A Different Divergent: A Better Tomorrow

~fourty-six~

Chapter 46

This is a sight I never thought I would see in my entire life ... Marcus standing with Tobias in the Pit. I feel countless Dauntless eyes on us, evaluating the situation. Everyone knows I hail from Abnegation but there are still many who don't know Tobias' true identity, and he would like to keep it that way. I know that Marcus says he wants to make amends to Tobias but a visit on visiting day? What is he thinking showing up here like this, and why can't I shake the feeling this is all a colossal joke or a ploy in some grand scheme that he's cooking up? I just can't bring myself to trust him because of the hell he put Tobias through as a child and the hell he's put me through in the short time I've really known him. I'll probably never trust Marcus but he is Tobias' father, and if he decides to forgive him and have a relationship, then who am I to stand in his way.

"You look stunned to see me," Marcus says.

"I am," Tobias coldly says, sounding as shocked as I am to see his father standing before us. "What are you doing here?"

"I've always wanted to see the faction you call home," he says, mouth hanging open as he looks all around us, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. "I've been in your office and your apartment but I haven't been any further. I thought today would be a good day to change that. This place is amazing, a bit intimidating but I guess it wouldn't be Dauntless if you didn't defy death on a daily basis." My eyes go to where his are watching a group of young preteens racing up the path, roughhousing along the way. One misstep could easily send one or all of them over the edge, plummeting to their death. Coming from Abnegation myself, I know what he's thinking right now but seeing children run along that edge without the benefit of a railing seems very natural now.

"It isn't as death defying as you would think," Tobias says. "Now that you've seen the compound, you can leave." Frustration contorts Marcus' face momentarily but I don't see the monster I usually see when he lets his guard down. Instead of contempt I see ... sadness? No! I don't want to feel sorry for this man, the man who abused Tobias terribly, the man who was partially responsible for me almost being taken away from my family forever. I refuse to feel sorry for him.

"I am trying, Four," he says with a sigh. Tobias' Dauntless name sounds so foreign and unnatural on his father's lips. I really don't like it. "I've admitted that I made mistakes in raising you. I've admitted that I was a horrible father. I'll admit now that you deserved so much better than your mother and me. You still do. I don't know how you turned into such a fine, outstanding young man." He takes a step closer to Tobias and I see him stiffen. "I don't expect you to run into my arms, embrace me, and tell me all is forgiven but can you at least try to move past it? I wish I could change what I did but I can't."

"I'm not sure I know what you want me to say," Tobias says, "and this really isn't the time or the place to discuss my childhood."

"What I want to hear is that you will allow me to show you that I've changed," Marcus says, somewhat exasperatedly. "That's all. I'd like for you to get to know the real me, and I'd like to get to know you. I would also like to be a part of my grandchildren's lives. Please try."

"The kids?" he says, sounding like the protective father he is. "I'm not sure about that. I will never allow them to be hurt by you or anyone else for that matter."

"You are very young so you've probably never considered having grandchildren but when it happens, it changes you. I wasn't expecting it; it actually snuck up on me but one day I woke up and realized I was never going to know Tyler and Tessa or the new baby," he points at my stomach, "and it made me very sad. I want to be a part of your life and your children's. I know I've done unspeakable things to you and Beatrice, and I deeply regret it. If you still want me to leave, I'll go. Just say the word." Silence stretches between the three of us as Tobias stares at his father.