" Tris sleepy answers his video call. They had spoken before her practice the afternoon before when he was on his way to Atlanta so knew if he was waking her up at this hour, it meant his son had arrived.
"Yeah he is, He's healthy, all 10 fingers and all 10 toes, He's amazing, he's so tiny and beautiful"
Tris smiles, Tobias hadn't been around any babies so she knew he would be in awe. He'd read books and taken a class with Evelyn showing him some basics to feel like he was prepared but he knew it wouldn't be like the real thing.
"Can I see him?" Tris sits up rubbing her eyes now more awake.
Tobias walks back into the room. Nicole was sound asleep still, her mother had left to go back to her hotel room for the night. Evelyn gently rocked the baby looking at him and whispering to him. His head was full of dark curly hair, his complexion between his mother and father. He was swaddled tightly but he gurgled at the sound of his grandmother's voice.
"Here he is" Tobias moves the camera so she can see.
"Hi Sweetheart, you look tired" Evelyn furrows her eyebrows as she looks at her daughter-in-law on the screen.
"I'm fine, we had a rough couple of games" Tris comments quietly. She smiles but it doesn't reach her eyes. Tobias was proud, she could see it radiating off him, she didn't dare take away this moment from him. "Oh, he's precious Tobias. I think he looks like you"
"Yeah, Tobias looked like this when he was a baby" Evelyn muses.
She doesn't miss the tears that seem to form in Tris's eyes. Tris had confided in her when she was in Rome the month before that she was having more trouble than she thought she would with how to actually support Tobias with being a father. She didn't want to overstep her boundaries. Evelyn could tell she was a little jealous as Tobias got more excited about the birth of his son and Tris was struggling with all those feelings.
"I should let you go back to sleep, you have a game today Babe," Tobias tells her as she yawns.
"Okay, I love you"
"Love you too" Tobias hangs up and Evelyn notices that Tobias could tell Tris wasn't herself despite just waking up.
"She'll be okay, it's a lot for her too on top of being away from you"
Tobias nods, juggling his NBA career, being a husband and now a father was already providing to be difficult but he was going to take each challenge head-on.
"Tobias is officially a Daddy" Caleb comments as he looks at his phone to see a picture from Tobias of his new baby boy. He and Zeke are posted up at their favorite bar to catch the Bulls game. Uriah was playing well that night. They knew Tobias wasn't playing since he was in Atlanta. Caleb was planning to hop over to the hospital in the morning to see him and the baby.
Zeke grunts in acknowledgment as he takes a swig of his beer and Caleb doesn't miss the look that flashes across his face.
"What's on your mind?" Caleb pokes at Zeke with his eyes narrowed trying to figure out what was going on with his best friend.
"Nothing, I'll be sure to send him a cigar or something"
"I thought you and T. were cool...Why are you acting all weird about this?"
Zeke sighs and leans back against his barstool.
"I'm just worried about Tris, I can't imagine she's all ooohing and ahhhing over this kid. Have you talked to her?"
Caleb puts his beer down and turns to Zeke. He had a feeling that this was part of it. He'd been holding in his feeling but he had to say something now. He had always tried to support Zeke pursuing Tris before she and Tobias started dating. It wasn't that he didn't want Zeke to be happy but he knew his sister and When Tris and Zeke dated in college he kept most of his opinions to himself but he knew Zeke was never going to be permanent. She loved Tobias and slowly he started to realize that they were going to find their way back to each other. After he and Uriah made amends with Tobias and Tobias opened up more about his issues with his father Caleb started to see the situation with Zeke and Tobias differently and how it played into Zeke's pursuit of Tris and their relationship.
"Zeke, you need to get your shit together"
Zeke furrows his eyebrows at Caleb's tone.
"What the fuck are you talking about"
"You are about to fuck up majorly with Shauna if you don't deal with your feelings for Tris," Caleb puts out there. Marlene and Shauna were pretty good friends. He knew from Marlene just how insecure Shauna still was about Zeke's relationship with Tris. She and Zeke had moved in together over the summer. Caleb could see she loved him.
