A/N: Happy Thanksgiving, guys! I hope you all stuff your faces with food and appreciate all the little things we/you have. If you don't celebrate this holiday, or if you're weird like all those Canadians and celebrate it in October(?) then, have a great day nonetheless. I'm just kidding, Canada is an awesome country. Hope you enjoy!
Six
Five years ago...
"How the fuck do you burn a turkey?" Tris laughs as she throws a rag at Tobias which he he easily catches and throws back at her.
"Aren't you supposed to leave it in overnight?" He asks his girlfriend.
"No! It's supposed to cook for at least four hours. If it's 20-25 pounds then it should cook for at least four and a half hours." Tris groans. "You, my dear Tobias, are absolutely hopeless." Tris steps closer to Tobias and grabs a fistful of his blue t-shirt. She can't help herself, he's too damn attractive. Tris has to go on her very tippy-toes and Tobias has to bend down for their lips in order to touch.
"Mmm." She smiles into the kiss.
"I love your height." He sighs when they pull apart. "You're like a little munchkin." Tobias squishes her cheeks together and rub them.
"Ha-ha. Make fun of me all you want-" Tris goes back to the stove to finish cooking the stuffing that they may not need anymore (thanks Tobias!). "-Because I'm used to it by now."
"I love you." These three words causes Tris to smile.
"I want you to pick up another turkey. If you leave now, maybe we can actually have turkey by the time everyone comes." Tobias hangs his head a little.
"Okay, mom." He rolls his eyes. "I'll be back in half an hour then."
She spends the next half an hour finishing up her side dishes. Everyone else is going to bring some of the main courses. That's how it is in their family. The host usually makes the turkey and a few side dishes while everyone else helps contribute by bringing other dishes. Her parents, Natalie and Andrew, live in the suburbs of Chicago, two hours away from Tris' and Tobias' rather large apartment. Caleb, however, lives in the city with Susan, so it's not that big of a problem for them to visit. Her parents will be staying with Caleb after their Thanksgiving gathering.
"I'm here!" A rather annoyingly chirpy voice says.
"Thank god you're here. Can you help me with the pumpkin pie?" Tris doesn't have to turn around to know that one of her best friends, Uriah, is here.
"Sure, honey." Uriah sing-songs. "I brought the classic mashed potatoes. Zeke's going to arrive with Mom later, so don't worry about them.
"Okay."
Tobias finally shows up with a new turkey. "Hey Uri."
Tris takes the turkey from him. "I don't trust you with this anymore. Uriah, can you season the turkey and then pop it into the oven?" She hands the meat to Uriah.
"Yeah, of course." Tris goes back to the stove, once again. Tobias quietly sneaks behind her and wraps his arms around her waist rocking her side to side. Her buries his head in the crook of her head.
"You're amazing, did you know that?"
"I know. You don't have to tell me twice." Tris smiles.
"You're so full of yourself." His tickles her sides earning a squeal coming from her. "I love you."
"I love you too, my Tobias."
Present Day...
"I love November!" Tris exclaims. It's been a month since Vidcon, and Tris has finally been able to move forward to the fact that she had to re-encounter Tobias.
The thing about Tris is that she had an amazing relationship with her friends, hell, to strangers even. She has such an amiable personality and someone who you can easily get along with. But when it comes with Christina, she talks about everything, and it did not go so well when Tris informed Christina of her encounter with Tobias.
"I'm going to kill Zeke. I'm going to kill all of them. That mother fucker cannot mess with you and your fragile little feelings!" Christina paces back in forth.
Tris scoffs. "I am not fragile. But Chris, I'm fine. I don't think I'll have to see him anytime soon, so I'm fine."
"To hell you are. But next time, I swear on my grave, if I see one of them, I will rip them apart with my bare hands."
"Woah, okay. Easy there tiger." Tris releases a ragged breath.
"I don't understand why you like November so much. I'm more of an April person." Christina says as she scrolls down her Instagram feed.
"November means Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving means food. You should know how much I love my food." Tris says as she reads a new recipe from a recipe book she had recently gotten from the bookstore.
