We made it to 2022! I'm so glad ya'll are loving Tris and TJ's relationship! I hope this chapter will bring you some joy! Let me know what you think. Love ya'll!
The break from playing overseas is refreshing for Tris. She has a speaking engagement in Atlanta and gets to attend the season opener for the Lady Warriors at Dauntless with Marlene. She gets rave reviews and has so much fun being a guest announcer on NBA TV with Shaquille O'Neil, and Kenny Anderson in L. A. for a few games when Tobias has a road trip on the west coast in early January. One Saturday afternoon she joins Tobias at practice and after she accompanies them with a few of her teammates that are playing overseas at the Chicago Boys and Girls Club to surprise the youth league team. The Bulls' mascot Benny the Bull tags along for pictures. The kids are excited screaming when all the players walk in the door.
Tobias grins as he sees Tris laughing with her teammates as they help some of the girls present work on their ball-handling skills. He loved that she had the opportunity to give back like this since she wasn't overseas.
Unbeknownst to the players, another special guest arrives to join them. Tris, Tobias, and Uriah's jaws all drop when Barack Obama walks into the gym. They knew Former President Obama was into basketball, but watching him shoot jump shots was probably the most amazing thing either of them had participated in. He talked to Tobias and Uriah about their NCAA championship and recent NBA championship. Tris thought she was going to faint when he asks her about her own NCAA championship and his hopes that the Sky will bring a championship to Chicago.
"I think Daddy is going to faint" Tris laughs as she reads her texts after sending a picture to her family group chat of her and Tobias with President Obama.
"You have fun today?" Tobias asks as he nudges her shoulder while they walk down the street to head to dinner.
"Did I ?" she laughs throwing her head back and lacing their fingers together. "We met Barack Obama and he said he likes how I drive to the basket! The only thing that could have made it better was if we got to meet Michelle too"
Tobias chuckles at how excited Tris still was. Hell, he was still on a high too. They had been excited to go for the Bull's official White House visit the year before after winning the NBA Championship but it meant so much for the both of them to be able to speak and interact with Obama as the first African American president. It was an added bonus he was a true basketball fan.
"You know I was thinking maybe we should start our own foundation. I've never gotten around to it. We could be doing some good things here in Chicago and in Charlotte too."
"And just when I think I love more than I ever have, you make me love you even more" Tris beams up at him.
She loops her arm through his as they continue on their way. It was getting harder and harder for her to think about going back to Italy next Fall.
The judge had been generous with Nicole in her custody arrangement with Tobias. Looking at the numbers Tris was just as frustrated as Tobias that they would be shelling out 15,000 a month and the cost for a nanny especially because now Nicole was leaving TJ for longer stretches of time than what was agreed upon when she would drop him off. Tris and Tobias didn't mind the extra time at all, TJ was a precious baby.
Tris started to notice that TJ was more clingy when Nicole arrived at their house and when it was time for him to leave. TJ spends Christmas and New Years with Tris and Tobias. In January, Nicole shows up at the house to pick up TJ after he had been with Tris and Tobias for a week longer than originally agreed upon between Tobias and Nicole.
Tris has his Paw Patrol backpack ready for him to put on and squats down to give him a kiss after Tobias hugs him and tells him he loves him. TJ holds on to Tobias not seeming to want to let go.
"TJ, come on let's go, our flight leaves at 3, and I have too much to do before I need to get to Miami," Nicole says with a tone full of annoyance as she grabs his suitcase after Tobias sets him on his feet.
"No! I want Daddy and My Twis," TJ replies forcefully and crosses his arms, as he stomps his feet and pokes out his lip. Tris shakes her head, he was definitely Tobias's son and he had a stubborn streak just like his father.
"TJ, I don't have time for this, we have to go," Nicole snaps through gritted teeth clearly irritated, grabbing him by the arm a little too roughly for Tris or Tobias's liking. TJ falls on the floor kicking and screaming. Nicoles lets out a frustrated groan as she looks at the ceiling.
