Chapter 47: 47

- Friday, August 2nd 7:00 a.m.-

~Jade's POV~

'Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep.' I hear continuously, waking me out of my sleep. I hear Tobias groan as he turns off the alarm on his watch. We have to get up and get ready now, so we can go wake up the transfers and have both them and the Dauntless-Born in the pit exactly an hour from now. I start sitting up but, I look over to see Tobias trying to go back to sleep. I kiss him all over his face, and he groans some more.

"Get up sleepy head." I say, and he finally opens his eyes. I see that they're a little bloodshot and I remember the reason why. I remember what happened last night. He closes his eyes and rolls over, and I get the feeling he just remembered too. I try to pull him to roll back over but, he just shakes my hand off and pulls our blanket over his head.

Oh no, he's turning into a hermit crab, just as my brother did the night Tris broke his heart. I won't accept this, I won't accept sad Tobias. I pull the covers over my head too and I roll him back over, using a little bit of strength from my power. He finally budges and I lay my chin on his chest, "Do you wanna stay in bed while I get ready and get the initiates up?" I ask him softly, and he immediately shakes his head no. "No, I want you to stay with me. All day." He says in his cute morning voice.

"Does that mean you want me to come with when you leave to see your mom?" I ask, and he cringes at my words, yet nods. "I'm really going to need you, especially then. I love my mother, but right now, she's supposed to be dead. I thought she left me alone forever, when in reality she left me alone for thirteen years. The first seven years consisted of endless amounts of beatings from my father, until I finally left. Then the past five years I've spent in Dauntless, were full of temporary people, temporary feelings and long-term stress and loneliness." He starts to explain, and my heart grows heavier and heavier the more he spoke. "What I'm trying to say is," He pauses, "you've been the only good thing, -great thing-, that's happened to me in awhile. I need you with me so when I feel like I'm gonna starting balling in front of her, I can take one look at you and be able to get my point across." He continues to explain, and I snuggle into him. He needs me. I'm the only one that can help him through this.

"Well then I'm definitely coming with you. I'm gonna be right beside you all day." I say, and he kisses my head. I get curious though, "What point are you gonna get across with her?" I ask quietly, and he breathes in deeply, "The point where both me and her understand that she? Is still dead to me."

***

I step down the stairs to the sleeping chambers, and Tobias hands me a pole. I watch and listen as ten initiates continue to snore in front of me, "Time?" I ask in a whisper, and he looks at his watch. "7:50." He whispers back, and he lets me do the honors. I bang the pole against the stairwell-railing three-four times, and I watch all the initiates jump out of their sleep. They all look to me, half dead, "I want everyone in the pit in five minutes." I say loud and clear. And both me and Tobias head back up the few stairs, and into the pit.

It was fairly empty today, for this exact reason. I sit on the same large piece of cement Eric once sat on as a Dauntless leader, and I laugh. "Can you believe, not too long ago Eric was sitting right here, with authority at his disposal?" I ask my love, and he laughs too. "Ahh yes, I remember those days. Very torturous days." He says, standing in-between my legs as I sat. "The man was a prick." I say, leaning back onto my hands.

Tobias chuckles a bit more, "I heard from your brother that you thought said prick was attractive, back in your year of course." He says, and I despise how big my brother's mouth's are. "You thought that blond abomination was attractive?" He asks me, and I sigh as I facepalm. I won't lie, I kind of did. Only in the beginning of initiation though. "Okay fine, yes I did. In the start, he'd always call me out and get into my face, as you should remember. And I don't know why but, every time he would it'd . . ." I trail off, and Tobias lifts his eyebrows at me.

"It'd what? Turn you on?" He answers for me in disgust. I cringe as well, because he's right. I don't know what it is about guy's when they exert their dominance, especially onto me. "Okay I don't know about that, let's say, he peaked my interest for a short two days." I say, "So, hypothetically speaking, if I, Tobias Eaton, never peaked your interest, would you be with him right now?" He asks me, and I see where this going. "No, of course not. He either cared more about his image than he did for his supposed 'love' for me or, he was confused. And, as you should know, I don't do well with arrogant or confused men. So no, I wouldn't be with him. I'd find my way to you, always." I say cheerily, kissing him once.

He smiles, and kisses me once. Just then, we hear the initiates noisily making their way out of the hallway. Some of them were either yawning, talking, or complaining. Dauntless-born initiates came filing in as well, and before we knew it, all twenty are in front of us. We wait a few more moments for Lauren, Liam and Miles.

When they arrive, Four gives us instructors the go to approach the crowd of teenagers. "Alright listen up!" Lauren yells, and the crowd simmers down. "This year, there are three stages of training," I start with, walking and looking around at all of them, "the first stage, is physical." I add loud and clear. "Push your bodies to the breaking point, and master the methods of combat." I explain, copying exactly what Tobias had said to us in our year, just for shits and giggles. "The second is mental, and as Jade said, breaking point. Face your worst fears and conquer them; unless they get you first." Miles says to them, just before peeking over at Tobias.

Word for word. Exactly what he said to us. My love smiles yet facepalms. "Now the third though," Lauren continues for us, "The third stage, is merely a test. A simulation, right before the final." She explains, "It's purpose is strictly to help evaluate your rankings before final testing begins. When the time comes, we'll be more than glad to tell you more but, for now, let's head to the training room." She directs, and we follow her lead, just as the initiates follow ours. We make it into the training room and us instructors head straight for the table cluttered with knifes.

We help line the initiates up, and thankfully, their were exactly twenty foam target's, one for each. Liam hands off each initiate six knifes, and tells them to wait. I pull Grace from in front of her target, and Tobias takes her place. I step passed him, and face all the initiates. I spot apples on the table of knifes, and I ask my older brother to toss me one. I catch it, and I partially bite into it, holding it in my mouth. Some of them see where this going and start whispering to one another.

