Hi Readers, I'm back with another chapter. I hope you all enjoy it. As always, I don't own Divergent, but I do own this idea. Any military-related mistakes are mine. Happy Reading!

Chapter 53: Surgery Day

Tris POV

Tobias and I meet with Dr. Matthews to discuss the surgery. By the end of the appointment, we agree to schedule it. Throughout the meeting, Tobias seems unsure even as we sit talking to the doctor. After much education from everyone at the office and from the internet, he holds my hand while I sign paper after paper consenting to the surgery. It is a necessary step to move forward with the process of IVF. The receptionist smiles when I hand her my stack of papers, "You are scheduled for tomorrow morning." My stomach drops at her words, and my heart races.

The morning of the surgery, my eyes follow a pacing Tobias. He does lap after lap in my hospital room, pulling at his short brown hair. I attempt to ease him, smiling, "Come sit with me," patting the bed. Uneasiness fills Tobias's voice while he whispers, the pain filling his eyes, "Tris, are you sure about this? You can still change your mind about the surgery. You don't need to go through with this," his fingertips gently touch my cheek while he continues, "I am happy with our little family of just the two of us." His eyes meet mine. Tobias blinks rapidly, holding back tears, staring at me, waiting for my answer.

I lick my lips, murmuring, "I know you are, but I. . ." My mind drifts to another life. One I could have experienced without Tobias. The one where everyone believed he had died. What if that happened again? What if he deploys again, and this time Tobias doesn't come home? All these questions swarm into my head while I stare at my husband. As if he can read my mind, he admits, "I do get it. After everything we have been through. You don't have to explain anything to me. I fully support your decision." His lips gently touch my cheek. A knock sounds from the door. A doctor in light blue scrubs enters the room to discuss the complications from surgery once again. Dr. Matthews glances at Tobias while going over post-operative instructions. Dr. Matthews pointedly says, "No heavy lifting of any kind." Her serious eyes snap to Tobias, who nods in understanding. Dr. Matthews carefully assesses me, asking, "Are you ready, Tris?"

Confidently, I answer, " Yes." Never feeling more confident about another decision in my life; other than the day I told Tobias I would marry him. I am sure of this decision. Tobias's soft lips brush against mine, whispering, "I love you, don't forget that. Dream of our weekend together in New York."

A smile tugs at my lips, replying, "I will. I love you, handsome. I'll see you after surgery." Tobias reaches for my hand, squeezing tightly. Tobias's hand grips mine until he can no longer, and the wheeling of the bed separates us. Tobias yells down the hall, "I love you, Mrs. Eaton!" My cheeks heat at his words.

Once in the OR, I don't recall anything except the placement of a mask over my face and being ordered by a man in lime-green scrubs to count backward from one hundred. My world turns black before I make it past ninety-eight.

Tobias POV

Tris. She occupies my entire brain this morning. She is the only person I can think about, no matter how hard I try to not worry about her. What if something happens to her? I can't bear to speculate about what my life would look like if she no longer existed. I refuse to think of a world without her in it. My world would be less bright. I attempt to send all my positive energy her way toward that OR. I have never been one for prayer, but I find myself turning toward God and praying the surgeon working on Tris knows what the hell she is doing.

A flash of bright red hair distracts me from my demanding, threatening prayer to the person upstairs. The woman stands before me, I blink. Hoping, I'm imagining her. I close my eyes and rub my temples. When I open my eyes, she's still there. I blink once again, hoping she will disappear, but the image of Stacy is still very present before me. I don't have the energy to deal with her today, especially today of all the days. I need to stay focused on Tris! I stare at Stacy and my suspicions are heightened even more than before that she had something to do with Tris passing out at the bar. Sam and her. Sam and Stacy confuse the ever-loving shit out of me. I feel like Sam looks at Tris as more than a friend, and I can feel my jealousy creeping back in. I try to shake off the green-eyed monster. Then an idea hits, maybe if I play nice with Stacy, she will admit that she drugged Tris. Why does this woman continue to haunt me?

Stacy twirls her hair around her finger, smirking, "Fancy seeing you here, T. I know you still think I'm beautiful, but there is no need to stare at me like that." I blink again, she continues, "I wasn't sure if that was you from the distance, so I decided to double-check. T. . ." A grimace slips onto my lips when her nickname from high school smacks into my ears. I always hated that name, but I put up with it because I didn't want to cause another fight when we were dating. Stacy continues to twist her hair around her fingers like a child. I sigh, attempting to suppress my inner hatred for this woman. I can't believe I ever found that habit cute! I cross my arms, muttering, "What are you doing here?" My eyes stay locked on the television screen, watching Tris's number on the screen for a status update.

