I wake up long before the alarm is set to go off. I toss and turn in an effort to get some more rest but sleep eludes me. I shouldn't be this wide awake before 5 a.m. after all of last night's festivities: The surprise wedding, the celebration, the dancing, the slow, tender lovemaking. I should be comatose. But after accepting that I'm not going back to sleep anytime soon, I quietly ease myself out of bed, making sure I don't disturb Tobias and slip on my robe. Even though I hear nothing through the baby monitor, I check on Tessa anyway. I find her sleeping soundly in the middle of her crib. Not having anything else to do, I decide to take a long, hot, pampering shower, which has become a rare luxury for me since I became a mom. I turn on the water to the perfect temperature, hang my robe behind the bathroom door then step inside the shower. I exfoliate every inch of my body with my loofah sponge then use my new luxurious coconut oil body wash I got at an Amity booth at the farmer's market a couple weeks ago. It eliminates the need for lotion right after my shower. I can feel the difference in the texture of my skin as I'm drying myself off after a single use. I hope they have more the next time we go to the market. I'd like to keep this on hand.
I slip my robe back on and go into my bedroom to get dressed. I'm surprised to find Tobias still asleep. I contemplate waking him up for a little fun but he must be exhausted from yesterday because I hear his light snoring. When I head for the dresser, I nearly trip over my new shoes, which are lying in the middle of the floor in between my side of the bed and the wall and I blush. In our haste to make love last night, I left my shoes on … again. What is it about shoes that turn him on so? I don't think I'll ever quite understand but then again, Tobias in the kitchen does strange things to my libido. I smile to myself thinking about seducing him in the kitchen wearing nothing but a pair of sexy shoes. I'm confident we'd both love that.
I pick up the shoes after putting on a matching dark gray breastfeeding bra and boy shorts and put them in my closet with my other heels. I dress in typical training gear then pick up all our discarded clothes from around the room. I put everything except for the dress in the hamper. I hang it up on the inside of the closet door with my other items that need dry cleaned. I decide to check on Tessa and this time find her awake and a bit grouchy.
"Good morning, little one," I say as I pick her up. "Let's get you out of this wet diaper." I put her sleeper in her dirty clothes basket and change her into a dry diaper then sit down to nurse her. "There, is that better? Now let's get your tummy full." She easily latches on and suckles eagerly. "Do you know you were the prettiest flower girl ever last night? Will and Christina were very lucky to have you in their wedding but I'll let you in on a little secret, Mommy and Daddy are lucky to have you every single day. Yes, we are. You're such a precious gift, my sweet girl. I'll never let you forget that. I love you, Tessa Beatrice." She releases my nipple and coos at me. "Did you just tell me that you love me, too?" I kiss her cheek before putting her up to my shoulder to burp her. I look up as Tobias walks into the room. "Good morning. Look who's here, little one. Your Daddy came to see you. He loves you, too."
"That I do. Good morning," he says, leaning over and giving me a tender kiss then kissing Tessa's head. "You're dressed already." He sounds surprised.
"I've been up a long time," I sigh. "I couldn't sleep."
"I'm sorry, love. I heard you talking to Tessa. That's what woke me up," he says, a blissful smile on his face. I furrow my brows, confused. I wasn't talking loud enough to have woken him. "I heard you through the baby monitor," he clarifies.
"I'm sorry," I say. "I never thought about turning it off after I got dressed."
"It was a nice way to wake up, hearing my wife talk to my daughter. I don't think I'll ever tire of saying those words," he says. He looks so young and carefree this morning and happy. "Do you want me to wake Tyler or start breakfast?"
"I thought we'd eat in the cafeteria this morning," I say. "Then while you drop the kids off at daycare, I'll go to the infirmary to get my blood pressure checked. I might be late getting to the training room but some things are more important than the misfits."
"I know. I'd like to go with you to the infirmary, if that's okay," he says, leaning over and kissing me again. "I'll go wake up our boy then." A couple minutes later Tyler comes into the room.
"Hi, Mommy," he says. "Daddy wake me up."
