Thank you to everyone who continues to read and comment on this story. I'm incredibly sorry this chapter was late being posted this time around, but I couldn't find the motivation to even edit. I lost my grandfather, who I was incredibly close to this past week, and I have been trying to deal with things emotionally. I don't own Divergent and all military-related mistakes are mine. Happy Reading, I seriously hope you enjoy this chapter because it was a blast to write when I was writing it a long time ago.
Chapter 6: Time After Time
Walking down the stairs, my eyes search everywhere for Tobias, but come up short. I don't see him anywhere. Where is he? My ears perk at movement in the kitchen. Quickly, I walk into the room, hoping to find my soon-to-be husband, wondering what he is still doing here. If Tobias is caught by Christina, she will have his head on a silver platter. Leaning against the doorway isn't Tobias like I was expecting. Instead, I find Caleb in a tux with Cara standing next to him with her camera in hand, "Surprise," they both shout in unison.
"Caleb! Cara! You both made it!" I yell, laughing, leaping at Caleb, he catches me in his arms, smirking as I try to keep from crying at the sight of both of them. "You didn't think I would miss my little sister's wedding?" Caleb smirks, his eyes catching on the pearl necklace. I roll my eyes at him, "The last time we talked, you told me you probably wouldn't be able to get the day off from work."
"We both called in a few favors, and I wanted to photograph your wedding for you," Cara smirks at me, Caleb interjects, "I'm glad Chris found mom's pearl necklace useful. I have been holding onto it for years for whenever you got married." My fingers touch the strand of pearls, memories of my mom fill my mind, she used to wear these pearls, all the time when I was little, a present from my father on their wedding day. She would often place the necklace on me and promise me when I grew up, she would give them to me to wear when I married my prince charming as she married hers. They were her favorite accessory to wear. Christina yells, breaking my memory, "Tris, we are going to be late if we don't get going!"
"Go marry, Prince Charming," Cara smiles, pushing me toward Chris, she hands me a heavy package, "We can talk later and catch up." Caleb whispers, kissing me on the cheek, "You look beautiful today."
Both Christina and Will tug me out to their car, away from Caleb and Cara, and the house. That is when I notice the Raptor is gone. My stomach drops, beginning to fill with butterflies. Sitting in the car, the realization hits me: I'm marrying Tobias today. This is real. This isn't a dream. I try to remain calm as we begin the drive to the town hall, my fingers play with the white flower wrapping paper of the gift. Suddenly, I remember Tobias's ring sitting on the dresser, I ask, "Do you have his ring?" Christina's face drops, her eyes darting towards Will, she whispers seriously, "I think, I forgot it. I think we need to turn around, Will." Her eyes darting to Will's once again, she begins to frantically search her clutch. Tears begin to well in my eyes. My hormones and nerves lately have been on edge. I blame Tobias's leaving and his impending deployment for the way I have been feeling lately. "Here it is! Just joking! Gee-sh! Did you really think I would forget the ring, Tris?" Christina exclaims, producing Tobias's rose gold wedding band. She shoots me a confused look as my lips begin to quiver, tears painfully burn my eyes.
"Sorry, I'm just feeling stressed," I whisper, looking outside at the passing buildings, my eyes once again landing on the wrapped package in my lap, wondering what is inside of it. "It's fine, Tris," Will interjects, shooting Christina a pointed look. "You can do the same crap to her on her wedding day. Whenever she finally makes up her mind about a date." He sounds upset over the fact Christina still hasn't set a date for them to marry. They have been engaged for over seven months with no wedding date in sight. Gently, I open the edge of the wrapped box to find a photo album of Tobias and me from our surprise engagement photoshoot Tears brim over my eyelashes, looking at the photos of Tobias and me, my chest fills with butterflies. We look so happy and in love. I wish I could see him right now.
