Hey readers, here is the next chapter. Thank you to everyone who continues to support this story through your various ways. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I don't own Divergent. I only own the plot, any military-related mistakes are mine. Just a reminder I have taken some liberties in regards to the military. Happy Reading!
Chapter 29: Santa Baby
My cellphone rings, an unknown number appears on the screen that evening. I squeal, "Merry Christmas, Tobias! Only 40 more days until you are home, and we can celebrate every holiday we missed together." Tobias laughs, "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Eaton." The smile can be heard in his voice, continuing, "I can't wait to come home and celebrate all the holidays with you, including watching Christmas movies, wearing matching Christmas pajamas, and drinking hot chocolate in front of a fire cuddled under a blanket. It feels like forever since I have seen your smiling face and held you in my arms." I hug the phone close to my ear, replying, "I know how you are feeling." Recalling a similar sense that I woke up with this morning: a heavy, achy feeling in my chest swelled every time I thought of Tobias. I missed him even more this Christmas morning than I have every other day since he left. Chris and Will spent the afternoon with me, attempting to cheer me up, but nothing feels right without Tobias here on Christmas day. Tobias asks, "What sort of trouble did you and Christina get into today?" His voice brings me from thoughts.
I smirk, "We played board games after eating Chinese food in front of the fireplace. We invited Sam to join us, but he had to stand watch or something like that at his base. Personally, I think he believes he is too cool to join us for a night of Life and Monopoly." A giggle escapes my mouth, continuing, "It's probably because Chris and I always used to make him be the banker in high school whenever he would play Monopoly with us." Tobias asks, "Who was the banker this time if Sam wasn't there?" I reply, "Will, but he is a cheater. He never ran out of money!" Tobias laughs. Suddenly, his voice turns serious, saying, "That sounds like a nice evening. I would have loved to be there. It sounds like the perfect Christmas to me, a game night with friends and you." The phone goes silent. "Tobias, are you still there?" He sighs, "Yeah. Tris, I need to talk to you. Are you sitting down?"
At his words, my heart begins to rapidly beat in my chest and my nerves are suddenly on edge. What does he want to talk about? Why do I need to sit down? Is he going to leave me? Did he finally realize I'm damaged goods, and doesn't want to be with me any longer? Pushing the nagging voices to the back of my mind, shakily, I answer, "Yes. Why?" He takes a deep, steady breath. My eyes snap shut, attempting to imagine him sitting on the couch next to me, holding my hand. His whispered words hit me like a ton of bricks, "My tour has been extended. I'm sorry. I was really looking forward to coming home to you in February." I whisper, "Please, tell me you are joking! Tobias, tell me this is a prank by Zeke or something!" The tears slide down my cheeks. He murmurs, "I'm afraid not." I attempt to keep my voice even, asking, "How long?" My arm wrapping around my waist, I try to keep myself from falling apart while he's on the phone. He utters, "I'm not sure. I am sorry." I want to scream and yell at him. This is not fair! The Air Force has already taken him away from me for six months. Why do they deserve him any longer? Instead of telling him the things I wish I could yell at him, I bite my lip to stop the tears and whisper, "It's okay, Tobias. I understand. It isn't your fault you can't come home. Please come home safe to me."
A smile can be heard in his murmuring voice, "Always, of course." One tear slides down my face. I mutter, "Deployment sucks." He answers sadly, "Yeah, they do, especially this one. I'm sorry, Tris." Wistfully, I reply, "It's not like you extended your tour." Dejectedly, Tobias answers, "Still, I'm sorry," his voice holding an unknown meaning behind his apology for something outside his control. Is he apologizing for missing Christmas, or because his tour got extended? "I love you," I whisper, attempting to imagine how our first Christmas should have been if he hadn't been deployed to Syria, complete with matching pajamas, exchanging presents next to a lit Christmas tree, baking cookies, and spending the day watching Christmas movies cuddled under the red snowflake blanket. His voice breaks me from my daydream. He murmurs, "I love you, always remember that."
The rest of my conversation with him, he asks about day to day life while he attempts to take my mind off the news he broke to me only moments ago. Speaking to him helps. He laughs when I complain about one of the neighbors who likes to blast their music too loudly in the morning or late at night. When Tobias hangs up the phone, I utter to the dead static of the phone, "I guess I'll hurry up and wait until whenever you come home."
