Ya'll it's been another long week. Thank you to everyone who leaves thoughtful comments that help me think about how the story should move along and are not childish, derogatory, or agitative in nature.
The last morning in Grenada, Kiki makes Tris and Tobias recreate their looks from the previous evening and take engagement pictures at the resort. Tobias grumbles a little, wanting to spend their last morning on the island wrapped up with his fiancé in bed but Tris reminds him to be nice since Kiki, Beth and Randall had been so generous to them. Tobias concedes making sure to make love to Tris to the sound of the ocean waves one final time as the sun was coming up. Tobias quickly forgets his grumpy mood once he sees Tris smiling as the photographer takes a few individual shots of her. He wanted her to experience everything, he was going to have to deal with his mother because there was no way she was going to ruin this experience for them.
The photographer takes a few shots with Tris's phone and promises to email the photos the following week once he has a chance to edit them.
Tris sends a text message with her favorite picture in a group text to share their news.
Tris: So I know things have been crazy the past month but I hope this picture makes it worth it.
Marlene: Well it's about damn time!
Zeke: Tobias, I'm glad I don't have to kick your ass after all
Uriah: I second that Zeke
Rose: OMG!
Shauna: Ladies we have a wedding to plan!
Tris: Can I get home before you start planning the wedding?
Zeke: Oh God, here we go….
Christina: Shut up Zeke…. When are you coming home? I need a close-up of the ring!
Caleb: Do we have to listen to the wedding planning?
Rose: Yes you do!
Will: Congrats you two. I'm really happy for you.
Zeke: Will, all eyes on you now…
Marlene: Zeke, I will kick your ass!
Zeke: What I'm trying to help you out!
Caleb: I actually think she could kick your ass Zeke
Tobias: If we could keep this between us that would be great, Tris and I have a plan on how we want to announce it.
Tris and Tobias laugh at the antics of the group chat with Tris sending a close-up of her ring while they have lunch with Kiki and Beth before leaving for the airport.
"You two have to come back here for your honeymoon" Beth insists.
"I can't imagine going anywhere else" Tobias grins.
"Hopefully the rest of the family will be able to come soon, they are really excited about meeting you and spending time here"
"I can't wait, I always wanted a big family," Kiki says, taking a bite of her salad.
"Be careful what you ask for, we can be overwhelming" Tris laughs out. "Ask Tobias"
"They are great, it's actually kind of fun. My sister and I always wanted a big family too and we've been added to the mix" Tobias adds
After lunch, Beth drops the couple off at the airport.
"Thank you for everything Beth, I don't even have the words to tell you everything you did for me and Tobias," Tris says as she gives Beth a hug.
"We love you, Tris, seeing you two smiling and happy is more than enough thanks!"
That next week, Tris officially moves in with Tobias, Will, Marlene and Shauna come over to help with the boxes and help Tris unpack all over things. That evening, Tobias orders Chinese food for dinner and Will and Marlene stay to catch up with Tris and Tobias.
"So how long do we have to keep your engagement and moving in together a secret?" Marlene asks as she grabs an eggroll.
"What do you mean?" Will asks, taking a sip of his beer.
"Our mother interfered and encouraged Tris to leave after finding out somehow that she has Lauren's heart," Tobias says, taking a deep breath. It still angered him to no end when he thought about it.
"What the hell?" Will says looking from Tobias to Marlene.
"Yeah, she had to be eavesdropping on us or something to find out, I just don't know how she did. I was at their house because Daddy and I were going over our presentation for the Jack and Jill chapter on college strategy for applying to medical school when Shauna called me but I never said it out loud, I know I didn't and then I sent Tobias a text"
"Lene, go over what happened again. I know its been several weeks but as much as you can remember will help"
Marlene closes her eyes for a minute and thinks back over the events of that day.
"I sent Shauna a text because you and Tris were being weird and not responding to my calls or messages"
Tris hangs her head and Tobias rubs her knee. He knows she was still feeling guilty for shutting everyone out even though they had talked it through.
"I immediately called her, I said something like What? And are you sure? She asked me had I talked to you, I said no. She asked me not to say anything to anyone and I assured her that I wouldn't and I said I think you two needed some space to work things out or something like that. We said we would talk soon and I hung up the phone. Then T. sent you a text"
Marlene goes through her messages with Tobias and reads word for word what she sent and how Tobias responded.
