As May turned to June, Eric and Tris established a comfortable routine. Tris went running most mornings, and Eric often joined her with Ava in the jogging stroller. If they couldn't run because of bad weather or other obligations, they texted back and forth about their plans and what cute things Ava was doing.

Eric was off for the summer, and Tris learned that he had plenty of savings, thanks to his parents' estate. Because of this, he was free to spend time with his daughter and girlfriend, and didn't have to work over the school break. He accepted Max's offer of another year at Factions High School and the position of head coach for the hockey team.

Tris enjoyed her job at Flapjacks. Her coworkers were fun, and she got to know some of the regulars. She worked mostly late mornings and into the afternoon hours, covering the lunch rush and customers who needed an afternoon caffeine jolt. Eric and Ava started coming in now and then, and Tris loved showing off the little one and her handsome boyfriend.

Most evenings Tris went from work to Eric's house. There she shared dinner with her two favorite people and helped Eric get Ava to bed. Once the little girl was asleep, the couple had the rest of the evening to themselves. They often kept it simple and lounged around watching television, talking, and making out. A few times they invited friends over. They worked together to care for the house, too, and made plans for small projects that would make it more homey and personal.

As the physical aspect of their relationship developed, Eric continued to hope that Tris would spend the night with him and sleep in his arms again. He didn't push her beyond the occasional suggestion, but she still wasn't ready to take that step.

.

Eric and Tris met with Andrew and his new campaign manager, Matthew, and agreed to do an interview with Chicagoland Magazine. There were already rumors about Tris, Ava, and Eric circulating in their town and in political circles around the state. Though no outright accusations had been made, the campaign team feared that the rumors were eroding Andrew's reputation. With their permission, Matthew arranged an interview and photoshoot for the young couple.

At first the magazine just planned on giving the story part of a page with one or two photos, which was enough for the campaign to be satisfied. But as they learned more about Ava's incredible beginning and the miracle of her discovery and reunion with her father, the magazine decided to bump some smaller features and do a more in-depth story on Tris, Eric, and Ava.

Tris was nervous about the interview. She worried about things like what they should wear for the photoshoot and what kind of questions they would have to answer. Matthew and the press team for Andrew's campaign were invaluable. They suggested a color scheme of aqua, soft coral, and denim/chambray for the photoshoot since it was nice and summery. Eric had a short-sleeved button-down chambray shirt that looked good on his muscular frame. Tris bought him a pair of dusty coral shorts and sandals to go with it. She found a few outfits for Ava, including an aqua-colored sundress with a coral and white flowers, and a chambray one-piece short outfit. Tris bought herself a pair of aqua cropped jeggings that matched Ava's dress. She planned to pair them with a white tank and a pair of sandals.

On the day of the shoot, Tris was a nervous wreck. She worried mostly about keeping Ava on schedule, and what the interview meant for Andrew's campaign. She also worried that the clothes she picked for the three of them were too matchy and made them look too much like a family.

That morning, Andrew and Matthew drove with Tris, Eric, and Ava to the converted warehouse where the photoshoot and interview would take place. The magazine had gone all out once they got excited about the story, and Tris had her hair and makeup professionally done. Eric was dusted with powder foundation, too, much to his annoyance. Tris showed the shoot's stylist the clothes she had chosen, and the assistant agreed with her choices, including both of Ava's outfits.

The photographer, a large man with a long beard and many tattoos, was introduced as Bud. He looked like he belonged in a biker bar, but quickly proved to be funny and sweet. Bud took pictures of Eric, Tris, and Ava individually and together. He took so many images and in such a random way that Tris never knew if she was coming or going. One minute he was photographing Tris with the baby. The next minute he wanted a shot of just Ava in an entirely different part of the studio. Then it would be back to the first backdrop for a picture of all three of them.