"There's no way they're actually gonna do this."        "Holyyyy shit."

"He better know how to throw a knife, or she's definitely a goner."

"This bitch is crazy."   - "What if he sticks her in the eye?"

Is what I hear, while I watch my boyfriend twirl a knife between his fingers. I take four steps backwards, and put my arms behind my back. And as surprising as it may seem, I don't think twice about doing so. I stare into his eyes, and give him a nod. Silence washes over the training room and he pulls back, just before letting the knife fly from his hand.

I watch as it spins towards me, and feel as it penetrates the apple in my mouth. Nearly all of them gasp, and stare at Tobias as he gives Grace back her spot, and walks back around the table. I grab the handle of the knife and take the apple out of my mouth.

"That was pure luck."

I catch, and I recognize the voice, Lamont. I get irritated, and rip the knife out the apple. "Did I just hear someone say something about luck?" I ask, and I see that Tobias doesn't have another knife in his hand. "Babe," I get his attention, "Think fast!" I shout, and I swiftly throw the apple into the air at an angle, using my mind to give a bit more speed. But, before it could get anywhere close to the ceiling, a knife stops it, and takes it down faster.

The initiates stare at Tobias like he's grown a second head, while I pick up the penetrated apple the same way I did taking it out my mouth. "Luck," Tobias starts, lowering his arm from throwing, "Has nothing to do with it." He adds. "Being able to do that takes skill, practice and effort. Not to mention guidance." He explains, organizing the knifes on the table. I walk back behind the table with Tobias, out of harms way, while Liam, Lauren and Miles stood off to the sides. "Take two steps back and show us whatcha got." Tobias directs.

And they all follow suit, and I begin to hear more knifes banging into the targets than I hear knifes actually slicing into the foam. Majority of the ones hitting the targets are Dauntless-born but, I'm glad I spot a transfer showing out. Bellamy. I see he has knack for this, seeming the first three hit back to back. They weren't bullseyes though, and I can see the reason as to why they weren't. He throws just like his brother, in this sorta doofy relaxed way.

I walk over to him and tap him on his shoulder, "You throw like your brother used to." I say with a laugh, and he frowns at me, "I'm surprised you remember him, since uh y'know, you guy's stopped talking to each other." He says nonchalantly, throwing his fourth knife. "Thanks for letting me know by the way," He also says sarcastically, I'm taken by surprise by his change in tone with me. Ben told him we're not speaking to one another. "Bell I was going," - "Do you know how sad he sounded when he told me? He's devastated Nat." He interrupts me, throwing another knife, but harder this time. I stop him before he could throw another and pull him out and away from the line of initiates, "Bellamy, I'm going to tell you, once I had the chance to tell you the whole truth." I say, "When we all meet tomorrow, I'm going to tell you everything." I add.

He scoffs, "Why can't you just tell me now?" He questions, "Because me telling you what happened with me and Ben requires me to also tell you what we're gonna discuss tomorrow as a group." I answer in a whisper, I can see he understands but, I can also see he's still upset. "Well, you could've at least told me you haven't talked to him in like eight months, instead of acting like you guy's were still friends." He says, heading back over to his spot in line. I feel horrible, he's right and I'm only realizing that now. I walk back over to Tobias, and watch as he continues to organize knifes. "You had a lot of faith in me there." He says glancing up at me, he's talking about when I threw the apple up.

"I know I did. Because I know what you're capable of." I answer, starting to help him organize the knifes. He kisses my cheek, "You're adorable when you instruct y'know? You're just like me, yet, you have your own little instructor-mode too." He tells me, and I smile at him. What can I say? He rubs off on me. I kiss his cheek, and try to go back to organizing but, he grabs my jaw and kisses me.

I kiss him back, nearly dropping a knife. He pulls away, and we smile at one another. The initiates run out of their six knifes and they look back to us, and we gesture for them to go get them and keep going. Me and Tobias turn back to organizing again but, only for a few moments before, "Fuck off Bryce, you're starting to piss me off." An initiate raises his voice, I remember his name since I thought it was so unique for a guy. "What're gonna do if I don't Sage?" Bryce responds, seeming to pick up every knife Sage went for.

"Like, what kind of name is that?" Bryce questions, nearly shoving Sage to the ground. Sage quickly regains his balance and punches Bryce in the jaw. My brother's quickly get in-between them, holding each back from one another. "Boys! Cut it out!" I yell walking over, Sage calms down easily but, Bryce was relentless against Miles. Sage shakes out his right fist, "Watch your back Martin," Bryce threatens, referring to Sage with his last name, as he shoves Miles off of him. "I suggest you watch your own back Campbell, threaten somebody else, I dare you." I say, and Bryce backs down. "You guys wanna fight?" I ask, "Let's fight then." I add, walking over to the arena's.

***

Tobias and one of his existing Dauntless member Male friend's set on the mat with him. The same guy he fought in my year, when he knocked him down so hard he took me down with him. I make all of the initiates gather around as the two opponents shed some extra clothing, I figured they'd need a good demonstration before they actually start fighting one another. Tobias takes off his leather jacket and shoes, and as does his friend. I look between him and his friend, and I realize how similar they look, feature wise.

They could pass as brother's. But I know they're not, his friends last name is uh, Monsay? Or something like that. Can't remember his first name since Tobias never really introduced me to him. Had to learn from eavesdropping.

