Tobias flew with Tris back to Chicago. As always, a car was waiting for them at the airfield, and Amar drove them to the Priors' home. When they arrived, the street in front of the Priors' house was lined with cars, many of which were familiar to Tris. A big banner that read "Congratulations Tris & Tobias!" hung over the open garage door, and the entire front walk was lined with helium balloons in shades of pink and champagne gold - the colors they had chosen for their wedding.

The couple walked through the garage and into the backyard, where nearly everyone Tris knew was waiting. "Surprise!" they called.

All at once, everyone moved on the couple. Tris was caught up in a whirlwind of hugs and congratulations. Friends wanted to see her engagement ring and meet Tobias. Tris did her best to stay close to her fiance, who knew only a handful of people there. She introduced him to her friends from high school, Zeke and Uriah's mom Hana, her parents' neighbors, Natalie's brother Uncle Daniel and his family, and Andrew's sister, Aunt Jeanine.

Tris was exhausted from the time change the long day flying back from Albania, and overwhelmed by the August heat, the surprise party, and the reminder that she would be moving so far from everyone she knew and loved. Tobias fared better, but his introverted nature was a bit overwhelmed by the unexpected crowd. Tris cried a little on several occassions during the party, but Tobias, Natalie, and Christina worked to keep her focused and upbeat.

At one point Christina took Tris into the house to get the album of engagement photos so they could show it to everyone. When they walked back into the crowded yard, Tris noticed that her Aunt Jeanine had Tobias cornered near the back of the garage and was talking his ear off. As much as Tris didn't want to hear her aunt's incessant ramblings about her research, she knew she needed to rescue her fiance.

Christina took the photo album of engagement pictures, and Tris walked toward Tobias. His face lit up when he saw Tris, and she wasn't sure if he was happy to see her, or just happy to be rescued from Jeanine.

"There's my beautiful fiancee," Tobias said, leaning down to kiss Tris on the cheek.

"Beatrice," Jeanine said coolly.

"Aunt Jeanine," Tris greeted pleasantly, "thank you for coming all the way out to Chicago. It's good to see you."

Tris and Jeanine were not at all close, and Jeanine had never tried to pretend otherwise. Tris was surprised that her aunt made the trip for a mere engagement party. She wondered what leverage Natalie and Andrew had used to get Jeanine to come. Then her aunt started talking again, and it all suddenly made sense.

"As I was saying before we were interrupted," Jeanine said to Tobias, "you really ought to be funding life-changing research. Art, poverty programs, and things like that are nice gestures, but real world change comes from scientific research. Projects like mine are far more important than pretty pictures or handouts for the lazy."

"You know what I don't understand?" Tris interjected, standing up as tall as she could and putting an arm around Tobias' waist. "I don't understand why social activists, who are raising money and saving lives, are expected to live on miniscule salaries while research scientists, who also have funds to raise and lives to save, make very comfortable salaries. I guess when you don't actually deal with people in need, it's easier to see them as statistics and subjects. When you have to look them in the eye, you're willing to sacrifice your own comfort to save more lives."

"That's a very good point," Tobias said, smiling down at Tris. "There's also a lot of money to be made in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Research scientists work for universities and have to raise funds, but they often work for companies that make millions in profits, too, or hospitals that charge astronomical amounts for their services."

"Meanwhile the middle class and poor spend inordinate amounts of money on insurance just to be devastated by medical bills from uncovered costs if they have a serious illness or injury," Tris added.

"Hmm. The American healthcare system is a mess," Tobias said. "As a foreigner I don't pretend to understand it. Sadly, I think most Americans don't understand it either. Wouldn't you agree, Jeanine?"

"Most people are idiots," Jeanine spat, and Tris suppressed a smile as her aunt's fundraising facade slipped, revealing her usual impatient and cold nature. "Funding should go to where it does the most good. I should be in my lab, not hustling for money. Let the arts go begging. They have time on their hands."

"And what kind of project are you working on now?" Tris asked, trying to divert her aunt to keep the conversation civil.

