A/N: Thank you all for being part of this journey. As I've said before, I might take a break shortly. My thoughts are all over the place and I need to find a moment of peace to put them in order.

A special thank you to It'sHardIKnow for editing this in record time, since I sent her the chapter on Friday.

Happy reading!

Chapter 37

Tris

Today is Visiting Day. I am so, so, nervous. Today, Mom is to bring dad to Dauntless. He has no clue about Rose, but Mom says he is excited to see Tobias and I again. Well, mostly me. He still needs to get to know Tobias better.

Mom reassured me that over the last few weeks, since the grand reveal at my Choosing Ceremony, Dad has come around and told her everything that happened to him in the days before he came home with the announcement of my upcoming engagement. She even told me that they got into a fight but are slowly starting to work out their issues. I am glad for them, mainly because I love them both and don't want them hurting.

Tobias told me how he went to see my dad after he left the net room on my Choosing Day, and how he gave my father some details. He wasn't graphic, probably more to avoid bad memories than spare Dadsome nightmares. In all honesty, Dad should know the extent of Marcus Eaton's evilness. I know, for a fact that Tobias hadn't revealed what I told him once we were both safe here in Dauntless, namely how Marcus used to sneak into our bedroom and jerk off.

I still vividly remember the rage in Tobias's eyes. He was so furious that he wanted to go to Abnegation, in the middle of the night, and kill his father. I'm sure he would have, but I told him that I didn't want to raise our baby all by myself just because he decided to kill his good-for-nothing father and end up in prison or, worse, executed. He gave in, but told me he wanted to let off steam in the training room. Fearing the worst if he went alone, I accompanied him, despite his protests, but it was important to me to at least have him in my sight. So, while Tobias beat the shit out of a poor punching bag, I read a pregnancy book, while sipping ginger ale.

After Tobias and I revealed to the transfers that we were married, things changed slightly. Some of the initiates came to see me fight with the Dauntless-born, while others continued their gossips. Thankfully, most people didn't give a rat's ass about what they had to say, and just dismissed them. I think showing them what I can really do opened their eyes to what was at stake for them. Not only did I prove that I didn't rank high because of Tobias, but Amar also pointed out that, while Peter still called me Stiff, the Stiff actually learnt all these things by herself and even taught some of the best fighters in Dauntless some killer moves. Needless to say, a few of the transfers asked me to give them some pointers. I was happy to help Myra, Edward's girlfriend, since she seemed completely lost. I learnt that she only chose Dauntless because of Edward, which was a really risky thing to do. On the other hand, Tobias practically followed me here because I wanted to come, even though he chose first.

I was pleasantly surprised when, after my fights with all the initiates, Christina asked me to talk to her in private. She actually apologized for her behavior and did admit that she had a slight crush on my husband. I couldn't help the jealousy that overcame me then, and I made it very clear that I would throw her into the Chasm if she even attempted to flirt with him. Wide-eyed, Christina reassured me that now that she knew for sure that he was taken, and especially that we had a child together, she wouldn't do anything so reckless.

During the following weeks, she asked either Lynn or I to help her with her fighting technique, which I'm happy to say, had improved much like Myra's. We're not really friends, but we are friendly with each other– civil.

Speaking of friendly, Eric has turned out to be quite the nice guy, much to Tobias's annoyance. I think, it was easier for my husband to think of Eric as the bad guy, the enemy, than actually giving the former Erudite a chance. I understand rivalry and whatnot, but there comes a time when we need to set our petty differences aside and work together. After all, we are all Dauntless and we all want our faction to function properly.

I was half surprised when Tobias came home a couple of weeks ago and told me he had a long and thorough talk with Eric over a couple of beers in his office. I nearly choked on my water when he said that, causing him to laugh at me. Nevertheless, I was glad that these two at least attempted to get along. Despite what went down between them during initiation, Amar always said that these two would make a great team, if they weren't such macho shits – his words. I was proud of my husband. I know it's hard for him to trust new people or, in this case rather, an old enemy who turns out to be nicer than he thought. I wouldn't say they are on their way to becoming BFFs, but at least they aren't at each other's throats anymore. We even had Eric over a couple of times, easing him into our group of friends – and everyone seemed to give Eric a chance.

"I think I'm going to puke," I groan, as I pace around our living room.