"We're going to the cafeteria for breakfast, and we have to leave soon," I explain. "Did you go potty?" He shakes his head. "Well, you better go. I'm sure Daddy will help you get dressed."
"Yes, I will," Tobias says from the doorway. Has he been standing there the entire time? "Come on, Tyler. Let's get you ready."
"I love you, guys," I call out as they leave.
"We love you, too," Tobias says, making me grin like a fool.
"You're Daddy loves me," I whisper to Tessa who seems to be slowing down. "He makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world but we both know that's you."
"I won't totally disagree with you. My baby girl is just as beautiful as her mother," he says making me gasp. I had no idea he was still around. "I'm sorry if I scared you."
"I just have to restart my heart," I say as my heart starts hammering in my chest. "I thought you went with Tyler."
"He's getting dressed," he says. "I wanted to watch you nursing our daughter. It's still such a miraculous sight."
"Have you been into some peace serum this morning?" I say with a chuckle. "You're unusually happy today."
"I guess there's love in the air after last night," he says, shrugging his shoulders. "Everything at the wedding and reception was special and romantic. And then there was our private party." Yes, that was especially romantic. I love when I can look in his eyes as he makes love to me.
"Was thewe cake?" Tyler asks, pouting.
"What?" I ask, confused. Why is he asking about cake?
"You pawty," he says. Oh!
"No, there was no cake," I say, feeling heat rise into my cheeks. "You didn't miss a thing, I promise."
"Let's go pack the diaper bag while Mommy finishes with Tessa," Tobias says, lifting Tyler up into his arms. Before he walks into the hallway, he turns and winks at me. After Tessa burps, I put her in a new outfit Tobias bought her. It's a white shirt that says "Mommy's Little Flower" over a large red flower with a blue and white center, blue shorts covered with white flowers with red centers, and a blue headband with one white flower with a red center that ties the outfit together.
"I swear I could dress you in a flour sack and you'd still be the cutest baby ever," I say, carefully picking her up and cradling her in my arms. She coos nonstop as we walk downstairs. "Are you talking to me, little one? You sure do have a lot to say this morning."
"Tess is talkin'?" Tyler asks, stunned. I sit down on the couch and beckon him over to me.
"Do you hear her?" I ask him. "She's talking to you, too." He puts his hand out to touch her, and she grabs ahold of his finger and coos a little louder.
"She happy to see me," he says with a sunny smile.
"Yes, she is," I say. "Shall we go get some breakfast? I hope the chefs made biscuits and gravy this morning because that's what Peanut is craving." We take our time walking to the cafeteria since it's relatively early. When we get there, Zeke and Shauna are the only ones at our table.
"Good morning, Prior family," Zeke says. "I never told you guys how nice you all looked last night at the wedding. Tessa, Tyler, and little Liam stole the show but don't tell Christina. I know all eyes are supposed to be on the bride but I couldn't keep my eyes off the babies." He turns and looks at Shauna. "I think I am ready to have a baby." She chokes and her orange juice comes flying out her nose, spraying all over the table. She coughs and sputters with a painful grimace on her face.
"B-Ba-bab-baby?" she stutters. "Damn! Orange juice coming out your nose burns like hell. Ezekiel, we're not having a baby anytime soon. I just had this year's shot last week so I'm covered for another year. I'm not ready for diaper duty and sleepless nights. Are you?"
"Uh, I hadn't thought about that," he bashfully says.
"I tell you what, Uncle Zeke and Aunt Shauna, you can watch all three of the kids about six weeks after the baby's born so Four and I can go on a date," I say, hoping they don't understand the significance of six weeks but Shauna looks at me knowingly. Crap! Oh well, it's not like our friends don't know we have sex.
"Tris, I need to talk to you," Avery says right up next to my ear, making me jump. When I look up over my shoulder at her, she's glaring at Tobias.
"What do you need, Av?" I ask even though I have a suspicion that I know. This has something to do with my least favorite initiate, Olivia. "If you have a problem, you should really go to Uriah or Christina when they get here."
"It's not about me. It's about you," she says. "Please, can I talk to you alone?"
"No," Tobias says, turning to look up at her. When he sees her expression, he knits his brows together in bewilderment. Avery has never shown him this kind of contempt. "What is it?" All of a sudden I notice that all eyes are on us.
