A Different Divergent: Everyday Love

1

Chapter 1

The aroma of garlic, tomato, onion, basil, and Italian seasoning drifts up to greet me as I trudge through the apartment door after a couple very long, stressful days at work, and my stomach growls loudly in anticipation of the delicious-smelling, home-cooked meal. It's unusual for Bridget, our kids' nanny, to cook but I'll take it. It's one less thing for me or Tobias to have to worry about tonight.

"I'm home," I call out as I hang my keys on the hook in the entryway, set my overnight bag down on the bench, and kick my new pair of combat boots off my aching feet and then make my way into the quiet living room. When I find the room empty, I can't help but wonder where everyone's at. After being in Abnegation for two days because of lengthy council meetings, I expected to be greeted by three very excited, hyper kids fighting for my undivided attention, so the unexpected silence piques my curiosity. "Where's everyone at?" I pad around the corner into the kitchen only to find it deserted as well. "Hhm." I slowly climb the stairs, and as I approach my bedroom door, I stop in my tracks. There lying in the middle of my king-sized bed, sound asleep, are Tobias, Tyler, Tessa, and, Teagan. A broad smile fills my face. I know that I've missed them but until right this second, I didn't know just how much. I'd love nothing more than to ease into bed on the other side of Tyler and take a nap myself, but I don't want to disturb them. Instead, I lower myself into the rocking chair that sits in the corner of the room that affords me a view of each of their peaceful faces.

Tobias has physically changed over the past few years but not to the extreme. He looks less like the strong but lost adolescent who helped me out of the net three years ago and more like the man unforeseen circumstances like stopping a faction war, crazy stalkers plotting against us, two adoptions, and an unplanned pregnancy forced him to be long before his time. I notice the faint worry line he's come to have between his brows is less pronounced while he's sleeping. I wish he could always be this carefree and relaxed, but it isn't always easy with three young children at home and a volatile faction to run. The one thing that hasn't changed is how he makes me feel. Sure, we have our fair share of disagreements and there are times I feel like pushing him off the Hancock Building, in a zip line harness of course, but I still get weak in the knees when he walks into a room, butterflies take up residence in my tummy when he kisses me, and when we make love ... there are no words. It's more than the joining of our bodies; it's the joining of our hearts, minds, souls, and spirits.

I slide my eyes from my handsome husband to my three beautiful children who are napping peacefully under the protective umbrella of his arm. My sweet little Teagan Grace is on her tummy with her blonde waves framing her innocent face, her little tush stuck up in the air. She's got her tiny fist wrapped around her daddy's pinky, which is funny because it's actually the other way around. She has him wrapped around herlittle finger. She may look exactly like me, except for her father's indigo eyes and, to be completely honest, she acts like me most of the time, but she is a Daddy's girl through and through. The only time she really wants me is if she's tired, not feeling well, or hurt then she cries for her mama. It's hard to believe that in just a little over two short months she'll be 2 years old. I don't know where the time has gone. It seems just like yesterday we were celebrating her first birthday, and she took her first steps to impress all of her guests. Now we can't slow her down. She toddles behind her big sister, following her everywhere. I always knew that one day my girls would be inseparable, and I was right. They're best friends.

I look at Tessa who has a content smile on her angelic face. It's hard to believe that we've celebrated not one but two of her birthdays already. I vividly remember the moment Tobias gently laid her in my arms for the very first time. She was so tiny, soft, and warm, and I was a nervous wreck. I fell in love for the third time in that very moment. She's no longer my roly-poly baby though. She's slimmed down and shot up; I think one day she'll be taller than her father. Her nearly-black curls hang down past her shoulders, and her inquisitive bluish-gray eyes are the most beautiful I've ever seen. She may look just like Tobias but she's definitely her mama's girl, although recently she's developed an independent streak. Her favorite sentence is, "No! I do it!" Yesterday, before I left, she came downstairs in a bright red tank top, lime green capris, and a rainbow-colored tutu. She pulled the look together with her favorite pair of shoes, combat boots that look just like mine. A chuckle escapes my lips remembering, and she yawns and rolls toward her brother. Oops!