Eric POV

"Eric, I have a special project for you!"

I look down at Max when he comes to stand in front of me.

"Come to my office, this will take a few minutes and I have some paperwork for you," Max hedges and I sigh deeply. Every time he starts like this it is a project that will take me months, if not years, to finish and is something that he, himself, has been postponing for years before hawking it off to me.

I wait Max out while getting comfortable on his guest chair. For some reason he opted for cushy ones that just invite people to linger longer than they need to.

"Here is your new maintenance project!" Max slides a folder over to me and I open it to look at the front page.

"That's twenty years old," I state, pushing it back to him.

"And now it's yours," Max says, pushing it right back at me.

"If it could wait this long, it can wait for the next leader looking after Dauntless maintenance," I declare boldly and Max groans in annoyance.

"Veronica told Tris about it and they tagged teamed me with Aaron. This is to be finally done and you are the lucky bastard looking after it. Honestly, Eric, I tried to squash that but when Veronica saw that I wasn't going to budge she went to Tris and then they went to Aaron after I shot their joint petition down."

"Why the fuck do we suddenly need new safety measures? The faction survived thus far, I doubt it makes that much of a difference."

"My words exactly. Veronica claimed is was personal and that if I couldn't do my job properly, she was forced to do it for me!"

Max seems really pissed and it soothes my own anger a bit, knowing if it were up to him he'd have buried this even deeper than before in his bursting file cabinet.

"So what now," I ask.

"Now you conduct a review. Take your time, Eric. I am not going to push you for fast results," he grins. "All I need to know right now is that you will get started on something. I am sure there is plenty of paperwork you can request for your review, one at a time," Max suggests, and I smirk.

"You don't plan on making it easy…"

"If Veronica wants it done she can do it herself instead of pestering me. We have more important things to do, like initiation in a month, or the dwindling numbers of Dauntless. Jeanine is on my case for another pet project of hers and I am not even picking up my phone anymore," he admits. "So, with all this and more," he gestures to his full desk "I really don't have time to deal with unnecessary shit!"

"Alright. Just don't blame it on me or you will regret it," I threaten.

"Wouldn't dare to."

"Yeah, we'll see," I caution. Max is unpredictable when it comes to blaming others for orders he gave and his ever so often occurring negligence of faction business.

"Get out, I am sure you are just itching to get started."

With that Max dismisses me and looks wearily at the phone when it rings shrilly.

"Fucking Jeanine again,' he groans and turns to his computer with purpose.

Looking through the folder Max gave me, I see a list with questions already in it. I am sure they are just as valid now as they were back then and I am wondering who to ask them to. While Veronica is responsible for our families, Tris is the one looking after the educational needs for our dependents and members alike. Aaron is the one dealing with the infirmary, so it makes sense he got on board if there were too many issues. Maybe I can just send them an email each and make them do the work for me?

Well, that's a plan I can get behind. They wanted Max to get it done, there is no excuse for them to not do it then…

I make sure to type the questions into my email instead of just attaching a picture of the print out. Make them think I am working on it already sounds quite good.

Veronica knocks on my door not even a minute later.

"Eric, you had some questions in regards to safety around Dauntless?"

"Yes, I didn't expect you to come in person," I hedge. Shit, I didn't really pay attention to what I was typing!

"That's alright. I am more than invested in getting this sorted. Now, what do you need to know exactly?"

Veronica sits down with a tablet in her hands and looks at me expectantly.

"Uh," I hedge, stalling for time while grabbing the still open folder.

"Did any families complain about our safety measurements?"

That's actually a good question.

"There are no official complaints if that's what you are getting at, Eric. People chat with me and there are enough incidents to know that a lot of areas are unsafe to be in while pregnant or with small children who have no sense of self preservation just yet."

"Well, I need names and accounts of what has happened," I state and Veronica sighs.

"You are playing Max's delay game, aren't you," she accuses.

"This is a twenty year old project that needs some proper research before we can justify spending even one point," I fob.

"Just because nobody died doesn't mean it puts an unnecessary burden on our maintenance team to fix and modify some things."

"Veronica," I start but she interrupts me.

"You don't have any children yet, Eric. You are lacking the right frame of mind, to be frank, to care about those things. You don't want to be in a time crunch once you are expecting your first child and find out that there are no handrails on half of the walkways. That there are no measures to prevent a small child from slipping down the walkway it is on and down into the fucking chasm…"

"Easy there," I caution. "You don't have children either, Veronica. We'll be fine and I am doing it. There is no need to rush and do things that are not needed."

"You know what, Eric," Veronica hisses at me.

"Excuse me?"

"You are excused! I might not have a child running through this faction right this moment but I can assure that I will and I am not going to stay at home just because I can't see where the fuck I am walking," she spits.

"But if you know then you can plan ahead…"

"I planned ahead and got the ball rolling for Max over a year ago. Then I got Tris on board and then Aaron. You are telling me now that he gave you the task and I am telling you to get this shit sorted before I demand to work from home for the next sixteen years, do you hear me?"

"I hear you but unless you are pregnant right now there is no…"

"I am due in five months!"

Wow, she has gone off her rocker!

"You don't know that you will be pregnant in five months. Nobody can stick to such a timeline…"

"Have you gone stupid licking Max's ass?! I am due to give birth in five fucking short months and before I know it, I won't be able to see my fucking feet, less the god damned uneven floor!"

"Oh!"

"Oh?! That's all you have to say, Eric? Oh?"

"Well, I didn't know there was someone in your life…"

Fucking wrong thing to say. Veronica explodes right in front of me.

"I can have a child without a man! In fact, I am having a child without a fucking dick being involved at all! I am entitled to feeling safe and taken care of while pregnant and should not have to worry about my child falling down a cliff just because Max is a fucking lazy bastard!"

"Alright, I think we both need to calm down. I don't think it's good to have increased blood pressure…"

"Shut up, Eric. Just shut up so I can calm down without you bringing out the raging bitch again," Veronica growls and I decide to look at my computer instead.

"Tris is sick," I ask when I read the out of office notification I received.

"No."

"Well, her email says that…"

"It's none of your business as to why Tris is taking the day off. She has a medical cert," Veronica grouses.

I am biting my tongue but if we are down one leader and another one is unreasonable due to pregnancy hormones...

"Is she pregnant as well," I tease.

Veronica cringes and I can feel my features slip.

"No!"

"What do you mean with 'no', Eric. It's not your choice when any of us decide to have children!"

"Yes, but Tris?!"

"Will make a great mom if she is indeed pregnant."

"So you don't know," I ask.

"If I am, then so is she!"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You really need to get your head out of Max's ass, Eric. It means that we started circumventing Max's all encompassing decision making when it comes to faction business. Just because he doesn't want to listen, we still can. We have eyes and ears, Eric. Working brains too. Max is worried about the dwindling population yet he refuses to answer Jeanine's call. She talked to Aaron instead, as leader responsible for the infirmary not a bad choice," Veronica wagers. "Well, she told him about her latest idea, an adoption program."

"I thought you said you were pregnant," I interrupt.

"Shut up and listen, you dumbass." Jesus Christ! "It's not adopt an already made baby but adopt the biological means to do so. There are a lot of women out there who don't find the right man to start a family with. Jeanine has a rather large room with cleaned and certified viable sperm. She has to dispose of that after ten years in storage so she opened up a program that you can apply with and get matched with some sperm that's due to be destroyed. Really simple and you are even given some choices."

"Jeanine did what,' I gasp in horror, vividly remembering what Max made me do during my leadership training.

"She has sperm that she offers up to qualifying women to use. What's better, Eric? Destroying unwanted sperm that men donated ten years prior or give it to women who would like to keep our population up but are lacking the man suited to do it with them? I, for once, didn't have to think twice and look at me now. It worked on the first try, Jeanine's scientists are top notch," Veronica boasts.

"You know that most of those donations are from Dauntless dares," I ask, trying to keep my voice calm and quiet.

"Shut up," Veronica growls at me and I huff.

"No, really. What's more terrifying to a sixteen year old than getting someone pregnant," I ask and Veronica gapes at me.

"Are fucking kidding me?"

"Just ask around, especially Uriah and Zeke."

"Oh god, oh god, oh god. There could be tons of little Pedrads in the making! I have to call Jeanine and stop this project. No! I have to go to Tris and stop her!"

Veronica stands up and rushes out the room before I can say anything else.

My mind is racing while I stare at the still open door. When did Max force me to go with him to Erudite? It was during my training and that was ten years ago. But because Max forced me, he made them sign a paper that it wouldn't be used. But does that include giving it away instead of destroying it after ten years?

Only one way to find out!

I email Jeanine and then I get to work on my new pet project. With Veronica pregnant I have no choice but to actually do some work, if only to appease her.

Veronica doesn't come back to the office and I don't see her nor Tris for the next two days.

Jeanine emailed me back, stating she would have to double check with someone about my file and I haven't heard from her since.

Tris POV

There is a sharp knock on my door and I slowly make my way to the front. I feel like throwing up and I am so sick of it already.

"Coming,' I shout when the knock sounds again. "Eric," I greet when I open the door but he just pushes past me. "Come on in," I drawl and close the door.

When I turn around, I see that he is rather agitated, pacing up and down my small corridor.

"Are you pregnant," he blurts out as soon as I take a seat on my couch.

Instead of answering him, I bend over and dry heave into my already waiting bucket.

"Are you okay,' Eric asks me hesitantly when I don't come up right away.

"Peachy," I groan before my stomach constricts again.

I am shaking and feel like sweat is pouring out of every pore when I finally sit back up and lean against the cushions.

"Stomach bug," Eric asks quietly from right beside me.

"Not the common kind," I groan and lean forward to grab the bottle of ginger ale from the table. Taking a tentative sip from the flat drink I almost moan in pleasure when it slides down my now sore throat.

"Can I ask you why?"

I look at Eric, unsure why he is here and asking. We might be co-workers but we are not really that close. He usually sticks to his department or Max while I bound together with Veronica and often enough Aaron. Our departments are kind of overlapping which facilitates more teamwork.

"I know it is personal but when Veronica told me about what she did and you were about to do, I contacted Jeanine. I, uh," Eric blushes slightly and looks uncomfortable. "During my leadership training Max pulled a lot of crap, but the highlight will forever be when he forced me to go with him to Erudite's fertility clinic."

Oh god, please tell me this is not going where I think this is going!

"So, Max needed to make a donation because he and his wife couldn't conceive. They still don't have kids, as you know, but Max told me he wouldn't sign off on my leadership position if I couldn't prove how dauntless I really was. It was under duress and they allowed me to put a condition on my deposit. I was the only one allowed to withdraw it. After he forced me to do it I came to think it would be a good backup, you know how rough Dauntless is and the dangers of permanent injury." Eric looks at me expectantly but I am hesitant to nod. I do it against my better judgement. "So when Veronica basically yelled at me about Jeanine's project I told her most of the donations are results of Dauntless dares. It is absolutely true but I wrote to Jeanine to confirm that my deposit has been destroyed. I mean, I am twenty seven now, it was overdue and she didn't get back to me for three days," he groans and I close my eyes, bracing for impact. "She told me she couldn't guarantee it was," Eric growls but then he goes silent.

"So why are you here," I finally ask.

"I don't know. It feels like you are the only one I can talk about this to. Veronica is an emotional mess that no sane person would willingly talk to. You always kept a cool head, thought logically. Maybe I just need to see the other side to assure myself that even if my sperm was adopted and might be in good enough shape to, you know, breach an egg, it's not the end of the world."

"But you don't even know if that's the case," I caution.

"Trust me, if Jeanine says she doesn't know what happened then most likely it went to her project," he groans.

"Don't you think someone wanting a baby and using your sperm to achieve this is better than you accidentally knocking someone up who might decide she doesn't want a baby," I ask cautiously, knowing this is a hotly contested topic all around Chicago.

"But it was never supposed to be used," Eric complains.

"And the same goes every time you sleep with someone you don't have feelings for. What if the condom leaks or the birth control fails? Life is never full of certainties and for us women, to have the choice of how we conceive is empowering. While I understand Veronica's fear of a ton of little Pedrads running around the faction, there are a lot of protocols in place. I mean, I was allowed to choose from a handful of options. They run tests on us as well, Eric. Jeanine wants to have healthy babies so I got a thorough checkup. They checked my DNA and excluded anyone who might have markers that would affect mine negatively, that's something you don't get under normal circumstances."

