Eric used his hands-free to call Natalie as he followed Tris home. Natalie, in turn, called Christina and asked her to spread the word that Tris was fine, and it was just a misunderstanding. She also called Andrew and Caleb to come home.
Natalie and Ava met Tris at the door, and Tris accepted a long hug from her mom before taking the baby into her arms.
Eric stayed close to Tris. He brought her food that Natalie prepared. He brought her something to drink. He asked her several times if she was okay, and she assured him that she was, and that she would tell them all about it when Andrew and Caleb arrived.
Tris felt stronger as she ate and played with Ava. Andrew kissed her on the head when he returned, and sat down at the table with her, Eric, and the baby. Caleb came in a few minutes later, and Natalie served everyone dessert and decaffeinated coffee.
"First of all, I'm sorry you all were worried about me," Tris said. "Max and Harrison send their apologies, too. As I'm sure Eric told you, the first part of my test went pretty well. We were tested on our physical fitness, bravery, and weapons skills. After the last run, we were sent to separate rooms for our individual assessments.
"I don't know what usually happens in those, but I know my test wasn't normal. Max has been really concerned about my relationship with Eric. He called Harrison to come in, and they settled on a polygraph for my final test."
"A lie detector?" Caleb asked.
"They interrogated you?" Eric asked at the same time.
"It was exhausting, but it wasn't malicious," Tris said. "The process took longer than anyone expected, and Max and Harrison apologized for that."
"What did they ask about?" Andrew asked his daughter.
Tris looked at Eric. "Hold your daughter and stay calm," she told him, handing him the baby.
"They asked a little about Ava, and my opinions about the Dauntless program. They also asked a lot of questions about the nature of my relationship with Eric."
"Like what?" Eric asked, worry and sorrow in his voice. He hated that Tris was the one who had to face the heat for their relationship.
"Mostly just different lines that could have been crossed between a teacher and a student. Have we had sex? Have we kissed? Did you tell me anything about the final exam? Have you ever promised me anything or threatened me with anything?"
"What?!" Eric exclaimed, startling Ava and making her cry.
Tris laid her head on Eric's shoulder and rubbed his back while he comforted his daughter.
"It's okay, Warrior," she said quietly. "We have nothing to hide. I told the truth and they were pleased with my answers. They apologized for even having to ask. One more day, Warrior. One more day and we'll be free."
Eric shifted so his arm was around Tris, and he pulled her close to his chest. "Where did your dad go?" He asked Caleb.
"Phone call," Caleb said.
"Do you want to watch a movie or something?" Tris asked.
"I'd love that," Eric said, "but I need to take Ava home. Its past her bedtime and tomorrow is a big day."
Eric packed up Ava's things and said his goodbyes. Natalie gave him a long hug at the door.
.
Friday morning dawned clear and beautiful. Tris slept in, then spent the morning with Ava and her family, preparing for the graduation party. Her phone was abuzz with texts from friends wanting the 'inside scoop' on why she went missing the day before. She didn't say much, just that her individual assessment had been time-consuming and her family had become worried.
Eric was done at school by noon, so he picked up his daughter and took her home for a quiet afternoon nap. Tris desperately wished that she could go with them. A nap snuggled up with Ava - or Ava's handsome daddy - sounded perfect. Instead, she tried to rest at home with a Senate campaign and party preparations making the house sound like a three-ring circus was taking place downstairs.
After a long soak in the tub, Tris put on her new black sundress. She did her hair in a half-up style that she hoped would work with the graduation cap. She even put on a little makeup - something she didn't do very often.
When she was ready, Tris carried her cap and gown downstairs, grabbed a sandwich and some fruit that Natalie had set out for the family to eat during all the comings and goings of the day, and went out on the back patio. There she finally found the peace and quiet that her racing mind was longing for. She let texts from her friends go unanswered and simply basked in the quiet and the perfect May weather.
The sound of the patio door broke Tris' reverie, but she smiled when she saw Eric and Ava stepping out to join her. The almost five-month-old baby squealed and grinned when she saw Tris, waving her chubby little arms at one of her favorite people. She was adorable in the black and red dress that Tris and Natalie had bought for her.
Eric looked good as well. He was wearing black slacks and dress shoes, a dark grey button-down with the sleeves rolled in a way that highlighted his muscular body, and a slim black tie. His hair was freshly trimmed and gelled back, and the tattoos on his neck and arms made Tris want to drool like Ava.
"You clean up nice," Tris complimented Eric shyly as she stood from the patio chair where she had been lounging.
Eric used his free arm to pull Tris into a hug. "I'm so proud of you," he said. "You are an amazing person, and so da-, uh, dang beautiful."
Tris laughed at Eric's attempt to censor his language in front of the baby.
"I mean it," he said. "I don't deserve you, Duchess, and I'm still in awe that you're willing to give me a chance."
"Warrior," Tris said in a warning tone. "You deserve the best of everything. You're wicked smart, hard-working, and hot as h-, hades."
"You laughed at me," Eric said, "but it's not easy for you, either!"