"Thanks for agreeing to letting me kick your ass for an example again Alex." Tobias teases beginning to circle the mat with him, "Who said anything about you kicking my ass? It's been a awhile since we've fought Four, a lot has changed." He points out, circling closer to him. "Oh yeah? Well, we'll see about that." My love says throwing the first punch, and to my surprise, Alex dodges and nails Tobias in the gut. The initiates 'ooo' and whisper about Tobias as he recovers. "I see you haven't changed though, you always start with a right jab to the jaw. You're predictable." Alex taunts right back, Tobias smiles maliciously. "That's what you think." He tells him, and Alex goes in for the next punch but, Tobias grabs his fist and flips him over.

Alex gets back up on his feet and reverses it, and takes the hand he grabbed him with, and shoves it behind and up his back. This reminds of when Eric did the same thing to Tobias, and Tobias decided to break his nose with the back of his skull. I know he won't resort to such extreme measures though, since Alex is his friend. I watch as my love struggles against him, just before closing his eyes. Just then Alex lets go of him quickly, and in pain.

And I immediately know why. He used his electricity ability in stealth. Tobias then squats down low and sweeps Alex's feet out from beneath him, using one of his legs. Alex hits the mat face down and Tobias grabs one of his arm and bends it in a very uncomfortable looking angle, Alex groans in pain trying to get Tobias off but, it seemed to be no use. Especially after Tobias pinned his head to the mat with his other hand, and pinned his torso with his knee.

"Concede." My boyfriend whispers in his ear, Alex grunts, "You son of a bitch." He says, smacking the mat three times. Tobias lets go, and helps him up. The initiates seemed impressed, all except for two. "He barely hit the guy, how is that a win?" Lamont says to Bryce, Bryce agrees with his comment. Tobias slowly turns around and grimaces when him and Travis make eye contact, "You got alotta nerve Lamont, but uh, let me ask you something." He pauses, "Which do you think is more honorable? Beating your opponent till he's unconscious? Or beating them by disabling them while they're conscious? Better yet, which would make you look more powerful? Blood on your hands, or your opponents hand in yours, as you help them up?" He asks rhetorically, not just looking at Lamont but at around at all the initiates. Lamont rolls his eyes.

"He's right y'know. The last Beta-leader, Eric, gave no choice into whether or not you could concede in a fight. What was the stupid line he'd say?" Alex says and asks, "A brave man never surrenders." I say, mimicking exactly how he'd say. "And as appealing as it may sound, its stupid." I add, and Alex agrees with me. "It doesn't sound stupid, in fact, it sounds right. Sounds like this Eric guy should get his job back." Travis says, few in the crowd of initiates agree, other's don't. Tobias clenches his jaw and so do I, "Alright then," I say, "factionlessness is now a possibility." I say nonchalantly, and the crowd bursts into fits. "You want Eric's stupid rules back? Fine. But you get all of them." I also say, stepping up onto the mat.

Tobias smiles at me, "she's right, and Eric controlled more than you Dauntless-born think. You want brutal fights? Alright then, but consequences came with failure when it came to Eric. You fail, try to concede or even shed a single tear, he'd go to extreme measures to beat you back into shape. And that's exactly what we'll do" He says, looking around at all of the initiates. "Oh and don't even get me started on what the consequences were for talking back." He adds, mainly looking at the Dauntless-Born, since the transfers have barely questioned any of us at all. "Do you want that? At a point throughout my initiation he said, and I quote, 'you chose us, now we get to choose you.'. Do you really want that to come back?" I ask, and the transfers immediately shake their head no, along with a few other Dauntless-Born but, not many. "You choose Dauntless, and now you're questioning its authority. I just want to ask you loud mouth Dauntless-Born one question, who exactly do you think you are?" Lauren questions, "Right now you are in the middle. In limbo mode. You are neither Dauntless or Factionless, you are what we say you are. What we think you should be." She adds, and I couldn't have said it better. "So questioning authority, and suggesting which old leader should come back isn't really going to make a positive mark on any of us. And also, you may think you're just gonna be learning how to fight and face your fears but, it's more than that. We're gonna fix those attitudes as well. You're gonna learn what respect is." Liam says, and I admire how my brother projects himself. "Oh come on! Half of you are like, barely a year older than all of us." An initiate name Denise yells, "yeah, and look at how much authority we have! You'll get nowhere in Dauntless with such arrogant mindsets. We are where we are for a reason, as are all of you, right?" I say and ask, and I can see I'm changing some minds in the crowd.

"Now," Tobias starts, "Does anyone else have anything to comment on?" He says. The crowd stays quiet, while Tobias looks at his watch. "Good, now, do you think you three can handle getting them to do some physical training? Me and Jade have somewhere to be." He asks Liam, Lauren and Miles. They all nod, and he grabs his jacket and slips on his shoes. He takes my hand, and we heads off back to our apartment.

-SLIGHTY MATURE CONTENT AHEAD-

Once we get back inside, I look at his watch, it's only 5:10. "Wait a minute, we don't have nowhere to be for like half an hour more." I say, and he smiles, inching closer and closer to me. "Exactly." Is all he says, before pulling me close and placing his lips onto mine. He starts off gentle, getting a feel for my lips against his. Then he picks me up, holding me with one arm around my waist.

I wrap my legs around his waist, so he could carry me to the bed. He lays me down and lays in-between my legs, kissing all over me. My lips, cheeks, neck, and chest is what he focused on mainly. I bite my bottom lip in order to keep quiet but, he manages to always find this one spot on my neck that unwinds me completely. I pant, moan and whimper under his touch, and the sight and sound of me submitting to him was apparently a bit amusing.

I huff, and push him off me, and to the other side of the bed, to where he was the one laying on his back now. I straddle his lap, and lean down to his face, so I could kiss him again. I moved from his lips, to his cheek, down to his neck. He tried his best to remain unfazed by my actions but, I could feel that he was enjoying it. Something beneath me began to grow and harden, and now I'm the one amused.

