Hey Reader, I'm back after an extended hiatus with another chapter. Thanks to everyone who continues to read this story. Just a friendly reminder, I don't own Divergent, only the plot, and any military-related mistakes are mine. Also, I did take some liberties with this story in regards to the military to make it interesting. Happy Reading!
Chapter 46: First Anniversary
"Happy First Anniversary, Tobias," I whisper, gently placing my lips against his chest directly above where his heart beats. A smile curls against my lips at the thought: I have gotten to spend the last year of my life with a wonderful man. His rough fingers touch my cheek, replying, "Happy Anniversary, my beautiful wife. Asking you to marry me was the best decision I ever made, and I will never regret that day." A smile tugs at my lips at his truthful words while his lips brush against mine. I murmur, "Wait, which time was the best decision?" Already knowing his answer before it leaves his lips. He answers, "Both." His lips caress mine in a kiss that stops my world from spinning for a few minutes.
Pulling away from the kiss, a guilty look crosses Tobias's eyes when he mutters, "I wish I could spend the day with you, but I am needed to help transfer a flight jet to a new location for some stupid reason, and it has to be today. I won't be back until tomorrow at the earliest, but likely it won't be until the day after. I'm so sorry."
I sigh, grinning while attempting to lighten the mood, "It's okay. I knew not every day would be hearts and flowers when I married you." A frown settles onto Tobias's lips. I know he feels horrible about not getting to spend the day with me on our first wedding anniversary. My lips press against his while he whispers, "Well, Mrs. Eaton, I intend to give you hearts and flowers for the rest of our lives, so plan on getting used to it." His lips graze against my forehead, and his fingertips brush the hair from my face as I ask, "Do you want me to drive you to the airport?"
He shakes his head, grinning, "No, but I would like your company on the ride while I drive us," flipping me onto my back, hovering over me, continuing, "But first, I need to give you your present." I sigh, "I don't need anything, really, Tobias. All I need is for you to come home safely. You know that." Tobias smiles, "I wish I knew that was all you wanted. I wouldn't have gone through all the trouble of putting together your gift." My eyes instantly tear at the thoughtfulness of him, making me a gift for our anniversary. Peter never did such a thing. Internally, I roll my eyes at myself for comparing Tobias to Peter again. Tobias continues, "In your side drawer, if you open it, you will find cards from me to open, whenever you are feeling sad, lonely, or anything in between, that you may experience when I'm gone on a mission or deployed."
At his words, my heart skips a beat, my eyes meet his deep blue stormy ones, asking, "Wait. Are you trying to tell me something?" I hold my breath while I wait for him to answer. He whispers, "No, I promise, I'm not. I haven't heard anything, and if I did, you would be the very first one to know." He leans down, and his nose runs along my cheek gently, sending chills up my spine while his lips connect with mine. His fingertips run up my sides, and instantly my mind forgets whatever our conversation was. I can only concentrate on our fingers, how they feel against my skin, and the tingling sensation they leave behind. My fingertips graze over Tobias's stomach, playing with the band of his boxer briefs. Glancing into his eyes, I whisper, "I love you."
He whispers between the kisses he places onto the skin of my chest, "And...I...you..." Together we slip into our personal bliss where the world can't hurt us.
-Darkest Before The Light-
Gentle kisses on my forehead rouse me from my peaceful slumber. My eyes spring open to find Tobias wrapping a sheet around my naked body. He whispers, "Sleep, my love," into my ear while I drift back to dreamland. Tobias rouses me from sleep once again to drive to the airport, and my heart sinks when my eyes open, finding him standing in his flight uniform. My heart always hurts whenever he has to leave. I always have this irrational fear in my mind: something horrible will happen to him.
I shake the thought from my mind and quickly dress, following Tobias out the door to the truck. The truck ride to the airfield is filled with one-sided conversations; Tobias is the only one speaking. "Tris, what do you want to do once I get back? We can go to the beach for the day. Do you want to have a weekend getaway to New York?" He pauses, waiting for my response to his questions.
Rough fingers wave in front of my eyes, catching my attention, drawing me out of my thoughts, from the same question that has been plaguing my mind since I woke to stare at him in his flight uniform. Tobias glances at me at a stoplight, asking, "Are you even paying attention to me?" I whisper, "Yeah," coming out of my mind. Tobias lifts an eyebrow, replying, "Then what do you want to do?" I shrug my shoulders, responding, "Whatever you want. I have never been sightseeing in New York before."