"But still-"
"And then after Thanksgiving is December and December is all about Christmas. Gosh, I love Christmas." Christina smiles at her friend. She hasn't seen Tris happy in such a long time, and seeing her like this brings warmth to her tiny heart.
"I know what I'm getting you for Christmas." Tris says snapping Christina out of her thoughts.
"What? Tell me!"
"No! It's supposed to be a surprise, silly. Now are we going to leave? I really want to go now." Tris stares at her lazy ass friend that is currently scrolling through every social media she has.
"Fine. Let's go." Christina grabs her coat and they head out to the pet store. Tris has been wanting to get a baby kitten for several years, but her apartment never allowed them. It was until Tris moved into Robert's house that she asked him for one. Apparently he is deathly allergic to them, so, so much for that dream. Now that Robert's gone, Tris has been trying to move past everything bad that had happened to her this year. Robert's death really hit her, sometimes so hard, it feels just as bad as what Tobias did to her. Tris has suffered so much, and Robert's death is not going to stop her from getting a kitten (as much as it hurts to think about him).
Christina pulls up to the nearest adoption center thanks with the help up of Google. The center is a plain brick rectangular building with a large sign that says 'Cats and Kittens Adoption'. Tris bounces in her step as she enters the building. When they first walk in, there is a rather large front desk with two young looking man and woman sitting with computers displayed in front of them. There are many files and stacks of papers spreaded around the desk as well.
"How, how may I help you?" The woman, Perla, greets Tris and Christina.
"Good morning, my friend Tris here wants to adopt a kitten." Christina quickly glances at Tris.
"Yes of course!" Perla smiles. "We loves when adults and families come to our center in search of these adorable animals. I'll have my friend Alex show you the kittens. Kittens, right? I'm just making sure I heard correctly."
"Yes, that would be awesome! Thank you." Tris smiles at the nice, young worker.
The man, Alex, as introduced, takes them around a back door to where all the animals are currently living in. Tris immediately swoons when she sees them.
"They're so cute!" She squeals. She walks around with curious eyes searching for the one that she thinks will provide her great company. She finds the little creature almost immediately. A small cat, maybe not bigger than a foot long is cuddled up in a small white blanket. It's a light gray color with a few white stripes. The bottom half of the cat is white with the exception of a few spots of gray fur. The top half of the cat the the light gray. It cat is chubby, but Tris thinks it's chubbiness just makes the little cat look even more adorable.
"What's his or her name?" Tris asks Alex.
"This little guy," Alex starts and diligently picks it up, "-is a boy. He is about a month old and his name is Theo." Theo-how cute!
Alex gently places Theo in Tris' hands and she slowly rubs the little kitten. This act earns a soft purr which causes Tris to smile even more.
"I'll adopt him." Tris says confidently as she stares at the little fur bundle resting in her arms.
"You sure?" Christina asks from behind.
"Yeah."
"Okay then." Alex claps his hands together. "I'll get the paperwork and have you fill it out..."
"Tris." She tells him.
"Tris, okay. I'll be right back." Alex comes back a few minutes later with forms in one hands and a little kitty bed in the other. The small bed is a little complimentary gift for every person who adopts a cat.
"Thank you so much." Alex escorts Tris and Christina to a small desk in the corner for them to be able to fill out the forms.
After signing several pages, Tris returns them back to Alex.
"Okay, you're all set. Take care of the little guy." Alex pets him once more.
"I will thank you so much." After their little exchange, Tris makes a two hundred dollar donation for the center. This earns her lots of gratitude from the workers.
"I'm going to take great care of you, Theo." Tris coos to the little animal.
"I'm still here too, you know." Christina teases.
"I know." Tris continues to coo at the little kitten purring at her.
Christina scoffs. "Well then."
Christina has to drive them back to Tris' house because she's worried that Tris would get way too distracted with the cute animal. Of course, she's right, and Tris spends the whole ride playing with Theo.
They remember to make a stop at the pet store to buy food for Theo. Tris buys a few toys for him as well.
When they arrive back to Tris' house, Tris allows the little cat to roam free around the house. Christina goes to the kitchen to start cooking their lunch.
"I'm here!" The front door swings open and an annoying voice shouts from two rooms down from where Tris and Christina are currently in.