As he took their pictures, Bud got them to tell their story. He choked up when Tris told him about finding the abandoned infant on Christmas. He chuckled as Eric explained the irony of Natalie handing him his own daughter as a source of comfort over the child he believed he'd lost. His jaw clenched in anger when Andrew told how Tris had suffered at the hands of Peter and David because they didn't understand.

"What an incredible story," Bud said as he packed up his equipment.

"Thank you for taking the photos," Eric said. "We've never had professional pictures taken of Ava. I wasn't sure how she would do, but you were great with her."

"Is there any way we could see the pictures?" Tris asked hesitantly. "I know a few of them will be in the magazine, but I'd love to see more of them and maybe buy some prints from you if that's possible. Ava's baby pictures are all cell phone camera shots."

Eric saw Tris biting her lip and knew she was feeling guilty for not getting professional photos of the baby in her first months of her life.

"That's not a problem," Bud said. "My assistant and I will work on editing, and I'll get in touch. Once the magazine is printed there's no reason you can't get some of the pictures."

"Thank you," Tris said brightly, genuine relief on her face.

It was getting close to Ava's lunch time, which could get quite messy. Tris pulled out a bib, a towel, and the baby food while Eric strapped his daughter into her carrier. Ava resisted, wiggling and pulling as she whined.

"Ava," Tris said in a sing-song voice, holding up the container of pureed peas for the baby to see. Ava reached excitedly toward the food as Eric attached her bib.

"When do you think the reporter will get here?" Eric asked Matthew.

"Oh, I'm already here," came a voice out of the photography crew packing up equipment. "I just thought I'd help Bud so I don't interrupt Ava's lunch."

"Mmm," Ava said, snacking her lips over a bite.

"I wish I was that excited about peas," Andrew said, laughing.

A woman in jeans and a white button-down walked over and introduced herself. "I'm Jessica Trumble," she said.

"You look familiar," Andrew said, trying to place the writer as he greeted her with a handshake.

"Kathy and I were sorority sisters in college," she said. "I believe I met you and your wife at our graduation."

"Of course!" Andrew said. "That's been a few years; I don't think Caleb and Beatrice were even born then."

"Time flies," the reporter said, and Andrew nodded in agreement.

Andrew introduced the others, and Jessica got right to business while Tris fed Ava then cleaned her up.

"First of all," Jessica said, "I agree with Bud. You have an incredible story. I was here during your photoshoot and took notes while you were talking. Bud and I have worked together for years, and we've developed a bit of a system. He's a big teddy bear, so he gets people to relax and talk, which gets him better pictures while it gets me a more authentic, candid story. Then I swoop in for follow-up questions and anything left out of your conversation. He edits the pictures, I write the words, and it goes to the editors for layout. We all get final approval on the finished story, and it's off to print."

"So what follow-up questions do you have?" Eric asked, and the interview commenced.

.

A few days after the interview, Tris was leaving Flapjacks and noticed she had a missed call from Matthew. She put the phone on speaker and listened to the message as she drove to Eric's.

"Hey Tris," the message began. "This is Matthew Jensen. We received a call from one of the local news stations. Apparently they have the same parent company, and someone at Chicagoland told them about the piece they're doing on you, Eric, and Ava. The news team wants to do a feature about it next week when the magazine comes out. This would draw a lot of positive attention to the campaign. I'd also like you guys to make some public appearances with your dad - parades, county fairs, that kind of thing. Anyway, the news team wants to schedule ASAP so they can tape the feature before it airs. Talk to Eric, then give me a call and let me know what you think."

.

Eric's garage door was open when Tris arrived, so she parked next to his truck and walked in through the mudroom. The new baby jumper that Eric had bought for Ava was hanging in the doorway between the mudroom and kitchen, and she was sitting in it when Tris opened the door. Hearing the noise, the baby looked over her shoulder. She let out a happy but piercing scream when she saw Tris. Eric was in the pantry at that moment, and he came running with a panicked look on his face.

