A Different Divergent: A Better Tomorrow

~three~

Chapter 3

After taking a much-needed nap this morning, Tobias and I made love one last time before saying goodbye to the intimate suite at the top of the lighthouse bed and breakfast that we have come to love so much. We had such a wonderful weekend just the two of us. I couldn't have asked for more. I'm committing every second of our impromptu getaway to mind as we head toward Abnegation, adding them to the already stored memories from our earlier honeymoon.

"Earth to Tris," Tobias says. "Where were you, love?" I can feel heat rise to flood my cheeks as I turn to look at him. He grins and shakes his head. "God, I love that blush. I guess I don't need to ask what you're thinking about."

"I was just thinking about all the wonderful time we spent together at the lighthouse," I say. "We should do that more often."

"I couldn't agree with you more," he says picking up our joined hands off his knee where they've been resting since we left Amity, placing soft kisses on the back of each finger. "I meant what I said earlier about needing to remember to be 'us' once in a while and not just Mommy and Daddy but don't think that I don't love our children. They, along with you, are my life. I never thought I wanted kids until I found you, and now I don't know what I would do without them."

"I know what you mean," I say. "And of course I know you adore the kids just as much as I do." At the mention of Tyler and Tessa, I realize just how much I've been missing them both. Of course, Tobias and I called Mom and Dad daily to check on them while we were gone and talk to Tyler but it's not the same as being with them. I can't wait to wrap my arms around Tyler, give him a big hug and kiss, and tell him how much I've missed him and hold Tessa close and kiss her soft, budding curls. Thankfully, within minutes, we pull up in front of my parents' simple home in Abnegation, and I barely wait for Tobias to stop at the curb before I jump out of the car and hurry up the short gray concrete sidewalk to the front door.

"Hi, Mom," I say when she opens the door to let us in. I give her a big hug, and Tobias places a sweet kiss on her cheek. "Thank you so much for watching the kids for us this weekend. We really appreciate it. I hope they weren't too much trouble."

"They were no trouble at all. We loved having them here," she says. "Tessa is down for her nap, and Tyler is in the front room with your father." Tobias and I walk down the narrow hallway into their living room but surprisingly Tyler doesn't notice our arrival. He's sitting on Dad's lap absorbed in the storybook that he's listening to. I look up over my shoulder at Tobias and see a huge smile on his face as he watches our son who looks very content right now. He wraps his arm around my shoulder, and I reach up and take ahold of his hand. We listen for a few minutes before Tyler looks up and notices us standing here. Disregarding the remainder of the story, he jumps down off of Dad's lap and runs to me. I scoop him up in my arms and hold him close.

"Mommy!" he happily says as he wraps his arms tightly around my neck and squeezes hard, nearly choking me. "I miss you so much."

"I missed you too, buddy," I say as I place kisses all over the side of his face. I stop when he starts wriggling in my arms. "Did you have fun with Grandma and Grandpa?"

"Yeah!" he brightly says but then his face falls slightly. I recognize that face.

"Did you get in trouble while we were gone?" I ask.

"Yeah," he says bowing his head. Oh, that's new. He must have picked that up being around my parents and my old faction. "I wun in the house. I fowget." He sounds so forlorn.

"You need to do a better job of remembering. You know you're not supposed to run in the house. But just because little boys get in trouble doesn't mean their Mommy stops loving them or their Daddy, Grandma, or Grandpa for that matter. It just means we're trying to make you the best little boy you can be. Did you tell Grandma and Grandpa that you were sorry?"