"We're working on treatments for mental health issues, specifically schizophrenia and dissociative disorder," Tris' aunt said proudly. "People like that don't fit into society, and are a drain on resources. We're trying to find a cure that would correct that, and there are a number of drug combinations that are showing promise."

"A worthy goal," Tobias said in an attempt to placate the older woman. "Many people suffer tremendously because of mental health issues. It would undoubtedly be a relief for them if there was a cure. Oh! I believe Natalie is trying to get our attention. If you would please excuse us, Jeanine."

With that Tobias moved away from Jeanine, his arm still firmly around Tris' shoulders.

"I'm so sorry," Tris said quietly. "Aunt Jeanine has never cared for me, but I'm afraid now that I'm connected to your money, we'll be hearing from her."

"Don't feel bad," Tobias said. "I've seen enough of Jeanine and Caleb to know what kind of people they are. Can you believe the way she sees things? She doesn't care about anyone as a person. She sees valuable human lives as mere glitches that need correcting. I'm not inclined to cut checks without doing my own research, and I have to turn people down often enough. If you wanted me to do something for their work because they're your family, I would do it for you. But otherwise, no."

"Good," Tris said quietly, "because I don't want to be any part of the way those two think about people. I love your wisdom, your intelligence, and your heart, Tobias."

"I love you too," he said, stopping to steal a kiss before they got to Natalie.

.

As the party wore on, Tris wore out. Their well-meaning friends and family didn't understand that it was the middle of the night in Albania and that the engaged couple had been awake for nearly an entire twenty-four hour day. Making matters worse, Tris was overwhelmed by the fact that her time with Tobias was running out. The August evening was sweltering, she had hardly touched food all day, and was pretty sure she was coming down with a summer cold, too.

At one point Tobias felt Tris sway slightly under his arm. He excused them from the conversation they were having, and took her straight inside to sit down in the air conditioning.

Having seen the look on Tobias' face, Natalie followed them. "What's wrong?" she asked when she got inside.

"Tris is feeling faint," Tobias said as he handed his fiancee a glass of juice.

"I'm fine," Tris insisted. "I'm just tired. We've been up for about twenty-two hours now. The time change is getting to me."

"And you haven't eaten much - today or yesterday," Tobias added.

"I'm coming down with a cold," she said dismissively. "I just don't have an appetite."

"It's getting late," Natalie soothed. "People are starting to leave anyway. I'll send Christina in, and she can get your friends moving. That will end the party quickly."

"Oh Mom," Tris moaned, "I feel so guilty. You threw us a nice party, and everyone came. I don't want to send them away."

"Sweetie, it's ten o'clock," Natalie argued. "It's well time to wrap things up. You stay here with Tobias and drink your juice. I'll send Christina in with some food."

Natalie made good on her promise, and Christina brought Tris a plate of party food, which Tobias practically forced her to eat. Once Christina understood how tired the happy couple was, she gathered their friend group and explained that Tris was asleep on her feet, and it was time to call it a night.

Other partygoers followed the example of the young people, and soon just Andrew, Natalie, Caleb, and Amar remained at the house. At Natalie's insistence, Tobias took Tris upstairs to get ready for bed while the others cleaned up.

Tobias wanted to carry Tris, but she wouldn't have it. He settled for keeping his hands on her hips on the way up the stairs, then actually stayed in the bathroom with her while she showered and brushed her teeth. He didn't want her to feel faint and slip on the wet floor.

Once she was ready, Tobias tucked Tris into her full-size bed. "Stay with me," she begged, her voice sleepy and congested-sounding.

"For a little bit," he agreed, dropping his shoes and laying down, fully dressed, on top of the covers.

"I don't know how to sleep without you anymore," Tris said weakly as she yawned.

"I'm here for a few more days," Tobias soothed as he ran his fingers through Tris' still-damp hair. "After that you'll be back to sharing a room with Christina. You won't be alone, Zemra ime, and I'll be with you again in a few short months."