"Daddy called me to come to look at the slides he had put together and I put my phone down to go help him…."
"You don't think she….." Will starts
"That lying bitch! How could she do that to me!" Tris exclaims standing up in her chair her voice filled with rage.
Marlene had a similar look of rage on her face at the clear invasion of privacy from her mother.
"I'm sorry, I know she's your mother, I shouldn't have said that," Tris says ashamed of her outburst but not sure what to do with her anger as she paces back and forth.
"Tris, don't apologize, she deserves all of it for what she's done trying to break you and Tobias up," Marlene says apologetically.
"So what do we do know? Are you going to confront her? She still doesn't know you two are back together right?" Will asks.
"No, I'm wondering how long we can keep it a secret especially since we're living together now. I haven't seen Mom and Dad since the fundraiser so I know they'll pop up or something soon, and the dedication of the community center is in two and a half weeks" Tobias sighs wishing he didn't have to deal with this.
Tris thinks about it for a moment. "How would you like to beat her at her own game?"
"What do you mean?" Marlene asks, cocking her head to the side.
"Well I think it's time your mother got a dose of her own medicine, This is a bit extreme and I can't believe I'm suggesting this but I think this calls for something drastic," Tris says with a mischievous grin.
"I'm listening," Tobias says as he sees the corners of Tris's mouth turn up in a mischievous smile as everyone leans in and she starts to tell them her plan.
Tris adjusts her dress nervously. Rose and Christina had helped her with her hair. Shauna had picked out a long emerald green dress with a high collar for Tris to wear. She knew this plan was hers but she hadn't started panicking until now about how it was going to play out.
"Don't worry, you look beautiful" Tobias whispers in her ear. "And no one will see your scar"
She chuckles realizing how well he knew her. They were outside of Morton's in downtown Chicago where the cast of Real Housewives of Chicago was filming for a dinner with several families of cast members. This was Marlene and Tobias's last required appearance for their contract. As planned Marcus and Evelyn did not know that Tris would be accompanying Tobias only that he was bringing a date, which his mother had pushed that it be India when she called him the week before. He pretended to go along with her request to throw her off. Marlene contacted the production assistants and told them that Tobias was going to have a surprise guest for dinner. Marlene notified the production assistants when Tobias and Tris arrived and made sure to mic them up without anyone seeing them. Tris could tell the interns, camera operator and production assistants were trying not to smile, knowing that there was drama about to ensue.
Tobias holds out his hand and Tris smiles looking into his eyes as she puts her hand in his. If there was anything that she had learned over the past six weeks it was that they could do anything as long as they stuck with each other.
Tris can see the daggers Evelyn has in her eyes as she and Tobias make their way into the room for the event. Tris can tell Marlene is trying to keep a straight face and some of the other cast members are already whispering. Tobias helps Tris get seated next to Marlene and he sits between her and his father. Emily Saunders, the wife of a local Chicago Politician who Tobias had come to learn was at odds with his mother. Evelyn had also been running her mouth about how accomplished her family was and it hadn't gone over well with some of the other cast members. Tobias had met her before, and she was observant and not afraid to go toe to toe with his mother.
"Tobias, you are looking awfully tanned, have you taken a vacation recently?" Emily says with an eyebrow raised.
"Yes, I spent a week in Grenada, have you ever been?"
"Oh my that sounds wonderful, I will need to look into that location, Aruba is usually my favorite place to vacation" Emily muses, noticing the look that flashes across Tobias's face.
"Tris's family owns a luxury resort there," Marlene adds as she takes a sip of her drink.
"Oh really, I must hear about it, Evelyn you have been holding out on us!" Emily says drawing the attention of the rest of the table.
"Son, you went out of the country and didn't tell us?" Marcus asks curiously. "Not that you have to but you know your mother will worry"
"Marlene knew I was there, I thought it was best since Mom neglected to tell me that Tris was going to visit her family"
Evelyn blows out a breath and her mind quickly tries to figure out how to get out of this situation.
"Tobias, I don't know everything about your girlfriend's family or what she does," she says coldly.
"It's actually fiancee but we thought you would have known that from going through my phone Mother" Marlene shoots back across the table at her mother.
