Bud handed them copies of the latest issue of Chicagoland Magazine, and it was quiet for a minute as they flipped the pages to find their article.
"Aww," Tris exclaimed as she arrived at the correct page first. "Bud, these pictures are great!"
Caleb came downstairs, fresh from the shower. They introduced him to Bud and handed him a copy of the magazine. For a few minutes it was quiet in the room as Bud watched them read the article. He looked at each face around the table. Caleb looked thoughtful. Eric was resolute. Natalie had a soft look on her face and kept glancing down at Ava, who was starting to stir against her chest.
Tris was a whirlwind of emotions. One second she gazed lovingly at a photo, and the next second she looked pained. Anger, resolve, and nostalgia each took a turn on her expressive face.
The magazine had used four pictures with the article. The first was a shot from Tris' cell phone camera of her holding newborn Ava on the day she found her. The others were all from the photoshoot. One was a picture of obviously thriving baby Ava with a big drooling smile and fat rolls on full display. She was wearing her one-piece chambray jumper and sitting on the wood floor of the studio, a brick wall out of focus in the background. Another picture showed Eric with Ava in his arms. He was nuzzling his face into her neck as she laughed. The last picture in the magazine showed a closeup of Eric and Tris from the back, his arm around her waist and Ava grinning over their shoulders.
The photos perfectly complemented the story told in the magazine article. Jessica had written about Tris' incredible discovery and rescue of the abandoned infant, and talked about how the Prior family had taken in the foundling as a foster child. "We knew she wouldn't be with us for long," Tris was quoted in the article. "I just wanted her to be cared for, and to feel loved while she was with us. Whatever her future held, I wanted her to know that she was precious and deserved to be loved whole-heartedly."
From there, the article transitioned to Eric's story. It talked about the loss and betrayal he suffered at the hands of his ex. "Addiction is horrible," he said in a quote, "it makes people do desperate, reckless things." It went on to explore his feelings when he learned that his daughter was alive after all, and was the very foster baby he had held in his friends' home.
The article told how the Priors had helped Eric prepare for Ava's homecoming, and how he and Tris had developed a deep and unique bond through their experience. "She's an incredible person," Eric was quoted as saying. "As she and her family helped me through everything, we became friends, and I developed feelings for her. Recently I asked her to be my girlfriend. I went from thinking I had lost everything to finding my daughter and a wonderful woman with whom I could share the journey."
Eric was the first to finish reading. "Really well done," he said to Bud as he reached around Tris to set his magazine on the table.
"They put it on the website and social media pages, too," Bud explained. "You should be able to share it, or post the link as a response to any more nasty rumors."
"Thank you, Bud," Tris said in a choked voice as she finished reading. Caleb and Natalie nodded in agreement, and Eric put his arms around Tris to pull her close again.
"I brought you something else, too," Bud said, opening another paperboard box and digging under some white tissue paper. The first thing he pulled out was a small flash drive and a CD in a plastic sleeve. "Copies of the pictures from the photoshoot," he explained. "You can't submit them for publication or display anywhere, but you can use them for yourself. There's a small watermark on each picture, and that has to stay, but you can have prints made if you want, and you can use them on your own social media pages as long as the watermark stays to show copyright."
"Bud!" Tris exclaimed. "Are you serious? I was just hoping to be able to see some of the pictures, and you're just giving them to us?"
Bud chuckled. "As long as you obey the rules," he cautioned her. "No removing the watermark, and only for your own personal use. If you decide you want to put them in a book or another publication, you'd have to call me and go through a whole mess. But if it's just for you and your family, you're welcome to print and enjoy."
"Thank you so much," Natalie added. "After the photoshoot Beatrice was lamenting that we've never had professional photos taken of Ava. At first we thought she would just be with us for a week. Then it was going to be a little longer and, well, we just never got it done with all the uncertainty and transition she's already had in her little life."
"She was a joy to work with," Bud said. "Babies can be tough, but Ava was happy and smiley, and an all-around joy. It doesn't hurt that she's so dang cute, either."
Everyone agreed, and Eric beamed with pride.
Bud dug a little more in the box in front of him and pulled out a pile of what looked like paper. "Here's the legal release," he said, handing Tris and Eric a sheet of Chicagoland Magazine stationary. "It's just the rules I told you about, and it also gives you permission for prints. Hold on to it, because you might be asked when you have prints made. And here," he laid down the other papers in his hands, "are some printed photos from your shoot."