"What are you talking about? Tris and I have been over for a long time, you know this. She and Tobias are fucking married now. She's not thinking about me/"
"Zeke, I know you, you can't help yourself. The minute Tobias does something you don't agree with you think it's your duty to swoop in and protect Tris"
"Caleb..." Zeke starts.
Caleb puts his hand up.
"Zeke, you need to deal with your feelings. Tris may not be thinking about you, but you can continue to lie to Uri and me but stop lying to yourself. You find a way to say T. is a problem but you twist everything he does to make an excuse to protect Tris or take her side. Do you really believe that when Tobias broke up with Tris in college you weren't picking her side just to show her you were there for her so she would lean on you? Stop fucking making T. out to be the worst thing in the world, he's made mistakes, we all have. He's owned up to his mistakes, own up to your shit. You need to let her go, for real this time."
Caleb takes a drink of his beer and turns his attention back to the game.
Zeke doesn't say anything but Caleb's words sting. Was he still in love with Tris? He wasn't sure but needed to figure that shit out.
Tris looks at the clock in the gym, practice felt like it was dragging on that day. They only had 30 minutes left but Tobias's plane was landing in less than two hours and Tris wanted to go home to shower before she met him.
"You know I'm sure coach wouldn't mind if you cut out early" Nita teases as she sees Tris look at the clock for the 10th time in the past 20 minutes.
"Ugh, I'm so ready to see him" Tris whines as they move up in the line for the drill the team was working on that day.
"Yeah I'm sure you are, I bet you won't even make it to the bed once you get in the door"
Tris snorts as she catches the ball and shoots for the drill they were running on three-point shots. She makes it easily and heads to the back of the line.
"You were just as bad when Matthew came last month," Tris says with an eye roll after Nita makes her shot and joins her at the back of the line. Nita had met an NFL player over the summer in LA and they seemed to be smitten with each other. He had come to Rome for two weeks when his NFL season was over. He seemed like a good fit for Nita.
As soon as their coach signals the end of practice, Tris runs to grab her stuff from the sideline.
"Call me when you come up for air!" Nita hollers after Tris as tosses the ball she was holding to her.
Tris flashes her a grin as she races to the locker room to shower.
An hour later Tris is bouncing on the balls of her feet as she waits and checks the arrivals board in the airport.
Tobias's plane had already landed, she knew the customs line could take a while but after not seeing her husband for 4 months she didn't think she could wait another second. She makes her way to where she can wait full of nervous energy flowing through her as cranes her neck around the people in front of her.
She breaks into a large grin her heart fluttering as Tobias strides toward the passenger exit. Tris is overwhelmed by how tall and handsome he is. His hands gripped his Louis Vuitton duffle bag, she could make out the dick print in his gray Adidas joggers. She wanted to jump him right there.
His face lights up as finds her after quickly scanning the crowd. She was still so beautiful, her curly hair piled on top of her head, her jeans hugging her perfectly, her shirt snug so he could make out the perfect curve of her breasts. The way she bit her lip and furrowed her eyebrows as she looked anxiously for him whipping her hands on her thighs, she was always so effortlessly beautiful. Tobias shakes his head with a chuckle realizing they were wearing the same pair of black and blue Jordans.
He took off in a slow jog toward the exit and drops his bags as soon as he steps across the line. Tris immediately hops in his arms kissing him as he wraps his arms around her thighs holding her high so she has to lean down to kiss him.
"Baby I missed you so much" Tris whispered as she pulls away from the kiss. He was still holding her up with his strong arms.
Tobias grins and gives her another quick kiss. "You have no idea how much I missed you"
They make their way hand in hand to a taxi, and Tris giggles as Tobias whispers in her ear the entire ride as she tries to point out some of the sights.
"You're missing the good stuff" Tris complains as she points out the Colosseum in the distance.
"Oh no, I'm not. I have a perfect view" Tobias whispers as he nibbles on her earlobe. Tris giggles, only Tobias could make her feel this way.
As soon as they make it inside her apartment, they quickly toe-off their sneakers and shimmy out of their clothes. Tobias wastes no time in burying his head between Tris' thighs, gently sucking and licking in a pattern until Tris was trembling and begging for him.
