Eric and Tris didn't talk about money again until they had eaten, cleaned up dinner, and gotten Ava ready for bed. Once the baby was tucked into her crib, the couple made their way back out to the patio, baby monitor and glasses of iced tea in hand. Eric took a seat on one of the patio chairs, and motioned for Tris to sit on his lap. She did, and they both sighed contentedly.
They sat quietly for a few minutes, then Tris took a deep breath. "Okay," she said.
"Okay?" Eric questioned.
"Okay," Tris repeated. "You can take responsibility for my car and my school expenses. I won't get a job for now. I'll focus on school and taking care of Ava during the day, and we can spend our nights and weekends being a family. We're not a typical dating couple, and you were right that we don't want to be. I have to accept all the parts of that. We're more of a family than a boyfriend and girlfriend, and that's going to be reflected in how we do things. I'll quit standing in our way."
"Are you okay with that?" Eric asked. "Are you sure?"
"I guess," Tris said. "My needs are met, so I really can't complain. There's an element of independence I'll be losing. But I have the fox jar for anything Ava needs or anything we want to do together. And I have some savings that will take care of Christmas gifts and things like that. It's more important to be able to spend time with you and Ava."
"I hope you get comfortable enough to use the fox jar for yourself, too. And I'm also hoping that we can do our holiday shopping together. Christmas, family birthdays, all of it. We're a team and your family is the only family I have, so I was hoping we could handle those together. We can set a budget, talk about ideas, and you can shop and wrap gifts, and I'll pay. Then they'll be from the three of us, and you won't have to worry about paying for gifts."
"Except for you," Tris says.
"What I want most from you won't cost a thing," Eric growled, his mouth up against Tris' ear.
Tris shivered. "And what is on your wish list, young man?" she asked.
"Another yoga demonstration," Eric said in a low, husky voice.
"Hmm," Tris hummed. "You'll have to be a very good boy between now and Christmas."
"I can be very, very good for you," Eric said.
Tris moaned and leaned back against Eric's chest, and all talk of money was forgotten.
.
Autumn passed in a blur of red and gold swirling leaves, school days, and campaign appearances. Eric and Andrew had a private conversation about finances and the decisions that the young couple had made about their arrangements. Since Tris didn't live with Eric, she couldn't go on his auto insurance policy, so Eric payed Andrew for Tris' part of the bill. He also took Tris' car to a mechanic friend, who gave it a complete tune up, wash, and interior detail.
If all Tris would accept from him was her auto and education expenses, then Eric was determined to do everything he could within those parameters. In addition to the money he spent on Tris' car, he also used his savings to pay off the small student loan she had taken out to supplement what her scholarship didn't cover. Of course, Eric didn't tell Tris about that. Since the loan wasn't due to be paid back until after graduation, Tris didn't give it any thought. But when she accepted his offer to cover her education expenses, Eric had told Andrew about it, and Tris' dad happily conspired with her boyfriend. He was on Eric's side when it came to Tris deserving pay for caring for Ava. If this was the only way she would accept it, then he would help Eric pull it off.
What Andrew didn't know is that Eric and Tris had a conspiracy of their own. Eric had decided to buy Caleb a plane ticket home for his dad's election in November. The three of them kept it a secret from Andrew and Natalie, though Tris nearly spilled the beans several times.
Election day was on Tuesday, November 2, and Caleb was scheduled to fly in on Saturday, October 30. The family was due to appear that day at a large university's rally to encourage young people to register and vote. The event was non-partisan, and Andrew and his opponent were both scheduled to appear. In the afternoon, Tris, Andrew, and Natalie would work as volunteers talking to university students about the voting process. Eric and Ava were to join them in the evening when Andrew and his opponent addressed the crowd before a concert. Natalie had offered to take Ava home after the speech so Tris and Eric could stay to enjoy the show.