Throwing the phone onto the couch, I prepare for operation: pretend to play nice with Stacy. Sam bailed on me already because he claims he has an unexpected training exercise or something like that. Quickly, I find Stacy's phone number and send a text. Merry Christmas. Do you want to go out tomorrow night?" I stare at my phone, waiting with bated breath for her reply. When my phone vibrates with her name and her answer, I rub my eyes. Tris? Rolling my eyes, wondering why she doesn't know it's me, I type, Yes, it's me. Do you want to go out tomorrow night? Immediately she replies, It has been too long. Let's go to Jake's Bar at 8. I stare at the text messages. A fear stretches through my chest. What kind of a mess am I stepping into? I need to know who her baby's father is. Next time I speak to Tobias, I don't plan on telling him Stacy is living in Virginia or I'm meeting her at a bar. It's bad enough I know she still texts him and wants to get back together with him. I hope this doesn't blow up in my face or bite me in the ass as everything else seems to!
Driving the truck to a local bar named Jake's, I groan, pulling into the parking lot of what looks like a dive bar from the building. Taking a deep breath, I tug the door open to enter the bar. My eyes immediately find Stacy, who is sitting on a stool in the middle of the bar. She is sitting alone. She is wearing a pair of tight black jeans, a light lavender shirt, and black high heels. Her bright red hair flows over her shoulders. Instantly, I feel underdressed in my beat-up jeans and Tobias's blue Air Force hoodie, the one he likes to wear when we run together for fun. She twists on her stool at the sound of the opening door with a sad look in her eyes. When her eyes land on me, she waves, yelling, "Tris," over the music.
Slowly, I make my way over to her. In her eyes, she has a million questions written, but I can't comprehend them. Suddenly, I recall her million questions about Peter and I. My eyes glance down at the hoodie again. Maybe she will put two and two together. Maybe, I won't have to tell her the truth; Even though your relationship ended before Tobias and I got together, I sort of stole the guy you are still harboring feelings for. Her eyes are glued to my chest, grinning, "Nice sweater." I shrug my shoulders, answering, "Thanks," pulling a stool out next to her. A waiter drops off two glasses of wine. She motions to one of the glasses of wine on the table, smiling, "I already ordered you a glass of wine. You still like blush, right?" She pushes the wine toward me, continuing, "Tell me all about your wedding to Peter." I nearly spit the wine from my mouth.
Changing the subject, I ask, "How's Eric?" I'm a wuss for not telling her the truth! I should inform her, I married Tobias, not Peter. Thoughts of being married to Peter send shivers straight up my spine, making me want to vomit. She continues, "The last time I saw you, I chose Eric over Four. I'm still completely in love with Eric. I probably always will be, but we are on a break right now, at least for the time being." Cocking my head, I ask, "Why?" She shrugs her shoulders, "I had a baby. He joined the Army to help make ends meet after his business went belly up, and now he is gone for training or something. We both agreed to have him concentrate on his training, not be distracted by little old me, our relationship, or the baby. His training is important, you know. I need him to come home alive and in one piece. I was happy when I found out he was being stationed here in Virginia." I take a sip of wine, my ears prick up on the word baby. I ask, "Why?"
She giggles, twisting her locks around her fingers, "I sort of stalked Four's social media," Stacy smirks. Holding up my hand, I ask, "Wait, Four has social media?" How do I not know this? I'm married to this man! Why is he such a mystery! Stacy smiles, "Well, Four doesn't, but Zeke, his best friend, does. Guess who posted a comment about Four and him continuing their world adventures in Virginia next. He even posted a photo of Four looking yummy in his flight suit in front of a jet." I answer nonchalantly, "Zeke." She smirks, "Bingo," clinking her glass with mine, flipping her phone toward me, showing off a photo of Tobias and Zeke, standing in front of a jet with their aviators on. She sighs, "I heard through the grapevine, both Zeke and Four are deployed right now. It's sad. I was so looking forward to seeing that hunk of a man again in person. I was thinking of beginning something with him again. Maybe something with no strings attached while Eric is away. Eric told me before he left to do what I need to do to stay sane. I mean, a girl needs to keep her options open, and I'm sure Four misses someone keeping him warm at night. We were good together." Staring at Stacy, I say, "Yup," popping the p, listening to every word this crazy girl is saying about my husband. She laments, "I miss Four's dark blue eyes. They always felt like he was staring into my soul and the way he would move my hair behind my ears before he kissed me. The man knew his way around a woman's body." I begin to cough, choking on my wine at Stacy's words. Stacy has a screw loose!