"Can you give me a minute with him?" Tris asks cautiously. With lots of advice from Marlene, Lauren, Evelyn, Hana, and her mom, Tris was learning how to navigate parenting and tantrums. She noticed that this wasn't a normal tantrum and Nicole wasn't picking up on that. Strong arming him wasn't going to get him to calm down right now. Nicole looks even more annoyed at Tris's request and rolls her eyes as she lets go of TJ. If she didn't have to listen to him screaming for the next 45 minutes all the way to the airport, she would let Tris try. He stops crying when Tris picks him up, holding on to her tightly.
Tris carries him to the kitchen and sits him down in her lap at the kitchen table whipping his eyes and kissing his cheeks. She rubs his scalp trying to create a calming feeling, playing with his curls and keeping her voice in a soothing tone.
"TJ, Daddy, and I will see you next month when you come to visit. I know it's hard but you know Daddy still has a lot of games to play and Mommy will be there with you."
"No, Want Dadddy and my Twis," TJ whines with a wobbly voice and his lips quivering threatening to bring on a fresh bout of tears.
Tobias comes into the kitchen and Tris looks at him trying not to cry as TJ throws his little arms around her neck again. She holds him close and stands up as she rubs his back.
"What do we do?" she whispers.
Tobias pinches his nose with his fingers. He didn't want to put any added stress on Tris but he was not comfortable letting Nicole take TJ like this. It was becoming increasingly apparent to Tris and Tobias that Nicole was slacking on the parenting front.
"Are you okay with him staying for another few weeks"
"Of course, I am" Tris confirms as she continues to try and calm him down holding him close as he held on for dear life like someone was going to pry him away.
Tobias nods, thankful that his wife was understanding of this situation, and always a team player. He heads back out the foyer to find Nicole looking annoyed with her Gucci purse on her shoulder and her arms crossed.
"Nicole, I know you are supposed to take him until the end of the season but maybe he could stay with us for another week, maybe two. We can play it by ear if you like" Tobias offers.
"Fine, I've gotta go to Miami to start shooting for Basketball Wives next week anyway it will be easier if I didn't have to lug him and the nanny and all that crap with me" Nicole shrugs as she grabs her bag. Tobias tries to control his facial expressions but he was annoyed with Nicole and how she could just throw TJ away when she had things on her to-do list.
"TJ, do you want to tell Mommy bye?" Tris asks walking back into the foyer with TJ on her hip who was now only sniffling. He looks up at Nicole and shakes his head and lays back on her shoulder and snuggling into her.
Tris was completely bewildered at Nicole and her nonchalant attitude to leaving her son as Tobias sees her out. She was still puzzled at TJ. He would usually whine when it was time for him to leave but this had been different. Tris carries him back to his room and holds him until he falls asleep while sitting in the rocking chair. She places him in his bed and quietly shuts the door moving to the den where Tobias was talking on the phone.
"Yeah, thanks I appreciate it Niles"
Tris sits down next to him on the couch as he ends the call.
"Is he asleep?"
"Yeah, poor baby tired himself out crying earlier. He was fine once she left"
"I was just on the phone with Niles, asking him what my options are. I know this is tricky Tris, and I'll figure out how we manage and I should have asked you before I called but I just wanted to know what the deal was before I brought it up to you ..."
Tris smiles and places a hand on his arm. She'd known instantly what her husband was thinking when they agreed that TJ shouldn't go with Nicole. She'd had plenty of time to think over the past few months and this just confirmed her decision was the right one.
"It's okay T. I was already thinking the same thing. I don't know what's going on when he's with her but clearly, something is wrong if he's like this every time he leaves us to go back with her now. I think we need to talk about what full custody for TJ would look like. I had already decided I'm not going back to Rome next season, I just hadn't told you yet. This year I had off, being here with you during the season. It was really good and I don't think I can go back alone. I think that would make a good case for us for full custody if I'll be here full time now."
Tobias grins and pulls Tris into a hug. She was an amazing mother to TJ and he knew she was going to be just as amazing when they expanded their family.
"Are you sure, we can ask Nicole's nanny to come here or we can hire a new one that can travel to Rome or I know my mom would…." Tobias didn't want her to feel like she had to choose again. He would spend every dime he had to make sure she was able to chase her dreams and play where she wanted.
"Yes I'm sure, it was nice when I was alone but I don't like us being apart that long, and if we have a baby soon that would be the end of my Euro career. There's no way I would be okay with all the back and forth with a baby even if we had help. I really am okay with this T. I love TJ and we need to do what's best for him." Tris interrupts.
