A/N: Thank you everyone for reading, following and reviewing this story. Your feedback means a lot. Thank you to my beta, ItsHardIKnow, who always manages to understand what the hell my brain is passing as literature.

For the person who asked about 'Bionic Luna' - it's not a Divergent story, it's an original work. I would love if you guys would check it out on Wattpad. I've got the same username there too.

Happy reading!

Chapter 24

Tobias

It's Christmas time again, and Tris is even more excited than she was last year. I was excited too, especially since I wanted to ask her that very important question. But this year? The excitement is tenfold. We have our little girl with us, and Rose is now old enough to at least get some sense of what is going on. She is especially fascinated by the Christmas lights on our tree.

Rose has been talking more and more - nothing out of the ordinary, it's mostly noise, but it's still a huge accomplishment. I've read that some babies don't even start talking until they turn one, but Tris and I don't really care when it happens. We encourage our daughter to do things, but don't push her. Last week, for instance, I was sitting on the floor untangling the Christmas lights, while Rose played with her unicorn she got from Max. She wasn't far away from me, but I was so engrossed in what I was doing that I didn't notice when she had lifted herself up and wobbled towards me. I only saw her when she grabbed the string that was already untangled. I looked up in awe, and almost started crying. It is amazing to me to see how my baby grows up, learning all these new things. Being part of her life is the best experience of mine. I loved Tris almost immediately, but ever since I knew there was a little life growing inside of her, a life that we made together, I loved my wife even more. I didn't even know my heart could sustain more love than it already did, until I held my daughter for the first time.

Tris was beside herself when she came home from the store, and Rose started walking towards her. We had been practicing with Rose for a while now, but we were always holding her little hands so she wouldn't fall. When I heard the front door unlock, I quickly picked up Rose, who started giggling, and put her down in front of me, just as her mom came in. Tris looked at us with a smile, thinking we werepracticing again, but then I let go of our daughter's hands. Tris immediately put the bag she was holding down to catch Rose before she fell, but I stopped her. The distance wasn't wide, and I knew Rose could do it. When she finally reached her mama, Tris started crying happy tears, while Rose giggled, probably proud of herself. The very next moment, Tris ordered me to baby-proof the apartment even more, so that our daughter wouldn't hurt herself. I chuckled to myself, since I had already done that before my wife even came home.

Ever since Max confided in us with what happened between him and Jeanine Matthews, he and I have become really good friends. I still see him as a superior, even though we both hold the same position here in Dauntless. He has been a leader for far longer than me, and he stopped a war. But, after learning the price he paid for the peace we all enjoy right now, both Tris and I felt guilty. I know it is absurd, we did nothing wrong, but looking at what we have, we realize this wouldn't have been possible a few years ago when other laws governed our city. Tris often invites him over to dinner or lunch on the weekends. He refused at first, but, when Tris used Rose to ask him to join us, he couldn't say no anymore. In a way, Max has become like a grandfather to Rose, seeing that neither my father is in the picture, which is a blessing, nor Andrew, Tris's father. As much as Tris and I want to give our daughter everything we didn't have growing up, there are things we just can't do. Luckily, Rose has enough uncles and aunts around here who adore her and have never once considered her as anything else but family. Even Harrison, my co-leader, and Hana, Uriah's and Zeke's mom, are regular visitors, and are honorary grandparents, along with Max. That's why Tris has decided to have a huge Christmas lunch on Christmas Day with all the people we love here in Dauntless.

For Christmas Eve dinner, however, we invited Caleb. He is the only blood relative of Rose's who we can invite. I still hope that one day we can include Tris's parents, and not just for Rose, but for Tris as well. I know she misses them, even though she acts tough.

Caleb and I have become friends also. We both are working together to find out what happened to Mr. Prior to decide that marrying Tris off to me was a good idea. The more both siblings tell me about their parents, the less sense it makes. The man who was so adamant to make sure that I marry his daughter sounds like a completely different person to the one described by his children. There must have been something, and I think Tris is right. He might have made a simple mistake, but with Marcus lurking around, manipulating people to do his bidding, I can see how the situation probably escalated. Mrs. Prior seemed more reluctant to let her daughter marry a boy older than her, and was even more appalled by the prospect of her teenage daughter getting pregnant. Well, Tris did get pregnant, but at least it was our decision to keep the baby. If we were to have still been in Abnegation, it wouldn't have mattered what we wanted. But Mrs. Prior appeared to be conflicted when I last saw her on my Choosing Day. She was so genuinely happy to see Tris, and was hopeful that Tris would live with her parents – until I finished initiation, at least. The shock on her face when Marcus told them Tris would live with him was undeniable.

