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Chapter 22

Tobias, then Four and now Daddy!

Tobias' POV

I open the door to my hotel room with a heavy weight on my chest. I flick on the lights as I drop the hotel card and my cell phone on the small table that sits by the door. I sigh, looking around the small, lonely room that I have come to know almost a little too well the past few weeks.

It's nothing much. In fact it's nothing my father would approve of me spending money on. It's just your standard low end hotel room with double beds, a nightstand in the middle and a small awkward looking red couch with an average sized TV that sits on a long dresser. The furniture is black, which is the only color in the room other than the white, or what used to be white carpet. The comforters on the beds are blue.

I sit down on one of the two beds, kicking off my shoes and laying back on the bed. I stare at the ceiling, thinking about the day that I just had.

Emily might have my blue eyes, but she has her mother's beautiful smile. Just like her mother's, it melts my heart. All she would have to do is shine that smile… and I know I will bend to her will. I can picture being one of those father's that people joke about. Giving in, handing over the cash or credit cards or even the keys to the car. Anything to make my little girl happy.

Emily was so excited to show me around the house. At first I felt completely awkward and out of place as Emily tugged me in the direction that she wanted to go. I glanced back at Tris, worried that this was a bad idea. After all, this isn't my house. I have no right to just roam around in it. But Tris' amusement calmed all those nerves. As if she was pleased to see Emily and I together, it didn't matter that I was barging in and walking around their house.

Emily loved and just glowed as she showed me around. However, I did wonder if she gave that tour before, as she explained each and every object, room, and picture to me, especially her room.

Her room, that's when she opened the door, she rushed in throwing her arms in the air and spun around in circles. The room was everything that I would imagine it should be for a girl her age. Her walls are painted purple, which I found out easily is her favorite color. She has a canopy bed with purple and pink bedding, with a nightstand that is white that has a star nightlight on it. She was just as excited to introduce me to her dolls and her favorite teddy's that all sat nicely in a net above a corner on the wall. I was surprised at the amount of kid's books that she had collected on her bookshelf over the years. But most of all, I couldn't help but notice how her eyes lit up when she showed me her special teepee. It has white and purple linens, but it is so large that even me and her could fit in it comfortably. Inside she has dozens of pillows, a few blankets, a special lantern, and a few more books that she expressed were her favorite.

"This is my favorite place." She said, laying back on the pillows.

"I can tell." I said, encouraging her to continue.

"It's my best place… that I go to when I'm sad or mad at Mommy, or just have to think." She says, her face dropping for just a moment.

"Think about what?" I ask, concerned what could possibly worry this little girl.

"Think about the bad things." She explains.

"The bad things?" I ask. Has something happened to her that Tris didn't tell me? Did Marcus actually get his hands on her somehow…

"Well… things happen every day, Mommy says. Like what happened to Uncle Will. Or how about my Daddy." She continued, "how he isn't here with us." She explained. "Mommy hasn't told me a lot about him. But I know whatever is keeping him away from us, it must be really important. He'll come back for us one day. You'll see. I know it makes Mommy sad when I tell her, so I don't."

My heart broke for a moment, wanting to both scream out that I was her father and that I'm right here with her. But then I started wondering about what expectations she might have made in her little head about me. And how possibly I could never amount to any of them.

I wasn't surprised at how respectful Emly was to the other bedrooms. Other than pointing out whose door is whose, she didn't so much as even try to open any of those doors. For that I was thankful for, for so many reasons.

We did take some time between hallways though. Emily pointed out all the pictures and explained them one by one to me. I lingered on the ones that Emily and Tris were in of course. Like the one where Emily was just born. Tris looked just as gorgeous as the last time I saw her. Emily was in Tris' arms and although she looked tired she looked happier than I can ever remember her being. There are a few of Tris holding Emily's hands as she begins to walk, another with cake all over her sweet face with a hat on her head and the icing spelling out on the cake, "baby's first birthday," a trip to Disneyland with Emily and Minnie hugging it out. Tris' parents holding Emily and everyone else that I swear ever met her…. Is on this wall. Everyone but me. A life that I missed, a full life with what appears to be without a moment missed or wasted. My eyes lastly fell on Will's and Christina's wedding photo. They looked so young, so much in love… I take another quick look at the wall as I begin to understand the importance of not wasting even a single moment in your life.

I let out a heavy sigh once again, unable to stop myself from thinking about Tris and Emily. I hate being away from them. I rock my body slightly to the right, digging into my back pocket. I unfold the paper staring at the picture of the two girls I love more than anything in this life…. Tris and Emily.

I couldn't help myself earlier, when I excused myself to the bathroom. Looking up at that wall full of memories. There everywhere, really. There on the walls where Tris and Chris measured the kids' heights, there are some dents in a wall, crayon marks that once were more pronounced, pictures on every surface… I just needed one. Something to look at when I'm here alone and missing them.

It's an older picture, one where I imagine Emily must have been barely one. Tris has Emily in her arms, giggling as they play in a pool. They are both gorgeous and happy. I imagine I am the one holding the camera taking the picture, while my two best girls are happy and posing in the warm sun.

I close my eyes, wishing it to come true. For time to somehow go back… and allow me that second chance at what should have been mine all along.


I didn't sleep well last night. I was tossing and turning all night long as the uncontrollable nightmares continued to roll on in my mind. Nightmares of my father coming back from the grave and somehow getting his hands on Tris or worse Emily. Each time I'm unable to get to them in time, unable to save them both and having to watch Marcus do his worst to them both. I finally got up at 6 am, giving up on the thought of actual sleep, settling for a run instead.

