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Chapter 12

Merry Christmas

Tris' POV

I'm twisting from side to side in front of the bathroom mirror, admiring the red dress that Christina let me borrow for tonight. I curled my hair in waves around my face, and I added some light makeup along with the earrings Shauna lent me. It's Christmas Eve. Tobias has invited everyone of his friends along with Zeke and Uriah's mom, Hana. I'm excited, I haven't celebrated Christmas like this in years.

I even made a special strawberry cheesecake and Uriah's favorite chocolate Dauntless cake. Tobias has spent hours with the smoker, checking on the Christmas whole pork outside. Tobias arranged for everyone to bring in one side dish to contribute to the dinner. Earlier I helped him set up a large, long foldable table in the living room that is large enough to fit us all. We covered it with a gorgeous white tablecloth, with a festive, green runner going down the middle. At the last minute I threw in a few Christmas candles and poinsettias. Although we are eating on disposal dishes, they are the highly gorgeous decorated Christmas themed kind that goes nicely with the decor.

This has all been a dream come true. Who would have thought a month ago when I lost everything where I would be now. And Tobias… I admit I have strong feelings for him. Feelings that are for obvious reasons inappropriate. But they are strong and growing every day that I spend with him. I know my time here is growing short, the season is ending and he doesn't need my help for much longer. I don't know what I will do when that time comes. I will miss him and this place so much.

The doorbell rings, distracting me from my sad thoughts. I rush downstairs, meeting Tobias at the door before he opens it. "Wow Tris, you look absolutely stunning". Tobias says. My cheeks turn as red as the dress that I am wearing from his compliment.

"Thank you," I say back.

One by one each of them steps inside, their hands full of Christmas gifts and dishes of delicious food. Tobias kisses the girl's cheek, while giving a pat on the men's back. I, on the other hand, get a kiss from everyone, along with wide smiles. I see an older woman come in who I immediately assume is Hana, Zeke's and Uriah's mother. She reaches out, patting Tobias' cheeks before he bends over and gives her a warm embrace and kiss on the cheek. He finally lets her go, letting her in the house and closing the door behind her.

"And this must be Tris." She says, pointing her finger towards me. Her smile meets her eyes, she definitely wears her heart on her sleeve. Her warmness reminds me so much of my mother. It almost brings tears to my eyes.

"Tris," Uriah calls out. He tosses something to me as he grabs my attention. I surprisingly catch it, before it misses me. My car keys. "She's all fixed… I even fixed a few other things that I noticed needing fixing." He says sheepishly. "Consider it your Christmas gift." I stare at my open hand with the keys nestled in them. My car. I'm beyond shocked, I admit a part of me thought I would never get it back.

"Merry Christmas," He says, before turning back around towards the table and calling out, "Alright everyone… Let's eat!"

"So you got your car back?" Tobias asks, his voice low and filled with a sting of hurt.

"Yeah," I answered, not sure what else to say. What will this change?

"I guess we'll have some things to talk about later." He announces, before turning and walking towards the others. Suddenly I feel small and worried. I feel like an outcast within a matter of seconds. I slowly moved towards the table, suddenly surprised that they thought to even leave me a seat. Perhaps I don't belong here. I try, really try not to think about my troubles or about leaving this place that I have grown to love so much.

I sit down with my hands in my lap. Watching, memorizing every second of this night. The smiles, the generosity as everyone passes a dish of some kind to one another. When everyone is served, we all join hands around the table. Tobias sits at the head of one side, I reach out trying to ignore the shivers that his hand touching mine sends me. I'll miss this most of all. Him and the delicious shivers he causes me to have.

His eyes crease together, confused by my facial expression, no doubt. I clear my throat, trying to shrug off this sadness that has overcome me. I don't want tonight to be anything but fun and happiness. I want to remember this night for years to come. Long after I'm gone.

Tobias' POV

All night Tris has been acting weird. I worried about what getting her car back might mean for us, for her. I know the end of the season is right on us and now that she has her car back she won't have much of a reason to stay. But I want her to.

I still feel the strong urge I had to kiss her when she came down the stairs earlier. The second I saw her, I just wanted to take her in my arms and head back up stairs telling everyone to go back home. The red dress really accentuates her figure. Her perky breasts, her hips, her perfectly toned legs…. It took everything in me to answer the door and invite everyone in. Honestly that was the last thing I really wanted.

But I couldn't help but notice the long gazes that she has been giving, the empty stares and the sadness that appears in her beautiful, blue gray eyes almost all night. At first maybe, I thought she missed her family, or maybe someone told her something. But I knew deep down it wasn't that. I wanted to ask her, pull her aside… But I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable either.