All afternoon Tris worked the phones. She answered questions about registering, voting, and other election issues. She checked the time frequently, excited to see her parents' reaction when Caleb walked in.
Finally, the Priors were called to the green room to go over the plan for Andrew's stage appearance. Eric had texted that they were nearby, so Tris replied with their exact location.
"Is Eric here yet?" Natalie asked her daughter.
"Just walking in," Tris assured her parents.
The green room door opened a crack, and Eric popped his head in. "Are we in the right place?" he asked, getting the family's attention.
He opened the door fully, and there was Caleb, with Ava in his arms.
"Caleb!" Natalie exclaimed, rushing to her firstborn.
"Bub-bub!" Ava cheered.
Eric tried to rescue his daughter as the Priors hugged their son, but Ava held firm.
"Bub-bub!" the ten-month-old cheered again. "Mama! Bub-bub!"
.
The campaign appearance went off without a hitch. The Priors all sported broad, genuine smiles, happy to have Caleb with them. Andrew and his opponent were cordial as they spoke to the students about the importance of voting and being politically active.
After the speech, the politicians and their families were taken back to the green room, where they got to meet the band. Despite being past her bedtime, Ava was in a good mood, and even let the band's frontman hold her for pictures.
The Priors didn't stay long. They took Ava home for the night, and Caleb went with his parents and niece. Tris and Eric stayed to enjoy the concert, then went home to enjoy having the house to themselves for the night.
.
Sunday saw the family in church then busy with last-minute campaign work. On Monday Caleb and Natalie worked with Andrew and the campaign team while Tris went to class, Eric went to work, and Ava went to daycare.
Tuesday was more of the same, but Eric took the afternoon off, and he, Tris, and Ava joined the rest of the family to go to their polling place and vote. Several reporters were there to record the momentous event. When Tris walked into the booth and voted for her very first time, she cast her ballot for her father, and it moved her to tears.
A reporter noticed as the family left. "Tris!" she called. "Do you have anything to say?"
Tris stepped away from her family and walked to the reporters. Eric and Andrew looked at one another, wondering what she was about to do.
"This is the first election I've been old enough to vote in," Tris said. "I can't imagine a better candidate to mark on my ballot than my dad. He's an amazing person, and the people of Illinois are going to love having him as their senator."
With a broad smile, Tris turned and rejoined her family. Andrew hugged his daughter and kissed her on the forehead. "Love you, Sweetpea," he said. "Thank you for everything you did during the campaign. You've been so strong."
.
On election night, Christina and Marlene kept Ava at Eric's while the Prior family attended their final campaign rally. The evening started with dinner for the campaign staff, then moved into a large ballroom filled with campaigners, volunteers, political cronies and supporters, and well-wishers.
Family friends were excited to see Caleb home for the event. Andrew's sister, Kathy, was there, along with her reporter friend, Jessica. Max and his wife had been invited, but were unable to attend. Amar, George, and Tori came to the rally to support Tris, Eric, and the family, as did Hana, Zeke, and Shauna. After an initial round of greeting the guests and thanking people for their support and help with the campaign, Andrew and Natalie had retired to a smaller room with their closest staffers to watch the election returns come in. Tris, Caleb, and Eric chose to stay in the ballroom with their friends.
Eric and Tori started talking about tattoos again. Tris and Eric hadn't gotten around to their tattoo date, though they had talked about it several times. George and Amar renewed their offer to watch Ava while the couple got inked together. They talked about school, and the football season. Amar complained to Hana that his team just wasn't the same now that both Pedrad boys had graduated. They were so relaxed just sitting around talking that Tris nearly forgot how nervous she was waiting on the election returns.
Caleb joined the group. Susan Black was with him, as was Bud, the photographer. "Bud!" Tris said, jumping to her feet to hug the large man. "I'm so glad you're here!"
She introduced him to the others sitting around together, and invited him to take a chair. He sat down between Tris and Tori. "Tori is one of Eric's coworkers," Tris explained. "She's a trainer at Factions High School and also a tattoo artist."
