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 just 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/ typing

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 16

The week passed quickly like she expected it too, and Tris was now reading The Secret Garden to Vivian before they went to the park. There was a couple families that were looking for a long term nanny for their boys and Tris had recommended the twins and passed on their number. From her skype calls with them the interviews had gone well and now they were just looking for an apartment to live in.

Tris was nervously getting ready for her date with Eric. She had braided her hair on the sides before it was pulled back into a ponytail. She had chosen a steampunk style corset, and a mid-length black skirt and peep-toes heels. Her makeup was darker brown around the edges and paler in the center.

"You look beautiful Beatrice" Andrew said as he knocked on her door, leaning against the doorframe and watched his daughter all grown-up through her mirror. He felt a light pang of guilt for missing out on her so much while she still lived with them before she went to Europe and moments like this, seeing her like the beautiful woman she grew into reminded him that he wasn't the perfect father he always pictured himself to be when Natalie announced first the pregnancy with Caleb and then with his baby girl.

"Thanks dad" Tris replied, gentle smile on her lips when her eyes took in her father's facial expression, pride shining in his eyes, but mouth pulled into a sad smile. Tris stood up then, taking her purse and jacket with her and embraced Andrew for a moment, relishing in the feeling that maybe someday things will be like they should be between father and daughter.

"Eric just pulled up and is coming to the door. Are you ready?" He asked, pressing a kiss to her forehead. The gesture was new to them both but it felt right nonetheless. The two of them had sat down, talked and tried to fix their non-existent relationship, both highly aware that it was easier said than done. You can't just fix nearly 18 years of missing our on your daughter-father-relationship. There were many things that needed to be said, to be explained, but they made the effort. They talked about how he was never at home as she grew up and what she had done when she was away at school. Some of the boys she had dated were nothing but assholes and jerks and he was more than happy to let her date Eric, even more when he saw how much the man cared about her.

"I am ready. Dad, can you do me a favor and make sure Caleb avoids being around Vivian. I don't want her upset" Tris said as they walked down the stairs together.

"I'm going to see to it. He's been working hard on his projects. His computer keeps crashing." Andrew said as they got to the main floor and Natalie opened the door, to reveal Eric in a nice dress shirt and dress pants, Eric's jaw dropping when he saw her.

"You look amazing Angel" Eric said as he looked her over again.

"So do you" Tris said looking him over before opening her arms for Vivian who came running at her and hugged her tight.

"Mommy pretty" Vivian said before kissing her cheek.

"Will you be a good girl while Daddy and I go out?" Tris asked Vivian running her fingers through her hair slowly.

"Yes mommy" Vivian said before taking Andrew's hand as Tris went over to Eric's side. Waving goodbye before leaving the house together, helping Tris into his truck he got in and started driving.

"I know I said it already but you look amazing" Eric said glancing at Tris as she blushed.

"Thank you. You look good all dressed up" Tris said back as he drove.

"So where are we going?" Tris asked crossing her legs, her skirt rising slightly making his eyes widen slightly.

"A steak house with reservations then we are going to see what ever movie you want to see" Eric said licking his lips slowly trying to get his mind off the creamy skin she exposed. It wasn't the first time he had seen her upper thighs but the thought of nothing but her skirt covering her made him fight back thoughts of lust. He was itching to touch her skin.

"Sounds like fun." Tris said reaching over and taking one of Eric's hands in hers, his thumb rubbing circles making her forget her nerves for the night.

"Are you nervous about tonight? I mean I know you don't make a habit of leaving Vivian" Tris asked, feeling his hand tighten around hers.

"A little bit, but to be able to go out and be an adult and do something that doesn't involve her is nice to. Don't get me wrong I love my daughter but I need time to be a man too" Eric said as Tris giggled.

"What about you, Tris? You're eighteen. Shouldn't you want to be out with your friends at parties and drinking?" Eric asked genuinely wanting to know why she chose not to and to be with him.