"Tris, I've always liked you so I think you should know that Four's been cheating on you," she quietly says, looking at me apologetically before glaring at him again.
"What!" he asks. "I have not! Why would you say such a thing, Avery?"
"I saw proof," she says. This takes me by surprise.
"Proof?" I ask somewhat stunned. I look at her then slide my eyes to Tobias and can't keep the hurt I'm feeling off my face. "What proof?" My voice is low, unsteady. I will not cry. I will not cry. "Show me." She digs out her phone and shows me a series of three photographs that show my husband with Olivia. The first one is of her pressed up against him at the fence. It's taken from an angle where you can't see his face. I dismiss this as proof immediately because I saw how uncomfortable she was making him. I was there. The second appears to be them kissing in the hallway in between the dorm rooms but something seems off. I compare the two photos and notice a height discrepancy between the two "Tobias'". The final picture is dark and quite hard to make out but it appears to be a picture of her sitting on his lap down in the chasm. "Sonofabitch." I recognize it immediately. That's when we made love in the chasm. She saw us. It's even the dress I was wearing. This photo has obviously been doctored. I immediately feel myself relax.
"Let me see," Tobias demands. I hand the phone to him, and he scrolls through the pictures. With each flick of his finger across the screen, his face gets redder.
"Avery, those pictures aren't real, I say. "Well the first one is but I was there when it was taken. There's a reason you can't see his face. He didn't like her touching him. I have no idea who took it, although I'd really like to find out. The other two have been fabricated. The third one I know for a fact is actually me. I was wearing that dress earlier this week. When did Olivia share these with you?"
"That fucking little bitch," Tobias mutters so low I'm sure Avery and I are the only ones who hear it.
"Late last night," she says. "She sent them to all the initiates. She told us that she's having an affair with Four, was bragging about it actually. I thought you should know. I'm sorry I thought the worst of you, Four."
"Thanks for bringing this to our attention," he stiffly says. I know he's pissed at Olivia but it sounds like he's shooting the messenger so I put my hand on his Amity tattoo. He looks at me and sighs then he turns his attention to Avery. "I'm sorry if I'm being rude. I'm not upset with you. I don't like that someone is trying to mess with my marriage. She deserves my rage not you. She'll be dealt with." She walks away after apologizing again, and we turn around in our seats to find 13 pairs of eyes looking back at us expectantly. Uriah and Christina are the only ones who know we are having issues with an overzealous initiate who has clearly overstepped her boundaries.
"I want her gone," I say matter-of-factly to Tobias. "This has to be a violation of some sort."
"It is and so do I," he says. I see pain, anger, and confusion mingling on his face. I know our friends want to bombard us with questions.
"Four has an admirer," is all I say. Either the tone of my voice or the look on my face tells them I don't want to talk about it.
"Let me get you something to eat. Biscuits and gravy, right?"
"I'll come with you," I say. "Christina, will you keep an eye on Tessa? Come on, buddy. Let's get some breakfast."
"Sure," she says. Tobias and I get up from the table, and I hold my hand out to Tyler. He takes it, and we go to the food line.
"Mommy, I want toast."
"Okay," I say. I get him 2 slices of French toast, bacon, and fresh fruit and get myself biscuits and gravy with sausage patties. "Will you hold my plate, and I'll get us some silverware?"
"Sure," Tobias says. "Are you okay?"
"No, I'm not but once she's gone, I will be."
"I'm so sorry, love." I look up into his face and give him a small smile.
"You have absolutely nothing to apologize for," I say. "You never encouraged her. Tyler, why don't you go with Daddy?"
"Otay!" he happily says. I watch them walk back to the table and put our plates down then I go and get forks, knives, spoons, and napkins. When I turn back around, I see Olivia strutting into the cafeteria, oblivious to the fact that we know about her deception. Tobias must see her too because he says something to Tyler before ruffling his hair then moves toward the center of the cafeteria.
"Olivia, I need to speak to you," he says, showing absolutely no emotion yet I can see that he's livid but only because I know him so well.
