Tris can tell it against Max, Hana, Harrison, and Andrew's better judgment to let Cara stay with Caleb while she was in Chicago. The parentals had reasoned if they didn't she would take Caleb somewhere that could put him in a bad situation and jeopardize his recovery. Cara seemed to say all the right things and agreed that she didn't have any drugs on her but Tris still felt nervous about it and she could tell her father did too. Andrew made it very clear to Cara that there were no drugs allowed in the house which Cara agreed to. In the six days she was there Tris realizes that she really doesn't like her and she sees first hand the pressure she puts on Caleb to do what she wants. It seemed like she expected Caleb to follow her lead and when he didn't it was a problem. She said she didn't have any drugs on her but the way her moods change, Tris can tell. Caleb looks conflicted, she can tell he care for her but he looks as though he is battling with himself.

"You know I'm here if you want to talk Caleb" Tris offers one afternoon while they are setting up for the restaurant to open.

"Yeah I know, I got it" Caleb snaps at her. Instantly she can see the regret in his eyes as she lowers his head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that"

He sighs and Tris places a hand on his arm. She could see how he was battling his feelings. She could see how different he was from before he went to rehab. It reminded her of how he had been growing up before he went to NYU.

"You can do this Caleb, and it's okay to only focus on you"

He nods in reply and goes back to pulling dishes out of the dishwasher. Cara ends up leaving and heading back to New York after an argument when Caleb tells her that he doesn't want her to move to Chicago. Tris had overheard a conversation with Cara telling him he was wasting his talents here, working in the restaurant. Tris knew her brother never wanted to stay here and run the restaurant but Andrew, Hana, Harrison, and Max had encouraged him to take his time getting back on track. Caleb keeps insisting he was fine, but Tris knew better, he wasn't.


When Tobias tells Tris about the Real Housewives of Chicago opportunity his mind is put at ease when she expresses her apprehension.

"Is this going to make your mother hate me even more if I'm the reason you say you don't want to do it?" Tris asks as they lay in bed with School Daze playing on the television.

Tobias sighs, he could see his mother twisting the situation to seem like it was Tris who didn't want him to participate. He didn't really care if his parents approved of his dating Tris. Even before Lauren, the girls Tobias dated that his parents interacted were always in their social circle. There had been no apprehension about Lauren, she was from the right kind of family, with the right kind of job. While he should have expected their reaction to Tris, he still detested it.

"I can never know with her but I hope not, but more importantly I don't care." He leans over and gives her a soft kiss. He pulls away when his phone buzzes and he leans over to get it. He sighs at the message. "So Marlene is agreeing to do only 5 episodes after talking to Will but Mom wants me to agree to 3 appearances with the family, probably dinner."

Tobias sighs again, he didn't care about the money and what he was left with from Lauren's death made it easy for him to say that. She had been an only child so there were some money and properties from her grandparents that she inherited. He had tried to give it back to her parents but they had adamantly refused citing that Lauren would have wanted him to keep it. Where her parents moved to Florida not long after Lauren's funeral Tobias had so the properties so he had a nice nest egg of money in the bank. He was doing well at Divergent too but he knew his sister could use the help paying of her med school debt. She had been whining about not wanting to be alone, and asking him to think about just a small number of appearances and they could manage it together. His mother had been hounding him about his decision, wanting them to be seen as a strong family for the public.

"Just dinner doesn't sound too bad" Tris reasons with a shrug. Tobias sighs and says he'll agree to three dinners or fundraisers and that's it, nothing more. He hopes he isn't making a huge mistake in letting his parents pressure him into this decision.


The next few months are a blur. Tobias spoils Tris for Valentine's day, flying them back to New Orleans for a romantic weekend to make good on his promise in December. Tris had always thought that The Princess and The Frog had always been her favorite Disney movie because she finally saw a Disney Princess that looked like her. During their trip she also realizes that she was drawn to the setting of Louisana and New Orleans. Tris was in love with New Orleans, she wasn't sure if it was the connection to her family heritage but she loved everything about the city. She had been painting scenes from their visit in December that were filled with oak trees and Spanish moss or scenes from the French Quarter. The sounds of the jazz bands with the distinct New Orleans flavor filled her senses. Tobias had chosen the Hotel Monteleone for their stay. The historic architecture had fascinated Tobias with the building structure and the decor made Tris feel as though they stepped back in time. The moving Carousel bar and the ghost stories of the hotel only added to the charm of the location.