"Nicole is going to be pissed when she finds out" Tobias drones.
"Only with her cash flow being cut off" Tris scoffs.
"This is horrible for me to say out loud but I'm shocked she isn't pregnant or found another baller to marry already"
Tris shakes her head as she lays down with her head in his lap.
"I give it another year now that she's filming this reality show"
"I love you, Tris. I literally don't deserve you. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you for taking this on with me." He leans down to kiss her softly and stroke her cheek.
"I love you too and I really want to. We're a family, Me, you, and TJ," Tris smiles as looks up at him. With all they had been through and overcome to be together, this felt right.
Shauna looks up from digging in her purse for her car keys and gasps. There leaning against her car was Zeke holding a bouquet of flowers.
Her heart jumped as she saw him there looking handsome as ever. It had been eight months since she moved out and broke up with him. He'd called, sent flowers to her job, and sent text messages of how he was thinking of her and missed her the last month. This week alone, he had sent an edible arrangement and a huge teddy bear.
She and Marlene were still close so she figured at some point she would have to see him especially since Marlene and Caleb were expecting another baby. Marlene and Caleb seemed to think he was serious about being over Tris but Shauna wasn't sure yet.
"Hey," she says taking a breath.
"Hey" he replies. He had been nervous the whole time he had been waiting out for her to come outside to her car. Caleb had given him a pep talk before he left the office to go get the flowers.
"What are you doing here?" she asks slowly.
"Well, you haven't been responding to any of my messages so I thought maybe I could surprise you and take you to dinner..."
Shauna bites her lip as she sees the hopeful look on his face. She had been giving him the cold shoulder, not sure if she could take letting him in again to only get hurt.
"Shauna I know I messed up but I was thinking maybe we could just talk, have dinner with me, please..."
Shauna takes a deep breath still not saying anything.
"Please Shauna, I know me saying that I'm over Tris and I only want you doesn't really get me anywhere, let me show you."
"Zeke, I don't know" She wanted to believe him, believe that she was the only one he wanted.
"Just dinner, that's all I'm asking for right now" He extends his hand to her, his heart beating a mile a minute. Their eyes lock and Shauna feels her knees go weak. That look, she didn't think that he had ever looked that way before, that look like they were the only two people in the world.
"Okay, just dinner" she replies softly putting her hand in his.
It takes several months for Niles to arrange the custody hearing. Tris became sick and tired of her dramatics after she cursed Tobias out when she received the family court notice. It didn't help matters that Tobias was still obligated to keep paying Nicole child support until the court hearing even though TJ had been with them since December.
On the day of their custody court hearing at the beginning of May in Chicago. Even though Nicole was living in Miami and Atlanta, she had her lawyer file her custody agreement in Illinois because her lawyer assured her she would get a higher child support payout.
Tris had gone very simple with her attire, wearing a simple pale yellow dress and the strand of pearls Tobias had gotten her for Christmas the year before. Tobias was wearing a dark grey suit and pale yellow tie that matched Tris's dress. Tris thought TJ was adorable in the outfit she chose for him. A pair of khaki shorts and a yellow sweater vest over a little white button-down with a bowtie. She had made sure his curls were styled too. Evelyn had flown in a few days before. She was going to keep TJ occupied that day. Niles assured them that they would be needed at the first part of the hearing so Evelyn was planning to take TJ lunch at a restaurant right across the street from the courthouse.
"I know this is not a picture-taking occasion but I just have to take a few this afternoon. You just look so cute together" Evelyn gushes as they stand on the steps of the courthouse waiting for Niles to finish a phone call before the hearing.
Tris chuckles at her mother-in-law.
"Be Good for Nana" Tobias tells TJ when Niles signals them that it was time to head inside.
"I will, and I prowmise I not get dirty" TJ smiles and he hops up and down excitedly holding Evelyn's hand as Tris leans down to straighten his tie and bops him on his nose.
Tris could tell Nicole had no worries as she sauntered into the courthouse. Her designer pinstripe suit was widely inappropriate, the short pencil skirt hugged too tight and her suit jacket exposed too much cleavage.
"Ms. Myers, I must say that I'm confused as to how you are countering that Mr. Eaton and his wife are asking for primary custody by asking for an increase in child support," The judge asks looking over the documents in front of him.