Tobias hears the chatter of the rest of the table stop and everyone looks at their family. Marcus looks at his children and sees their faces and then again at his wife. He knew she could be manipulative but this was getting out of hand and now it was going to be all across the television.
"Evelyn…" Marcus hisses and pinches his nose with his fingers
"Well, this call for champagne and a toast," Emily's husband Jeffery says and signals the waiter.
"That's not necessary," Evelyn says curtly.
"Why not?" Tris asks lightly. "Tobias and I are very excited"
Tris picks up her hand with her engagement ring and places it on Tobias's arm.
"Oh, that ring is gorgeous" Michele Rodriguez gushes and motions for Tris to extend her hand. Michele was the owner of a high-end fashion boutique and wife of a Chicago Bulls Player. She wasn't a fan of Evelyn's either and the look in her eye showed she was clearly amused by the scene playing out in front of her.
"Tobias, Can I speak with you in private?" Evelyn says smoothly.
"Umm, I think here is just fine, is there something you are concerned about?" Tobias says innocently.
"Are you sure this is what you want to do Tobias, considering the circumstances?" she tries to whisper.
"Why would we ever not want to do this?" Tris says leaning in to give Tobias a kiss on the cheek.
"Evelyn, are you not excited for your son?" Valeria, a former model, and wife of a local businessman in the Chicago Area asks. She could be catty when she wanted to. Tobias realized from the reactions at the table that his mother was making quite a few enemies on the show.
"Oh why yes, it's just there are circumstances that I think need to be considered," Evelyn says trying not to show her anger. She could see what Marlene, Tris, and Tobias were doing and it was pissing her off.
"We are very excited for him and happy that he has been able to find love again," Marcus says looking sternly at his wife who gives off a fake smile.
When the waiters bring out the champagne, Marlene hops up to deliver a toast.
"Congratulations to my brother and my soon to be sister in law! Their story can be seen as tragic and star-crossed but also beautiful and romantic. I'm so happy that you two found each other and have this chance at a full life together"
Cheers erupt and glasses clink. Tris, Tobias, Marlene, and Will had discussed if Tris was really okay with this and she was. She sang in front of crowds of people, she could handle this attention. Tobias reaches down and links their fingers together and Tris feels all the tension leave her body.
"Oh Tobias please tell us about your story, it's so beautiful that you found love again," Michele says in a dreamy voice.
"I met Tris a year after Lauren died, I needed to start over and so did Tris and we just fit together and we recently found out this was meant to be," Tobias says leaning over to give Tris a kiss.
Tris takes a deep breath. She was going to speak her truth. She had nothing to hide and over the past weeks, she and Tobias had come to realize they were happy about their situation.
"I had congestive heart failure from age 10 and I needed a heart transplant. I missed out on so much in life, like dating, sports, high school, college, prom. I was lucky enough to receive Lauren Eaton's heart. She saved my life and I now get the opportunity to live the life I wanted with this incredible man. Tobias and I didn't know until recently and it was difficult but we realize it was another sign we were supposed to find each other."
Several women at the table dab their eyes with napkins and Tris hears a few sniffles.
"Son...I...why didn't you tell us?" Marcus says speechless and stumbling over his words. Tobias can feel the anger welling up again as his mother didn't even tell his father.
"Mr. Eaton, your wife knew," Tris says, narrowing her eyes at Evelyn.
Gasps come from around the table and Evelyn gets up angrily, her chair scraping against the floor. She throws her napkin down and stomps off to the restroom. Lisa, a radio host, who had a few hit singles, and was married to the defensive line coach of the Chicago Bears was one of the cast members who had aligned with Evelyn gets up and runs after her.
"Marlene, Tobias, I don't know what you two are trying to prove by calling your mother out like this in front of everyone" Marcus starts.
"Daddy, we are just telling it how it happened, she was so concerned about the image of our family that she decided to break up our relationships. We thought her disrespect should be as public as what she put us through"
"What do you mean she tried to break you up?"
"Daddy, Mommy suggested to Lynn that I was cheating on her with Will when she and I were still together." Marlene had talked to Lynn a few days prior, apologizing for her mother's interference in their relationship. Marlene assured her nothing had happened with Will while they were together but also recognized that she was happy with Will now and that the issues that she and Lynn had been brought to the forefront by her mother's meddling but were unsolvable for Marlene.