Just like New York, Tris could have stayed in bed wrapped around Tobias making love all day if it hadn't been for the excitement of wanting to spend more time exploring. They take a horse and carriage ride and hear more of the history of the city. Tobias points out all kinds of architectural details in the buildings as they explore.

"We should visit more cities like this, I love how excited you are about these buildings" Tris comments as they walk hand in hand back to the hotel.

Tobias smiles and squeezes her hand. She got him, and he loved that.

"I'll go anywhere as long as I'm with you" He smiles as he looks over at her, Her curly hair blowing in the breeze.

"Just me and you" she replies moving her hand to link her arm with his.

Tobias also books them on a swamp tour. He smiled as he snapped a candid photo of Tris looking out across the murky water of the bayou with a smile on her face as the wind blows her curls all around as the airboat speeds along with the large fan on the back of the boart propelling them across the water. She looked so free and happy. He loved the way her eyes lit up with excitement every time she saw something new that she had only seen in movies before. Tris shrieks with excitement and a bit of nervousness when the tour guide holds out a piece of meat on a stick for an alligator who hops out of the water and grabs it with its powerful jaws. Tris gets a great picture when the tour guide lets Tobias give it a try too. They get a few more great pictures when they return to the tour company and are able to hold a baby alligator as they learn more about the ecosystem and the animals native to the area.

Tobias is so happy that weekend just being and existing with Tris. This is what he wants with Tris forever, traveling and living life, trying new things, new food, seeing her smile, listening to her sing, he wanted it all. One thing he learned after going through losing his wife is life was short and he didn't want to waste any more time.

The week after the trip to New Orleans he asks Marlene to help him pick out an engagement ring. She meets him on the Wednesday after their trip at a jewelry store downtown.

"I'm so happy for you big brother" Marlene gushes as she looks through the glass case. "Tris is amazing and I think she's perfect for you. I can see how much you two are living life together. You're different with her, not that you weren't fine before but you seem I don't know more alive, more willing to step out try new things."

"Yeah who would have ever thought I would have gone ziplining or fed alligators" He chuckles and shakes his head at the memory of flying down the zip line hanging on to the safety restraints.

"You know, I really never thought I would be here looking at engagement rings after losing Lauren. I know you and Will were trying to get me to see that I could love again, I just didn't see it at first. I think I was so scared to try to find someone that gave me what I have with Lauren and I would always compare them to Lauren or that they had to be like Lauren for me to love them but Tris is different, and what we have is different, it's a good different though. I do feel more alive, It's like I realize what it's like to lose everything and Tris wants to experience everything and we just fit together."

Marlene smiles and points out two rings for the jeweler to show them.

"So how's the filming going, okay, I heard from Mom about some of the drama with the other cast members, I just have to smile my way through three more outings and I'll be done."

"How are things with you and Will?"

Marlene smiles as she picks up the first ring and inspects it.

"Really good, we are just existing, there's no pressure, no titles"

Tobias nods as he looks at the ring she passes to him. He could tell his best friend was happy with where he and Marlene were too. Their four-year break from each other had allowed them to grow and they were better this time around.

"I think I like the second one, it's has a vibe like Tris"

"I agree," Marlene comments at the halo antique-styled rose gold ring.

The oval cut stone was surrounded by a pave set of rose gold and diamonds around the center stone in a Victorian-styled detail. It was artsy and creative just like Tris. Luren's ring had been a flashy 3-carat emerald cut diamond that commanded attention. This was only one carat but still stunning.

"So how are you going to do this? Not a huge big public event, I hope?"

"Naw, that's not Tris's style" Tobias chuckles.

Lauren was flashy and loved the spotlight. Tobias had planned a huge engagement at her law school graduation dinner that was followed by a party with a jazz band for all their friends and family. She had pretended to be surprised but Tobias had a feeling she had expected it that day. Tris was so much more laid back, he wanted it to be romantic and special for her. He just had to figure out how.


They have the first of their family dinners at the Pit which shocks Tris with Evelyn being nice to her and her recommending that it be at the Pit. All of the production assistants rave about the food and promise that as soon as the episode airs the Pit will see an increase in business. They are shocked when they receive a $10,000 check to close for the evening for the "dinner" even though they choose a Wednesday that isn't normally a busy evening. Andrew, Max, and Hana all about choke when they see the check. From the production assistant that evening. Tobias is furious with his mother for telling them that Tris is their waitress for the evening.