I quickly took a shower and got dressed having no desire to keep any distance today from Tris and Emily. I walk at a comfortable pace to the bakery, all while coming up with some kind of excuse to stay for her whole shift. It's Monday so Emily should be in school, while Tris is in the bakery hopefully alone.

I swing the door open, half relieved to see that Tris is indeed alone. But that also means that my excuse for having coffee and breakfast won't last long at all.

"Good morning," I greet Tris, smiling as I walk up to the counter.

"Morning, Tobias." Tris says, not looking at all surprised like I thought she would have.

"I hope it's okay that I'm here?" I ask, hoping I'm not disturbing her in the sea of nonexistent customers.

"Of course, it is… What can I get you?" She asks, jumping to a good conclusion. I haven't had my coffee yet this morning.

"Can I get a black coffee and a croissant?" I ask, digging in the back of my jeans for my wallet.

"Coming right up." Tris says, I stare as she so easily dances around grabbing the coffee cup, pouring the steamy hotness into the cup and placing a lid on it. My eyes continue to follow her body, especially that ass, through the whole thing, as she places the coffee on the counter and moves to get the croissant.

"Last night was interesting," I began. Noticing that I not only want to see her, but that I want to hear her voice too.

"Really? Which part?" She asks, straightening up, "The part where an eight-year-old tugged you around the house... Or the part where most of your friends thought you were gay for a couple of years of your life." She says, her voice filled with the sarcasm that I have missed over the years.

"All of it," I say, scratching the back of my neck. It's funny, I didn't really care about the jokes and teases…. What mattered most of all last night was Tris and Emily. "How much do I owe ya?" I ask, getting my card out to swipe.

"Please, your money isn't good here…. It's on the house." She says, handing me my coffee and croissant in a paper brown bag, smiling widely.

"Oh, Tris…" I begin.

"Really. Don't worry about it." She says, her smile actually meeting her eyes for the first time in what seems like forever.

"Well thank you. Maybe I can get it next time…" I offer. Smiling as I take a long sip of the dark roasted goodness. Damn I sure missed her coffee.

"Good." She asks, catching on to the moaning that must have escaped my mouth.

"The best…" I say. I place the brown bag on the counter, not feeling guilty at all for taking more of her time seeing that we are the only two people here. "So what are you up to today?" I ask, just as if saved by the bell… She is saved by the damn door chime. I turn to see not one but two customers walk in at once. I move to the side, giving them a chance to order. I can wait for two customers….

Just then as my luck would have it the door opens once again, as the flow of men and women in suits come into the lobby all making an automatic line behind the first two. Tris moves fast to take each order, her smile never faulting. But by the sound of the chime, I know it won't be long until Tris becomes overwhelmed. I glance at my clock, noticing that it's barely eleven. Lunchtime. Of course.

"Don't you have any help today?" I ask her over the counter.

"No. Chris has a doctor appointment and my other girl called out sick." Tris answers as she pours another cup of coffee. I press my lips together, thinking…. I can either leave her and give her the space that she obviously needs right now. Or I can jump in and lend her a hand. Sure, I don't know shit about baking, but I can help fill orders or at least pour the damn coffees. I walk around the counter towards the board that folds up, letting myself through. I place my coffee and croissant under the counter in an empty spot. I grab an apron that is hanging off to the side. Laughing at the thought of me standing behind a bakery counter, in a pink apron, no less. Ha, Marcus would roll over in his grave.

"What are you doing?" Tris asks, as she fills a brown bag full of cheese pastries.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm helping out," I answer, as I fasten the very festive straps behind me.

"You know you don't have to." Tris says, her voice filled with appreciation and fear.

"Right. Like I'm going to just leave you in the middle of gun fire." I point out.

"What are we in a war?" She says, handing the bag over to the customer. She smiles gently at the guy and tells him to have a nice day before turning back towards me.

"A mob like this… can end up that way fast," I say, stating the obvious as the line only grows longer. "Let me help you." I pleaded with her.

"Thank you." She says, smiling appreciably.

We fall easily into a silent dance behind the counter. Tris rings up the orders, as I help fill them. Thankfully Tris doesn't seem to mind the few dropped cookies and pastries on the floor as those damn tongs are harder than they look to handle.

"You look cute in an apron." Tris jokes, handing me a fresh cup of coffee once the line is completely down.

"Thanks," I say, my voice filled with sarcasm. But I take the cup without a second thought. Shit I have no idea how Tris does this day in and day out.

"No. I should be thanking you." She says, smiling as she continues, "You could have just left… Thank you so much for helping."

"I would do anything for you, Tris." I say wholeheartedly. "I'm so proud of you… You have accomplished so much by running your own business successfully and raising our daughter," I told her. My heart swells with pride for her. She didn't let anything stand in her way of being someone or doing something.

"Thank you." She whispers, glancing down towards my lips. I lick mine, wishing I could taste hers instead. But I know there will be time for that in the future.


A/N.

I wanted to address something…I know this story has been both a pleasure and hell to read. Trust me, writing it has been just as hard. It feels like a slow growing story because of the time it has taken to write it and the breaks that have been needed to take. For that, I'm sorry. I promise though this story will pick up and get more interesting. Just stick with us…. Life has been difficult on both ends, but we are here, like we promised we will keep writing as long as you keep reading. ?

We have many stories planned to come.

Revised by: FDfobsessed

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

Trini