Authors Note: No matter how many time I wish upon a star: Eric will never ever belong to me. Nor will Tris and Eric be a couple.*sob*

Fanfiction is written for the Author's enjoyment. I write for my readers too but if you don't like the pairing please don't send me reviews or pms saying it sucks. I'm not forcing you to read it. You chose to read this and you can stop at any time. I'm all for constructive criticism or even idea's (you will be credited for giving me it) and I'm not a mean person I swear!

A big thank you to Acromania for helping my inspiration for this chapter. She may not be my beta reader but she is a wonderful person for a sounding board and letting me know if things work together.

Notes for My readers

All characters look like the movie version, and are now two years older. So Tris is 18, Four and Eric are 26.

Divergent belongs to Veronica Roth

OC's belong to me (Suzanne, Vivian, Hades, Ares)

Recognized Character's might be OOC at times (Just giving you fair warning!)

Texting

Outfits can be found on my Polyvore account which a link is in my profile

Pictures for my OC's are linked on my profile just under my Polyvore account.

Chapter 14

Sitting at the table Tris glanced confusion clouding her big eyes at Eric who simply linked their fingers together and kissed her hand lightly.

"I'll tell you after dinner, Angel." He promised, his voice low to what Tris nodded with a small smile. He looked to his daughter then on the other side of his girlfriend and smiled at the content look on her face, Tris absent-mindedly running her fingers through her blond hair probably a comforting gesture for both of them.

Tris was naturally inclined to mother Vivian and he had no problem with it. He liked the sight of the two of them together and it felt natural to him that Tris easily took over a role in both their lives so fast without even really trying to.

Eric was aware that he as a male bestowed a different affection on his daughter than a female would, maybe even spoiling Vivian to some degree and turning her into a daddy's girl. He tried to stick to his decisions when it comes to raising his daughter, but he also knew that one look from her let him waver and sometimes gave in too easily, maybe unconsciously showing Vivian that she always gets her way, turning her into a stubborn and headstrong child in the way. Because of that he was happy that Tris was the balance in their lives now, being soft and loving with Vivian but also putting down her foot when she had one of her tantrums, letting his baby girl see that sometimes she has to just accept a no if she liked it or not.

Once everyone was at the table and they had said grace, something Vivian had never done before and let her look at everyone and everything with big curious eyes they started dishing up. Tris naturally served Vivian first and helped her cut everything up. Tris made sure to let Vivian feel her movements, the knife and her small hand in her own, because it is important to let her feel like the two year old is in control and get her comfortable with the technique slowly. Eric smiled at Tris' way of showing his daughter new things every day as if it was second nature to her and dished up for the both of them, aware already how much and what she liked best after many shared meals. Tris turned to look at her plate after she gave Vivian her spoon to eat, smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you" Tris whispered softly against his cheek, making goose bumps appear on his arms before she pulled back. Her eyes were still fixed on his when Eric gently placed his hand on her knee under the table, squeezing it softly, a quiet and warm moment between them and the stress of meeting her parents and after the incident with Eric's ex-fiancé.

"You're welcome" Eric said before averting his eyes from her, aware that they weren't alone in his house where gestures like these and staring at each other in affection weren't something they had to control. His eyes met the knowing eyes of Tris' mother, small smile on her lips before they found the scowling face of her brother Caleb, his blue eyes fixed on his sister, a sneer forming on his lips.

"Is that how you managed to graduate two years earlier, Beatrice? Sucking up to your male teachers?" His tone was biting and cold, laced with mockery and the will to hurt. Tris' hands stilled over her plate, Eric's eyes narrowing and his jaw clenching in anger for the both of them.

"Caleb. Be nice we have guests over." Natalie said quickly but quietly. Caleb glanced down at the table but didn't apologize, Andrew's eyes narrowing but he turned his attention to Tris and Eric. They sat closer together now, unconsciously lending each other support, Eric's arm wrapped around the back of her chair. He casually brushed his lips over the side of her temple and felt her rigid back slowly relax before she continued eating. Highly aware of the tension in the room, Eric decided to use the silence to deter everyone's attention to a presumably safe ground.

"I must say your campaign to help lower the homeless and teenage runaways is impressive Andrew." Eric said, meeting Andrew's brightening eyes and squeezed Tris' knee again as she smiled at him.

"Thank you. It was planned brilliantly but it's not going as well as I would hope." Andrew said, sipping his wine slowly Eric chewing thoughtfully, Natalie staying out of the campaign business. She had enough trouble keeping up with the talk never mind all the plans.

