A Different Divergent: A Better Tomorrow

~ninety-six~

Chapter 96

We are still in the car, driving back to Dauntless after a long, hectic day in Abnegation as I stare out the window. I've always loved this time of the year, fall ... autumn ... harvest ... whatever you want to call it. I have always loved watching emerald leaves turn spectacular shades of gold, crimson, and rust then swirl and dance on the crisp breeze until they make their way to the ground. Mom would always give me and Caleb hot apple cider after school under the guise that it was to warm us after walking home in the cooler temperatures but I know now that it was just her way of giving us an extra special treat because she loves us so much.

"We should take the kids to the Harvest Festival," I say out of the blue, remembering the celebration they hold in Amity each year on the weekend before Halloween. It was magical. "I think Tyler would have a great time." I turn in my seat to look at my little man. He's sound asleep between his sister's car seats, his cheeks flushed with fever. "I hope he gets to feeling better soon. I hope they all get to feeling better soon."

"I do, too," Tobias says. "And we'll definitely make plans to go to Amity for the festival. I remember how much you loved it last year. I'm sure Tyler will love it, too." I gaze out the window as clouds roll in to cover the magnificent sunset.

"It looks like it could rain," I sigh.

"As long as it doesn't storm," he says. He's right about that. "I thought of something earlier when we were talking to your parents. Do you know what today is?" When I recall the date, I can't believe I forgot.

"Today is my due date," I say. "I can't believe she's five weeks old already. It seems just like yesterday I was yelling at you in the hospital elevator telling you that we would never have s-e-x again. I felt like I was dying." He shakes his head and chuckles under his breath at my spelling. Can't be too careful. "I guess I didn't keep my word."

"I never thought you would," he says as he brings our joined hands to his mouth and kisses them before returning them to my knee where they've been resting the entire trip. "On a more serious note, we have to have an important conversation."

"About what?" I ask, his tone scaring me.

"About what would happen to those three in the backseat if something were to happen to us," he says. I squeeze his hand. I don't like thinking about something bad happening to him. "Finding out why Black sent Olivia after us made me think. We've never talked about guardians."

"I really don't want to talk about this," I mutter. Why tempt fate?

"Neither do I but it's the responsible thing to do," he says. "I'd like to think that nothing will ever happen to either of us and that we will live happily ever after like all the prince and princesses in Tyler's storybooks but this is real life. People die, and we happen to live in the faction with the highest mortality rate amongst young people. There have always been suicides, tragic accidents, and stupidity in the mix at Dauntless but since we took over as leaders think of the number of people who have been murdered. We both need to know that Tyler, Tessa, and Teagan will be together, loved, and well taken care of if the unthinkable happens." I know he's right but my stubborn nature doesn't want me thinking about making my kids orphans. It makes my heart hurt.

"I know this is a conversation we need to have sooner rather than later but..."

"All we need to do is think about who would give them the best home if we weren't around," he says. "For example, Marcus is nowhere on the list of possibilities." I finally look at him. A small smile forms on his lips.

"I know you're trying to lighten the mood but this really isn't a laughing matter." His face goes somber and he sighs.

"You're absolutely right," he says. "That was in poor taste."