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8 Funeral

The next morning Eric was awoken by something colliding with his face.

'What the hell?'

His eyes shot open, but when he felt a small body shifting next to him, it came rushing back: The ambush, Ethan and Teddy. The little guy had awoken him during the night, when Teddy had cried out in his sleep and Eric's efforts to help had ended him in the same bed as Teddy. He still remembered Teddy shaking along with an insecure plea to stay, claiming it would be all better if only he'd stay. No one had ever depended on him like that and no one had ever faith in him like that. He felt honored by it and at the same time it scared him. How did one live up to that? Hearing the pleas, Eric hadn't known what do to. Was it better for the boy to face his fears now? Or would it be better to follow his heart and give in to the pleas? In the end Eric had gotten his bed sheds from the living room and after tucking Teddy back in, made himself comfortable on the other side of the bed. Looking at Teddy he could see he was sleeping peacefully. Teddy's arms must have gotten into his face while turning around; they laid now alongside his head on the pillow, next to his teddy. Carefully not to wake him, Eric got up and after a detour to the bathroom, he began to prepare breakfast. His kitchen was now better stored thanks to Julie, who had dropped of some groceries for them the day before. Brewing himself a coffee, he set the table with cereals for the both of them. After that he went to wake up Teddy.

"Teddy." Eric said while giving him a soft nudge.

"Hm." The boy mumbled, making him smile.

"Time to get up."

Teddy sat up in is bed and began to rub his eyes.

"I made us breakfast." Eris said walking over to the dresser where he had made place for Teddy the other day. He got out black pants, underwear and socks and put them on the bed. He was about to get out a shirt, when he remembered Mia's advice, that boys at Teddy's age liked to choose between two things. Therefore he got out a red and a purple shirt and holding them up, he asked:

"Which one do you want to wear?"

Looking at them Teddy took some time to think about it before he answered:

"The purple one."

"Okay." Eric put it on the bed to the rest of the clothes. "Now hop into the bathroom."

Once Teddy had climbed out of bed Eric followed after a while to see if he needed help and together they figured out just how much help Teddy needed.

Now they were sitting in the living room, eating. Teddy was careful balancing the bowl on his knees since the table was too far away from him. After they were finished, Eric knew he had to talk to Teddy about the funeral.

"Teddy."

The boy looked at him.

"Your parent's funeral will be later today."

Eric noticed Teddy freezing. Damn. He should do something. He decided on scooting closer to Teddy and was relieved when he leaned into him for comfort, so Eric now also placed one arm around him.

"I wanna go there."

"Good. So we will both be going. So this is what will happen today…"

Eric wanted Teddy to be prepared of what would be going on but since he knew nothing about funerals in Abnegation he could only explain the basics. Maybe it would be enough. Teddy was only three and a half after all and it would be a cold day in hell before he's asked Four. Besides, Four would start to ask questions and he was the last person Eric wanted to know Teddy's heritage from Abnegation. For one he feared the information could leak to persons who'd better not know for Teddy safety and, apart from that, Eric shuddered at the imagination of Four constantly giving him much unwanted advice how to rise a former Abnegation-child.

Upon entering the hall where the Abnegation members were gathered for the eulogy people began to look at them. Now, Eric was used to stares but Teddy wasn't. The further they walked into the hall the worse it became; even Marcus stared at the boy who clearly stood out in his dauntless clothing as much as the dauntless leader. Eric was fuming and pulled Teddy a little closer to him. For now the boy was too caught up in his grief to notice, for which Eric felt grateful. He didn't deserve this. Eric restricted himself to glaring at them. If he'd snap at them he'd only upset Teddy, so Eric bit down hard on his lip to prevent himself to give these assholes a piece of his mind. He desperately wanted to wring some necks.

Arriving at the front row Eric greeted Marcus and gave a polite nod at one of the council members present, Andrew Prior, before he took at seat. On a whim he took Teddy onto his lap instead of putting him on the seat next to him. Abnegation may be against hugging people but why should he care. He would do what he'd thought best for Teddy, regardless if he'd step on some toes.

Looking up he saw Andrew Prior frowning at his fellow Abnegation and before Marcus could start with his speech, which Eric was sure he would loathe, Andrew addressed the gathered crowd:

"We are here to mourn two of our highly valued members today. Before we start I'd like to remind you not to be selfish and dwell in staring curiosity due to the fact that we have guests. We all feel with Theodore. He will raised by a Dauntless member after to his parents will and we are grateful Dauntless not only allowed him to be here today but sent with him one of their leaders, Eric, to ensure his save travel. It assures us that they will appreciate Theodore as one of their own and of cause they have seen to it, to provide him with a new set of clothing, fitting for his new faction. Thank you."

