Happy Reading Everyone!

Comment below, let us know your thoughts.

Chapter 16

Making it right

Tobias' POV

I walk slowly up to the bakery feeling as if I have a tail between my legs. It was somewhat of a rude awakening last night at Marcus' house. I had a feeling that there was a reason to marcus' sudden desire to have his only punching bag far away. I just didn't know what the reason was. Of course he would use Tris against me to make sure I stayed in line.

I wonder for a moment if things were different. If I actually knew about Emily before Marcus chased me out of town… Would I have reacted differently? To what extent would I have gone to protect my family?

Be as it may, wondering won't change the past…. There is only one thing I can do now, that is to make it right with Tris and our daughter. I'll do whatever it takes to make things right.

I swing the door open to the bakery with my right hand, stepping inside, I hear that now familiar chim as I enter. I look around, for a moment my stomach drops when I don't see any signs of Emily. But I remind myself it is Monday morning, so odds are she is in school. I step to the side, allowing a young woman with a giggling kid in her arms by. I can't help but wonder what Emily was like at that age. I'm reminded once again, at how much time I have lost with her, with both of them.

I take slow steps up to the counter, giving more time between Tris and the only customer in the bakery. I don't want to make her feel rushed or anything. Although this is the most uncomfortable I have ever felt around her.

I watch as her eyes take notice of me as I stand back giving her some space to work. She smiles at the customer, as she hands her what looks like a coffee and a brown bag. She wishes her a good day before she gives her a small smile back and leaves.

"Morning," Tris greets me. I can't tell if she is pleased, annoyed, or even expecting to see me. After what felt like hours of talking to Zeke last night… I learned quite a few things from him. Sure, it has been hard for Tris dealing with a teenage pregnancy alone. Facing not only being a mom for the first time, but also dealing with dozens of questions, accusations and judgments from everyone. Something that she shouldn't have had to deal with alone, but was forced to. After explaining to Zeke what really inspired that note I sent her and my reasons for leaving, it was him that convinced me to come and see Tris this morning. Nearly guaranteeing that Tris would be open to talking to me. I wasn't so sure, not after I just about ran out of here the other morning. I wouldn't talk to myself if I was her.

"Hi," I greet back, my hands in my pockets as I take the last steps up to the counter. "Can we talk?" I ask. We should talk. Figure this all out. I know what I want…

"I'm working." She states the obvious just as the door chimes open. Tris steps back, clearing her throat before greeting the customer.

"I know you are," I continued, refusing to give up so easily. I see she is still the stubborn woman I fell for long ago. I turn to nod at the customer that is standing at the counter. I just need to get this out. "How about later? A coffee, lunch, even a walk?" I ask, letting her know that the ball is in her court.

"Tobias…" She begins, but I don't let her finish.

"Please. We need to talk," I insist, seeing the internal fight inside of her beautiful blue-gray eyes.

"I'll have a break around one, if you want to come back around then. I'll talk to Chris, see if she can cover for me." She explains.

"One it is," I confirm, nodding. "I'll see you then." I begin to back away, smiling at her, "Thank you." I whisper, grateful that she is even willing to give me five minutes. I walked out of the bakery confident and for the first time in years… Scared out of my wits. I have no idea how in the world this is going to go.


I walk mindlessly down the streets of Chicago. I have hours till Tris and I agreed to meet. All I can think about are the words to explain my absence, to explain that hurtful letter I left her, to get her to understand. I don't expect anything, I lost that right, no thanks to Marcus. I just want a chance. A chance to explain, a chance to be there for Emily now.

I have a daughter.

Those words still amaze me. All this time, all these years, I didn't know. The thought of never knowing, being kept in the dark while my father…. My monster of a father kept her from me. I know he hated me, he must have, but I never thought he hated me this much. To keep me from her, from them.

I find myself just doors away from marcus' house. I'm not surprised that my feet brought me here. My thoughts and unleashed anger keep me coming back. I think of the file I found on Tris and Emily. It was full of countless pictures and notes on them. He knew everything. Where they lived, Emily's grades and her medical records, down to the friends that she associated with at school. He even kept close tabs on Tris' none existing dating life. I admit that last part I'm a little relieved about. Even if I don't have the right to feel anything… I still hate the thought of Tris being with another man. I haven't really been with anyone else since I left. Sure there have been dates, but they were obligations that I had to complete on Marcus' behalf. Nothing really ever happened between me and those women other than a few dates, hugs here and there and most a goodbye kiss.

A moving figure coming out of the house grabs my attention. My feet move, speeding up on their own accord. I reach Amar just in time before he has a chance to climb into the back seat of a black car. My blood boils as I reach him. My hands raise to his collarbone, holding him firmly on the sidewalk.

"You knew, didn't you?" I accuse my voice of being anything but pleasant.