Eric looks at me and nods cautiously.

"You feel cheated," I ask when it dawns on me.

"Kind of," he hedges but I am so past all the bullshitting.

"Look, Eric, it's done. Either your sperm was used or destroyed, you had no say in either and you will never know which is true," I remind him.

"Yes, but what if Veronica's baby looks like me? What of yours does? I will be staring at all babies born to Dauntless over the next nine months," he whines.

"Get a grip, Eric. That's not you. You don't whine and moan and complain about life," I hiss and he looks at me in surprise. "You came to me, now you listen to me. It's done! Over! It's in the past, so let it rest and start making the god damned faction baby proof before Veronica kills us all," I urge.

"But not you," he grins.

"I am currently tempted," I admit.

"No, I need an ally and if you kill me then who will look after maintaining Dauntless? Max?"

I cross myself and he smirks.

"Stop that," I hiss and slap his arm before the sudden movement makes my stomach lurch again. Eric tries to hold me back and I dig my fingers into his arm while bending sideways in order to not hit my couch should anything come out this time.

"Shit," Eric shouts and lets go. I didn't expect that and land on the floor, groaning in pain while grabbing my bucket. "Sorry," Eric whispers in my ear while pulling my hair back and holding it out of the way.

It takes my stomach a while to settle down this time and Eric hands me the bucket when I gingerly climb back onto the couch.

"Why are you still here? Don't you have to work," I groan and grip the bucket tighter.

"I am working," Eric assures and I raise just an eyebrow, afraid to open my mouth. "If there is a sudden influx in pregnant women, I need to know what I really need to do. Paperwork and surveys won't help but you could be my test dummy…" I growl. "The person to tell me what really needs to be done and not a fantasy wish list. You are reasonable, Tris. Veronica would tell me to wrap the whole faction in cottonwool and confiscate all weapons. Fuck, she told me that coffee should be banned as she currently can't stand the smell. She wasn't joking either. If there is someone that can really help me it's you," Eric states and I look at him. He does look sincere and I finally nod.

"I don't know how much help I will be though. If this continues I will be spending the next months at home," I groan.

"So you are pregnant?"

"Yes," I sigh.

"Cool!"

"Cool? Aren't you freaked out? Honestly, when you showed up and told me your story I kind of expected you to say that Jeanine told you she gave your sperm to me!"

"I didn't… I never… oh fuck, of course you thought that," Eric agrees and gape at him. "What? I can be reasonable. Why do you think I came here to ask you to work with me?"

"I don't know but I am slowly beginning to think fear for your life around Veronica?"

"You got that one right," Eric groans.

"She is not that bad," I start but he interrupts me.

"She is. She sends me daily lists of things I should be tackling and honestly, answering her takes up way to much of my time that should be spent elsewhere.

I know I am looking at him unbelievingly and he just grabs his tablet from his pocket.

"Here!" He hands it to me with the email program already open and displaying all the emails Veronica sent him.

"That's a lot of emails," I agree even before I read the subject lines. "Chasm checkpoint," I ask when the words stand out.

"Exactly what it suggests," Eric states.

"Petition to increase the age of dependents?"

"She wants them to stay dependents until after they turn eighteen. Only those eighteen and older should be allowed to choose," Eric explains.

"Jesus," I groan, shaking my head. "Parental leave?"

"Veronica wants single mothers entitled to both parental leaves.

"Sensible," I agree. "If you are a single parent then there is nobody else to switch things up with you when a child gets sick. You do need more time than other households with two adults."

"But you said single parent, Veronica wants it only for single mothers," Eric clarifies. "She called me a bigot and misogynist when I told her we needed to keep things equal."

"No," I gasp.

Eric reaches over and taps on the email in question and the whole back and forth pops up.

"Okay, I see your point but how do you get her to stop emailing you with everything that comes to her mind, when it comes to her mind," I ask, noting that some emails were send in the middle of the night.

"I will tell her you agreed to work with me on that and she should just focus on not turning her baby into the second coming of Uriah…"

"Your funeral," I state and Eric shakes his head.

"Honestly, the way she acts I really fear for who her child will turn out to be. It is like she is possessed by a crossbreed of Jeanine and Marcus," he huffs.

"Do you think Marcus donates just to be allowed to masturbate for a selfish cause," I tease and Eric pretends to vomit.

"Maybe his son was dared to make a donation?" Eric looks serious.

"No," I state with conviction.

"You don't know that, Tris!"

"No, she showed me the specifics of her donor and it doesn't fit the bill," I explain.

"She knows specifics?"

"Yes, didn't you listen when I told you earlier that we get choices?"

"I did but it it didn't register. So what is on it?"

Eric looks like he really wants to know.

"Random facts like penis size," I lie with a straight face.

"What?! No! Are you fucking with me?" I nod and Eric growls. "Seriously though. Could you identify your donor with it?"

"Afraid to be found out?"

"Well… I don't know," Eric admits.

"Okay, I think you need to see it to believe it," I state and get up.

Walking into my study, I wonder if I am making the right choice by showing Eric my shortlist, but then I do still feel like he needs it in order to come to terms with how everything came to be. He will forever wonder what Jeanine hasn't told him, I am sure.

Decision made, I grab the folder from my drawer.

"Here," I say, handing it over before sitting down beside him. Grabbing my bottle, I take a few more sips. "Sorry, do you want something to drink?"

"I am fine, thanks,' Eric mumbles while looking at the first profile.

I haven't looked at them since I made my choice and now I am kind of curious again, so I read over his shoulder.

Candidate: 7388367

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Hair colour: dark

Eye colour: dark

IQ: unknown

Height: 5'7"

Weight: 155lbs

Candidate: 2894567

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Hair colour: medium

Eye colour: dark

IQ: 115

Height: 5'4"

Weight: 120lbs

Candidate: 7351129

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Hair colour: fair

Eye colour: light

IQ: unknown

Height: 5'5"

Weight: 165lbs

Candidate: 9352856

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Hair colour: dark

Eye colour: dark

IQ: 130

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 160lbs

"Alright, I agree that it could be almost anyone," Eric states when he is done with the last profile.

"I told you they kept it generic while giving me some options."

"So…. Who did you choose to become your baby daddy?"

"Does it matter," I ask.

"Uh, yes!" Eric exclaims. "Do you want your child to be possibly smart? Are you okay with it being at risk of being obese like daddy? Totally Candor, by the way!"

"I chose what I thought would compliment me best," I hedge, still not divulging anything.

"Oh, come on, Tris. The only one looking like you is the overweight Candor of unknown intellect. You are smart, I bet the hundred and thirty IQ is closer to yours than then hundred and fifteen one. Who did you choose?"

"It doesn't matter, my child will be a blend," I deflect once more.

"That's not as smart as I thought you'd be with a careful selection of high prized sperm," Eric goads.

"I have an IQ of hundred and fifty," I growl and Eric whistles. "Fuck," I groan.

"Hey, former Erudite here." Eric pokes his chest. "I knew you were smart but to hear it confirmed is a different thing."

"As if you don't know yours," I counter.

"I do but only because I took the option when Max dragged me to that damned clinic," Eric grouses.

"And," I ask, eager to find out how smart he is.

"I only got hundred and forty," he grumbles.

"Do you consider that bad," I dare ask.

"No, it is a great result but I liked to think of myself the smartest on the team."

I can't help myself, I laugh until I am crying.

"Thank you, I needed that," I giggle.

"Yeah, laugh it up. So, who's done it?"

"Are you trying to mimic Uriah?"

"No."

"Logically, it should be the last profile. Did you know that a blonde and a dark haired one can produce a ginger? Are you giving birth to a little carrot, Tris?"

"Fuck off," I growl, snatching the folder out of his hands.

"Fine," Eric huffs. "Are you really going to endure me throwing out random guesses for the next seven months?"

"Eight," I correct automatically.

"Eight," Eric asks. "Then why are you gagging like crazy?"

"If I knew then I could prevent it," I growl and Eric raises his hands in defeat.

"Honestly, Tris. That doesn't sound healthy. Are you sure you are pregnant and not sick?"

"I took three tests and the blood tests came back yesterday. I am pregnant, just unlucky with morning sickness, I guess."

"You guess? Well, maybe that sperm was contaminated. The last one sounded Erudite, he might have worked somewhere dangerous…"

"Every last sperm was screened," I remind him. "They somehow wash it, check it for viability and mobility and whatever else and then they freeze it in smaller batches as it's only good for a few hours compared to fresh from the source," I hiss.

"I doubt they will check for mutated sperm of a mad scientists…"

"Will you stop that already! My baby will be fine and I didn't pick the mad scientist. Those were the rejects," I exclaim and then I wish I could take it back. Eric looks way too excited. "No," I groan when he opens his mouth.

"Just for comparison. Who did you pick instead?"

"Why does it matter?"

"I am starting to enjoy myself again. The profiles are too broad to narrow down, none of them are me. I am excited."

"You are full of shit, Eric!"

"Look, I prefer this to having to deal with Veronica," he tells me earnestly.

"She has been a bit tiresome lately," I admit.

"No, Tris, she has been a nightmare and I thought that before I even knew she was carrying Satan's child."

"Hey, that child is innocent until proven guilty," I exclaim and Eric laughs.

I can't help but stare. I don't think I ever saw him relaxed and carefree. Is it because of all the personal stuff we have been sharing? Are we friends now?

"Yes, I think we could be friends," Eric agrees and I blush. Did I say only this out loud or all of it?! "Now, friends gossip and share. So… Tell Me!"

He widens his eyes and tries to look cute but it just doesn't work for him.

"Will you stop if I show you the profile?" I demand to know.

"Of course!"

"No, I mean. The moment I hand it over you cease all comment about my baby, its DNA and shortcomings of the father," I clarify.

"Fine," Eric groans. "Take all my fun away. Let me get back to my boring life being Veronica's personal go to guy when she can't sleep and clean up Max's messes."

"Not one word," I order and Eric nods.

"Okay," I sigh and get up. This time I am grabbing the photo album Veronica gifted me. "Here!"

Eric looks surprised but then eagerly takes it. He opens it and stares at the picture I took of the positive pregnancy test before I printed and taped it to the page he is looking at. Slowly, he thumbs through the still empty album before glaring at me.

"First page," I grin. "The inside of the cover," I add.

Candidate: 7394725

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Hair colour: fair

Eye colour: light

IQ: 143

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 170lbs

Eric silently stares at my chosen donor's profile.

"You can make a comment," I sigh when he keeps this up for what feels like ages.

"Tris," Eric croaks and finally looks at me. "Fucking Jeanine," he suddenly hisses and I feel like fainting.

"No, you don't know that just by looking at a piece of paper. This is vague," I argue. "You are taller than six foot one," I remind him.

"I had a growth spurt after."

"You said your IQ was…"

"I rounded it," he growls.

"Right, and you still remember how much you weighted at that moment," I bring up my last point.

"I am sure Max still has that damned muscle mass observation chart buried somewhere on his desk," Eric hisses. "We can go and check if you like!"

"You are the one who insisted on looking at this," I exclaim, waving my hand at the folder and picture album. "Here, let me," I order when I see him almost bending the hardcover with his fingers.

Eric lets go and just watches me put is safely out of reach.

"I honestly didn't think about who it might be. When I saw the height, I just assumed with my smaller one that the child would be more average and the hair colour matches mine, " I trail off. Looking at the paper now, it kind of looks like Eric despite no faction specific details. "I liked your IQ," I admit quietly. "Being smart never hurts…"

"You don't have to defend your choices, Tris. It's rather logical and doing what you did, I would expect you to tackle the selection with just as much thoroughness as you did while investigating the 'adopt a sperm' offer," Eric sighs.

"What now," I ask and Eric looks at me weirdly. "You gave up all rights and I am sure you never expected the semen to be used, especially given the fact that it was done as punishment for being yourself," I chuckle. 'It's just that now you know…" I point down towards my stomach and Eric's eyes follow my line of sight.

"It's yours, Tris. I am not going to cause trouble for you…"

"You don't feel weird knowing this is your child," I gasp.