A man from across the room making funny faces catches my eye. This wine must be going to my head! The man across the room looks like Sam. I bite my bottom lip to contain the laughter threatening to escape my lips at the man's sarcastic faces behind Stacy's back. Stacy continues, not paying attention to me, "Four and I were meant to be together. In my heart, I can feel it. When he does come back, do you think he will take me back? If not, will you help me win him back or help him see reason? He respected you when we lived next to Peter and you." Her pleading eyes meet mine. I answer, "What about Eric? I thought he was the love of your life."
Stacy's fingers tap against the wooden table, "Maybe the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Four was my first real love. We were each other's first everything. I didn't realize how good he was to me or how good I had it with him until he wasn't there for me any longer. I took advantage of him. What do you think, will you help me win him back?" She flips her phone toward me, showing off a photo of a baby with bright blue eyes and peach, flaming red hair.
My heart skips a beat staring at the photo. My mouth is dry, and I take another drink of my almost empty glass. Stacy smiles, "Four was the love of my life, the one who I was supposed to marry and have babies with. He was the one I let slip through my fingers and get away. We were together for years. I should have fought harder when he wanted to end things because I cheated on him multiple times. I never should have tried to maintain two relationships at the same time, but I am slightly older now and slightly wiser. If I need to let Eric go, I will, if it means I can be with Four again in the end. Tris, will you help me win Four back?" My mouth hangs open, staring at her.
I stutter, "Stacy, I. . ." I don't have to finish my sentence. I'm saved by the ringing of her phone. She holds up her fingers, giggling, "Hold your thought, Tris, I need to get this. It might be Eric, or, better yet, Four finally returning my phone calls. I'll be right back." She quickly answers her phone, moving away from the table. I hate this! Why did I agree to meet Stacy tonight or any day? How do I tell her, sorry, I married Four! Tobias would flip if he knew I was here with her. Hell, he would flip if he knew Stacy wanted to get back together with him. The scraping of a barstool moving next to me interrupts my thoughts of Tobias's reaction. Suddenly, I feel a presence next to me, and a familiar scent hits my nose. Stacy reappears at the table abruptly, murmuring, "Tris, I didn't realize we would have company tonight." Her voice drops a level. She almost sounds hurt that I'm not here alone. Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. I wish I cared enough to ask her what the matter was.
My eyes glance at the leather jacket wearing man next to me. He has a surprised expression written across his features. I whisper, "I thought you were saving the world or something important." He shrugs his shoulders, leaning closer to me, answering, "I just got back, and I wanted to see you. I missed you. Plus, after what I just went through, I need a stiff drink, and you looked like you were saving me a seat." His knee touches mine. I grin quietly, "How was training?" He shoots me a look, not to ask any questions with Stacy only feet from us. Stacy pushes her hair behind her ears, asking, "Who is this, Tris?" I motion between the two of them, "Sam, this is Stacy. Stacy, this is Sam."
I repeat my perfectly rehearsed line, "Sam, what are you doing here?" Sam rolls his eyes, repeating, "Christina texted me. She was worried because you haven't been responding to her text messages all night." I tug out my phone, nothing on the screen, and quickly slip it back into my pocket. I smile, "I'll call her later. She is probably worried about Will or something." Sam's voice drops into a quiet, serious tone, "Seriously, though, I wanted to make sure you didn't kill her once you told her who you were married to or vice versa." I roll my eyes at him, smirking. A giggle escapes my lips at the image of a fight occurring between Stacy and me. Stacy asks, "What are you two whispering about?" Her arms wrap around Sam's and my shoulders. She stands between us, continuing, "Tris, we have so much catching up and planning to do. Now, tell me all about Peter and you! I am dying to know everything about your wedding and your relationship. You have been avoiding the topic! Please, I need you to take my mind off the bad news I received on the phone."
"What bad news?" I ask, attempting to switch topics. Stacy nods her head, grinning, "No, I want to know about Peter and you!" A lump forms in my throat, "Umm. . . Peter and I. We aren't together anymore." I mutter, finally, getting part of the truth out into the open. Stacy stares at me like I have two heads. She lifts an eyebrow, shock fills her voice, "Peter and you were relationship goals. He worshipped the ground you walked on." I glance at her, my eyes ready to pop out of my head at her words. She is crazy!