"Tobias, what is the meaning of this?" Amar asks, innocently. But I can see the hesitation in his eyes. He did know.

"You fucking knew and didnt tell me that I have daughter," I continued, "Instead you helped him… HIM! After all the years you witnessed him beating me. You knew and still choose to help him." He began to shake his shirt loose, while I was losing control of my anger. "WHY?"

"Tobias, please. Let me explain." Amar pleads, forcing my hands to open and release his clothing. "Yes, I knew what was going on. Your father had a hard time doing anything without my help…" He continues, I can see the defeat in his face. "He threatened my family. The only family I had left. My sister and her kids. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to them. Marcus knew that." He explains. I run my hand through my hair. Knowing damn well that Marcus is more than capable of just what he says. "I did the best that I could… Making sure that Tris and your daughter were taken care of as I protected my own family? Isn't that what he did to you? Isn't that what he kept in your head?"

I'm breathless as I stand back. I'm torn between… A part of me knows that Amar had to do what he had to do. I did the same thing... But the other half, the father that lost so much time with his daughter… Can't help but hate him for his choice. I turn without another single word. This isn't worth another second of my time.


My hands shake with both excitement and anticipation as I reach the bakery. Reminding myself to have no expectations about the next hour. "The ball is in her court," Four. I tell myself.

My mind goes to the only time that the ball was ever in my court when it came to the matter of Tris. It led to this, years of being miserable, to missing out on my daughter's life, missing out on Tris…. I thought I was doing the right thing, staying away, protecting her… Protecting them. But instead I was a part of whatever game Marcus was playing.

I enter the bakery, taking note of how busy it is. People sitting in the limited booths that there are and crowding around, many in a long line needing to order. I proudly smile at the business Tris got herself into, no doubt it's a success.

My eyes fixate on Tris behind the customer, busy with filling orders and never once does her friendly smile falter. Christina is next to her, busing herself with God knows what. I admit seeing her surprises me. I never thought of her as a "get her hands dirty" type of girl. Funny, I always pictured her ending up on the red carpet or something. Tris waves her index finger towards me, signaling to give her a minute. I nod, having no problem waiting. After all, there isn't anywhere else I would rather or need to be. "Careful, Four. Slow it down. Remember no expectations," I continue to tell myself. I watch as Tris moves around smoothly, never faltering or becoming flustered. I see her say something to Chris, signaling my way. Chris doesn't disappoint, when she looks my way giving me the death glare. I guess some things haven't changed. In all honesty, I'm a little surprised that I have not been punched or yelled at by her yet, but then again the day is still young.

"Hi." Tris greets as she walks up to me. Her cheeks are red from embarrassment, just like I remember. "Sorry, for the wait."

"No worries. I get it. Shall we?" I ask, gesturing towards the door. Her lips press together into a thin line, as she nods and heads out the door. I already know from her lips, this isn't going to be easy. She is stubborn.

We make our way to Millennium Park in an awkward silence. I've scratched a hole in the back of my neck, not sure where to begin or how. Tris fiddles with her hands, looking at anything but me.

"Coffee?" I offer as we walk by a coffee stand.

"Sure." Tris says, a little too quickly.

We stand in line, feeling nothing but the tension between us. Maybe we should have found a stand that sells alcohol to give us both courage at this point. I let Tris order whatever she wants first, not surprised when she orders an ice coffee with caramel. She was always a sucker for carmel. Not wanting to make things more difficult, I hold up two fingers signaling to the barista to make it two.

I let Tris guide the way as we both take a seat on a nearby bench from where we got our drinks. I try so desperately not to stare at her. The woman that I've loved for more than half my life. I loved her for so long, never having the guts to tell her until that one night when the same feelings were staring back at me through her eyes. And it's hard not to stare at the same eyes that once held so much love for me. So I just stare at the open field before us. The green grass, the laughing children that are running around, the happy couples that seem to be enjoying a picnic or just enjoying each other. The irony doesn't escape me.

"So?" Tris begins, pausing for an awkward moment

I suppose I should be the one to speak first. To come out with what really happened, what lies had to be told. What lies had to be kept from her. And I hear Zeke's voice from the other night, telling me to be straight with her. To tell her everything and not to hold back.

" Tris, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for a lot of things," I start, "in all honesty I guess I don't know exactly where to start. There's just so much to say"

"How about the beginning?" Tris suggested. I nod, agreeing that would be the best place to start, which though, beginning my beginning, or her beginning. The moment I was born into a world that nobody wanted me, or a world where I wanted to be perfect for her.


A/N

Hope everyone that celebrates Memorial Day had a wonderful and safe day!

Because of personal events going on that are out of my control… We have decided that it is best to upload the chapter tonight.

Any thoughts on how this conversation will go between Tobias and Tris?

Any guesses?

Find out next week…

Revised by: FDFobsessed

Like always, happy reading everyone, be safe and stay healthy

Trini