Happy Reading Everyone!

I can't believe Christmas is so close, man this year has gone by so fast.

Chapter 21

Making things right

Tobias' POV

I have been staring at my laptop screen for what feels like nothing but hours. My blood is still boiling from my fight with Tris earlier. It's not so much what she said that still bothers me, but more of how I snapped at her. I know I'm stressed and frustrated… But that is still no excuse. It reminded me of my father and the way he treated my mother.

The whole situation with Tris, her family, the resort, those that I hold dear like family, and not to mention my father and his expectations has me so torn. No matter what I do, what I write in that report… I'm in a no win situation. Someone is bound to get hurt one way or another.

I run my hands through my hair, taking a deep breath before I finally give in and slam my laptop a little harder than it needs to be shut. What's the point? Sitting in front of that thing isn't helping me. I stand up from the couch in my room. I look around, remembering the events of the other night when Tris and I made love in almost every inch of this room. The moment was beyond anything I have ever felt before with any woman. We couldn't get enough of each other. Did I mess that up? Will we ever get a night like that ever again? I have to find her. I have to make this right.

I rush out of my room, closing the door behind me. Report forgotten for now.

"Tris," I call out as I hurry down the stairs. I don't dare to take my eyes off of her for a moment. She's arranging the utensils and centerpieces on the tables in the dining room. She turns to look at me. At first I think she is surprised that I'm looking for her, but then I see the fire in her eyes that I have come to love so much. The fire that shows me her passion, her emotions and her hatred for me right now.

"Not right now Tobias." Tris says, turning her back on me. I don't let her get away from me that easily, I walk faster now. Needing to reach her before she has a chance to get away. I reach her in no time, extending my hand and gently holding her wrist. I force her to turn to look at me.

"Please, Tris," I beg. She needs to hear me out.

It's at this moment I know it doesn't matter whether or not my father is pleased with the report, it doesn't matter if come tomorrow I will still have a job at his firm. What matters is this… What matters is her and us. The rest we can figure out together.

"I think you said enough." She says, stubborn as ever.

"No. I haven't, not yet," I say, insisting for her to listen to me. I stop for a moment to think of what to say to her to make this right. That's when I notice all the eyes on us, boring a hole in both our heads. I press my lips tightly together. This needs to be done in private. "Please. Just… Can we talk in private?" I say, a part of me fears that she will refuse me. That she will give up on me and what we could have.

"Why should I?" She asks.

"I think you know why." I say simply. If I'm right about us, she feels the exact same way I do. If I'm right about us, she loves me just as much as I love her. I just hope she lets her stubbornness down long enough to see that.

"Fine." She finally says, her voice borderline irritated with me. With that one simple word, I feel the tension in my body finally relax a little. I nod my head, as I step aside and allow her to move past me and back up the stairs to my room.

"So, what is it?" She asks the moment we get into my room. I close the door behind us, trying to secure all the privacy we can get. Although with the look most of those people downstairs gave us, I'm sure they are straining their ears right now, trying to hear every sound we make.

"I wanted to apologize for what I said earlier…. I was frustrated," I explained. My explanation only makes me feel more guilty. It's the same speech I swear my father had told my mother thousands and thousands of times. Like father, like son, I guess.

"No. You were right." She says, stubbornly. I hold back my eyes from rolling. Of course it doesn't surprise me that she would say that. Avoid looking weak at all costs.

"Tris, please…" I begin, wishing she would just listen to me. I squeeze the bridge of my nose, trying to figure a way out of this.

"Tris, please… What? What could you possibly have to say that would explain your words earlier?" She asks, her voice filled with rage. Fuck!

"Tris, there are things you don't know, don't understand…" I begin.

"What? What wouldn't I understand? What could you possibly say?" She continues. " I mean we are talking about my family and them losing everything they have ever worked for. I mean it's generation after generation…" I throw my hands up. Obviously talking isn't getting us anywhere. That's it. I surprised her by closing the gap between us, taking her face between my hands. She finally stops talking, she gasps as she feels the chemistry between us. Her breathing becomes labored as her eyes dilate almost instantly.

"Please shut up,"I have something to tell you, " I begin, I can see the spark in her eyes change from ecstasy to borderline furious. "I might be in love with you, I'm waiting to know I'm sure before I tell you," I breathe out. I closed my eyes, fearing what she would say.

"That's sensible of you. We should find some paper so you can make a list or a chart or something." She says, laughing, breaking the tension between us. I chuckle at her comment. Our eyes connect the second I open them back up. Relieved that she isn't refusing me like I thought she would.

"Maybe I'm already sure and don't want to frighten you," I say, my voice sounding more like a whisper.

"Then you should know better," She smiles widely, giving me the courage I really need to say the words.

"Fine," I begin, accepting the challenge. "I love you."

"Good. Because I love you too." She says, as our lips crash against each other. The passion we feel towards each other overwhelms us both. We eagerly help each other undress, only breaking the kiss in order to peel the annoying fabric that separates us over our heads. We give ourselves to each other, cherishing each other's bodies.

I lay ever so still, breathing her scent in, enjoying the feel of her in my arms. I let the moment soothe my running nerves for the time being. Trying not to think about my pending dilemma. Well our pending dilemma. Ours.

Funny up till now, I never thought the word we or us or even ours would be a word that I would ever think of using. Sure there have been women in my life, women I have used and enjoyed their company, but never did it feel like I do when I am with Tris. no matter what tomorrow will bring us, I know that we will face it together. She is where I belong, she is where my home is.

"What are you thinking about?" Tris says softly, breaking the silence. I glance down gazing at her wondering how long she has been watching me.

"I was thinking…"I begin, but my words fail to portray my thoughts. She nods, understanding my failed words.

"You should write your report." She encourages. "The way you want to."

"My way may not be the right way," I say, matching her soft tone.

"No way is the right way here. Just write what you feel." She says, placing her hand over my heart. I close my eyes tightly, there has to be a way to help Tris' family and for my father to see the true value of keeping things the way they are now. Even if it's to just add on to what we already have. Suddenly the realization hits me, of course…. Building on top of what we have. I untangle myself from Tris' body and begin to pull on my pants. That's it.

"What are you doing?" Tris asks, holding the sheet against her naked body as she sits up, watching me.

"I think I figured it out," I say, confidently. This has to work.