A/N: Thank you, It'sHardIKnow, for Beta-ing this. Your continued help and support warms my heart.

Chapter 39

Tobias

Several weeks have passed since Visiting Day. Tris was happier than I have ever seen her after she reconnected with her father. I knew that all they needed was a real father-daughter talk and allowing themselves to have a relationship again. I've seen over the years I've spent with Tris how much she missed her parents, and how, while we were happy, she still missed her old life.

Andrew and I have become much closer than expected. It was clear to the both of us that we needed to put the bad blood behind us and look forward, not just for Tris, but for ourselves as well. The talk I had with my father-in-law during Visiting Day was something we never had and needed. I imagine, I will have a similar talk with my daughter's future husband one day, although that day is still far away; another thirty years away.

After Visiting Day, Natalie and Andrew came to visit us every weekend. Caleb couldn't always join due to his work, but he would call and talk to his parents and us for a little while before he had to go back.

Despite Tris's attempts to keep us from discussing the 'Marcus Issue', as we came to call it, Andrew and I often broached the topic and tried to find ways to bring my father down. Tris would then admonish us because, in her eyes, we should spend time together bonding, not plotting. Well, I don't see how plotting with my father-in-law to take down my father isn't bonding. I dare her to argue with that.

Tris and I decided to introduce Andrew to all our friends, including Jack and Vanessa. Both were a great help in the days and weeks after my Choosing Ceremony, and they are now part of our family. Andrew still has trouble adjusting to the rambunctious Dauntless, but he really does try to be a good sport.

During one of our gatherings, conveniently while Jack and the Dauntless leaders were in our apartment, Tris explained what she had found in the old law books and how our Founders intended for us to evolve. Handing out the book she had, everyone took a peek inside, seemingly wanting to check for themselves if what she said was true, and asked a million and one questions.

Vanessa was one of the most enthusiastic of all. She even offered to put together a presentation for the next grand meeting of the factions, held right after all the initiations concluded, in Candor. Some of the Dauntless were a bit reluctant about involving the factionless, myself included, but Vanessa, Tris and Natalie were very loud when it came to defending them. Admittedly, my reluctance wasn't so much because of the factionless per se, but more because of my mother.

Evelyn. I haven't seen or heard from her since that night when I snuck out to see why Marcus would request a meeting with me. Back then, I told my mother that I didn't want to join her – not then, not ever. She made the foolish mistake to offend my wife and call my marriage a sham. True, it started out that way, but by the time my supposedly dead mother came to confront me, Tris and I were madly in love. I wanted to yell many things at my mother, but the shock of seeing her, combined with the worry over Tris and our baby, compelled me to finish that dreadful meeting and return home to my pregnant wife.

A part of me stupidly hoped that Evelyn wouldn't have given up so easily. It wasn't like I would have thrown away everything I've worked for only to join my mother, but it would have been nice to see that she truly felt remorse over leaving me with my abusive father. If I hadn't seen what a dedicated mother Tris is, I would have even looked for my mother myself. But Tris showed me that there is no such thing as too much or too great of a sacrifice for your child. If we had stayed in Abnegation and Rose was born there, Tris would have murdered Marcus before allowing him to lay a finger on her child. That's how I know that my mother isn't worthy enough to have the status of 'mother'.

Tris and I sometimes lay in bed, mostly after I have a nightmare, and we would talk. I've only mentioned my mother once, which was after finding out that she is still alive. Tris had patiently listened to me and allowed me to get all of my frustrations out before offering her opinion. I expected everything and anything from her, but I didn't expect her to tell me to consider giving my mother a chance.

"Now, why would I do that?" I had asked her, angrily.

"Rose," came her calm answer. I didn't understand what our daughter had anything to do with Evelyn, so I asked my wife to explain.