"Are you joking? Peter didn't worship me at all!" I snap. Sam makes an uncomfortable face at Stacy. She replies, "Yeah, he did. He always told me how much he loved you. In fact, before I left California with Eric, Peter and Drew told me they were going to be seeing you real soon."
My heart drops into my stomach at her words, a shiver rips up my spine. I ask, "What are you talking about?" Wondering when the last time was she saw Peter or Drew. I killed Peter months ago. Didn't I? Stacy shrugs her shoulders, smiling, not answering my question. Instead, she changed the subject, asking, "If Peter and you aren't married, then you two must be married. It's Sam, right? You and Sam are married?" Sam doesn't answer her, raising an eyebrow at her and me. He whispers into my ear, "You wish you were married to me. Remember in high school, our child development class, the week with a fake baby." I smirk, recalling how much the baby cried and how much Sam and I hated the week. I also remember how jealous Peter was of Sam during that week because we spent extra time together to take care of the baby, wanting an A in the class, and Sam threatening to drag me to church to pray for me: his wife for the week and our fake baby. I kick Sam in the shin. Stacy smirks, "You two make an adorable couple. I thought Four and I made a cute couple, but oh my, you two might take the cake. Sam, are you in the Air Force?" Stacy's voice is innocent, a questioning look on her pouty lips. She bats her eyelashes, waiting for an answer. Sam deadpans, "Coast Guard. I don't fly a chair for a living." Sam's eyes meet mine, refusing to answer any more of Stacy's questions. His fingers play with the rim of his shot glass. He glances at me, then downs his shot of whiskey, winking at me. I roll my eyes, wanting to kick him again for playing into Stacy's hand.
Stacy's eyes move to my chest once again. Stacy whispers, "Whose Air Force sweater is that?" Her eyes closely inspect the navy blue sweater. Stacy mutters, "It looks almost identical to the one I bought for Four. He had one just like it. In the early days of our relationship, I always tried to steal that sweater whenever Four was away for training or deployed. I wonder if he still has it or not." Her eyes snap to mine, "Wait, why are you wearing an Air Force sweater if your husband is in the Coast Guard? Did I tell you, I think you make an adorable couple. You will make some cute babies." Stacy motions at Sam and me. We stare at one another. Laughter bursts out of our mouths. "Wife, I like that idea." Sam mouths at me. I roll my eyes at him, smacking him in the shoulder. Stacy yells, "Hold that thought for a moment. I'll be right back!"
I giggle, "Shut up, Sam! I think you have had too much to drink." Sam laughs, "I have not. If she thinks we are husband and wife, we might as well act like it, wife. We could both benefit from this, think about it, especially since Christina wants to set me up with this crazy chick." My head falls into my hands, murmuring, "Then Tobias will find out, and you will have some explaining to do. I don't think so. I'm not hurting Tobias like that. You will have to tell Christina you are passing up on this option." I empty my wine glass. Stacy reappears at the table with another round of drinks. She smirks, "Sam, how did you and the lovely Tris meet? How did you propose? I love a good proposal story! Tris, you are so lucky, and your husband is H.O.T., hot. I mean, not as hot as Four, but still. . ." Sam uncomfortably glances at me, answering, "I have been praying for my wife since I was little, but Tris and I are only friends, and we have been friends since high school. I don't think Tris's actual husband would stand for me attempting to marry his wife. If I were a gambling man, I bet I would be dead if I ever tried anything like that with her."
Stacy glances between the two of us, saying, "Sam, I see the way you look at Tris." Sam uncomfortably laughs, "Please, that is the look of fear of her husband. If I ever tried anything dishonorable with Tris, her husband would figure out a way to kill me with either his bare hands or his fighter jet. Although, I think I could take him." Sam wiggles his eyebrows at me. A laugh bubbles in my chest. My fuzzy brain concocts images of Sam and Tobias facing off in their respective flying vehicles. I smirk at Sam, "I'm sure he would think of some way to hurt you." Stacy cocks her head, "Is your husband a pilot in the Air Force?"
