Tris woke up on Thursday morning in her own bed, but surrounded by Eric's warmth. It was a tight fit for the two of them to share her full-size bed, but Eric had enjoyed the excuse to hold Tris all night as he slept with her back pressed against his chest.
Ava was babbling happily through the monitor, but before Tris could tear herself away from Eric's embrace, she heard Natalie in the guest room talking to the baby. "Ava," Natalie said in a sing-song voice. "Let's let mommy and daddy sleep a little longer, shall we?"
"See," growled Eric's sleepy voice as he nuzzled into Tris' neck and shoulder. "I'm not the only one who forgets you're not her mother."
"Great," Tris said wryly. "On one side I have my dad's ex-campaign manager, a celebrity gossip site, and my high school principal ready to stone me for allegedly being Ava's mother, and on the other side I have you and Mom wanting me to just give in and accept the title. No wonder rumors are flying."
Ava babbled and cooed through the baby monitor as Natalie changed her diaper and dressed her for the day. After a minute, the monitor went quiet and they heard Natalie walk past Tris' bedroom.
Eric pulled Tris closer and planted a kiss at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. She shivered, and could feel his morning wood pressing into her backside. "I love you," Eric said. "No matter what anyone says about you or about us, I love you. Ava loves you, too. You are her mommy, even if you're not her biological mother. That's your baby, remember?"
Tris nodded. "I just... I feel like I'm walking a tightrope sometimes," she confessed. "Everyone wants too much from me."
"Even me?" Eric asked.
Grateful she didn't have to look him in the eye while he was behind her, Tris nodded. Eric sighed, a sad, deflated sound.
"You want… sex," she stammered. Before he could cut her off to remind her, again, that he was content to wait, Tris continued. "You're not pushing me, but I know you want it. You want a future, and to start moving toward that future. You want me to accept that I'm Ava's mom. Those aren't… bad things, and you're not being pushy, but… it's like… like I can feel the weight of what you want.
"I also feel the weight of what the campaign wants, what society wants, what my parents want, and what Dr. Roth and Max want. I'm being pulled in different directions, and I just… I… I'm going to fail. I'm going to let somebody down - it's impossible not to."
"What do you want?" Eric asked, stroking the backs of his fingers up and down her arm. "What would make you happy?"
"I don't know," Tris said in frustration. "I just want to be... free!"
Eric stiffened at her confession. Does she want to be free of me? he wondered.
Tris turned in Eric's arms and buried her face in his chest. "I just want to be nobody special. I want to come and go and spend time with my family and friends. I want to take care of Ava without any accusations. I want to spend time with you and, maybe... like, work our way toward, uh, more in our relationship."
"More?" Eric asked in surprise.
"More," Tris confirmed hesitantly. "Like, maybe work toward, um, sprinkles?"
"Can I kiss you?" Eric asked.
"What?" Tris asked. "Yeah, of course. Why did you ask?"
"We haven't really had time for much of that since last week," Eric said nervously. "You know, before I went out with the other coaches. I just didn't want to push you or make you uncomfortable."
Tris looked up at Eric and pressed a finger to his lips. "Kiss me, Warrior," she whispered.
And so he did. Eric kissed Tris gently at first, reintroducing their lips. She sighed, and he deepened the kiss, licking her bottom lip with his tongue. Tris opened her mouth, and Eric explored it with his tongue.
Tris stuck out her own tongue tentatively, and Eric obediently parted his lips for her. He moaned as their tongues tangled, and Tris pulled back. "I don't want to go too far too fast," she said, dropping her gaze.
If Eric had to be completely honest, Tris' fear hurt him. He knew that her anxiety was at least partly his own fault, but it stung that she was afraid. He hated that it had been so easy to snip the thread and break her trust, but rebuilding was painfully slow work.
"I know," he said patiently. "I groaned because I enjoyed what we were doing, not because I thought we would go further. It feels so good to hold you again, and to kiss you."
Tris rested her head against Eric's chest. "The magazine comes out today," she said, swirling her fingers through his smattering of golden chest hairs.
"And the news story," Eric added.