I slowly grind my hips, rubbing myself against him, and its then I make him crack. He moans my name yet, it sounded like he was warning me. I smile, and I sit up, taking off my shirt. I've been wanting him for the past eight months, but he still persists that I answer his question first. Why do I want him, in those moments?

Yet, every sultry and sexy answer I give him seems to be wrong. So, I'm done, I'm done waiting, and I'm trying to find the answer. I continue to grind my hips, placing my hands on his chest. He's gonna give me what I want, one way or another. He grips my waist and lets his head fall back, yet I can tell he wants to stop me.

But, I don't stop, since he's not the only one enjoying themselves. The more I do it, the harder he gets, and the more I feel him. I move my hands to his belt, and undo it. And as expected he stops me, by flipping me back over so he could be on top. He leans down to my ear, "Remember, if you want something, all you have to do is ask." He whispers, sending chills down my spine.

"Well, if I ask, I'm gonna get a question in return, instead of what I really want." I whisper back, and I feel him smile, before trailing kisses down my chest. "Well, when it comes to that? You're right," He starts, "But I know you know there's other things," He pauses, kissing me, "I'd gladly do, all I need is to hear the word. Unless of course you have an answer for me." He says, going down back to my neck. I don't have an answer for him but, I want him like no tomorrow so, if I have to settle, so be it. "No, I don't have an answer, but I don't have to ask for the alternative either." I say, biting lip, he raises his eyebrows at me. "Oh really now? What makes you think that?" He asks, gripping his fingertips at the base of my neck.

I wrap my hand around his wrist, "I only think that cuz I know you're gonna do it, regardless of if I ask or not." I say, and he clenches his jaw, watching me move his gripped hand up my neck. His eyes slightly widen in surprise, and he releases his grip a bit. I squeeze his wrist, oddly enough, wanting that pressure back. He looks at his hand unsure yet eager, I get his attention, and nod, letting him know its okay. He grips it even more than he did at first, restricting my air-flow but, not cutting it off.

I don't know why but, this? This turns me into whole different person. I breathe heavily with my eyes closed, getting this sense of mutual satisfaction. I peek and I see that I'm right, this is something I like, and something he likes to do. I pout when he lets go, and trails his hands and kisses down my body, and to my waistline.

He unbuttons and unzips my pants, before pulling them off my legs. I'm pretty sure anyone could guess what happened next so, I'll save the details. And before we know it, it's nearly 6:00 p.m. I get dressed again, and I'm forced to find feeling in my lower half in less than thirty seconds, considering we had to run to make it to the train with minutes to spare. I gotta admit, it feels kinda wrong to meet his mother right after erm, what we did.

I still feel like a hot mess, even though wind thrashed through the train car doors. We enjoy one another's company as we let the train make it's whole route around, until finally, it stops. We look to the front of the train, and then to the back but, there was no one. I listen carefully, "Shh-shh-shh Mellie." I hear not too far from hear, I also hear a little girl. She's near, and she brought the little girl.

"Is she coming?" My love asks, visibly terrified. I nod, "But she's not alone." I say, he tilts his head at me. They stepped up onto the train, and I spot them looking past his shoulder. She spots me as well, but she freezes at the sight of Tobias's back to her. They haven't seen each other in over a decade, thirteen years to be exact.

And for every single one of those years he thought she was gone, while she knew she could've told him she wasn't. He turns around as she approaches, and both of their eyes widen at the sight of each other. She was wearing a long black skirt with a gray long-sleeve blouse, while the little girl in her arms wore bright red Amity clothes. They stare at one another for what seemed to be hours until Tobias reached into his pocket, and pulled out the locket.

He steps closer to her, avoiding her eyes as he takes her hand, and places the necklace in her palm. "Who is dat mommy?" The little girl asks, pointing at Tobias. She had the cutest little voice, with the cutest little pigtails ever. Along with the cutest little pink bear in her hands. I was in awe at this little girl.

Evelyn tried her best to choke back her emotions, "That my dear, is your big brother Tobias. Remember how mommy would always tell you about him?" She asks her daughter, and the little girl nods, right before smiling and reaching her little arms out for him. Tobias laughs and takes her out of his mother's arms, and spins around with her a little. She laughs, and hugs him around his neck. He hugs his little sister right back, and by then I'm already trying my hardest not to cry. "Can you tell me your name?" Tobias asks her after she released, and the little girl looks over to Evelyn.

"Go ahead sweetie, tell him. Full name, just like we practiced." She says, and her daughter nods in her son's arms, "Mewody Iwis Eaton." She answers, sounding it out while squeezing her teddy bear. Melody Iris Eaton. A cute name for a cute little girl. "Eaton?" Tobias says in disgust, "Why did you give her his last name? He has nothing to do with her." Tobias questions his mother, and she quickly loses her smile. I can see he thinks Melody is his half sister, and to be completely honest so did I.

But just from the change in his mother's expression, I can tell that may not be the case. "He does actually," She mutters, and Tobias clenches his jaw like never before. He takes a moment to breathe with Melody still in his arms, and then turns to me. "She's pwetty." Melody says, pointing at me, and I smile wide. "She sure is, do you wanna say hi and go play while I talk to mommy?" Tobias asks her in a little baby-voice, and Melody eagerly agrees while reaching out for me.

I take her from him, and he kisses my cheek before I walk a little ways away, deeper into the train yet still in view of Tobias. I sit her down on the train floor, and sit as well. She hands me her little bear, "What's your name?" She asks me, and I boop her little nose with her bear, before telling her my name. After awhile, I can't help but listen in on what Tobias and his mother were talking about. " . . .How old is she?" He asks her, "She's five, about to be six." Evelyn answers.