"Your Honor, Ms. Myers feels that her son should be able to enjoy all of the comforts that he experiences with his father with her. With Mr. Eaton's new contact, it's only fair that Ms. Myers receive an increase in child support"
"And please tell me Ms. Myers how many days has Tobias Jr. stayed with you in the past 8 months?"
"Well I'm not exactly sure, but I would think at least three weeks each month," Nicole says with a confused look on her face.
"According to the paperwork submitted by Mr. Eaton and Mrs. Prior-Eaton, he was only with you for a total of 6 weeks since October of last year, why is that?"
Tris looked over at Nicole and she could see she was fuming. Niles leaned over and whispered something to Tobias. Tobias nodded his head and he reached over to grab Tris's hand and smile.
"Well, I was working on booking a new job and it requires me to out, entertaining, things of that nature. That's why I need an increase to help continue to pay for the nanny"
"The Nanny which you haven't utilized because the child has been with his father and Mr. Eaton is already covering the salary for? Entertaining what do you mean exactly?"
"Going to nightclubs, events, dinner, that type of thing"
"And what type of booking is this? Some type of modeling contract?"
"No, it's a tv show"
"I see, and what other jobs do you have?"
"Well, I endorse products on my social media...Ummm" Nicole shifts uncomfortably in her seat and leans over and whispers to her lawyer.
"Your Honor, my client shouldn't be judged for her practices that pay her bills, she just wants to have a fair custody agreement that allows her child to have the same comforts with her that he does with his father"
The judge purses her lips and looks at the documents in front of her again before turning her attention to the side of the courtroom where Tris and Tobias sit.
"Mrs. Prior-Eaton, can you please describe the incidents from January when Ms. Myers came to your home to pick up Tobias Jr and what you have observed?"
Tris stands up and Niles gives her an encouraging nod. Tris respectfully addressed the judge and gives her an honest account of TJs meltdown and how he comes to them with little clothing or things.
"Well, of course, you make it sound like that, I can't keep up with your huge Lake Forrest home of course he wants to stay with you" Nicole spits out.
The judge bangs angrily on her gavel.
"Ms. Myers, that behavior may fly on your tv show, but not with me. You will control your comments in my courtroom"
Tobias looks over and he can see Nicole is seething as she rolls her tongue over her back teeth.
"Your Honor I would like to point out that Mr. Eaton has a very demanding schedule with the NBA and my client does not feel that it is in the best interest of the child for him to remain with him the majority of the year" Nicole's lawyer raises.
"Mr. Eaton, what do you have to stay to that"
Tobias straights his ties and stands up. Tris grabs his hand and gives it a squeeze.
"Your Honor, While I do have a very demanding schedule, our house doesn't have any hired help outside of a housekeeper. My wife has a wonderful relationship with TJ and we balance his needs very well."
"Your Honor Mr. Eaton's wife is also a professorial basketball player spending weeks on the road and six months of the year in Rome, we hardly see this as a balance"
"Your Honor, while my client actually took the entire season in Rome off this year and has made the decision to not return to the European league so she can focus on the WNBA and her family," Jack interjects and Tris has to pull her lips over her teeth to keep from smiling at the fact Nicole looked like steam might come out of her ears at any minute.
The judge nods her head and scribbles something down on the notepad in front of her.
"Let's take a short 10-minute recess, I would like to see the child in my chambers with both parties before I make my decision"
Nicole glares at Tris and Tobias as her lawyer leans over to whisper something to her.
Tobias sends a text to his mother and asks her to bring TJ in from where she had him in the waiting area just outside the courtroom. TJ eagerly runs to Tris and Tobias when he enters the room with Tobias groaning with a smile as he bent over a picked him up. He leans over from Tobias's arms to give Tris a kiss. She smiles with her heart full she remembers when she was so upset at the sight of TJ and Tobias with Nicole. She can laugh at how insecure she was now. She hopes the judge will see right through Nicole and her little charade.
Niles escorts Tris and Tobias into the judge's chambers. Nicole pretends to fuss over TJ when the judge comes in much to his agitation.
"Well aren't you handsome" The judge smiles at TJ. She holds out her hand and squats down to his level. He looks up to Tris and Tobias for permission. Tobias nods replies softly.
