Tris survived the rest of Thanksgiving weekend by avoiding her brother. She spent Black Friday shopping with Christina. She spent Saturday at the food bank with Natalie, making plans for their holiday season outreach. Saturday night she went out with Christina, Uriah, and Lynn. On Sunday morning Andrew took his son to the airport while Tris and Natalie attended church. When she wasn't out, Tris locked herself in her room to work on Tobias' Christmas gift.

Multimillionaires are hard to shop for, Tris quickly learned. What do you buy for the man who has, or can easily obtain, literally everything? When she asked Amar, Tris got a very small idea. Amar said that Tobias had once mentioned that he'd like to learn to throw knives. George was constructing a free-standing target backdrop as their gift to Tobias. Amar suggested that a set of throwing knives would make a good gift from Tris.

Tris ordered two sets. The first was a good, basic set of twelve throwing knives - six gunmetal grey, and six iridescent pastel so Tobias could teach her to throw as well. The other was a more expensive set of three that she had custom engraved with the Eaton family crest.

The rest of Tris' gift took time and creativity more than anything. One hundred and fifty-one days separated Tris' January fifth return to Chicago after the New Year and her June third arrival in Albania to be married. She set out to hand write one hundred and fifty-one love notes for Tobias to open each morning they were apart. A few of them would come with small coordinating gifts. She planned to have Amar dole them out each day, and he was excited to be her accomplice in the endeavor.

A stationary store provided the raw materials for her project, and Tris' journal provided inspiration. She loved rereading her journal entries from when she and Tobias first met.

In her first note, Tris wrote:

Tobias,

I'm so glad that even though I answered the door in ratty old pajamas and yelled at you like I was crazy when we met, you didn't give up on me. My life would be sadly different if you weren't the strong man that you are. You tried again, won me over, and stole my heart. I love you and can't wait to be your wife.

Love,
Tris

One card she filled with lipstick kisses, and wrote in a way that meandered around the colorful lip prints: I can't wait to wake up beside you and kiss you whenever I want.

Some of the notes were funny. Tris printed and clipped out jokes. She used puns and wrote cheesy "roses are red" poems. In one card she added pink glitter, then thought better of the mess it would make and added "open outdoors!" To the outside of the envelope.

Some of the cards were serious. Tris knew March twelfth was Evelyn's birthday, and on that day's card she wrote how proud Tobias' mother would be of the man he became, and how much she wished she could have known her mother-in-law.

When she got back to school after Thanksgiving weekend, Tris nervously approached Christina about part of her project. "So, um, I have kind of an idea, and I was wondering if you would, uh... help me?" Tris stammered.

Christina looked at her roommate and raised an eyebrow. "With that attitude, I have a feeling this is going to be good," she teased.

Tris blushed furiously. "I'm making these cards for Tobias," she said. "It's a Christmas gift, but he'll get them one a day until I get there for the wedding. I was thinking it might be kind of… I don't know… kind of fun to do some kind of… pictures for him?"

"O. M. G!" Christina squealed. "You want to do boudoir shots for your man? Beatrice! I'm surprised at you gettin' all kinky!"

Tris buried her face in her pillow. "Do you want to help me or not?" she whined to her best friend.

"Damn right I do!" Christina declared. "We should get Marlene in on this, too." Tris groaned as Christina raced out of the room.

.

With Christina and Marlene involved, the little photoshoot project took on a life of its own. The girls decided that all three of them should take photos for their men. They shopped for new lingerie, spent copious amounts of time on hair and makeup, and photographed each other in a number of creative and sexy poses around their apartment.

Though the photoshoot had been her idea, Tris was uncomfortable the whole time. She posed in the kitchen wearing nothing but a thong, a frilly apron, and a pair of high heels. She posed in white lingerie and a bridal veil. She posed with her pink silk floral robe falling off one shoulder.

"You look seriously hot," Chtistina assured her.

"You do," Marlene agreed. "You have that sexy innocent face down."

For her last change, Tris wore pink heels and small pink cheeky panties that said "Mrs. Eaton" across the back in gold script. Her long hair flowed down her back in soft waves. She had her back to the camera, but turned partially to give a flirtatious smile. The only thing covering her chest was her hands, and her engagement ring was on full display.

"That's the best one," Marlene said, and Christina nodded in agreement.

"Good," Tris said, "because I'm sending these panties with the pictures."

"Oooh," her friends cheered.

