A/N: I am sorry I didn't update yesterday, but my cat has been sick since Friday afternoon, vomiting and not eating or drinking water. I'm very worried about her, and just wasn't in the mood to edit anything. I got an emergency appointment at the vet and she received a shot, but tomorrow we'll have to go back for blood tests. I hope it's nothing too bad.
A special thanks to ItsHardIKnow for beta reading this story.
Thank you to all the new followers and for all of your reviews.
To Amlo: I don't speak French, but luckily google translate exists for that. I am glad you like my story. You will see Andrew's, Natalie's and Caleb's reactions in later chapters, but definitely after the baby is born.
To the Guest who was disappointed about another baby story: to be honest, I know what you mean, but this story was meant to be about family and rather normal things in life from the very beginning. I have some other stories with different plots (some on-going others already finished). For FUME I wanted her to be a mom fairly soon, because it'll help them both to grow as individuals, as well as a couple, and then discover more about the world surrounding them. I won't explore the world outside of the fence, though.
I wanted to address DivergentLover101231 so that others who share your opinion read my answer as well: like i said before, the baby in this story is important for them to grow as characters. Their society is different from ours, and we can't allow our own stereotypes to dictate how a character should evolve. I appreciate your opinions and concerns, but I promise, FourTris having a baby is important in this story. FUME isn't about fighting Jeanine or David or saving the world. It's an everyday tragedy turned into a story about saving yourself and the ones you love. If any of you want to discuss some more, PM me here or go to my tumblr christiwind . tumblr. com or Twitter christiwind
To Fishes: Tris will be in great shape by the time she chooses. Don't forget, guys, there are two years between Tris and Tobias. The baby will be born in March, which means it'll be already three months old when the next batch of initiates comes, and a year after it will be Tris's turn to choose, making the baby 15 months old.
Updates every week on Saturday, unless something comes up, then I'll try to post on Sunday.
Chapter 15
Tris
It's been ten weeks since I moved to Dauntless.
Tobias is now one of five leaders; he is respected, and a little feared. During the first few days of transferring into Dauntless, every pair of eyes there were trained on us. It was a little bit of an odd situation at first, but then leadership actually took the time to explain the situation to the whole faction. I was very surprised to hear as Max talked, that despite him actually being Tobias Eaton, Four wanted to be known under his nickname. As for "Mrs. Four", because yes, that's what he called me, he told them to call me either Tris or Mrs. Eaton, depending on how I preferred it.
It was explained that under the law, I was a dependant, but wouldn't receive a stipend from the Dauntless treasury. The faction seemed to take the news pretty well with no one complaining, at least not in plain sight. The biggest surprise was when Max announced that their newest leader wasn't one to wait around, and had already knocked up his beautiful wife. When he said those exact words to the entirety of Dauntless I turned so red, I think they had to name the new shade after me – Tris-red. Even Tobias was embarrassed, but the faction was all cheers and hollers. They congratulated us for three days straight, and said they couldn't wait to see the little rascal. I chuckled, and just held my tummy.
I don't really have a job, but every now and then, Max either asks me to file documents, or write letters to the factions the way he tells me to. I have a separate account for my own money. Tobias is the one who mainly puts points in there for me to spend, and it is usually for groceries, or other necessities. But whenever I do a job, Max pays me. At first, I thought he paid me from the treasury, but then I learned it was money coming out of his own pocket. I wanted to refuse, but he wouldn't let me. I often wondered why he would ask me to do that, but I guess since I am probably the only person without a job or income of her own it makes sense. He even told me to help Tobias with his studies. While my husband immediately became a leader, he still had things to learn. The most important was how to use computers.
We both read the books, but he is far better at coding than I am. I don't really like it to begin with, but I understand that it's also a necessity.
About a week after we moved into our apartment, which looks bigger than the Abnegation houses we left behind, Tobias's friends, who quickly became my friends as well, invited themselves over for lunch to celebrate. I've learned that the Dauntless don't really need a solid reason to celebrate, it doesn't even have to be a real one.
The day I came to Dauntless, Tobias was waiting for me at the entrance with two Dauntless members: a guy and a girl. The guy was bulkier than Tobias, and shorter, and he reminded me of someone I couldn't quite pin-point. He introduced himself as Zeke, and he, together with the brunette beauty, Shauna, is Dauntless-born. Somehow, Tobias and the two connected pretty quickly, and became friends. It was only when they came over to that impromptu lunch that I realized why Zeke seemed so familiar to me. He is the older brother of Uriah, whom I met the night I ran away from Abnegation. I also met Lynn, Shauna's younger sister, and Marlene that day. All three of them are my age, and in two years from now we will all choose. I already know I will choose Dauntless, but the others, I don't know.