"Hey Uri." Uriah goes up Tris and wraps his arms around her.
"I haven't seen you in like a week. How have you been?"
"Great. Want to see the little cutie I got today?" As on cue, the little cubby kitten walks into the room meowing quietly. Theo walks straight towards Tris and rubs the side of his face against her leg.
"Hi baby." Tris coos, she has been doing that a lot lately. "This is Uriah. Say hi." The cat looks at Uriah and stares blankly at him. He blinks a few times before paying his attention back to his owner and snuggling into her arms.
"Oh shit!" Tris looks at the time. "Remember Julia?"
"Oh yeah! What about her?" Christina asks Tris.
"Apparently one of their photographers for her wedding caught the flu, so they called me in last minute." Tris exclaims as she goes into her room as she picks out a dress. In less than two minutes, she comes out with a light blue sleeved dress that goes all the way down to her mid-thigh. Her hair is in a ponytail with barely any makeup on her face.
"I totally forgot." Tris goes back to her room to receive a duffle bag with her camera equipment in it. "You guys can do whatever. I may be home late."
"Wait, what?" Christina and Uriah share a look as their panicked friend runs around her house tries to gather all the necessities for this job.
"Sorry." In a flash, Tris is gone leaving two of her clueless friends alone. "Bye!"
After the door is slammed shut, it is reopened. "Feed the Theo for me, please. Thanks, now, bye!"
"Uhm...okay?
"Zeke." A voice whines. "I don't like weddings, why did I even agree to do this?" Tobias asks as he packs his equipment into the trunk of his car.
"Are you seriously asking me this right now? Don and Julia are your friends and you are the only photographer they know of. So shut up, and let's go." Tough love, much?
Tobias sighs as her double checks that his suit looks nice. He adjusts his bowtie before leaving his apartment door and taking off.
The wedding takes place in a small church near a farm towards the northern part of Chicago. The church is surrounded by a large area of grass. There are a few cows that wander around, but aren't that much of a bother anyways. It's a forty-five minute drive for Tobias and Zeke because they live in the city.
When the two of them pull up in the church area, they notice signs placed everywhere to help guide the people where to go. As Tobias pulls up to a small parking lot, he is immediately greeted by Don, the groom.
"Four." Don extents his hand for him to shake.
Tobias grips it firmly and pulls him for a man hug.
"It's good to see you, Don. Congratulations by the way." Fours nods at him.
"Thank you. But anyways, the other photographer should be here any minute. She just texted me saying she'll here in like ten minutes. Jessica, the maid of honor, will show you where you can set up your stuff."
"Oh okay, cool. Thanks man, and good luck." Tobias smiles before bringing his stuff inside the church.
"Zeke, help me unpack this please."
"Thank you so much for coming in last minute." He hears from behind him after he almost finished packing up.
"Yeah no problem."
"Let me introduce you to your partner, I guess. Hey Four!" Tobias turns around to see Don, who is currently motioning to come towards him. Next to him, is a short blonde in a blue dress with her back facing towards him. Her figure is almost so familiar to him.
"Tris, this is Four." Her body immediately whips into a one hundred eighty degree turn, as Tobias' gaze turns towards the girl.
"Oh, we definitely know each other."
"Oh yeah!" Don mentally face palms himself. "You guys used to be a thing. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this-"
"Don't worry." Tris interrupts. "I'm going to unload my things. Call if you need me." Tris scurries off.
"Wait-" Tobias starts to say, but she is too far gone. "Fuck."
What annoys Tobias the most is the fact that it's been a month since they've seen each other and made no attempt to try to contact each other. He can't really blame her though, when he asked her to be "friends" she didn't seem too fond of the idea.
"Okay." Tris suddenly comes back. "We may not be on the best terms as of right now, but I guess we have to work together. So, no hard feelings?" Tris asks.
"Uhm I guess." Tobias can't get more excited to the fact he gets to spend time with Tris. But, of course he's not going to tell her that.
"So, I guess you can take pictures from the left side of the church and I'll take shots from the right side. Some part of Tris is thankful there will be a free bar at the reception party.
