Hey readers, here is the next chapter. Thank you to everyone who continues to support this story through your various ways. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. I don't own Divergent. I only own the plot idea, any military-related mistakes are mine. Just a friendly reminder, I have taken some liberties in regards to the military to make things more interesting for this story. Just a quick note there is a little bit of a time jump from this chapter from the last one. Happy Reading!

I am going to answer some guest comments that I couldn't PM, so bare with me.

#1 Guest: Tris was attempting to get answers to a question which she didn't get about Stacy's baby daddy. I guess you will have to keep reading to find out who is behind the pictures that Tris is receiving. Sam did make it worse in the beginning when he showed up at the bar, but he did say Tris was married. He just didn't tell Stacy who she was married to. Stacy is the one who assumed it was to him. I would be angry as well if I were Tris if I found out my husband was still being pursued by his ex-girlfriend, but at the end of the day, I believe it comes down to trust in a relationship and your significant other. As far as the sweater and why it's still around, I guess that's a question for Tobias to answer whenever he's confronted about it.

Rebecca: My lips are sealed on the paternity. I guess you will have to keep reading. Sorry.

#2 Guest: Stacy is trouble. She is always up to trouble. I find it interesting that you don't trust Sam. I guess you will have to keep reading to find out if your theory about him comes true or not. I agree, Tris needs to be careful, especially with Tobias's history and with Stacy.

Sarchair: My lips are sealed on the baby's paternity.

Sarah: I guess you will have to keep reading to find out if your theory is correct about the baby's paternity. Also, if I were Tris I would be extremely hurt over the idea of him having an child with another woman.

Chapter 30: Grumpy Valentine

When I walk into the kitchen, my eyes fall on the calendar hanging on the wall. A bright red heart is drawn around today's day, Valentine's Day. It's a crappy holiday when your husband is deployed thousands of miles away. My mind drifts . . . Tobias should have been coming home today. I sigh, grabbing the black marker from the counter to mark off another night I have survived without him here.

My eyes catch sight of the beautiful roses Tobias sent me earlier this week: an apology for not being home. It doesn't help, and my heart still aches for him. I still miss him. I still want to lie in bed and cry all day, but Sam and Chris won't let me, even on Valentine's day. They text me throughout the day. My phone vibrates with another text from Sam in our group chat. Meet me outside? Christina adds, Yes, come play in the fresh snow! Groaning, I text, Where? The message bubbles continue, but no message comes through from either Sam or Chris.

Reluctantly, I find myself in the closet, attempting to find a heavy coat, boots, hat, and gloves. When I check my phone again, right before opening the front door, I still have no texts. I write, Where? I'm leaving the house now. Pulling open the heavy door, my eyes land on Sam, Chris, and Will, all standing outside, each is holding a piece of a sign with a part of a sentence on it. The sign reads: Tris, Will you be our Valentine?

Instantly, the tears flood to my eyes at their sweet notion. I giggle, "You suck!" My sadness is overtaken by the happiness I feel thinking about what great friends I have, as the tears spill down my cheeks. Chris whispers, "I know how lousy it is to spend Valentine's Day alone, especially when it's your first one together." Her eyes dart toward Will. He shrugs his shoulders, grumbling, "I couldn't avoid it. I still can't help when I have to leave and you know that." Will's eyes turn toward me. He grins and says, "Now, Tris, the question is, do you want to build a snowman?" He playfully sings the last part of his statement. A giggle escapes my lips at his outburst. Chris reaches for my hand, I willingly take it. She drags me up the road to an open field full of untouched snow.

We spend the afternoon playing in the snow like a bunch of teenagers. Something I never did when I was one. We make an enormous snowman, who is taller than Sam, and we flop on the powdery ground to make snow angels. Will begins to launch snowballs at me, but Sam and I tag team against him and Christina. For some reason, Will continues to throw snowballs at Chris, even though she is on his team. His aim is lethal with a snowball, and Sam's shot isn't bad either. While tossing a snowball at Will, I can't help but wonder how Tobias's aim would have been, considering he has to go to a gun range every so often to practice shooting.

Suddenly, I'm drawn from my thoughts when Sam tugs me down into the snow. I land on my back next to him. Laughter escapes my lips when I see a snowball fly through the air, hitting Christina in the face. Will darts behind a tree, chuckling at her deadly facial expression. She tosses her hands up into the air, yelling, "That was freaking cold, William Kennedy! I quit this awful game! Sam and Tris, you win, and Will is a horrible partner! He doesn't know what being on a team means since he keeps hitting me with snowballs instead of you two!"