Tris laughed too, then suddenly pulled back. "Ow!" she exclaimed, reaching up to disentangle Ava's fingers from the hair she was yanking on. "You are the reason I usually put my hair up, young lady. Now I know why so many moms cut their hair short."
Eric lifted an eyebrow, wondering if Tris realized that she just loosely implied that she filled the mother role in Ava's life. He loved the connection between his daughter and the young woman he had fallen for, and hoped that it would only grow with time.
"I need to go fix my hair," Tris said once Ava's fingers were released. "Mom wants to take pictures."
"Wait," Eric said as Tris turned to go. "We came out here because Ava and I have a present for you." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a flat rectangular jeweler's box.
"Eric," she whispered.
He handed Tris the box, and she opened it to reveal a pendant on a chain. It was the Dauntless flame logo, white gold with tiny red garnet and orange citrine gems on the flames.
"I know you're not my girlfriend yet," Eric said, "but consider this a graduation gift from a grateful father to the woman whose 'ordinary act of bravery' saved his daughter and restored what he thought was lost."
Tris beamed up at Eric. "Can I help you put it on?" he asked hopefully.
"I think you have your hands full," she said, nodding at the baby as she removed the necklace from its box.
Eric shrugged and set his daughter on the grass. Ava was sitting up now, so he assumed she would be fine on the manicured lawn for a moment. Instead, the baby let out a shriek and began wailing. She lifted her bare legs off the ground, but that threw off her balance, and she toppled over.
Eric panicked and snatched up his daughter like he was saving her from danger, but Tris just laughed. "She's fine," Tris assured him through giggles. "A lot of babies don't like grass. It's prickly."
"That's what you were screaming about?" Eric asked the now-content baby. "Such a drama queen."
.
Natalie went a little crazy taking photos. She snapped shots of Eric and his daughter all dressed up. She photographed Tris with the baby, Tris alone, Tris with Eric and Ava, and Tris with Caleb. She had Eric take pictures of Tris with her parents, and of the four Priors together.
Eric was nearly late by the time he escaped and made his way to Factions High School. Tris left a few minutes later, and faced another round of rabid photography when she met up with Christina and Marlene.
Promptly at seven o'clock, the chamber ensemble began playing Pomp and Circumstance, and the students filed into the auditorium by faction program. Factions was a small charter school with a student population of only about four hundred. This year's graduating class included twelve Abnegation, fifteen Candor, twenty Dauntless, twenty-four Erudite, and thirty Amity.
Within each faction the students were arranged alphabetically, so Tris followed Uriah during the procession, and sat between him and Lynn. Max led their group into the auditorium, and the other trainers, including Eric, brought up the end of the Dauntless line.
The ceremony opened with a speech by the head principal, Dr. Roth. She talked about the unique opportunities that the faction system provided for students, and how many graduates had gone on to great things. She assured the audience that this year's class showed the same incredible potential.
After a song by the choir, the factions began their graduations. Jack Kang spoke for a brief moment about Candor's graduates. He and his staff conferred diplomas on each student, then he gave a brief presentation on their top student of the year, a boy who had worked with the city council to enact some new safety measures in their community. The presentation even included a slideshow of images from city council meetings, and of the student standing by the crosswalks he had fought for.
Abnegation went next. Ethan Black spoke about the importance of service, handed out diplomas, and awarded their top rank to a student who had over a thousand service hours accumulated during her high school years.
Amity followed Abnegation, and their portion took longer because they had more students. Johanna spoke about peace, kindness, and the value of the arts, then gave their top rank to Danielle Pohler, a talented musician. The slideshow for her included several video clips of vocal and instrumental performances.
As always, Erudite was the most boring. Everyone knew Jeanine Matthews loved to talk, and she made the most of the microphone, droning on and on about the achievements and future plans of her graduates. Uriah dozed off, and Tris elbowed him awake when he started to snore. The Erudite teachers handed out diplomas, then Jeanine spent a few more minutes droning on about their top student, who was obviously her pet.
When Erudite finally finished, Max took the stage. Tris had always loved the way Dauntless handled their part of the ceremony, and she was glad to see that Max was continuing Harrison's tradition.
The leader was dressed similarly to Eric, in black slacks and a black button-down with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. When he placed one hand on each side of the podium and barked "Dauntless!" every senior and the trainers behind them kept to their feet and stood at attention.
"We believe in ordinary acts of bravery," Max began speaking. Every Dauntless student, graduate, alumnus, staff person, and many of the parents joined him as they recited the Dauntless manifesto.
We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.
We believe that peace and justice are hard-won, and sometimes it is necessary to fight for what is right.
We believe in preparing ourselves, body, mind, and will, to face whatever may come.
We believe in freedom from fear, in denying fear the power to influence our decisions, and acting in the face of fear, no matter what the cost to our comfort, our happiness, or even our lives.
We believe in shouting for those who can only whisper, in defending those who cannot defend themselves.
We believe, not just in bold words but in bold deeds to match them.
We believe in action.
At the end of the manifesto, Amar and Tori moved to the front of the group and led them to the stage. The two of them stood at the bottom of the stairs and greeted each graduate as he or she walked up and accepted their diploma from Max and Principal Roth. Once all of the Dauntless graduates had walked, they returned to their seats and Max returned to the podium.