"So what, did you get bored and decide to come out the shadows and forgive him for all he's done with a quick fuck?" Tobias asks angrily, and I nearly choke on air. "No that's not it at all. I'd never do that to you." - "Oh but leaving me behind with the fucker is something you would do though right?" He replies instantly, and I can hear it in his voice, he's hurt. It hurts me to hear him like this. "So how can I believe that that's not It? If she's here, and she's not my half sister, then that means you saw him. You decided to see him, instead of me." He says to her, "Me. Your son remember?" He adds. "Don't get me wrong, I've barely met her and I'm already in love with this little girl but, you made her, with him. He doesn't deserve to be her father, nonetheless mine." He continues to rant.

"I don't understand any of this. Why didn't you take me with you? What exactly did you think would happen to me when you left? Why did you fake your own death because of him if you were just gonna end up having another kid with him?! I have so many questions and I want you to answer them, but, at the same time I don't. Because you're supposed to be dead!" He raises his voice, and his mother sniffles. "I tried to! I tried to take you with me. Your father stood over you like a hawk those few days I was in that hospital bed! I couldn't even get a second alone with you. He'd always be right there, watching." Evelyn responds, and I can hear that she's crying. "Tobias, your were my baby boy, I wanted you with me. He just wouldn't let me near you without his presence." She tries to clarify. There's a long pause until I hear a, "Hm." From Tobias. "Alright then, why did you leave just to end up having my sister with him hm? Why?" He questions, "I had no choice." She blurts. "What do you mean," He pauses, "You had no choice?" He asks, and she swallows so hard I could hear it from where I was.

"The year of your choosing was gonna be the year I decided I'd finally come see you again, since I knew you weren't going to stay there with him. I spoke to one of my Abnegation friends after your choosing day, to see where you had gone and, she told me you chose Dauntless. I was excited for you, since I always had this feeling that's where you belonged. I was so excited I decided I'd see you the very next day. But um . . ." She trails off, and I hear him step closer to her, "But what?" He asks, and she stays silent for a while. "Your father found me, Tobias. He was giving back to the factionless and unfortunately, he spotted me. His supposed dead wife." She explains, "And to make matters worse, I was holding another mans hand at the time so, what exactly do you think happened next Tobias? What exactly do think your father decided to do? " She asks him, and if he didn't know by now, I sure did. I continue to play with Melody while I look behind me at them. "He . . . He raped you?" Tobias asks cautiously, and I watch his mother slightly nod, "I-I tried to get away from him, I tried. He chased me down and pulled me into the one place no one goes looking in my factionless group." She explains nearly frantic, tears pooling.

"He wasn't even surprised I was still alive, the moment he saw me, he smiled. It was like he knew, and he was waiting to find me." Evelyn continues, and I couldn't even imagine what that must've been like. To be forced upon. By the man you once called your husband. I stare at Tobias, having this very tiny tinge of disgust develop in my gut. No, there's no way he'd follow in that man's footsteps.

He loathes the man's entire existence. There's absolutely no way he'd do the things his father's done. He's not that type of man, and he never will be. I feel disgusted with myself for even thinking of such. I listen back in, "I screamed, and tried to get away but, the more I fought the more he'd . . ." She trails off again, but this time she bursts into tears.

I turn and I watch as my love does something I don't expect. He pulls her to him, and let's her lay her head on his chest. She wraps her arms around him, and he does the same right back. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply while he held his mother close. The sight was heart warming for me. I know he still loves her, no matter her decisions. I mean, she is his mother for godsake. Then again, he did say he wanted to make one thing clear to her.

"What point are you gonna get across with her?" I remember asking him, and he breathed in deeply, "The point where both me and her understand that she? Is still dead to me." I vividly remember him say.

Maybe her explanations gave him a change in heart. I understand why she left and I understand why she wasn't able to take him with her but, can her own son understand? I listen back in again, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier, I shouldn't have talked to you like that without hearing you out first." He whispers to her, still holding her close. "No no, its okay. I deserved that. I deserve every negative thing you want to say to me. You may think you're father is the only bad guy here but, you're wrong. I don't deserve to be your mother, just like he doesn't deserve to be your father. In all honesty, I don't deserve this, being able to hug you again." She responds softly, "you asked me, what exactly did I think would happen to you when I left. I cried because I knew what was going to happen to you, and I still decided to leave." She continues. "I choose my freedom from him over protecting my baby. Leaving you with him will always be my biggest regret. And I will dedicated the rest of my life to making it up to you, if that's what it takes. Cuz I'm pretty positive this isn't a hug of forgiveness." She adds.

"Actually, why are you hugging me?" She questions after, snuggling into him. He rests his head on hers a bit, "Because," he starts, "I know we both need it. Regardless if I forgive you or not." He answers her, "I'm still your son. And for thirteen years, in my mind, you were dead. I missed my mother." He adds, snuggling her closer. I watch her smile grow, and eventually they release. I focus back on Melody, and she takes her bear and stands up, booping my nose with it. I laugh and pick her up, tickling her neck and belly.

Her laugh echos throughout the train, and its as contagious as can be. I love this little girl. She's just a cute little ball of joy and happiness. Her smile lights up the room, and her eyes could capture anyones attention. Green hazel, unlike mine, which are brown hazel.

I set her down and take her hand, and spin her around like a princess. She laughs so hard, she snorted a bit, and my heart felt second's away from expolding. I look up and notice Tobias and his and mother leaning against train car doorway, watching me play with Melody. I pick her up, "I think I might have to steal her away, she's too adorable to part with." I say, walking over to them. "Mommy I wanna go wif Nat-Bat and brober." She says, laying her head on my shoulder while I hold her up.

