A Different Divergent: A Better Tomorrow

~one-hundred and three~

Chapter 103

I'm not sure what time it is but I know it's still quite early, and Tobias isn't in bed with me. For a split second after I pry my heavy eyelids open, I panic until I see the wound on my left hand and realize that this is indeed reality and not a simulation or another horrible dream my night has been plagued by. I take a few deep, cleansing breath but it takes me a while to calm myself down, which makes me wonder how long he's been gone because I usually don't have that many nightmares with him beside me.

Faint crying reaches my ears, and I immediately recognize a very distressed Peanut. She's been put through so much these past few days, I think she deserves a break this morning. I take the stiff, lightweight blanket off me and swing my legs over the edge of the bed then slip my feet onto the floor. I take a tentative step and pain shoots through my hip and down my left leg. Instead of trying to make it out the door and across the hallway, I make it to the wheelchair, which Tobias wheeled out of the way after taking the kids to their room last night and sit down. Relief immediately washes over me. I wheel myself up to the door and push my way through it. Peanut's cries are louder in the hallway even though that door is shut also. After trying to get the door open, I softly rap on the doorframe then back up a few feet.

"Beatrice!" Dad says in a hushed voce, surprised to see me. He steps aside and allows me to enter. "What are you doing out of bed?"

"I couldn't sleep, and then I heard Teagan crying," I say. I glance in my Mom's direction and find that she has a haggard look about her. She's in desperate need of a break today. "How long has she been up?"

"I've been trying to give her a bottle for over 45 minutes," she says. "She's being very stubborn this morning. She's nearly woken up her brother and sister twice now."

"I'm going to nurse her," I say. "You all need a break. Why don't you go up to our apartment and get some sleep?"

"We couldn't possibly do that," Mom says.

"Please. I insist. You both have done so much for me and Four these past few days and you are exhausted. His keys are right there." I point at the tray table against the wall. "Take them. Go get some rest."

"Okay," she finally relents. "Thank you, Beatrice."

"No, thank you both," I say. "Can you help me into bed with Tyler and Tessa then you can give me Teagan."

"Of course," Dad says. He carefully moves Tyler and then Tessa over, making room for me then wheels me to the bed. I stand up, turn, and sit down just like in the other room. Once I get situated, Mom hands me Peanut who is crying loudly. I stick my knuckle in her mouth, quieting her but I know it won't last long.

"Thank you," I say. "What time is it anyway?"

"A little after 4 a.m.," Mom says as she looks at the clock on the wall behind me.

"Do you know where Four is?" I ask.

"The last we knew he was helping get the auditorium ready for the interrogations," Dad says. "I think he has a lot of nervous energy following Drew's interview." Normally we work off that excess, uneasy energy with each other so I know how he's feeling right now.

"Okay," I say. "Can you close the door behind you? I don't want my precious girl waking up the entire infirmary."

"We will," they say then exit the room, doing as I ask and securing the door behind them. I unhook the cup on my nursing cami and put Peanut to my full breast. She latches on easily, and I swear I see her smile as she suckles. She obviously doesn't like a bottle, and I'm not sure how to remedy that. I remain quiet so I don't disturb Tyler and Tessa while Peanut eats. I just gaze at my very hungry baby girl, caressing her head and face as she nurses. Just as I put her to my shoulder to burp, Tobias rushes into the room, his eyes wild with worry. My heart starts slamming against my ribcage wondering why he looks the way he does.