"Well I've never been into the party scene. Ares and Hades tried to get me out to a couple and I did try it with them, and the few boyfriends I did try to have over in France. Drinking is fine, since it's legal over there but I rather not have alcohol. I've been offered drugs but I've never tried them either" Tris said slipping off her shoes and bringing her feet up when they came to a red light.

Eric nodded once in understanding, his eyes taking in the woman next to him. She was really a sight to behold, he thought and not only because she was all dressed-up. There was some glow around her, something warm and welcoming, kind but fierce that made many man take a second look at her. But she didn't seem to be aware of that, or didn't care, preferring to run with him and his daughter in the mornings, cooking for them and spending most of her time at their house. It made him wonder what he had to expect from the future and thinking about it, he couldn't and didn't want to picture the years to come without her anymore. He knew what he expected from a relationship, what he looked for in a woman and maybe even mother to more children and he was both interested but also slightly nervous to find out how Tris thought about relationships in general and expectations she had.

"Tris? What do you really want from a relationship?" Eric asked as he started driving again, Tris frowning slightly. Even though she only had a few experiences ranking from minor to major catastrophes or maybe because of these the question wasn't too hard to answer for her, but she still took her time to think things through, aware that her response was important for Eric.

"I want someone who will be willing to compromise on things and work together to solve problems that come up. I don't expect them to worship me or spoil me but I want someone willing to show that they care about me" Tris said finally and Eric nodded. He wasn't too surprised to hear that she hadn't rose colored dreams about a relationship, her perspective on things not unreaslistic and it strengthened his impression that she was matured beyond her years. It was silent around them for a minute and he felt Tris looking at him.

"What about you? What do you want in a relationship?" Tris asked as Eric thought.

"I want someone willing to raise Vivian with me, and wanted to be with me no matter my faults or hers. I want someone who is content to be with me despite me working at Dauntless. I want someone willing to have a family with me, giving Vivian a brother or sister" Eric said glancing over to Tris who looked thoughtful. She wasn't too taken aback at his wish to have another child, but the thought made her uncomfortable slightly. Of course she could easily see herself having a child or two in the future, even more so with a man like Eric or Eric himself preferably but she still was only 18. That fact alone let her feel the difference in age between Eric and herself and though she never wasted too much thoughts on it because to her it didn't matter, it also let another thought enter her mind. She remembered the stand-off with Suzanne she had the other day and even though she knew her fears and worries were unreasonable, she couldn't suppress the questions tumbling out of her mouth in a moment of insecurity.

"What about Suzanne? She wants you back. She wants to have her rights to Vivian again" Tris said finally, trying to sound as aloof about the subject as possible. Eric didn't response right away and she watched him turn into the parking lot and shutting off the engine out of the corner of her eyes.

"She's not going to get her rights back. Vivian is terrified of her. Anyone that sees how they interact will see that. Vivian adores you, she calls you her mommy after all, and you naturally know what to do with her. No one in their right mind would take Vivian away from where she is a happy and stable child." Eric said before linking their hands together. Tris nodded beside him and chewed her lip for a moment.

"And apart from that – she can't compare to you in any shape, form or anything." He continued, making her smile and her cheeks lightly colored. Eric squeezed her hand.

"Now no more talk about Suzanne. This is about us. Our first proper date between the two of us" Eric said before kissing her cheek. His reassuring words and gestures let Tris feel lighter again and she easily fell back into the soft atmosphere, slightly nervous but enourmously happy.

"Ok. Can you help me get out of your monster of a truck? Skirt and heels paired with your truck is not a safe combination" Tris said with a gentle smile as Eric gave her a naughty grin.

"I have no issues helping you in and out of my truck when you're in heels and a skirt or otherwise." Eric said as Tris blushed at his flattery. Getting out of the truck he made his way to Tris's side before helping her out, his arm slipping around her waist and Tris leaning into his chest with a soft sigh. Walking into the building together Eric rolled his eyes at the waitress batting her overly done eyes at him. He preferred Tris's natural look over a heavily made up one.

