Happy Reading Everyone!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Chapter 32

Merry Christmas

Tris' POV

I drop my bag aside Maggie's when we jump into the speeding train. I take a deep breath as I watch the top of Dauntless get further and further away. I fight back the tears that threaten to escape my eyes. Hating every inch that puts me farther and farther from Tobias and Sofie. It's hard enough to be away from them… Let alone on Sofie's first Christmas.

I know Tobias tried to make up for me not being there… What with the cookie baking, tree trimming, Christmas movies and the…I close my eyes tightly shut, trying to keep the fire in my blood from rising at the thought of last night's… I don't even know what to call what happened last night. Tobias and I have yet to speak about it. It happened though, there is no doubt about that. The disappointment still burns when he was the one to pull away from me. We both tried to act like nothing had happened. Like our sore lips didn't want more. That our bodies shivered with want and need. something that we both for some strange reason decided to starve ourselves of. I didn't want to be the one to spoil the night with questions or an awkward conversation. Instead we just got back to the movie and settled in.

Christmas is such an odd holiday to celebrate in the city. There is no one way to celebrate it. Every faction has their own way of celebrating the day. I learned living in Dauntless that there is no right or wrong way to celebrate it either. My first year celebrating Christmas away from Abnegation, I spent it in Dauntless.

I had a small tree, nothing fancy or out of this world. After all it was just me. That doesn't mean that I was alone or anything of course. Maggie and her family were gracious enough to invite me to their house for Christmas dinner. There were also the office Christmas parties and all the Dauntless events, like the talent show.

My second Christmas away from Abnegation was once again different from all my years before. It was my first Holiday meeting in another faction. That year Amity was kind enough to host the event. There they spent Christmas Eve happy, go lucky. Spending the night singing old tunes of Christmas and dancing around the community's only Christmas tree. Their Christmas tree is actually outside in the eating hall. Right in the center, actually. Since they have feelings about chopping trees down, bringing it in for the tree to be decorated and die. They leave their tree up all year round for the community to enjoy it every day. They decorate it, of course for Christmas. But other than that, it stays standing up and healthy all year around. Like every evening, Amity residents leave their shoes outside the door to their small little homes. Only on Christmas morning, do they wake up with candy for the adults and little trinkets for the children. It's a sweet and different way than the Dauntless and Erudite celebrate. While Dauntless and Erudite celebrate Christmas the more traditional ways from what I have been told…Candor takes a more honest approach to the day. Discussing the history and the true meaning behind the holiday.

But there is nothing like Christmas in Abnegation. Where every man, woman and child work together to make sure everyone, especially the factionless have food for Christmas and every child has something to open in the morning.

Christmas Eve though, was always my favorite. After a long day volunteering we would come home to a delicious smell since Mom would have had a pork slow roasting all day. We would eat delicious pork with herbs and potatoes for dinner. It was the one night of the year our food actually tasted anything but bland. After dinner we would gather in the living room with our Christmas tree lit up by candles. My father would tell the story of Christmas to the three of us. After a long day of work and a delicious meal, Caleb and I would pass out to our father's voice. In the morning we would wake up and all contribute to breakfast. It's the most simplest way to celebrate, but it's the most comforting to me.

"We're here." Maggie says, touching my arm to get me out of the fog I'm in. I snap out of it, seeing the concrete buildings quickly approaching. I nod, bend over and grab my bag. I secure the strap across my chest before nodding at Maggie. We stand back farest away from the door of the train waiting for the moment to come to a run and then jump. The head of the train just lines up to the first concrete building, now. I run with all my might. Jumping out of the car, not giving it another thought. My feet meet the ground, I keep my feet moving at the same pace for a few feet until I have my stability. I slow down into a walk, I glance back making sure Maggie is right behind me. We both smile, it doesn't matter how many times we jump on and off the train… The thrill still gets me every time.

We walk through the small building of Abnegation, sticking out like sore thumbs. We arrived at my childhood home. I still don't stop, turning the doorknob I let myself into my parents' home, but I stop dead cold as I'm met not by my parents, but by something more monstrous… The one person in this city that I swear on my life will never set eyes on my daughter. One childhood ruined is far too many.