"Who knew our Trissy was so sassy?" Christina said, high-fiving Marlene, who was wearing purple panties, knee-high athletic socks, and Uriah's black and purple DU football jersey.

Tris went to get dressed while Christina started photographing Marlene.

"What are we doing about a bachelorette party, future Mrs. Eaton?" Christina called after her.

"I don't know, Ms. Maid of Honor," Tris yelled back. "What are we doing?"

"We should go somewhere warm over spring break," Marlene suggested.

Christina snapped a picture while Marlene had an enthusiastic expression on her face. "That's a good one," Christina said, looking at her camera display.

"I was going to surprise you," Tris said as she walked out of her bedroom in yoga pants and Tobias' sweatshirt. "Tobias is coming for spring break. He wants to take all of us somewhere warm for the week."

The girls squealed. "Oh my god, I have the best idea!" Marlene exclaimed. "We should have a co-ed bachelor-bachelorette party while we're on vacation! Who all is going?"

"Me and Tobias, you guys, Will, Uriah, and Lynn. She can bring someone if she wants, and we're going to try and get Zeke and Shauna to come, too," Tris replied.

"Where are we going?" Christina asked.

"I don't know," Tris said. "Tobias just suggested somewhere warm."

"Please say the Bahamas," Marlene pretended to pray.

"Ooh, or the Virgin Islands!" Christina added.

"Yes!" Marlene exclaimed. "Anywhere with sun, sand, and rum."

"Sounds good to me!" Tris enthused, more confident now that she wasn't the one modeling in her underwear. "Mar, you should put your arms over your head and hold your hair up. It makes the jersey ride up to show off your panties, plus you can see Uri's name on the jersey that way."

"Good eye, Tris," Christina complimented as Marlene followed Tris' directions.

.

The last weeks of fall semester passed in a flurry of projects and final exams. Tris eagerly packed to go home - not to her parents' house, but to a nearby hotel suite. She would spend the first half of break celebrating the holidays with Tobias, Amar, and her family. After Christmas, Rebekah was joining their entourage, and they were flying to New York for the annual meeting of the "shipping tycoons." From there they were headed to Albania for a week of wedding planning and celebrating the new year before the girls returned to Dauntless for their final semester.

The minute she finished her last final, Tris jumped in her Jetta and raced to the small airport Tobias used with his private jet. She showed her ID at the gate and was allowed to drive right onto the tarmac, where a black Mercedes waited for Amar and Tobias.

Tris sat in the Jetta to stay warm. Nearly thirty minutes passed before she saw Tobias' jet taxi up. The door opened, and a familiarly-clad attendant stepped out to roll out the blue carpet with the Eaton crest.

Tris' hands shook as she climbed out of her car. She brushed imaginary crumbs off the burgundy pants and black Burberry trench coat she wore.

Amar stepped out first, and looked around for Tris. When he saw her, his face split into a broad grin. He hurried down the stairs as Tris rushed over to greet him with a hug.

"It's so good to see you!" Amar enthused.

"You too," Tris said warmly.

"How were your exams?"

"Good," she replied. "We're halfway through the school year - halfway done being apart."

"Tris?"

Tris turned toward the plane and grinned at her stunned fiance.

"I thought I wouldn't see you until tomorrow!" Tobias said as he rushed down the stairs and swept Tris into his arms.

Tris laughed and gripped Tobias' shoulders as he swung her around in a circle.

"Surprise?" she said. "I got done with my test in time and rushed over here. I pushed myself all week to get everything turned in. I couldn't stand one more night apart."

"I… I was going to bring you pink roses when we met," Tobias said, still processing the change in plans.

"They're waiting at the hotel," Amar interjected.

"I don't need roses," Tris objected as she squeezed Tobias still closer. "I just need you."

"Zemra ime," Tobias breathed. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too," Tris replied.

.

Tobias didn't stay in the fancy penthouse of the Peninsula this time. Instead, since Tris wanted to be near her parents' home, Amar booked three side-by-side suites at a suburban all-suites hotel. Tris and Tobias had a corner unit with a bedroom, standard bathroom, kitchenette, and tiny lounge area, and Amar had an identical room two doors down. Between them, the third room was set up as an office for Tobias, storage for all their luggage and things, and space for Amar to handle preparations.

Tris found it over the top. She would have been happy in a basic hotel room, but Amar insisted on taking things to the next level. While Tris and Tobias got dinner the first evening, he even changed out the standard hotel bedding and towels for high-quality versions. Tobias, used to the life of luxury, thought nothing of it.