Eric felt a new found respect and gratitude toward that man. He had achieved an immediate change in the attitude of his faction members. Wasn't he Tris' father?

As predicted he didn't like Marcus' speech one bit. Hell, Sean's speech at the fake funeral had been better and he hadn't even known them. Eric was relieved when they finally walked out onto the cemetery. Teddy was walking close to him, holding his hand and while he hadn't been too stressed during the speech, Eric noticed that Teddy was beginning to tighten his grip. By the time they reached the gravesite his grip had become as tight as it possibly get. He looked down to Teddy and tried to reassure him by giving his hand a little squeeze.

"You okay?" Eric asked in a low voice.

Teddy looked up to him and nodded hesitantly much to Eric's relieve but at that moment they began to lower the coffins and Eric could clearly see the tears in Teddy eyes before the little boy turned around to bury his face in his legs. Teddy shaking and sobbing into his pants wasn't an option and without a second thought Eric settled for the only solution that came to his mind: He scooped Teddy up into his arms and left, never minding the stares he received or the indignant gasps. He walked for a while, rocking Teddy in his arms and decided it would be best to walk to Teddy's former home. It took him some time to get there and when he arrived Teddy had calmed down again. Now Eric was lucky he had followed Julie's advice to start taking tissues with him at all times. Clearly he needed them. Once Teddy was cleaned up again, they simply set in the kitchen for a while before they took one last look around the house and left. They hadn't talked much, which was okay for him.

"Are there some friends you'd like to say goodbye to, Teddy?" Eric asked closing the door.

"Yes." Teddy nodded. "Sarah and Thomas."

"Okay then. You know where they live?"

"They are our neighbors."

Eric led Teddy lead the way. The funeral should be over by now and when they walked out the door he could see he was right. The faction members were all over the place doing whatever they were supposed to be doing. Eric didn't care. Teddy had guided him to the house next door. He knocked and the door was opened by a woman slightly older than him looking at him surprised. Giving him a small head bow she asked:

"Mr. Coulter, what can I do for you?" She then acknowledged Teddy: "Theodore."

'Stiff's' and their formal behavior.' Inwardly Eric was rolling his eyes. This fraction annoyed him to no end, but these had been actual friends of Ethan and Abigail.

"Mrs. …"

"Forgive me for not introducing myself. I selfishly assumed you'd know my name Mr. Coulter, I'm Mrs. Cameron."

"Mrs. Cameron. I'm sorry to barge in like that but Theo would like to say goodbye to Sarah and Thomas." He said politely.

"Of cause. Please come in." She smiled sadly.

She guided them to the kitchen, where two young children were playing on the floor. Teddy immediately let go of his hand and walked over to join then.

"I take it Theo was here often?" He had to be the way he behaved.

"That is correct. My husband and I were good friends with the Hamilton's as well as our children."

"Please have a seat. Mr. Coulter. Would you like some tea?"

Eric contemplated the offer. He wasn't a tea person to begin with and tea in Abnegation would probably taste close to dishwater since they didn't even spiced their food. On the other hand it would be impolite to decline the offer and he had already decided to be polite to his friend's friends.

"Yes, thank you."

"I'm glad to see Theo is doing better than at the funeral." She said preparing the tea. "I could see why you choose to leave."

"Thank you." He said as she handed him his cup of tea leaving it to her to figure out that he wasn't referring to the tea.

After that they talked more relaxed for a while and Eric could see why Ethan had befriended them. Though she proofed to be better company then expected, the tea was not. He had to force himself to every sip. While they talked they both looked at the playing children, then, after a while, he noticed Mrs. Cameron was having some kind of internal debate, which ended with her asking:

"Mr. Coulter, could you tell me more about the family that took Theo in? Although Mr. Byrne spoke very highly of them I'd like to hear your opinion."

Eric considered telling her Teddy would be with him, since she seemed trustworthy, but then again a secret was best kept the less people knew. He couldn't take the risk. Besides she hadn't asked for a name but his opinion.

"I can assure you, that Theo will be staying where he is welcomed and cared for."

He would do his best, which was the truth. As for his opinion? He couldn't very well tell her Teddy wouldn't be raised in a family but by a single man known for his harsh ways and short temper who had no clue how to raise a child.

"That's reassuring. Thank you."

Shortly after, he took his leave. Teddy was emotionally exhausted and after a quick and simple meal Eric sent him to bed to take a nap.