"I… this needs time to sink in, Tris. At the moment I honestly don't feel much more than annoyance but not with you,' he hastily adds, sensing I am about to misconstrue his words.

"Well, I feel weird knowing I am carrying your child. That you will see it from time to time but never acknowledge it as yours. That you are not allowed to do so even if you wanted to. What will I say if he or she asks about who daddy is? I'll have to purposely lie to my own child now," I cry and Eric looks horrified. "Don't mind me, it's all hormones!"

"At least you are not gagging," Eric whispers in my ear when he cautiously pulls me closer to his chest.

"I don't want to lie to my child," I hiccup.

"Maybe you don't have to…"

I move until I can look at him.

"What?"

"You don't have to lie, Tris," he sighs. "If the question, no, when the question gets asked, be honest."

"We don't know for sure…"

"Wanna bet?"

"No."

"Come on, if you are right, I release you from helping me and let Veronica do it in your stead."

"Are you that sure," I gasp.

"Yes." Eric nods.

"And if you are right," I ask quietly. My mind is in such upheaval, I don't know what to feel or think anymore.

"Then we'll know for sure."

"And then," I ask.

"Nothing," Eric promises and I nod.

"There is a kind of genetic testing that can be done with a blood sample. They'll isolate the baby's DNA," I explain.

"Are you willing?"

"Yes, I want to know," I admit.

"We already know," Eric counters.

"You are back to being sure of yourself, I'd like to see proof."

"Make the appointment and let me know. Is it too early?"

"I don't know. I am not that well versed in all things pregnancy. All I did was choose a donor, inject some hormones and when the machine I was given told me I was ovulating I was handed a syringe full of sperm," I shrug and Eric cringes.

"I think I prefer the old fashioned method," he states and I look at him.

"Are you just referring to the method or sex in general?"

"Sex is for procreation and not simply pleasure in every other species, Tris," Eric reminds me needlessly. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am not going to dry heave nor will I swoon. Let me ask Jeanine how best to conduct this whole business."

The email reply is swift and not as surprising as it should be.

"Jeanine wants us to come over as soon as possible."

"Alright, let's head to the train," Eric orders and I feel like hurling again.

Eric POV

Tris looks a bit green again and grabs for the bucket.

"Maybe I should get a truck," I muse. "You can keep the bucket."

"Okay," she tells the bottom of said bucket and I send my own email request.

"Do you need to change or are you ready to go?"

"I don't fucking care what I look like right now. My head will be in this bucket for a while."

"Boots," I ask.

"Door!"

"Jacket?"

"Door, Eric. Just grab it and bring it here!" Tris sounds exhausted and I feel bad for dragging her through the city but I want to know.

One hour and twenty minutes later I am finally walking Tris into Erudite. Her head is stuck in the bucket and we are getting more than a few odd looks.

"We have an appointment with Jeanine," I tell the receptionist who just waves us through to the elevator.

"Eric," Jeanine greets me excitedly. "Oh, Tris. Sick already?"

Tris grumbles something that Jeanine thankfully doesn't hear but I am sure there were a few swear words included.

"Come on, everything is ready for you. Eric, this is your room. Tris, you are one door down," Jeanine states and leaves me standing in front of the first door while guiding Tris by her elbow to the next one.

There really is nothing to it. A blood sample, a double check of the correct label and I am free to go.

Tris is nowhere in sight so I head to the room Jeanine pointed out.

I remember to knock and Jeanine opens almost immediately.

"Oh, just a moment, Eric. Why don't you…"

"What is that,' I ask when a weird staccato sound with some crazy whooshing background comes through some speakers behind her.

"Strong heartbeat," someone says and I push past Jeanine.

Tris is lying on a bed and a woman is pushing a wand into her stomach.

"What the fuck," I exclaim and Tris looks at me with tears in her eyes.

"Quiet," the woman hisses at me without looking up. "It sounds good, Tris. Next time we can do an ultrasound unless you want Dauntless to take over your care? No, lie still and let the drip finish," she orders and I just notice that Tris is hooked up to a drip.

"Can't you do it now," Tris begs, seemingly eager to see the baby.

"It would have to be transvaginal," the woman cautions.

"I don't care," Tris grouses. "Eric turn around!"

"Why," I ask.

"Because I need to get naked," Tris states and I turn around to a smirking Jeanine.

"You screwed up," I hiss at her.

"Did not," she hisses back.

"If that baby turns out to be mine I demand you refuse every Dauntless man below the age of twenty unless he comes with a letter from two of our doctors."

"You think Veronica's ravings about Pedrads and dares were sensible," Jeanine hisses.

"Of course. Those dares happen every year, you should really keep an count of how many Dauntless show up here."

Jeanine gets distracted by something behind me and I don't even think before I turn around.

"What the fuck," I groan when I see Tris with her knees bent beneath a towel and the woman practically hidden underneath it.

"Look," Tris gushes and points to the screen.

"What am I looking at?"

"That blob in the bottom right corner," Tris says, not taking her eyes off the screen.

"And?"

"That's my baby," Tris cries and I squint my eyes.

"I don't see it," I admit and all three women exclaim in horror.

"Men," Jeanine groans. "See, that's one of the reasons I have so many women apply for my services. Men are just not meant for more than administering the sperm!"

"Hey, there are involved fathers all over the place," I protest.

"Yet the women chose to decline the option," Jeanine counters.

"Uh, I actually did it because I couldn't find one I thought dedicated enough," Tris interjects.

"Well, there's that. The selection is not that diverse anyway. All those testosterone laden machos…"

"Jeanine, Dauntless don't use drugs," Tris interrupts once more. "We work out to keep fit, it's part of the job requirement."

"There is still too much dick measuring going on. Just look at Max avoiding me for months," Jeanine laments.

"Max doesn't count. Aaron listened. Eric is here…"

"Eric just wants to know if he can blackmail me in the future," Jeanine interrupts and Tris glares at me.

"It would come in handy," I start and Tris growls. "Hold your horses, Tris, I wasn't done. Jeanine screwed up and we will have it in writing soon enough. We BOTH have knowledge she doesn't want to come out but that doesn't mean it's the only reason I am here. I want to know," I admit. "If that is mine," I nod to the screen "I will give you all the support you need…" I step closer and push my hand over her mouth when she is about to interrupt. "But even if it isn't I will still work to make life easier for all females on Dauntless. Some changes ARE needed," I finally admit.

Tris blinks a few times, I am not sure if she is trying to clear the moisture.

"Ooh, look what I found," the woman with her hand still in between Tris' legs shouts with glee.

"Yes," Jeanine exclaims excitedly.

"What," I dare ask, staring at the screen that is still just a mix of white, black and grey blobs, lines and weird shapes.

Tris' hand grabs mine and entwines our fingers. She tugs gently and when I finally free her mouth she is the one to ask for details.

"That's number two," the woman says.

"Really?" Tris sounds excited.

"Yes, it would also explain why you are feeling so poorly already, I thought it was hyperemesis gravidarum but it could just be caused by the increased hormones from carrying multiples. You were on our new hormone injections?"

"Yes, my period was a bit wonky," Tris admits without blinking. "They said to use it to regulate and increase my chances."

"Yes, that was wise but it also increased the risk of multiple eggs being released and subsequently fertilised. I don't see more than those two," she moves the wand around and Tris' grip on my fingers tightens "but we'll find out soon enough."

"I think Tris is a bit uncomfortable with you rummaging around down there," I state and Tris groans, finally looking as embarrassed as I expected her to be way earlier.

"Typical man," the woman growls but slowly retreats her hand.

"Jesus, you stuck that up Tris' pussy," I exclaim when I see the size of the ultrasound wand.

"It's nothing compared to what coming out in a few months," the woman tells me, pointing the wand right at me.

"Dara, he is a man," Jeanine reminds her needless but the woman just glares at me and nods.

"I'll print you some pictures, Tris. Go clean up a bit and dress," she recommends, suddenly sounding like the sweetest person ever.

"Eric?" Tris is tugging on her hand and I release it immediately. "Uh, would you mind," Tris asks when I don't move from her side.

"What?"

"I need to clean the gel off and get dressed." Tris points to her towel clad nether region and I sigh.

"You want me to wait outside?" Tris nods eagerly and Jeanine tells me to just wait out front, she wants to talk to us in her office.

When we are settled in Jeanine's office she gets right down to business.

"The results came in while Tris got dressed…"

"Already? That can't be right. Nobody can sequence DNA that fast," I argue.

"The wonders of medical advancements," Jeanine growls. "You are benefiting from them right this moment, mind you. We are not even at the level I want to be at. I am way behind on my plans for the artificial uterus. All you'd need in the future would be an egg and sperm and…"

"Jeanine," Tris interrupts her quickly. "The results?"

"Oh yes, we split your samples in two and ran them parallel to each other. They found you are carrying twins as well. Fraternal. I was told the gender and that they'll both be healthy, just as expected. Do you want to know their genders?"

"Paternity, Jeanine," I growl and she scowls at me.

"Patience. Tris, would you like to know the gender of your babies?"

"Can you answer Eric first," Tris asks, looking every bit as impatient as I do.

"Yes," Jeanine sighs and digs in her top drawer for something. "Here, Eric. I need you to sign this. I had it prepared by Jack, just in case…"

"Jeanine," Tris growls while I open the folder.

"Just sign on the dotted line and the babies will be Tris' alone, absolving you from any responsibility…"

Tris slaps the pen Jeanine handed me right out of my hand and off the table.

"Don't even think about it," she screeches at me. "Just fucking say it, Jeanine!"

"We accidentally released Eric's sperm into the program and you picked him as your donor, Tris," Jeanine huffs.

"And now you want to cover your ass by having Eric sign that paper. Over my dead body," Tris hisses.

"Tris, it was never meant to be used. I have no problem signing the paper," I tell her quietly.

"You are going to shut up right now, Eric. There was no time to think about anything. She didn't even bother to tell you outright but shoved some legal papers in your hand that …" Tris grabs the folder and looks down. "…relinquish all rights you might have including demanding restitution from Erudite. No! We will take this home with us and you will take a few days before you make a choice. This is not right," she mutters.

"Tris," Jeanine sighs. "You chose not to have a man involved. Eric chose to have his sperm destroyed. This will just reset the button for both of you and you both get what you wanted from the beginning."

"But Eric knows and if he wants to be on the birth certificate I am not denying him," Tris counters. "He can't make a decision today, he needs time to think," she repeats and I know what she is getting at. "There is no going back once you sign," she tells me and I know it. "I will keep going to Erudite until you make a decision. Once you do, I, or we, will make the choice who will look after the remainder of the pregnancy and what papers we will file. This is non-negotiable," Tris states and I nod. "We will let you know, Jeanine, but this is something only the two of us can decide. Eric, I would like to leave now."

"Sure. Where is your bucket?"

"I left it in the room," Tris groans.

"I'll get it for you," I offer and she smiles at me weakly.

"Please?"

The woman, Dara, is still there when I just walk in.

"What…"

"Just here to retrieve Tris' bucket," I state, already grabbing it and heading back to the door.

"Wait," Dara calls after me and I stop. "Here, take those with you. I made duplicates."

She hands me a small envelope and when I peek inside I see those are ultrasound pictures and two small discs.

"Did you sign the papers?"

I stare at her and she shuffles her feet.

"I know what Jeanine does in circumstances like yours, Eric. She pushes liability away from Erudite."

"No. Tris told me to take a few days," I hear myself admit for some reason.

"Don't sign it out of principle. Talk to Tris, she is an amazing woman, and while you might not have chosen her as mother of your children, she will do a fantastic job, I am sure."

"But," I ask, knowing there is one.

"But, just like most men, you didn't plan on these children and need to come to terms with their existence. It's no difference to real life. For women it is real from the first moment they know about the baby. Men don't have that connection, most don't until the birth. I saw your face when you realised you heard the heartbeat. You were wondering about the 'what if's' and that's the hardest part. You have to make a decision now for not just you but your children as well," Dara states. "You deserve to get to know your children just as much as they deserve to get to know you, now that we all know who fathered them."

I nod and leave the door with the envelope clutched in one hand and the bucket in the other.

Tris is already waiting for me outside of Jeanine's office with Jeanine nowhere in sight.

"Let's go!"

