A Different Divergent: A Better Tomorrow

~eighty-one~

Chapter 81

Tobias and I take our time walking home along the long, winding path. I now realize that I could maneuver it blindfolded without making a single misstep. And to think, I fell from it last year. I'm embarrassed to even think about it now. Peanut contentedly nurses while we quietly talk about everything we learned today from Tori's possible involvement in her own disappearance to the fact that we now have DNA evidence that ties one person to two of the deaths. Zander asked Tobias to stay behind to go over Jennifer Chaucer's forensic examination results, and they were worse than expected. I believe that her husband can only be classified as a psychopathic sadist. I feel a renewed sense of pride that we were able to help her get her family and herself away from him before it was too late. We stop at Tobias' office to file the forensic report as well as the DNA test results from Sam and Harrison's autopsies then head up to our apartment. Avery and Callen are cuddled up against each other on the couch sound asleep when we get home. Either Tyler wore them both out or the long hours at their new jobs have them exhausted because it takes a little bit to rouse them.

"Avery," I say as I shake her shoulder after putting Peanut in her bassinet. "Avery, wake up. We're home." She moans then opens her eyes. She frowns as she looks around, disoriented.

"Tris?" she asks. "What? Oh! I'm sorry. I must have fallen asleep." She sits up straight, stretches her arms above her head, and yawns. She looks down at Callen and smiles sweetly. "He's so cute. I've never seen him asleep before." She blushes as she reveals this little tidbit of information. She touches his arm and leans in. "Callen, wake up." I hear Tessa start whining through the monitor, and Tobias excuses himself to go get her before I can ask. Callen finally opens his eyes and looks up at Avery with furrowed brows then they relax, and he smiles brightly.

"Hey," he says, yawning into his hands.

"Hi! Oh, Tris, I almost forgot. We found something on the computer after Tyler went to bed," Avery says. She starts to drag the laptop that's sitting on the coffee table toward her and I shake my head.

"Anything you found can wait until morning," I say. Nothing is getting in the way of seducing my husband tonight ... nothing. "Four and I are exhausted. You two obviously are worn out. Go home. Have a good night's rest, and we'll talk about whatever it is in the morning. Okay?"

"Okay," they say at the same time then Avery continues. "Tyler fell asleep at around 8:15 while we were watching Cars. I swear if I ever have children, that movie will not be a part of my collection." At the mention of children, Callen pales. He's obviously not ready for a family. "Callen carried him to bed while I was giving Tessa a bottle. I put her to bed at a little before 9:00. She's changed so much. She babbles all the time and pulls herself around the apartment. She nearly broke my heart though when she drug herself over by the door and kept saying Mama over and over."

"Can you say Dada yet, little one?" Tobias asks as he walks into the living room with Tessa, who has her fist shoved in her mouth.

"Ma ma ma ma ma ma," she excitedly says when she sees me, kicking her legs and squealing.

"I guess not," he says with a chuckle. "I think someone wants her mommy." He hands me my little one, and I hold her up and give her several kisses that leave her giggling.

"Did you miss me?" I say. "I sure missed you."

"We've got to go," Avery says. I hold my breath hoping she doesn't mention anything about the information they found. "We'll see you tomorrow."

"Thanks again for watching them for us," I say. "We really appreciate it."

"You're welcome," Callen says at the same time Avery says, "It was my pleasure." He takes her hand and leads her out into the hallway and toward the stairs. Tobias locks the door behind them and picks up a couple toys Tyler left on the floor behind the couch. I sit down in the club chair to nurse Tessa, and Tobias collapses onto the love seat. I wasn't lying to Avery when I told her he was exhausted. I only hope he stays awake long enough for me to enact my plan.