Tobias quips an eyebrow, asking curiously, "Didn't Christina and Will used to live in New York?" I answer, "She lived outside the city and had to work in the city all week. She never wanted to go into the city on the weekends. Also, I have never been with you." Tobias smiles, "Well then, I guess we will take a train to New York City for the weekend. Planning this trip will give me something to think about on this long-ass flight I'm about to take." A giggle escapes my lips, "Shouldn't you be paying attention to flying a multi-billion dollar plane?" Tobias rolls his eyes, laughing, "I could fly in my sleep, but don't tell anyone I told you that."
"Where do you get to fly to today?" I ask. Where in the world is my husband being sent off to now? Tobias replies, "Alaska." I zone out, not hearing the rest of his response. My mind drifts back to all the what-ifs in our life. Will I be able to get pregnant? If I were able to, would Tobias want a baby with me? Would he stay?
A musical male voice says, "Earth to Tris!" My mind immediately snaps back to reality at his words. "Yeah," my head whips, looking at Tobias. It's then I realize we are already at the airfield, standing outside the truck. Tobias lowers his voice, leaning his forehead against mine, "I'm still here. You can talk to me about anything. I love you." His fingertips touch my chin, drawing my eyes up to his. I try to pay attention to him while he tries to uncover what I have been thinking about since leaving the house. I whisper, "I know. I'm not ready to talk about it."
My brain quickly darts to the appointment I made with the doctor to discuss how to make Tobias' and my dream of starting a family a reality. My palms are sweaty, thinking about seeing the doctor over an issue I already have answers to. I don't know why I'm getting my hopes up over having a baby. I feel stupid for considering a second opinion. Secretly, I was hoping Tobias would be there with me to hold my hand as I received the final nail in my biological coffin. Now, I'll have to see the look of disappointment in his eyes when I tell him the truth: I'm broken, and I will never be able to have a baby biologically.
My eyes glance at Tobias, but I'm not looking at him. Tobias's lips brush against mine, bringing my mind back to the present. His fingertips brush against my cheek, whispering, "Talk to me, Tris. Don't block me out." My eyes automatically dart to my feet, and they close, taking in the warmth of his hand against my cool skin. His fingers move my hair behind my ears while he murmurs, "I love you," his lips push against mine. He pulls away from the kiss, leaving me wanting more, making me forget all the thoughts I have previously been worrying about. A look of concern flashes through his dark blue eyes. I shrug my shoulders, waving his questions away. I force a smile onto my face, trying to assure him. He pulls me tightly against his chest, and I don't want him to let go. I want more time with him. While hugging him, I slide into his back pocket, his anniversary present. It's a small box with a watch inside. On the back of the watch, I engraved: I love you more and more every second.
A smile tugs at Tobias's lips while he pulls away. He mouths, "I love you," walking away toward his waiting jet. I wave, mouthing, "I love you. Come home to me." He shyly returns my wave before leaving my sight, climbing up the ladder into his jet to begin pre-flight checks with the men standing on the tarmac. A flash of red hair catches the corner of my eye, taking my attention from Tobias's plane. My eyes land on Stacy standing next to the truck. I glare at her. What the hell is she doing here? Images of Stacy crying appear in my mind. I blink my eyes, and she vanishes. My phone vibrates in my pocket. Two messages appear on the screen. The first message from Tobias: I love you, and don't ever forget that. Thank you for the gift. Happy Anniversary baby. The second message is from the unknown number again. I delete it, not reading it. Another one pops up instantly. Tris Prior, I'm so happy you are alone now. Meet me at the local bar. My curiosity gets the better of me. I respond to the text message, knowing I shouldn't engage this unknown person. I type, Where do you want to meet? Which local bar?
My phone vibrates before I have a chance to put it back into my pocket with another message: The same place your husband met his ex-girlfriend. Be there in four hours. A shiver rockets up my spine, reading the text message for the fifth time. My stalker was at the bar watching Tobias and me interact with Stacy and was watching our friends all night long. Tobias's jet zooms off the runway, leaving me feeling alone on this base.
A loud orange and white helicopter lands on the airstrip, where Tobias's jet left. The pilot exits the aircraft in a bright orange jumpsuit with another man. His head snaps toward me, slowly walking toward me. The closer he inches, the wider his smile becomes. Finally, he can't contain himself and breaks out into a run, yelling, "Tris!" He says my name as if I'm the best thing he has seen in his life. I giggle, "Sam!" His arms envelop me, swinging me off the ground momentarily while people stare, continuing, "What are you doing here?"