"Very cool," Bud said. "Do you do cover-up work?"
The two lapsed into a comfortable and friendly talk. It seems that Bud had tattooed his ex-wife's name on his shoulder, and now regretted it very much. The conversation moved into other regrettable tattoos Tori had inked or covered for customers, and what some of her favorites were, as well. Soon everyone around the circle was talking about their tattoos.
"Can I get your card?" Bud asked Tori. "I've been divorced for a few years, and other than having my ex's name tattooed on me, I've completely moved on. I'd like to lose that last reminder of our time together."
Tori fished in her purse for a business card, then scribbled on it with a pen. "I put my cell number on there, too," she said, and Tris noticed that the trainer's cheeks were a bit pink. "Call me sometime and we'll set something up. I keep hours in the summer, but during the school year I just take appointments. I'd be more than happy to help you forget all about your ex."
Tris's eyes went wide, and she snuck a peek at Eric. He had one eyebrow raised as he watched Bud grin and take the card from Tori. "I'd like that a lot," the photographer said.
Earlier than expected, Matthew took the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please," the campaign manager said. "Andrew Prior will be on stage to address you all in ten minutes. Thank you."
Tris gasped. The announcement came early, and she could only hope that meant good news. She, Caleb, and Eric stood, and their friends all wished them luck as the guys each grabbed one of Tris' hands and they hurried to the room where Andrew and Natalie waited.
Matthew was at the door, and he greeted them with a smile. "Come in," he said.
Tris noticed that he looked excited, but she was afraid to get her hopes up. They walked into the room and immediately noticed Andrew talking on the phone. Natalie hurried to greet her kids, and she too sported a broad smile.
"Did we win?" Tris asked nervously.
Natalie didn't answer, but pulled her daughter in for a hug. Andrew hung up the phone and joined his family.
"Did you win?" Caleb asked his dad.
Andrew put an arm around Natalie and smiled at the eager faces of Caleb, Tris, and Eric. "I won," he said simply. "I'm going to be a senator."
Tris launched herself at her dad while Eric thumped Andrew on the back. Within seconds the Priors were one big group hug. "Can we pray together?" Andrew asked his family.
Everyone nodded, and they stood together in a knot of intertwined and overlapping arms as Andrew prayed. "Lord," he said. "Thank you for my family. Thank you for their love and support. Thank you for your protection over them through this campaign. Thank you for giving me the chance to serve the people of Illinois in the Senate. May I never forget the awesome responsibility of that office. I pray that you would guide me and give me wisdom to do this job well. Thank you for your many, many blessings. Amen."
"Amen," the family repeated.
Tris and Natalie wiped their eyes. Kathy came in, and they celebrated all over again as they told her about Andrew's victory.
After some quick touch ups to fix their hugged hair and makeup messed up by happy tears, the Prior family took the stage. Tris stood with Eric, their fingers twined together, and they smiled at the crowd as Andrew announced his victory, promised to work hard for his supporters, and thanked everyone for their hard work on the campaign. There was a balloon drop, confetti cannons, and every second was captured by a swarm of reporters with cameras.
The family left the stage to music and fanfare as their supporters celebrated Andrew's victory.
Eric and Tris didn't stay too late. They had to get home to Ava so Christina and Marlene could get home at a decent time. The babysitters had watched the news on television and were nearly as excited as Tris. Eric pulled two twenty dollar bills out of the fox cookie jar and gave one to each of Tris' friends.
"You don't need to pay us," Christina said. "We're your friends, and we love Tris' parents. Putting the baby to bed and watching TV all night so you could be there with them isn't a big deal."
"I insist," Eric said. "Buy yourselves coffee or something. To celebrate."
Christina and Marlene took the money and hugged Tris on their way out the door.
.