Will stalks toward her, grinning, "On the contrary, I do know how being on a team works." He picks her up into his arms, and she squeals when he tosses her into the snow. Will stands over her, smiling, "Sam and I made a back door deal. We were supposed to be on a team hitting you and Tris with snowballs, but it looks like he turned on me. Sam, you are a turncoat!" Sam laughs. Will picks up snow and begins to form it into a ball. Suddenly, Sam's laughter and smile disappear. Sam jumps up from the ground and takes off running, but he isn't quick enough. Will launches a snowball at Sam, hitting him directly in the face.

Another giggle slips from my lips. Suddenly, I feel something cold and wet hit my face. I turn to glare at Sam. He is smiling sheepishly at me. I yell, "You are a dead man walking!" Sam laughs while I form a snowball. I toss it at him, smacking him in the chest. After I throw the snowball, I announce, "Come on, let's go warm up. We can have some hot chocolate and dry off in front of the warm fireplace."

I begin to walk down the street with everyone following behind me. Opening the door, I walk to the kitchen to start the water for the hot chocolate. Christina pulls out a bag of chocolate hearts from inside her coat. She offers me a piece while we sit on the couch. I mumble, "Now, this is a good Valentine's Day." The only thing that could have made it better would have been talking to Tobias, but I know I won't be talking to him. I spoke to him a few days ago, and he told me he would be too busy to call me today.

A knock on the door breaks our conversation in the room. I nervously stand to answer the door. Who is knocking at this hour of the night? Shauna is standing on the porch with her phone in hand. She is on Facetime with someone. She murmurs, "Okay, Zeke, I'm here." She hands me her phone, smiling, "Hey Tris!" She sits on the couch next to Christina, who shoots her a questioning look.

Glancing at the phone, I don't see anything. There is a lot of background noise. Suddenly, Zeke appears on the screen, smiling, "Tris, are you ready to see something amazing? Something that will blow your mind?" I smirk, "Sure." He continues, "Something that will make your day or maybe even your week!" Zeke doesn't wait for my answer. Instead, he flips the camera. My screen fills with Tobias sitting in a chair. He is smiling shyly and is holding a sign that reads: Will you be my Valentine, now and always?

Tears fill my eyes at his sweet sentiment. I bite my lip to keep from crying. I giggle, "Well, I already kind of have three valentines this year. Maybe you can put in an application for next year, but I suppose you can be my valentine now and forever." Tobias smiles brightly, replying, "Happy Valentine's Day, I love you." I answer, "Happy Valentine's Day, Tobias!" A smile tugs at my lips, watching him get off the chair, leaving the sign on the ground. His fingers touch his lips, as he blows me a kiss. He smirks, "Sam, do you mind giving me a hand here, since I can't do this myself at the moment. Can you bring her outside?"

I stare at Sam. A mischievous grin appears on his lips when he answers, "You got it!" I ask, "What are you doing, Tobias?" Sam grabs hold of my fingers, leading me outside. A giggle escapes my lips when I notice it's snowing outside. I murmur, "It's snowing, Tobias. I wish you were here to see how beautiful it is." Sam takes his cellphone from his pocket and begins to play a classical song. He takes the phone while I attempt to hold his hands, and he spins me around in a circle like he once did at Prom.

I hold the phone while continuing to stare at Tobias. I laugh at the awkward situation. Tobias grins, "When I proposed to you, I promised to dance with you when it was cold outside. I'm holding up my end of the bargain." Tobias's smile fills the screen. I close my eyes and it almost feels like Tobias is actually here, dancing and twirling me around in the falling snow. When the song ends, I know my short time with him is almost over. He whispers, "I'm sorry I need to cut this call short, but I need to go do military things." That's code for something dangerous. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from crying, already feeling the distance creep back between us. I hate this feeling!

I reply, "Okay, go be Superman." Tobias blows me one more kiss before handing the phone back to Zeke. Zeke is smiling and talking a mile a minute. I walk back to the couch to join Chris and Shauna. We speak with Zeke for a few minutes before he hangs up too. When the screen of Shauna's phone goes black, her mood deflates like a balloon as mine did when Tobias left the conversation. Attempting to cheer her up, I offer her a piece of chocolate, asking, "Do you want to watch a movie with us? We were getting ready to watch one of Will's all-time favorites, and no one should be alone on Valentine's Day."

Sinking back into the couch, she answers, "Absolutely, I would love to." Will raises an eyebrow, asking, "What movie is my favorite?" I giggle, beginning to sing, "Frozen, Mister, do you wanna build a snowman?" Will's cheeks turn bright red as he rolls his eyes at me, and I push the button to play Frozen on the television.

Thoughts and opinions on this chapter. I can't wait to hear them. What did you think of Tobias's Valentine's day surprise for Tris? The next chapter will be up on Monday March 29, 2021.