After Caleb and I worked out our differences, he became very willing to paint us a picture of what went on in the Prior household. It seems, Marcus fed the Priors the lie that Tris was still angry with them for marrying her off, and he decided it was best they put some distance between each other so that Tris could finally accept her fate. Caleb told us that their father agreed, albeit reluctantly, but their mother almost threw a tantrum. She even reminded Caleb of Tris, when she first learnt about the arrangement. I had always wondered where Tris got her fire from, but it seems to be from their mother. The biggest shock came when Caleb told us that their mom used to be Dauntless and chose Abnegation to be with their dad. Tris was speechless, until she got very angry. I guess, the old rules, and some of the ones still existing, create more problems, rather than solving anything. Caleb also told us that their father used to be Erudite, and, according to their mom, that's the reason Mr. Prior never visits his son.

"I don't get it," I tell my brother-in-law, "I mean, okay, your dad used to be Erudite, and I get he hates them for what Jeanine tried to achieve, but you are still his son. I don't mean to criticize, but, as a father myself, I would never reject Rose just because she chooses something I don't like. I might have an argument with her, but I would never," I stop myself. I don't want to say the word. It's too harsh.

"Abandon her," Caleb continues with a sigh. I nod. "I don't know what to think. Mom tells me to hang in there. She is also looking for you," Caleb speaks, turning to his sister. Tris's eyes widen, and I urge him to go on. "She told me two weeks ago when she came to visit me. She's got into several fights with Dad ever since I chose Erudite, and you disappeared. I guess, she's just had enough of the mandatory politeness, and broke down. I've never seen her that way, Tris. She seemed lost, and small."

"Do you think she is upset that you chose Erudite or that Tris just left?" I ask, although Mrs. Prior seemed to be supportive of Caleb's choice. Tris, however, disappeared without a word, after I chose Dauntless, seemingly leaving her behind.

"Well, she says she isn't upset with my choice. If it were a few years ago, we wouldn't have even been able to visit each other, but now we can. I sometimes invited her over to my apartment, and she would agree to come. She wanted me to come home too, but, with dad still angry, I didn't want our parentsto fight. But she is devastated that she lost you," he whispers to Tris, and looks as if he is to cry any moment.

"Caleb, I had to. They just handed me over to someone I barely knew. And, despite what you say, about how convincing Marcus was in his argument, I would have never stopped trying to see my child. I don't know what happened to Dad, and I have a fleeting suspicion that he might not have told mom the real reason for his sudden change, but that doesn't change the facts. I want to forgive them, I really do. I don't want Rose to grow up knowing her mom could have forgiven her parents and been a family again, but instead held onto her anger. That's not the example I want to give my daughter. But, until we find out what happened, I don't want them to know where I am, and more importantly that I have a daughter. I know Mom would never tell Marcus once she knows what a monster he is, but Dad just might be the wimp I think him to be. I can't risk it. And, as painful as it is, I don't want Mom to know, because I don't want her to keep secrets from dad. Not because of me, anyways."

"Tris, I really think you should tell her. She always asks me if I've heard anything, seen anything. She blames herself for everything, says she was too weak to stand up for you when you needed her the most. Sis, please. Let mom know you are alright. I promise you, she won't tell. She is so angry with dad, because ultimately it's his fault. No matter what happened, and no matter how Marcus forced Dad to agree to that marriage, it was still Dad who didn't do anything. He knew how much you hated it. I mean, I've never seen anyone act out the way you did."

"Caleb, enough!" Tris grits out firmly, and leaves the dining room. A moment later, I hear the bedroom door slam and Rose startles in my arms. She starts crying, and I try to calm her down, rocking her gently, and talk to her, hoping she will stop soon. I need to check on her Mom. I've never seen Tris so afraid before. Caleb might have not noticed it, but I know my wife. I saw the terror in her eyes.