"TJ, this is Judge Hightower, she wanted to meet you" Tobias explains.
"TJ just tell the nice lady how much fun you have when you are with Mommy" Nicole coaxes.
Judge Hightower shoots her a look warning her to not interfere anymore.
TJ smiles and walks over and gives Judge Hightower a hug. Judge Hightower smiles and gives TJ a squeeze in return. She holds his hand and sits down in one of the chairs in front of her desk, picking him up and placing him in her lap.
"TJ do you like it when you stay with your mommy?"
TJ emphatically shakes his head no.
"I want Daddy and My Tris," he says with no hesitation as she points to Tris and Tobias.
"Do you have fun with your Daddy and Tris when you stay at his house?"
TJ nods his head emphatically grinning.
"You are very smart TJ, I think you are so lucky to have so many people who love you"
Judge Hightower smiles and nods as she reaches into the pocket of her robes and hands him a lollipop. She had seen and heard all she needed to make a decision. She sets TJ down and he runs back to Tris wrapping his arms around her legs.
"Lookit! Open it Please?" TJ asks holding the lollipop up to Tris.
"What do you say to Judge Hightower?" Tobias reminds him.
"Thank you," TJ says happily as he grabs Tris's hand.
"Yes I think you can have it, you've been so good today. How about we go show Nana and she can help you open it" Tris instructs as she guides him out into the hallway.
After everyone gives Judge Hightower a few moments they all gather back in the courtroom.
Tris stands next to Tobias, he can tell she's a little nervous and he interlocks their fingers.
"After much consideration and looking at all the facts, I'm awarding full custody of Tobias Amari Eaton, Jr. to Tobias Eaton and Beatrice Prior Eaton."
Tris and Tobias let out a breath of relief and smile at each other and Tobias squeezes Tris's hand as Niles claps Tobias on the back as he smiles as well.
Nicole crosses her arms under her breasts the anger evident on her face.
"Mr. Eaton, since you will have full custody, you will not be required to pay child support. Ms. Meyers, you will be allowed visitation one weekend a month"
Nicole's mouth drops open in shock but she holds her tongue.
"Ms. Myers, due to the limited amount of days you have had your son for the past six months, I am requiring you to pay back the child support funds from January to April of this year, a total of $60,000."
"What! You can't be serious" Nicole screeches as she leaps to her feet.
"Oh, I am very serious Ms. Myers and I have warned you to keep your comments to yourself. File an appeal if you wish"
Judge Hightower bangs her gavel signaling that she's done with the conversation and exits the courtroom.
"Thank you for all your work on this Niles" Tobias extends his hand to his lawyer who gives him a firm handshake in return.
"Yes thank you so much" Tris agrees with a smile.
"My pleasure, you two are two of my best clients"
"Do you think they will try to file an appeal?" Tobias asks looking over Niles's shoulder at Nicole who was laying into her lawyer with her hands on her hips.
"They'll try but Nicole has an uphill battle to climb now, I can't see a judge ruling in her favor"
Tris and Tobias walk hand in hand down the steps of the courthouse after saying goodbye to Niles. Nicole is still on a rampage outside the courthouse yelling on her phone. Tris looks at Tobias and he tells his mother to take TJ with her shopping and they would catch up with her later. None of them wanted to expose TJ to Nicole right now with how she was acting.
"Don't think for one minute I'm going to let you get away with this" Nicole snaps as she marches up to Tobias.
"Cut the crap Nicole, You're only upset because your meal ticket has been cut off" He was done holding back with her.
"You won't get away with this, I've let you treat me like crap for too long!"
"You can't be serious! You came after me for my money and trapped me by getting pregnant, and I'm the one who treated you like crap" Tobias is fuming at her accusations. She was completely crazy.
"You selfish son of a bitch" Nicole draws her hand back to slap Tobias but he catches her hand before she can strike him.
"Let go of me, Your playing career will be done if anyone knows you hit me" She threatens as Tobias lets go of her wrist.
Tris has had enough and she steps in between Tobias and Nicole. She wasn't about to let Nicole bait him into a fight so she could claim he hit her.
"Tobias may not be able to lay a hand on you but I sure can. Try to put your hands on my husband again and you are going to regret it" Tris warns.