I asked Tobias to set the table, which is a very large one, yet we still had to squeeze together, while I prepared the last bits in the kitchen. I had help from the guys, who carried everything into the dining area, and placed the dishes in the middle so that everyone could pick their favorite. I decided to make a variety of meals from all the three factions I've lived in so far. My food was a hit, but when Tobias brought in the chocolate cake I baked, Uriah almost devoured it whole.
"Oh. My. God. Best Dauntless cake ever!" he shouted after taking one bite. I beamed at the compliment, only to realize they all thought it was bought in the cafeteria, as well as the food.
"Uh, sorry to disappoint you guys," Tobias said, smirking, "but my wife did all that." They all looked at me completely stunned. They started to ask "even the Dauntless food?" because the other two kinds made sense to them. And then Uriah asked "even the cake?" I could only nod. There was a brief moment of silence, before they all begged me to bake them more, because mine was so much better than the one in the cafeteria.
"What's your secret?" Tori asked. "You can tell me," she elbowed me lightly, which caused me to laugh wholeheartedly.
"What you thinking about?" Tobias asks me. We are sitting in the infirmary, waiting to be called in by my OBGYN for my twenty-weeks check-up. Today we'll hopefully find out what we're having. I am rubbing my belly, occasionally feeling a strange bubbling inside. Dr. Montgomery told me last time that I might start feeling the baby, but other than these strange bubbles inside me, I can't really say that I felt it.
"About every time one of our friends tries to convince me to give up my secret to the Dauntless cake I bake," I say, and he laughs.
"I know you don't put anything extra in it, I've seen you make it plenty of times, but I think it's the way you make it, the patience you have to make sure it tastes good. Not to mention, the extra ounce of love you pour inside," he rattles off sweetly.
Since we both started our lives here in Dauntless, our relationship blossomed. Though, it is still trying at times. We can be ourselves here, unlike in Abnegation, and sometimes those selves fight, and get angry, but the love is always there. We usually stay away from each other for a couple of hours, and then when Tobias comes home, we talk it through as I'm already home due to rarely needing to be out and about. While both of us still hold the same positions before the time-out, we actually talk through our problems. Married life isn't easy, and at times I wish I was single again, but as soon as that thought crosses my mind, my heart aches. Yeah, like I'd ever let go of Tobias. No matter how infuriating he can be, I love him more with each passing day.
I even love our fights. When I first told Tobias that, he actually called me nuts. I then explained that in Abnegation we didn't have normal problems to deal with. But here, where it's just him and me, where we can explore our different personalities, we have to learn to accept the other just the way we are. It is trying at times, but worth it. I am convinced that Dauntless Tobias, as he refers to himself sometimes, is the same as Abnegation Tobias, only tougher. I know that Tobias still fears that he might turn into Marcus one day, but not once did he raise a hand to me. We yelled at each other, sure, but none of us hit the other. I am certain Tobias will never do it either. He is a good person who wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone another human being, no matter who it is.
I lean my head against his shoulder, and his arm immediately circles around my figure. His free hand lands on top of mine on my tummy in a way that both mommy and daddy protect their baby. I love these little moments when it's just the three of us, even if the baby is still inside me. Every time we come here I am more convinced I made the right choice keeping it.
"Mr. and Mrs. Eaton," the nurse calls, and we get up. We enter the office, and Dr. Montgomery asks her usual questions about how the past four weeks have been for me. I give her a detailed report about my diet, whether or not I experienced any more morning sickness and tell her that other than a couple of times, I was fine.
I am soon asked to change into a paper gown, and enter the examination room as soon as I am ready. Tobias follows me into the adjacent bathroom to help me out of my clothes, and into the paper gown. During my first appointment with the Dauntless doctor, I wasn't sure if Tobias should stay inside, but I didn't want him to miss it either. He was as shocked as I was when I first told him about our little Peanut, because sure, why not, let's call our baby "Peanut". But since then, he's showed more enthusiasm than I expected. He read all the baby books with me, he helps me with everything I need, he even goes to the grocery store in the middle of the night to get me God knows what I crave at that moment. He is the perfect husband and father-to-be, so how could I ever deny him to stay in the room to hear all there is to know about his baby?
