AND WE'RE BACK!
Happy Reading Everyone!
Comment below, let us know what your thoughts are.
Chapter 20
Emily
Tobias' POV
I felt grateful to Tris when she easily agreed to meeting me at Chuck E Cheese with Emily. I think a part of me thought she would never forgive me, let alone allow me to even see our daughter, but thankfully she did. Although I know she will be watching me like a hawk. I can't blame her for that. I would too, after what I have put her through in the past.
I stood up the moment I saw them. I waved, feeling somewhat foolish. Tris didn't disappoint as she returned the smile and wave as her and Emily walked towards where I was. I wanted to so badly reach out and touch them both, to hold them in my arms. But I knew that would be too soon. Tris and I both agreed that it would be best to let Emily know what was needed to know, and nothing more for the time being. And I, being her father, she doesn't need to know that this soon. I know I deserved that one.
"Hi." I said, glancing between both Tris and our daughter. Our daughter. My eyes quickly pointed out the similarities between Tris and Emily and then Emily and I. She has my blue eyes, my nose and chin. She has her mother's beautiful smile, her blonde hair and of course, her beauty. A perfect image of the both of us. "Are you girls ready to have some fun?" I say, after an awkward moment. Yup, that wasn't a weird question to ask at all. A strange man, asking an… An…. Eight years old if she is ready to have some fun.
"YEP!" Emily shouts out, her excitement reminds me of Tris when she was younger.
"Well good, I am too," I say, my smile getting wider than it has in years.
"Emily, this is my friend…The one that I told you about," Tris begins.
"All my friends call me Four." I finished for her.
"Four." Emily giggles. I see from the corner of my eyes, Tris' amusement. Probably remembering the last time someone had the courage to question my name
"Yeah. Well, One, two and three were taken." I respond, knowing that only Tris would get that line.
"You're funny." Emily blurts out, giggling.
I lose track of time, for the first time caught up in the now and not so much in the past or the hope for the future.
My heart swells each time I hear my daughter's laughter and see her beautiful smile. The hammer game catches her attention for the longest time. She lifts the hammer, giggling as she brings it down with all of her might each time she sees something pop up. I'm amazed at how stubborn and determined she is to hiit the object that pops up. Never once losing her temper. Instead, she looks as if she is inspecting them each time they pop up. She takes notice of the pattern. It's then that I see it, the perfect balance she has of both me and Tris. She has Tris' patience and smarts and my aiming skills and focus.
"Yum… I love pepperoni!" Emily says, jumping up and down in her seat. I laugh as I watch her pick off the round meaty goodness off of her slice and pop it into her mouth. Her smile grows, and she jumps in her seat even higher when it touches her tongue. I take a large bite out of my slice, loving the idea that she loves pepperoni just like I do.
Good, I would be disappointed if she would like pineapple and ham on pizza like Tris does. I remember the arguments, compromising at the end and ordering the pizza half pepperoni and half pineapple and ham… Even if it's against nature.
"Hey, your eyes…" Emily says, grabbing my attention as her head tilts slightly as if to get a better look. She stares directly at me, curiosity in her eyes. For a moment my hopes flare thinking that by some miracle she figured out that I am her father. "They look just like mine." She says, softly. It melts my heart hearing her say that.
Soon after the pizza runs out and Emily is just about jumping in her seat to play again. I let her lead the way through the billions of games and arcades. She settles for the hammer game again for another few rounds. I shake my head thinking how much like her mother and I she truly is. I'm surprised at how long she lasts on it, playing round after another.
I watch as she constantly glances back at Tris who is sitting at the booth, happily watching us. Emily's eyes close a little more and more each time she glances back at Tris. I glance down at my watch, noticing the hour. What time should little girls go to bed? We are closing in at eight PM. Emily finishes up her final round, she walks almost dragging her feet back to the booth. She holds her little arms up for Tris to take her. My heart swells as I watch Tris lovingly take our daughter into her arms and onto her lap with no hesitation.