When Rose finally calms down, I ask Caleb to watch her so that I can check on his sister. He takes Rose with a huge smile, and goes to play with her on the carpet in the living room. I watch them for a moment before heading to the bedroom. I open the door slowly, and I instantly hear the sound of my sobbing wife. I walk inside, barely seeing anything, since she didn't turn on the light. I see her near the large window, crouched down in a corner, crying uncontrollably. I go to gather her in my arms, and hold her tightly. She wraps her arms around me, gripping onto me tightly as if I was her lifeline. I pull her closer to me, wanting to shield her from all the bad in the world. But sometimes the worst of it is inside us, and unfortunately I can't fight that in any other way than being here for her.

I rock her gently, like I did with our daughter, and tell her I love her. I know what is going on in her head. She is torn apart by guilt, love, longing, anger, and so much more. I sometimes can't even think of the storm inside her without making me flinch. How a person can live with all these emotions buried deep inside, is beyond me. Tris is very strong but I am afraid that if she doesn't deal with her emotions, they will overpower her one day.

"Baby, talk to me," I urge her gently. She sniffs a few times before pulling back. She looks at me and,thanks to the moon shining inside the room, I can see her face. It betrays the pain inside her, and it breaks my heart.

"I don't know what to do," she confesses, her voice hoarse, riddled with hiccups while she is forcing herself to calm down, "I want to tell Mom. I always suspected she went along with Dad, but hated the idea. Her reactions also displayed that she didn't know everything that was going to happen, like the fact that I had to live with you and Marcus, or that I supposedly wanted to get pregnant. But there's a part inside of me that is just so angry, and kicks the ass of the part that wants to forgive her. I also meant what I said about Mom and Dad keeping secrets from each other. I don't want to be the reason, but if I tell her, she won't be able to tell dad. I don't know if he is loyal to Marcus in any way, but I'm afraid he'll tell that monster about Rose. Tobias, I'll kill anyone who wants to hurt my baby, I swear!" she exclaims, full of confidence. I know she will. I would too. I smile softly at her. She is an amazing mother;she is brave, strong, loving, and if it were to ever come down to it, she would give her own life to protect our child. She is everything a mother should be, and it reminds me how my own isn't. I haven't seen her since that night I snuck out of the apartment, and I have no intention to see her again. Even if it wasn't for Tris, I still wouldn't want anything to do with Evelyn. She abandoned me, leaving me behind with an abusive father who never once told me he loved me or that he was proud of me. I was a nuisance, a problem, an inconvenience, for him.

I pull Tris back into my arms, holding her tightly. I kiss her head, and rub her back, thinking of a solution to this dilemma. I think we need to have faith. In fact, Mrs. Prior might be the only one who could tell us what happened to Mr. Prior. And if she doesn't know yet, she could find out. There is just so much hacking I or Zeke can do without getting caught. And Caleb can't do much either. We exhausted all our options, and until we get some real insight into the problem, which, without someone in Abnegation, wouldn't be so impossible, our investigation is stalled. I keep that to myself, though. Tris needs to make this decision based on what is right for her. We can always try again some other way.

It takes Tris a long while to calm down. When she is finally wiping the last remnants of her tears away from her eyes, she looks up at me, a determined look in them. She's made a decision. I can tell. I kiss her lips, tasting the salt of her tears, and then help her up. She goes into the bathroom, where she washes her face. A moment later, she emerges from there, and takes my hand. We leave our bedroom, and find Caleb with our daughter still playing on the carpet. They are laughing, and it makes me happy to see Rose's content face.

"Can you please bring Mom here the day after tomorrow?" Tris asks her brother. For a moment he looks surprised, but then smiles and nods.

"Don't tell her anything. Don't tell her where you're taking her, or who she'll meet. Be here at ten a.m. sharp."

A/N: Yay! Rose took her first steps. She's growing up so fast.

Tris finally agreed to see her mom again.

What will happen when Natalie finds out that Tris has lived in Dauntless all this time?

What about when she will find out about Rose? And will Natalie be able to help them find out the truth?

This and more in the next chapter of "FUME".

Please leave a comment to let me know what you think.

Oh, and check out "Bionic Luna".