"Sounds good to me." Tobias smiles, but Tris does not return. She simply nods her head and walks to the other direction.
"Hey." Zeke places a hand on Tobias' shoulder causing him to turn around.
"Tris is here." He tells Zeke.
"What?" Zeke was not expecting that to happen. "What, why? How?"
"You know how Thomas is sick, apparently they called Tris to fill in for him." Tobias watches Tris as he talks to Zeke. And for a second he wonders how their wedding would have been like if Tobias didn't cheat on her. He guesses he'll never know.
"Four." Zeke says for like the fifth time.
"Huh?" He asks totally dumbfounded, causing Zeke to smile.
"Four, I tried. But I still don't understand how you still haven't moved on when Tris clearly did." Zeke eyes her rings. Tobias follows his best friend's gaze and furrows his eyebrows.
"When was her wedding? I don't recall you ever going to any wedding for the past few years.
"Tris? She never got married. She just wears her wedding band and engagement ring as a reminder of him."
"What? She told me they got married a year ago."
"No. Robert got deployed to Afghan. They planned to get married after he came home. He was going to serve for a year, and he was so close to coming home. Well, until his team stepped on an IED. No survivors apparently." Zeke sighs. Although he knew Tobias and Tris were practically made for each other, he still really liked Robert as a person. He was good for Tris, but Tobias and her were basically inseparable.
The ceremony doesn't officially start until an hour after they arrive.
Five minutes before the bride, Julia, is supposed to walk down the aisle, Tris situates herself on the side of the room. She straps her camera around her neck and sighs. She wasn't expecting Tobias to me here. She leans her head against the wall and sighs.
The music starts to play and slowly the groomsmen and bridesmaid start to walk down holding flowers while wearing matching dresses. And for a second, she wonders what her wedding would ever be like, if all the boys that ask her decide not to somehow leave. She's had her dress for four years and every time and opportunity shows up, they leave, hence Tobias and Robert. But Tris was the one who left Tobias, not him, she was the one that left him. It was all her. The thing is, she wonders what would happen if she was able to forgive him? Would they still be together? Friends? Married even? But it doesn't matter. She left him, and thought it was a good decision. If a man truly loves you, then they won't go around getting drunk and bringing random women to their apartment when they are already engaged.
Tris is brought back to reality when the large double doors are swung open. The music changes to soft majestic. The violins are brought out and she hears the high woodwinds start to play the classic wedding song for brides. The crowd stands up as Julia start to make her way down. Tris takes several shots of Julia wearing her elegant white dress. She looks absolutely stunning in that dress and obviously Don agrees because the two of them can't seem to take their eyes off each other. The officiant settles everyone down and begins his speech about marriage. Both Tobias and Tris wander around the room taking as many shots as possible.
Tris is checking one of her photos when she and Tobias accidentally bump into each other.
"Sorry." They apologize at the same time which causes them to laugh softly. "Sorry." They say again.
Tris shakes her head. "I wasn't looking at where I was going. I should be more careful."
"No, it's totally fine." Tobias smiles.
It's the first time Tris felt as if there was no awkwardness between them. Ironic, because barely an hour ago, she could not pull herself to make eye-contact with him. But when she does, she is not able to tear her gaze off of him. His eyes are the same dark blue she fell in love with. They are the same blue pits that reminded her of the deep ocean color. The same eyes that held so much emotion.
Tris clears her throat. She didn't notice that Tobias was staring at her as well. "I'll be...uh...somewhere." She waves her hand around until scurrying off.
Tris is able to distract her from something else. She watches as Don and Julia exchange vows with tears glistening in both of their eyes.
"I may now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Don Sanders. You may now kiss the bride." Tris snaps a beautiful picture of them as they kiss as well as many pictures of them walking down the aisle as newlyweds. Somewhere deep down, Tris feels a longing and an ache for someone to love her and be there for her whenever she needs them. Boy or girl, it doesn't matter because Tris is so wrapped up in finding the "one".
"Tris." She feels a tap on the shoulder and turns around to see them less annoying version of the Pedrad brothers.
"Zeke!" Tris exclaims. "I haven't seen you in like forever."