"Will, you don't understand, I'm waiting on Henry Roth to release next year's line of bridal gowns, and he already said, if I don't see one I love, then he promised me, he would custom design a gown for me. Once I have a dress, we can set a date. Will, can you imagine? Henry Roth, designing a wedding gown just for me?" Chris asks, ripping my focus from the photo album. Will snaps, "No, but I'm sure you can," at her, his eyes pleading, glancing at me through the rearview mirror. "Christina, you are one of the most sought after designers, why don't you design your own wedding gown?" I ask, breaking into their private conversation.
"Because she wants Henry Roth, and she has been eyeing his wedding gowns since before we even got engaged," Will answers, looking at Christina from the corner of his eye, as we sit at a stoplight, his fingers tap against the steering wheel to the beat of an unheard song. My heart picks up speed as we round a corner, and I see town hall within walking distance. "You could get married to me in a paper bag, and I would still happily marry you. You would still be the most beautiful woman to me, and you will always be the most beautiful woman to me." He whispers, moving a piece of Christina's hair behind her ear, I make a gagging noise in the back seat. They both shoot me a look, Chris says sadly, "I know Will, but your work schedule isn't exactly the easiest thing when trying to plan a wedding around it. You are here one minute, then the next minute you are gone. Leaving me only a note, or a voicemail telling me you can't say where you are going, nor tell me where you are going, only that you will be back soon, and not to worry."
"I know, I'm so sorry about that. Chris, I wish I could fix that, but I can't. It is for your protection." Will mutters kissing Chris's knuckles, the action reminds me of all the times Tobias has ever kissed my hand. The sight makes me miss him even more.
"I'm not asking to know where you are going, only for you to come home safely to me. Why do you think I choose to remain in the dark about your job in the Army? It isn't because I want to be one of those girlfriends or wives who could care less, but because I need to do it to protect my own sanity. I don't even watch the news when you are away for fear I might find out you are dead. Now, no more talk about our wedding, or you taking off with your Army boys to play soldier. This is Tris's big day." Chris replies, looking back at me with a wink. I feel my heart quicken the moment the car stops in front of an old stone building labeled Town Hall.
A man is standing in front of the building in a dark blue suit, his back turned to the road with another figure. The figure facing the road looks like a bouncing Zeke. Christina and Will smile at each other, then exit the car. Will opens my door, he bends, giving me his hand, he whispers, "You can back out now, I'll help you run away if you want." I whisper, "I'll remember that, on your wedding day. I'll be sure to tell Christina to run for it. I will have a runaway car waiting and at the ready." His smile falters for a minute, then slides back into place as I take his hand.
We make the short walk, from the car up the stone staircase, my breathing quickens, and my heartbeat accelerates. Each step I take, I imagine myself getting married, becoming Mrs. Eaton for real and all that entails. The very real possibility is within my grasp. Walking up the stairs with Will towards the man with his back turned, Christina sings, "Four, you can turn around now."
Tobias slowly turns, his eyes covered by a blue and white bandana. The sight of him like this makes me uncomfortable, knowing he is covering his eyes for me, he doesn't want to see me in my wedding dress until I am ready for him to see me this way. I have a gut feeling the bandana was Christina's idea that she came up with it. The idea itself probably sent him into a panic attack, maybe that is why he has been waking up early to go running at National Harbor, to clear his mind, or help ease his anxiety over wearing the bandana. Ever since Peter and Drew held us hostage Tobias, has developed problems, but thankfully he has been working through them with a counselor he sees weekly. Tobias doesn't like to be confined by anything. He likes to see what is going on around him, he likes his hands free. I don't blame him. I feel much the same way.
"Take a minute, Tris. Saver this moment." Christina whispers into my ear, pushing me towards my future husband before she walks through the door following Will, leaving me alone with my soon to be husband. I lean my forehead against his. My eyes close of their own accord enjoying the closeness for a second. Our foreheads meet, the only point our bodies touch, before I whisper, "Hi," gently, he jumps slightly at the contact and my voice.
"Tris?" He asks, unsure, I whisper to him, "Yes." A beautiful smile spreads across his face, he murmurs, "Hi," to me.