"I know," Tris said, still mournful, before they lapsed into silence.

.

Tobias and Amar stayed in Chicago for a few days. They helped Tris pack and move into her apartment with Christina, Marlene, and Lynn. They made sure she had everything she needed for her new living arrangement, books, school supplies, and cash in the bank. Tobias suggested that she not work senior year, but devote herself to her studies, spending as much time as possible with her friends and family, and learning Albanian.

Tris reluctantly agreed. She felt lazy not working, but she knew Tobias was right. She didn't need the money, and her time with her loved ones was too quickly coming to an end.

While they were at Dauntless, Tris introduced Tobias and Amar to Rebekah, and Amar set up a regular schedule of paid tutoring sessions for Tris.

Once everything was settled, Tobias and Amar had to go back to Albania. Congested and exhausted, Tris was an emotional mess the night they left. Christina eventually convinced her to take a cold medication that would put her to sleep, and she slept like the dead for nearly twelve hours.

The next day, Tris and her friends started their senior year at DU. The first week passed in a flurry of classes, Albanian lessons, and hanging out with friends. It was different without Zeke and Shauna there, but the remaining members of their group were determined to squeeze every last drop out of their time together.

On Friday night, the group made plans to go out to a club. Tris' cold was getting better, but she was still pretty congested and tired. She opted to stay back at the apartment rather than go clubbing, but she did hang out with the girls while they did their nails, hair, and makeup.

Tris hoped to get a good night's rest, so she took her sleep-inducing cold medicine just before everyone left.

"Ugh," Marlene complained as she gave herself a once-over in the full-length mirror. "I hate when Uri has a game on Saturdays. He won't party much. Ignore me; I'm just PMs'ing. I wish I wasn't on my period. I feel so bloated!"

Tris felt the breath leave her lungs in a woosh. When was my last period? she thought in a panic. Oh my god.

The second the door closed behind her friends, Tris whipped out her phone and checked her tracker app. "6 days late" the screen read. Tris swiped frantically to the calendar page. Everything was correct there. She was late.

Oh my god, she thought again. She ran some quick math in her head. September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May. May! Graduation, the wedding, oh my god, I'm going to be sick! I need a test. No, I took Nyquil. I can't drive. I can't take a test until morning, anyway. Oh my god!

In utter panic she snatched her phone and dialed Tobias' number, not even bothering to check the time. "Tris?" Tobias answered in a sleepy voice.

Tris gasped and sobbed at the sound of his voice.

"Tris! What's wrong? What time is it? Are you okay?"

"Tobias, I'm so sorry," she cried. "I forgot about the time difference. It's just after seven here. I'm sorry I woke you up, but I'm kind of freaking out! I'm late, Tobias."

"Late?" he asked. "Where are you supposed to be?"

"Nowhere!" she exclaimed. "My period is late. What am I going to do?"

Halfway around the world, Tobias sat in stunned silence for a moment, listening to Tris sob over the phone.

"This explains why I'm so tired," she lamented, "and why I haven't had an appetite. I thought it was just my cold. What am I going to do?"

"We," Tobias corrected. "Not you, Zemra ime, us. We're in this together. Have you taken a test?"

"No," Tris admitted. "I just realized I was late. Tobias, if I'm pregnant we'll have a baby in May. What about the wedding, and school, and what are my parents going to say?"

"Tris, can you get a test?" Tobias asked, trying to be the voice of calm and reason even though his own guilt and panic were threatening to suffocate him.

"No," Tris explained. "It's too early, so I can't get a good result from a home test until morning. I can't even go get one because I'm doped up on Nyq- Oh my god! Tobias! I've been taking potent cold medicine!"

"Breathe, Tris," Tobias reminded his hysterical fiancee as he tapped away at his other phone. "The internet says that since it's so early, you're probably fine. Just don't take anything else, okay?"

"Okay," Tris agreed.

"Is anyone with you?" he asked.