"Table for one tonight?" she asked what Tris was sure to be a seductive voice.

"Excuse me, Maybe you should pay attention to who he's with before you try flirting." Tris snapped, Eric lips turning up slightly at her clear irritation. She seemed to like other women flirting with him as much as he liked other men flirting with her.

"When you're done running around with little girls call me" The waitress said slipping her number towards Eric, who had felt Tris stiffen under his arm when she was called a little girl.

"Excuse me? Where is your manager?" Tris said coldly, Eric gently rubbing circles onto her waist. He had no issues watching Tris beat anyone but they weren't in her dining room this time. He also wanted to say something but calming his irritated girlfriend before she did something more her age like hitting the older woman.

"Is there a problem here?" A man asked making Eric do a double take, before recognizing him as Amar.

"Amar? You're the manager here?" Eric said, not surprised that the man had a high position but that he was here of all places. Amar frowned before he recognized Eric, the former trainer nodded at him.

"Eric. I didn't recognize you, it's been a while. But what seemed to be the problem?" Amar asked kindly turning his attention to Tris, Eric just hoping Tris didn't lose her temper that badly. Amar hadn't done anything wrong after all.

"Your hostess was hitting on my boyfriend, even after I said not to. Even going as far as saying when he was done with little girls to call her" Tris said her voice changing to sweet. Eric's inner alarm ringing with the change. Sharing a glance at Amar he could see he recognized it too. No good came from a voice that sweet unless it was natural.

"I'm very sorry about that, and I'll take her in the back to talk to her about it. I'll take you to your table." Amar said glancing at the sheet and grabbed two menus before leading the way to a booth near the back.

"I'll send your server over in a couple minutes and I'm sorry about what happened." Amar said bowing out before Tris could respond and left.

"Relax Angel. I wasn't interested" Eric said as Tris scowled, the scowl leaving her lips as she took a deep breath.

"Well I didn't like it. I want to hit anyone that does that to you" Tris said as Eric took both her hands in his.

"Angel relax. You're the only one I'm looking at." Eric said gently as Tris relaxed and smiled at him. Letting out a deep breath she smiled at him.

"Sorry it just made me angry that someone would try that with me right there" Tris said as Eric ran his fingers over her hand.

"I know it does. I feel the same when men hit on you in front of me." Eric said kissing her hand gently.

"So you and Amar know each other?" Tris asked changing the subject to lighter things Eric's eyes softening as he looked at her. Her natural curiosity, even if it was about his past made him smile. She was willing to get to know him better than anyone ever wanted to before.

"He trained Four and I when we went through the Dauntless program. Four was his prodigy but after I went back to work for them, Amar was gone." Eric said frowning slightly at the memory as Tris rubbed her thumb over his hand this time. Eric brightened out of his dark thoughts when he looked at her, before kissing her hand again.

"Onto brighter topics. Dragon is begging for food almost every time he sees I have something you made now." Tris laughed lightly.

"Sounds like his son's take after him. Maybe I should start making extra so you can give him some" Tris suggested making Eric chuckle.

"Angel then he would try to take you from me" Tris laughed at how serious Eric was before leaning over the table and kissed his cheek.

"I'm only looking at you Eric. No one else even comes close" Tris said lovingly before the waiter interrupted their moment.

"What can I start you two off with to drink?"

"A Coke is fine with me" Tris said as Eric glared at the waiter eying Tris up and down.

"I'll have the same as my girlfriend thank you" Eric said firmly making Tris smile at him happily. They were both content to be with each other, even more so as talk slipped to simple things like what he wanted to do with the renovations he started on the house, and what color he was thinking of painting the bathroom in the guest room. Tris offered her own suggestions and Eric was happy to hear them.

"I should take you shopping for the new rooms when they're built then. I'd like to see what we can put together." Eric said as the waiter brought their meals and together they started eating, their topics remaining mundane, even venturing into what she had learned in school, Eric even volunteering his own school experiences.