Biting my lip, I answer, "Maybe." Stacy's eyes light up like it is Christmas morning. She enthusiastically says, "Dude, I wonder if he knows Four. Four knows everyone. Have you talked to Four since we broke up? Do you know if he misses me as much as I miss him, or if he will take me back? Do you think he will? I know we ended things on a bad note, but I mean, this is Four we are talking about. Four has always forgiven me." She flips her phone toward Sam, revealing another photograph of the same little baby girl. This little girl has Tobias's striking blue eyes. Stacy's voice snaps me back to reality, "Sam, what do you do in the Coast Guard? I have been thinking about joining when I'm able to?"
I take a deep breath, "Stacy, Four and I. . . Ouch." I squeal, feeling a sharp kick to my left shin. I shot Sam a look. He glances at me, giving me a questioning look, quickly answering, "I'm a pilot." Stacy glances under the table, giggling, "Oh my goodness, Tris! Was that you, I kicked? I'm sorry! Come dance with me! This is my favorite song. Sam, will you watch our drinks?" She points at Sam, not giving him an option. She grasps my wrist, pulling me out to the middle of the dance floor where the pounding music and the flashing lights are before I have the chance to reject her offer or say anything to her about Tobias and I being married.
My head pounds the next morning. "It hurts," I mutter, squinting at the sun coming through the windows. Tea and Tylenol will make this headache go away. How do I have this bad of a headache? I only had two glasses of wine. Walking into the living room, I notice a head of blonde hair lying on the couch. What the hell is Sam doing sleeping on my couch? My eyes are too busy watching the steady rise of his shirtless chest, recalling the massive crush I had on him in high school and college. I don't notice the door frame quickly approaching. I slam into the wall and catch my toe on the corner of the door, falling flat on my ass. "Ouch! Ouch!" I squeal, falling onto the floor, holding my foot. "Tris?" His hoarse voice croaks, heavy with sleep. I cry, "Yeah?" My cheeks heat with embarrassment. "Are you okay?" he asks, opening one eye, staring at me. I whisper, "No, I think I broke my toe," the tears roll down my cheeks. Sam laughs from the couch, "Highly doubt it. Your foot barely touched the door frame." The throbbing pain in my little toe is too much to bear. I rub my toe, asking, "How do you know?" Sam crouches next to me, smirking, "I was awake, and I watched you hit the door frame." My cheeks heat further, thinking about the fact, he watched me fall onto my butt, staring at him. Sam's hand hovers momentarily. His fingers take my foot into his hand, and he begins to gently touch my toe, which has started to turn purple and black. He mutters, "I'm afraid we are going to have to amputate it." Laughter bubbles in my throat. He seriously asks, "Do you have any tape and gauze?" I point toward the bathroom, answering, "In the bathroom cabinet." Sam leaves, returning quickly with his supply. He tapes my toes together, smiling, "Good as new. You probably broke it as you said, but there isn't anything that can be done for broken toes." I shrug my shoulders while he helps me to my feet, asking, "What the heck are you doing here?"
He sleepily rubs his face, "We got back here not even two hours ago. You fell asleep in my car on the drive here. We need to go back to the bar to pick up the truck. You were too gone last night to safely drive home. Anyways, last night in your sleep on the drive here, you asked me to stay. You said you were scared because they knew where you were. Whoever, they are. I stayed no questions asked." A foggy memory appears in my mind. I asked Sam to stay on the couch until Christina got here this morning to go for our morning run. "Thanks, Sam. I'm going back to bed," I mutter, dragging myself back to the bedroom and to my dreams of Tobias. Turning, I ask, "Do you want to go exploring with me after Chris and I return from our run later?" Sam laughs, "Sure. However, I don't think you are going to be running with your foot like that for a while." I groan, knowing he is right. I rub my eyes, turning to walk away. I feel his eyes on my back, watching me. I shut the door and walk back to the bed. Instantly, I miss Tobias when his cologne filled pillow finds my nose. I wish I had told Stacy we were married instead of chickening out as I did. I wish I knew the truth about her baby's paternity after last night, but I'm no closer.
When I awake, a few hours later, Sam is gone. The snowflake blanket is folded on the couch. A text message flashes across my cell from him, and I glance at the phone. His text mentions something about an impromptu work meeting he needed to attend. I call Chris to find out when she wants to go exploring since our morning run is out of the question due to my broken toe.
Thoughts and opinions on this chapter? I can't wait to hear them since I know a lot was unloaded! Please review. How would you have reacted to Tobias's news, if you were Tris? What did you think of Stacy's actions in the bar? What did you think of Sam's actions in the bar? The next chapter will be uploaded the weekend of March 13, 2021.