"And she went through Marlene's phone and saw that Tris and I were having a tough time processing that she had Lauren's heart and she pushed Tris to go to Grenada"
"Shit" Marcus curses as he throws his napkin down.
He knew his wife but never thought she would take things this far. Their kids had had enough and he couldn't blame them. Marcus excuses himself from the table to go check on his wife and Tris, Tobias and Marlene smile at each other. They had all agreed the information about their relationships was out there and anyone could google information about Lauren's accident with the press it had received so there wasn't anything scandalous they were putting out about their lives. Tris and Tobias wanted an opportunity to control the narrative of their story, not let Evelyn dictate everything. They had both agreed Tris having Lauren's heart was nothing to be ashamed of. The other cast members asked Tris more about herself and were excited to learn about Sounds of Candor. Michele and Emily both tell Tris that they would be in touch about the band playing at events they were hosting soon.
After about 20 minutes Marcus, Lisa, and Evelyn come back to the table.
"Evelyn you were gone so long, we hope you are alright," Michele says with a petty tone as she sips her drink
"Michele, you've just been waiting for any excuse to come at me since your husband got caught with that stripper" Evelyn snaps and all hell breaks loose at the table. When Evelyn throws a drink at Michelle, Marlene, Tobias, and Tris quietly scoot away as people get up and Marcus ends up grabbing Evelyn away when Michelle tries to grab her across the table. One of the producers on-site asks them if they can do a few confessionals about what happened and it takes about 30 minutes. Tris spends her confessional deflecting promotes to speak negatively about Evelyn and speaking about how she wanted to tell more people about her transplant to highlight the need for organ donors and all of this helped her realize how to use her voice for a good cause.
They could hear all the commotion coming from the inside of the restaurant and they all are relieved to be removed from that level of drama. The producers promise to be in touch as they might need a few other confessions shots for context as they start editing the footage since two of the cameras were still inside catching all of the drama unfolding. Their plan was to film the reunion show in the next month and air the season over the summer so it would happen soon.
"I cannot believe we did that! Are we insane?" Tris laughs as they head to the car.
"Probably! But the look on Mom's face was priceless! She wanted her storyline and she got it tonight!" Marlene laughs out.
"Lene, You coming back to our place?" Tobias asks.
"Nah, I'm going to Will's. I'll call you this weekend! Working a double Thursday and Friday!" She yells as she gets into her Mercedes.
Tris giggles and Tobias pulls her close to him as he leans back against his truck.
"What's so funny?" He asks curiously.
"You said our place" Tris replies and she couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear.
Tobias chuckles and gives her a soft kiss.
"I'm really happy that it is our place now. Are you okay? I know we just might have opened a can of worms with how we did things"
"Actually, after everything, yes and I'm happy we can bring awareness to organ donation. There are so many people who could be helped if there were more organ donors and I'm glad we got a chance to show that. It was never something I thought about before all this happened and it made me realize I want to be more of an advocate and tell my story to help other people. Overall though, I hope your mother learned her lesson and stops meddling. But there is another benefit to this being out on television."
"And what would that be?" Tobias asks with a raised eyebrow, noticing the playful tone she took at the end.
"Now the entire world will know loud and clear that you are mine," Tris says leaning against Tobias's chest and seductively running her hands up and down.
"I like the way you think, Let's go home" Tobias declares, seeing the desire in Tris's eyes as he runs his thumb over her bottom lip.
Tobias and Marlene both stood their ground when Evelyn threw a temper tantrum after the drama-filled dinner. Tobias was prepared to not speak to his mother after everything she pulled but Tris was the one who urged him to let things simmer. Tobias had conceded but he let his mother know she wasn't welcome in his life if she ever pulled anything like that again. Marlene agreed and even when Evelyn cried about how sorry she was, Marcus stood up for his children. Tris didn't trust her knowing that Evelyn could put on a good show but she kept things short and to the point as did Marlene and Tobias. Even Marcus seemed to be keeping her at a distance.
Over the next 10 days, even with the obvious tension get ready for the dedication of the Abnegation Community Center expansion. Tris was singing and Marlene and Evelyn had planned out a thoughtful simple program. When the day of the dedication comes, Tris's entire family is present except Uriah who was on call at the fire station but was on Facetime with Christina so he could see. Andrew even set up his Ipad in the corner of the room so Kiki and Beth could see via video chat. There were a few news crews there as well and Tobias was interviewed alongside a few of the staff about Lauren and the community center.
