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 did take some liberties with this story in regards to this story to make things more interesting. Happy Reading!
Before I get to the chapter, I am going to address one guest review that I couldn't by PM. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don't understand why you are saying it's unrealistic that Tris knows Stacy's boyfriend name is Eric. If you recall in book #1, O'Hare Affair, Tris went with Stacy to meet Eric when she was cheating on Four. Yes, Stacy tells Tris that Eric joined the military, but there might be more than one person named Eric. The Army is a rather large organization so he might have been deployed somewhere else other than where Tobias was. As far as Tris not mentioning to Tobias about Stacy, they are both are keeping secrets from one another, which might come back to bite them in the end. Thank for taking time to review. I hope this helps to clear up any confusion.
Chapter 38: Promotion
Holding my hand out, as we stand in front of a large brick building on the edge of Langley Air Force Base's airfield, I whisper, "Captain Eaton, are you ready?" Tobias immediately takes my hand, nervously playing with my fingers while we walk up the few steps. He opens the door and we enter into a large room filled with people. My stomach fills with nervous energy at the sight of everyone. Shutting the door, Tobias smirks, "Yeah, the real question is . . . are you ready?" I nervously fiddle with my navy blue shirt, waiting for Tobias to finish entering the building. Tobias takes my tense fingertips in his hand and kisses them. He cups my chin, drawing me close to him, whispering, "You have got this. I have faith in you."
Giggling, I whisper, "I'm glad one of us has faith. I feel like I'm going to fall over." Tobias grabs my hand once again, pulling me close to him while grinning, "I'll keep you grounded. You did wonderful last night when we practiced this." Sarcastically, I answer, "Okay, if you say so. How many times did I stab you with your pin?" I giggle while the nervous butterflies lessen slightly. My mind drifts to the countless times I stabbed poor Tobias with his new rank while trying to secure it to the collar of his uniform.
The room begins to fill with even more people, many of whom are being promoted today, and their loved ones. I glance around at all of their faces, whispering, "I feel sick." Tobias leans in and his lips gently touch mine, sending a wave of calm over my mind for a short moment, whispering, "You have got this. No one will know if you mess up, Tris, trust me. This ceremony is all for show, remember? I don't even want to be here. I want to be at home with you." His arms wrap around me, pulling me closer to his chest, continuing, "I have technically already promoted to Major. Being at this ceremony has nothing to do with getting promoted. I was promoted because I earned it for my hard work." At his words, my mind floats to yesterday when I first noticed he started wearing his new rank pin when his promotion technically began. Tobias could see the questions written across my face before I even asked them while he was donning his camouflage jacket. He explained, technically, he was promoted that day to Major, and the ceremony today was purely ceremonial or symbolic. My head is still spinning a little from his explanation. The Air Force is still confusing to me. The more I learn, the more baffled I feel.
The ceremony is quick since there are only a handful of men and women getting promoted today. It begins first with the enlisted airmen. Each stands, shaking their supervisor's hand while being handed a certificate, and then the new rank is placed on their arm by a loved one. Tobias is one of the last ones to go. The officers, most of them, choose to give a short speech after their pinning. Most of them thank their family or friends for being their support system.
When Tobias's name is announced over the speaker to proceed to the makeshift stage, he shyly smiles at me, and my knees feel shaky. My palms feel sweaty, and I feel like I'm ready to faint. The ceremony leader, who is Tobias's boss, hands me Tobias's new rank pin while handing Tobias another pin to go onto his mess dress uniform called the Commander's insignia to signify him as a commanding officer of his unit now. I'm going to faint in front of everyone! I'm going to embarrass Tobias! The back of Tobias's hand gently touches mine while we stand in front of everyone in this giant room. The man begins to speak into the microphone, "Captain Tobias Aaron Eaton is promoted today, June 20th to Major." Both Tobias and the man salute one another, then shake hands.
Grasping onto Tobias's new shiny rank pin, my hands shake while I watch Tobias's promotion take place before my eyes. My hands tremble while pulling off his two silver bars, signifying him as a Captain, from his collar. An ache in my chest stirs, knowing I will never see Tobias wear these two silver bars again. To me, those two bars are a part of the man, part of the whole picture, and a piece of who I fell in love with. Standing before Tobias with both ranks in my hands, he smiles at me, and his smile brings me out of my thoughts. Today is the happiest I have seen him since he left to go overseas. His eyes are sparkling once again. I can't help but wonder if the smile on his lips has to do with the promotion or because there are no more secrets between us. I stare at his face, and, instantly I know from the look, it has all been worth every late night. My eyes skate to the gold oak leaf in my hand, and my mind suddenly blanks. Shit, what way is the stem suppose to face? Towards me, or him, or towards the side that he isn't on?
I shut my eyes, taking a deep breath, trying not to panic, to clear my mind of all the commotion. Finally, I remember the stem points away from him. I attempt to steady my hands while I clasp the pin to him. My heart feels like it's going to come out of my chest while I nearly pin his new rank onto his shirt with his jacket collar. Tobias attempts to keep a smile on his face as the pin pinches his skin, and I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment. Tobias quickly winces when I pierce his skin, but his smile reappears as swiftly as it disappeared when I fasten the last pin to his jacket. Tobias smirks while I take a seat to watch his speech.
Tobias smiles, "Tris, you are one of my best friends. I have never had that in a relationship before. Thank you for showing me how a relationship like ours is supposed to work: one that is natural and easy-going. Thank you for always standing by me, for being my support system, and for being my rock even when I'm gone. Thank you for being the most incredible wife in the world. I couldn't go to work every day and do my job without you by my side." During his speech, I can feel the tears threatening to fall from my eyes; while listening to his beautiful words, I realize that all the times I felt alone during this deployment, so did he. All the times we struggled while he was gone, all the fights, all the happy moments like dancing with him on the phone on Valentine's Day via Sam, all the tears and heartbreak, all the smiles, everything was worth it in the end. By the end of his speech, a smile is tugging across my lips. I am proud to call Tobias my husband, and I wouldn't want it any other way. I smile while mouthing to him, "I love you."
Tobias returns my smile. One by one, the men come up to him from his squadron, who are all the same rank as him or higher, to hit him on the collar bone where I pinned his new rank. They all smile and laugh as they smack Tobias, congratulating him. One of the men motions for me to join them. Curiously, I join the group. Another man grasps ahold of Tobias's shoulders while another laughs, "Mrs. Eaton, take a whack!" Nervously, I giggle, glancing at Tobias while he rolls his eyes at the fingers on his shoulders.
"I don't think-" I start to say, but I'm stopped by Tobias's soft, playful, musical voice, replying, "Do it, Tris." My eyes meet his. He smirks at me, encouraging me to hit him on the collar bone like everyone else. This man is crazy. I ball my hand into a fist and lightly smack Tobias on the collar, not wanting to hurt him while all the men laugh. Tobias makes a facial expression like I hurt him. A laugh bursts from my lips at his face. One of the men laughs, "You better not make her angry at home! If she hits you that hard, you'll end up with a black eye!" Tobias begins to laugh harder while laughter continues to bubble out of my chest at the happiness of the occasion. My eyes glance around the room, taking in the scene of everyone laughing and carefree. I feel like a part of the group, which is something I never experienced before, especially when I was with Peter. At this exact moment, I wish that I could stop time and freeze us all in this happy memory just like an old polaroid picture.
Thoughts and opinions on this chapter. I can't wait to hear them. Please review. The next chapter will be up on the weekend of July 31, 2021.