"Relax, babe. It's just your dad. He loves you and wants to make amends with you. He should be the one all nervous and shitting his pants," Tobias points out, chuckling.

"I didn't say I was shitting my pants," I frown at him.

He doesn't get to reply, because the doorbell rings. Thankfully, Tobias had already dropped Rose off at Hana's place, so we don't have to worry about her making a fuss before I get to tell Dad about my little girl.

Walking to the front door, I watch Tobias as he opens it and greets my parents, hugging Mom and shaking Dad's hands. What I didn't expect was for Tobias to offer Mom his arm to escort her into the hallway, telling me casually that they were to visit Mom's childhood friend, Hana. I know they want to go see Rose. I throw a dirty glare their way, but they are out of my line of sight in no time. Turning to my father, I invite him inside.

Leading him into the living room, I ask Dad if he wants a drink. Asking for some water, I rush into the kitchen to get him some. I am so nervous that my hands are shaking violently. Somehow, I manage to carry the glass into the living room without spilling it. Offering it to my dad, he thanks me with a shy smile. This whole situation would have been more awkward if he was about to explain sex to me. I shudder at that thought. Ew!I never want to talk about sex with my father.

I sit down on the ottoman in front of my father and, for a moment, we just stare at each other. What the hell am I supposed to say?

"Beatrice, I am so sorry for what I have done to you," he starts, and from then on, words spill out from both of us.

Dad and I have a real conversation with each other. We have never been this honest and straightforward with each other - even when I was still living in my parents' house. I guess, Abnegation rules prohibit that kind of honest interaction between their members. I make a mental note to always have honest conversations with my daughter. I'd rather know she is upset with me than having her feel she can't tell me to my face what is bothering her.

Dad tells me how lost and trapped he felt when Marcus came to him and manipulated him into thinking that he could become factionless. Apparently, making a mistake nowadays is punished with being expulsed from your faction. I don't know if I should laugh at him, punch him, or feel sorry for his naivety. I should probably do all of the above.

I explain to Dad that, while he most likely will be sanctioned for his mistake, it won't even be remotely as bad as Marcus made it look, no matter how much power my father-in-law holds. If anything, Dad could have been interrogated under truth serum, testifying that he didn't do it with malicious intent.

Discussing mostly our time apart, I know that it is important for me to tell Dad about Rose. Broaching the topic, though, proves to be a harder task than I originally thought.

I decide that there is no way to sugarcoat this. In the end, I love my daughter and I am not ashamed of being a mother. Would I have preferred to have my first child a few years from now? Sure. Do I regret having Rose? Absolutely not! I am happy to be her mother and so proud of my little girl. Perhaps, if I had her out of wedlock, Dad could have bitched about it, but even so. Tobias and I made her out of love, and whilst unplanned, she was wanted every minute since we found out.

"Dad, there's something I still need to tell you," I begin, and he gives me a curious look, tilting his head slightly to the side, "you have to know that Tobias and I love each other very much, and there's nothing this man wouldn't do for me. He treats me as if I was a queen, respects and supports me, loves and cherishes me, protects and defends me with his own life if necessary." I watch as my dad nods, but I can tell he doesn't know where I'm going with this.

"Beatrice, I know I've wronged you, and I know I've blamed Tobias for things he had no control over. It was all Marcus. You have no idea how happy and relieved I was when I found out that Tobias stepped up and became the husband I always hoped for you to have. I know it will take a while for you both to forgive me, but I hope that one day you will," he whispers, and looks away ashamed.

"Dad," I say, but it comes out more as a whine.

I stand up from where I was sitting and go to sit next to Dad on the couch. I put my arms around him, and lean my head on his shoulders, as I feel my dad shaking. I realize that he's started crying, and as much as it breaks my heart to see him like this, he needs to let it out. We all need to let the bad things go and try to be a family again, even if we all live in different factions now.

"I'm so sorry, baby girl. I wish I would have been stronger, protect you from harm. I thought that if I lost my job, or became factionless, your mom and you kids would have had to leave Abnegation too. I wish I would have asked some Candor for advice, just like you did. But I was stupid and a coward. Please, Beatrice, please forgive me," he sobs into my arms.

Holding him close to my body, I decide to be brave. I decide that there is no right time to tell your father that you had a baby and kept it a secret for two years. There is no way of telling him that, so I will just come out and say it.

