A/N: Thank you everyone for your continued support. It means a lot. My cat is better, but it looked really bad for a while.

A special thanks to my beta reader, ItsHardIKnow. Your continued help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you to everyone who suggested baby names. I always love to involve you guys to see if we like similar things.

To Amlo: This reader actually takes the time to translate each chapter into French. When I read that, I was like wow. I am so touched that you enjoy my story so much that you do that. Merci beaucoup for your support and I hope you will continue to read my story and maybe try others out as well.

Unrelated to this story or anything Divergent, I just read that the Swedish DJ Avicii died. RIP.

Chapter 16

My first Christmas is just days away. Growing up in Abnegation, I didn't even know what that meant. I had to get a crash course once Dauntless leadership announced a big party for Christmas Eve. I had no idea what Christmas was even supposed to be, so both Pedrad brothers made it a point to tell me everything, and I mean everything.

I didn't quite understand why they told me more than they did Tobias, until they gave me a pre-Christmas present, which was a book with recipes for Christmas cookies and cakes. I guess, these two will be easily pleased. I had some more help from Shauna and Marlene. They went with me shopping, so that I could get something for Tobias. I would go with him to get gifts for our friends here in Dauntless, as well as something for Jack and Vanessa. I even wanted to get Max something, but I still didn't know what. Maybe walking around with Tobias will help me find something.

It wasn't hard to get Tobias a present. I decided to get him a few outfits, because he rarely buys himself anything, the Abnegation in him still very much present, as it is in me as a matter of fact, but with me constantly having to buy new clothes, because I get bigger as time goes by, I pushed that part deep down.

However, his real present isn't some meaningless clothing item. I had already talked to Tori to give me a tattoo. I went to see her a couple of days ago, when Tobias had several meetings, and couldn't come home. I wanted something on my body that would always symbolize him, and my love for him. So, I told Tori what I had in mind. She designed an infinity symbol where one loop formed a little heart, and the other held the letter T in cursive. I wanted to get it on my wrist on Christmas Eve, since Tobias would find it if I would get it too soon. She told me she would swing by the apartment after Tobias left for work that day. I trusted Tori to keep my secret. After all, she kept the secret of how Tobias's back looks like.

When he first told me he wanted to get a tattoo, about three days after we started our lives in Dauntless, I just said okay. I didn't really know what he wanted, until he led me to Tori's apartment, and showed me the drawing on her wall. It took my breath away. It was a drawing of the symbols that represent each faction, combined, and encircled by the Dauntless flames. He wanted all of them, because he didn't want to be just one thing. I found it beautiful, especially with the Dauntless flames surrounding the symbols.

At the top of his spine is now the Dauntless symbol, followed underneath it by the Abnegation one, then Erudite, Candor, and Amity. The flames encircle the symbols, and reach around his ribcage, but don't cover his chest. Some of the flames peak out from under his collar up to his neck. Every time I see it, it amazes me. He took a bad memory and turned it into a good one, because life here in Dauntless has been good for us. I wasn't sure if Tobias would be happy, but he is. He really is. He has got friends for the first time in his life, he has peace and quiet when he comes home. He is loved by many people, especially by his wife and child.

Our daughter moved about a week after we had our appointment to find out the baby's gender. It was an amazing feeling, and I was grateful that Tobias was there to feel it too. To him it was still faint, but I could clearly feel her move around. It is still odd to think of her as a tiny person inside of me, but nevertheless exciting.

Resting has become increasingly more difficult. Between the aches in my body, the positions I can actually sleep in to protect my belly, and the baby constantly moving during the night, I barely get any sleep.

My mood swings are better under control now that I am in my third trimester but I am so horny, I could have sex all day long. Tobias doesn't complain. In fact, sometimes he teases me that I've turned into a sex maniac, whilst assuring me that he still loves me. Yeah, right. I am the maniac? As if he just stands still and lets it happen to him. Gimme a break!

We started talking about names, and so far, we've narrowed it down to Rose, Hailee, and Tessa. We like all three of them, and we decided to just pick one the day she's born, unless, we decide sooner. Whichever comes first. In the meantime, we just call her peanut. It's cute, and Tobias often talks to her.

"Be a good girl for mommy, Peanut," he would whisper to her before going to work.

Sometimes, Max or Harrison or even George would drop by, and hand me a folder with hypothetical scenarios. This has become a thing ever since I came here. One of the leaders would drop by, and hand me a hypothetical assignment. At first, I didn't think much of it, but I started to realize that the hypothetical scenario wasn't so hypothetical after all. They were real problems the faction faced, and they wanted to find solutions. I haven't said anything yet, and made copies of all the problems I've solved. I don't know what their intentions are, but I hate that they don't tell me. I can tell that Tobias doesn't know either. He looks just as surprised as I do when one of them casually drops by.

I wake up in the middle of the night, feeling thirsty. A part of me wants to wake Tobias, and ask him to bring me something to drink, but a bigger one wants him to rest. He works hard, because he wants to take a few weeks off after the baby comes. I know I'll need all the help I can get, but feel guilty he will miss work. I slowly pull my heavy body out of bed, trying not to wake my husband, when I realize he isn't even in bed.