On the twenty-first, Tris woke contentedly snuggled in Tobias' arms. Jetlag had caused him to wake well before dawn, and the couple had made the most of it with a round of middle-of-the-night lovemaking.

"Mmm," Tobias grumbled as he woke up. "I think we found the cure for jetlag. I've never gone back to sleep after waking up at three AM disoriented by the time change."

"I guess we'll always have to travel together," Tris replied. "You know, so we can help each other out."

"It's a plan," Tobias said, playfully nibbling on Tris' ear. "I have something you can help me with right now if you're interested…"

.

On the twenty-second Tobias attended Zeke and Shauna's small wedding with Tris. The bridal couple had been living in Texas since their graduation in May, and were just home in Chicago for a couple days to get married and celebrate Christmas with their families. Tris chose a fairly generous gift off the couple's wedding registry, paid for it with the money Tobias had given her, and had it shipped straight to their apartment in the Houston area so they wouldn't have to worry about transporting it.

Lynn was her sister's maid of honor, and Uriah stood up as best man for his brother. The ceremony was held at the church the Pedrads and Priors attended. Tris' dad performed the wedding ceremony. It was Tobias' first American wedding, and he made note of a lot of the traditions he observed.

The reception was held in the party room of a nearby hotel. There was dinner, a cash bar, and a deejay providing music for dancing. Tobias was lavish with buying drinks for people and tipping the bartenders. The couple danced together as they had at Lauren and Eric's wedding.

Tris wore an adorable red, grey, and black plaid dress, which she paired with black heels. Tobias commented on it while they enjoyed dancing to a slow song together.

"Where did you get this dress?" he asked quietly, not recognizing the holiday-friendly plaid, but realizing that it was high quality.

"Brooks Brothers," Tris said. "Do you like it? I didn't want to be too flashy."

"I love it," he assured her. "You look like a little Christmas present, and I can't wait to unwrap you later."

.

Tris hated the holiday shopping crowds, but she and Tobias had decided that they would do their Christmas shopping together, so she had no choice but to wait until the dreaded week before Christmas to go to the mall.

Fortunately, having a driver meant that they didn't have to hunt for a parking spot. Unfortunately, there was no way to avoid the crowds. But Tris and Tobias had all day, plenty of money, and good company, so they were patient.

In a gadget shop that specialized in weird tech like massage chairs, Tris found a desk lamp based on Neils Bohr's model of the atom. It immediately made her think of her nerdy workaholic brother. Combined with a blue cashmere sweater from a department store, Caleb was checked off the list.

They bought Andrew a similar sweater in a deep burgundy color, and a new pair of slippers. For Natalie they bought a new coffee maker and a scarf.

Tobias would have spent much more, but Tris reminded him that overdoing would just make the others feel bad about what they had to give. "Christmas isn't about money," she said. "It's about family caring for one another. That means accepting limits that work for everyone, and finding multiple ways to say 'I love you.'"

When the shopping was done, the couple had the gifts wrapped by a group of teenagers with a booth set up in the mall. The kids were wrapping gifts to raise money for a summer mission trip to help at an orphanage in Haiti. They charged a flat rate based on package shape and size, plus they had a tip jar for additional donations. As they moved toward a bench to wait, Tris saw Tobias furtively slip a hundred dollar bill into the jar, and beamed at him.

"What?" Tobias asked in a faux-innocent voice.

"I saw that," Tris said, hooking her arm in his as she grinned up at him.

"I should do more if it makes you smile like that," he replied, leaning down to kiss the tip of her nose playfully.

Tris giggled. "You live to give as it is," she said.

"To whom much is given, much is required," Tobias quoted solemnly. "Who am I to inherit everything I have - the estate, the businesses, the contacts? And what did I do to earn the love of the most beautiful girl in the world?"

Tris rolled her eyes. "Perhaps the money is God's way of compensating you for being blind."

"Hey!" Tobias scolded. "Nobody gets to put my fiancee down, not even you. You are stunningly beautiful. I love your smile, your silky blonde hair, the sparkle in your eyes, and that gorgeous body. You are my dream come true, Beatrice Prior."

"Well you are my dream come true plus a fancy house and a bunch of money," Tris said.

"I love that about you," Tobias replied, blinking rapidly. "I love the way you separate who I am from what I have, and always make sure I know which one you're in love with."