"What about asking Jeanine Mathews about getting a program started at the schools to get attendance and grades up? Maybe some more counselors to help those with problems at home. Maybe those who lived through it?" Tris suggested as she looked up from her plate, Andrew looking thoughtful.

"That just might work. Dauntless has a high amount of drop outs, as does Erudite and Candor." Andrew said aloud as Eric frowned.

"Well Dauntless isn't easy. Most of our students go on to careers in the Military and I've had students come back and say their commanders were strict but they were better off, even model students or cadets because of the way we trained them." Eric said before he fell silent.

"I was raised in an Erudite home myself so I know how hard it can be to grow up there as well. My parents were strict and hard on me to do well. My own father in recent years has admitted he wasn't a good father. But sometimes it's the smaller things that prompt students to leave school or home" Eric said slowly, measuring his words. Tris' leg pressed against his under the table making him relax.

His home life was a touchy subject he hadn't even talked to Tris about yet, his childhood far away from picture perfect like everyone would think. Although he grew up as the son of two successful parents in a nice neighborhood with many possibilities at his hands, his life there was oppressive with too high expectations and too many responsibilities for a then five year old and from this age on Eric had many problems with his parents which escalated in a ugly fight when he chose to become a teacher. After many yelling matches, a few months without contact and him telling them what they did to him though the family got together again. But all of them were highly aware that the peace was fragile, at least between Eric and his mother and he wasn't too surprised to see that she and Suzanne got along quite well.

Eric felt Tris' fingertips brushing along the back of his hand on her knee, pulling him out of his thoughts and he was slightly amazed at her silent way of comforting him, leaving him room to enclose these information in his own way and time. He glanced over to her, intrigued at her multi-tasking skills again, smile on his lips when he watched her handling Vivian and eating her own dinner. He was highly aware of the inquiring eyes of her father and felt grateful when Tris spoke up after chewing her bite, successfully drawing his gaze away from Eric.

"Or there's the students like me. I got lucky that Jeanine noticed me and put me in the fast track program otherwise I wouldn't be able to be where I am. Sometimes they had nothing to challenge them." Tris said as Andrew nodded.

"I'll call Jeanine on Monday and see what she says about it." Andrew said making a note of what they said that could really help. Tris smiled happily at that because she knew her father was a not easily impressed man and she always had a more tense relationship with him than her mother. Her smile slipped though when her brother spoke up again, making her tense her shoulders and grit her teeth lightly.

"That sounds stupid." Caleb said, but fell silent at the dark look he got from his father. Natalie spoke up then, moved the conversation to other topics during the meal, inquired about Eric's work as a trainer and teacher in Dauntless and how Tris was doing as Vivian's sitter. She smiled proudly when Eric praised the things Tris already accomplished with his little girl, making Tris blush and laugh when he told her family with a smirk how she handled the woman in the park. He kept a close eye on Caleb though because he didn't stop making biting comments, insulting his girlfriend, his daughter and himself in the process more times than not. Eric stayed mostly calm through it thanks to Tris' gentle hand on his knee to keep him from reacting.

The clattering of a spoon stopped Natalie in the middle of an anecdote about a trip to the park when Tris was little, making everyone look at the source of sudden noise. Tris smiled down to her, Vivian's face adorably pulled into a frown because she lost control of her eating utensil, her mouth and pink bib smeared lightly with potatoes and gravy. She was about to get the spoon back up from the floor but her brother's biting voice stopped her.

"Doesn't she know how to eat properly? She's a mess. Can't you teach her anything right, Beatrice?" Caleb said snobbishly, disgust and annoyance evident on his face, Vivian's eyes filling with tears because of the tension in the room and feeling on some level that the scornful words were directed at her in some way.

"She is only two years old, son. That's normal for her age." Andrew piped up, his only way to react to his fighting children because he was at a loss what prompted his son to act like this. Caleb chuckled mercilessly at his father's reply, shaking his head because he didn't understand it and it caused Tris to focus him with a loaded stare.

"You wouldn't know, would you? Your nose stuck in a book all day long and naively ignorant of humans in general and children specifically." Tris pressed out through clenched teeth, Caleb's eyes narrowing in response, already coming up with the next insult.

"I'm surprised that she can even talk properly since you baby her so much." Caleb continued Tris' own eyes filling with angry tears. She took a calming breath, bit her cheek for a second to concentrate on the one thing that was really important in this situation: Calming Vivian down who didn't know what she did wrong to deserve this treatment and couldn't grasp why the adults where tense and angry.