"Do you have to go back or can we go somewhere else?"

I don't look at Tris when I slow down the truck and move it to the side of the road.

"My schedule was cleared before I went to see you. It's getting late, Tris. Aren't you hungry?"

"No, the thought of food at the moment is a bit unappealing. Dara gave me something for the nausea but I just don't feel like eating. I want to take a walk, would you mind joining me?"

"Where?"

If Tris wants to take a walk then we'll take a walk.

"Would you mind driving towards Abnegation?"

"Do you want to visit your parents?"

"I am not allowed to, Eric. Abnegation has strict rules and while I can enter the sector, I am not welcome to visit them. They would be considered selfish to entertain me when others have to say goodbye to their children forever. My mother visiting me once a year is the most selfish thing she has ever done."

"Just tell me where to go," I demand quietly and Tris nods.

She leads me to an empty parking lot.

"Abnegation don't have cars for personal use, they walk or take the bus," Tris explains when I look around.

I follow her down a path and then I suddenly hear children. The trees are blocking my view but when we round a corner I see an area has been cleared and nature itself is providing all the tools children need to entertain themselves.

Tris moves to the side, walking just inside the tree line until we reach an area where some trees have been cut recently. She sits down on a stump while I come to stand slightly behind her.

"I grew up playing here. This is the playground we were never officially allowed to have. Abnegation would have never spent precious resources on climbing frames, slides and all the other things we have around the school yard," she sighs. "Nobody can find fault in enjoying nature for a little while. It is God's creation after all. Children are encouraged to leave no trace in accordance with the teachings to cherish and preserve what we were given."

Tris falls silent while we watch the Abnegation children play. Just like Tris said, there is no fancy equipment but the bushes and small trees provide plenty of options. Most of them play chase, using the obstacles to their advantage. Then there are those sitting around a small pond, playing with what looks like mud.

I can see one boy starting to chase a frog but a surprisingly high number of children ask him to stop and leave the creature be. He hangs his head and trods over to what must be his mother working in a different area.

"Is that a garden," I ask in surprise.

"Yes, the community garden. Parents or older siblings stay busy and useful while the little ones play. Standing around, twiddling thumbs is frowned upon," Tris explains once more.

"And the food," I ask.

"Goes to those who need it," Tris confirms.

We watch in silence for a bit longer. I am quite focused on five boys dragging branches around, trying to create a sort of tent when someone clears their throat behind me.

I turn around and take a protective stance in front of Tris.

"I mean no harm," the older Abnegation woman tells me.

I can feel Tris get up behind me.

"Sit down," I order, but of course she doesn't listen.

"I am fine, Eric." Tris comes to stand beside me. "Hi mom!"

Tris' mother eyes me for a moment before nodding her head in greeting.

"Sarah Black told me you were here after Susan stopped by on her way home with her boys."

"Who needs a telephone in Abnegation," Tris teases.

"Only the council," her mother agrees before eyeing me again.

"Sorry," Tris apologises. "Mom, this is Eric Coulter, a fellow leader. Eric, this is my mother, Natalie Prior."

"Mrs Prior," I greet, bowing my head slightly.

"Mr Coulter," Tris mom replies, nodding her head in acknowledgement. "What brings you here?"

"Tris," I reply honestly.

"That explains the how but not the why." She raises a delicate eyebrow at me and despite her darker hair and complexion, I can see the resemblance clearly.

"We were just on our way back from Erudite and took a little detour. We won't disrupt and we won't stay much longer," I promise.

"Hm… Beatrice, does the man not know how to answer properly?"

"It is just as Eric said. We were on our way back and we had time to spare," Tris repeats what I just said.

"You have been coming here a lot lately," her mother says in that quiet voice that could as well be her shouting. It's as sharp as a knife, cutting deep if you step out of line. Will Tris use this voice on our children, I wonder.

"I feel at peace here," Tris admits just as quietly, her tone of voice telling everyone to back off.

I am sure she will be using this a lot once her pregnancy becomes common knowledge.

"And bringing a colleague doesn't impede on your peace?" The eyebrow rises higher, showing her disbelief. "Dauntless is always busy, never slowing down. Is Mr Coulter in need of some peace and quiet time as well?"

"We were just passing and I asked him to stop. He is humouring me," Tris assures.

"Oh, I noticed that but I also believe there is another motive, a hidden agenda…"

"Nobody is out to get me," Tris groans. "This is a completely harmless and innocent outing."

Her mother looks disbelievingly but does not question us further,

"It is getting late but I will be seeing you soon. Visiting Day is not too far off," Mrs Prior states, and with a sad smile for Tris turns and leaves us alone.

"Oh god, she knows," Tris groans.

"What?!"

I turn around to look at her and see just a ton of hair buried in a pair of hands.

"She knows," Tris repeats through her hands.

"She doesn't," I assure.

"She is my mother, of course she knows. She honed in on all the right things. That I keep coming here. That I brought you. I can't stop touching my stomach and she kept glancing. You standing guard in front of me didn't help either," Tris groans.

"I did not. You were right beside me," I argue.

"You kept inching forward and you may notice that I am still behind you."

"Okay, I do notice now but who is to say it was me that moved?"

Tris drops her hands and glares at me.

"The law of physics, Eric. If I am static then you moved. Really simple!"

"Come on, it's getting dark," I say instead of an answer.

Tris looks up at the sky.

"Time sure flew. I am hungry," she declares and starts the trek back with me hot on her heels.

"Promise me you won't come out here on your own again," I demand when we finally reach the truck.

"What? No! Why?"

"Did you even realise how many roots were sticking out and tripping you on the way back? Then there is the seclusion of this spot. Nobody is walking this way because nobody has a car. And I know where the closest train stop is, Tris. It is an even longer trek."

"I have done it plenty of times in the past seven years, Eric. I know this territory like the back of my hand," she boasts.

"Do you really wants to risk the babies?"

"That was a low blow, Eric!"

Tris pulls door open with such force, it bangs into the side and swings back. I grab it before it can make impact with Tris' body and almost miss her slipping on the step.

"Jesus, Tris. What else do you need to see that I am right?!"

"Don't start, Eric. Get in and drive the fucking truck home," Tris hisses.

I storm around and bang my own door just as violently as Tris.

"This is ridiculous," I growl when I start the truck. "You can't demand Dauntless be baby-proved when you refuse to take simple safety precautions just because you have done something before getting pregnant."

Tris is silent but when we are about to pull into the maintenance yard she finally talks to me again.

"You are right," she states so quietly, I almost miss it.

"I know," I agree.

"I still want to go…"

"Then ask someone to go with you," I urge. "But not Veronica," I amend quickly. "Or anyone else pregnant," I add.

"Would you like to give me a list of people approved to accompany me outside the compound?"

"Just ask me and I will go with you. We can't do it spur of the moment but I will make the time if you give me advanced notice," I hear myself promise Tris.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want anything to happen to you or our babies if I can prevent it," I growl and Tris blinks twice, not saying one word.

Finally she clears her throat.

"So you made up your mind?"

Did I? On one hand the logical thing would be to sign the papers and pretend nothing ever happened but on the other hand I do know what is going on. That the babies Tris is carrying are mine. My children. My sons or daughters, or maybe one each? I won't find out until someone tells me. I won't be allowed to acknowledge their very existence and I won't be allowed to take them places, teach them things. Fuck, I wouldn't even have the right to talk to them without reason!

"I want to know them," I admit.

"Good. You deserve it as much as I do. These are our children, we both have the right to be with them whenever we want and can," Tris assures.

"You have no problem with that? Didn't you say you wanted to do it alone? No man involved?"

"Things change, Eric. Just because I can do it alone doesn't mean I have to. I chose to have children because I was ready, not because I found the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I am their mother, you are their father. We can make things work for us."

"That simple?"

"No, it won't be, I am more than aware," Tris states. "We clash ever so often and it won't be any different. What we need to agree on is what we want for these children. Once we come to an agreement the rest will fall into place. Oh, thank god we are here. I am absolutely famished and the meds are working miracles. My stomach didn't heave once since we left Erudite!"

Tris is out of the truck before I know it and she doesn't even wait for me, I have to run in order to catch up.

"Where are you going?"

"The cafeteria. I don't have real food at home, couldn't stand the smell or keep it down." Tris calls out, not stopping.

"I have food, Tris. Can we talk in private," I beg, and finally she slows down.

"What kind of food?"

"Uh, left overs from yesterday. There is food in my freezer… enough stuff to make sandwiches…"

"Left overs?"

"I took enough for two days so yes, there is enough for two people," I explain.

"I didn't pay attention to the meal plan. What did they serve yesterday?"

"I got lasagna…"

"Okay," Tris agrees before I am done. "Garlic bread?"

"Yes, and I have some vegetables… why are you shaking your head?"

"Real food first, I am on added vitamins already so I can indulge for once. Come on, Eric."

Tris is rushing back to the apartments now and I am once more wondering how come I am running after her. I catch up to her when she trips but too late to stop her from stumbling against the wall.

"Fucking slow down already, Tris. See what just happened," I admonish while checking her over. "The food won't get stolen while we are gone. It's in the fridge and won't spoil. Just… take it easy, please?!"

"Eric," Tris squeals and grabs my shoulder.

Oops, didn't realise I pushed my hands under her sweater but while I am here I am going to make sure everything is fine.

"Eric," Tris squeaks when I slide one hand in between her stomach and waistband.

"Just making sure you didn't hurt yourself. We need more light here, I can't see a god damned thing," I groan while gently rubbing over her skin, listening for any sound of discomfort. Tris groans lowly and I look up at her face. "Does it hurt here?" I run my hand over the same spot and Tris closes her eyes. "Tris," I call, feeling a bit more panicked. "That's right where the babies are. Are you sore? Of course you are, does it hurt badly? Do we need to go back to Erudite? I am sure that Dara is more than willing to do another ultrasound…"

Tris grabs my shoulders and squeezes hard.

"Ow," I groan but she doesn't stop.

"Take your hands out of my underwear, Eric!"

I don't want to but her bruising grip on my shoulders makes me retrieve my hands slowly. Tris sighs immediately but doesn't let go. Thankfully, her death grip lessens and now she is just holding me in place.

"Tris," I start again but she shushes me.

"Home, now," she demands and finally removes her hands.

Standing up I look at her one more time but her expression is unreadable. Grabbing her hand firmly, I make sure to set a more moderate pace while providing her with added stability for the remainder of the trek.

"I need to take care of a few things," Tris squeaks when I am about to unlock my door.

"Like what? You said you were starving,' I challenge.

Tris mumbles something too quietly for me to hear so I just pull her inside after me.

"Sit down on the couch, it won't take long. I have a microwave!"

"Eric?"

I turn around from the kitchen door when Tris calls my name. Her face is all red and once more I chastise myself for not checking her over now that I have proper lighting.

"What are you doing now," Tris asks breathlessly when I kneel down in front of her and lift my hands.

"I couldn't see before, Tris. Now that we have proper lighting I should double check where it hurt," I explain while lifting her shirt.

"The babies are fine," Tris squeaks and pushes my hands down.

"You didn't sound fine earlier," I argue and succeed in pushing both hands beneath her shirt again. "Slide down the seat, I can't get past your waistband," I order and Tris' hands settle back onto my shoulders. "Ow," I complain again. "Stop that, Tris. We need to make sure they are fine, especially if you don't want to go back to Erudite. Maybe I should blackmail Jeanine into giving us an ultrasound machine for the time being? I mean, that's the easiest way to check they are well after you bump into something. Shit, I should start by adding proper lights every couple of feet. The tunnels and hallways are way too dark and don't get me started on the uneven floor! What were they thinking doing such sloppy work in the first place?! Dauntless don't concede, even when faced with hard work like making a floor smooth and even. Well not too smooth or else everyone will slip. Is there a special paint we can put down to make it smooth yet not slippery? I mean…"

Tris tries to suffocate me with her hands. Both of them are pressing down on my mouth and I have difficulty breathing.

"Take a deep breath and count to ten," Tris hisses at me and I am stumped. Does she not realise she is cutting off my oxygen supply? How am I supposed to take a deep breath?

I inhale greedily when Tris' hands drop into her lap.

"God, woman! How am I supposed to take a deep breath when I can't breathe at all," I all but shout at her.