"I know." He nudges her shoulder. "I've missed my little sister." He says. Even though she knows that they are obviously not related, they might as well be because Zeke is like an older brother to Tris, same with Uriah.
"Has Uriah asked you yet?"
"Asked me what?"
"About Thanksgiving? No?"
Tris furrows her eyebrows. "No, because I have no idea what you are talking about."
"My mom wants to know if you'd like to come over for Thanksgiving."
Tris loves Hannah almost as much as she loves her own mother. Hannah is literally the second mother to Tris.
"Oh, and feel free to invite both your parents as well."
"Okay. I'll be there." Tris absolutely loves Thanksgiving. It's one of her favorite holidays.
"Great. Have you seen Four anywhere?"
"No, sorry. I haven't seen him anywhere."
"Okay, thanks anyways. I'll see you around."
Tris is escorted to where the reception is going to be held and resets her equipment there. Of course her seat is reserved next to Tobias, to her luck. But thankfully, Zeke will be sitting with them as well.
"Hey." She says as she sits next to Tobias.
"Hi." Tris does not like this awkward silence one bit.
"So...how are you?" Tris attempts to make conversation. Tobias glances sideways towards her and mentally smiles.
"I'm good. You know, keeping myself busy and all."
"That's good." In Tris' head, all she is thinking is, 'Where's Zeke? Where's Zeke? Where the hell is Zeke?'
"Hey guys." Thank god.
"Hey, man." Tris finishes part of her dinner before going back to her job of taking pictures of the happy couple.
"It would be better if you took a picture of them with you camera switched to its side." Tobias comes from behind her and places his hands over her. He changes the angle of her camera.
Tris scoffs. "I do this professionally, thank you very much."
Tobias smiles. He never realized how much he missed her stubbornness and snarky personality until she was gone. "Hey, I'm just trying to be helpful"
"Like the time you burned that turkey?" Tris recalls.
Tobias smiles even wider. "Hey, you asked me if you wanted help, and I helped you by making that turkey."
"Which you burnt." She points out.
"Oh shut up." He says, playfully.
It strange how in a matter of time how their interaction takes a complete turn.
"Anyways, you shouldn't be distracting me right now. We're supposed to be working." She tries to ignore him, but it doesn't really work that well.
"What? Are my good looks and charming personality too much to handle for you?"
A smile creeps up on her face. "Obviously."
"It's really good to see you, Tris." He tells her, sincerely. "I've missed you."
She doesn't know how to respond, so instead, Tris remains silent.
"Yeah."
The happy couple start off the night with their first slow dance as newlyweds. All eyes are focused on them as they move to the slow beat. The bride absolutely steals the crowd. Her white gown is replaced with a red floor length dress which is a lot more comfortable than the other. It's also a lot more convenient.
As the songs ends, another slow song comes on for other couples to join in. Tobias recalls all the cheesy movies Tris forced him to watch when they were still together. It's as a spotlight was shone at Tris as everything else faded. She's leaning against the doorframe smiling at the young and older couples dancing together. Her hands are tightly wrapped around her camera snapping a few pictures here and there.
Tobias can't help himself. They've been helplessly flirting with one another, well, more Tobias than Tris. Tobias makes his way over to her.
"May I have this dance?" He asks.
She puts her camera down and looks at him, giving him a questioning look.
"I don't think that's-"
"Shh." He puts a finger over her lips. "Please? Just one dance."
She nods her head slightly and sighs, "okay."
They put their camera down and Tobias practically drags her to the dance floor. She puts her hands around his neck and he, around her waist. Thank god for heels.
Tris closes her eyes and leans against him. His grip tightens around her and just for a second, just a split second, it feels like what their wedding was supposed to be like. Tris dressed in white instead of blue. Tobias wearing a fancier tuxedo. Friends and family gathered around them for their special event. But Tris knows that none of this is ever going to happen. She's too tired of being hurt over and over again. There's a time where you just feel you're done, and right now she can't handle another guy leaving her. It's too much.
After the song ends, Tris breaks away and heads straight to the bar.
"Strongest whiskey you have, please." The bartender doesn't question her, and she's thankful.
She just hopes and prays this will be the last of Tobias she will have to see. But of course, she's wrong.