"Good morning," she brightly says, looking only at him. She reaches out to touch his chest like she did yesterday, and he catches her wrist.
"Do not touch me," he says in his quiet, fierce Four voice, dropping her hand and taking a small step back. She appears to be genuinely stunned for a split second but recovers and smiles up at him sweetly.
"You're only saying that because she's here, Tobias," she purrs, throwing me a withering glance. Oh she did not just use his name in the middle of the crowded cafeteria. I take a step closer to her, wondering if the butter knife in my hand would cut her tongue out when I feel hands on my arms, holding me back. I glance behind me to find Zeke and Will standing on either side of me, each with a hand on me. "You can quit the charade. I know how you feel about me. You've told me enough times."
"There is something terribly wrong with you," Tobias says with a hatefully menacing tone. "I don't know why you're doing this. There is nothing going on between us. There never will be anything between us. I love my wife. I want you to pack your belongings. You're not Dauntless material. You're done here."
"What?" she screams. "You can't do this. You can't take my virginity and toss me aside. You made promises." Zeke and Will tighten their grips on me but I shake them off. I square my shoulders and glare at her, gripping the silverware tightly.
"You are embarrassing yourself, Olivia," I hiss between my teeth.
"I don't know what the hell you are trying to accomplish but it's not going to work," Tobias says, his voice raising with each word. He doesn't lose it very often but I know he's going to explode any minute. "I want every initiate in front of me this instant," he bellows. They all scramble to their feet and stand before us. "Who helped her with the photos?" His tone is back to cold and calculating. "You know what photos I'm talking about." The Dauntless-born and misfits stand mute before us. "Training is cancelled this morning. I want all of you back in the dorms. If you are seen outside the dormitory area before 12:30 to come here for lunch, you will join Olivia with the factionless. Now GO!" They all turn on their heels and practically sprint out of the cafeteria. Olivia turns to go but I stop her.
"Where do you think you're going?" I ask. Tobias fishes his phone out of his pocket and flips through his email until he finds the offending pictures.
"Tell me what the meaning of these are? I know they're fake. Hell this last one is Tris. This second one isn't even me. You've been playing games since the second you got here. Tris figured that out immediately. Tell us why you're messing with our lives. Now!"
"I'm not messing with your lives," she says, sounding wounded. "I love you. You said you love me." Tobias sighs.
"I did no such a thing, Olivia," he calmly says, his voice like ice. "I'm a happily married man." He exasperatedly runs his fingers through his hair and looks toward the ceiling. "Your behavior is highly inappropriate and has been since the day you got here. I'm only sorry that I chose to ignore your infatuation instead of addressing it."
"This is all your fault, Tris," she hisses. My name rolls off her tongue like venom dripping from the fangs of a serpent. "He doesn't want you. He doesn't love you. He's told me how you got pregnant on purpose to trap him in a loveless relationship. He also told me that he doesn't want the two other brats you forced on him. They aren't his. He'll never love them the same." My eyes nearly pop out of my head. What the hell did she just say? It takes a moment for me to process. Rage sets my blood to boiling. How dare she?
"Enough!" Tobias bellows. For the first time I see fear in her eyes when she looks at my husband who looks like he wants to reach out and wrap his hands around her throat. I'm about ready to bitch slap her into the middle of next week or cut her heart out with the butter knife – believe me, no one could stop me right now – when I hear Tyler. I turn around to find him standing not two feet away from us, bottom lip quivering and tears running down his face. I release the knives, forks, and spoons, which drop to the floor with an echoing clang and quickly walk to him and pick him up. He wraps himself around me and buries his head in my neck. I realize that nothing else matters right now but my family, and he's devastated by what that hideous girl just said. I cradle his head and sway my body, comforting him in an effort to quiet him down. His tearful sobs are the only sounds in the massive room, which is usually so full of life. I realize now that we caused an unfortunate and unnecessary scene. She should have been dealt with in private. I turn back to Tobias.
"I suggest you get her out of my sight," I quietly say in a cold, deadly voice, "before I do something that I won't regret." I walk over to our table, pick up Tessa's carrier, and stalk out of the cafeteria.