"Take a chill pill," Tris groans and I stare at her.

"Take a what?!"

"Did you even hear yourself or was your brain to mouth filter deactivated? You were rambling like a lunatic about floors and even surfaces, Eric. You sounded fucking nuts, way worse than Veronica!"

"Take that back,' I gasp.

"No, I am not going to lie to you!"

"Tris, you basically flew into that wall," I remind her.

"I stumbled and caught myself," Tris corrects.

"Didn't look like it from where I was standing. And don't even think I forgot the unholy sounds you made…"

"There were no unholy sounds, Eric. I might have gasped and groaned but that wasn't because the babies got hurt," Tris defends herself.

"You don't groan or gasp for no reason at all," I argue once more.

"If you don't want me to gasp or groan just keep your hands out of my pants, Eric. You don't rub my clit and I swear, I won't make a sound next time you try to touch my 'stomach'. Just learn to fucking aim better because, while part of the babies came in from down there, they sure as hell are not sitting right there!"

"I didn't touch you inappropriately," I growl.

"You had a one track mind. Did you even realise you had both hands way down my underwear before I made you stop," Tris challenges.

"Just let me see and I will not touch," I promise.

Tris eyes me but then, with a deep sigh, slides down the couch and stops.

"Food first," she demands and I glare at her. "I am serious. Feed me first and then I will even open my pants and let you have a quick peek at my stomach!"

I am grumbling about my children's health while I stomp into the kitchen and Tris has the audacity to laugh. She was the one supporting Veronica's long list of things that need to be changed.

Maybe I should add those handrails to the priory list, I wonder while the microwave works. The shatterproof glass for the doors to public spaces doesn't sound so bad either, I muse when I almost drop one of the water glasses in the sink. Water quality! I have to ask about that. God, I need to start my own list. Prioritise what needs to be done right away, like all the physical hazards… but then contaminated water is just as bad. Tris drinks it every single day. She uses it to shower and brush her teeth. Whatever she ingests, so do the babies…

"Fuck," I gasp when Tris elbows me aside and grabs the plate from the microwave.

"It wasn't done,' I warn but she glares at me.

"You mean you didn't hear the alarm blare, pronouncing it hot for the last minute," she growls.

"I was busy," I defend myself, grabbing the plate out of her hands.

"With what," Tris challenges.

"I was thinking about work," I explain.

"In your free time?"

Why does she sound so disbelievingly?

"I do work the hours needed and I slacked off during the daytime hours. I was just working on my priority list," I explain.

"Are you agreeing to all the modifications Veronica demanded?"

"No, there are areas she totally forgot about but don't worry, I will take good care of you… what now?"

"Can we please turn the clock back to yesterday? I think I liked you better the way you were. Grumpy, afraid of children, not wanting to work on Max's neglected projects," Tris lists off and I scowl at her. "Eric, take a deep breath. Honestly, if I had known you would turn into … this." She waves her hand up and down my body.

"Then what," I growl. "You would have refused to let me take care of my children the only way I can? Really?!"

"I just think this is not you, Eric. You don't overreact, you think logically. Your brain is why your sperm came out the winner!"

I wordlessly pass her and drop the plate onto the table. I already set it with cutlery, plates and glasses full of water.

"Where is the garlic bread?"

"Shit, I forgot. I can go and heat the oven now. It will get soggy in the microwave," I groan.

"It's fine, Eric. It's not the end of the world. Just start the oven and put it in. We just need it warm," Tris recommends and sits down, looking at me expectantly.

I start the oven and place the bread inside before taking my seat opposite Tris.

"We need to talk about boundaries, Eric," Tris starts and I get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Hey, look at me. I think you are overwhelmed and need to sleep before we talk. This is a lot, I know that as well, but Eric, I can not be around you if you are like this. You will drive me nuts, increase my blood pressure and I might end up killing you and then I will have to give birth in jail."

I stay silent.

"Come on, Eric," Tris begs but I don't want to put my foot in my mouth again. "Can you at least look at me?"

I push another forkful in my mouth and look straight at her face.

"Eye contact?"

I make eye contact.

"Finish chewing!"

I dutifully chew and swallow.

"Clear your schedule for tomorrow morning and come over. I am off for at least another day. We will talk but not now, alright?" I nod. "Good, now get me the garlic bread!"

Tris POV

Just as agreed upon, Eric knocks on my door in the morning. He looks better and I smile at him in greeting.

"Did you eat breakfast yet?"

"I wasn't hungry…"

"Are you still upset with me," I ask, knowing full well he just didn't get it yesterday but I was hoping he would realise how much he overreacted.

"I am not upset with you, Tris. I just don't understand how you can be okay with all the dangers around Dauntless not being taken care of," he starts again.

"I want things taken care of but only what is really needed. You can't keep me in bubble wrap, Eric. I have a job to do, there will be initiation and then winter is approaching." I trail off and look at him. The twitch beside his eye is back and I brace myself.

"So you want me to neglect my job?"

"No, I want you to do your job, Eric. I never said otherwise but you felt out of sorts yesterday. Learning you are to become a father can't have been easy," I start and Eric glares at me. "Don't tell me you didn't feel overwhelmed and pulled in all different directions at once," I demand and he scowls.

"God, I really hope you get a grip on that before our kids copy you," I groan and this time his lips twitch.

"I still get to see them?"

"I never said otherwise, Eric. Just because I felt you were going overboard doesn't mean you aren't going to be involved. That's why we are here now, to hash out some details!"

"Just tell me what you want, Tris," Eric sighs.

"It doesn't work like that,' I remind him. "This is us making decisions for four people, Eric. Fine, do you want people to know you are the father of my babies?"

"Of course I do!"

"And what do we tell them, well, those close enough to ask how that came to be?"

"The truth?"

"That Jeanine misplaced your sperm and handed it over to me on a silver platter? It maybe the truth but nobody is going to believe that," I warn.

"A one night stand," Eric offers.

"Is that believable," I counter.

"I have them," Eric assures.

"Yes, but I don't."

"We had a fling?" I cringe. "Well, it's better than a drunken hook up, Tris." Eric looks at me expectantly.

"Fine," I sigh. "This is still better than just randomly fucking someone in a dark corner while drunk."

"What if we have daughters and they think that kind of behaviour is acceptable," Eric gasps suddenly.

"It is acceptable here," I remind him.

"Not for my children. I expect my daughters to have better judgement then to let any guy fuck," Eric shivers upon using that word. "Defile…" he cringes. "I won't let them behave like a hussy," he ends.

"And what about sons," I challenge and Eric swallows visibly.

"I would teach them to treat women with respect," he promises.

"Yes, and then they hear that we had a fling after you fucked women in dark corners for over ten years. They won't believe a word you say once that comes to light, Eric. Our past always comes back to haunt us, one of the reasons Abnegation strife to be humble and kind from the very beginning," I remind him.

"I can't change those facts but maybe we can say that we were in a committed relationship that didn't work out," Eric asks.

"That could work unless they ask more questions. I mean, if we tell that to our kids they will mention it to their friends. What if their parents are my friends and someone overhears? It's probably better to stick to the truth and face the music. You donated sperm I adopted, you found out and voila, we co-parent," I exclaim.

"No," Eric states vehemently and I cross my arms in front of my chest.

"Then we were out of options, Eric. Even if most of them will make their own assumptions, there are still those that we are friends with," I remind him.

"I don't have friends!"

"I don't believe that for one second but it doesn't matter because I do and mine are nosy," I declare.

"What did you plan on telling them anyway, Tris?"

"That I adopted some sperm from Jeanine's sperm bank. Simple and the truth," I add.

"Yes, but we agreed that we won't go with that. The fling would be the most believable but I don't want my daughters to want to be just like mommy…"

"Hey," I protest. "That's just daddy's made up excuse not how mommy lived her life. Mommy dated and had relationships. Don't throw my morals under the bus just to save your own ass." I glare at him and he looks exasperated.

"Fine, mommy and daddy were in a relationship and fell out of love before they were born. We can go on a few dates to support that claim and then it will be known as the truth to the faction."

"Fine," I sigh. This really is the best option he gave me. "Just one more question, Eric. How do you explain us going on dates now that I already am pregnant but nobody saw us together before? They'll assume I got pregnant and you are just the current flavour of the season," I groan.

"Jesus, Tris. Is your reputation really that important to you?"

"Yes, it is," I admit freely.

"Fine. We need to talk to Veronica, she is the only one that knows, right?"

"And Aaron," I admit.

"He knows you are pregnant or looking into the seed bank," he asks.

"He knows I participated," I admit.

"Fucking great," Eric groans but thankfully takes it in his stride. "Alright, we sit down with Veronica and Aaron and explain the truth to them and only them. For everyone else we just keep going as we were but be a bit more affectionate. As you said, they will make their own assumptions and if it's just hinted at they assume they simply missed the beginning and there will be no questions as to who fathered our babies when it becomes obvious you are pregnant."

Eric looks at me and I nod. He sighs in relief and slumps down.

"I'll take that coffee now."

"Uh, sorry. I don't have coffee, the smell didn't sit right with me and I am not really allowed to have it. Well, one cup but that's basically nothing," I ramble.

"Just get me whatever you are drinking," Eric groans and then closes his eyes when I pour two glasses of chocolate milk. "Really?"

"It has calcium and is fortified with folic acid and vitamin D, E, B12 and calcium," I explain proudly.

"It's still chocolate milk," Eric huffs but takes the offered glass.

"Anything personal I need to know before we do this," I ask and Eric spills some milk.

"What?"

"Intimate piercings, personal tattoos, deformations, kinks?" The last one I throw in only for shits and giggles.

"All piercings are clearly visible as are most of my tattoos. What the fuck do you mean by 'deformations'?"

"An extra toe?"

"No," Eric declares. "And as for kinks? Maybe I always dreamed of fucking a pregnant woman while drinking from her breasts."

It is my turn to spill my drink and I do so all over the table and myself. It still goes down the wrong pipe and I slap my sternum, hoping it will help clear my airways.

"I was just joking Tris," Eric admits when I am looking at him with watery eyes.

"You better have been because you would be stealing your children's food," I accuse.

"Not if they aren't even born yet," he counters.

"Isn't it semantics to argue about a moot point? We don't have to have sex in order to pretend to be together, especially when we already agreed to do it on the sly."

Eric looks a bit confused and I try to think about what I could have said wrong.

"Date on the sly, pretend we have for ages, not the sex," I correct and he smirks, letting me know I somehow messed up again. "We are not having sex in any shape or form," I state.

"But I can't ask anyone else to help me out either. Do you consider that fair?"

"I am carrying your children and won't get any either."

"I can't go that long without sex and you will feel horny come the next trimester," Eric states, grinning widely. "We could help each other out and make it authentic. You would know what you are talking about and so would I…"

"No!"

"You'll come around," Eric states offhandedly and drinks another sip of his milk.

Payback time.

"Alright, let's get it over with," I state and stand up, pulling my shirt over my head. Eric splashes milk all over but I keep going. I am shoving my jeans down my legs when Eric jumps up and grabs me. His hands miss mine but land on my hips.

"What are you doing, Tris?"

"Calling your bluff,' I hiss.

"It's not bluffing when all pregnancy books say that you will become unbelievably horny in your second trimester. I just said it would give authenticity to … can you please keep your underwear on?!"

Eric closes his eyes and I step out of my undies before undoing my bra.

"Take a good look now, this is the only time you will see it," I growl.

"Tris," Eric warns, keeping his eyes closed.

"My breasts already got bigger," I state while grabbing his hands and shoving them up my chest. "Do you feel that? They will get larger but this is already more than I used to have,' I explain and move his wrists so his hands more or less rotate around my mounds.

"Tris," Eric groans and his fingers flex.

"And this," I continue, pulling one hand off and down to my pelvis. "This is where our children currently reside. Not here," I move his hand down until his fingers rub my clit "nor here." I push him down further until his fingers stroke my lower lips, just like he came close to doing yesterday. "But as they grow they move further up because that's the only way they can go until they are ready to come out," I explain while pulling his hand back up to rest right below my chest. "I would suggest you open your eyes and look so you can gossip and brag with the best of them!"

I step back and dress while Eric stares at me like I am about to go off my rocker.