Tris gasped at the stack of 8x10 photos on thick, glossy paper. Caleb reached for them and Tris swatted his hand away, making Eric laugh. She snatched up the whole pile and leaned back against Eric's chest. Together they exclaimed over each picture, handing them to Caleb and Natalie one-by-one as they looked through all of them.
Tris' favorite was a picture of Eric and Ava together. It showed Eric from the back, reaching down to help Ava stand on her own wobbly legs. He looked good, his muscular form highlighted by his short-sleeved shirt, and his arm tattoos on full display. Ava was all chunky legs and golden curls in her cute little aqua and coral dress.
Eric's favorite was a picture of all three of them together. Tris was holding Ava, and Eric's arms were around Tris, his lips pressed to her forehead and her eyes closed. While the baby was all bright eyes and big smile, Tris looked peaceful and content, and Eric's love for his girls showed on his face.
As they flipped to the next picture, Bud pointed at it. "The news used that one," he said. It showed Tris holding Ava again, but this time Eric was bent down to kiss his daughter on the head, his hand over Tris' on the baby's back, while the two girls smiled at each other.
"Have you seen the news segment?" Tris asked nervously.
Bud shook his head. "I just know that's the picture they asked to use," he said.
Ava woke up smiling at everyone. They laughed and chatted, and the little girl happily complied when Bud wanted to hold her. Natalie invited the photographer to stay for dinner, but he declined.
Through it all, Tris was pleasant enough, but she seemed low-energy and stayed close to Eric, almost clinging to him. For his part, Eric held Tris as much as she wanted. He stroked her hair, rubbed circles on her back, and snuck little kisses to her neck when no one else was looking. She absorbed his affection like a sponge.
When Bud left, Natalie went to the kitchen to finish dinner, and Caleb took Ava upstairs for a diaper change. Eric kissed Tris and looked her in the eyes. "What's bothering you, Duchess?" he asked.
Tris shrugged. "I've just felt off all day," she admitted.
"Are you coming down with something?" Eric asked.
"I don't think so," Tris said. "I'm just overwhelmed. Jim called. He doesn't want me to go back to work until Monday. I guess there were gawkers who came in to see if I was working today. He said he would get some copies of the magazine at the restaurant and hopefully the story will fizzle by Monday."
"Max called me," Eric said. He related their conversation to Tris, and she seemed relieved that Principal Roth didn't get her hands on the video of the polygraph exam.
"Can I ask you a question?" Tris asked.
"Of course," Eric said, still concerned.
"Can I… do you think… I mean... Can I go home with you tonight?" Tris asked. "Mom thinks I need to work on talking to you about the things that scare me or make me uncomfortable, but I don't want to do that here with everyone around."
"You can talk to me about anything," Eric insisted. "And you're always welcome at my place. I love you."
Caleb returned with Ava, and Natalie announced that dinner was ready. She served dinner buffet-style so they could fill their plates in the kitchen then gather around the television in the family room.
As the six o'clock news came on, Tris put Ava in the exersaucer to contain the little one, then fed her pureed squash and carrots. Caleb and Eric ate their own dinner hungrily while the news anchors droned on about the day's headlines.
"Coming up after the break, our Jane Andrews introduces us to an incredible young woman who picked up what she thought was a piece of trash and found a priceless treasure," the host said before a commercial break.
Tris sighed, trying to quell her nerves, and offered Ava another bite of baby food. Eric rubbed Tris' shoulder, and she glanced over at him. He offered her a reassuring smile, which she tried to return.
"They called my girlfriend incredible, and my daughter a treasure," Eric said lightly. "So far, so good."
When the commercials ended, the news anchor welcomed Jane Andrews, and Jane introduced the story. "Last December, Tris Prior was just an ordinary high school senior until she made an incredible discovery."
The pre-made video began playing. It opened with a shot of the trashcan and bus stop as Jane's voice explained how Tris found Ava. An image of Tris with the newborn appeared, then the story cut to her interview in the new church lobby.
"She was just so tiny," Tris said on the television. "She was beautiful, and perfect, and tiny, and I couldn't believe that someone had just thrown her out like that."
