On one of Roza's last nights away, Amar and George invited the couple to their cottage for dinner and a chance to meet Tori, who had recently returned. When they arrived at the cottage, which was actually a good-sized two-bedroom home, George surprised Tris. He had prepared an American-style barbecue dinner for her with grilled hamburgers, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, and even an apple pie for dessert.
"Tori told me that you missed an American holiday earlier this month," George explained. "So we made you the meal you missed, and Amar got you fireworks. He's out back setting them up."
"You guys are so thoughtful!" Tris exclaimed, hugging George again.
Tobias excused himself to use the restroom, and while he was gone, A timer summoned George to the kitchen. Tris waited in the living room, glancing around at Amar and George's cozy home.
The front door of the cottage opened. "Hello?" called a woman Tris assumed was George's sister, Tori. She was in her mid-to-late thirties, petite, with long, dark hair. Tris easily recognized the resemblance between her and George.
"You must be Tris," the woman said. "I'm Tori."
Tris smiled as she stood to greet the newcomer. "It's nice to finally meet you," she said. "I love the painting you did for me. Especially all the personal touches. You really put your heart into your work, as well as your talent."
Tori beamed, then her face softened. "Tobias is family," she said. "When he talks about you - and he talks about you a lot - he just lights up. Amar, too, raves about how wonderful you are and how you are good for Tobias."
"No pressure," Tris said dryly, then laughed.
Tori smiled and grabbed the younger woman's hands. "No pressure," she emphasized sincerely. "The people here tonight are the only ones who know the depths of Marcus' depravity. Others know he was harsh. Roza probably knows, or at least suspects, some things. But Tobias doesn't talk about his father, and no one sees those scars. When Amar came home from the States and said that Tobias had met someone, I was hopeful. But when Tobias told me how you met, and that he told you everything and showed you his tattoo and scars, I knew you were special. The painting I made for you symbolizes your ability to see past the 'pretty' - past a good-looking guy with a big bank account - and to love the scarred boy underneath."
Both women were in tears by the end of Tori's heartfelt speech. They hugged for a long moment.
"I see you've met my sister," George said, walking into the room with Tobias.
The men each gave Tori a quick hug, and George asked her about her travels. Amar came in, and another round of greetings ensued.
Tris was touched by the American-style barbecue dinner they shared on Amar and George's patio. The food was good, and the company was even better. Tris found an instant friend in Tori, and the two women talked about Tris getting another tattoo before she went back to Chicago.
After sunset, Amar got ready to shoot off the fireworks while George served pie. Tobias sat on a blanket with Tris in front of him, her back leaned into his chest, ready to enjoy the show.
It was late when the couple made their way across the lawn and back to the main house. With Roza away, Amar walked back with them to lock up the house for the night. The two men sent Tris upstairs to get ready for bed while they had a quick word.
Tris walked into the master bedroom dressing room and riffled through her drawers, looking for her favorite pajama set. As she changed, she couldn't stop smiling. It had been so good to spend the relaxed evening with George and Amar, and Tori was a wonderful new friend. Tris was excited about a couple tattoo ideas they had discussed, and couldn't wait to see Tori's drawings.
She heard Tobias enter the bedroom, so she grabbed her light floral robe and wrapped it around herself. When she walked into the main bedroom, Tobias greeted her with a kiss. He seemed nervous, and Tris wondered what he and Amar had talked about.
"Is everything okay?" Tris asked.
"What? Oh, yeah, um, I mean… Yes," Tobias stammered. "Everything is fine. Will you, uh, will you come out on the balcony with me?"
"Sure," Tris said, still concerned by Tobias' behavior.
She took her boyfriend's hand, and he led them out to the balcony where a group of battery-operated candles illuminated the table and a covered dish sitting on it. Tobias lifted the lid, revealing chocolate-covered strawberries.
"You are so sweet," Tris said.
"No," Tobias argued, "you are."
He set the lid on the table, and the clang echoed through the dark and empty night. Seconds later, pink fireworks began erupting over the back lawn. They illuminated the yard for a moment, and Tris saw four figures.