Stacy sits beside me. Her fingers run up my arm, smiling, "Nothing much. I went to your house looking for you, but you obviously weren't home." My fist clenches, and I growl, "How the fuck do you know where I live?" A laugh escapes Stacy's lips, "Please, it wasn't that hard to find out that information. All I had to do was ask someone once I got onto base wearing a short skirt, low cut top, and batting my eyelashes looking lost. The guys are always willing to give up any information if they think they have a chance. Your neighbor, a chatty guy with his daughter was nice enough to tell me where the spare key is, once I shared that I'm your sister.

I shot her a deadly look at her words. I can't believe she found my house! I can't believe she lied to Stephen that she was my sister! Her gravelly voice breaks my inner thoughts, "I must say. I love what you have done with the place. Was that your decorating style or hers? Your closet is still organized the same way as when we were together, and you still wear the same aftershave." I feel violated! Nausea flares in my throat. Disgust fills her voice, continuing, "I saw your wedding photos with her, and I found the unopened pregnancy tests. You can't seriously be thinking about a baby with that fuck up! We were supposed to have children together."

Anger surges through me, "Stacy, stay the hell out of my house! You are going to forget where I live! Do you understand me? I want nothing to do with you! If you come anywhere near Tris or me again, I will call the police, and you will be arrested because you are crazy." Stacy smiles, twirling her hair, "Oh, I understand, but I think you need to hear what I came to tell you."

I sneer, "Oh, I understand you. What makes you think I will actually listen to what comes out of your mouth. After all, all you do is lie!" The idea of playing nice quickly flies out the window. I snap, "I want you to stay the fuck out of my house and off my property." Stacy smiles, "Okay," although her smile alone tells me she is lying. My eyes glance at the screen with patient identifier numbers, waiting to see if Tris's number has changed from yellow to red, signifying her surgery has started.

My stomach drops, watching the screen change from yellow to red. My heart rate increases, and my heart feels like it is about to burst in my chest. I take a few steady breaths, attempting to maintain a calm composure. I can't let Stacy or anyone know how worried I am about this surgery. Stacy's sniffling draws my attention away from the screen. "I need your help. I haven't been able to get a hold of Eric for months, and I fear something is wrong. No one will give me an answer because we weren't married. The last phone call that I received, he said he was under arrest due to a misunderstanding. In my gut I know something is wrong, T. Can you please help me? I know you have connections."

I state, "I can't. I'm sorry." I cross my arms, glancing at her. Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. What I would have given when we were younger for her to talk about me, the way she speaks about Eric. She whispers, "Can't or won't, T? If you were missing, I would have gone to the ends of this world looking for you, or helping her look for you! I could trade you some valuable information if you help me find Eric." I massage my temples for relief from the oncoming headache. I have had enough of her games to last a lifetime. Reflexively, I snap, "Like what?"

Maniacally, Stacy giggles, "Well that depends on how much you can find out about Eric." She hands me a note. I lift an eyebrow, asking, "What is this?" I weigh the heavy, white envelope on my fingertips. Stacy warns, "Think of this as reassurance, you are going to help me find out what happened to Eric, or else, your darling wife, who is being operated on as we speak, won't make it out of surgery alive." My hands form into fists while she cackles, "Tootles, I have an appointment to get some blood work done." My voice raises, calling after her, "You really are crazy! Leave my wife out of this! This is between you and me, Stacy!" My heart races in my chest.

Stacy twists, continuing to laugh, "Maybe I am crazy. Maybe, I'm not, but do you really want to take this bet with your beloved, precious wife, lying heavily sedated on a table. I could easily end her, and you wouldn't be able to do a damn thing, T. In fact, I could have already ended her life, but I didn't, for you and only for you because I know you like her." I tug at my hair, frustratingly replying, "I like her a hell of a lot more than I ever liked you!" Stacy smirks, "So, you will help me? You talk a great game, Tobias Aaron Eaton, about not wanting me because I'm a cheater. So are you, and she is one as well. You will one day figure it out, and you will come crawling back to me."

I run my fingers through my hair, tugging hard at the short ends, asking, "Why would you say any of that? Tris has never cheated on me, and I never cheated on you. You have really lost touch with reality, Stacy." I'm so tired of Stacy's games, and now she's accusing Tris of being a cheater.