Jane's voice continued to tell the story as images of Ava with the Priors appeared on the screen. The story transitioned to Eric finding out about the baby, and the Prior family rallying to help him bring his daughter home. Eric's part of the story was told through video of Eric talking with Tris standing beside him with Ava in her arms.
The story ended with the still photo from the magazine photoshoot, and Jane concluded as she turned it back over to the news team. "As I'm sure you can imagine," Jane said to the host, "Tris and Eric have become quite close through all of this. I understand they've recently begun a dating relationship, as well."
"It's incredible to think of how differently that could have turned out," the anchor said, her voice full of emotion.
"It sure is," Jane agreed. "Tris said she thinks about that a lot. She believes that it was nothing short of divine intervention that put her in the right place at the right time."
"Quite the story," the male anchor agreed before transitioning to the meteorologist for the night's weather forecast.
Tris' phone rang at the conclusion of the segment. She looked perturbed until she saw the caller ID on the screen.
"Hi Dad," she answered happily.
"Sweetpea," Andrew greeted his daughter. "I saw the magazine and the news story. You did a great job! How are you feeling about everything?"
"Honestly," Tris replied, "I'm tired of the attention. The stories were both really well done, though. I couldn't have asked for more than that. Bud brought us magazines this afternoon, and he gave us a bunch of the photos from the shoot, too. They're really nice."
"I look forward to seeing them," Andrew said. "I'm assuming Eric is there?"
"He is," Tris replied.
"Can I speak to him quickly?"
Tris handed her phone to Eric, and the young man greeted Tris' father. He listened quietly for a moment before he began to reply. "I'm not sure," Tris heard him say. "Tired."
"A little, I don't know, off."
"No…"
"I'll do that."
"No, thank you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way; you know that."
"Alright. Have a good night."
He hung up and passed the phone back to Tris.
"What did he want to talk about?" Tris asked.
"The interviews," Eric said. "You haven't eaten, Tris. Go get some dinner; I'll get Ava cleaned up."
When Tris left the room, Caleb spoke up. "What else did Dad say to you?"
"He's worried about Tris," Eric said. "He feels guilty for all the press and attention she's been getting. Also, Natalie, Andrew is going to call you in a bit."
"Thank you, Eric," Natalie said.
"Tris asked to come home with me and Ava tonight. Is that okay with you guys?" Eric asked, trying to be nonchalant and friendly but honestly not caring what their options were. If Tris wanted to go home with him for some time alone, she was getting just that.
"That's just fine," Natalie assured him. Caleb just shrugged.
.
Once they were back at Eric's place, Tris gave Ava a bath and got her ready for bed. She prepared a bottle and sat down in the nursery rocker to feed the baby.
"I love you, Ava Hope," Tris said to the baby. Ava smiled around the bottle nipple in her mouth. "You are one of the best things to ever happen to me. I'm tired of all the attention to my personal life, but you're worth it. Your daddy is worth it. My dad is worth it, too. Your papa is going to be a senator and be able to help so many people."
Ava stared adoringly at Tris, and Tris returned the infant's affectionate gaze. "I never dreamed of the ways you would change my life," Tris said. "When I found you, I just hoped you would live and find a loving family. In my wildest imagination I never thought I would be part of that family. You are mine, Ava. We belong to each other, don't we?"
The baby smiled again. It was obvious that she loved Tris and was enjoying the attention, even if she couldn't possibly understand what she was talking about.
"Now," Tris continued. "What about your daddy? I love him, Sunshine. I love him so much it scares me. He's so good to me, and I want to give him more - I want more - but I don't know if I'm ready for everything. He called me a cocktease, Sunshine. I feel icky saying that in front of you, but you're too young to understand or repeat it. Of everything that happened that night, that's the one that bruised the deepest. Everything else is healed, but that bruise is still tender when it gets bumped. How am I supposed to feel confident or progress in our physical relationship when I know that everything I do is torturing him?"
Silent tears trickled down Tris' cheeks, and she tried to swipe at them with her burp cloth-clad shoulder.
"I guess the only thing I can do is to face my fears, jump off that cliff, and hope," Tris continued talking to the sleepy baby as she finished her bottle. "That scares me so bad I feel like throwing up. That's not how I imagined making love to be. But tormenting Daddy doesn't feel like love, either. I'm stuck in this weird kind of purgatory where nothing progresses, because I want it to, but I'm afraid it will go too fast and I'll lose control. That makes no sense, I'm sure, but you don't understand any of it, so that's okay."
