I do not own Divergent. Credit goes to Veronica Roth.
I do not own Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Jane Austen.
Beatrice, her sisters, and her Mother stayed outside the door listening in.
Natalie Prior seized a hold of Christina's hand in excitement when she heard Ezekiel Pedrad address his feelings to Shauna. Then suddenly it got quiet. So quiet that Mrs. Prior was pressed up against the door straining to hear any sort of conversation that was going in the sitting room between her eldest daughter and Mr. Pedrad.
The minutes were agonizing for Natalie. There obviously was much for both of them to discuss but Natalie could not make out what was being said.
"Oh," cried an impatient Mrs. Prior.
Christina started to giggle with anticipation.
"Sh," Myra scolded her. "We cannot hear anything."
Beatrice was slightly surprised that even Myra was eavesdropping into Shauna and Ezekiel's private moment. Of course no one was more distressed than Mrs. Prior. The last time someone asked for a private moment with one of her daughters, it was Mr. Alan and he had proposed to Beatrice. Of course Beatrice had refused him. Natalie's heart dropped for a slight second. Would Shauna refuse Ezekiel as well?
However, that was not going to be the case in this situation.
"Yes," they heard Shauna state happily.
"You'll marry me?"
At that Christina squealed and jumped with her mother. Beatrice smiled and turned just as Shauna confirmed it once more to Mr. Pedrad.
"A thousand times, yes!"
Mrs. Prior burst through the door just as Beatrice headed down the hallway. Shauna would be happy now, truly happy. This whole time there was uncertainty that Mr. Pedrad would return. And even if he did, Ezekiel must have heard about Lauren and her indiscretion. However that had little effect on his feelings for Shauna, obviously. Beatrice smiled at that thought of her sister being so happily situated now. There was no one more deserving of happiness than Shauna.
Beatrice was just heading towards the front door when she noticed Mr. Pedrad step out into the hallway. Ezekiel smiled at her and gave her a slight bow.
"I wish to speak to your father now," Ezekiel smiled. "Do you know where I can find him?"
"He is in his study," Beatrice replied.
Ezekiel bowed once more before heading towards the direction that Beatrice pointed. No doubt he would go to request their father's consent. Beatrice smiled once more as she looked out the front door. Her smile dropped quickly as she saw a tall figure walking a distance away from their home.
As if noticing that someone was watching him, Tobias turned around and spotted Beatrice standing in the front entryway of her home. He bowed to her and Beatrice smiled.
"Tris!"
Beatrice turned to see Shauna running towards her. She smiled and looked back to the spot where she had seen Tobias but he had already gone.
"Tris can you believe it," Shauna threw her arms around Beatrice. "He loves me, Tris. He loves me!"
"Of course he does. I always knew he did," Beatrice replied smiling as she felt the joy radiating off of Shauna.
"He has loved me this whole time," Shauna was nothing but smiles as they sat down on the chair in the front parlor. "Oh Tris, I am so happy!"
"And I am happy for you Shauna," Beatrice hugged Shauna.
"Did you know that he didn't even know I was in Erudite?" Beatrice tilted her head in confusion, at feigned confusion that is. She knew exactly why Mr. Pedrad did not think that Shauna was in town. "He would have searched me out then if he knew."
"Of course he would have," Beatrice assured her.
"This whole time he thought me indifferent," Shauna laughed.
"Unfathomable," Beatrice smiled. "How did he account for it?"
"No doubt that is a thought that his pretentious sister poisoned him with," Shauna said still with a smile.
"Bravo," Beatrice complimented. "I think that is the most unforgiving statement you have ever made and I am glad to see that I am affecting you."
"You truly are," Shauna and Beatrice laughed together.
"It would vex me greatly to see you again the dupe of Miss Caraline Pedrad's pretended regard."
"Would you believe it, Tris? When he left Abnegation he loved me, and nothing but persuasion of my being indifferent was what kept him away?"
"He made a small mistake I am sure. But his character speaks volumes," Beatrice stated. "Obviously he felt that he had reason to come back."
"He had heard that I had traveled to Erudite and visited his home," Shauna said. Beatrice wondered if Tobias had told Ezekiel. "It made him hopeful. I am grateful to whoever it was who did this."
Beatrice could not help but smile as well for it was then that she concluded it was indeed Tobias who informed his friend and thus brought him back here to Abnegation.
"Oh Tris, I truly am so happy. If only I could see you so happy. If there were but such another man for you!"
"If you were to give me forty such men," Beatrice responded. "I never could be as happy as you. Until I have your goodness, I could never have your happiness," Beatrice kissed Shauna on the cheek. And then in the only way that Beatrice could finish the conversation stated. "Perhaps if I am lucky enough, in time I may meet another Mr. Alan."
Shauna's eyes widened for a second but both of the girls laughed.