Victoria woke up early the next morning. She grabbed at her stomach as she started getting out of the bed. She had that pushing sensation from the back of her throat, and she was almost drooling in her mouth. She had to puke. She carefully crawled over Eric's body, instantly waking him up without even touching him. He watched her rush to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. The loud sound pissed him off, immediately.
"Hey! Don't slam the fu-" Before he finished yelling at her, the sound of her puking her guts into the toilet pulled him out of bed. He quietly opened the door and looked in through the crack. She clung to the toilet seat, shaking like a leaf. He watched a drop of sweat fall from her nose and hit the toilet water. She threw up three times more before flushing and almost falling into the toilet. She knew she was pregnant. This week was when she was supposed to have her cycle and they hadn't been using protection…
Eric stepped into the bathroom as she rested her sweaty head on the toilet seat. He knew she was pregnant too. He thought back to their romantic honeymoon in the woods. They were up all hours of the night. He didn't even pack condoms. She reached beside her and turned the shower on, keeping it cold. When she thought she could no longer throw up, she climbed in. She was able to stand long enough to wash her hair and body. Getting out and throwing up one more time. Eric watching her the whole time.
She sat up from the toilet, flushing as she looked up at him. He watched her in the mirror as he brushed his teeth. She stood up and stood next to him, brushing her hair back. She twisted her wet hair into a tight bun and it felt cool on her sweaty head. She pulled her uniform down from the bathroom hook, getting dressed.
"Vic, are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Eric said nothing back to her, putting on his own uniform. They each helped one another wrestle into their ceremony uniforms. It wasn't something they wore all that often and they were stiff when pressed. Plus there were all the tiny details that had to be tied on.
They walked out of the apartment, putting their sunglasses on. Victoria felt like she might recover, physically. Mentally, she was a wreck. As they climbed into the vehicle, she couldn't shake the thoughts on her mind. She knew she was pregnant and she didn't want to be. She didn't know what she was going to do… She wondered if Eric would make her get rid of it? He slowly pulled the car away from the curb. She didn't want to upset him.
The blacked-out, armored vehicle hung to the ground. It's fat offroad tires buzzed as it hit the cold asphalt. Eric sped everywhere he went, but the car made it hard not to. You felt like a predator driving it. It was the latest and most cutting-edge vehicle that existed. Eric gripped the top of the steering wheel, looking over the top of his dark shades. He looked over at his wife who looked like she was melting.
She rested her head against the blacked-out window, closing her eyes. She could feel the sweat rolling down the back of her neck. Every time the dense vehicle hit a pothole or bump in the road, it threw her stomach for another loop. She only hoped to make it through the next five hours at least.
Eric slowed down and pulled into the parking lot. There were already quite a few cars there, and they were almost late. Regardless, they calmly climbed out of the car. Eric rushed around to Vic's side and put out his hand. She stepped onto the siderail and jumped down landing on both feet. She always had to make a point about being independent. She took his hand and they walked inside. Their combat boots hitting the pavement in perfect harmony. They looked sharp in their formal uniforms.
They walked into a tall glass building, heading to the elevator lobby. Vic let her husband's hand go as they stood there, waiting for the elevator. She liked to keep it professional. They got into the empty car as Eric swiped a white card over a sensor. The top floor auto-selected and they felt themselves fly up the building, quickly arriving at the top floor. They stepped out and quietly made their way into Jeanine's office. They sat down in chairs towards the back of the room.
Jeanine sat at her desk, waiting for them to begin. They weren't even the last ones there, but to her they were the most important. It was everyone's assignments for the next on-boarding group. Eric looked over at his wife and saw her shaking, staring into the floor. Eric subtly nudged her and she snapped her attention to Jeanine. He thought it was sort of hard to look away from her bright royal blue jumpsuit. He knew something was on her mind.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen. So, another year comes and goes. Most of you will remain in your normal roles and some of you will not." Everyone looked around somewhat nervous. A loud whisper trickled through the group. "Shall we begin?" She interrupted their thoughts and the sound died down.
"Eric, you will teach shooting and drills… Four! Self—Defense… Victoria, you and your dog will lead the k-9 unit this year…" She lingered on Victoria, noticing that she looked like shit. Victoria weakly nodded and tried her best to sit up as much as possible. It probably didn't help that she hadn't eaten either.