"Eric? What was it like for you growing up?" Tris asked softly as their plates were cleared away and they were getting ready to go.

"I guess this past weekend you realized that my home life growing up wasn't the best. My parents put a lot of stress on me to be the first in everything. I was an only child and with all the pressure and demands I switched to Dauntless from Erudite. I wanted to have the freedom to be my own person. The first night after I made the switch my father who had always been the hardest he had ever been on me. Needless to say I moved out that night and spent a week living in the school's gym and showering until I was found by a councillor and helped to get my own apartment. It wasn't until I went back to Dauntless to work that I saw my parents again. By then I was 20. My father just after Vivian was born admitted he had been a crappy father. My mother never said anything about her verbal abuse and neglect." Eric said as he wrapped his arm around Tris, her arms slipping around his waist and gently kissed his collarbone before kissing his cheek.

Walking together in silence to the main desk Tris protested slightly when Eric paid, a gentle kiss on her nose quieting her for the time being. Once they were outside Tris caught Eric's arm before he lifted her into the truck.

"Eric?" Tris asked softly making him frown a little bit.

"Yes?" He asked confused, wondering if what he had told her changed what she felt about him. Standing up as tall as she could, she grasped his biceps and kissed his lips. The surprise passed quickly before he kissed her back, his hand encasing her waist as he kissed her back, his eyes closing. Resting their foreheads together he slowly opened his eyes to see Tris with hers still closed.

"I know it may be silly to tell you after a month but I think I love you Eric" Tris said before slowly opening her eyes to look at him.

"Well then that makes two of us. I love you more than I thought I could love anyone again after Suzanne fucked me over. I want to spend the rest of our lives together, but I also realize that it may be a bit of a heavy topic for a first date." Eric said stroking her jaw lightly before kissing her lips, savouring the way they fit together.

"I've been wanting to kiss you properly for ages. I think it started back when we started talking, and we were comparing tattoos and piercings." Eric said fondly as Tris smiled at him.

"Well if we are admitting when it all started I will say it was the same night Vivian came to the school. I wanted to kiss you ever since then. Even while I was away at school." Tris said blushing, Eric flushing a little bit at her admission.

"You Angel are a cock tease." He murmured into her hair before clearing his throat.

"As much as I would love to keep talking about this, I either have to get you in the truck before I move us to fast or I take you home and we skip out on the rest of our date" Eric said making Tris chuckle.

"I'm up for either" She said with a grin making Eric groan.

"Ok that's it, in the truck you go" Eric said lifting her up and set her on the seat, her giggles making him smile as he walked around to his side and got in, Tris's hand moving to rest on his thigh.

"Maybe it's a good thing I picked a comedy for us to watch. I would hate to see how you react to a story with a sex scene." Tris said as Eric chuckled.

"Angel I would substitute the actress for you, my imagination doesn't help me sleep at night." Eric glanced over to see her blushing. The ride to the theatre was silent Tris and Eric simply enjoying each other's company. When they got to the theatre Eric helped Tris out from the truck and they walked into the foyer and purchased their tickets before deciding on a single large popcorn to share and a drink. Settling into their seats they got comfortable, Eric's arm around her shoulders, and he played with her ponytail as they watched the movie. As the lights came back on Eric stretched out his frame, Tris doing the same next to him before he sighed.

"This is much nicer the Sesame Street." He said making Tris laugh.

"I'll try and find one with it next time" Tris teased as they left the theatre.

"Don't get me excited" He teased right back, their banter going back and forth until they reached her parents' house again.

"I'll see you in the morning Eric, it's not like you won't see me again" Tris said softly as he held her on the steps.

"I know but I had a great time with you tonight" He said as Tris smiled before leaning up, Eric meeting her half way to kiss.

"Let's get that little girl of ours back home and I'll be there in the morning." Tris said when they broke apart.