Tris stands on the stage and takes a deep breath, she wanted to do this not just for Tobias but for Lauren too. She had this new life with this amazing man that she was falling more in love with every day because she was gone. She hoped Tobias would be happy with the tribute, she was going to put everything she could muster into this song. She and Bobby had only practiced a few times but she had been listening to it constantly on her AirPods around the house to keep Tobias from knowing what song she was working on. Shauna had put her in touch with the music teacher at her school and she and Bobby had rehearsed a few times with the orchestra students. She was nervous about hitting some of the higher notes properly and had been patient as she did it over and over again as they practiced the week before the dedication. The last rehearsal with the high school orchestra had been amazing with several of the teachers and Shauna who sat in tears as they finished. Today she was going to leave it all on the stage, no more hesitation or holding back. She and Tobias were together and happy and she couldn't ask for anything more.
"I am so happy to have this opportunity to honor Lauren Eaton. When my father immigrated from Grenada in the 1970s the Abnegation Community center was a place of hope and promise for the life my grandparents wanted to build in America. It was the place where my mother and father picked us up every day after school and we built relationships with the people of this community. This next expansion is going to help create those bonds and memories for an entirely new generation. While I never met Lauren, I'm standing here because of her and I hope that this song I chose to honor her memory moves you"
The music starts and she closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath and opens her eyes.
I want to leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that, something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget
I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here
I wanna say I lived each day until I died
I know that I had something in somebody's life
The hearts I have touched will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference and this world will see
I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
When she hits her first run she opens her eyes and smiles at the love she sees radiating from Tobias. Tears start to flow when and she continues on and lets the music flow through her body. She sees Marlene reach over and put her hand in Tobias's as he takes a deep breath and starts to cry. She clutches the microphone a little tighter with one hand, and clutches her other hand in a fist, and closes her eyes to hit the next set of notes praying they are perfect.
I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here
I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone some happiness
Left this world a little better just because
I was here
Tris puts every ounce of power that she has into her voice into the last section and the final runs of the song. She lets her tears flow freely not afraid to hold back the emotions she feels as she sings.
I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I wanna leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I've done
I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I've done
I was here
Thunderous applause comes from the audience as the entire audience stands and there isn't a dry eye in the house. Andrew, Hana, Harrison, Christina are all wiping their eyes. Marlene is hugging Will and sobbing as Marcus rubs Tobias across his shoulders. Evelyn was at the back of the room but Tris could see her wiping tears away too.
Tobias is still crying but he is also smiling the biggest smile at Tris as Bobby and the students exit the stage. Tobias gets up and before she can get off the stage, and hauls her into his arms and Tris wraps her arms tightly around his neck as he buries his face in her hair. When he sets her down on her feet he pulls back and wipes the tears from her cheek and she does the same for him.
"I love you" he whispers and smiles "Thank you"
Tris smiles back "I love you too".
She was so proud of him for persevering and seeing this through. After all of the anxiety and drama the past month, Tris was so happy to be able to be here with him in this moment.
Tobias helps Tris down the stairs and goes back to the podium and clears his throat and his hands grip both sides of the podium. He starts to speak but chokes up and stops, giving himself a second to bring his emotions under control before starting his speech. The feeling was overwhelming that he had finally fulfilled his last promise to Lauren.
"My late wife Lauren believed that she could make a difference in the world through enriching the lives of others. I am so happy that even though she isn't physically with us anymore, her vision for this space and to help the families of Chicago will keep going for many years to come. I am proud to dedicate the Lauren Eaton Library and the expansion of the Abnegation Community Center in honor of Lauren Maire Eaton."
The crowd erupts again with applause and Tobias walks down the stage and over to the doors and cuts the red ribbon to the doors to the library.
Marcus, Will, Marlene, and Tobias join the rest of the family back at the Pit for drinks and a family dinner. When she asked Marlene was Evelyn joining, all she got was an eye roll in response. Evelyn definitely had an uphill battle ahead of her if she was going to win back the trust of her family. Tris hoped everything could go back to normal as possible now. She was so tired, she figured it was from all of the work on the dedication that week. Maybe she just needed a few days to sleep and get some rest, she hoped that was all it was.
Let me know what you think of this chapter!