"Are you nervous?" I ask, wanting to know, needing to know the answer to my question. Does he regret the idea to get married as quickly as we are? Does he wish we had more time to plan an actual wedding instead of a courthouse one?
"No, I'm positive, I want to marry you. I am one hundred percent sure you are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. Are you nervous?" He asks, confidence radiating in his voice.
"Never," I answer automatically, without a second thought, touching the back of his fingers."I wish I could see you. I hate being blindfolded."
"I know, " I respond, my shaky fingers begin to untie the bow of the bandana. His steady hands slide up my sides to keep me even. His fingertips send shivers down my spine. The world spins beneath my low heels, and I feel ready to fall over from nerves. Pulling the blindfold from his sealed eyes, his dark blue eyes blink open, and his jaw drops in amazement. He backs away from me, and it is then I finally take in his full appearance.
Tobias is wearing his much fancier dress blues. His dark blue dress coat is straight back, single-breasted with three buttons on each side of the front. The shawl, lapel, and collar of the jacket look almost satin-like in appearance. His jacket is fastened together with a chain. Proximal to his hand on his jacket, about three inches above a half-inch circular silver braid, tracing the circumference of his wrist. Above his medals on the left side of the jacket are his wings, signifying him as a pilot. His six medals are proudly on display on his left chest of the jacket. His dress shirt is white with pleats, long sleeves with french cuffs, and is tucked into his pants. His cuff links are satin, mirrored, finished. He has four, satin, mirrored, finished studs in place of the buttons that match the cuff links. His bow tie is blue satin, his pants are dark blue to match his coat, and his cummerbund is dark blue as well. His shoes are shiny and black. My mouth feels sticky as my eyes sweep over his body. My brain and mouth won't communicate to form words as Tobias smiles at me. I thought he looked handsome in his service dress blues, but in his mess dress blues, I don't even know what words to use to describe him. Handsome seems an inadequate word in the English language. He gently takes my hand in his, whispering, "You know, we don't have to do this, If you aren't ready, I understand. I don't want you to feel like I am pushing you. I would never want you to feel that way especially when it comes to marriage. I want you to know that."
His words bring me out of my haze. "I know Tobias, but I want to do this. I want to be Mrs. Eaton today. I want to be your wife." A smile lights up his face as my words fall upon his ears.
Christina pops her head out the door at that moment, bursting our intimate bubbe, singing, "Love birds, are you ready to do this thing or what? Some of us don't have all day."
"Yeah, I am so ready," I giggle, lacing my fingers with Tobias's, I look at him one more time, and we walk into Town Hall together.
My eyes never leave his, with every step we take closer to the courtroom, my heartbeat hastens. When I see the door of the place where Tobias and I are going to promise to love each other for the rest of our lives, I feel ready to faint from excitement. Stepping into the tiny room, I expect it to be bare and empty with only Will, Chris, Caleb, Cara, and Zeke, but it isn't. Shauna is standing next to Zeke smiling at us, along with Stephen and Mattie, they drove down from New Jersey for the wedding. Everyone smiles at us as we enter the decorated room. Christina decorated the white archway with red roses, laid red rose petals on the ground, and lit candles around the room. The room looks like something out of a storybook, not a courtroom, it looks soft and romantic. The judge greets our guests first, then he greets us, turning towards Tobias and me, asking, "Do you want traditional vows or did you write your own?"
Tobias shyly smiles, "I kind of wrote my own. Tris, I hope you never envisioned traditional vows. I didn't think traditional vows were very fitting for our situation." I nod my head, no, unable to believe the man standing in front of me is mine. He still wants to marry me after everything we have been through together. But will he stay married to me when he finds out one of my biggest secrets?