He grins, "Search and rescue stuff." I reply, "Sounds like fun. Do you have any plans?" A plan begins to develop in my mind. He quips an eyebrow, taking a step back, asking, "What are you planning and for when?" I stare into his eyes. This man knows me too well from our years together when we were younger. Quietly, I murmur, "What are you doing in four hours?" Sam studies me, "What is this about?" Sam smiles, grasping my hand, pulling me away from the runway as another huge jet takes off. Sam smirks, "I can't have my favorite person get run over." Dramatically, I roll my eyes at him, showing him the text message, and filling him in briefly on the pictures and the notes I have been receiving. Sam stands before me, shaking his head the entire time while I speak. He asks, "Does Four know about all this?"
I nod, whispering, "Everything except the last text message. Sam rolls his shoulders in frustration, snapping, "And, he hasn't done anything about it yet? Why?" I roll my eyes at Sam while he continues, "You aren't leaving my sight until Four returns from wherever the Air Force sent him this time." I sigh, "That is completely unnecessary!"
Sam replies, "I don't think so. I think we should even have Will and Chris stay over for extra precaution since I have to work some of the time." Sam glances at me with a look of finality. I groan, "Whatever, you say. Do you need a ride home?" Sam laughs, "No thanks, I'm good. I have some paperwork left I need to finish. I will pick you up at your house in a little bit. Call Chris and have her come over to stay with you." He commands, letting go of my wrist before heading back to his helicopter, taking off again.
Driving back to the house, I can barely contain my tears from falling from my eyes. As soon as the door shuts, I'm racing toward the bedroom, reaching for my pillow so that the ugly tears I have been holding in since watching Tobias take off in his jet can finally fall. I never imagined Tobias' and my first wedding anniversary would be spent apart, away from one another. When I said I do, I knew what I was getting into, but I didn't realize how hard it would be, not until moments like this. I hate having to say goodbye to him on the tarmac only days after he has returned to me.
Against my better judgment, I drag myself from bed to the bathroom, open the cabinet, and grab the hiding pregnancy test. My heart flutters, holding the little white stick between my fingertips. I know what it's going to read, but maybe this time it won't. I send a silent prayer to whoever is listening, setting the timer on my cellphone. I pace the entire time. When the timer beeps, my heart beats rapidly in my chest, reaching for the stick. My heart breaks into a million pieces when I read: Not pregnant. I throw it across the bathroom in frustration. The tears slide down my face, and I sink to the floor. I want to have a family with Tobias. I want it more than air itself. We have been actively trying, but nothing is working. Why can't I be ordinary? I wish I could be a regular woman!
After I have cried all the tears I can, I step into the shower in an attempt to wash the day off my body. I try to scrub away all the pain and sadness. In my mind, I begin to formulate a plan for the evening. Who is the mystery person? Is it Stacy? If it isn't, then who is it. Is she trying to scare me away from Tobias? If she is trying to cause a breakup between Tobias and I, she has another thing coming. I step out of the shower, reaching for my gray, fluffy towel. My eyes are drawn to the steamed mirror where I spot letters written in the steam. Tris, I see you.
A petrified scream escapes my lips, reading the message. I wrap the towel tighter around my body, wishing Tobias was here. A male voice yells, "Tris, are you okay?" From the living room. I whisper, "Who. . . Who is there?" Peaking out the window of the french doors that lead into the living. The outline of a male can be seen, and my heart leaps into my throat. I toss on a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt and pick up the baseball bat Tobias has hiding under the bed. Slowly, I walk out the door, looking for the intruder. My ears pick up noise, and I swing. The baseball bat is met by a open hand and a male voice, " It's me, Sam. What the hell happened, Tris? Why wasn't your front door locked after everything you told me this afternoon?" Sam stares, as a million questions fly through his eyes at once while he pushes the bat to the ground. A chill creeps up my spine, whispering, "It was." I spin around the room, looking for whoever wrote the message on the bathroom mirror.
My voice trembles, asking, "Sam, did you write a message on the mirror in the bathroom to freak me out?" Hoping maybe I'm making a bigger deal out of this than I need to be. Sam stares at me like I have gone crazy, replying, "No, why?"