With the campaign behind them, Tris and Eric settled back into the school year. Caleb went back to his college, and Ava went back to half days at daycare. Tris registered for her second semester, and Eric and the other Dauntless trainers started planning their spring, too.
For Andrew and Natalie, things were a lot less calm. They flew to Washington DC to look at apartments, and they started planning what they wanted to take with them.
One day Tris picked up Ava from daycare and went to the Priors' for lunch. Andrew was back in Springfield, helping deal with the fallout of Governor Eaton's disaster. Natalie was home, sitting at the dining room table with a legal pad and pen. She looked frazzled.
"What's going on, Mom?" Tris asked.
"Trying to figure out the move," Natalie said distractedly. "The agent called this morning, and we got the apartment we wanted. Now I just have to figure out what to take and what to leave here."
"How big is the new place?" Tris asked, swallowing hard as she looked around her family home and wondered just how much things were about to change.
"Two bedrooms," Natalie replied, "though we're going to use the second bedroom as a home office. We'll have a pullout couch or air mattress or something for when you kids visit. I'm just trying to decide if we should bring furniture and things from home, or if we should leave things here and buy new things out there."
Tris was relieved that Natalie hadn't mentioned selling the family home, and she joined her mom in brainstorming while she fed Ava some lunch.
.
Back at Eric's place for the afternoon, Tris tried to concentrate on her homework, but she couldn't quit thinking about her parents' move. It's not like they're really moving, she reminded herself. The house will be there, and Mom and Dad will come home sometimes. But the truth was that things were about to change, and Tris was sad about it. More than once she swiped at a stray tear while she tried to focus on her homework.
.
When Eric came home from school, he could tell that something was bothering Tris. He greeted her with a kiss and a hug, and she held on a little tighter and longer than usual. On one hand, he was relieved that she clung to him because it meant that he wasn't the reason for her mood. On the other hand, he didn't know how to help her, and he hated that she was upset.
"Did you have a good day?" Eric asked.
"Yeah," Tris said noncommittally.
"Was Ava good for you?" he pressed.
Tris looked at him like he had lost his mind. "She was fine. Like always. Why? How was your day?" she asked.
"Fine," Eric said with a shrug.
Neither of them elaborated, and Tris went back to finishing dinner.
The meal was pleasant enough, but quieter than usual. Eric tried to start conversations, but Tris just answered in short phrases before spacing out again.
When they finished eating, Tris put Ava in the living room, surrounded by toys. The baby was ten and a half months old, and getting more mobile by the day. She crawled anywhere she wanted to go, and pulled herself to a standing position in the crib or when she was close enough to a couch or table to have something to hold onto. She was even letting go of the furniture and standing unaided for a few seconds at a time.
Tris walked back into the kitchen where Eric was loading their dinner dishes into the dishwasher. She grabbed the kitchen cloth and wiped down the highchair and dining room table. Eric started filling the sink so he could clean the hand-washed items. Tris joined him at the sink, grabbing a drying towel.
"Relax, Duchess," Eric encouraged. "Go play with Ava or relax for a bit. You seem tired, and there are just a few things to wash."
"I'm fine," Tris insisted, but Eric pushed her away with his hip.
"Go," he said, kissing Tris on the forehead.
Her shoulders slumped and she walked into the living room and plopped down on the recliner. Ava was standing beside the couch, and she squealed excitedly when Tris walked in.
"Mama mama," the baby said.
"Hey Sunshine," Tris said tiredly.
Eric heard the weariness in her voice and turned to look at his girlfriend just as Ava let go of the couch and took a shaky step in Tris' direction.
Tris gasped, and Eric grabbed the towel to dry off his hands and hurry to the living room.
"Come on, Ava," Tris encouraged, holding out her arms.
The baby took another wobbly step, then fell on her bottom.
"Yay!" Eric cheered, clapping his hands.
Ava grinned broadly and clapped her hands, too. Eric snuck a peek at Tris, and saw that tears were streaming down her face.