"Ah Beatrice, there you are, my darling… Merry Christmas." My mother greets me, opening her arms to embrace me. Although I am distracted, I do not reject her. Even now, as Dauntless, I want my mother's warm and safe embrace around me. To protect me and my daughter from this monster that is now sitting in what used to be my seat at the dinner table.

"And how's my granddaughter?" My mother asks, finally letting me go. I internally cringe, wishing she wouldn't mention Sofie in front of that…That…. Asshole.

"Merry Christmas, Mother. She's well mom. Thank you," I answer, keeping it brief.

"Yes, I did hear of your new bundle of joy. I believe congratulations are in order." Marcus says, I can see that fake smile appear on his lips. But his smile doesn't meet his eyes. His eyes betray his true disgust behind his words.

"Thank you, Marcus," I matched his tone, two can play the fake games. As long as he stays away from my daughter… And Tobias. I can play this game. As long as he stays away from my family.

"For reasons to have more security within the factionless. We need to keep them under control. Making sure they are well aware of their place." Marcus counter offers to my father. His index finger roughly hits the table, while the vein in his forehead popped out.

"Well I beg a differ, factionless needs more assistance then policing. They are not a threat to our security." My father counteracts right back. I glance at my watch, four o'clock. We have been at this for the past three hours. I swear we haven't gotten anywhere. I lean back in my chair taking in reason after reason why Dauntless police does and doesn't belong in the factionless sector.

"I see… And when our assistance can only go so far and can't reach each one. What then? Who will help those from being harmed." Marcus points out.

"Have some faith in humanity, Marcus, they are not all monstrous." My father pleads. I can't help but raise an eyebrow to my father on his choice of words. Since of course the one that is accusing helpless people with monstrous acts is a monster himself.

"Gentlemen, please…" Joanna says, trying to settle the room down. "I beg you, can't we come to a middle ground here. After all it is Christmas. A time for blessings and miracles." She takes another bite of her bread that she brought from Amity.

Joanna has brought the bread to almost every one of these meetings. Although she offers a piece to every one of us. We all know better than to take any part of her bread. Knowing damn well why she can always be so cheerful and peaceful in these meetings. But she has a point.

"Yes, Can't we split the resources, perhaps… 50-50…" I suggest. No reason why we have to spend all the resources in one way.

"Well, that is something to think about." Marcus says, agreeing. His smile wider than ever as he sees his side all but partially won. I fight the urge to roll my eyes, he is all pride and ego, that's for sure. "Why don't we break for lunch." Marcus suggests, without another word we all gather our notebooks and stand from the tables.

"Awe Tris, I heard the great news. I think congratulations are in order." Marcus says, his voice beyond pleasant as he nods his head towards me. My eyebrows crease together, confused why he is talking to me in the first place, he already congratulated me on my daughter.

"He speaks of little Sofie, sweetheart." My mother says, coming to stand by my side. Her hands clasped together in front of herself, waiting patiently for me to gather my belongings.

"Thank you, Marcus." I say, through gritted teeth. I hate the thought of him even thinking about my daughter.

"It's a shame though that you are not married. Is the father Dauntless?" He asks. Everything in me alerts me at once. Wondering if this is his way of small talk or perhaps something else.

"Marcus, I believe that is none of your concern." My mother says abruptly.

"I'm sorry, Natalie… Just making for light conversation." He says, his smile never falters.

"After all in this faction, an unwed mother is unheard of. What a disappointment she would have been to Abnegation." He finally says, with all his items in hand, he makes his way out of the room. I reach out, grabbing hold of my mothers arm before she takes a step forward. Getting into it with Marcus here and now isn't worth it.

"Well it's a good thing I am not Abnegation, need I remind you." I called out. But he doesn't turn back around.

"That good for nothing…" She begins, "We should have reported him. Pretending to be anything but the monster he is."

"Mother, please, let's not add fuel to the fire," I insist. "His day will come. Till then it's not our story to tell." I remind her. Although I would love nothing more than to see him pay for his crimes, it's Tobias' decision.

"Is everything alright, sweetheart." Mother says, walking beside me out of the doors of city hall.