Tris squeezed Eric's shoulder for a moment and glanced at Vivian afterwards, smiling softly down at the two year old when her teary eyes met hers. Tris stood up then, the legs of her stool making a screeching sound on the hardwood floor and picked Vivian up, her hand brushing away some hair from her face and rubbing her back to sooth the disgruntled child. Without a look back, Tris walked away from the table, the bathroom door slamming shut as Tris wiped Vivian cheeks and calmed her down slowly.

"Caleb that was uncalled for. That is your sister, and an innocent child" Natalie said watching her son, her voice uncharacteristically hard and cold. Eric felt his hand clench and had to take a few breaths to calm himself down to not just punch the stupid git into his snobbish face. When he spoke up, his voice barely contained his rage and the open treat didn't help with that as well.

"The next time you drag my daughter into anything you have to say about your sister I'll show you why people are scared to piss me off. Excuse me for a moment, Natalie, Andrew." He got up, taking his time in the corridor to calm himself down a bit to not further aggravate his daughter or girlfriend. When he felt even enough he went to the bathroom and knocked on the door. A muted 'come in' answered his request to enter. Tris was sitting on the toilet seat with Vivian in her lap, wiping Vivian's cheeks and nose with a wash cloth. If the situation wouldn't be this troubling he would probably smile at the sight in front of him. But because it was like this, he slowly went over to the two, schooling his face into a soft expression, mirroring Tris' posture to emanate calmness.

"What's wrong, Princess?" Eric asked softly as he kneeled down in front of Tris and Vivian one hand cupping his daughter's cheek the other gently caressing Tris's side.

"Meanie boy" Vivian sniffed cuddling into Tris' arms. Glancing up at his girlfriend he wasn't surprised to see her jaw tight in anger. He felt a surge of affection run through him at the protectiveness Tris displayed.

"Well, that meanie boy is going to get in a lot of trouble if he keeps being mean to you" Eric said as Vivian brightened a little bit, her small face sporting red cheeks and still a bit glassy eyes, that slowly changed to curious and happy again though.

"Daddy get trouble?" Vivian asked, voice still small and not upbeat like it usually was, but at least not filled with unease.

"I'll get him in trouble." Eric confirmed, smirking softly at his daughter and watched as Vivian smiled and turned to Tris.

"Mommy get trouble?" The question was innocent but Eric was aware that it triggered a situation Tris and he hadn't encountered yet, putting pressure on the still fragile relationship they tried to build. He fixed his eyes on her face to not miss a nuance of her facial expressions, waiting with bated breath for her reaction because Tris' answer would probably decide more than just the handling of the situation at hand. Eric was also highly aware that his own wishes could be squashed in the next second by Tris who he wasn't ashamed to say he was in love with, wanted to stay with and marry in the future eventually. Maybe even have their own children together.

"I'll get him in a lot of trouble, too, Sweetie. That meanie boy is my brother and he won't like it when I get him in trouble" Tris said pressing a kiss to Vivian's forehead, a single tear escaping her eye. Eric moved his hand to cup Tris's cheek, his eyes worried as he looked at her, but the sensation of her reaction coursing through his veins, making him more sure of their shared feelings then any words could at the moment. Tris gave him a smile, reassuring him of her well-being and pressed another kiss to Vivian's head.

"Ready to go back and finishing eating, Sweetie? I made dessert for everyone. Chocolate cupcakes" Tris said knowing that bribery was wrong but felt like it was the right thing to do now that they probably had to face more of her idiot brother and his bitter and even hateful words. She wasn't going to let Caleb have victory over her, though, wouldn't give him the satisfaction of driving her happiness and content away for whatever reason.

"Sit you and Daddy" Vivian said firmly, Eric and Tris sharing a look before nodding at each other.

"Do you want to sit in my lap or Daddy's?" Tris asked rubbing Vivian's back.

"Daddy first" Vivian said and together, Tris and Eric stood before Tris passed Vivian over to Eric. Hesitating slightly Eric cupped Tris's chin.

"Tris, are you really ok?" He asked softly watching her carefully before she gave him a slight smirk.

"If he opens his mouth about Vivian again, do me a favour and cover her ears, because I can't guarantee if I can keep back from swearing." Tris said as Eric smirked back at her, proud of her display of strength in a situation where she has to face her own brother. Of course he couldn't emphasize with her on it because he himself was an only child, but from past experiences with his mother he knew that fights between family members are always ugly and especially painful.

"If he still doesn't get it, you take Vivian and I'll have a go." Tris smiled before leaning up and kissing his cheek.