I go to check the bathroom, but the lights are off. Same goes for the rest of our apartment. Where could he be? Is there some emergency he had to go to because he is a leader? I don't think so. In the past, he would wake me to tell me he'd be out, and I shouldn't worry. He knows I always worry about him. But for him to sneak out without saying a word seems odd.

I walk into the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea, unable to go back to sleep until he comes back home. Peanut is moving around again, probably sensing my anxiety. I rub my belly, trying to calm our little girl down, but truth be told, until he comes back, I won't be able to calm myself.

As I walk into the living room, I pass the front door. A little note catches my attention, and I think maybe Tobias left it for me so that I wouldn't worry. But why on the floor? He knows I have trouble getting up lately. I sigh in frustration as I bend down. I huff at the awkward sensation, but try to pick up the note quickly.

I stand back up again, and take a moment to catch my breath. Wow, that was harder than I thought. I look at the little paper. It contains the same cryptic message as the other two. About a month after I came to Dauntless, someone slipped a note under Tobias's office door. By the contents, we summarized it must be from Marcus, although any reason as to why he would do this eluded us.

On the day you hated most

At the time when she died

In the place where you first jumped on.

Those were the words. Tobias looked at the first note with an Erudite-like curiosity. He read it over and over again, trying to make sense of its meaning.

It was easy to guess what the last line meant. It was the place where he took the train to come to Dauntless, so the tracks by the Hub. That was no brainer.

The only person Tobias identified "when she died", was his mother. I never really knew when it happened, just that one day my mother told me and Caleb that Mrs. Eaton died during the night, and that the funeral would take place in the afternoon. I didn't think much of it, since I was a child. But Tobias told me, Marcus had said she died at two a.m. So, the time for this meeting would be two a.m.

The day he hated most. Now, that was difficult. I hated every day in that house, and so did Tobias, but apparently there was one day he hated more than others. It took him a while to figure it out. It was Wednesday. That's when Marcus would come home, and be extra shitty, and beat Tobias up. He didn't stray from his routine even after I started living there. If anything, it was a silent reminder what would happen to me if I didn't behave. I shiver. Every time I think of that monster, I feel a cold chill run down my spine.

So, Wednesday, two a.m., the tracks by the Hub. As I check the clock on the microwave oven, it reads almost four a.m. I have no idea how long Tobias has been gone, but it's Wednesday, after two in the morning, so he must have gone.

I crumple the note, and toss it on the floor. I can't believe him. After the first note arrived, I begged him not to go. If Marcus was behind this, he would surely kill Tobias. I begged him to think of me and our baby. He agreed, but now he is gone.

What if Marcus has killed him? What if I never see my husband ever again? What if my baby will never know her father? What if?

My mind is racing, and my heart is pounding. If Marcus hasn't killed Tobias, then I will. He promised me he wouldn't go.

I am sitting on our couch, silently allowing my mind to form the most grotesque scenarios. I can't calm down, despite knowing I am hurting my baby. I want to think happy thoughts, but my happiness is linked to him, to Tobias.

Peanut is moving frantically around, kicking me from the inside of my tummy, telling me to knock it off, and not stress her out. I wish I could, baby girl, I really do.

The door opens, and I snap my head in that direction. I watch Tobias enter, and as he spots the light on next to the couch, he stares at me in disbelief. He gets rid of his boots, and jacket, and comes to sit next to me. I am shaking with anger, but I can't help but feel relief that he is alright.

"Care to explain?" I ask, my voice much harsher than I intended. He looks at me with defeat in his eyes. "Talk!" I demand. He sighs, leaning against the couch, but then his head shifts to my shoulder. I want to push him away, but my heart constricts when I think about it.

"I had to go," he starts whispering but then I cut in.

"Tobias, there are a few things in life we have to do. This wasn't one of them. Marcus could have killed you. He could have taken you away from me and our daughter. Did you ever think about her?" I ask, but feel tears rolling down my cheeks. He can't see them, so I don't hide them either.

"Tris, it was my mother," he mumbles. What? What's that supposed to mean? I move a little to the side to look at him. He finally sees my tears, and wipes them away, regret in his eyes.

"Would you please tell me what is going on?" I grit out sorrowfully, and hold my stomach. The baby is moving again. He places his large palm over my tummy, before bending down and kissing the place where the baby just kicked.

"You need to calm down, please, for our daughter," he says, his tone pleading. I huff in annoyance.

"Tobias, the more you keep me in the dark, the more I'll stress out. So, please, tell me already."

"I went to see what Marcus wanted. Don't worry. I didn't go alone. I had Zeke, and a couple of other guys with me, but they all stayed behind. I am not stupid, Tris. I know that if I die, you will have to go back to Abnegation, and," he doesn't continue because I slap him over the face. He looks at me stunned, before lifting his hand to his face where an imprint of my smaller one is.