Stacy sighs, "Oh T, I see the way her so-called friend and her stare at each other." I laugh, "Which friend? Christina?" Stacy smiles, "I think his name is Sam. There is something there. It's unwritten, but it's the exact same way we would look at one another in high school before everything went wrong in our relationship." A frown falls upon my lips while a forlorn smile crosses her lips, continuing, "You did look at me like that in the beginning. You used to look at me like I hung the stars and the moon for you. At least you used to before I cheated on you the first time when you were deployed. Then you never trusted me again. The point is, if Tris isn't cheating on you with Sam, then it is coming in your future. Why the hell did she let me believe they were married the first time I met her at Jake's Bar in Virginia? Why not just come clean, and tell me she was married to you? At the bar, he kissed her cheek, they were smiling and acting very comfortable with one another, bumping shoulders."

I cross my arms tightly over my chest, deadpanning, "I highly doubt Sam kissed her cheek. Tris and Sam's relationship goes all the way back to high school. They are just friends." Where is she going with this?

Stacy sighs, "We were friends once in high school, T? Can we at least try to be friends? I have no one here, and certainly, no one I trust." I stare through her, truthfully answering, "I don't know, Stacy. We have such a long, deep, dark past that is full of nothing but regret. I don't know if I could ever get past all of our history to ever see you as a friend. I think our relationship is better left in the past. I'm sorry, but I can't look back, only forward, to my future. You are my past. Tris is my future. My big, bright, beautiful future." At my words, Stacy begins to cry loudly, drawing all the eyes in the waiting room to us. I suddenly feel uncomfortable as I squirm in my seat. For some stupid reason, I reach for her hand, attempting to comfort her. Just as quickly as her waterworks started, they end. She latches onto my hand, squeezing my hand, whimpering, "See T, we can be friends."

Begrudgingly, I mutter, "Fine, friends." Suddenly an idea crosses my mind, asking, "Since we are friends now, can I ask you something from one friend to another? She looks at me with pleading eyes, waiting for my question. "The night you were at the bar, and Tris blacked out, did you see anything? She can't remember anything from that night."

I hold my breath, hoping Stacy comes clean because she believes I'm her friend. Stacy freezes in her chair, smoothly answering, "The night at the bar, I saw Sam slip something into her drink while he was carrying it back to the table. I tried to tell her, but she wouldn't listen to me. Instead, all she wanted to do, was yell at me, and tell me you were all hers and to stay away from you. I tried multiple times to warn her, but she wouldn't listen, T. Open the envelope." Stacy slowly gets up, walking away from me, leaving my head spinning from what she said. Did Sam really drug Tris's drink, or is Stacy lying to me like she has been for the better part of my life knowing her?

Against my better judgment, I pick up the heavy envelope and open it. My mind continues to swarm with ideas: Is Stacy lying? What the hell is in this envelope? Inside lay photographs of Tris and myself, photos of Sam and Tris sitting inside Jake's Bar, one of Sam carrying the drinks, and a photograph of Sam kneeling next to an unconscious Tris. My nostrils flare while my temper rises, and I continue to stare at the pictures.

I angrily shoot Sam a text: Stay the hell away from Tris. Sam responds, but I don't open it. Maybe Sam is responsible for this? Tris still has no recollection of anything from that night.

My ears pick up my name being called, "Mr. Eaton!" I'm broken from my internal thoughts. My eyes glance toward the door, landing on Dr. Matthews in her light blue scrubs. I whisper, "Tris?" Shooting up, out of my seat, wanting to be with my wife, wishing to hold her, and make sure she is really okay. Quickly, I ask, "How is she?" A shiver runs down my spine at Dr. Matthew's silence. I command, "Answer me, damn it!" I'm on the verge of losing it after everything Stacy has done today. There is only one person who can calm me down right now, and it is Tris." Dr. Matthews, smiles, "You need to calm yourself, Mr. Eaton. Once you can assure me that you are calm, I will bring you to your wife."

I beg, "I am, please, just let me let me see her," Pushing past the doctor. My nerves are fried as I begin to race down the long hallway, looking for any signs of my wife, fearing the worst. My eyes land on a still, peacefully sleeping woman at the end of the hallway. I let out my first full breath since she went into surgery at the sight of her. Quietly, Dr. Matthews says from behind me, "She is still drowsy and will be for a while, but you may sit with her. Dr. Matthews slides open a glass door and leaves, and I enter the dimly lit room. I breathe, "Tris," a sense of calm washes over me. It's something only the sight of Tris can bring me. My eyes scan down her body, looking for anything wrong. Tris moans, "Tobias." I move the chair closer to the bed and rub her hand. What the hell do I do about the photos? Did Sam drug Tris? Did Stacy make it all up? Was it someone else completely different? I rub my temples in frustration as I rack my brain, looking for answers to all my questions.