"I tired her out!" I whisper, as I take my seat back at the booth.
"That you did," Tris says, giving me a small smile.
"You did good, Tris. She's a great kid," I compliment her, because it's the truth.
"Well I can't take all of the credit… We have great friends." She says, reminding me of all that I owe to everyone that I left behind. I owe them everything for caring for Tris and our daughter when I clearly couldn't.
"So Emily, huh?" I begin, "Figures you would name her after your favorite author." Of course, I recognized the name the moment I read it off the file. The countless hours we spent taking turns reading the endless books of Emily Dickinson. Her cheeks warm under my words. Did she think I would actually forget that?
"It seemed like the best fit for her." She says, softly.
"So Marcus… he sent you money?" It's a low blow question, I know. But I don't want any secrets between us. I saw the records, I want her to know that I know. I'm more than fine with it. Of course, I would have preferred to be here myself but… At least Tris had some kind of help.
"He demanded a DNA test when she was born. Zeke and I both tried everything with him, to get to you. We even tried a few rounds with Amar. Nothing worked." I can see she feels the need to explain to me what happened, but that's not necessary…
"Tris, you don't have to explain. I'm glad you got at least that… I just wish I was there and not just…" I say, letting my words trail off.
"Where have you been, Tobias?" She asks, kissing Emily's head.
"Nowhere special," I answer, truthfully. Because it's the truth, Tris has always and always will be my home and where I belong. Anywhere else is nowhere special.
"With women that could offer you more than me, I bet." She responds, I can hear the hurt in her voice. I hate that I am the one that put it there.
"Don't think for a minute, I have ever been interested in any other girl that wasn't you."'
I offer to carry Emily out to Tris' car. I'm so pleased when Tris easily gives in, not hesitating to hand her over to me. I cradle her in my arms, softly stepping through the building and out to the parking lot. I breathe her delicious scent in, loving the smell and the feel of her in my arms. I wish this moment could last forever, to never have to let her go. I wonder if Tris felt this way when she was born, as if she could easily watch her every minute for the rest of her life. That's how I feel right now, this very minute.
Tris opens the back door to her car widely, allowing me to gently place Emily into her seat and buckle her up. My heart breaks into pieces when I no longer feel the weight of her in my arms. I kiss her little, sweet forehead, wishing her goodnight and sweet dreams and begin the countdown to the next time I will see her. I shut the door softly as I straighten up. Staring at Emily through the window before I turn my attention to her gorgeous mother. Without another word, I guide Tris to her door. Feeling every step another crack in my heart. Without a word, I open her door and kiss her forehead, wishing her goodnight and sweet dreams like I did with our daughter. It's the only thing I can do to not fall apart.
"Goodnight, Tris," I say softly, leaning a little further to rest my forehead against hers.
"Goodnight, Tobias." She replies as she slips into her car and away from me.
I hate the thought of being away from her, away from them. But I hope that the future will give us all the opportunities that we once didn't have. The chance of a possible one day. I watch as they pull out of the parking space and pull away.
My eyes crease together as I watch a black four door car with a man in it peel out behind them and head in the same direction as them. I shake the dreadful feeling that I have, as I walk back to my own car. It's just a car, headed in the same direction… Nothing to worry about. After all, Tris and Emily are now safe from the Monster that threatened us.
A.N
And just like that… We are back.
HAPPY AND SAFE 4TH OF JULY!
I want to express my thanks to all of you for the comments, love and support…for my father's recovery. Although the process is lengthy, he is back in his home now and getting into a nice routine. My kids, although they miss their grandfather, are happy to have their summer vacation back on track.
FDFobsessed and I are back at writing and working together on this project and planning for future projects as well. So keep those eyes open for more stories to come your way.
Revised by: FDFobsessed
Like always, happy reading everyone, stay safe and be healthy,
Trini