My eyes rove around the room once again, searching for an invisible person. I say, "There was a message written there, and I know I locked my front door." At my words, Sam's soft fingertips yank me out the door. I almost trip over my own feet while I eye him. What the hell is going on? Sam stands outside the house. His arms crossed over his chest, and his voice has a serious note when he answers, "I swear, Tris. I would never do something like that. Especially after what you told me has been happening to you. I think you should stay at Chris's house until Four gets home." My eyes catch on a motorcycle with neon blue rims parked near the house. Pointing at the bike, I ask, "What the hell is that?" I attempt to change the conversation. Sam smirks, "That, my dear Miss Prior, is a motorcycle. Don't hate on my bike! It's my baby!" He says the statement like I have hurt his feelings. I giggle, "No wonder you can't get a woman!" I playfully roll my eyes. Sam walks toward the bike, I follow, and he hands me a helmet from the seat, grinning, "I don't want a woman."
"Mmm." I acknowledge, slipping a pair of Tobias's aviators over my eyes. My eyes glance at the two-wheel death machine. I remark, "There is no way in hell I'm getting on the back of that thing. You are going to kill me with your driving. Not to mention, Tobias would have a bird if he knew I was on the back of a bike." Sam lifts an eyebrow, crossing his arms once again, asking, "Why?" I cross my arms, replying, "It's dangerous."
Playfully, Sam leans closely, asking, "Do you always do what Tobias says? Come on, Tris! Where is your sense of adventure in life?" He holds out the helmet to me, continuing, "I'll drive safely. I promise." I smile, "Tobias is nothing like Peter if that is what you are thinking." Sam quips, "I'm not, but you are the one comparing now." I roll my eyes, "I have had plenty of adventure in this life. I don't plan on getting myself killed today because of you." Sam tosses the black, shiny helmet at me, and I catch it between my hands. He rolls his eyes sarcastically, grinning, "Just so you know, I'm a great driver now, unlike high school."
I giggle, "Why am I having a hard time believing you?" Sam shrugs his shoulders. I resume, "If you are such a wonderful driver, why in high school did you rear-end a parked car in the school parking lot while we escaped last period?" Sam rubs his face, groaning, "That happened once, years ago. Are you ever going to let me live that down? I recall things a little differently."
When I slip the helmet onto my head, a smile tugs at his lips. He checks my helmet, making sure it's secure. He hops onto the bike. I murmur, "Of course you do. How exactly do you remember things happening? Sam holds his hand out to help me onto the back, replying, "You should call Four to tell him about the mirror today." His eyes hold a note of seriousness in them."
"I will! Now, answer my question!" I demand while Sam chuckles, "I recollect you wanted to go to swim practice with me, and I had permission to leave early. You told me you had a pass to leave early too, but you lied to me, Prior. You were trying to avoid Peter and his crew."
I shrug my shoulders, sighing, "Perhaps," thinking of all the happy memories I have from the days I spent with Sam in high school until junior year when I became too wrapped up in Peter and his world. I let him take over my life, control who I could be friends with, and, finally, in college Peter became so toxic, that he forbade me from seeing Sam or else he would kill Sam. Sam's voice becomes quiet and, changing the subject, "Tris, you need to tell Four about the mirror. If it were me, I would want to know. I wouldn't want secrets between us. I would desire to know everything that was happening while I was gone." I mutter, "I will, once he comes home. There is nothing he can do from thousands of miles away except give himself an anxiety attack, thinking something bad is going to happen to me." Sam's eyes meet mine in an understanding moment. I smirk, "Plus, I got you. You won't let anything happen to me, right?"
His eyes snap shut, and he heavily exhales, sighing, "Whatever you say, Prior, but if I were Four, I would be pissed that you didn't tell me immediately. I would want to know, anxiety or not. Are you ready for whatever we are about to do? If you were with me, you definitely wouldn't be running around on another guy's bike either."
A giggle escapes my lips, "Well, I guess it's a good thing. I'm married to Tobias and not you. I am ready to get this meeting over with. I need to know who the hell is sending these text messages." Sam stares quickly, smiling, and he starts the bike. It rumbles to life beneath my feet. The sensation is much like the times I have flown with Tobias. I'm drawn out of the memories of flying with Tobias. Sam takes off like a bat out of hell. I scream at the top of my lungs. Sam grabs ahold of my hands, wrapping them tighter around his waist. I hold on for dear life, yelling, "I'm going to kill you, Sam McKenzie!"
Thoughts and opinions on this chapter? Who do you think is behind the message on the mirror? Do you think it is right of Tris not to say anything to Tobias while he's gone? Please review. Just a small note with the posting frequency of this story, I have tried my hardest to update twice a month, but I can't do it anymore, unfortunately, there is a lack of time in my life between working most weeks over 40 hrs a week and my long commute for work. This story will be updated once a month. The next chapter will be posted sometime in February. Until then everyone stay safe!