Tris POV

My stomach is on fire. It feels like I have been punched multiple times, maybe even stabbed. I yell, "No, No, keep Drew away from me!" Stacy smiles, telling me that Drew was out there, waiting to finish Peter's work. I moan, "Tobias." A comforting male voice whispers, "Shh, Tris. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. You are okay. Nothing is going to happen to you as long as I am here." I whimper, "It hurts, Tobias." The tears begin to fall from my eyes, wetting my cheeks. Softly, he says, "I know baby." He squeezes my hand, rubbing the back of it with his fingertips. I feel his calloused fingers, while he whispers, "Let me call the nurse to get you some pain medication." I blink open my eyes, watching as he reaches over me for the call button. He hits it, waiting for an answer. He wipes the tears from my eyes. A nurse promptly comes into the room, giving me pain medication. I feel a head rush as the nurse pushes the medication through my IV. I feel like I'm floating on a cloud, and I begin to giggle, staring at Tobias. He asks, "What's so funny?"

Laughter escapes my lips, "You! You have four eyes!" A smile tugs at his lips, and his fingers move his glasses up on his nose, replying, "Very funny, Tris! Like I haven't heard that one a million times before." I grin at him, "Are you ready to start making a baby now?" He crosses his arms, deadpanning me, "No." He attempts to stand straight, moving away from the chair. I pout, "You are no fun! I'll wear you down eventually, you know." I wink at him, then turn to the nurse, "Isn't my husband hot? I mean look at him," I point directly at Tobias. The nurse giggles, walking out of the room, leaving Tobias yelling, "Hey, is this normal? What happened to my wife? I need some answers."

The red-faced, brown-haired nurse smiles, "It's most likely a combination of the pain medication and the anesthesia, sir. Give her a little bit, and she should be back to normal." The nurse quickly retreats from the room, leaving Tobias alone with me. I lay on the bed, smiling at him, like a cat who found a mouse to play with. "Will you come lay with me, Captain Hottie?" I grab a hold of his hand, trying to pull him onto the bed with me, snuggling into his hand. Tobias relents with a sigh, "Behave, Tris!" I bat my eyelashes at him, giggling, "Yes, sir," while I move over in the bed. He wraps an arm around me gently, pulling me into his side. His arms envelope me. My fingers skate down his hard stomach muscles and lift up his shirt. My eyes are drawn to his sparse hair. My hand begins to move downward, and he snatches it, bringing it up to his mouth, and kissing the back of it. He tucks my finger between his, and then lays our hands on his chest, whispering, "Behave, or I will get up." I groan, not from pain, but from Tobias not giving me what I want. Tobias takes my groan as a sign of pain. He rubs my arm soothingly, moving his fingers up and down, sending goosebumps down my arms. He grabs the remote, and turns on the television, murmuring, "In a few minutes, your pain medication should kick in."

I pout, "Are you always such a wet blanket? You aren't being very nice today." Tobias rolls his eyes, laughing, "I'm always very nice to you, every single day. Hearts and flowers, remember Mrs. Eaton." A smile tugs at my lips, "Speaking of which since you promised me hearts and flowers. I want a kiss, a nice long one." Tobias lifts an eyebrow, replying, "How about I hold you instead."

I giggle, "What's the matter, Tobias? Are you scared of a little girl?" My questions earn me an eye roll. He sarcastically answers, "Actually, at this moment, I'm terrified." I chuckle, "How about you hold me and kiss me."

Tobias stares at my lips as he ponders his answer, replying, "Will you go back to sleep? You need your rest." I smile, "Yes!" Tobias slowly leans forward, much too slow for my liking. I grasp ahold of his shoulder, dragging him to me. His lips brush mine in a short kiss. When he attempts to pull away, I pull him closer. He touches my shoulders, pushing me away from him, muttering, "Sleep, Tris. I will be right here when you wake up, and I will give you a longer kiss."

A smile crosses my lips, "I'll hold you to that one, lover boy." Tobias once again rolls his eyes at me while I shut my eyes and attempt to fall back to sleep.

Thoughts? Opinions? I'll be back next month with another update! Thanks everyone for taking the time to read.