"Dad, I want to forgive you, I really do. I am sick and tired of bad blood between us, of all the hurt and pain we all feel. We should leave the bad stuff in the past and look at the brightness that tomorrow brings," I tell him from the heart. I feel him nod, and pull back slightly.

I stand up and go into my daughter's room, picking up the box of tissues, and a picture frame with a picture of Rose, Tobias and me. I hold the picture towards my chest, hiding it for the time being, as I offer my dad a tissue. He gratefully takes one, and dries his eyes, blows his nose, and tries to compose himself after the emotional roller coaster we've been on this whole time.

Sitting back down, I hand my father the picture. He takes it curiously, inspecting it for a moment before his eyes widen and he stares at me in disbelief.

"Beatrice, what does this mean?" he asks. I can sense a hint of anger, but dismiss it. He has no right to be angry.

"The day before Tobias's initiation officially concluded, I felt ill. Jack Kang drove me here to talk to Tobias after Jack and his wife, Vanessa, took me to the Candor infirmary. That day, Tobias and I found out that we were expecting and, from the moment he found out, Tobias did everything in his power to make sure that both our baby and I are well and happy. He took the leadership position that was offered to him, and we got this apartment. Dad, I know you might be disappointed that your teenage daughter had a baby at seventeen, but it is not unheard of in Dauntless. Besides, Tobias and I are married and we love each other. We had plenty of help from our friends here and we love our daughter so much," I beam, and can't hold my tears back, "Dad, I never regretted my decision to have my baby. She has been a blessing and both Tobias and I love her so much."

Dad holds me in his arms, kissing my head as he rubs my arm. I start crying into my dad's arms, allowing him to hold me for the first time in over two years. Only now do I realize how much I've yearned for his embrace.

"Can I," dad starts speaking, but stops. I look up at him, and he gives me a bashful smile, "can I, I mean if it is alright with you and Tobias, can I meet your daughter?" Dad finally blurts out, and my eyes fill with tears. This time, they are tears of happiness. I nod eagerly, and text Tobias to bring Rose home.

I decide to show Dad the nursery, whilst telling him a little bit about his granddaughter. I am so glad he didn't go nuts when he found out, but I was still worried.

"Dad, I need to ask you something," I rush out, and he nods, "please, don't tell Marcus about Rose."

Dad's eyes widen, before he glares at me.

"Beatrice, I would never allow that psychopath anywhere near you, Tobias or my granddaughter. I might have been oblivious and stupid before, but I will never allow him to hurt any of you ever again. I'd die before letting Marcus Eaton move a single hair on your heads," Dad vows, and my heart swells.

"Don't worry, Mr. Prior. I'll kill him before he even thinks that thought through," Tobias growls, and we both turn around to look at my husband who is securely holding our daughter in his arms. The moment I look at Rose, she stretches out her arms, for me to hold her.

"Mommy," she whines. I smile at her, and pick her up, while Tobias ushers my dad back into the living room. Rose and I follow behind them, and once we are all out, I introduce my father to my daughter.

"Dad, this is Rose, your granddaughter," I announce with a wide grin. My father's eyes are watery again, and I know he is fighting his own tears. I know Dad isn't a bad person. He just made some bad decisions that affected a lot of people. But to be fair, one of his bad decisions led to something so wonderful that is my husband and daughter. For that alone, I have to forgive him.

"Hello, Rose," he coos timidly.

"Rose, honey, this is your grandpa," I explain to her and she blinks at Mom, eliciting a chuckle from me, "no, honey, not grandma, grandpa," I emphasize the word, and she stares, wide-eyed, at my father. "He is mommy's dada," I explain, pointing at dad.

"Dada?" Rose asks.

"Yes, baby, this is my dada," I insist, and she looks at him with curiosity, "he is your grandpa," I enunciate the word clearly.

"Granpa," she squeaks, excitedly, jumping up and down in my arms.

Dad asks if he can hold her to get acquainted better, and I happily hand her over. From the moment Rose was in his arms, I knew Dad was a goner. She managed to wrap him around her little finger just like she did with everyone else.

A/N: Andrew knows. The healing can begin.

What did you think of the reunion between Tris and her father? What will happen next? Will they find a way to kick Marcus's ass for all the shit he did?

There is still some time before Tris finishes her initiation. I wonder what fears will show in her fear landscape.

Let me know your thoughts.