"Well," Tris said, trying to keep her tone light since they were in public, "that's because you're so loveable."

When the gifts were wrapped, Tobias carried the pile outside where Amar waited to pick them up. The driver loaded the gifts in the trunk, then drove them to Andrew and Natalie's house.

Tris' mom came to the door when she heard the car in the driveway. "Tobias! Amar! Tris!" she greeted them. "Merry Christmas!"

"Hey Mom," Tris said, hugging Natalie as she walked into the house.

Tobias awkwardly accepted a hug from Natalie as well. "Merry Christmas," he said.

Amar brought in the gifts and put them under the tree in the living room. When his arms were free, Natalie hugged him as well.

"It's good to see you, Amar," Natalie greeted.

"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Prior," Amar said as he returned Natalie's hug.

"Natalie," Tris' mom corrected. "We're family; there's no need to be formal."

Amar looked like he wanted to object, but nodded instead.

"Amar," Tris said, gently getting his attention. "I know you technically work for Tobias, but we all know that you are also his friend, and that you, George, and Tori are his family. You're very good at your job, and I know that Tobias appreciates you. I appreciate you, too - more than you will ever know. But it's okay to call us by our first names. Americans are very casual. Formal titles make us feel old, or like you're keeping a wall between us. In our home, you're not just an employee - you're a guest and a friend."

Amar looked to Tobias, unsure how to handle the break in his professional protocols. Tobias merely smiled.

"She's right," Natalie added. "You and I are practically the same age. It feels weird when you call me Mrs. Prior, like I'm your teacher or an old lady. When we're in your world, you do things your way. Here in our home, we're Natalie and Andrew. Now, have a seat. Can I bring anyone something to drink?"

"I'll take some water, Natalie," Tris said, emphasizing the use of her mother's first name.

Natalie swatted at her daughter. "Don't you get smart with me, Beatrice," she said. "You and Caleb still call me 'Mom' - Tobias too if he wants."

When Natalie turned to take Amar's drink request, Tris noticed that Tobias had a shell-shocked look on his face. His eyes were glassy and wide, and his mouth hung open slightly.

"Tobias?" Tris asked.

Tobias swallowed hard, closed his mouth, and blinked a few times. "Mom," he breathed.

"Yes, Sweetheart?" Natalie asked, beaming as she turned to look at Tobias. "Oh dear. Are you okay? Should have I not said that?"

Tobias sniffled, and Tris handed him a tissue as she put her arms around him.

"I… I have good people in my life," Tobias said, his voice choked with emotion. "I have a family in Amar, George, Tori, even Roza and Edon. My life is complete with Tris by my side. But the hole in my life - not having parents… Sometimes I feel it. I hadn't really thought about the fact that marrying Tris means I'll get a family, too. Parents… Real parents who care, and who don't…"

Tris slid into Tobias' lap and pulled him close. She petted and shushed him like a baby while he took deep breaths.

"Trauma runs deep," he said when he had his thoughts together. "On a minute-by-minute basis it doesn't get in the way of living your life. Then suddenly you bump against something, and the pain is back, overwhelming you. I'm sorry. I just got overwhelmed for a minute. Evelyn preferred to be called 'Mother' but perhaps I could get used to calling you 'Mom', Natalie."

"I'm sorry I 'bumped' your trauma, Tobias," Natalie said, wiping her eyes. Seeing the way Tris and Tobias interacted was precious to Natalie. It gave her a glimpse into their private relationship and the way they took care of one another, and she was grateful for it.

"Please don't apologize," Tobias said. "Never apologize for caring for others. It's healing, I promise you that."

"Tris është shumë si nëna e saj, apo jo?" Amar asked with a tender smile. ("Tris is a lot like her mother, isn't she?")

"Fol anglisht," Tris said ("Speak English). "Ju e dini që nëna ime nuk flet shqip." ("You know my mother doesn't speak Albanian.")

Tobias and Amar looked at Tris, their mouths agape. "Your Albanian is getting really good," Tobias complimented.

Tris blushed. "Rebekah is doing a good job," she said. "She takes her teaching job very seriously."

"It's true," Natalie said. "Tris is always practicing and working on her Albanian. She's taught us a few travel phrases, too."

Tobias beamed. He knew in his head that Tris was going to be his wife, and he knew in his heart that they loved each other. But every time he saw her take a step of ownership or initiative toward their future, it made it more real for him. In a few short months this beautiful woman would be his bride. His partner. His equal. His teammate. His wife.