Tris laughed at the chaos and noise. Life with Eric and Ava was high-energy, and Tris wouldn't have it any other way. She set down her bag and greeted Eric with a kiss, then lifted Ava out of the jumper.

"What are you girls doing tonight?" Eric asked. He and the other Dauntless trainers had a dinner scheduled to discuss the past school year in preparation for the coming year, and Tris was going to stay with Ava.

"None of your business," Tris said teasingly. "It's girls night, isn't it, Sunshine?" Tris tickled Ava's belly, making her laugh. Securing the baby in her highchair, Tris kicked Eric out of the kitchen so he could get ready while she fed Ava.

"How late will you be?" Tris asked Eric when he came back dressed to leave.

"I don't know," he replied. "I can't see this going past nine o'clock. That's more than enough time to eat pizza and go over what worked and what didn't. Will you stay tonight so we can hang out? I can sleep on the couch if you want."

"I'll stick around for a while if you don't get home too late," Tris said. "But I don't know about overnight. I didn't bring anything."

"Whatever you decide," Eric concluded as he leaned over to kiss Ava and then Tris. "I'll see you in a few hours."

Once Eric was gone and dinner was cleaned up, Tris stripped the baby down to her diaper and shirt in preparation for the night's activity, a Fathers' Day gift for Eric and Andrew. Tris had brought an assortment of water-based paint colors, a brush, and two canvas boards for a craft.

She laid newspaper and a canvas on the floor under Ava's jumper and secured her in her seat, then applied an assortment of paint colors to the baby's feet. The cold paint and fuzzy brush tickled Ava, making her giggle. As she bounced in her jumper, Ava left splotches of color on the canvas. Tris moved the board periodically and added more paint to the baby's feet when needed. Soon they had modern art masterpieces ready for Fathers Day.

Tris wiped Ava's feet with a wet rag, then carried the baby straight to the bath. Once Ava was clean and dressed for bed, Tris brought her down to the living room so she could clean up the newspaper and paint mess and prepare the bedtime bottle.

While she was sitting in the nursery rocker feeding Ava, Tris got a text from Eric.

E: We're almost done, but they're talking about getting drinks after. Is that okay with you?

T: I don't mind. Just putting Ava to bed.

E: Love you, D

T: Love you too, W

Tris finished Ava's feeding and tucked her in for the night. Looks like I have some time on my hands, she thought to herself. She moved the nearly dry paintings out to her car where Eric wouldn't see them, locked up the house, and washed the few dishes that were sitting in the sink.

Two hours later, Tris had not heard from Eric again. She resisted texting him. She didn't want to be one of those nagging girlfriends who had to know where her man was at all times. Instead, she tried to distract herself with television and her phone.

Just before eleven o'clock, Tris texted her parents so they wouldn't worry about her.

T: E isn't home yet. He and the other trainers went out after their meeting. Not sure when he'll be back.

N: Thank you for letting me know. I'll lock up and you can let yourself in whenever. Stay over there if it gets too late, I don't want you on the road with the drunks.

T: OK. Love you.

N: Love you too

By midnight Tris was getting worried, so she sent Eric a quick text.

T: Sorry to interrupt the fun, but do you know what time you might get back?

Eric didn't reply, and Tris' anxiety grew. What if he was in an accident? she thought to herself. What if he had too much to drink and went home with another woman or drove drunk?

She paced the living room, peeking out the window beside the front door every few minutes.

Just after one AM, Tris received a text from Eric's number.

E's number: Tris, this is George. Apparently it's Max's birthday and his wife is out of town, so the trainers took him out. They got pretty drunk. Tori called me. I just got to the bar. I'm taking everyone home. I'll be there with Eric in a little bit. Hope I didn't wake you.

T: Thank you, George.

Tris felt a mixture of strong emotions. She was relieved that Eric was okay and that he had a safe ride home. She knew that being a single dad at twenty-one had been a shock, and that it limited Eric's social life. She understood that he would enjoy a night out with his colleagues. But she was also angry that Eric had too much to drink, and hurt that he left her there all night like a babysitter without even checking in.