"Actually," came a deep voice from the doorway, making Tris startle, "that makes a lot of sense. And it explains a few things."
Tris anxiously dropped her gaze, busying herself with the baby to avoid facing Eric. She put the bottle down and shifted the little one to her shoulder to burp her.
"I knew something was still bothering you," Eric said gently. "I've seen flashes of your usual self, but it's like something smothered that every time it peeked out. I thought maybe it was the unwanted media attention getting to you. Turns out it was something I said."
"I'm sorry," Tris replied, still not looking at Eric.
"No," Eric replied. "I'm sorry. You have nothing to apologize for. I'm the one who planted that seed of self-doubt in you."
Tris rocked the now-sleeping baby in her arms as they stayed quiet for a moment.
"I have an idea," Eric said gently. "Will you put her down and come with me?"
Tris agreed, though her hands shook a little as she placed Ava in the crib. She followed Eric out of the nursery and across the hall to the master bedroom.
"You still have your bathing suit here," Eric reminded Tris. "If I put on trunks and you wear your suit, will you soak in the big tub with me?"
Tris nodded. Taking a bath together sounded like a big deal, but knowing they would both be in their bathing suits helped. It made it seem more like going for a swim, or sitting in a hot tub. And the way Eric had treated her to a bath when she was injured made the otherwise intimate gesture even more familiar and comfortable for Tris.
Eric brought Tris her bathing suit and took a pair of board shorts into the bathroom so he could give her privacy and start filling the bathtub while they changed.
A few minutes later, Eric was sitting on the edge of the tub, dressed in his swimming trunks and dipping his feet in the water, when Tris tapped on the door.
"Come in," he said.
Tris peeked around the door, and Eric smiled reassuringly. She entered the bathroom and mimicked his position, sitting on the edge of the bath with her feet in the water.
"So," Eric began speaking gently, "my idea."
"I thought the bath was your idea," Tris interrupted.
"The bath is just a good way for us to relax together," Eric clarified. "My real idea is a way to help you get your confidence back and help you not feel so stuck."
"Go on," Tris said.
"I was thinking that if we put a date on it - say that sex is absolutely off the table for a set amount of time - that might help you. You could gain confidence because you would know that there won't be pressure and that I'm not expecting anything.
"Tris, I'm not expecting anything. I'm not waiting for you to get over yourself and put out, as you seem to think I am. I love you, and I want to be with you in a lot more ways than just sex. I miss your affection, your bravery, and even your teasing, Duchess. I hate seeing you so afraid of me.
"If we said that for one month sex was absolutely off the table and that you were free to explore our relationship in any way you wanted, would that help you relax? I'm not saying that at the end of the month we would have sex, either. I'm just saying that at the end of the month we could evaluate it again, talk about it. Do you think that would help?"
Tris shut off the faucet and walked in the knee-deep water to where Eric was sitting. She put her hands on his shoulders and nodded reassuringly when he tentatively put his hands on her hips.
"So you're saying that for one month I would be free to kiss you," she paused to kiss his forehead, "touch you," she ran her hands up and down his bare arms, "hold you," she put her arms around his neck, "and maybe even push my comfort zone and tease you? And that you wouldn't expect sex from me? You would just go along with it and maybe do some exploring of your own at my timid pace?"
"Exactly," Eric confirmed. "That's how it usually goes, Duchess. Boy likes girl, he asks her on a date. They get butterflies when they hold hands for the first time. It takes their breath away when they first kiss. Kisses get deeper, hands start to wander more and more. At some point they say I love you. We were doing all of that, and I was enjoying the journey with you. Then I got drunk and said too much and derailed the adventure we were on. I want that back. So, Duchess Beatrice Grace Prior, I hereby solemnly swear, in front of God and that rubber ducky, that I will not expect or encourage sexual intercourse with you for at least the next thirty days. You are hereby free to push my buttons all you want - explore, show, tell, ask - anything, and I will understand that it is not an invitation for sex. Okay?"
Tris nodded, an eager smile on her face, then crashed her lips to Eric's in a searing kiss.