Once she finished speaking, four large men walked into the room. Victoria felt Eric go rigid. He reached out for her hand below the chair and gripping it tightly. What did he know? She knew Jeanine told him more than her. He also knew how good he was at keeping a secret. They walked up to two girls, another young man, and Tobias.
Jeanine snapped her fingers, and they were escorted from the room. Eric knew it was because she was suspicious of Tobias being Divergent. Eric watched his wife for any expression change. Jeanine looked over at Victoria as well. Both only seeing that the girl was too sick to even care. She looked green. Eric was watching her like a hawk, still holding onto her tiny hand. Victoria felt like she needed to throw up again and just then Jeanine dismissed them.
"I will see you all at the ceremony, don't be late." The class filed out and Victoria got caught spacing out again. She couldn't stop thinking about the possibility that she was pregnant. She wasn't ready for this. Nor was she the traditional mother figure. Having at least three face piercings and being covered head to toe in tattoos.
"Victoria?" Eric called out, realizing she hadn't followed him out of the class. He walked back into the room and saw Jeanine sitting on the desk, looking at her. She had been staring into nothing again. He had an idea of what was wrong with her… Jeanine also knew.
"Victoria, what is wrong with you?"
"Nothing, ma'am. I just don't feel well. I'm fine." She forced herself to say before she marched out of her office. Eric and her whispered back and forth to one another. The elevator car opened and they stepped inside. As soon as the doors shut Eric wrapped his arms around her and she melted a little bit.
He lifted her into his big arms and carried her back to the car. He set her in the passenger seat and she wouldn't move. He knew something was wrong but he wasn't absolutely positive. He didn't want to assume but he also didn't really want to ask. He knew something heavy was on her mind, more than being sick. He thought back to this morning when he woke up to the sound of her puking into the toilet. All the obvious signs of a young woman being pregnant were there. She was terrified.
The couple drove to where the ceremony was being held while some of the newer Dauntless ran along the city landscape. It was a five-minute drive through downtown. They parked in the lot and walked inside. They sat down in the front row and observed all the faction members gathered. It was a lot of people. Everyone was quiet, sitting straight as boards and waiting for it to begin.
Victoria focused on breathing in and out, pretending like she gave a shit about each person who walked up. She honestly found the whole ceremony kind of barbaric. Young children being told their destiny while also being pulled away from their families. Borhters and sisters may not ever see each other again. Victoria had gotten lucky.
Just then a young and pretty girl with long dirty-blonde hair walked up. It felt like everyone was focused hard on her and it gave Victoria a weird feeling. She could feel the atmosphere change. Her brother had just gone to Erudite. She knew it was more than just being from Abnegation. Dozens of others walked up from her home faction and she hadn't cared at all. It almost felt like she was someone… important? Maybe she was going to be a great warrior? Or, maybe she was just going to be a great pain in the ass…
After that the ceremony concluded and the second the lights turned back on Victoria was gone. She sprinted out of the auditorium, throwing her upper half into the first trash can she saw. As people began filing out, they kept their distance, hearing her puke her guts out. It was anxiety sickness at this point and she was a wreck. Eric walked out, noticing that the people walking out one of the doors all looked disgusted as they opened it. Finally, he made his way out and that's when he found her halfway hanging out of the trash. Her knuckles were white from holding the sides so tight.
"Get up." Eric said, reaching a hand out to her. "Don't let them see you be weak." She looked at him, her eyebrows drenched in sweat. She gathered the strength to get back up, without taking his hand. Her legs felt like jelly and her body statically hummed. She was a wreck
"Maybe it was something I ate?" Victoria mumbled, trying to find an excuse for her husband. He didn't say anything, they slowly made their way to the car. They made it out to the parking lot not saying a word to one another. He knew she was pregnant. He realized after a moment that he no longer heard her footsteps beside him. He looked back and saw her standing behind him. She had her arms wrapped around her tiny stomach, staring at herself in horror. He turned around rushing back to her.
"Vic, it is going to be okay! We'll get a test on the way home. I'm sure it was the lasagna, it made me sort of sick too." She nodded and he took her hand. "Come on, baby." They continued to the car finally getting to the parking lot. Before they made it to their car, a black SUV pulled up in front of them. It slammed on its breaks lurching forward as the back door flew open. Jeanine sat in her bright blue suit, beside a large private security guard.