Oh! She gave me a nickname! "You have to ask brother first Mellie." Evelyn says, and Melody looks over at Tobias. "Can I go wif you please? Mommy brought my stuff and ev-wee-ting!" She asks and says, pointing passed her mother, at a backpack sitting in the other train car. Tobias looks at his mom, "You expected we'd take her?" He asks playfully suspicious. "Expected? No. Prepared? Yes. And anyways, her birthday is actually tomorrow. Marcus tries to visit every year, on her birthday. And the last thing I want is for her to get familiar with him." She explains, and Tobias's expression hardens.

"Oh then we're definitely taking her, and you." He says, Evelyn shakes her head. "I can't possibly go with. Your leaders wouldn't allow it. You can sneak a little girl in, but an old lady too? I don't know." She says, and me and my love look at one another, smiling. She doesn't know she's actually standing next to one of the leaders. "You don't know, do you?" I ask her, and she tilts her head at me. "I don't know what?" She asks us, and Tobias laughs a little.

"I'm one of those leaders mom. I'm the beta-leader, about to be alpha." He explains, and she gasps. "Peter didn't tell me that! What?! He only told me about you, Natalie." She says in shock, and I suck my teeth. "Ahh so that's how you knew I was close to Tobias." I say, and I can't help but flash back to when the fucker had be up against the wall, with his hands around my throat. "Yeah, Peter was new to our factionless group, and I'm the one who gets the newbies situated. I asked him if he knew you, and he told me about the both of you. He made it clear he disliked both of you though." She looks over to Tobias, "he also told me a leader threw him out of Dauntless. And now that I know you're one of them, I can see why he doesn't like you." Evelyn says, "why'd you throw him out?" She asks. And Tobias moves my hair out of the view of my neck.

"That's why, he nearly took her life with his bare hands." He explains, and he lifts my chin, looking at my neck. The welts healed of course but, he left marks from partially digging his nails in. "Oh my . . . " She mutters, seeming disgusted as she examined my neck. "And I was nice to that boy. Well, I'm glad you got rid of him the way a leader would, instead of how her boyfriend would." She says, pointing to me. Tobias clenches his jaw, "I'd would've slit his fu-" I quickly smack his arm, and gesture to his very attentive little sister.

I'll be damned if we're the ones who teach her cuss words and violence, so soon of course. "Thank you, almost slipped there. This little angel doesn't need to hear all that. Isn't that right Mellie?" He asks her, literally stealing her away from me. I pout, and cross my arms. Tobias raises his eyebrow at me with Melody in his arms, "ohh? I see someones already grown attached, she's my sister though soo," Tobias sticks his tongue out at me. I gasp, "well she's gonna be my sister-in-law sooo," I stick my tongue back out at him.

Evelyn gasps a little bit too, and takes my hand and looks at the promise ring he got me. "You proposed?! Girlfriend and fiance are two very different titles y'know. What else have I missed? Do I have grandbabies yet?" She starts asking, and I giggle as she admires the ring. "No mother, not yet. That's a promise ring, not an engagement ring." Tobias explains, and she smiles. "Ooh a promise ring? And not yet huh? So I'm guessing you two really like each other." She says, and Tobias looks over at me. "Like would definitely be an understatement." I say, and he uses his free arm to pull me close, while he holds up his sister with the other.

"I love your son. I'm actually in love with him. First, and only man I'll ever be with." I say to her as she releases my hand with a smile. She looks over to Tobias, "I love her already, I'm glad you've found yourself a good one. You two make a beautiful couple. And you know what they say," She pauses, "Beautiful couples make beautiful kids." She says, and Tobias facepalms. "I don't think people say that mom." He says, and I laugh. "Well, I do. Cuz I just know my grandkids are gonna be absolutely beautiful." She says, "y'know, when the time comes, we might just have three at once. Natalie here is a triplet. She has two brothers." Tobias tells her and her eyes widen at me, "oh really now?" She says in surprise, "Well uh, I hate to break it to you here and now but, there might be a slight possibility you could also have two at once." She says, looking over at her son. "I have twins on my side of the family. Which means so does he." She adds, and I get excited.

Twins? Actual twins? I grew up most of my life thinking I was a twin so, before I was told the truth I always hoped I'd have twins myself. And honestly, that hasn't changed. One is two little, three is too much, but two?

Two is perfect, especially at once. "Are you serious?" I ask her, in disbelief. This is too good to be true. She nods, "His uncles, -my brother's-, are a set of identical twins. So don't be surprised in the future if it happens." She says, and she looks and reaches over to her little daughter and pinched her cheek. "I almost thought she had a little sibling in there with her during my pregnancy." She mentions, and I go around and swoop Melody out of Tobias's arms.

"But nope, only this one sweet, precious, adorable little cutie."  I say to her in a baby voice, tickling her again. I hear my love grunt, and I start laughing with Mel. Hmm. Mel. Mel-Bell.

Ah-ha! "Oh! Guess what Melody?" I ask her, she lights up, "what?" She asks, "I've got the perfect little nickname for youuuu." I tell her, "and only I get to call you this." And she starts wiggling in my grasp. "Tell me! What is it?" She questions, and I tickle her some more. "Mel-Bell. What do you think of it?" I ask her, and she hugs me. "I wuv it Nat-Bat!" She yells, and I hug her right back.