"Please T. I need you inside me"
Tobias looks up at her, loving the wild look in her hazel eyes as she arched her back and moaned. When he moves up and slides inside her, she holds his face and moves her thumb over his lips. He moved slowly, watching her intently their eyes never breaking as they panted. This moment was about more than sex, it was about being connected.
Tobias adjusts his angle, Tris gasps and tightens her legs around his waist trying to pull him in a close as possible.
"Tris, this is fucking everything" Tobias gasps barely above a whisper as he continues to make love to her with slow powerful thrusts savoring the feeling of being inside her.
"Yes" Is all she can manage as she starts to tremble again.
"Oh, Tobias" Tris feels her body let go and Tobias brings his lips back to hers as he groans her name against his mouth.
They lay there, holding each other for a long moment with Tris not wanting him to move.
"I swear that just keeps getting better, like it's another level, how is that possible?" Tobias asks before he finally moves to lay on his side.
Since she and Tobias had gotten back together their connection and intimacy had been next level, nothing like either of them had ever experienced even when they were together 5 years ago.
"I have no idea, but I'm not complaining" Tris giggles as Tobias kisses her nose.
"Don't you want to see any part of the city?" Tris sighs as Tobias toys with the coils of her hair while she lays across his chest. She had practice in a few hours but they hadn't ventured outside since Tobias arrived the day before.
"This is the only view I'm interested in" Tobias murmurs as he gazes at his wife.
Tris grins as she leans up and kisses him.
"Well, I'm out of food so we are going to have to go out to dinner." Tris giggles. "I should get up and shower so we can go eat, otherwise I won't get fed"
"How about I shower with you" Tobias offers as he waggles his eyebrows and grabs Tris by the wrist.
"Oh no you don't, we'll never get out of here, and unfortunately the showers here are so small they can only fit one person"
Tobias groans as he pulls Tris to him, kissing her and tickling her as she squealed. He flops back on the pillow when she goes into the shower. They only had three days left together and he didn't know how he was going to leave her again.
That evening after dinner as they cuddle on the couch Tobias pulls out his iPad to show Tris pictures of houses their real estate agent had picked out for them. Lake Forest was about 40 minutes outside of Chicago in a residential area but it was where most of the professional athletes in the Chicago area lived.
"I know we need more room for TJ but these are huge houses, T."
Tris looks at the one and two-million-dollar houses he picked out. The downside of being in a high market sports town was the cost of living but they both agreed having a house in Charlotte defeated the purpose since they would never be there and they had to keep a home in Chicago anyway since one of them would be there all year round.
"I know, but I want a yard, it would be nice to have enough room for our families to stay under one roof when they come visit. A few guys on the team and that play for the Bears and Cubs live in this neighborhood too"
Tris snorts "I mean I love my family and all but you sure you want us all under one roof?"
She could tell Tobias was excited. She knew he always admired how close the Priors were with him being an only child. They had talked about how he loved the moments with all her family. Tris loved it too and she was happy as they talked about one day growing their family that they agreed on so much.
They were expecting TJ would be able to stay with them for two weeks when the Bulls' season was over knowing that as he got older he would spend more time with them. It was part of their custody agreement and Evelyn was excited to spend those weeks with them as well. Tris and Tobias hoped they could find a house and get moved while Tris was in training camp so they would be settled by the time her season with the Sky started. Natalie and Evelyn had given up on trying to plan a wedding reception for the couple, it was too hard to narrow down a date with Tris having a limited window before she had to be in training camp and Tobias and the Bulls most likely making another playoff run.
She swipes the pictures and looks at the prices and makes notes about which houses she likes. She wants Caleb's opinion on a good price range. They were still in a good position, even after they put Tris's condo up for sale. Tobias felt good about the season so far. He was putting up good numbers consistently. He felt confident that the Bulls would offer him a new contract. Tris was also up for a new contract. Some of the veterans in the league, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, were working with the WNBA players union to help create new financial incentive structures. Tris had several bonuses for making All Frist Team which added to her pay but she still was only making a fraction of what Tobias made.
There was always the threat that either one of them could be traded but they wanted to put roots down and Chicago was the best place for the time being.