Happy Reading Everyone!

Don't forget to comment below. Let us know what you think.

PLEASE read the author's note at the bottom regarding next week's chapter and the special Halloween story…

Chapter 35

Now what?

Tobias' POV

It's been about three days since the fire happened. I've been on edge ever since. I've been taking Amar's last suggestion to heart, keeping my family close.

The same day Tris checked out of the hospital, it was agreed that I too would check out of my motel room. I've been sleeping, if you want to call it sleeping, on the couch. It's not because any of us wants me to stay awake, it's just I'm a more alert bear after what happened to Tris and the bakery. I am quicker on my feet with any sound the house might make, I can check it out. It's been like that ever since Tris came home from the hospital.

The lack of sleep has been daunting. Most nights I just lay there, staring at the ceiling. I've gotten to the point where I've started to wish for whoever this is to finally show themselves. I feel like everyone's lives have been put on hold, unable to move forward, unable to move backwards, they're just in a forever frozen state.

I'm afraid to leave my family for too long. I is just as annoyed as I am. Never liking the idea of a puppy dog as a boyfriend.

We agreed to finally telling Emily the truth tonight. Obviously me staying here, even if it's on the couch has brought up some questions and curiosity. But I'm hesitant on exactly how much to tell her. I don't want to scare her. But I do want her to know I'm her father. The thought of her calling me daddy fills me with more pride than I could ever imagine it would. I just hope that she feels the same way about me that I do about her. I love that little girl so much. I just want to make her proud of the father that she does have.

I hear the lock, not given the keys a chance to work, without thinking I reach for the door handle, swinging the door open for Tris and Christina. Chris looks at me with shock on her face, I guess she always thought that chivalry was dead. Tris smiles at me as she walks into the bakery.

The fire chief has long declared this place safe to walk through. Obviously there are a lot of repairs that need to be taken care of, but not everything is lost. Thankfully. We all agreed as a group to check out the bakery together. Christina and Tris own and run this place, but it means just as much to the whole group, it appears. So we waited until the kids went to school this morning to all meet up here. We agreed not to go inside until everyone arrives.

I hear the grief in the sighs of everyone around us. What was once a delicious smell of baked goods has now been replaced with the smell of burnt rubber and burned wood. Half of the group covers their nose and mouth with their shirt, wanting to conceal the smell and possibly not breath god knows what into our lungs.

It doesn't take long to observe the damage that took place in the bakery. Most of the damage appears to be in the kitchen and the backroom. The back office could use some fresh paint to cover up where the flames began, that's about it. The lobby on the other hand was untouched. You can see where the firefighters did a good job in making sure the fire didn't spread. As the only thing to really be replaced is the double doors between the kitchen and the back of the counter. Although the damage did not take everything, that doesn't minimize the pain that is so visible on everybody's faces.

Chris begins to cry over the loss of the kids art wall and what is left is now ashes. Tris, on the other hand, seems to be overwhelmed with grief. You can see as her eyes continue to roam around the rubble, but she doesn't know exactly what to focus on.

"The most important part to remember is that everything can be replaced and rebuilt. What matters is that everyone is safe."

"Yeah, I guess so." Chris mutters.

I am conflicted deep down inside. We all know this was my fault. I shouldn't have come back, I should've stayed away. How selfish am I?

"Let's get out of here." Tris suggested. Obviously she has seen enough.

I, on the other hand, haven't finished wallowing in my own guilt. As everyone begins to walk out of the back door. Zeke is the only one that stays behind.

" I know what you're thinking." He begins, " this isn't your fault."

" Isn't it? I mean this all happened because I came back. Because I wanted to be with them, I was selfish. I am selfish. I put my own needs over their safely," I confess.

" Bro, shut the fuck up. Are you listening to yourself? Tris and Emily need your ass. You want to do right by them, then take care of them… Care about them. Get your head out of your ass and do what you Gotta do." Zeke says forcefully. I nod my head, knowing damn better than to argue with Zeke about this. Especially when he is right.