"Did Amar find some more fireworks?" Tris asked. "And who's with them?"
"Jorik," Tobias said quietly. "He set up the snacks for us. This is the grand finale."
For a full minute the sky was filled with burst after burst of pink, silver, and gold sparkles. When they stopped, Tris felt Tobias tap her shoulder. She turned, and was startled to find her boyfriend down on one knee.
"Beatrice Prior," Tobias said solemnly. "I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?"
Tris gasped audibly. "Tobias," she breathed. "Yes. Yes, I will marry you. You are my home. Wherever you go, I go. I love you."
Tobias kept to his feet and crushed Tris in a fierce hug. "Your love is the greatest gift anyone has ever given me," he said.
They kissed, and when they pulled apart, Tobias reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. "I suppose I should give you this," he said with a chuckle. "I was so nervous about asking that I almost forgot the ring."
He opened the box, and Tris gasped at the enormous oval-shaped stone. "Zemra ime," Tobias said, "you truly are my heart."
He took the ring out of the box and slipped it on Tris' finger. She stared at it in the semi-darkness, then looked back at Tobias.
"It's so beautiful," she breathed. "I hope you know that I don't need a big sparkly ring. All I need is you, because I love you for yourself."
"I love that about you," Tobias said, "but I want to give you everything. Because I love you. Because I can. Because you demand nothing and deserve everything. Amar and I hunted the globe looking for exactly the diamond I wanted to give you. I mean that literally. I met with jewelers in London and Beverly Hills. We spoke to dealers in South Africa and Antwerp. That's where we found the stone, then a jeweler put the ring together to my specifications."
"It's just like you," Tobias continued. "I hunted the globe looking for just the right woman to spend my life with. Someone rare, unique, and beautiful. I want you to think of that every time you see your ring."
"Oh Tobias," Tris said as she threw her arms around his neck. "You spoil me!"
"Because I love you," Tobias said, returning Tris' hug. "Now I think we've left those four in suspense long enough," he said.
Tris was confused until Tobias yelled loudly, "She said yes!"
Cheers came from the back lawn, and another round of fireworks lit the sky while the happy couple kissed. Tobias popped the cork on a bottle of champagne, and poured them each a glass.
When the last spark of the fireworks fizzled, Tobias gathered the rest of the champagne and strawberries, and led Tris back into the bedroom.
"It's pink!" Tris suddenly exclaimed as they stepped into the light. Tobias grinned. "I didn't know they made pink champagne."
"The champagne?" Tobias asked in confusion. "I thought you were talking about your diamond."
Tris stopped in her tracks and raised her left hand. When she saw her engagement ring in the light, she gasped and fumbled her champagne flute. Tobias grabbed the crystal stemware just in time to save it.
"Oh my god," Tris said as she examined the large pink diamond.
.
It was late in Albania, but afternoon in Chicago, so Tris and Tobias called the Priors by video chat. Tris' parents knew about the proposal as Tobias had called them earlier in the week to ask for their blessing.
Tobias had been quite eloquent with Tris' parents. He told them what a wonderful person their daughter was, how much he loved her, and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Tris by his side, working together to make the world a better place.
Andrew and Natalie were sad that their daughter would be making her home so far from them, but they were happy, too. They liked Tobias, and they could clearly see the genuine affection and care that the two young people had for one another. They had given Tobias their blessing with lots of anxiety about culture shock and planning a wedding between their daughter and the Albanian multimillionaire, but with no reservations about the groom or the young couple's relationship.
Tris told her parents all about the American dinner that Amar, Tori, and George had prepared for her. She also told them about the proposal, with fireworks, pink champagne, and the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen. When Tris held up her hand to the camera, her parents gasped at the sight of the stunning engagement ring.
When they ended the call with Tris' parents, Tobias asked if she wanted to call her brother, or maybe Christina. "Not tonight," she said, moving from her spot beside Tobias to straddle his lap. "I can talk to them later. Right now I want to make love to my fiance."
"My fiancee has the best ideas," Tobias growled, planting his large hands on Tris' hips.
.