"You have thirty seconds to willingly get in this vehicle or I'll have my men drag you in." She softly and calmly spoke. Eric didn't once hesitate. His wife's life was at stake. He lifted Vic up first and got into the car behind her. They sat in the empty bench-seat behind Jeanine. The woman calmly turned and looked at them both. Vic rested her sweaty head on Eric's chest, trying not to show her nerves.
"Driver, take us to the hospital. Quickly!" The car peeled out of the parking lot and merged into traffic. "Do you know what is wrong with her?" Jeanine studied the couple. Eric was protectively holding her in his lap as she rested her sweaty face on his chest.
"Food poisoning. We had old lasagna last night…"
"She doesn't have food poisoning, Eric." He said nothing as they pulled up to the closest hospital. They threw the SUV in park and opened the doors. The guards got out around the car and the nurse came up with a wheelchair. Eric climbed out of the car with his wife, gently placing her in the wheelchair. They wheeled her into the hospital and Eric stayed on their heels. Jeanine walked in, taking a seat in the waiting room. Eric followed them down the first hallway before they stopped him.
"Sir, you have to wait in the lobby. We will call you back when she is ready." The nurse forcefully blocked his way, following his side step. Her arms extended out, other nurses lurking behind. He pushed past her arms and a doctor forcefully held him back.
"You don't understand. I'm her husband!"
"I'm sorry sir! You will have to wait in the lobby. We will take good care of her." The doctor shoved him back while the nurses stood still blocking the hallway. Victoria was halfway down the hallway when he looked back. She had watched the whole thing and it upset her.
"V, I'm right here! I'm not going anywhere!" He helplessly watched while his wife looked over her shoulder, terrified. Just then he felt Jeanine place her hand on his shoulder. He looked at Jeanine with glossy eyes and a hard expression. He realized he was making a scene.
"Come sit down, son." Jeanine pulled him into the waiting room as he sat beside her. He was doing his very best not to freak out. Jeanine read emails on her phone while Eric bounced his knee and stared at nothing. He said nothing the entire fifteen minutes they waited. Finally, a nurse came out and he perked up, sitting on the edge of his seat. She continued in his direction and he jumped to his feet.
"Can I see her, now?"
"She is waiting for her test results. She was having an anxiety attack when she came in. She's doing better now. Follow me, please." The nurse led Eric and Jeanine to Victoria's room. They walked down three long hallways before coming to her room. The nurse unlocked the door and Eric practically shoved her out of the way. He rushed into the room and saw his wife lying in the hospital bed. She was connected to a bunch of machines and a million IV tubes. He rushed to her, falling to his knees. She looked so small. He leaned over her and kissed her tiny hand.
Instantly she burst into tears, covering her face and not making a sound. He wanted to cry but not in front of Jeanine. He stayed over her while she hugged her arms around him and let out two whimpers. She knew Jeanine was with him.
"It's my fault." Eric apologized and she said nothing. She sniffled as he sat beside her. She had her body turned towards Eric and away from the rest of the room. She wiped her face dry with a tissue, taking a deep breath in. She was terrified. She looked so tired and it was still so early in the day. They still had introductions to do with the new recruits later…
"I'm not ready for this." Her voice was groggy. He nodded at her response, squeezing her hand once. They sat in silence for a few moments, waiting for the doctor to come in. Suddenly they heard footsteps down the hall. They came closer to the door and instead of continuing down the hall they stopped. Eric shot to his feet while turning to the door, anxious. A doctor came in. She had grayish blonde hair and she wore a long white coat. She had a kind face.
"Are you the Coulter's?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Congratulations, you are having twins.
Eric fell down into a seat beside the bed, completely numb. He looked at Victoria who looked as white as a ghost. Eric knew in that moment he had to get her out of the factions. He needed to start the journey to Washington sooner rather than later.
"Mr. and Mrs. Coulter? Are you okay?"
"Leave us." Jeanine ordered and the doctor left without saying anything. She shut the door and they were alone. Eric expected Jeanine to be pissed off about it, with Victoria being an important member to the faction. Pregnancy would result in her sitting on the sidelines… he knew she wouldn't do that. Jeanine stood up and looked at Eric.