"What a fucking mess," I mutter, kicking some dust on the floor.

"Yeah…. But this is what insurance is for, right? Not to mention… Family." Zeke says, wisely.

"Since when did you get so wise?" I ask him, smirking widely with a teasing tone.

"Since losing you forced me to see my ways." Zeke says, dramatically.

"Alright you two love birds…" Tris interrupts us, her cheeks blush red. "We need to get going." She announced.

"No. Not yet." Zeke cries out, circling me in his arms and trying to kiss my cheek. "I just got him back."

"Alright, fine. Then I'll let Shauna know that Four will be sleeping between the two of you tonight?" Tris says, wiggling her finger between us.

"I'm good." Zeke blurts out, snapping back to normal and straightening up. He clears his throat as he walks out of the back door leaving Tris and I alone. Tris smiles, rolling her eyes. For a moment I can't believe she can still find the humor in all of this mess. I see the courage she carries, the strength that has been forced out of her all of these years. She is a fighter and the love of my life.

Tris and I caught up with the group outside of the bakery… Leaning against Uriah's truck. We begin to talk about the next steps. We all agreed on assignments such as necessities that are needed for the clean up and what was next after that.

Chris started to make phone calls to the insurance company, Shauna began taking pictures, while Tris and I went to the store for a few supplies. Uriah and Marlene went to the hardware store for a few wood panels to board up the broken windows.

We decide to get a few other things while we are out getting trash bags, brooms and cleaning supplies. Things like water and energy drinks and a few snacks to eat throughout the day.

We get back just as Chris is finally ending her call. She announces that the bakery is indeed covered and the estimator is set to come out god the bakery is covered.

We get to work without another word. Sweeping and throwing out anything that can't be savaged. Shauna takes detailed pictures of each item as they are placed at the curb. It's a long and exhausting day.

We work endlessly until it's time to go get the kids from school. Chris and the others offer to get the kids and take them somewhere fun. I think after the long day we all had, we all need a distraction from all the chaos.

Tris on the other hand, I can see the day has taken a toll on her. Her burns must still ache from all this work too. She is still healing. Deciding that the kids are safe with the rest of the group, I insist on taking Tris home to rest. I didn't miss the side looks that Uriah and Zeke gave me when I said that. For the first time in years, my cheeks actually reddened like a high school girl when Zeke handed me a few condoms and said, "just in case, you know." A part of me wanted to slap him beside his head right then and there, but then again, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Tris and I bid our goodbyes. I hear Chris whispering something to Tris, but I'm not sure what she says as I am speaking to Zeke.

"Make sure the kids don't leave your sight…Not for a minute." I tell Zeke.

"Four, I got this. The kids will be safe with me." He ensures me. I know they will be, I trust him. "Plus… what's safer than Chuck E Cheese."

"You might wanna keep your eyes on Uriah too then," I say, before turning towards Tris. I walk Tris back to her car, my hand on her lower back. I take the keys from her, more than willing to drive us. When I slip into the driver's seat, I see the day has taken a toll on Tris. Her head is resting back against the seat, she has bags under her eyes, her eyes are closed, resting them for the moment.

I silently turn the car on and put it in drive, not bothering to even turn on the radio, letting us fall into complete silence.

A/N

Thoughts, concerns…Should Tobias really have come back? Or would it have been better if he stayed away?

What do you think?

ON ANOTHER NOTE:

Starting this Friday, Oct 27 we will begin our annual Halloween Story. The story is 5 chapters long and we will have a new chapter published on a daily basis beginning Friday, the 27th leading up to Halloween day, the 31st.

So keep an eye out for that.

Because Halloween does fall on a Tuesday this year, we will not be publishing next week's chapter for this story and will pick right back up come November 7th. But not to worry, not much left before we start our Thanksgiving one shot and our Christmas story.

Till then

Revised by: FDFobsessed

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

Trini