"Feeling better," he asks when I am fully dressed once more.

"No," I growl.

"Too bad. You have a great body and while I can't see signs of our children yet, I know that your body will take good care of them. Tris, what brought this on?"

Eric sounds concerned and I don't know what to tell him. He doesn't wait for me to speak before he steps closer and hugs me. I burrow into his chest and cry the silent tears I didn't know I would spill until I felt the fabric becoming moist.

"Shh, I've got you. Crazy hormones and all," Eric soothes and I cry a bit more.

I don't know how it happened but I find myself in Eric's lap on my couch and I am more than unwilling to let go and get up, but my bladder is demanding attention after a while.

"We are late for work," I hiccup.

"Aren't you off," Eric asks.

"I am but there is work to be done and I am feeling better."

"All cried out," he teases.

"I didn't mean to do that. I am sorry for being such a mess. I don't know what came over me and I am sorry, Eric."

"Are you going to strip naked in public and demand people to look at your body?"

"Of course not," I exclaim and stare at him in horror. "Why would you even ask that?"

"To take your mind of things. It's okay, Tris, I did a lot of research last night and mood swings will be in our lives until after the babies are here. Your body is still adjusting to the change in hormones, then it will change with the progressing pregnancy. Getting ready for birth and then getting back to normal once they are born. You are allowed to feel out of whack."

"Are you for real?"

"Uh, yeah? Did I put my foot in my mouth again?"

"Well, in a really nice way," I admit quietly and he sighs.

"Can we just agree to try and not take anything personal from now on. We'll both fuck up but you are the only one with a plausible excuse." I giggle at that before remembering my full bladder. "Go!"

I don't have to be told twice.

I stop in my tracks when I return from the bathroom.

"Why are you naked," I ask Eric who has turned his back to me.

"Equal footing, I saw yours, now you can see mine. No questioning the legality of any claim that we have seen each other naked. People will just assume it was at the same time. Come on, Tris, I know you want to take a good look at where your babies are coming from!"

"Ass," I grumble.

"What was that," Eric asks, looking at me over his shoulder.

"Ass," I repeat loud enough for him him to hear this time.

"No, you suck at biology," Eric laughs while turning his head back.

I have to admit I take a moment to admire his physique. His muscles are well defined and the ass I joked about is nice and firm, leading the way to two strong legs.

Settling my hand onto his shoulder blades I run them down slowly, watching the goosebumps form as I go. I am only grazing his cheeks with the tips of my fingers but he clenches them nicely.

"Hmmm," I appraise, "well, that's something I hope my sons will inherit."

Eric takes a deep breath and I decide it is time to face him.

With the fingers of my right hand trailing over his flesh, I slowly walk around.

"Oh, I forgot about the phoenix," I exclaim when I see his rib cage.

I start at the head, just touching his pec and follow the body down to his hip. While Eric takes his shirt off during workouts and training fights, I never realised that the tail doesn't end where I always thought it did but ventures further to his hipbone and then a single feather unfurls down and into his pubic hair.

"It's basically pointing to your dick," I state.

"Well, yes," Eric hedges.

My fingers are lingering on his hip bone and, while I keep rubbing absentmindedly, I realise that while he started off flaccid, Eric's penis is rising to the occasion.

"Is he trying to say 'hi," I tease. "It's okay,' I assure quickly. "One more thing I can talk about accurately."

"Nobody is going to ask you about the size of my dick…"

"Of course they are going to ask. That's a standard question, Eric. It looks good," I compliment.

"Big enough?"

"Well," I hedge. "I would have to touch to know for sure."

"Why do you need to touch? Eyeball it," Eric encourages, clearly not realising what he just said.

"You want my eyes on your balls," I tease while already bending forward to look.

"Not what I meant," Eric groans and I giggle.

"I know. May I," I ask, nodding my head to his erection.

"Uh.."

"Come on, let me see how big my sons might be," I tease and Eric closes his eyes.

"Go ahead," he allows.

I gently touch the skin, and of course it is silky smooth. Tracing a vein along the length, I watch it twitch lightly. Closing my hand around the shaft, I finally measure what the questions will be about. Girth.

"You'll pass the gossip test," I assure and let go.

"That's good," Eric says with a slightly rough voice.

"You can get dressed again, Eric. Thank you for proving that you don't have an extra toe hidden away."

That gets me a chuckle out of him and when I purposely walk into the kitchen to give him time to get dressed, I question the wisdom of my choices.

Under different circumstances I wouldn't mind getting further acquainted, not at all, but unfortunately that's not an option for us.

Eric follows me once dressed and joins me to finish our breakfast.

"Where are you off to today," he asks me when I bring him to the door.

"I promised to visit the daycare and I need to get some paperwork done. You?"

"Digging deep into the pile Max threw me on and getting the ball rolling for some maintenance work."

"Don't overdo it," I warn.

"Let me do my job, Tris."

"I will but I am asking you to think twice about every modification you consider over the next couple of months. Do it because the faction needs them and not because of what you perceive as a hazard to me," I warn.

"I will not rush into things,' he promises and I nod.

"See you later, Tris." Eric bends down and, for a moment, I think he is about to kiss me but he just hugs me gently before letting himself out the door.

It is late by the time I trudge home and I am feeling so exhausted, I only eat a quick snack before falling into bed.

Tomorrow I will go shopping, I promise myself.

My bed is so cosy and I am still so tired when the alarm blares, I linger too long and now I am running late and still without much food at home. Deciding a detour past the cafeteria is in order, I groan in annoyance when I see the crowd. There is a massive line for the buffet and I am considering turning around when two strong hands grab my shoulders. While I gasp loudly in surprise, I am relieved that it is not a squeak.

"I got you food, come on," Eric says, already pulling me away from my place in the line. His focus is on a table in the far back and when we get closer I can see two plates and …

"You got me chocolate milk?"

"Did you want coffee?"

"No, I'd rather not risk it yet. Thank you!"

"Don't mention it. Eat, Tris," Eric orders and pushes my plate over.

"That's a lot," I gasp.

"You are eating for three. Take what you want and leave the rest for me."

Looking down I see a greasy sausage and immediately push it onto Eric's plate.

"Keep that out of my sight," I demand while inspecting the rest.

The muffin is a go, as are the eggs and toast. I don't care much for the tomato but it's okay to stay for now.

Taking a big gulp from my milk I then start eating slowly.

"Are you feeling nauseous again," Eric asks me quietly.

"No, the meds are working really well so far but I don't want to push my luck. Slow and steady is good for now."

"Anything else next time?"

"I plan on actually stopping for groceries today, Eric. It's easier to make what I feel like. Thank you for grabbing me a plate though, that line was moving slowly," I complain.

"Anytime," he states before we continue in silence.

Once we are done Eric grabs my plate and glass, leaving me with nothing to do but follow him towards the exit.

I am just walking ahead of him when both sides of the door swing open and one just happens to catch me.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing," Eric roars at the poor boy while pulling me aside. "Are you okay?"

I slap his hands away before he can do another public inspection and nod silently.

"I am good. No harm done," I tell the boy who is blocked from passing us by Eric.

"Watch what you are doing, you could have hurt someone beyond repair," Eric growls and I hiss at him to stop it. "Tris, he hit you with the door!"

"And it barely touched me. We are fine, Eric, don't cause a scene."

Eric sighs and holds the door open for me.

"Are you sure it didn't bump into the babies?"

"I am sure. Are you going to scream it from the rooftop that I am expecting and they better make a wide berth around me?"

I am only half teasing but when Eric seems to be considering it I nip it straight in the butt.

"Are you free for lunch," I ask.

"You want a lunch date?"

"No, I want to talk to Aaron and Veronica. Lunchtime is good, Max always heads home."

"Oh… but what about food? You need to eat," Eric reminds me.

"I can order something for all of us to be brought up," I offer.

"Fine, let's get this over with," Eric sighs.

"It has to be done," I remind him.

Eric doesn't reply but his icy look speaks volumes.

"It's either this or publicly acknowledging you whacked off in a cup and Jeanine handed that to me ten years after the deed…"

"Lunch date with Aaron and Veronica," Eric states and stomps off, banging his office door loudly.

"What a lovely way to start the day," Veronica groans from behind me.

"I was the one to sour his mood," I admit. "Lunch meeting, everyone except Max. Conference room as soon as he is gone,' I state and she nods.

"You okay, Tris? I know those hormones are on a fucking roller coaster ride… don't know why everyone laments the demise of them," Veronica grouses.

"It's catching me off guard but at least the nausea is under control. I count that as a win."

"Was it really that bad?" I stare at her. "I didn't have any morning sickness," she admits and I don't know whether I should feel angry or envious. "What are you up to today?"

"I have to prepare for a meeting with the middle school next week and then I will have to do some begging for the new daycare equipment. It seems to all be falling apart at the same time and Max is sitting on the purse strings."

"Honestly, you could mistake him for an Abnegation with his frugality," Veronica agrees immediately. "Let me know if we need to do another request for donations from the families?"

"You are doing what?!"

We both turn to look at Eric who is standing in his now open door with a large travel mug in hand.

"If that's coffee you better hide it before the smell wafts over," Veronica growls.

"It has a lid on, first of all, and it's empty," Eric explains while looking at me. "Does it smell bad to you?"

"It's fine, Eric. Go get your coffee," I encourage.

"That can wait. What was that I heard about asking Dauntless families for donations?"

"We ask them when it's things they already have at home and Max refuses to allocate funds," Veronica explains. "Of course you never experienced such an issue. Teacher's pet," she growls.

"Ronnie," I caution. "Why don't we sit down in my office?"

I motion for both Eric and Veronica to follow me.

"Sit," I order while taking my own behind the desk. Starting the computer first, I then rummage through my drawer and grab some crackers and a bottle of water.

"You said the meds are working," Eric accuses immediately and I silently push everything in front of Veronica.

"Eat and drink," I order before glaring at Eric, who has the audacity to glare back.

Veronica starts nibbling on a cracker and takes a dainty sip from the bottle before looking between us.

"Something is going on."

"Let's talk about budgeting issues in Dauntless," I suggest.

"What makes you think I don't have to carefully crunch numbers," Eric asks Veronica.

"You never complain…"

"Because what good will it bring if I waste my time running after Max to increase my budget? I can spend the time better and if I shift things around they usually work out. It's usually a matter of being on top of things so they get fixed before we need to replace parts and that helps allocate extra funds for other projects. While annoying as hell, it does work for me unless there are projects dropped into my lap that have been postponed for years. Those are the most expensive and hence take a while to get going." Eric stares at Veronica who looks every bit as surprised as I feel.

"But why did you never join us when we told Max the budget needs increasing?"

"Because he knows that I agree, no need to embarrass him by repeating what I already told him in private. Honestly, he is more approachable if you don't try to humiliate and embarrass him in front of others. While he can't shit points, he does listen and is aware without the added drama," Eric explains.

"Well, it wasn't just Veronica. I did it and so did Aaron. Why can't we increase the budget? I mean, Max keeps saying we have limits but why can't we just add more when the faction needs it to avoid spending more because we didn't tackle an issue in time, like you said," I ask.

"We make points by trading with other factions but we also have to pay our workers," Eric starts. "While Max might be worried about the decreasing number of children, the amount of adults stays the same and will for years to come. Those are the ones that need to be paid, not the children. The wages are the biggest cost factor and there is nothing you can do about it. What's he supposed to do? Send half of the workforce to Factionless?!"

"We are all leaders and if he doesn't communicate the issue with all of us then he is partly to blame for not finding solutions," I interrupt.

"Yes, if he could just get over his pride and tell us the crux of things is not enough revenue then we can all work together to fix it," Veronica agrees, and while Eric doesn't say it, I can see he, too, agrees.

"But even if we get that fixed I won't be able to replace all the broken equipment in the daycare which is what we talked about earlier," I explain for Eric's benefit.

"Can it be fixed? You never request maintenance, at least not that I am aware of," Eric amends.

"We usually try do deal with it ourselves. You are not the most approachable, especially when it comes to things added to your department's to do list," I reason.

"So what? You stand on a ladder and fix something yourself?"

Eric doesn't seem to like that idea at all.