While I hug her, I see my boyfriend's jealous face over her shoulder. I wink at him, and he rolls his eyes. "Anywho, back to when you said you're not coming with us. I'm a leader too so, there's no need to worry about the alpha, he likes me. You're coming with, end of story." He says, "Because if he shows up, and you're there, when she's not. He'll know I have her. And I'm not gonna let him hurt you anymore. He's done enough." He adds. "But you don't get it, if we're both nowhere to be found on her birthday. He will come everyday after, waiting for us to show. He said that himself. And he also said he won't be happy with me if I did try to leave my factionless group with her." Evelyn explains, and I can see this man is relentless. "I can't hide out at Dauntless just for her birthday, and then go back." She says fearfully.

Tobias cracks his knuckles, "when exactly is her birthday?" He asks, "It's tomorrow actually. August third." Evelyn answers. My love looks at Melody in my arms, and then over at me, before looking back at his mother. "Alright then, tomorrow, Natalie will watch Mel at Dauntless, while me and you go to your factionless site." He pauses, "It's about time I have a chat with my father." He adds. "No," Evelyn says, "I don't want you to have to see him because of me." She adds. Now he shakes his head, "Now you don't get it, I want to see him. I'd have to be six feet under and in a casket to allow him to continue to torment my very well, and very alive mother. And I'd have to be nothing but ash to allow him to see my baby sister anymore." He says, "I'm gonna be there when he shows up. And there's no changing my mind." He adds.

"You won't need to worry about him, since I'll be there. And you won't need to worry about Mellie, since she'll be in good hands." He explains, tucking a curl behind my ear, and Mel wiggles in my arms excitedly. "Let's goo! Mwommy I wanna go to dwauntless wif Nat-bat and brober now." Mel-Bell says, and Evelyn laughs. "Alright alright," she says, and kisses her daughters cheek and retrieves her bag of stuff, handing it to me. "I'll let you guys get going now. Oh and by the way," she pauses, "My factionless group is the one near Dauntless. He comes around the same time I said to meet. So you need to be on time, since I'll be in sight." She says to Tobias. And he hugs her again, "I'll be early, don't worry." He reassures, and kisses her head.

They release and Evelyn comes over to me, "It was nice meeting you Natalie," She says, "I look forward to seeing you again." She adds politely. I smile, "It was nice meeting you too Evelyn. And likewise." I respond, and she gently squeezes my arm with a smile as genuine as mine. Tobias then walks his mom to the train car opening, and helps her down. They smile at one another and she walks away, waving. Tobias walks back over to us, and takes Melody's bag from off my shoulder. I stop him, remembering what my dad said yesterday.

"Tomorrow I expect Tobias to come here, by himself, no exceptions. I think it's time we have a chat."

I lug the bag back over my shoulder and look at his watch. 7:31 p.m. "What's wrong?" He asks me, and Melody lays her head back down on my shoulder while I held her. "There's actually someone else you need to meet today." I say, and he raises his eyebrow at me. "Unfortunately, my dad found out we're the first in line for marriage and babies yesterday." I explain, and he sighs, "Lemme guess, he wants to talk to me, and me only?" He asks me, and I nod.

The train jolts a bit and Tobias grabs an inside handle, along with me and Mel, so we wouldn't fall as the train sped up. I got my balance back and Mellie started laughing. And so do me and Tobias. The train flys through the city, going all the way around back towards the Dauntless-Amity sector. It slows once Amity was just beside the tracks, and Tobias kisses both my cheek and his sister's, before jumping out the train.

I watch him land on his feet, and his sister starts waving, and I join her. He waves back before running off into Amity, and the train speeds back up. It climbs up into the air at an angle and I hold on tight to the train handle and onto Mellie. I quickly put both straps of the backpack over my shoulder, switching Mel from arm to arm to do so. The train evens out again and I see the roof of the headquarters coming up.

I carry Mellie in front of me, wrapping both arms around her. I tell her to keep her head tucked into my neck at all times, and she nods. We start to pass it, and I back up, and slow the train as much as I could only using my mind. Once it did I hurled us out of the train, and made sure I kept only one person safe. And it wasn't me.

I didn't land on my feet but, I rolled on my back, keeping her in my arms and away from the ground. I slide and stop myself by making the little rocks on the roof hold together behind me. I release her a bit once I balance us again, "Are you okay?" I ask immediately, and she nods laughing. "Again again!" She yells, and I couldn't help but laugh too.

***

~Tobias's POV~

I swallow hard, and knock three times on my girlfriend's parent's front door. I straighten out my leather jacket, and the door opens. And I've never been more relieved when I see that her mom answered the door, "Tobias! It's so good to see you." She says, and I hug her, as always. Natalie looks so much like her it's ridiculous. "It's good to see you too Mrs. Harris." I say, and we release.

"Pfft. Always so formal, call me June dear. Anthony is waiting for you on the back porch, grab a glass he said, before heading on back." She directs, letting me in. I thank her, and I head into the kitchen, opening the glass cabinet, and taking a regular whiskey glass. Assuming we're gonna have a drink like last time. I'm definitely nervous but, I have this feeling it's not gonna go how I think it is. I head back, and out, to see he's sitting in one of the two rocking chairs back here.

He turns, and he sorta smiles when he sees me, "Ah, there's the man of the hour," He says standing, and I walk over to shake his hand, like always, before taking a seat with him. Miles looks more like his dad, unlike Liam, he's a solid mixture of their parents to me. "It's good to see you Mr. Harris, Natalie told me we needed to talk." I address him, setting my glass down on the little table in between us. He pours me a glass of what I expected, Jameson Whiskey. "Yes, we in fact do." He confirms, taking another drink from his glass. "I heard from my youngest, future-telling son that my daughter will undoubtedly be the first to give me a grandchild." He says, obviously displeased.