"Eric, you are my best soldier."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Which means, these children are your legacy. We will do everything necessary to protect the babies and mother. Take her home and she is excused from duty today. I will see you this evening to debrief the fresh meat." She picked up her things and went to leave. She stood at the door and turned back to him. "I paid the bill and had your car brought here. Take care of her." With that Jeanine and her men left. Eric and Victoria were alone together at last.
The door shut and Victoria tried jumping out of bed. Eric stopped her, effortlessly, with one hand. She fell back exhausted, immediately ripping the IVs from her arm all at once. He looked at her shocked.
"I want to go home. Now!"
"Okay, doll. Stay calm." He gathered the few things they had, scooping Victoria up. He carried her out of the room and down the hallways, towards the lobby. Just before they made it out the motion-sensor doors one of the hospital employees stopped them.
"Excuse me, Mr. Coulter?" He slowly spun around to look behind him. One of the receptionists at the front desk was holding up his keys. He snatched the keys and they quickly left. They made their way to the car and Eric sat his wife in the passenger seat. He shut her door and walked around to the driver's side. He got into the car and turned it on, idling for a moment. He looked over at his numb wife who was staring blankly into the dashboard. He reached out to touch her hand and she jumped in her seat, startled. She looked over at him with wide eyes.
"Are you alright?"
"No." She readjusted in her seat, putting on her seatbelt. She stared out the windshield and he put the car in drive. He looked over at her again, trying to read her. She was very quiet. She looked tired and dirty. She had dark circles under her eyes and a long expression across her face.
There was silence after that. He didn't know how to respond and the thought of two babies weighed heavy on them both. He was scared for so many reasons. Mostly because he never had any family or a father. No one had taken care of him in a very long time, until he met Victoria. Before he met her, he was cold and dead on the outside and inside. His eyes used to be black and now they were a dark brown. In the past he had never cared about anyone, especially what they thought of him. That was ultimately what made him become such a dedicated officer. Leading up to how they met…
It was the same time of year it was now, mid-fall. That was when they always got new recruits. It wasn't until he met her in one of Jeanine's trainings. She had been chosen to compete amongst the top shooters. Eric was the only person she hadn't beat yet and, in the end, she even smoked his ass.
They finally made it home, still not saying a word. Eric unlocked the door and Victoria slowly moved into the apartment. She walked straight past her dog who was eager to greet her and fell straight in bed. He followed behind her, turning on a couple lights. He rubbed Chicago's ears, walking into the bedroom. He saw her with her face buried into a pillow, violently shaking. She was sobbing her heart out.
"V?"
"I'm sorry I let this happen!" She cried into the pillow. She was extremely distraught. He sat on the bed with her and rubbed her back. He wanted to scream when he heard her apologize. He was in no way angry with her. If anything, he thought of it as their excuse to leave the faction walls.
"Don't apologize, Victoria. Nothing could make me happier... We're a family now!" She looked up at him, speechless. He smiled at her, leaning down to kiss her snotty face. She was still trembling. The thought of twins made her a little sick.
"I'm so scared, Eric."
"I know doll, me too. But… We will be okay. They have books on this stuff." She got up and gave him a tight hug. She believed everything he told her. He squeezed her in his arms for a good long minute and it made his heart feel full. When he let her go, he stood up and turned on the television. He left to go to the kitchen and brew her a cup of tea while he made her a quick grilled-cheese sandwich. When it was done, he plated it up and brought it to her in bed. He kissed her forehead, and went to get ready to leave. He knew it would be a long night of training.
"It's time for me to go. I will be home as soon as orientation is over. I love you."
"I wish I was going."
"Mind Jeanine, doll." Victoria sighed, leaning back in the bed. She hated Jeanine. Unfortunately, being her best soldier was also better than not. Eric being her number one helped too. He always did everything she asked, even if he was against it. However, now he was hearing rumors of a mind control serum in the works and it made him nervous. The word of 'war' trailed along with it. He disagreed with the idea so much it made him want to leave. He kissed her and left.
Just like that Eric was gone and Vic was left alone with her thoughts, the dog, and her babies. She heard his car start and peel away. He was pissed he had to go. She looked over at her boxes of things scattered around the room. She knew she needed to unpack but she was too tired. Instead, she stayed in bed sipping tea until she passed out.