Tris, very calmly, but also holding the dislike she harbored for my mother clear in her voice, explained that one day our daughter will ask us questions - questions about how we met, how we fell in love, and how her Daddy asked her Mommy to marry him. Hearing her list all those things, I realized, we didn't have a cute story to tell our children if they ever asked. And if we ever told them one of the things that led us to get married, then they would inquire more, demand more, until we would have no choice but to share. Obviously, if I had a choice, I would never expose my children to the violence and monstrosity that is Marcus Eaton, but they would know. One way or another, they would find out. But Marcus wasn't the only skeleton in our closet. Tris and I both made mistakes, decisions that we later regretted and hoped to redeem ourselves. In all fairness, we are only human, but Tris pointed out that one day our children will demand answers to questions we are still afraid to ask. I didn't quite understand what she meant at the time, but after her reconciliation with her father I understood. We all make mistakes, parents probably more than their children. One day, we will be the ones who will wrong our daughter or any other children we might have, and we will hope to be forgiven. But how can we ask for forgiveness, if we don't offer it to those who seek it from us?

Truthfully, unlike Andrew who practically begged on his knees for all of us, Caleb and myself included, to forgive him, Evelyn never even took responsibility for her wrongdoings. Instead, she badmouthed my wife in front of me, basically calling her a stupid teenage fling and practically dismissed my child. When I used that as a counterpoint, Tris just smiled and told me that even if my mother never apologizes, never seeks my forgiveness, it wasn't about her anyways; it was about me.

"You need closure. Look, I'm not saying go and live with your mother in the factionless sector, pretending that the world around you doesn't exist, but maybe, now that we are both parents, and one day we will be the ones to ask our daughter to forgive us, probably for something far less important than this," she said, and I saw in her eyes that she would rather die than allow our child to suffer even an ounce from what we had to, "we will want to look back at this moment and say 'at least I tried'. Don't go and give her false hope, but also, let's give her some of our attention. We both lived under Marcus's roof. She was weak and a coward for leaving you there, but I can see how this is eating you from the inside. At first, I thought it was your anger, but it soon became clear that it is hurt, deep and searing." She pulled me in her arms, and I cried like an infant

That night, I didn't make up my mind. In fact, I still haven't. I am not yet willing to forgive her. Whatever life we would have had, poor and starving, it would have been far better than with Marcus.

Perhaps one day I will look for her, ask her to tell me the story the way she remembers it. Because I remember my mom trying to put on a smile when her face was so bruised that you couldn't even see her eyes anymore. Maybe Tris is right, I need closure. For now, though, I don't want to think of Evelyn Eaton. Today is the last day of initiation before the final test.

For the last couple of weeks, all the initiates were taken through their fears, one at a time, training to overcome them. Just like every year, some initiates do better than others, with Tris, Uriah and Edward at the top of their class. I've asked the instructors to keep a close eye on possible troublemakers, and was informed that some initiates, like Peter, Drew and Molly, still thought they were being treated unfairly. The others seemed to understand that comparing themselves with the Dauntless-born or Tris was stupid. In all fairness, they saw firsthand how good she is, and, plus, with the special panel to monitor all the initiates' progress there is no chance of cheating whatsoever.

I told Tris to come find me every time she went through one of her fears. I know the emotional rollercoaster each of these sessions represents, and I want to be there for her. Surprisingly, most of the time, Tris did fine. She had great times to go through a fear and overcome it. She wasn't necessarily outstanding, but that didn't matter. There was about a one to three minutes difference between her and Uriah or Edward. As far as I can tell, both guys are Divergent, which explains their capability to go through their fears much easier than the rest. Even so, it takes a toll to face one's fears on a daily basis, and I just want to be there for Tris and hold her.

"Are you nervous?" Shauna asks Tris, as we all sit in the cafeteria, Rose in my lap.

"A little bit. Up until now we've gone through several fears, but tomorrow we'll have to face our whole fear landscape. It's a bit daunting, and I'm not sure what to expect," Tris answers her, and I can tell she is trying to hold it together.