"Thank you." Tris said before kissing his cheek again.

"Let's head back to the table so Caleb doesn't think he's won." Tris said her eyes hardening at the idea of her brother. Linking their fingers together they left the bathroom and got comfortable at the table again, Tris moving Vivian's plate between her and Eric's and together they resumed dinner, Caleb looking rather smug. Tris was highly aware that he wasn't finished yet and braced herself, happy that Vivian was safe in Eric's lap, felt her daddy around her and instinctively knew that nothing could and would reach her there.

"When are you going to admit to being an irresponsible woman? How many times did you hook up with your room mates in France?" Caleb said idly, successfully making Natalie's jaw drop, Andrew's eyes widen. Vivian leaned against Eric's chest, his hand rubbing her back soothingly, and his eyes traveling to Tris. When he saw her ignoring her brother, her hands tight on her cutlery, the only sign she was upset, he decided to do so as well, picking up his own teaspoon again. There was silence for a few minutes, Eric's eyes glancing at Caleb now and again to discover that his were still fixed on his sister, presumably coming up with something that would rile her up enough to lash out.

"When are you going to start doing something worthwhile? I mean a nanny is a profession for poor people and you waste you're though debatable intelligence in sitting kids from people like him." Caleb continued as Eric hesitated, his hand on his glass and eyed the other man carefully. He was itching to have a go at him but remained quiet as he listened and gently placed his hand on Tris's knee.

"Caleb, you're my brother and I love you but do me a favour and shut your mouth." Tris said calmly glancing at him from across the table and Eric found a new respect within him that she could stay so composed when he felt his own teeth gritting in rage. Caleb sneered, their parents sitting in shock, not able to understand their son's reaction or speaking up to put him into his place on their own. Tris ignored Caleb and went back to eating her dinner, Eric wrapping his arm around her shoulders. Eric saw her brother's eyes looking at the gesture, a glint in his eyes before he spoke up again.

"Sometimes I wonder what you're thinking playing the game you are. I mean how are things going to work out with that punk? His kid is not going to make it any easier, you're wasting your time. She's going to turn out a punk like him." Caleb said, Eric's eyes darkened at the jab at his daughter. It seemed that it was the last straw, Tris tossing her cutlery down then, fixing her now cold and hard eyes on her brother. Eric covered Vivian's ears as Tris stood up in a rush, hands clenched at her side. He was fascinated and amazed at the same time at the power and anger she emanated, her hair wild around her and had to suppress the admiring smile that wanted to appear on his lips.

"Caleb, you ass. Do you ever stop running your mouth and think? You have always thought that you were so smart, superior to anyone around you and I am tired of your untrue and stupid remarks. You are nothing but a stuck up, full of himself." Tris snapped, Eric glad he had covered Vivian's ears. Not for the swearing but because of the tone she had used. It was cold and promised pain if he opened his mouth again. Caleb tilted his chin up in defiance and Eric wondered if there was any god out there to protect the idiot from the scorn of Tris.

"Well your nothing but a two timing whore! You're engaged to Tobias Eaton and dating and no doubt sleeping with the punk looking asshole!" Caleb yelled making Eric scowl.

"Caleb! There is not engagement. Marcus is pushing it but I've never accepted it on your sister's behalf. Truth be told I'm more worried about being murdered in my sleep by your mother and your sister when they found out." Andrew said glancing at Eric who nodded slightly before shifting Vivian in his lap, just in time.

Tris slid over the table and shove Caleb to the floor before she started hitting every inch that she could, her nails scrapping his skin making him shriek, her fists making him grunt and whimper in pain. Eric was torn between being amused and feeling smug at the justice dealt by his girlfriend or being the grown up man he became after Vivian entered his life and made him recognize the importance of staying composed, clear headed and clean of any brawls. Andrew's yelled command to stop this childish display already pulled him out of his thoughts and made him react as someone his age and a responsible father nonetheless should, even though the proud boyfriend that loved seeing his girl in action was still at the back of his mind. In a rush, Eric pressed Vivian into Natalie's arms before he made his way to Tris and pulled her off her brother, holding her in his arms.

"Angel, relax we don't want to frighten Vivian." Eric said into Tris' ear. She stopped fighting against his hold around her waist and chest immediately and stilled her heart pounding against her ribs. Tris took a couple deep breathes as Natalie stared at Caleb, making sure that Vivian's eyes were covered and she couldn't squirm out of her arms and Andrew was rooted on his seat.