Tris and Tobias slept in after their late night of celebration. They woke to a very eager-looking Amar setting up breakfast. "Good morning!" the assistant practically sang. "Congratulations!"
"Amar," Tobias groaned, and Tris giggled as she pulled up the blankets to make sure her naked body was covered.
"I'll, um, I'll give you a few minutes," Amar said.
"Make it an hour," Tobias called after his retreating assistant. "My beautiful fiancee is naked under here, and I'd like to take advantage of that."
"Tobias!" Tris squealed as she blushed and broke into a fit of giggles.
.
Amar didn't return to the bedroom until Tobias sent for him to come pick up the breakfast tray. By then the couple was dressed and ready for the day. He hugged Tris and Tobias, and congratulated them again on their engagement.
He also informed them that, per Tobias' plans, a team of stylists would be arriving at noon, and a photographer would be arriving about an hour later to take engagement photos.
Tris grilled the men about Albanian wedding traditions as the couple had already decided to get married there. Tris felt it would be awkward to bring Tobias and his wealthy friends to Chicago for the kind of small wedding the Priors could afford for their daughter. In Albania the groom's family paid for more of the wedding festivities, and Tobias and Amar already had connections and resources.
The other thing the couple had settled, with Natalie and Andrew's help, was the date. Tris was scheduled to graduate from Dauntless University on May sixteenth. She and her entourage would fly from Chicago to Albania, leaving on Thursday, June third and arriving on Friday the fourth. The groom bringing the bride home was a tradition in Albanian weddings, and would serve as a kickoff for their wedding weekend. The actual ceremony would take place on Saturday, June fifth.
.
The early afternoon was a whirlwind of nail polish, clothing changes, and smiling for the camera. Tris was glad she didn't have to go through it alone. She and Tobias snuck kisses and hugs whenever they got a moment together. The photographer informed them that it would take a week or two for the pictures to be edited and ready, but that he would share a few of them with the couple as a sneak peek by the end of the day.
Roza was still away with her family, so after the photoshoot and a quick nap, Tris and Tobias helped themselves to the kitchen, where Tris put together a simple dinner. Tobias carried the food to the den, and the couple ate at one of the tables while a movie played in the background.
"Can I talk to you about something?" Tobias asked cautiously.
"Of course," Tris said, concerned about Tobias' tone.
"When we get married, and you come to live here permanently, I'd, um, I'd like to add more staff to the household."
"O-kay…" Tris said, still unsure why Tobias seemed so reluctant.
"So I have Amar as my assistant for both personal and business things, and he's also my driver. Roza and her staff have the house covered, and Rraman, Jorik, and the others have the grounds and property covered. Jorik can drive you when needed, at least until Rraman retires. But you need an assistant of your own."
"Tobias," Tris argued, "I don't need some kind of lady's maid. I can dress myself, and the housekeeping girls do the laundry. Am I really that much trouble?"
"No, no, Zemra ime," Tobias said. "You're not a burden in any way! I thought it might help for you to have someone who could be a translator, kind of a... cultural attache. I don't want you to be limited, or stuck at home as you learn the language."
"Oh," Tris said. "I, uh… That's actually a good idea."
"When Rraman retires in a few years, Jorik will take over as head groundskeeper," Tobias continued. "When that happens we'll need to hire another driver and groundskeeping assistant to take the assistant position. I'm also hoping we'll need a nanny in a few years."
"Nanny?" Tris asked, shocked. "No, Tobias, no nannies. We won't be needing that."
Tobias looked stricken. "But..." he began. "I mean… I thought… You don't want…"
Realizing the miscommunication, Tris leapt to her feet. "No! Tobias, stop! I want children. I want baby Five, and probably one or two more. I want them so much! I don't want nannies. I want us to raise our own children, like a normal family."
Tobias visibly slumped and put his head in his hands, and Tris realized that he was fighting tears. She rushed around the table to stand beside him, and threw her arms around his shoulders.
"Oh Sweetheart," she cooed. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I scared you. Please don't cry!"