"Katie is covering my shift this morning. What are we supposed to do all day while we wait?" Tris asked.
"More kissing?" Eric teasingly suggested.
"Maybe some of that," Tris said.
"I was thinking about buying blinds today," Eric said. "Do you want to come with me?"
"Sure," Tris said.
.
Leaving Ava with Natalie, Tris and Eric went to Eric's home, measured the ground-floor windows, then went to the hardware store. No one bothered them, or even seemed to recognize them, so they took their time wandering down the aisles and talking about the things they wanted to do to Eric's house.
"I'd really like to do more with the home gym," Eric said, making Tris roll her eyes. "No, hear me out. Carpet in a gym is a bad idea. Sweat, carpet - it's just gross. I want to pull it up and put down something like a fake wood floor, with mats under the equipment. While I'm at it, I figure I might as well paint, and add some of that 'wall art' you're always talking about."
"What kind of wall art does one put in a home gym?" Tris asked, bumping Eric's hip with her own.
Eric threw an arm around Tris' shoulders. He was enjoying the normalcy of their shopping trip and spending time with his girl. "Well, first of all, I can't forget my favorite wall art, a TV," he said. "For another thing, I'd like a big mirror on the free weights side. The closet, doors, and window take up a lot of the wall space, too. So I'll really just need something for the wall by the bathroom door, and maybe some smaller things.
"Naked girly posters?" Tris teased.
"Are you offering to pose?" Eric said, leaning down to nibble on Tris' ear.
Tris squealed and pulled away, but Eric pulled her close again.
The store had to order the blinds for Eric's patio door, but they did carry something for his living room window. The couple also bought faux-wood laminate flooring, a large mirror, and paint for the home gym. Since they were there, they also picked up some color swatches to consider for the master bedroom and bath.
Back at the Priors', they shared a relaxed lunch with Caleb, who had just returned home from a very early shift mowing at the golf course, and Natalie, who had enjoyed what she called her "grandma time" with Ava. They talked about Eric's home improvement plan, and Caleb offered to help him pull up the carpet and lay the laminate flooring. They agreed to get started on the project that afternoon.
When the boys left to start ripping up carpet, Tris put Ava in the exersaucer and helped Natalie clean up the kitchen.
"I miss our lunches together," Tris told her mom. "During the school year we had quiet lunch together every day, but now I have work, and Eric, and everything else going on. We don't get to do that anymore."
"I miss our mother-daughter time, too," Natalie said. "Things were certainly simpler then."
"And quieter," Tris laughed as Ava squealed.
Natalie laughed too, and Ava started clapping. "One thing you learn as your kids grow up is that it's perfectly normal to miss the past while loving the present," Natalie said nostalgically. "How fondly I remember you and Caleb with soft, round cheeks and chubby little hands like Ava. I have moments when I miss those days, but I also know how nice it is when your kids are potty trained, when they can read, and when they can drive. Now I'm learning how nice it is when your daughter finds a good man who will protect her and support her."
"You don't think I'm, I don't know, too young?" Tris asked.
"Your father and I were twenty and twenty-one when we got married," Natalie pointed out. "So I'm not one to push someone to wait when they've found the right one. I don't want you married at eighteen, necessarily, but you're raising a baby already. I don't know. Your dad and I like Eric and we support the two of you together. That's all I'm saying."
"Thanks Mom," Tris said, leaning her head on Natalie's shoulder as they worked side-by-side at the sink.
"Do you think I could, um, you know, make a doctor appointment soon?" Tris asked nervously. "Eric and I haven't… haven't had... sex or anything yet, but we'll get there, and I, uh, I just want to be ready."
Natalie smiled at her daughter. She found it sweet how Tris was so uncomfortable with intimacy and yet so open to sharing that part of her thoughts and feelings with her mother.
"I think that's a good idea," Natalie said calmly. "At your age you should have a pelvic exam anyway, and you can get on birth control. It takes about a month for the pill to be effective, so it's good to think about it ahead of time. If you and Eric decide you're ready sooner, though, you'll have to take other measures."
