Chapter 12 is finally done. Sorry it took so long. I've been spending these last couple days formulating ideas. I have a few but I don't know exactly what order I'll put them in but I will use them in upcoming chapters. Not this chapter though.

Tobias POV

I take Tris' hand, feeling Caleb's eyes on me as we walk away. I hope I made my case with him. I'm sure he'll have more questions for me tomorrow. I might have some of my own as well. However, I don't want to upset Tris. I know Tris wants to know why he left and I want to know too.

Neither of us speak. I wordlessly open the car door for her. Then walk around to the drivers side and get in. I don't start the car just yet and look at Tris for a reaction to what just happened. Finally after a moment, she speaks.

"I was not expecting that." She says. I think that statement has a double meaning, but I'm still not sure.

"About Caleb or about what I said?"

"Both. With Caleb, I guess it was bound to happen. I don't know if I fully believe or trust him, but I'm hoping for the best. I'm hoping he was sincere and that he will change."

"Yeah, I wish I had more words of encouragement for you but I still don't know Caleb and can't relate to your situation. I guess that's all you can do for now is wait and see how things progress. Maybe tomorrow will give you more clarity."

"Yeah, maybe. Regarding what you said..." She pauses, a grin creeping up on her face. "I said it back, didn't I?"

I can't help but grin back. "Yes, you did. I guess I was afraid you'd think I was moving too fast."

"Maybe if it was somebody else, but I am 100% confident of my feelings for you. I've been sure of my feelings for a couple weeks now. So, you're stuck with me."

"I'm sure I can handle that." I smile and lean over and gently kiss her on the lips. When I pull away I look deep into her eyes. "I love you, Tris."

"I love you too, Tobias."

PAGE BREAK

The next day Tris and I get ready to meet Caleb for lunch. I'm sure he will give me the big brother talk and I'm prepared for that. I know that I'm not gonna want anything more in this world than Tris. She's worth it and has been since the moment I met her. I feel like my life has meaning now that she's in it. Maybe I can finally be happy after everything I've been through.

We agreed to meet at a local burger joint downtown. Caleb had called Tris last night to sort out the details. Tris is trying to be open minded. I'm curious as to what Caleb will have to say after three years. For Tris' sake I'm hoping things go better for her than they did for me with my mother.

Tris and I arrive but don't see Caleb yet so we go ahead and get a table. The waiter comes by and takes our drink order and we inform him that we are waiting on one more person. After a minute or two Caleb walks up. Tris and I both stand to greet him. Tris and Caleb share a more comfortable hug than they did yesterday and I shake his hand.

We sit down and start looking over the menu in silence until the waiter comes back. It doesn't look like either of them want to start a conversation so I clear my throat and speak.

"So Caleb, what kind of job do you have in New York?"

"I work for a research company. Our work is pretty complex and we deal with many different areas like medical and things like that."

"Sounds interesting."

"Yeah, it keeps me busy."

I sense Tris tense up when he says this and I guess she's probably thinking that he's saying he was always too busy to try and call her. I can tell she wants to say what she's thinking but purses her lips.

"What about you, Four? You said you were in the military, correct?"

"Yeah. I was in the Army."

"How long?"

"I served four tours so it was a long time. Hence why I'm called 'Four'."

"What do you do now?"

"Well, I'm saving up to hopefully go back to school. For now I'm working at a restaurant nearby. That's how your sister and I met."

"I see. And your family?"

"I don't have one. Not anymore anyway. That's one thing Tris and I have in common. My parents are alive but are no longer in my life and I'm an only child. If you don't mind me saying, Caleb, I don't know what happened after your parents died but if I were in your position I would've made sure to stand by my sibling. I couldn't do what you did."

"I did what I thought was best. There were just too many memories here. I couldn't bear staying."

"You don't get to decide what's best for me, Caleb." Tris says. "I stayed here because I chose to, because this is where I feel closest to our parents. As difficult as it may be, I can still find comfort being in the place where they raised us and where we were once a happy family. I looked at the positive. I didn't just run away. And if I didn't think that was reason enough to stay, now Four is a reason for me to stay. Shouldn't I have been enough of a reason for you to stay?"

Caleb winces but doesn't say anything. He knows she is right. I smile at her and grab her hand under the table. She lets out a deep breath.

"While you figure out your answer, I'll be right back." She says as she gets up heading towards the restroom.

Caleb and I sit in silence for a moment. Here comes the interrogation in 3, 2...

"So Four, how old are you?"

"I'm 27."

"Don't you think you're too old for my little sister?"

I almost roll my eyes when he says this.

"She isn't your 'little' anything. She is stronger and braver than the both of us combined. She has taught me more about life these last few months than anyone else has. And for your information, I'm in love with her. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

He sighs, and I know he doesn't have a comeback for what I said.

"As long as she is happy I will support your relationship."

"Thank you."

I figured this was a good place to end this chapter and not keep y'all waiting any longer.