Hey readers, here is the next chapter as promised. Thank you to everyone who continues to support this story through your various ways. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I don't own Divergent. I only own the plot, any military-related mistakes are mine. Just a friendly reminder, I have taken some liberties in regards to the military to make some things more interesting for this story. Without further ado, let's see whose guess are right, and who is at the door. Happy Reading!

Chapter 32: Happy Birthday Tris

Standing on the doorsteps in the summer sunshine: Tobias. His duffle bag lying on the ground near his feet. His hand is slightly raised to where the door handle usually sits. A bouquet of yellow sunflowers and roses is held in his other hand. My cellphone falls to the ground. The only noise that can be heard between us is the crashing of my phone to the ground.

Tobias breaks the silence, whispering, "Happy birthday surprise," as his fingertips move my bangs from my eyes. My brain won't connect to my mouth, but I wish it would. I wish I could speak to him. My mouth rapidly opens and closes like a fish. I blink, attempting to focus on the image before me. Tobias is standing in front of me in his camouflage uniform on the porch. Are you really here, or am I dreaming? Is this real? I have dreamt about a moment like this for months. I breathily exhale his name, "Tobias," unable to formulate any other words.

He takes a step into our house; I take a step back. My back hits the front door, sending it crashing into the wall. His palms find my face. Slowly, he cups it, and his fingers move over my cheeks like he is attempting to re-memorize every feature. He whispers, "Oh, Tris, how I have missed you." My eyes connect with his. I murmur, "I missed you," but my voice sounds weak, foreign to my own ears. My eyes take in his facial features. I attempt to see how much he has changed since the last time I saw him.

Tobias raises a questioning eyebrow at me. He whispers, "Tris, I would very much like to kiss you. May I?" A giggle escapes my lips at his question. What a funny question to ask. He doesn't make any move to kiss me. He stares intently at me; his blue eyes rapidly dart between my eyes and lips. I whisper, "Yes, Tobias, you may kiss me." His soft pink lips meet mine, and, when his lips touch mine, I feel like my heart is whole again, like I can finally breathe again after months without oxygen. My fingertips grip onto his jacket for dear life, praying this isn't a dream while I pull him into me, hoping he doesn't disappear from my fingertips. I never want this kiss to end nor his lips to leave mine. His nose awkwardly brushes against mine, ending the kiss. My heart skips a beat when he pulls away. A slight smile tugs at his lips, and his dark blue eyes are alight with happiness. My voice quivers with fear, asking, "Are you really home?" How am I going to handle it if he's only home on R&R?

Tobias nods his head with a shy smile tugging at his lips, answering my question. Relief fills my chest at his answer. Tobias is home, and he is safe! I murmur, "When did you get back? I would have come and picked you up, no matter what time it was." Tobias pulls me against his chest, holding me tightly. He answers, "I know, but I didn't want you to. I wanted to surprise you on our doorstep at home for your birthday. Shauna picked Zeke and I up this morning. Then I did some running around with the help of Christina."

I grin, "Tobias!" Jumping up to him. He catches me, lifting me off the ground. I continue, "I still can't believe you are finally home, and you kept this secret from me! This was the best birthday present ever. It has been hell without you. I have so many questions for you." Tobias smiles, "I will try my best to answer all of your questions. He sets me down onto my feet, grasps my hand in his, and tugs me out the door. Quipping an eyebrow, I ask, "What are you doing?"

He smirks, "Carrying on our tradition. The one we started at Andrews." Before I can say anything, his hands slide around my shoulders and legs. He lifts me while grabbing his duffle bag from the ground. I squeal, as my fingertips begin digging into his jacket. Against my lips, he whispers, "I told you once that I would carry you over every new threshold we had. I plan on keeping that promise. I know I wasn't here when we first moved in, but I am here now so. . ." He doesn't finish the rest of his sentence. His soft, chapped lips meet mine while he's walking. All too soon, the kiss ends, and I'm back in the house with my feet on the floor. His lips pull away from mine, and a hundred questions flood my mind.

I bounce on the balls of my feet while he stares at me, wanting answers to my unasked questions. Tobias laughs, tugging me to the couch, "Okay, ask away." I sit next to him. He intertwines my fingers with his. I ask, "The first time we spoke while you were in Syria; why didn't you have your name tape on? Aren't you supposed to? What was the scariest part of being in Syria? Guess what I figured out with the help of Sam? Will is in some sort of Special Forces thing for the Army." My statements come out of my mouth a million miles an hour.

Tobias laughs, pulling me close to his chest. He whispers, "You are very observant, aren't you? I wasn't wearing my name tapes the first time we spoke when I was in Syria because I had just gotten back from air patrolling. It's always a good habit to remove your name tapes before flying in enemy airspace, in case you are shot down. That way, the enemy won't know who you are if you are captured." A shiver goes up my spine at his words. He rubs my back while I listen to him speak of the gun he carries in his flight suit as if it is nothing. "The scariest thing that happened: I had a malfunction with one of my jet engines, and I had to turn back halfway through my mission when I was supposed to be air support for the ground troops."

Panic laces my voice. I ask, "Really, Tobias?" My mind drifts to the possibility: I could have lost him that day. He shrugs his shoulders, continuing, "Well, there was a little thing with enemy fire with a plane, which could have caused the engine to malfunction, but it was nothing I haven't been through before. It's always scary. When my feet hit the ground after something like that happens, I always kiss the ground on my hands and knees when a brush with death occurs." My mouth drops at his openness with me. His lips press against my forehead, whispering, "You look like a fish with your mouth wide open. A hot fish, but a fish nevertheless. Now, enough about me. Tell me how you figured out Will is some sort of Special Forces in the Army with the help of Sam."

Thoughts and opinions on this chapter. I can't wait to hear them. What did you think about Tobias's homecoming? Please review. The next chapter will be up on Monday April 26, 2021.