A Different Divergent: A Better Tomorrow

~eighty~

Chapter 80

It's a short walk up the path from the infirmary to the electronics store. As a matter of fact, the store sits directly atop the infirmary. Tobias texted Kirsten telling her we would be late before we left Jennifer and her kids with Isobel and Marlene for her forensics examination. He left strict instructions for the results to be locked up in Zander's office until he can pick them up. We don't want to cause her anymore distress by letting the results get out.

After helping me to my feet in the waiting room, Tobias took Peanut who was busy looking all around at her new surroundings so I could call Avery to check in on Tyler and Tessa. I hear them both in the background. Apparently, Tyler is making funny faces at his little sister, and she's giggling her head off at him. It sounds like they're all having a great time.

"Tyler would like to talk to you, Tris," Avery says after she tells me they're both just fine. "Here he is."

"Hi, Mommy!"

"Hi, buddy," I say. "Mommy and Daddy are getting ready to go into a meeting. Do you need something?"

"Can I stay up with Avey?" he eagerly asks. "PPEEAASS!" My boy! So dramatic.

"You can stay up for one hour with Avery and Callen," I say. "But when she says that it's time to go to bed, you can't argue with her, okay?"

"Otay! Thanks! I love you, Mommy."

"I love you, too, Tyler." I don't get all my words out when I hear something odd then realize he's giving me a kiss through the phone and a smile splays across my face. "Put Avery back on," I say but instead I hear the line go dead. I'm getting ready to redial her number when my phone rings. "Hello?"

"Your son is quick," she says, humor clear in her voice. "So he can stay up an hour?"

"Yeah," I say. "Don't let him use his puppy dog eyes on you to get to stay up longer. He's got to go to daycare in the morning so he has to get up early."

"Those puppy dog eyes are lethal," she chuckles. "How do you ever tell him no?"

"Believe me, it's not easy," I say. "I'm sorry but I've got to go. We'll be home as soon as possible. Thanks again for watching them for us."

"You're welcome. I'll see you later," she says. "Bye."

"Bye."

"Kids alright?" Tobias asks as we stand outside the store. He carefully lies Peanut in my arms, and she immediately starts rooting toward my chest.

"Are you hungry, baby girl?" I ask as I get her situated in the sling then I look up at Tobias. "Yeah, they both love spending time with Avery and Callen. Tyler gave me a kiss over the phone then hung up on me." I chuckle and shake my head as I remember. "I'm sure you picked up on it but I let him stay up an extra hour. He doesn't get enough time with her."

"I know," he says. "And I'm starting to get used to the fact that Callen is always around. She's not a dependant anymore. I really don't have the right to tell her who she can and can't hang out with."

"Actually, when she's watching our kids, I think we do," I say as we walk up to Kirsten. "I'm so sorry we're late. Our meeting ran over."

"I know. It's okay," she says. "I just got done with another customer myself."

"Do you have someplace we can speak in private?" Tobias asks.

"Sure," she says. "We can go to my office." We follow her to the back of the store and into what can only be described as a dark, dank broom closet with the world's tiniest desk after she tells a young-looking girl with a spiked rainbow mohawk and nose piercing that she's not to be disturbed. After my eyes adjust to the dimly lit room, I look around for a surveillance camera but don't find one. "You're not interested in a new computer, are you?" We both shake our heads. "What's this about then?"