When she saw the lights of George's SUV turn into Eric's driveway, Tris hurried to open the door. George parked the car and removed the keys before helping Eric out of the vehicle and walking him inside.

"Tris!" Eric greeted her loudly.

"Shhh," she warned him, "Ava is sleeping."

"Can't wake the baby," he said, only slightly quieter, as he patted Tris on the cheek.

"They were doing shots," George said, clearly irritated. "They were definitely over-served, but at least none of them drove. I had to take my keys with me after Tori tried to drive away when I was walking Max to his door. Will you be okay from here?"

Tris looked at Eric. She had no experience dealing with someone this drunk, but he seemed to be carrying his own weight, so she figured they would be alright.

"Try to get water into him," George directed. "It will help with the hangover. They're going to have a nasty hangover tomorrow. Sleep, water, Advil - got it? Oh, and keep a bucket by the bed; he might throw up. I'm going to have my hands full with Tori and Amar, but call me if you need anything."

Tris thanked George, then locked the front door after he left. She turned to look at Eric. His eyes were bleary, and he smelled awful, but he looked fine otherwise.

"I love you, Trissy," Eric said.

"Eric," Tris said in exasperation. "You know I don't like being called 'Trissy.'"

"Uh oh," Eric said, swaying on his feet. "Looks like Trissy is getting pissy." The drunk man laughed as if that were the funniest joke he had ever heard. Tris rolled her eyes.

Eric reached for her and squeezed her breasts through her shirt. "Honk, honk," he said, then laughed again. "Don't be pissy, Trissy. Let's have some fun!"

"Let's get you a drink," she replied, pulling him toward the kitchen.

Eric stumbled along behind Tris. "That's a good idea," he slurred. "I've never had a drink with you. Are we having more tequila?"

"No," Tris said. "I have a different drink for you."

She handed him a glass of water, and he tossed it back like it was a shot.

"I'm drunk," he announced. "Couldn't even taste that. Pour me another."

Tris refilled Eric's cup, and he pounded that one as well.

"More!" he declared loudly.

Worried that he would make himself throw up, Tris didn't refill the glass. "Let's get you to bed," she said.

"I've been waiting for you to say that," Eric said as he followed Tris back to the stairway.

As she led the way up the stairs, Eric grabbed her butt and began kneading the flesh through her jeans. "You have the best ass," he slurred.

Tris reminded him that he needed to be quiet because the baby was sleeping. Eric nodded in agreement, but by the time she got him into the master bedroom he was at full-volume again.

"You're so beautiful," he said. "I want to do wicked things to your beautiful body."

"Eric," Tris warned as she became uncomfortable. She opened his dresser and pulled out a pair of sleep pants as he dropped heavily onto his bed. She unlaced his shoes and pried them off his feet. "You need to take your pants off," Tris said.

"I thought you'd never ask," Eric mumbled. "You're a cock tease; do you know that? I want you so bad, but you make me wait."

He made no effort to remove his pants, and since Tris was growing anxious with his drunken advances she decided not to push it by removing them herself. If he wants to get drunk, he can sleep in jeans, she thought. It's his own damn fault.

She walked into the bathroom and came back with the empty garbage can, setting it by the bed. She placed a cup of water on the nightstand with two ibuprofen that she had found in the medicine cabinet.

"Your water and Advil are right here when you need them," she said, unsure if Eric was even understanding her. "There's also a trash can there if you're going to be sick and you can't make it to the bathroom. Do you need anything else?"

"You," Eric said, reaching out and grabbing Tris' thigh. He clumsily ran his big hand up the inside of her leg, and Tris quickly backed away.

She had never seen this side of Eric before - never seen this side of anyone. Her parents didn't drink beyond a glass of wine now and then. Tris knew that this wasn't really Eric, but she also knew the old phrase "drunk words are sober thoughts." She knew that Eric wanted more from their physical relationship. Apparently drunk Eric wasn't as patient as sober Eric.