I put my hand on her thigh and squeeze it lightly, trying to reassure her without words that she'll be fine. She is Dauntless and she'll do great tomorrow. I won't be allowed inside the exam room, but George and Max will be there. Today I was informed that also Eric and the other two Dauntless who watched initiation closely will be inside the exam room, along with a few Erudite who will monitor the program, 'to pick out ways to improve its efficacy for generations to come'.

Tris gives me a weak smile, and resumes eating. Sensing that the topic of the final exam reached its end, Shauna changes the topic to clothes. I groan inwardly, but I'm glad no one is talking about anything heavy anymore. These final hours are excruciating, even more than the ones before my final test.

As soon as she is done eating, we excuse ourselves, and together with our daughter we head home. Tris wasn't sure if she should spend the night at home or in the dorm room, but I managed to convince her. I am absolutely certain that she'll be a member by tomorrow evening, but I sympathize with her nervousness. I was in her shoes once.

While Tris is getting Rose ready for bed, I go into our bedroom and hurry into our bathroom to fill the tub with warm water. I set up scented candles and pour some scented salts into the water, filling the air with an abundance of enticing aromas that are aimed to relax. When I'm satisfied with everything, I leave the bathroom and go check on my wife and daughter.

I find Tris sitting in the rocking chair, gently rocking our baby to sleep, singing softly to her. Rose's eyes are closed and a content smile plays on her lips. I smile at the sight of my girls, and go to kiss my daughter's forehead before gently lifting her out her mother's arms and laying her down in her crib. Tris smiles softly at her, before bending down to kiss her cheek. We quietly leave our daughter's bedroom, careful not to wake her.

Guiding my wife into our bathroom, I watch her as her jaw drops at the sight before her. I smile at her reaction, and grateful that she isn't like other women here in Dauntless who need many gifts, some more expensive than a week's pay. My girl is happy with little things, be it a foot rub or just bringing her tea. Nevertheless, I make it my priority to spoil her, because she deserves it. She always did a tremendous job keeping our home clean and cozy, taking care of our daughter and me, and trying to still be a good friend to all our friends. I am absolutely certain that once she'll have a regular job here in Dauntless, she'll shine. It wouldn't surprise me if Cameron's leader position would be offered to her once initiation concludes. Whatever the future holds, I'll make sure to be by her side and support her the same way she always supported me.

"What's all this?" she asks with a chuckle.

"A little wellness for you, my love. I know how stressed out you are because of the test tomorrow, but you don't have to be. You did extraordinary well during initiation and tomorrow is only a formality," I try to reassure her.

"I know I'll make it into Dauntless, but that's not my priority anymore," she informs me, taking me a little by surprise, "I want to do well. You were first in your initiate class and I don't want to disappoint you. I want you to be proud of me," she whispers, looking away bashfully.

"Honey," I begin, and grab her chin, turning her head so that she has to face me, "I am proud of you. No matter your rank tomorrow, you are Dauntless. You are Mrs. Four," I joke, and she laughs a little, "you did amazing things already, and who cares what others think? I am so proud and in love with you that I think I might burst. I know how hardworking you are, and whether you come out first or last or anything in between doesn't matter. You are Dauntless, and that's all that matters. Don't worry, please."

I see as she fights the tears in her eyes, and smile. No matter how strong she is, there is still a part of her that is frightened and just wants to be loved. Oh, how I love her. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't fall in love with her over and over again. She is my soul mate, my everything, my entire world. Without her I'd be nothing; I'd want nothing.

I kiss her softly on the lips, not wanting her to think that I did all this to get laid. I mean, if it happens, it happens. Who am I to deny my beautiful wife a little sugar? But ultimately, all this is for her to relax and calm down.

We both undress and I get into the tub first, laying back, and holding out my hand to steady her as she climbs in as well, resting her back against my chest, and sighing contently as the warmth of the water envelops her. I can practically feel how the tension leaves her body as she slumps into me and snuggles in my embrace. I could die in this very moment, and I'd die a happy man.