Does He Love Me?

Talk

*Edited*

"Tris, tell me what you're thinking. I want to know," Dad says.

I look at him and I start, "I am thinking that Caleb has been there for me. I don't know why you don't like him but I do. And I love you but I don't feel loved. I know you took me to where mom likes and I love that place and I love the experience. But, Dad, I am just confused. I want to feel loved. Caleb makes me feel loved. I just don't when I am with you."

"Tris. I'm sorry. I know you like Caleb. Just. I don't like Caleb," he says "I know that's not what I'm supposed to say but I don't know what else."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah."

"Why don't you like Caleb?"

"Tris if I told you you wouldn't like him either. I can't tell you."

"Well tell me something! I barely know anything about my dad. You are always at work and that's why I got close to Uncle Caleb. I have been on this earth with you for 14 years and all I know is about your parents. I know nothing about Mom or you."

"You want to know," he says. "I'll tell you if I can just have your trust. That's all I ask of you Skylar." 

"And all I ask of you and to let me feel accepted and loved."

"Okay. I met your Mom, Beatrice Prior when she was 16, when she joined Dauntless to get away from Abnegation. I wanted to leave there but when I met her I found my other half. She wanted to leave there just like I did. She was smart and kind and she risked her life several times for everyone. You know she only died because she, after everything Caleb did to her, took some bullets after going through the death serum for him. I didn't even know we were having a kid. I didn't even notice, until the doctors told me it was a girl. I didn't even know we were going to have a child. There, now you know it all. Can you trust me now?"

"After I know one thing. Why did you throw Caleb out."

"He was helping me out. I wanted to make you happy and -- and I didn't know how. I didn't know you well enough. I still don't. I was asking him and he told me how you felt about me. And to go off that. I got mad because I didn't like the truth. I kicked him out. Then when you told me to cool off I did by thinking and I know I over-reacted."

"I didn't know I hurt you that bad," I say.

"Tris. It's okay now. And it's alright. And all I want is for you to know that I do love you. And I want your love and trust."

"I love you too. I say walking towards him and I give him the tightest hug I have ever given. He gives it back and he kisses me on the forehead. 

We end up talking till we have to go to bed. He has work and I have school. He tucks me in instead of Caleb. 

"I love you dad."

"I love you too Tris Skylar Eaton."

Dad walks out and I fall asleep, but one thought is repeating in my head:

He said it back.