Tris had no idea what Eric was capable of, or what would happen next. Would he sleep for the rest of the night and wake up hungover but fine? Would he get up again and go looking for her? She thought about her options. She couldn't leave - Ava was sleeping, and she needed at least one responsible adult in the house. Tris could take Ava and go back to her parents' house, or she could stay and hope that Eric would sleep.

She decided to take a pillow off Eric's bed and grab blankets from the linen closet to make herself a place to sleep in Ava's room. The nursery door didn't lock, but Tris laid out her sleeping spot on the floor just inside the door. If Eric tried to come looking for her, her body would block the door, and she could quickly grab Ava and escape through the bathroom and home gym.

Tris' imagination and anxiety wouldn't let her sleep. She thought about the movies and television dramas she had seen where drunks came roaring into a room - angry and ready to take what they wanted. She cried into the pillow that smelled like Eric's bed and worried about the future. She wouldn't stay with Eric if this is what he was like. But she had to be there for Ava. Tris shook with worry and cried until her exhausted body gave up and went to sleep.

.

Something was nudging her back. Tris groaned and tried to roll away from it, but the nudging started again. "Tris?" came a groggy voice.

Suddenly she was wide awake. "Go away!" she cried in terror.

"Tris?" the voice said. "It's Eric. Please don't yell. I have a headache. What's blocking the door?"

"I am," Tris replied angrily. "Go away."

"I don't understand what's going on," Eric said, his voice laced with exhaustion and pain. "Are you getting Ava?"

"I got her," Tris said, looking at the happy baby sitting awake in the crib.

"I'm going to go take a shower then," Eric said through the still-closed door, "I smell like tequila and bar."

Tris stayed by the door, blocking it with her body, until she heard the water running. As soon as she felt safe to do so, she hurried to the crib and grabbed Ava. The baby babbled her usual morning noises while Tris changed and dressed her as fast as shaking hands would allow.

She carried Ava downstairs and kept her close while she shook up a bottle and made some cereal. Eric came down while Tris was feeding the little one, and she trembled at the sight of him.

"What a night," Eric groaned as he poured a cup of coffee. "I haven't been that drunk in forever."

He leaned to give Tris a good morning kiss. She flinched, causing him to pull back. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Fine," Tris snapped. Ava banged on her tray, so Tris turned her attention back to the little one.

"Listen," Eric said guiltily. "I'm sorry I was out so late last night. We had our meeting and ate pizza, then we found out it's Max's birthday this weekend and his wife is out of town. Amar and Tori wanted to take him out so he wouldn't be alone. We went to that sports bar on Jefferson. The Cubs game was on late because they're playing in California, and we just got wrapped up in the game and doing shots, and I completely lost track of time. I'm sorry I didn't make it back to spend time with you. I hope I didn't wake you when I got in."

Tris stared at Eric, her mouth agape. "Do… Do you even remember how you got home?" she asked.

Eric thought about it for a minute. "I know I didn't drive," he said. "Somebody… Tori? No, she was drunker than all of us. She tried to drive me home while George was - George! He brought us home! Tori tried to steal his car while he was walking Max to his house, but she couldn't because he took his keys."

Tris nodded. "And then what?"

"I don't know," Eric said, shaking his head. "I woke you up, didn't I? I'm sorry."

"I wasn't asleep," Tris spat. "I was pacing around the house wondering if you were dead in a ditch somewhere or if you found another woman to go home with. Then when you finally showed up in the middle of the night you were a total asshole!"

Tris swiped angrily at the tears in her eyes and stood up from the table. "I'm going home now, Eric," she said. "Do you want me to take Ava so you can sleep more, or are you okay?"

"Tris!" Eric cried in alarm, putting a hand on her arm and making her flinch again. "What did I do? What happened? Don't go; let's talk about this!"

"No," she said firmly, prying his hand off her arm.