Tobias takes a deep breath, he looks into my eyes, and begins, "Tris, thank you for being my inspiration in everyday life. Because of you, you make me want to be a better man, a better person for you, and I promise to always stand by your side even when the times get hard. I promise to cry with you, to laugh with you, to love with you, and to grow in love with you more every single day of my life. I know I am not an easy man to love, but always know this; if my last words to you aren't; I love you, then know it is because I didn't have time to tell you. I know, I am asking a lot of you to stand by me through this deployment, and every deployment that gets handed to us, but I promise for as long as my heart beats it will be forever yours because it has been, since the moment I laid eyes on you in that Chicago airport all those months ago. I promise to be faithful to you, to honor you, and to love you with every ounce of my being. Beatrice Elizabeth Prior, without you, my world would be black, and I would be the shell of the man I am today, thank you for making me into who I am standing before you." Tobias whispers, his fingertips catch my tears, he mouths, "I love you."
I smile at him, mouthing, "Love you," to him. My heart pounds loudly in my ears, staring into his dark blue eyes. I take a deep breath, preparing to pour my heart out to him, whispering, "Tobias, I used to feel defective, but you stitched me back up. One time, I told you, I was damaged goods because that is what I believed myself to be. You helped me to see myself as not defective, not damaged goods, and I want to thank you for that. With you by my side, I know, I can do anything, be anything, because you love me, more than anyone has ever loved me. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I'm glad it was you who knocked me flat on my butt in the airport, and it was you who had the only empty seat next to them. Tobias, I love you, and I will always love you until I take my last dying breath. You are the only one for me in this world. I promise to be your best friend, to be the one to knock you down a few pegs when your head gets too big for your shoulders Captain Eaton, and to protect your heart, to be your co-pilot in life when life gets to be too much. My dear Tobias, I love you with all my heart and soul. Without you, my life would be incomplete. You complete me like no one else in this world ever could. Tobias Aaron Eaton, I promise to protect your heart, to love you, to honor you, and to be faithful to you. I promise to be your wife from this day forward, to always be there for you when you need me, and to always be your cheerleader."
His glassy eyes meet mine, my words full of lifelong promises wash over his ears. I don't hear another word the judge says, all I remember is Tobias taking my left hand, placing my wedding band back onto my ring finger, as he did in May after our Vegas wedding, he slides my engagement ring back into place on top of the wedding band, he kisses my fingers, his lips lingering on my rings which will remain forever on my finger. Then, it is my turn to slide Tobias's plain rose gold band onto his left hand as I repeat the same words after the judge, words I don't comprehend. All I see and know at that moment is Tobias and I are moments away from being pronounced husband and wife. My heart beats rapidly in my chest. Seeing him with our wedding ring on his finger, makes my heart speed up even more than I thought possible, knowing that we are married. Next thing I know, Tobias is leaning toward me, whispering against my lips, "My wife," I grin at him, whispering, "My husband!"
His fingertips skate over my cheeks, his eyes meet mine. He looks at me happily, his nose touches mine, his hands move to the back of my neck, cupping it. His lips brush against mine slowly, full of intent. I become absorbed in the kiss, my whole world becomes Tobias, I forget about our friends surrounding us at that moment. It feels like we are in the comfort of our home. I only know I am kissing my husband for the very first time. He takes me by surprise, lifting me off the ground. My hands go to his shoulders to maintain my balance. When our lips part for a second, puffs of air intermix together, our foreheads touch, and we both try to breathe. His eyelids close, his soft lips press to capture mine again. My eyelids flutter close. I swear at that moment, I can taste the next sixty years of my life with him, and I love it. I love where I see Tobias and me, I can see us growing old together, surrounded by our family and friends. Our bubble is broken when Christina, Will, Caleb, and Cara begin to loudly scream and clap. Zeke begins to whistle. Shauna and Stephen begin to noisily clap, and Mattie begins to jump up and down, happily screaming and clapping. Tobias and I turn towards our friends, smiling, and at that moment my heart has never felt so full.
Thoughts? Opinions? Please review and let me know what you thought of this chapter. Tris and Four are married for real finally! What do you think Tris's secret is that she is afraid to tell Tobias, the one that she refers to as her biggest secret, and she is afraid he won't stay married to her? I'll try to update as scheduled which would be the weekend of March 14th, sine I'm not entirely sure what my life looks like at this point in time, so I'm not making any promises.