"I don't care where I will go. I care that I might lose you, you stupid idiot!" I yell at him, and stand up. "I don't care if I live here or in Abnegation or fucking factionless. All I care is for you to be with me and for our baby to know her father." He quickly stands up, rubbing his face one last time, before wrapping me in his arms. He kisses my head, while I start sobbing.

"Please, calm down, for our baby girl. You can slap me later if you want, but please calm down. I am here, and I am fine."

We sit back down, and I remain in his arms. I wait for him to explain what happened, hoping to be able to calm down soon. I know he is right. All this anxiety is bad for our child. I need to think of her.

He starts telling me that he fully expected Marcus to show up, but was completely sucker punched when he saw someone he thought to be dead. Evelyn Eaton is alive.

It takes Tobias an hour to tell me everything. He is confused, and angry, and hurt, and I can understand it. For years, he thought his mother was dead, and he came to terms with it. I know how much he suffered, how much he still suffers. He always spoke so fondly of her, and regretted not to have been a better child. I tried so often to tell him that there was nothing he could have done to stop Marcus from beating her, but he just blamed himself.

We left the couch in favor of the dining room table. I made a pot of coffee for him, since I knew he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. I sit next to him, just holding his hand, while he stares into nothingness.

I think of all the things he told me, and I get angry. Evelyn Eaton didn't die when Tobias was nine. She left. She abandoned him. I don't care that she thought Marcus wouldn't be abusive to his son. She should have known better. And now, she asks him to just give up his life, give up what he got for himself through so much hard work to go live factionless? Is she insane?

"Tobias, I love you," I start telling him. He looks at me with a smile.

"I love you, too."

"I don't know what your intentions are regarding your mother, but before you make any decision, I just want this out. Know that I will always support you, no matter what. You are my life, and wherever you go, I will always follow," I vow. His smile grows wider, and he leans toward me, and captures my lips. It is short, and sweet, but full of love and promise.

"What's on your mind, honey?" he asks curiously, before taking another sip of his coffee.

"I hate her. I simply hate her. I don't give a rat's ass why she left. I get it. I lived in Marcus's house long enough to fear for my own life. But, I would have never left without you. More importantly, I would have never left without my child. I would have killed myself before even having a child so close to that monster. And if this would have happened," I say rubbing my belly, "while we lived in Abnegation, I would have killed Marcus. You know I would've." He nods his head. It was him who stopped me the one time I actually attempted to end Marcus Eaton's life. "If our current situation would be any other, I wouldn't be able to say this. But as it is, I am a mother. So, I can guarantee you with absolute certainty that I would never leave my child behind. I agree, living factionless isn't ideal, but to know that the alternative is living with an abusive man who treats women so poorly is unacceptable."

Tobias watches me intently during my rant. I can't accept that that was Evelyn's only option. I know the Abnegation council probably helped cover it up, seeing that they didn't give a damn about what happened with me and Tobias, when we got married against our will. The fact that we fell in love afterwards is irrelevant to this. This is about them, and their lack of morals. Selfless, my ass.

"I've told her no, by the way," he startles me out of my own thoughts. He chuckles when I give him a confused look. "When she asked, I come live factionless with her. I've told her I have a life in Dauntless, and my family is here," he says, and rubs my belly. The baby kicks, and he smiles. "She had the nerve to say that I could find another girlfriend if I wanted. I was still young, no need to settle for a little girl," he seethes through his teeth. I know this is how many people see what we have. I am the small girl from Abnegation who got knocked up like the idiot that I am, and he is only with me because of the baby. At times, I think that too, but then, he shows me how much he loves me, and I can't doubt him. We went through too much already to doubt each other. "I told her to fuck off," he says, and stares into my eyes. There is a storm behind his own that I know will plague him for a while. I won't push him, but he needs to know that I am here for him. I stand up, and walk closer to him, before I sit down on his lap. I am safe in his arms, while his chin rests on my shoulder. "I've told her that you aren't a fling, and she needs to respect you. She then tried to tell me some bullshit about she is my mother, and that she is permanent, and you are just temporary until I find someone better. I yelled at her, and told her there is no one other than you. And you are permanent, not because of our girl, but because I love you. I chose you to be my family long before we even made her. So, I don't need someone who doesn't know what love is to tell me how I feel or how my wife feels about me."

He shakes in anger, and I feel bad that I snapped earlier. I apologize, but he shakes his head.

"You were right to get angry. I should have told you. But I didn't want to worry you. I guess, that backfired," he says with a chuckle.

"I was really scared, Tobias."

"I know, baby. I'm sorry. I would have told you about the meeting as soon as I got home, but I knew that if you knew I would go, you wouldn't stay calm, and honey, I need you to stay calm for our daughter." He kisses my temple, and holds me closer to him.

Eventually, we both go to bed, although none of us really sleeps. We just lie there mostly in silence, but I am glad he is here with me, at home, safe and sound. I drown out all the demons that surround us, and allow this moment of peace to fill my heart. We will worry about it another time.

A/N: Evelyn made an appearance. What do you think will happen next between Tobias and his mom?

Will he allow her into his life?

Will he listen to her and let her influence him?

How will Tris deal with her mother-in-law if she becomes part of their lives?