"Yes, I suppose." I sigh, as I continue. "It's just hard to be away from Sofie for the first time, plus the Holiday. We had plans to spend her first Christmas together," I confess, hating the thought of not being home.

"I remember the Christmas' at Dauntless. It was my favorite time of the year. The lights and decorations… Always so moving. I can't blame you for not wanting to be there. Plus it is your first time away from her." She reminds me, as if I need to be reminded. I fight the tears that threaten to escape me. I don't want others to see this moment of weakness.

"Awe, my sweet girl." My mother says kindly, taking me into her arms. "Why don't you go home? I can say there was an emergency… That we can postpone the meeting till after the new year." My mother offers me.

"What is this we are talking about?" My father says, coming to join us in our walk.

"It's Beatrice, Andrew…" My mother begins, feeling the anxiety I feel as a mother separated from her child. "Andrew, this meeting should have been held after the new year. I don't see the urgency." She begins venting towards my father. "We are separating people from their families." She pointed out.

"Natalie, this is part of the role that we have picked. To be called when needed." He explains. "But there should be boundaries and limitations to these meetings. You cannot tell me that this discussion couldn't have been held off for another day or two."

I watch as my father comes to the realization of her words. He places his hands on hips, his shoulders sinking as he nods in agreement. "This meeting could have waited. Marcus insisted." My father agrees.

"And why on earth are we listening to that man…" My mother spits out. Showing her distaste for the man that is my daughter's other grandfather. My father looks at me and then back at my mother, nodding his head.

"I will call attention to this when we all get back from lunch. If we can get more counsel to agree…Then we can postpone the remainder of the meeting till after the new year." My father suggested. I feel hopeful that I might actually be able to make it home for Christmas.

Tobias' POV

I placed yet another present under the Christmas tree. I stand up looking at my handy work. I glance at the bassinet holding my sleeping daughter. I know I went overboard this Christmas. Perhaps it's the guilt that I feel when it comes to her first Christmas, for her mother not being here. After all, I know she won't remember it. She doesn't know the difference between her toes and her was out of Tris' control. She would be here if she could. I hated seeing the tears that fell down her cheeks as she left early this morning.

Last night the kiss, or kisses that we shared… Were everything and more. I wonder if she is thinking the same as I am. Wanting more, needing more. I know rocking the boat is scary, but the fact is I don't know if I can hold back anymore. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am in love with Tris Prior. I'm in love with the mother of my child.

The sound of the lock turning, I turned just in time to see the door open slightly enough for Tris' frame to walk through the door. Our eyes connect, the passion between us alive.

"Your home," I announce, I feel the smile on my face widen at the thought that she came home. To us.

"I had to come home." She says, as she sits her bag down by the front door. She walks over to where I'm standing, glancing in the bassinet at our sleeping daughter. She smiles, pausing to kiss the top of her sweet little head.

"I'm glad you are home."

"Me too." She steps closer to me, our eyes focus on nothing else but each other.

"Tris, I have to tell you something…" I begin, pausing to make sure I have her full attention. "I think I'm in love with you," I confess.

"You think? Maybe we should get you a paper and pen, so you write down the pros and cons." She jokes, I can't help the chuckle that escapes my lips. She reaches out, both her hands landing on my biceps. She slowly raises her hands to my shoulders. Her beautiful blue-gray eyes are full of passion.

"Perhaps we should," I joined in on the joke. "Fine, I love you." I say with seriousness in my tone.

"Good, because I love you too." She says, her voice sweet and peaceful. I lean down, needing to taste her as I take her in my arms.

"Merry Christmas, Tris." I mutter into her ear when we finally break apart.

"Merry Christmas, Tobias." She says, returning my words.

Merry Christmas indeed.

A.N

This chapter is posted later than FDFobsessed and I had hoped to publish. But I'm glad it is out there in the world now… Even if it's a few days late.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and will have a wonderful New Years.

On that note: FDFobsessed and I will be taking off January. We will be back Tuesday, Feb 11th, 2025 to begin work in the new year.

Until then, Happy Reading everyone, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Be safe and stay healthy.

Trini