"In the history of the Dauntless program, there have been many heroes," Max said. "We have seen alumni run into burning buildings to save lives. We have seen alumni throw themselves on grenades to save their fellow soldiers. But most of us will never face that kind of situation. Most of our lives will never call for an extraordinary act of bravery. But the ordinary act of bravery can be just as powerful. It takes great bravery to tell the truth," he said, pointing at the Candor section. "It takes great bravery to sacrifice one's time for the greater good." He pointed to the Abnegation, and then the Amity. "It takes great bravery to bring peace where there is conflict. And it takes great bravery to dedicate one's life to making the world a better place through education and research," Max said, pointing at the Erudite.
"This year's top-ranked Dauntless initiate performed an ordinary act of bravery that saved a precious life. She claims that she was just in the right place at the right time, but being in the right place at the right time and doing the next right thing is all it takes. Tris Prior saved a baby's life back in December and restored a family."
I'm the top-ranked initiate? Tris thought, covering her face in shock as a picture of her with tiny newborn Ava appeared on the screen behind Max. Uriah let out a whoop beside her, and tackled Tris in a bear hug.
"Tris was out for a jog one morning and found an abandoned infant in the cold. She shared her body heat and called for help. She and her family took the child in as a foster placement, and cared for her as their own. When it was discovered that the infant's mother was deceased, and her father didn't even know she existed, Tris and her family worked with social services to unite baby Ava with her father, our own Dauntless trainer Eric Coulter."
Gasps were heard around the auditorium, none louder than Christina's as she turned and gave Tris a knowing look.
"The Prior family has continued to support Eric and Ava as they adjust to life together," Max added, and the audience applauded as Eric stepped on to the stage with Ava in his arms.
Stepping up to the podium, Eric looked Tris directly in the eyes as he took a turn speaking. "The day I found out about Ava was the happiest day of my life," he said. "I have Tris and her family to thank for that. Tris named my daughter Ava Hope, which means 'Where there is life, there is hope.' Thank you, Tris, for Ava's life and my hope. Your ordinary act of bravery changed everything."
Max invited Tris to the stage and continued speaking. "In addition to that brave action, Tris Prior has been our top student academically, excelling even in dual-credit courses at the college level. She is a multi-sport athlete, a community volunteer, and is deadly accurate with throwing knives."
The crowd laughed, and Tris took squirming Ava into her arms as she stood beside Eric and Max. "Tris was the first student in Factions High School history to test equally for three different factions," Max continued. "Dauntless was proud when she chose us. She has continued to make us proud every day, and I know that she will long into the future. Ladies and gentlemen, Dauntless' top initiate, Tris Prior!"
The auditorium burst into applause, and everyone laughed when little Ava joined them, clapping her chubby hands. Eric and Max each hugged Tris for a long moment, then Principal Roth presented her with the Dauntless award. Eric escorted Tris off the stage, where Caleb waited to take Ava.
Back in her seat, Tris accepted the congratulations of her friends and classmates. One more song was performed, and Principal Roth made a few closing remarks before announcing the graduating class. Confetti cannons popped, and the rain of multi-colored hats, streamers, and confetti was met with cheers and applause from the audience.
Grabbing the nearest black cap off the floor, Tris joined the recessional out to the sweeping front lawn, and searched the crowd for her family and Eric. Friends, parents of friends, and teachers stopped to congratulate Tris, ask about Ava, and get a picture or hug with her.
"I totally get it now!" Christina exclaimed loudly as she and Marlene mobbed Tris. Christina pulled her into a hug and not-so-quietly spoke in Tris' ear. "You're right," she said, "he is cute."
Hearing everything, Marlene nodded vigorously before Uriah's mom, Hana, appeared and pulled her in for a hug.
Ava was the first to find Tris. The baby's squeal alerted her to the location of her family, and Tris hurried to hug her parents and Caleb. Christina, Marlene, and Uriah appeared to officially meet the little one and greet the Priors. Soon the baby was fussing, overwhelmed with all the noise and overly tired from being up past her bedtime.
Tris removed her uncomfortable polyester graduation gown and took Ava into her arms. She tossed a light blanket over the baby's head and rocked back and forth while murmuring soothingly to the infant. She worked her way to the edge of the crowd, where she hoped it would be quieter. It took some effort, but eventually Ava drifted off to sleep in her arms.
"Why are you over here?" asked a deep voice. "This is your celebration, you should be over there jumping up and down and taking selfies like your crazy friends."
Tris turned and smiled at Eric. "My baby was fussy," she said. "She and I were both overwhelmed by all the noise. Short people like us tend to get lost in a crowd."
"I should get her home to bed," Eric said.
"She's asleep now, so you don't need to hurry," Tris replied. "Go congratulate your students or something. Socialize."
"I am socializing, Duchess," Eric said, placing a warm hand on Tris' back. "I'm talking to the only person I want to spend time with - my girlfriend."
"One more day, Coach," Tris warned Eric.