I awaken to the light streaming in through the twine curtains, birds chirping outside with the sweet scent of flowers wafting into the room through an open window, and the most handsome man lying beside me, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His eyes are already open, a dark blue color, a dreaming sleeping color that I could never get used to.
"Good morning." I smile, stretching out as memories roll through my head from last night like an old film, each so lovely I couldn't imagine a movie being able to replicate it.
"Morning." He replies, stroking my -probably a mess- hair. For a minute, we just lie there, staring into each other's eyes before he finally decides to get up and pull on some pajama pants. "I'll make some coffee. Today, we will be snorkeling." He adds before exiting the room, leaving me lying bare under the soft Egyptian cotton sheets, wishing he'd come back. I know how I had previously wanted activities to occupy myself, but now the only thing I really did want was to stay inside this beautiful home and be with Tobias.
I took a long shower in the hot, steaming water of the master bath, washing my now long lightened hair with coconut scented product. My hair, which had been ritually cut to my shoulders every six months, was now at the small of my back, which seemed unusual, but nice. Different. I dried off with a blue cotton towel and slipped into a pair of cutoff jeans and tee-shirt before greeting Tobias in the large spacious kitchen. The delicious scent of warmed coffee made my mouth water as I slid onto a stool at the bar.
"Mmm." I beamed as the hot liquid ran down my throat. Tobias leans across the bar and pecks me on the cheek.
"So, today we are snorkeling and then going to the mainland for a little luau. Christina packed you a nicer dress. I suggest you pack that in a bag before we leave for snorkeling because we'll probably just go straight to the party after." He smiled, kissed my forehead this time and then left. The distant vibe I was getting from Tobias confused me, and to be honest, I was irritated with his curt little statements before leaving. I wanted to spend time with him. More than just a little peck on the cheek or an activity to occupy all day without so much as an "I love you." I wanted grand romantic gestures or just a nice dinner and being close together for a night. Just us. Wasn't that the reason he got a secluded island for us two anyway?
Frustrated, I got up and began packing my things into a bag, ignoring Tobias and shooting him glares whenever I felt he was looking. I found the nicest dress in the bag that Christina had packed. It was nice alright. Not something I'd ever venture to wear when I was in Dauntless. Jeez! Strapless and floor-length, the dress was black, white, grey and blue floral with a pair of strappy black sandals that seemed to be 6 inches tall. Of course I was probably exaggerating an inch or so, but I'd never worn anything so not me. I truly appreciated Christina's style, but maybe this was a bit much?
"Ready to go Tris?" I hear Tobias call from the hallway, and immediately the anger bubbles up again.
"No! I am not leaving this house Tobias. I want to spend time with you. Not a bunch of fish underwater or fire jugglers and hula dancers. I want to eat…. Chocolate cake with you and listen to that cheesy track you put together on a CD. I don't know. I just want you. Nothing extra." Tobias is standing in the room now, looking at me stoically, not a single readable expression. Until he drops all his bags, walks over slowly and kisses me. I smile when we release, hoping this means he agrees to my terms.
"I agree, only on one condition…" he pauses. "Never call my track cheesy." I burst out laughing and we end up in pajamas watching old movies on our bed until lunch. After about fifteen minutes of my stomach growling like King Kong, Tobias decides to make sandwiches and pretzels with milk. When I laugh at his choice of beverage he gets defensive.
"Hey! Milk is a great source of calcium for your bones. Take it or leave it." I giggle and accept the drink and plate graciously, raising my eyebrows and not able to contain my teasing smile. He settles into the spot next to me and this is how we stay all day and all night for most of our honeymoon.
I have to admit, the thought of watching movies and pigging out now makes me feel lazy and unappreciative of what he planned. But the nights we spent together I could never be more appreciative of. We ended up leaving after a week and returned to our wedding gift from Evelynn- a beautiful cottage built near Abnegation. I couldn't have been more happy with the way everything turned out. Tobias got a job as a physical trainer and I became, I know, a teacher. It doesn't seem like the most ideal thing for a person, especially me, but I found working with children after all those years of fighting strangely relaxing.
So now I find myself, sitting wrapped in a cozy blanket, watching Tobias make eggs and bacon for breakfast while I watched television. I still wasn't used to the whole idea of all this technology, but Tobias had adapted strangely fast. The cottage was a small one story with a loft above for guests or an office but Tobias and I hadn't fully agreed on how to use it.