"Just because people choose to work in the daycare doesn't mean they are incapable or have two left hands. Parents are also willing to help out with quick fixes, Eric. Our children deserve safe spaces to play and learn. The daycare is just the most recent example. The list you are now working on is an accumulation of issues as well as the request to be proactive…"

"Don't even think about standing on a ladder, Tris. You need a fucking lightbulb changed, you ask me for help. Are we clear?"

"No, but I would love to hear more about your sudden interest in Tris' welfare. What if I need a lightbulb changed, Eric?"

Eric turns to look at Veronica and swallows.

"I will help you if you ask nicely."

"That's very kind of you to offer but you singled out Tris despite knowing I am pregnant." Veronica is like a dog with a bone, she won't let go.

"So is Tris," Eric argues and I sigh.

"Yes, but she isn't even out of the first trimester. A lot of things can go wrong… what the fuck, Eric?!"

Eric jumped up upon hearing her assessment and he doesn't like it one bit. His nostrils are flaring and his fists balled up.

"Eric, the twins are fine,' I assure him. "You heard and saw them!"

"And then you stumbled and crashed into the wall the other day before that stupid prick slammed the door into you just minutes ago," Eric all but shouts and Veronica's eyes widen comically. If I wasn't so worried about Eric, I would be rolling over the floor, laughing tears. "Maybe the nausea is gone because something happened to the babies!" Eric is getting a bit hysterical and when Veronica opens her mouth I glare at her and shake my head.

"Eric," I say as calmly as I can while standing up, waiting for him to look at me. "Our babies are just fine. And I will know if something happens to them. There is no need to get an ultrasound machine from Jeanine nor asking Dara for daily updates. If you want to borrow a Doppler, I am okay with that, but I am not going to stay in bed until I give birth."

Eric stares me down but finally nods when he sees I am not going to budge.

"Good, now you may turn and face Veronica," I say with a smirk and I swear he blanches.

"Hi," Veronica waves her hand while grinning like a lunatic.

"Fuck," Eric groans.

"Well, did you," Veronica counters.

"Not yet," Eric answers.

"Not ever," Veronica argues.

"Not up to you," Eric retorts.

"I think we are talking about different things but that's okay, the answers were still quite a revelation," Veronica smirks and Eric groans again before looking at me for help.

"Max made him go with him to the fertility clinic during his leadership training and Jeanine illegally released his sample into the program. He didn't find out until after you told him about Jeanine offering free seed to willing women and we only found out by chance that he might have been my donor. Erudite tested their DNA and now I have a baby daddy," I explain.

"You can't claim those babies," Veronica gasps.

"Uh, why not," Eric asks while I shout "of course he can".

"Tris, you said you didn't need a man to become a mom," Veronica reminds me.

"But now we both know Eric is their father and we will raise them as ours. He will be named as such and has rights."

"But how do you explain that to the faction?"

"That's what we wanted to talk to you about during lunch," I exclaim. "We'll just give the impression we have been together, nobody will question paternity and whether we stay together until the birth is up to us."

"So you are together? I am confused," Veronica admits.

"No, we just let people assume that so we don't have to tell everyone what really happened when it is none of their business. We'll go our separate ways before they are born but naturally Eric can be as involved as he wishes to be," I explain what we came up with.

"Yeah, right," Veronica scoffs.

"What now," Eric groans.

"People who know Tris know she would never go for someone like you. She dated Four," Eric growls. "and Shane," Eric growls again. "and the last one to have that privilege," Veronica makes sure to stress that word "was Roman. You, on the other hand are known to stick with casual sex. You never had a relationship with anyone here and it is common knowledge you like to fuck during parties and not even bring them home with you. When was the last time you publicly hooked up anyway, Eric? If that overlaps with Tris' pregnancy nobody will believe it."

"The faction doesn't know when I hook up," Eric declares.

"Uh, no, they do. Someone always tells after the deed is done and it makes the rounds. Another notch in your belt, so to speak. Tris would never stay with a cheater and she would have known," Veronica explains, and I nod in agreement.

"She is right,' I tell Eric who looks hurt.

"Traitor," he accuses but there is no real heat.

"I would never stay with a cheater, even if there were children involved. Everyone has limits, Eric, and those who know me know that's definitely one of mine."

"I haven't hooked up in a while," he grumbles.

"I am six weeks pregnant, give or take. So you haven't slept with anyone in three months?"

"Why do six weeks of pregnancy demand three months of celibacy?"

"Monogamous relationships require you to build up to sex, Eric. Do you really think I would have gotten pregnant the first time we did it and you willingly accepted that? No, we would have been together for at least a little while and six weeks before I fell pregnant is not much time," I argue while Veronica nods.

"It has been a little bit longer. I don't keep a diary or so but it was the Valentine's party," Eric admits and I sigh in relief.

"We are the end of July now, that works for you," Veronica voices my own thoughts. "So, when someone asks me, I can say you are keeping it private and it's none of their business but the data doesn't make is unbelievable. Are you sure you want to break up before the babies are here? It would be more logical to break up over the strain of taking care of two newborns." I look at Eric who shrugs. "But then how do you explain away the separate living quarters and lack of matrimony?"

"We are not getting married just to keep up pretence," I growl.

"But what about living together? Wouldn't we want to live together?" I turn to stare at Eric.

"We could just ask Max to leave my apartment untouched and while I officially move in, I still spend my free time at home. It's just a ploy for everyone else. Then I can simply move back in because we can't handle the stress and are breaking up slowly?"

"How do you break up slowly? And if we can't handle the stress, how are we supposed to lead a faction? There are too many flaws in that plan."

"Why don't we ask Aaron for an opinion? I am assuming he will have to keep his mouth shut as well," Veronica reminds us. "I can go and fill him in while you two talk.

She doesn't wait for a reply, just gets up and leaves.

"This is getting too fucking complicated," I groan when the door closes behind her. "Honestly, I feel stressed out just from trying to come up with plausible excuses and lies people will believe."

"I could move in and we wouldn't have to pretend. This way I can keep an eye on you and help out," Eric offers quietly.

"And then what, Eric?"

"I don't know, Tris, okay? I know as much as you do but I don't want you to stress about keeping your lies straight so we eliminate them. If I move in then that fact alone solidifies our relationship in the eyes of almost everyone. I will stay on to help with the babies…"

"And when will you move back out? Max won't hold your apartment for years just because it's a leadership apartment," I warn. "And the kids will be used to having mommy and daddy live together. It's not any different than getting a divorce," I remind him and he nods.

"I can't commit to sixteen years, Tris."

"I know that, Eric. I am just lacking the imagination to see a way out if we do that. You will want to resume your normal social life and I will want to start dating again…"

"You would bring random men home to our children?"

Eric sounds appalled.

"Well, at least they would be around for longer than it takes to get off," I counter.

"Okay… we need to take a step back," Eric states quietly, retaking his seat and motioning for me to sit back behind the desk.

"I am sorry, it's just… I can't even blame it on hormones going haywire," I sigh.

"We are getting heated and we both need to cool down. I know," Eric agrees immediately.

We both sit quietly, focusing on our own thoughts.

"I wouldn't be opposed to giving it a try," Eric states out of the blue, catching me off guard.

"What?"

"Us," Eric motions between us. "I mean, the idea of monogamy doesn't scare me as much as I thought it would. The prospect of not having to drag our children from one apartment to the other, arguing about who gets them when for sleepovers and such. Not having to worry that the man you feel like spending the rest of your life with will not treat my kids as well as they deserve, just because they are mine. It all adds to the notion to see if we can't make it work."

"Eric, I don't think that's wise. I mean, moving in together and platonically living with each other for a while is alright but I don't think starting something we know is going to end up in disaster is good. What if we come to hate each other? What if we argue in front of the kids all the time? We might even end up using them to hurt each other," I warn.

"But what if it does work out, Tris?"

"I can't answer this now, Eric. Sorry. Can we just postpone that part for another time? You can move in and help. We can get to know each other before the babies get here, but the added factors are just too much to consider right now."

I can feel myself getting emotional again and Eric must have noticed.

"Postponed until further notice but not forgotten," he warns.

"Thank you!"

"So, how big is your bed, Tris, cause I am a big boy!"

I am still chuckling when Veronica and Aaron come in.

"We got it sorted for now," I exclaim but Eric stays silent.

"Did you?" Veronica looks from Eric to me and then back.

"We'll move in together until the babies are born, then we re-evaluate."

"See, I told you that would be best," Aaron tells Veronica.

"We'll see. At least Tris has someone to keep the house clean for her."

"Jesus, Ronnie!"

"No, Eric will do it. Jesus won't bother with that. Now, budget?"

"What the fuck did you cook," I screech when I walk into my apartment.

"Dinner, Tris. It's just lasagna from the cafeteria and garlic bread," Eric answers from somewhere.

"It stinks and now everything in here will stink just like it. Now I have to clean and wash," I growl while stomping towards the kitchen.

The offending lasagna is on the table, right beside the revolting smelling garlic bread.

"Rough day," Eric asks and starts rubbing my shoulders.

"No, it was fine,' I hiss, shrugging his hands off. "I just wanted to eat some potatoes, and maybe a boiled egg with some mustard… a pickle on the side… and I have been thinking about some chocolate milk with a banana mashed in," I whine. "My feet are sore and my breasts are bruised from the bra I put on. Did you wash my clothes too hot, Eric? Everything felt tight when I got dressed this morning but I didn't have time to dig around for items that fit," I complain.

Eric stares at me and then sighs.

"Shut up, this is all your fault!"

"How so," Eric challenges.

"You moved in and everything changed. People keep staring at me. They whisper behind my back. Then there are all those women trying to flirt with you whenever I am around. Oh, the sheets you brought from your apartment? They are too soft and you use a different detergent than I do! I don't feel like my home is mine anymore. Then, when I get up in the morning, the whole bathroom smells like your shower gel. You have breakfast waiting for me, I don't get to make choices anymore and let's not forget your demon spawn," I point to my stomach. "They want me to be around you all the time. They crave you and make me crave you, they want you to keep touching them. Do you know what that does to me?! I have to keep buying new batteries for my vibrators and they are fucking expensive. I need to save for everything the babies need but all they want as the moment is make mommy horny as hell…"

Firm lips meet mine and strong hands lift me up.

I am protesting for only a moment when I see Eric sit down on the couch with me sideways on top of his lap.

"Take what you need, Tris," Eric whispers into my ear and sets his hands down beside his thighs,

"No, touch me again," I whine but he doesn't move. "Touch me, Eric," I growl.

"Where?"

"Everywhere. Check on the babies, massage my breasts… just fucking touch me already!"

Eric settles for cupping my cheeks and tilts my head.

"You take what you need, Tris. I won't deny you but I also don't want to hurt you.

"You wouldn't, Eric. Touch me, please?"

He nods and I can feel his hands slide down my chest and under my shirt.

"They hurt,' I complain when he reaches my bra.

"Okay," Eric whispers and gently removes my shirt. "Maybe we need to go shopping? Your skin is marked…"

"I know," I admit.

Eric opens my bra and gently massages my breasts. While they are sore, it doesn't hurt for him to touch me and I sigh in pleasure.

"They are getting bigger," Eric compliments and nuzzles one.

"Easy," I warn when he grazes my nipple with his beard stubbles.

Eric moves downwards and I bend my body to allow him access to my zipper.

"Maybe some soft pants with strings," Eric suggest while rubbing over the marks my waistband left on my skin. His hands cradle my small bump and he reverently rubs all over it like he was caressing our children.

"You want me to make you feel good, Tris?"

"Yes," I sigh when his fingers slip into my underwear.

"Are you wet?"

"Dripping," I admit. "I just need to smell you and I am ready."

"God, Tris," Eric moans and moves down, kissing my bump. His hands slide my underwear down my legs and he looks up at me, checking if I am still okay.

"I need you," I state and he nods before sliding into place and nuzzling my clit with his nose. A finger probes me and then slides in.

I moan in pleasure but I know I need more.

Eric adds a second one without prompting before attaching his lips to my clit.

"Yes," I moan when I feel the orgasm approach at a rapid pace.

Eric pushes in and out five more times while sucking on my clit and I explode.

"Don't go," I whine when Eric tries to get up.

"What do you need, Tris?"

Eric's voice is strained and I see him keep his hips elevated.