A moment of silence rushes by us before I could barely muster up, "Well uh, I uh," While rubbing the back of my neck, "Now wait a minute, don't go stuttering on me yet." He stops me, and I close my mouth and hold my glass. He takes a second for another drink, "I also heard she's the first to be married. By you." He says, setting his glass down. I smile a little, since I get this sense of relief from his tone of voice. "I didn't request for you to try and stop anything, if that's what you're thinking." He starts, and he reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a little square piece of paper. He looks at it with a smile, and he hands it to me.

I take it and I see that it's a picture of Natalie, when she was a little girl. She had on a bright yellow sun dress, with a smile on her face. I smile so wide it hurt, "I requested for you, to get you to see what I see." He says, "And that little girl right there, is what I see, when I see my daughter. I see a happy, vibrant, beautiful little girl. My little princess." He explains, pointing at the picture in my hand. "Now you see, you won't understand exactly how I feel until my first granddaughter gets here in the far future but, I love her with my whole heart. All I want is for her to be happy, and that I never have to see her in any kind of pain. And as the days go on, when she visits, or when you both visit, I can see just how happy you can make her. How you can make her smile just with a look, you can make her laugh like nobodies business, and not to mention, you can calm her down in an instant." He explains some more, and I'm more attentive now then ever. "You make her what I want her to be, which is happy. And I can definitely see she makes you feel the same way." He pauses, "You protect her, you care for her, and you want nobody but her. And I can't help but respect that, and you. In fact I want to be able to respect you, because you've certainly grown on me. You're maturity, and sophistication peaked my interest from the start but, back then you could tell I still had this one-sided tension towards you, just because of how much older you are to my daughter. And I just want you to know, I no longer have any problems with you. It's the very opposite of that actually, I really like you." He continues, and I grow more and more relieved the more he talks.

Her father likes me. He actually likes me. I'm not the god forsaken older boyfriend of hers anymore. I'm just, her boyfriend. "Thank you sir, that means a lot. My goal was to make a good impression, and it seems that I have." I simply say, gratefully.

"More than good in fact, but uh, before I say anything else," He pauses, "I need you to answer a few questions," He says, and I nod. "Ask away." I say to him, and he clears his throat. "I'll start off easy." He says, "First question, do you love my daughter?" He asks, and I nod again, without even a hint of hesitation. "Of course, without a doubt in my mind." I answer, and he smiles. This is leading somewhere, but I'm clueless as to where.

"Okay good, second question, are you a patient man, Tobias?" He asks, and I know exactly what he's implying. And I don't blame him, I'd ask the same of my daughters boyfriend. "As patient as they come. I don't press for anything. I just enjoy the moment with her. I enjoy every moment I spend with that beautiful girl. You may think I'm waitin' around, or maybe even pressuring for her to be ready but, that's not it at all. I'm not waiting for anything. I'm making memories and being happy with the woman I wanna be with for the rest of my life." I say thoughtfully, and I watch for his reaction. And it seems I've hit spot on. "Alright, good so far. And lastly, would you ever cheat on my baby girl?" He asks, and the question hit me differently.

I'd never, not in a million years. Just to imagine myself in a position where I know I'm betraying her, feels wrong. To see her face fall, and contort into pain, as she looks at me with another female. That alone feels like a nine inch blade to the chest so, no, I wouldn't. I love her way too much to do anything of the sort, and I tell him exactly that.

I also tell him about my ex-girlfriend, and how she did that very deed to me. He widens his eyes at me, "My apologizes, I had no idea you've had a first hand experience with such betrayal." He pauses, "But, I'm to assure you, you won't feel it again. I raised my daughter right. Unlike that Ex of yours, loyalty is a great deal to her." He says without doubt. "Which is why I want you to ask me, right here, right now." He also says, and it is then I'm confused. "Ask you what?" I question after another drink. He takes another drink himself, "What do long-term boyfriend's usually ask their girlfriend's father's for?" He tanks my question with a question, and my heart drops.

He wants me to ask for her hand. He wants me to ask. He wants me to be her husband. I nearly drop my glass so, I set it down, "Are you asking me to ask for your daughters hand?" I question in disbelief, and he digs in his other pocket. And pulls out a little velvet box, he flips it open and a diamond ring shines against the sunset.

"I don't know, do you want my daughter's hand?" He questions me with a smile, handing me it. I take the box and admire the ring, it's beautiful, and it's practically perfect. "That, is the ring I presented to her mother years and years ago. But, it was too much for her, and she told me she wanted a simple band, no diamond. Something unique and something special. So she put that ring in her jewelry box, and I learned how to engrave wedding bands just for her. Because I loved her, and I still do, just as much as I did when I was making the bands." He explains, "Do you know what she said when she put it in her jewelry box?" He asked rhetorically, and I look over at him, curious for the answer. "'Don't worry dear, this ring will be put to use, if not by me, by one of our future children.' Is what she said, before setting in there." He says, "And this morning, she took it out and gave it to me. And without a word, I knew what she wanted me to do with it." He adds. And he gives me this look, "So, I got the box, and slipped it back in. And now," He pauses, sitting up and downing the rest of his whiskey, "I'd like to give to you, that is of course, if you wholeheartedly, want to marry my daughter." He tells me, and my heart pounds in my ears.

Not because I don't want to, but because now I can, without having to worry about her father's approval. That was honestly the only thing keeping me from popping the question. "So do you?" He asks me again, and I laugh, excitedly. He pours himself another glass, "Yes, I do. I want her to be my wife." I answer. This is really happening.

"Then ask me Tobias," He pauses, "All you have to do is ask now."

I take a deep breath, and let it out, "Anthony, would you do me the honor, of giving me your blessing, to marry your daughter?" I ask simply, and he smiles wide. "You have my blessing, son." He nods at me, lifting his drink to mine. And with smiles, we clink glasses, and drink some more. I may have found the father I've never had.