Tobias helps me into the other room, and since the hospital does not provide slippers, he is carrying me so that my feet don't get cold. I kiss his cheek lovingly, adoring how he dotes on me.
He lays me down on the examination table, but Dr. Montgomery wants to do the pelvic exam before the ultrasound, so I reach underneath my paper gown and remove my panties. I almost give them to Tobias, before remembering that the first time we had to do this, he smelled them, and put them in his pocket. I was so embarrassed, but he only smirked at me. Thankfully, the doctor was in the other room, and didn't see.
As Dr. Montgomery examines me, she tells us what to expect this week, that our baby is the size of a grapefruit now, and that the placenta functions protect the baby against exposure to several infections from the mother's blood. She reassures us that all this is perfectly normal, and so far everything is fine with our little bundle of joy.
When she's done, she turns around to the little desk to write down her notes, while I ask Tobias to help me put my panties back on. He does so, but not before whispering that those will not stay on me for long. I blush, and smack him lightly. He chuckles, and hurries to cover my exposed sex.
The doctor returns a minute later, and pushes the paper gown up my belly. I still can't believe how big I have gotten, and how big I will still get. She squirts the cold gel over my stomach, and uses the wand to get an image from inside of me. The familiar heartbeat of my baby fills the room, and like every time, I tear up. It is there. My baby.
The image starts appearing, and after months of staring on black and white screens I can finally see where my baby actually is. However, each time I see it, it is bigger than before, and my heart swells with joy and love. Our child is growing, and is healthy.
"It seems like baby Eaton is cooperative today. You two want to know the baby's gender or do you want to be surprised?" Dr. Montgomery asks with a kind smile. I look toward Tobias, and he nods excitedly.
"We want to know," I tell her. She nods in acknowledgement, and moves the wand toward where the baby's genitalia are. Tobias is holding my hand in his, and they are so tightly pressed together I don't think they can ever be separated again.
"Well, there we have it," she says, and pushes a few buttons on the ultrasound machine so that we get a printed image of our child. "Congratulations, it's a girl!"
Tobias and I look at the monitor in awe. A girl. We are having a girl. I feel tears gather in my eyes, and not caring that I might look weak, I let them fall. It isn't the first time this happened in this room, and it won't be the last. I am the proudest mommy-to-be, and I don't care about anything other than the two most important people in my life.
I look toward Tobias who has a similar expression on his face as I have. He is still holding his tears back, but, from past experiences, I know that the moment we are inside our apartment he will let them fall. We talked over the weeks since we first learned of our little miracle what we would like to have. I wanted a boy, so that I could have a mini version of my handsome husband, whilst Tobias wished for a girl. I am a little sad I don't get my mini Tobias, but I am even happier that Tobias gets his wish. I would give him the moon if I could and he would ask for it. He deserves happiness, and I will give him as much as I can.
"I love you," I mumble to him, when the doctor leaves us alone for a moment to just cherish this moment of joy. He looks down at me andkisses my lips softly.
"I love you, too. Both of you. Both my girls," he responds happily, allowing a few stray tears to fall on my pregnant belly, "hey, baby girl. This is your daddy. Your mommy and I are so excited to finally meet you. You have to be a little more patient though, and stay inside mommy's tummy."
"Oh, my God! You are so adorable," I exclaim, now crying my eyes out. Tobias glances up, and smiles – not even phased. He is used to it by now - my mood swings, and sudden crying fits. He kisses my temple, and then uses one of the paper towels to clean my stomach. Once that is done, he hands me another to dry off my eyes, and then picks me up, carrying me back into the bathroom. He helps me put on my clothes, and once I am done, we return to Dr. Montgomery's office. She prescribes me some more prenatal vitamins, and we schedule our next appointment. We thank her, saying goodbye. We head to the cafeteria since my stomach started grumbling, and I'm sure all our friends want to know if we've finally found out the gender of the baby.
A/N:They are having a baby girl! Yay!
When I first thought of them having a baby, I wasn't sure what to choose: boy or girl. While a boy sounded so awesome, a mini version of Tobias, I decided against it. I think, it would give Tobias too much trouble to accept himself as good enough and his fear of becoming like Marcus would be greater. I figured, letting him be a daddy to a girl would give him the confidence that he won't turn into Marcus and make him look forward to a son.
What do you think? And what should they name her?