"This is why I didn't want to do this, I don't know how I let them talk me into this" Tobias complains while the producers arrive and give some instructions.

"Baby, it's just three dinners and there are only two left after tonight, annnnnd I'm going home with you tonight so who the hell cares. And I'm proud of this place and my family. It's what I do, I'm not embarrassed by that even though your mother thinks she's taking a jab at me by highlighting it"

Tobias nods in agreement and calms down knowing that Tris was right. It didn't matter what his mother thought or anyone else for that matter because he and Tris were happy and hopefully in a few weeks she would agree to be his wife.

Everyone in the restaurant is a paid extra. Uriah is on call at the fire station and Zeke doesn't want be put there because of his drug taskforce work so Shauna and Rose get in on pretending to be regular patrons. Tobias is a bit stiff with all of the people looking at them and he wishes Tris were next to him so he could put his hand in hers.

"Shit, you have got to be kidding me" Marlene swears under her breath as she feels her phone buzz on her lap for the 5th time in the past 10 minutes.

Tobias gives her a look as she tries to silence it without anyone noticing.

"Marlene dear who is that blowing your phone?" Evelyn smirks.

"It's Lynn" Marlene reluctantly answers.

"Oh really….I hope you two are getting back together"

"No, we are not, mother, Will, and are solid right now" Marlene sighs. Marcus and Evelyn hadn't necessarily disliked Will when they dated, especially since he was friends with Tobias and Lauren. They were used to him being around. But Marlene did have to admit they were a bit dramatic back then with their relationship always arguing and making up.

Evelyn lays it on about how much she thought Lynn and Marlene were good for each other. Tobias fights the urge to roll his eyes. Yes, he thought the same thing but Lynn and her issues with trusting Marlene had pushed her away.

He hoped that Will would see through his mother's need to create fake drama.

After the cameras leave, Tobias and Marlene stay to have drinks with Tris, Shauna, and Rose while Harrison and Hana warm up some food for them since they didn't get to really eat during their fake dinner. Tobias relaxes as Earth Wind and Fire plays through the restaurant speakers and Tris runs her hand idly through his curly hair while they all sit and chat.

"Was Lynn really blowing up your phone like that?" Tris asks.

"Ugh yes, she keeps wanting to talk and of course tonight of all nights she would choose to send me a 4 paragraph text message and leave two voice mails about how sorry she is and how much she misses me"

"Do you miss her?" Shauna asks taking a sip of her drink.

"Yes and no but these six months with Will have been really great and I can't be with Lynn if she doesn't trust me. I never stepped out of line with Will when I was with her and she refused to believe me. Will was going to be in my life because he's my brother's best friend. It wasn't fair of her to think that I wasn't going to see him especially when Tobias was going through what he was going through"

"Yeah, that would be a deal-breaker for me too" Shauna agrees.

"Block her, I do it all the time," Rose says with a shrug as she gets up to go get some more plantains.

Tris and Shauna laugh, that was Rose alright, no time for foolishness.


When March rolls around, Tris worries about Caleb as she starts to see a change in his personality and everyone starts to get the feeling that he's using again. He was starting to get defensive when anyone asked him if he wanted to talk or if he needed anything. Cara hadn't been back to visit that she knew of but Caleb was still in contact with her and had started looking at jobs at research labs in the Chicago area. She had a feeling that his looking had everything to do with what Cara wanted and not what Caleb wanted. Chris, Uriah, Rose, and Zeke all agree with Tris to keep their circle of support for him going, inviting him to hang out and include him since he didn't have any friends left in Chicago to hang out with. Tris prayed that her brother could save himself, but she knew he had to be the one to want it.

A few weeks later Tris is pulling on her outfit for the day and she stares at the random bag and suitcase she has in Tobias's closet along with a few dresses she has hanging in the closest. She sighs as she looks at her stuff. She really needed to figure out their living situation. She had lots of things at his place but sometimes she would take them back to her house and forget them. She was getting a little frustrated with not having all her clothes in one location. Tobias had said that he never wanted her to go home and she could stay forever but she had been unsure if really moving in together was a good idea. Shauna, Rose, and Christina told her she was being silly since they were basically living together anyway. She was still a little insecure about her relationship experience at times. Tobias told her that he and Lauren had only officially moved in together after they were engaged and she wasn't sure if she did officially move in did that mean she was pressuring him to propose.