"I… I thought…" Tobias stammered. "I just… I've always worried that I would turn into Marcus. For years I thought that this messed-up family would end with me - that it was better that way. But you gave me hope, Tris. You made me think that I could have a real family of my own - that I could turn the Eaton family in a new direction, with honesty, selflessness, bravery, kindness, and thoughtfulness. A family with… with love.
"When you said you didn't want them, I swear my heart stopped. I thought maybe you worry I'm going to be like Marcus. I thought you were afraid of me."
Tris maneuvered Tobias' arm away from his face so she could get closer to him. He willingly shifted, and Tris sat on his legs with her arms around his shoulders. She pressed her forehead into his cheek and kissed his jaw.
"I love you," Tris whispered in Tobias' ear. "I'm going to be your wife. I hope… I plan to be the mother of your children. You are nothing like Marcus. I'm not afraid of you - I never have been, and I never will be. I'm proud of you. I love you."
"I'm sorry," Tobias said, wrapping his arms around Tris and pulling her close. "I'm just so happy, but it's like I'm waiting for something bad to happen."
"That's the trauma talking," Tris said gently. "It's a defense mechanism. Your mind is trying to protect you. But I promise, Tobias, I really do love you. I want to be your wife and build a family with you. I mean that from the bottom of my heart."
Tris held Tobias while he took several deep breaths of her familiar scent. They sat wrapped in one another until they were interrupted by a tap at the door. Tobias saw Amar in the doorway and waved him in. Tris stayed on her fiance's lap, not wanting to move away and make him feel abandoned even on the smallest scale.
"Are you finished with your dinner?" Amar asked, and Tobias nodded. "I heard from the photographer. He sent me a few pictures from the photoshoot as a sneak preview. I forwarded them to your phones."
Tris smiled eagerly and pulled her phone out of her pocket. She swiped until she found the pictures. They were beautiful. Tris' favorite featured the couple standing on the cliff overlooking the sea. Tris was wearing a long, green, floral sundress that the wind blew out behind her, and Tobias wore khakis and a white silk camp shirt. They stood face-to-face, smiling at one another.
The other picture was a close-up of the couple. In the photo, Tris wore a pink dress. She was looking up at Tobias, who wore a grey suit, while he smiled down at her. Tris' engagement ring was prominent in the picture as her left hand rested on Tobias' jaw.
Tris took a screenshot of the close-up photo, and used her phone's photo editor to add a caption. "I said po!" she put on the top part of the photo. "(That's 'yes' in Albanian!)" she added to the bottom.
With Tobias' smiling approval, Tris sent a group text to her friends with nothing but the picture. It was mid-morning back in Chicago, and the replies started arriving within minutes.
Christina: OMG! Congrats! That ring! (Heart eyes emoji)
Shauna: No way! Congrats!
Uriah: Thanks, Trissy, now Mar is going to expect me to propose! We've been together as long as you have!
Marlene: That's right, Uri. I hope you've been saving up!
Christina: What about me and Will? We've been together way longer!
Uriah: Seriously Tris, congrats. You look really happy, and Four's a great guy. Mom says congrats, too.
Marlene: And Chris is right. That ring is ah-mazing!
Shauna: Zeke is excited, too. He and Tobias really got along. Have you set a date?
Tris: June 5. Mark your calendars for that week, because you're all flying over with me for several days of festivities!
Marlene: You're getting married there?
Tris: Yes. It makes sense for a lot of reasons. But don't worry, we'll cover your travel. Get a passport if you don't have one.
Christina: Woo hoo! We're jetting off to Europe for a millionaire's wedding!
Marlene: How did he propose?
Tris moved to the sofa so Tobias and Amar could discuss business. She told her friends about Tobias' proposal, and the girls gushed about how sweet and romantic it was.
She texted Caleb, informing her brother of her engagement and wedding date, and saying that she hoped he would be able to join them in Albania for the wedding. Though the message was marked as read, Caleb made no reply.
Rebekah was a different story. Tris sent a text to her Albanian friend and tutor, and got a sweet and friendly response.