Tris sighed. "Eric is ready now," she mumbled, chewing on her bottom lip.
Natalie was concerned by her daughter's statement. She thought Eric was gentler and more patient than that. "Has he been pushing you?" Natalie asked.
Tris shook her head. "No," she said. "But he doesn't have to. I know he wants more."
"Is this about last weekend?" Natalie asked.
"Kind of," Tris said. "Mostly I think I'm still bothered by his experience. I want more - I want him. How can I ask for more, but not everything? He called me a… a tease, Mom, and I still hear that in my head when we kiss. I feel like I'll be teasing and disappointing him until I give in."
"Have you talked to Eric about this?" Natalie asked.
"A little bit," Tris said. "He keeps reassuring me that he's fine with waiting, and he won't push me. I appreciate that and everything, but I know his feelings are hurt by my fear. The thing is, it's not about him. I'm not afraid of Eric. I know he won't hurt me."
"Then what are you afraid of?" Natalie asked gently.
Tris dropped her gaze to the floor and shrugged. Natalie hung up the towel she was using and put her arms around Tris, pulling her in for a hug. "My sweet girl," Natalie said. "You are everything that man could want. You are beautiful, and sweet, and loving. He is patient with you because you're worth waiting for, and also because sex isn't something to rush into."
"I'm worried about you, though," Natalie continued, holding Tris at arms length so she could look her in the eyes. "I'm not worried about your ability to meet Eric's expectations. I'm not even worried about him pressuring you. I am worried that you don't feel comfortable talking with him about this. You need to be honest and open with him. You can't build a strong relationship - and you sure as hell better not have sex - with someone you can't talk to about the hard topics."
"Oh Mama," Tris said. "What if he realizes I'm not worth it? What if he breaks up with me?" She dropped her head to her mother's shoulder and began to sob. Natalie wrapped her arms around her daughter again and let her cry.
"He's… just… so, so… amazing!" Tris sobbed. "He's handsome, and smart, and a good father. He has a house, and a good job. He's got all this… experience, and… and he could have any girl he wanted. I'm just plain, and flat, and my life has all this drama. He's going to get sick of me, and it's going to crush me. I just… I love him, Mom!"
Natalie tried not to laugh at her over-wrought daughter. It was obvious to her that the stress of everything was catching up with Tris, so Natalie just held her and let her cry.
After a few minutes, Ava began to fuss. Tris swiped at her eyes and took a shaky breath before stepping out of her mother's embrace to pick up the baby.
"I'll make a bottle," Natalie said gently.
When the bottle was ready, Tris took the baby to the family room to feed her. When Natalie peeked at them a bit later, she was not surprised to find them both sound asleep, curled up together in the recliner.
.
Over at Eric's house, work began on the home improvement project. Eric and Caleb installed blinds on the living room window, then Caleb pulled the carpet out of the home gym's closet while Eric moved the equipment out of the room. When the room was empty, the two men worked together to roll up the carpet and carry it down two flights of stairs to the unfinished basement.
Eric and Caleb worked in companionable silence for the most part, interrupted only by random comments or to ask for a tool. They decided that it would be best to paint before installing the new flooring, so they prepared the room by taping the woodwork and removing the covers from the light switches and power outlets.
The quiet was interrupted by the ringing of Eric's phone. When he saw that it was Max, he took the call.
"Hey Max," Eric greeted.
"Eric!" Max said. "Good news. Your girl's plan worked. Harrison and I met with Veronica a little bit ago. We showed her the video of Tris and the lie detector test. She's convinced of your innocence, but just like Tris thought, she wanted a copy of the video. I could practically see the wheels turning in her head. Tris is right, she would have showed that video to reporters, and it would have ended up on the internet like a celebrity sex tape! Anyway, Harrison was a good distraction. We told her about the magazine and the news interview, then we got out of there!"
"Thank you, Max," Eric said.
"Don't get too excited," Max said. "You may be innocent, but you're still on Roth's shit list. She hates bad publicity. She and Jeanine want nothing less than excellence and compliments at Factions. They barely tolerate Dauntless as it is. If we didn't bring them winning sports teams and famous alumni, I'm not sure they would keep us around.