"Take me to bed," I demand.

"You want me to wake you in an hour? It will give me time to boil you some potatoes and eggs," Eric offers while gently picking me up into his arms.

"No, I want you to join me," whisper into his ear before nibbling on it.

Eric's steps falter and I can feel his hands shake.

"You want to come again?"

"Yes," I nod repeatedly. "But with you deep inside," I add and Eric almost drops me on the bed. "Strip," I demand and he doesn't hesitate.

"Fuck me," I order but he settles down in between my thighs and doesn't move further.

"Is this a one time thing, Tris?"

"What?!"

"Is this a once off occurrence or did you change your mind about us?"

Is he really bringing up that topic again?!

"Fine, you want to talk about it AGAIN?"

"Yes, I think now is the best time," Eric agrees.

"While I am horny and just want to be fucked to sleep," I ask.

"I can do that every single night if you allow me to."

"If you do well we can do it again," I hedge.

"How do I know you are not lying to me to get your will," he asks and I growl.

"If I like what you have to offer you can do me again and again," I state.

"Until further notice?"

"Jesus! Eric, please just shove your dick into me. I know you want to," I goad.

"I do but I also said we should consider this long term," Eric reminds me while probing my entrance with the tip of his dick.

"You are upsetting your children."

"No, I am upsetting you by not giving in to your demands. I want to stay in their lives and yours, Tris!"

"Then show me what you have to offer… oh yes," I moan when he finally slides all the way in.

"Fuck, how come you are so tight?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"That ultrasound wand…"

"Shut up, Eric. Do you want me to think it is the wand shoved in right now or your dick?"

Eric shuts both of us up. His lips kiss me gently while his hips move. In and out his dick goes and it feels awesome.

"I am not used to this anymore," Eric complains and starts rubbing my clit. "You made me celibate and I didn't dare rub one out with you around all the time."

I clench and Eric comes with a slew of expletives.

"Fuck, did you come, Tris?"

Eric looks at me worriedly but when I nod he relaxes. Rolling us until I am settled against him without putting pressure on my bump, he continues to rub my back and kiss me until I am falling asleep.

I wake up feeling horny. The need for release is all encompassing and without conscious thought I rub myself against my body pillow.

"Would you mind if I took that away," a rough voice asks from somewhere in the room, and I blink a few times to clear the sleep from my eyes.

"Hi," I mumble when I see Eric, clad only in a pair of boxers and a t-shirt leaning against the door frame.

"I boiled you some potatoes but it seems you are craving something else now?"

I stare at him, uncomprehending for a moment, before it all clicks into place.

"We had sex," I exclaim and he nods. "It was good," I add and he sighs.

"Does it mean you are giving in, Tris?"

"I need more than one glimpse to decide on such a commitment, Eric."

"You came," he argues.

"And so did you. It's a tit for tat scenario at the moment…" I screech when Eric strips while advancing at a rapid pace.

My body pillow gets flung to the side and Eric settles himself in between my legs.

"Oh yes,' I moan when his lips suck on my clit. "Hmmm, harder,' I demand and Eric increases the suction.

My hips are moving over the sheets and while it feels good, the void inside me is distracting.

"I need more to come," I groan.

"No, you don't," Eric mumbles against my lips.

"I do," I whine but Eric ignores me.

His fingers entwine with mine and he holds me firmly in place.

I can feel the slow build and it is driving me nuts. I want to come already! All he has to do is shove a finger or two into me, that's not too much to ask, but he refuses.

Then I feel some pressure against my leg.

Oh god, Eric is humping my leg while sucking my clit! I can feel Eric's breathing speed up, his nostril blowing hot air almost constantly. Just knowing what he is doing makes me feel carnal desire and it brings me over the edge.

"Ungh," I moan loudly and Eric stops rubbing his dick against my leg but not his mouth.

I whine when he continues to suck on my clit and I could cry when he finally probes me with a finger. It is two that he shoves inside and I can feel the build-up reach the zenith once more.

My legs start shaking but Eric is still not done.

"Are you okay, Tris?"

I nod weakly and he smirks at me.

"Good, then I hope this will convince you," he mumbles and gently turns me over. His hands pull my hips up and I oblige while also settling on my forearms.

"Tell me if it feels too rough," Eric demands but he doesn't give me any time to answer before he lines up and pushes inside.

The depth he reaches this way is just an added bonus. The tip slides along my walls, dragging my pleasure to the forefront of my mind once more.

While he starts slow, he increases the speed and power of his thrusts and by the time I am crashing over the edge once more, he is pistoning in and out of me with such ferocity, I have to grab a hold of the headboard to stop us from sliding into the wall.

Eric is not stopping but slides his hand past my bump to rub my clit.

"Feel what we have together? Isn't this worth it, Tris? Wouldn't you like me to keep fucking you like the savage I feel like when I am around you? I can worship your body every single day and still fuck you senseless without taking any pleasure for myself. This is for you, Tris. Come!"

I can feel the orgasm rise up and while I know his offer is genuine, this is not what I want for my future.

"You too," I moan. "Take pleasure for yourself, Eric. Let me see you let go," I demand despite not being able to see him.

I can feel his body flex and then I can feel him stiffen for a moment. His deep, guttural moan when he lets go of his restraints brings me over the edge and we are forcing more out of the other than I ever knew possible. Every twitch of his dick sets off another quiver for me. The pulsing around his member causes Eric to spill and twitch some more until, after a good while, our bodies are too exhausted to continue.

"I want this to last," Eric whispers tiredly into my ear.

"It will," I assure and close my eyes.

Heavy boots are running down the tunnel behind me and the frightened face of the man walking towards me lets me know without a doubt who is approaching at such a rapid pace. Still, I keep my eyes on the prize. I can already see the end of the tunnel.

"Why couldn't you wait for me," Eric growls while one arm sneaks around my back and the other rubs gently over my protruding stomach.

"You were late," I argue and Eric groans.

"Five minutes, Tris. I was five fucking minutes late and yet you made it through half of the faction in the meantime."

He doesn't outright accuse me of lying but it is implied.

"I couldn't wait any longer and you didn't respond to any of my emails."

Eric growls loudly and the boy about to pass us squeaks in fright.

"Eric," I start but he lets go and rushes forward and shoves a member aside.

"Eric," I call loudly when I see him push yet another member out of his way.

"Eric!" He keeps ignoring me, his sole focus now on the two toddlers making their way down the corridor.

"Freeze," Eric growls at yet another member who already stopped in his tracks, afraid to make a wrong move.

"I am sorry," I apologise when I pass him. He just nods but doesn't move. "You can go." He does so with wobbly legs.

"Eric, stop scaring everyone," I demand and he shushes me.

"Watch your words, they pick up everything, Tris."

"No shit," I mutter and Eric growls at me. "Do you think 'freeze' and 'move' are common first words?!"

"They said mommy and daddy first," Eric calls back and of course Rhea and Aella copy him, shouting "mommy" and "daddy" so loudly, it echoes down the tunnel.

"Almost there, keep your eyes on the prize," Eric encourages, and while he keeps an eye on our toddlers, I allow myself to finally slow down.

"Why did you tell me Eric would finish early today," I growl when I come to stand beside Veronica.

"Because I wanted to see him panic finding you gone from the safety of your home," Veronica answers honestly.

"But why," I demand to know.

"Because he called Hunter a carrot top and compared him to an Amity for enjoying digging in the dirt. Then he had the audacity to turn around and praise the twins for doing the exact same things, encouraging them to not give up and dig deeper."

"Oh!"

"Fuck me, he won again," Aaron exclaims from right behind us.

"What," Veronica and I ask at the same time.

"Eric left his phone at the office before heading to Erudite and when he saw all the messages Tris sent him he said that it reeked of Veronica. I told him I doubted it and he bet me babysitting duty that he was right. So, while he went home to start his search there, I went here to make sure we wouldn't miss."

"How did he know," Veronica groans while Aaron walks over to help Rhea up a fallen tree.

"Logic," I tease and she scowls at me. "Look, they all love digging in the dirt and running around the trees. Does it really matter when Eric tries to rile you up? If you stop responding he will cease because there is no more fun to be had."

"Are you pregnant with the next Einstein, Tris? You were way more hormonal with the girls," Veronica exclaims, looking at me.

"It was because Eric wasn't able to keep the as grounded as he does now. We still had to work on getting our shit together. I mean, it's not easy to go from zero to children and then a relationship and marriage. Normally people have time to date and do that first," I whisper harshly.

"Didn't hurt either of you!"

"We got lucky," I admit.

"Yeah, that you did," Veronica agrees.

"So, you and Aaron?"

"Nope, not happening. He is just helping me with Hunter…"

"Who is delusional now? I bet Eric bet him babysitting Hunter and not the girls," I wager.

"No," Veronica states with conviction.

"If I am right then you invite him to stay for a nightcap and I mean the kind where he stays the night or at least part of it," I demand.

"And if I am right then you need to talk Eric into apologising to your mother for stealing the Abnegation playground idea and putting it into the Dauntless maintenance yard."

"Deal," I agree, thinking back to a day not so long ago where Eric did just that.

To say my mom was pissed that Eric stole the natural playground idea and left me without a reason to stop by would be an understatement. While she was happy to learn she would be a grandma to two little girls, she was still letting Eric have it, in public, mind you. I wouldn't call it the scandal of that particular Visiting Day but it got enough tongues wagging for Eric to threaten more than a dozen members with a trip down the chasm. Only when he said he'd sick either me or Veronica on them did all gossip cease overnight.

"I am glad Eric came up with this idea," Veronica admits quietly while watching Hunter try to climb up a fallen log while Aaron spots him.

"Well, I think he did it to stop me from going to Abnegation all the time," I tease.

"That might have been a part of the reason but I don't think it was the sole factor. Moving the vehicles into a warehouse and have the drivers collect them from there didn't hurt anyone financially. Johanna let us dig up trees for free and all we needed were the doors to keep some of the wind out. I mean, they are open most of the time but that protective fence was genius. All it took was someone driving by the fence and collecting all the pieces that were already replaced. A bit of welding and restructuring, and voila." Veronica waves her arm.

"Yes, it was one of his better ideas," I admit.

"Come on, all the kids love it and the men pushing the snow in when they cleared the road was fun for everyone," Veronica reminds me.

"Okay, fine," I sigh. "Eric saved the day and fixed our budgets without going to Max. There, I said it!"

"Thank you,' Eric whispers into my ear before kissing my cheek and running off to grab Rhea, who squeals in delight when he throws her up in the air.

"How does he do that all the time," Veronica wonders.

"Beats me but I stopped looking a gift horse in the mouth."

"Yeah, you lucked out," Veronica sighs once more.

Twenty minutes later Eric and Aaron herd three whiny toddlers our way.

"So, I lost my bet and need to babysit Hunter. What evening does suit you," Aaron asks a surprised looking Veronica.

"Uh, I don't know. I don't have anything planned that requires a babysitter."

"You could just relax in the bathtub while I cook you dinner and bring Hunter to bed," Aaron offers and Veronica gapes at him. "You don't like to have a hot bath? I could rub your feet or give you a massage…"

Eric nudges me and I finally stop staring at the Veronica and Aaron show.

"Come on, Tris. I could massage your feet as well if you want me to," he offers while cradling two tired little girls in his arms.

"Is that all you are offering, dearest husband?"

"No, but I don't want my daughters to repeat any of the things I plan on doing to you later out loud."

"Sounds like a plan I can get on board with. Come on, lead the way, I know you want to make sure the path is cleared," I tease.


Additional inspiration:

Fleurtygirl left this comment on 'All the little things' and it prompted me to get my ass in gear for this story!

Awesome story! Totally loved it and all their communication woes.

So satisfying and I love their 6 mamas boys. I do hope number seven is twin girls. That would be an adorable last hurrah for Eric's swimmers. Also he could use the daddy girl loving. And I can see him going everywhere with adorable little blonde imps sitting on his shoulders as all the other guys drag their kids away in fear. Imagine Eric the first time someone pushes one of his little princesses over at the playground. Or someone running too quickly breezes by them and they stumble. All of a sudden you have the safest playground and strict playground rules in Dauntless and all the other people too intimidated to say something about how their faction is supposed to be all rough and tough.

Loved it! Thank you!