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Chapter 29

Something strange is going on

Tris' POV

I don't know what has gotten into Tobias lately, but he is being very overprotective of Emily and me. I don't know what happened the other night, but I heard and saw the commotion outside of my house. But ever since then Tobias has been on edge. Always looking over his shoulder. Always looking around like someone is watching him. He's been asking a lot of questions about security systems, not only in the house, but also within the bakery. He's even gone as far as talking about us getting security systems in our cars. And I don't know what has gotten into him, but I sure would like to know.

I even caught him last night sleeping in a rental car. I only caught him because as I was arriving home later than normal and walking towards my door, I saw a strange car parked outside of my house. And I don't know what possessed me to check out the car, but I did. That's when I saw Tobias laid out in the front seat with pillows and a blanket and trying to make himself comfortable. At first I didn't know what to think. So I woke him, almost a little too violently. And all he had to say was that he wanted to make sure Emily and I were safe, but safe from what he didn't explain.

Last night was the first night I let Tobias sleep over, on the couch, of course. But I did let him. And I may not know exactly what's going on, but I know enough to trust his instincts.

I also hated the thought of him sleeping in a car all night, for what reason he is doing that, again I don't know.


I anticipated that this morning would be difficult to say the least. I knew that letting Tobias spend the night on the couch would lead to repercussions from Chris. Lately, it's been feeling more like I'm living with a parent than with my best friend. Although her heart is in the right place, I don't think her mind is. She woke me up screaming last night asking why Tobias was sleeping on her couch.

It's been years since we've been living together. Sharing the responsibility of the kids, the responsibility of our business and everything else. But lately it feels more like a committed relationship often at times than a best friend or sister. But this morning was different. No, this morning was the first time I have ever felt like an unwanted guest in her house, instead of an equal roommate that we have been up to now.

"What? What does he live here now, Tris? Do we have to house every man you will ever sleep with?" She ranted.

"Oh hey, come on now… He slept on the couch." I corrected her. "And every man? Tobias has been the only man." I hated the thought of having to defend this part of myself and to Chris no less. I think of the number of men that she spent nights with. Not coming home until the sun finally rose. I had no problem baby sitting and covering for her when it came to Junior. But she never… Not once… Ever did that for me.

"Well maybe that's the problem, Tris. Give yourself a little variety." She continues, "You know a fresh start with a man that didn't just leave you." She blurts out.

"How many times do we have to go through this? He may not have known about Emily, fine. But he should of had a reason to pick up the phone or shit send you a fucking email." She raises her hands half way up, her fingers dancing on an invisible keyboard as she speaks. :"Something like, "Dear Tris, hope all is well. I'm sorry I'm a dick."

I couldn't believe the words that were coming out of her mouth, the hypocritical thinking that she was giving me. But at the same time, I knew she had a point. No matter how many times I've repeated his words to me, the reason behind his actions… There is one thing that has been bugging me. Why lie? He didn't tell me the truth about his father, he never told me the truth, the reason why he was leaving. He decided to make me believe the worst in him than to tell me the truth. And not once did he ever try to reach out and check on me.

I think about it if our shoes were reversed a lot of times. Knowing that my presence would only endanger him. To know that my father would have so much power over me and the person I would want to be with the most… I do see his point. To end things, to walk away and never look back, to force us both into something that both of us clearly would have never wanted. But then I can't help but wonder if there was another way. A way where we both would have been far away, safe and together. But then where would Emily fit into all of that? After all, living on the run with a newborn can't be easy, let alone trying to support her.

"I know, what he did was wrong." I began, hating the way my voice cracked as I spoke. " You and I both know that there could have been another way. But we were kids… and he made a mistake. We are trying to move past that. We can't go back. We can only move forward," I finished.

"And what happens to me and Junior when you both move so forward that we are left in the rear view mirror?" She asks, getting down to what this is really all about. "You and I… Have this thing… That works. How do I fit in, if Tobias is in the picture?"

"Chris," I begin.

"Don't Chris me, Tris." She continues, "We were all kids…. You were a kid having a kid. You figured it out."

"You know things will eventually change, right? We can't always stay like this forever. I mean, you know I appreciate everything you have done for me and Emily… and we are a team, that will never change. But…"

"Tris, are you breaking up with me?" Christina jokes, smiling lightly.

"Maybe one day," I laugh right back. We both break out into a fit of laughter knowing exactly how we both sound.