"Baby, Do you have an extra scarf I can borrow, I can't find mine, and it's really cold out today " Tris calls out to Tobias from the top of the stairs down to him in the kitchen.

She had spent the night at this house for the past three nights that week and they were planning on meeting Uriah and Christina at the park with the kids. It snowed two days ago and Justin and Jalen had begged Tris and Tobias to go sledding with them. Even though she knows a cold won't really hurt her, she doesn't want to take any chances.

"Yeah look at the top of the closet in the corner" he calls back.

Tris sees where the scarves are as soon as she opens the closet. She's just a little too short to grab one and she accidentally knocks over a box as she stretches to reach the scarves. When the box topples over all the contents spill out onto the floor of the closet.

"Shit" Tris curses as see the box spillover. She bends down to pick up the contents and place them back in the box.

She bites her lips when she realizes what was in the box. Momentos of Lauren. There were pictures of her and Tobias, love notes she wrote to him, their wedding program, a dried corsage, and a few other trinkets. Tris feels guilty looking at all of the special memories and quickly starts to pick up the spilled contents to begin placing them back in the box. She thinks she has everything back in place when she picks up a wrinkled pink envelope and she gasps. Her hands tremble as she picks up the envelope. She knew this envelope.

"No, no, no, please no….." she whispers. This couldn't be happening.

She flips over the envelope and sure enough, there was her handwriting. This was the letter she had written to the family of the person whose heart she had received, the letter that she carried for a year everywhere she went, afraid to mail it. She looks back in the box, she pulls out a newspaper clipping.

The legacy of Lauren Eaton will live on through the expansion of Abnegation Community Center. Eaton, granddaughter of the famed editor of the Chicago Defender and daughter of civil rights attorney James Harris died in a car accident following a fundraiser for the community center on April 12, 2018.

Tris drops the clipping and looks back at her letter. April 12th was the day of her heart transplant. Tears spill over from Tris's eyes, and she places a hand over her mouth as lets out a sob. She pulls her knees to her chest and cries feeling nothing but defeat. After a few minutes she feels like the walls are closing in on her, she had to get out of here. How was she ever going to look Tobias in the face, how was he ever going to be able to stand to be in her presence?

She quickly puts the remaining contents back in the box except for her letter and places it back on the shelf of the closet. She stuffs the letter in the back pocket of her jeans and looks around the bedroom. She quickly grabs all of her things that she can find, her medicine, a couple of pairs of jeans, some underwear, and her tablet, phone charger, and throws them into a large shoulder bag that she had left in the closet. She had left her car at her house for Rose to use since hers was in the shop that week. She texts Christina that she needed to meet her at her house instead of the park and to send Uriah ahead with the kids. She then quickly calls an Uber, seeing that one was only 8 minutes away. She tries to calm herself, wiping the tears away from her face, taking a deep breath as she walks down the stairs with her purse and overnight bag. Her hands are still shaking and she tries to take deep breaths.

Tobias looks up at her as she walks into the kitchen with all of her things with his eyebrows furrowed.

"What's wrong? Why do you have all your stuff with you?"

"Umm, I need to get to Christina's, the baby is sick and she needs my help with Justin, and Jalen" she lies fidgeting, looking at her phone.

"Is that all? You look upset" Tobias asks moving toward her.

"Yes it's fine, I'm really sorry, I'll call you later" she replies taking a step back as he steps forward.

"Well let me drive you," he offers closing the dishwasher where he had been cleaning up from where Tris had made breakfast earlier in the morning. He didn't like how shaken up she was.

"No I called an Uber, it's right outside, I'll talk to you later" she rushes and turns to head out the door with Pharaoh on her heels.

"Babe, let me help you" he insists as she hurridly shrugs on her coat and fumbles with the lock trying to open the door as her hands are still shaking and her heart beating wildly. She stops for a second placing a hand over her chest feeling the rapid beats inside her chest.

No, it's not my heart beating like this, It's her heart, Lauren's heart. She thinks as she feels the tears well up in her eyes again.

"I got it" she replies not looking him in the eye, she can't look him in the eye, she just can't. She walks down the steps and out the front gate to the uber and hops in the back seat.

"Pharaoh, stay" Tobias commands as Pharaoh follows Tris all the way to the front gate. Something happened while she was upstairs, he just wasn't sure what it was.


Let me know what you think of this chapter!