"No," Tris said. "They all went out to the club. I only stayed back because of this cold, then Marlene said something on the way out the door about her period, and I realized I haven't gotten mine."

"Okay, Tris," Tobias said as Amar walked into the master bedroom. "Here's what you're going to do. It's seven-thirty PM. You're sick, and you're drugged on cold medicine. Your friends are out at a nightclub. I want you to go into the kitchen and get a glass of water. Right now. I'll stay on the line with you."

Amar hurried back into the bedroom from the dressing room and handed Tobias a stack of clothes, which he quickly put on.

"When was the last time you ate something?" Tobias asked Tris over the phone.

"I had some soup a couple hours ago," Tris said, sounding weaker once the adrenaline eased and she was calmer.

"Do you have anything to snack on in the apartment?" Tobias asked as he followed Amar out of the bedroom and down the hall to the stairs.

"Yeah," Tris said breathily. "I have, um, yogurt, some crackers, and uh... oranges."

"Good," Tobias soothed. "All of those are good options. I want you to pick a snack, and eat something. No matter what's going on, you need something in your system, okay?"

"Okay," Tris agreed. "Dairy isn't good with a cold, so I think I'll eat an orange and some graham crackers."

"Good idea," Tobias replied. "Are you feeling calmer?"

"I am," Tris said. "I'm so sorry I woke you up. I was just freaking out. I don't know what I'm going to do."

"Deep breaths," Tobias said. "Don't get worked up again. I'm glad you called me. This is not your situation; it's our situation. We go through it together. I want to be here for you. I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Thank you," Tris said with a sniffle. Tobias couldn't tell if she was crying again, or if it was just her cold.

"I love you," Tobias said comfortingly.

"I love you too," Tris repeated wearily.

While she ate her snack, Tobias got Tris talking about her first week of classes. Soon she was trying to hide her yawns.

"It sounds like your cold medicine kicked in," Tobias said.

"Mm hmm," Tris mumbled affirmatively.

"Go snuggle up in your bed, Zemra ime. Sleep in as long as you can, and call me when you take the test tomorrow, okay? I want to be on the line while you're waiting for results and everything. You won't do this alone, I promise."

"Okay," Tris said sleepily. "Goodnight, Tobias."

"Goodnight."

.

When Tris woke up the next morning, she was warm, calm, and content. Then reality crashed into her as she remembered the night before.

Pregnant

I'm probably pregnant.

Oh my god.

Her eyes flew open and she was blinded by bright daylight. She tried to climb out of bed, but strong arms restrained her. "Jo," a deep voice mumbled behind her.

Tris' eyes widened, and she turned her body, certain that she was still dreaming.

"Tobias!" she sobbed, realizing that the man she loved was in bed with her. "How are you here? Is this real?"

"Mmm, morning," Tobias said sleepily before Tris grabbed his face and crashed their lips together.

"How are you here?" Tris repeated through tears as she pulled back to look at Tobias.

"I have two phones, an airplane, and the world's best assistant," Tobias said. "Amar set up an emergency protocol with the airport that stores my jet. When you called, I texted Amar, and he had the pilot booked and was in my room in minutes. By the time you went to bed last night, I was at the airport and your friends knew I was coming. Eight hours later I was in a car on my way to the dorm, just praying the cold medicine kept you asleep until I could get here. I've been here for about a half hour now. I told you - you're not doing this alone. If you're pregnant, that's my child, too, and I'm going to be here for you and for him or her."

Tris threw herself sobbing onto Tobias' chest, and he just held her and let her cry.

"I really have to pee," Tris said through her tears as she clung to Tobias' shirt. "How am I supposed to hold it long enough to go get a test?"

"I brought one," Tobias said, pointing to Tris' dresser.

Once Tris cleaned up her face, she slipped into the tiny attached bathroom to take the pregnancy test. She came out carrying the little white stick and set it on top of its box.

"Now we wait," she said nervously.

Tobias, sitting on the edge of Tris' bed, opened his arms. "Come here," he offered.