The moment I saw Uriah toss Tris her car keys, my stomach was in shambles. The thought of her leaving…It hurts me to the core. I can't express how much she has made this home really feel like a home again. Or even made me feel alive again. I know we have to talk about this, make new arrangements. I just don't want to have it tonight of all nights, just in case she doesn't feel the same about me.

The moment the door closes and the house is silent for the first time in hours. I feel a slight relief in my shoulders. I love my friends… My family… But they can be a lot. Especially Uriah with food. Most of the time it feels like you are battling for a spoon with that kid. Need a favor, throw in some food… No matter what he will make it happen.

"I think I'm going to go to bed… I'm kinda tired," Tris says in a low voice, although her voice seemed more bothered than tired. Either way, I don't try to stop her.

I watch her head up the stairs. My eyes focus on her strong, upper thighs, as they teasingly hide that one part of her that my eyes want to see most as she climbs up the stairs. Fuck, get a grip Tobias.

"Umm. Tris." I call out to her, Not wanting to end things this way. What if she leaves in the middle of the night? What if I never see her again? No, we need to talk about this now. "Can we talk?" I ask. She turns around, being a few steps up, holding onto the rail she pauses for a moment, thinking before she finally nods her head and descends down the stairs once again. We walk to the living room taking our seats on the couch in front of the fireplace. Our fireplace.

"Tris I wanna talk about where do we go from here? I mean…Yes, the season has ended…" I begin, but she cuts me off mid sentence obviously wanting to get whatever is bothering her off her chest.

"Tobias, I know what you are going to say. I understand perfectly. I did what you needed from me. Now the season is over and you don't need me anymore…" She begins, I can see exactly where she is heading with this. I place a gentle hand on her knee, making sure I don't go too high up.

"No, Tris, you don't understand."

"No, I do understand." She butts in again. I swear if I didn't think I would scare her I would shut her up with a kiss. She is so stubborn.

"No, Tris, you don't. I don't want you to leave." I continue, not letting her interrupt me this time.

"You don't?" She asks, shocked.

"Of course not, Tris, I love having you around. We can keep the store open all year, work on each season… You can bake all the goodies you want, even bread if you want to." Then I say the one thing I knew was true since the first day she stepped foot into the store. "The store is all yours…"

"Really?" She asks in disbelief. "You want me?" She asks.

I reach out, my eyes trained on hers as I push back a piece of stray hair behind her ear.

"I want you to stay… And not because you have no other choice, but because you want to." I say, nearly above a whisper. My heart swells with hope filling every inch of me.

"I do." She says, matching my tone.

I lean in ever so slowly, letting our lips touch for the first time. I pull back just slightly, enough to make sure she is accepting of this. When I see there is no hesitation, no fight back, I go in again, this time more certain. My hand reaches out, caressing her cheek as she hooks her hand around my neck. Our lips heat up against each other, wanting more, wanting to never stop. My tongue forces her lips apart, wanting to taste her. And taste her I do, she is so sweet and savoring. I find it hard to break free from her, but I know this can't go too far, not yet.

"I don't want to go too fast." She whispers out of breath.

"Don't worry, I already have my room." I joke.

"I wanna tell you something," I say, getting her attention. "I think I love you," I admit, my heart is swelling once again.

"You think?" She teases, "maybe we should get you some paper and a pen… You can make a list to make sure…" She jokes. I laugh at her response. At least she isn't running away screaming from me.

"Fine. I love you, Tris." I say, stronger than before.

"I love you too, Tobias." She says this time she is the one leaning towards me as our lips meet once again. "Merry Christmas, Tobias."

"Merry Christmas, Tris."

A/N

I know this story felt like it just flew by, it felt like that for me and FDFobsessed…So to make up for that we have come up with a special multi-chapter event for this story on Valentine's Day. So please keep an eye out for that.

On another note: FDFobsessed and I are taking the month of January off to rejuvenate. But not to worry, we will be back come Feb 14th for this story as well as another new story once this story is finished.

As always I can't take credit for the Divergent series as the credit obviously goes to Veronica Roth. But this Christmas story idea actually was brainstormed by FDFobsessed…So please join me in thanking her. She is always fighting for each and everyone of you. Making sure that the chapters are revised and done by the dead lines. I don't think any of these stories would be anywhere near what they are now without her.

I also want to give a dedication to my mother, Blanca, who passed away three years ago today. I miss her everyday and wish I could have just one more Christmas with her. Christmas was always her pride and joy…It felt right that she passed on her favorite day.

Revised by: FDFobsessed

Like always Merry Christmas, Happy reading, be safe and stay healthy and Happy New Year,

Trini

See you all in February!