"How many eggs?" I heard him call as I scanned the channels for something interesting. But all I was finding was news, news, news, news, how to remove hair from your legs, news.
"Two!" I called back after deciding on a classic movie Tobias and I had loved whilst on our honeymoon. Soon after, he walked in, two plates full of hot steaming eggs and crispy bacon. "How could I ever live without you my dear Tobias?" He scoffed and handed me the plate, obviously enjoying the praise.
"Just eat your bacon." We did this every morning, lounged for a few hours and ate breakfast, watching something on television, but not really watching. Ever since we'd gotten home, it had been about us, making sure we made time to be together every day and just be in love. During the war, there really was no time for relaxing and being happy. Now, there seems to be a surplus of time to do just that. And I was soaking up all of that time.
"I should get ready, have a great day love. I'll bring home pasta for dinner. Be careful around those kids." I smile and stand, wrapping my arms around the muscular frame, on my tip-toes and kiss him on the cheek. I miss him every day after he leaves and can't wait for six o'clock when he comes back home.
"Love you!" I call out as he leaves, deciding it was my time to get ready for work as well. With a quick shower and a short blow-dry through my hair, I slide into a comfortable pair of black work pants and white blouse. Honestly, I'd never pictured myself as a work clothes type of person. Tee-shirts and jeans were my type of fashion. And fashion? Honestly, it's just a way for people to determine what designer designs the most ugly and insane outfit. In fact, I actually used to find work clothes quite tedious. But, after agreeing to teach first grade, I decided Evelynn's professional opinion on outfits would be useful. And she took opinion to the next level. So, after quite some persuasion, I found myself getting a closet full of work clothes and dresses and shoes. And now, I don't really hate it. I actually find it nice.
After tucking my blouse into my pants, I find a pair of black flats with the ankle strap and pull my hair into a ponytail before heading out the door. I generally didn't leave home this early. School didn't start until nine and ended at two-fifty. But I had scheduled an early doctor's appointment because ever since the honeymoon, I'd been getting sick and feeling out of sorts which never really happens because my immune system has always been pretty strong. Tobias was concerned that I got some rare Grecian disease, which I highly doubt. I didn't even know Greece could give you rare diseases. But maybe the couscous could give you food poisoning. Wait, is couscous even Greek?
I pulled up to the office and pulled my keys out of the ignition of my small silver car and briskly strode into the office, checking in before taking a seat. I couldn't risk being late to work, they had a no tardy policy, even with adults.
"Mrs. Tris Eaton, the doctor may see you now." I stood up and could feel the eyes of every woman and child in the waiting room. My name wasn't exactly an easy one to forget. The lady smiled as I walked past her and into the nearest open room that read my name on the sign. Soon after the temperature and blood-pressure check, the doctor came in.
"Tris, I understand that you've not been feeling too well recently. We've set up some labs to try to figure it all out but are there any suspicions or theories you may have?" She asked, sitting on the chair next to me, acting like we were old pals and she could just ask me anything. I honestly hated people. Woops, did that sound bitter? Crap! I've been trying to improve that lately.
"Well, Tobias and I journeyed to Greece for a week about three weeks ago. It could be food poisoning or… some rare disease?" Did I really just say that out loud? God, I'm dumb.
"Well, food poisoning is usually more obvious and ends fairly quickly. If it has lasted for three weeks, it is something much different than that. I'll be back, the nurse, as I believe, gave you a cup? Take that into the bathroom, and I can assume you know what to do after." She smiled and exited. Gross. I hate peeing in cups. I feel so violated leaving that to be examined by another nurse who doesn't know me at all.
The bathroom wasn't exactly the cleanest, but after peeing, I dispensed the cup into the little place for it, thoroughly, and I mean thoroughly, washed my hands, and got the heck out of there. Soon, the nurse came in and drew blood and then left. People came in and out, carrying clipboards and not telling me a single thing until at about a quarter to nine, the doctor came in.
"So Tris, we have results. We'll need to schedule a follow-up in about a week, and I'd really like it if Tobias could join you." I lean forward subtly as if to indicate that she hasn't gotten to the point and should because I'm really late for work.
"Okay…" I trail off and wait for her to continue. She hands me the labs. My heart picks up to faster than a racing horse gallop and all the words are gibberish.
"It seems from the tests that you are not food poisoned or have contracted a rare disease. You are actually…. Pregnant. Congratulations Tris! You're having a child!"