"I'm sorry, Tris. You're right. I mean… I guess I just never thought about that one day. I always thought you and I would be like sisters living together and raising kids together. Who knows maybe one day our kids could get married and have babies and you and I would be grandma's…Sharing a house where everyone could come home on the weekends and Holidays." She continues, "It never occurred to me that one day you or I would want something more."

"I know. Me either. But… No matter what happens, I'm not going far. We still have the bakery and the kids," I point out.

"True." She says, finally giving in and taking a seat. "I'm sorry that I have been so hard on Four. I just…"

"I get why. You have all the right to be. Hell, I'm still struggling, but we are trying. We still love each other and we want to be together with Emily." I confess, feeling the warmth in my body as I say the words out loud. "We have a lot to still work through… Yes. But we both are on the same page."

"And Emily? Will you tell her?" She asks.

"We plan to. It's getting to that point where we should tell her. I think she senses it on some level. She called him Daddy the other night when he tucked her in."

"She did?" Chris asks, her voice filled with shock."She hasn't mentioned anything."

"To me either. But…" I get out.

"Well just know that I am here for both you and Emily, for whatever you both need. And if he hurts either one of you again… I got your back." She says, proudly.

"Thank you," I say, my voice filled with so much emotion. I lean in towards her, wrapping my arms around her as she does the same to me.

"Of course."


I stand, exhausted in the middle of the bakery kitchen. Thankfully it's quiet enough to think and work. We closed our doors hours ago, but that doesn't mean that my work here is done. With orders over booked and needing to restock for tomorrow's inventory… Christina and I both knew that I would be pulling an all nighter. It's not my first and it probably won't be my last. But it's tougher than it sounds as I have to be consistent with all my measurements when it comes to baking. By three in the morning, a four can easily look more like an eight. Bless the people that thought of coffee and music to help keep me awake.

"Well sweet dreams, sweetheart. I love you." I say, softly into the phone.

"I love you too, Mommy." Emily's sleepy voice comes through the receiver.

"See you in the morning, goodnight."

"Night, Night." She says, the phone goes dead. I end the call, contemplating on calling or texting Tobias goodnight.

I called him earlier when Chris and I both agreed to our arrangement that she would take the kids home, feed and put them to bed while I worked at the endless list of baking goods that needed to be done. He hated the thought of me staying all night and alone. But of course, I just told him I would be more than fine. The other night with his lips and body against mine came to mind and I knew if he was to come over and help or just keep me company, it would lead me to not getting a lot of work done in the end. Of course he didn't stop with one or two tries but four… as he even tried to bring me dinner earlier. It was delicious Chinese food, my favorite, bourbon chicken served over fried rice. I still have half of it in the refrigerator for a later break.

"Starting batch two of my famous chocolate cookies." I texted Tobias.

"Yum. I want some."

"Maybe you can get some tomorrow morning," I replied.

"Maybe I could use you as a plate." Oh fuck, I wish he would.

"I miss you." I replied back. Not having the courage to tell him what I really want yet.

"I miss you too. Make sure all the doors are locked please."

"Doing that now. Thanks for the reminder."

I shake my head, unable to believe that I once again forgot to make sure all the doors were locked before I started to bake. I know the front door is locked, having locked it behind the last customer. But for good measure I check that first to be safe. I tuck my cell phone into the pocket of my apron as I test the lock and the door, confirming that it is indeed locked. I check the windows to be safe as I move along to the back door.

My heart jumps out of my chest when I swear, I hear footsteps from behind me. I freeze mid step for a moment as I turn back. I sigh in relief when I realize it must be just my imagination playing tricks on me. I'm still alone in the kitchen. I turn back, heading to the back door again. I just about curse my name when I see that the door is actually left unlocked. I angrily lock the door, making sure it's not faulty. I turn around, heading back to the kitchen as the timer goes off letting me know that the cookies are done. I just get the cookies out in time. I gasp, turning around when I hear something behind me fall to the floor. What the fuck was that? Only I don't get the answer to that question. I feel a sharp pain, a blow to my head, as my body collapses to the floor. I try with all my might to stay awake, to stay alert. Unable to move any inch of my body. But the darkness grows against my will, as I feel myself falling into the darkness. The last thing that registers in my mind is the smell of smoke.


A/N

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Who do you think attacked Tris?

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Will she get out in time?

Revised by: FDFobsessed

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

Trini