"No! Daddy! Mommy!" Vivian yelled struggling to get over to the pair or at least to see them. Her voice made the pair instantly aware of their roles they have to play. Shaking her rage off and calming herself down Tris went over to Vivian, carefully and looking out for any signs that her anger induced display hasn't destroyed the trust and comfort she tried to build up with the two year old right from the beginning.

"It's ok, Sweetie. I didn't scare you, did I?" Tris asked softly. Vivian shook her head, her eyes flickering from her mommy and to her daddy behind her.

"Are you sure, Princess?" Eric asked as Vivian nodded, holding her arms out to Tris, the gesture even more relaxing then her other actions. The thought of Vivian being frightened of Tris had tensed both of them but the knowledge that she wasn't disturbed or distrustful relaxed them both.

"How about we move to the living room and talk before dessert. Caleb. You're to clean up the table, after that disrespectful behaviour." Andrew said firmly before leading Natalie away, the two of them sitting in their chairs as Tris and Eric sat on the couch Vivian between them.

Natalie brought up the end of the school year party and slowly Tris and Eric relaxed. When Tris and Eric were relaxed Caleb came out to the living room his cheek bandaged. Sitting as far away from his sister and her boyfriend as he could, he watched them interact. He was sickened to see how happy together they were, and how much his parents seemed to like him, the punk and his daughter.

"Does anyone want dessert?" Tris asked standing up, the skirt of her dress swishing as she moved, Eric's hand on her knee falling but his eyes were gentle.

"I'll help. I've been feeling useless" Eric said getting up as Vivian made her way over to Andrew and Natalie and looked at them, her fingers twirling her hair like Tris did when she was really wanting something.

"Want to hear some stories about Beatrice?" Andrew asked. Seeing Vivian brighten he knew he had said the right thing and helped Vivian into his lap before starting to tell her of the time Beatrice had rescued three cats in the middle of a downpour.

"Feeling better, Angel?" Eric asked as he stood behind her in the kitchen, his hands on her waist.

"A little tense still." Tris admitted before turning to face him, smoothing over the fabric of his shirt.

"I am sorry that he used you and Vivian to hurt me." She said honestly, her eyes fixed on his. He shrugged it off, a smirk pulling at his lips.

"You defended us fabulously." He answered, pressing a kiss to the crone of her hair. She snorted and when he looked at her there was still a shadow of concern in her eyes.

"Eric, I don't want to sound selfish, but ... can we think about maybe just watching a movie after Vivian goes to bed one night? Just the two of us?" Tris said slowly biting her lower lip.

"I was actually thinking about asking your mom to watch Vivian while I take you out on a proper date. Dinner and a movie at the theatre?" Eric suggested stroking Tris's cheek making her smile slightly.

"I'd like that. If she can't then I still wouldn't mind just a movie at your place after Vivian is in bed" Tris said as he smiled back at her.

"I wouldn't either but I think it's time for us to go on a proper date. It's been almost a month and we haven't done anything just the two of us. Plenty of dinners with the three of us but none just the two of us." Eric said as Tris leaned against his chest.

"I'd like that a lot actually" Tris said before she stepped out of his arms and started pulling the plates she needed.

"Let me" Eric said taking them from her and heading to the table where he started setting it. Tris smiled over her shoulder at him as she took the cupcakes from the cold oven and set the ice cream down gently.

"If we didn't run every morning, and I didn't work out every other day I would be afraid of getting fat from your cooking" Tris chuckled before kissing his cheek.

"Flattery is not going to get you anywhere Eric" Tris said as Caleb crept over to see them.

"Maybe not" Eric said his hands moving to her hips as he nuzzled her neck gently.

"Are you done being a creeper?" Eric asked as he pulled away from Tris and looked over where Caleb was, Tris turning her head to look at her brother her lips curling into a smirk when she saw what she had done to him. A black eye, split lip and scratches on his cheek. Eric wrapped his arm around her waist as Vivian came into the room and looked between Caleb and Tris before running over to Tris and hugged her tight. Picking her up, Tris felt Vivian cuddle into her neck.

"Love you mommy" Vivian said softly Eric's head whipping to look at Vivian as Tris's eyes widened. Eric hadn't even said he loved her yet. He was hoping to tell her on their date together, but it seemed Vivian beat him to it.

"I love you too Sweetie" Tris said softly kissing her forehead, Eric's lips turning up into a smile.

"Well let's not stand around. Let's eat before the ice cream melts" Andrew said as he watched Eric kiss both girls gently on their cheeks before helping them into their chairs, Eric and Tris sharing little grins with one another as they ate.