"Tris, chill out," Tobias says in a low voice, grabbing her waist.
Tris keeps her eyes locked on Nicole. "No Baby, I got this"
Tobias nods, he didn't think Tris would get in an all-out brawl with Nicole, the media attention would be awful but he also knew it was high time Nicole was put in her place so he decides to trust his wife and let her handle this. He takes a few steps back glancing around, thankful that there really wasn't anyone paying attention to the argument unfolding on the street.
Nicole glares at her. She was sick of Tris Prior and everyone thinking she was God's gift to the Earth. She knew exactly where to strike a nerve with her.
"You thieving ass bitch, you stole my man and now you're trying to steal my son because you can't have one of your own!"
She steps closer to Tris so she was in her face but Tris doesn't back down in fact she steps forward against Nicole, so close that she could feel Nicole's breath. Tris knew she was throwing out things that would play on her insecurities but she wasn't falling for it today.
"Oh, I haven't stolen a damn thing from you! You thirsty ass hoe! Tobias left you willingly. You never deserved anything he gave you. You were just using him, just like you have been using that sweet little boy to get paid. He is your son! Karma is a bitch and you have it coming to you for everything you've pulled."
"Don't you dare tell me anything about my son! You know nothing about me!" Nicole screeches as she tries to throw a punch. Tris has quick reflexes and steps out the way. Nicole goes to grab Tris by her hair and Tris steps back again causing Nicole to lose her balance. She stumbles and breaks the heel on her Louboutin pump.
Nicole screams out in frustration on the ground as she takes off her shoe and bangs in on the ground much like a child having a temper tantrum.
Tris leans down, she knows she shouldn't but she was sick of this. She wanted to send Nicole a message loud and clear. She grabs a fist full of Nicole's hair in the center of the head.
"Let me go, you fucking bitch, wait until I tell TMZ about this!" Nicole shrieks as she squirms trying to get away but Tris has a good hold on her. Tris bends down bringing her lips to Nicole's ear.
"Don't ever try to come at me, or my husband or use TJ as a pawn again. If you do, I will fucking end you. This isn't the fight you want and you know it. I can bench press 200 lbs. Think about that before you ever try to fucking swing on me again. How will you ever make another dime if that pretty face of yours is messed up? " Tris whispers into Nicole's ear with her hand gripping Nicole by her hair tighter and her tone is sugary sweet but deadly.
"You can't threaten me.." Nicole starts to argue again. Tris again tightens her grasp again as Nicole tries to grab Tris's hands to wrestle free but she couldn't.
"I'm warning you, Nicole, you just tried to attack me and my husband, think about what you are doing before you start a fight you can't finish" Tris reminds her.
Nicole looked like she was holding her breath but she saw the lethal look in Tris's eyes. Tris finally lets go of her hair when she feels Tobias grab her shoulder to pull her to stand up. She looks at him and straightens up and adjusts her dress and throws her hair over her shoulder without saying another word. They hear Nicole let out another frustrated scream but neither one of them bother to look back. As they walk toward the parking deck, Tobias grabs Tris's hand and laces their fingers together. When they reach the car Tobias leans Tris against his SUV and rubs his hands up and down his shoulders.
"Thank you for standing up for me"
Tris give a light chuckle and shrugs "You would do the same for me"
"I would also like for the record to show that I am never getting on your bad side after that. You were borderline scary"
Tris wraps her arms around his neck and throws her head back in a laugh.
"No one messes with my family" Her tone was straightforward forward and Tobias could tell by the look in her eye that she was thinking about Nicole.
"Oh trust me, I think Nicole got the message loud and clear"
"Good, because I meant every word. It took everything in me not to punch her in the face. If we hadn't been on a public sidewalk, I just might have"
"Well, I also must admit that seeing you this feisty definitely turned me on... You didn't even stumble in your heels," Tobias grins as he lets his hands roam to her waist and pull her closer to him as she chuckles.
Tris pulls him in for a kiss. She would gladly fight anyone who tried to take away this wonderful life and family they were building.
President Obama and members of the Chicago Sky and Chicago Bulls did visit at YMCA in Chicago in December 2021. The pictures I used for inspiration are on my Pinterest page rdixon417!