T: Rebekah, thank you so much for helping me with my Albanian this year. I've been here all summer, and I'm loving it. I still have a lot to learn, but knowing some of the language has helped a lot. I'm very thankful for your help, especially since Albania is going to be my home. My boyfriend proposed yesterday, and I said 'po!' - We're getting married next summer!
R: Congratulations Tris! I am so happy for you! We will have to work extra hard this year to get you ready. What is the lucky groom's name?
T: Tobias. He's wonderful. It's going to be hard moving so far from home, you know that feeling, but I love him so much and I'm excited to be his wife.
R: You will adjust, I promise. Once you learn the language well, you will feel right at home.
R: Tobias is not a very Albanian name. Where does he live?
T: It's a family name, his grandfather was British. He lives southwest of Tirana, on the coast.
R: I am from the far eastern side of the country, near the lakes and the Macedonian border. I hope you're not offended by my questions; I'm just curious.
T: Of course not! We're friends, and we're talking about your home country. You can ask questions.
R: If you're sure I'm not pressing too far into your business, can I ask Tobias' last name?
T: It's ok. My fiance is Tobias Eaton. You've probably heard of him. I kept his identity quiet when we were dating because I wanted to protect his privacy, and my own. But now that we're engaged and committed to each other, I want my friends to know.
R: Are you serious? That's like a fairytale - the sweet, beautiful, American college girl swept off her feet by a handsome European millionaire. He's practically royalty!
T: Lol
R: I'm serious, Tris. Tobias is a cousin or something to Crown Prince Leka.
T: I thought Albania didn't have royals? Didn't that end when the communists took over?
R: Yes. Albania had one king. The monarchy ended with the communists, but the title passed to his son, and then to his son. Prince Leka is called a "pretender" because he is a crown prince with no kingdom to take over. He works in government, and he married an Albanian actress a few years ago. Their wedding was a big deal.
Tris looked over at Tobias, who was having a rapid-fire conversation with Amar. They were speaking Albanian, probably discussing business. When they saw her watching them, they stopped, and Tobias smiled.
"I'm sorry, Zemra ime," he said sheepishly. "Amar and I got caught up in conversation."
"I don't mind," Tris said honestly. "I was just talking to my Albanian tutor-friend at Dauntless. She was telling me that Albania still kind of has royalty. I have questions about it, but they're obviously not pressing."
"You have an Albanian tutor?" Amar asked, his face shocked.
Tobias looked equally stunned, and Tris blushed. "I know my Albanian isn't very good," she said. "That isn't Rebekah's fault. She and I both go to school full-time, and work. But she's been helping with my pronunciation and cultural things."
"Are you…" Tobias began, "are you working at a coffee shop to pay a tutor? And where did you even find someone? Very few Americans have even heard of the Albanian language."
Tris wrapped her arms around herself, feeling defensive. "I went to the international student center on campus and asked if DU had any students from Albania," she explained. "When I met Rebekah, I offered to pay her for occasionally helping me. She was excited that someone wanted to learn Albanian because she wants to be an English teacher or translator. Since she always wanted to drive, but her uncle wouldn't let her, she offered to help with my Albanian if I taught her to drive."
"You didn't have a car," Amar pointed out.
"We borrowed Christina's," Tris said with a shrug. "As long as she didn't need it and I put gas in it, Christina let me use her car."
"You did all that for me?" Tobias asked, still stunned.
"Of course," Tris said quietly.
"I wondered where you got some of the things you've said!" Amar commented with a laugh.
Tobias jumped up from the table. He crossed to his fiancee, scooped her up in his arms, and spun her in circles. "I should buy you more diamonds," he exclaimed.
Tris squealed and threw her arms around Tobias' neck. "No more diamonds," she said with a laugh. "I have everything I need right here in my arms."
The couple kissed passionately.
"I'm going to take care of the dishes and lock up for the night," Amar said, interrupting their moment and making Tris blush and hide her face in Tobias' shoulder.
In spite of her objections, Tobias carried Tris through the house, up the stairs, and into the master bedroom, where he gently laid her on the king-sized bed. "I love you," he said as he hovered over Tris and gently stroked her cheek.