"Tris choosing Dauntless over Erudite four years ago pissed off Jeanine - bad. You should have seen her ranting and raving about what a waste it was and how Tris should be forced to join Erudite for the 'greater good.' She's been bitching about it to her bestie, Veronica, all these years. Now you and this whole situation have added fuel to that fire."
"Great," Eric said wryly. "As long as Tris is safe and that video isn't in Veronica's hands, that's what matters. We'll have to be on our toes and have a really clean school year to stay off her radar as much as possible."
"Good luck with that!" Max laughed. "We are Dauntless after all."
The two men spoke for another minute or so, then ended the call so Eric could go back to work with Caleb.
By the time the room was prepped it was late afternoon. They knew they didn't have time to paint a whole room before dinner, so they cleaned up and Caleb drove Tris' car home while Eric took his truck.
When the young men arrived at the Priors' home, they noticed a strange car parked on the street in front of the house. Eric eyed the vehicle distrustfully as he climbed out of his truck.
"Eric!" a voice called. Eric recognized Bud, the photographer who had done the pictures for the magazine article.
"Bud," Eric greeted the man, shaking hands with the photographer. "It's good to see you."
"I'm glad you came while I was still here," Bud said. "I rang the bell, but no one answered. I have some things for you."
"We've had some issues with reporters," Eric explained. "We haven't been answering the doors because of it. Tris was home, though. I'm surprised she didn't answer since she would recognize you. Maybe she went somewhere."
"I brought copies of the magazine," Bud said, "and some pictures from the photoshoot, too."
"Come in the house," Eric offered. "I'll introduce you to Caleb, Tris' brother. Their mom might be here, too."
Bud agreed and removed several boxes from the trunk of his car. He followed Eric through the open garage door and into the Priors' home.
"Hey Eric!" Natalie called from the kitchen. "Tris and Ava are asleep in the family room. I'm just working on dinner."
"Ok," Eric called. "There's someone I'd like you to meet when you have a minute."
Natalie appeared in the doorway, a smile on her face and a kitchen towel in her hands. "Hello," she greeted Bud cordially. "I'm Natalie Prior."
"This is Bud," Eric said as the two shook hands. "He's a photographer. He did the photoshoot for Chicagoland Magazine."
"I brought over some copies of the magazine," Bud explained, "and some prints from the shoot. I know Tris was eager to get some pictures."
"That's so kind," Natalie said with a smile. "Why don't you take them in the dining room, and I'll get you something to drink. Would you like coffee, water, or iced tea?"
"Tea would be great, thank you," Bud said.
"Certainly," Natalie said. "Eric?"
Eric asked for the same, and led Bud to the dining room. Natalie followed a moment later with two glasses of iced tea and a sugar bowl.
"Let me call Caleb and check on Tris and Ava," Natalie said. "I know Tris will want to see this right away."
Natalie walked into the family room where Tris and Ava still slept. She gently lifted the baby from Tris's chest and held her close so she would stay asleep. "Tris," Natalie said quietly, trying to wake her daughter, but not wake the baby. "Tris, you need to get up. Eric and Caleb are back, and Bud is here with the magazine."
"Mmmm," Tris mumbled. "I fell asleep."
Natalie smiled indulgently. "I know, Sweetheart," she said. "You needed it. Should we go see the article?"
Tris nodded as she hauled herself out of the chair and followed Natalie to the dining room.
"Hey, Sleepy Head," Eric greeted Tris. He was alarmed by her red-rimmed eyes and tear-stained cheeks. It was obvious that she had been crying. He wanted to comfort her and ask what had upset her, but Eric knew that bringing it up in front of their guest was not a good idea. Instead, he slid his chair back and motioned for Tris to come to him.
Tris nodded at Eric, then greeted Bud warmly as she sat on her boyfriend's lap. "I understand you've brought the magazine," Tris said to Bud.
"I did," he replied, opening the paperboard box on the top of his pile. "I heard about the crap that CelebWatch site posted, and I brought you some other surprises as well."