Emergent (Divergent: Book Four)

Chapter 15-Tris

Cara gnawed on her lip doubtfully. "I dunno about this, Tris . . ."

"Oh, c'mon! It's just a walk down the beach!" I argued.

"Tris, physical exercise may help Tobias, but we have no clue how it will affect you. Besides, people can't know you're back . . ."

"I have another chance, Cara, and I'm not going to waste it by hiding all my life."

"She has a point," Caleb agreed. Tobias squeezed my hand but stayed quiet. Cara sighed, giving in. "Okay, okay, but only because it's late."

I smiled. "Thank you, Cara."

"Be careful!" Cara called on our way out the door. Tobias pulled me along as fast as our crippled bodies would go, until finally we reached the beach. "Wow," I breathed, amazed.

It was beautiful. The water was calm and crystal clear, waves splashed quietly against the shore. The sun had disappeared, but the remaining colors still dazzled the sky in a way that made my jaw drop. I glanced around, finding the beach pretty much empty. It was quiet, peaceful.

"I know," Tobias whispered. "I guess I haven't had time to appreciate the beauty of our little community," I commented. Tobias laughed. "I came here every day, after you . . . left. It reminded me of something you'd never get to see. And yet, I couldn't resist coming."

I gulped, flinching at the pain I'd caused him. "It's alright, love. You did the right thing," Tobias comforted, reading my expression.

"But . . . don't you think that I was just looking for an excuse to throw my life away?" Tobias shook his head. "You died for someone you loved. Even after he betrayed you, you still believed he deserved saving. And that right there, Tris Prior, is what a good person does. I respect your forgiveness."

I smiled, ecstatic. "So you forgive me?"

Tobias shook his head again. I frowned. He didn't forgive me? I guess I don't deserve his forgiveness. But then he smiled. "You never needed forgiving."

I laughed, more out of relief than anything, and pressed my lips to his. He pulled away a couple of seconds later, tugging on my arm. I followed reluctantly, and we started down the beach.

We made small talk for a while, just enjoying being together. After about five minutes, though, Tobias stopped dead in his tracks, yanking me to a halt next to him. He took both of my hands in his, and took a deep breath.

Then his eyes lit up, like he had an idea, and he started tugging me along. "Come on," he said. And so we ran, stopping a few times to catch our breath, because I was still weak.

Just when I thought the running would never end, he stopped, and looked up. I looked up too, and gasped. We were at the ferris wheel.

"What are we-" I started, but Tobias interrupted me.

"Can you climb?" he asked.

I gulped. "I guess."

And so, once again, we climbed the ferris wheel. Tobias held on to me tightly to keep me steady. His hand shook ever so slightly as we got higher. I guess heights still bothered him a little.

Every couple of steps I had to stop to catch my breath. My stomach twisted uneasily. I climbed in silence, afraid that if I opened my mouth, I would puke.

Finally we stopped, and sat for a couple of minutes so we could catch our breath, even though I stopped like twelve times on my way up.

Tobias started pointing out some of the changes that had been made to the city. I enjoyed sitting there with him. After all we'd been through, we deserved to be able to relax.

Suddenly Tobias stood up, and he pulled me up along with him. We were careful to keep our balance as Tobias leaned down on one knee and pulled a small black box out of his pocket. I gasped and tried not to fall off.

"Tris, I've wanted to ask you this for a long time, but I waited too late. And then I lost you-" he took a deep, shaky breath, trying to keep himself from babbling. Instead, he got straight to the point.

"Beatrice Prior, will you marry me?"

I was nodding furiously before he even finished. I helped him to his feet and kissed him, wrapping my arms around his neck and trying to keep my balance. "Yes," I whispered into his collarbone, and he slipped the ring onto my finger.