A Different Divergent: Everyday Love

26

Chapter 26

"So, what do you guys want for supper?" Tobias asks the kids as we leisurely drive back to Dauntless. They spent most of the day playing at the park with my parents where they had a picnic lunch under the sweeping oaks. They had just returned to Abnegation when we got there to pick them up and hadn't had a chance to have supper yet. Mom asked if we wanted to stay but I politely declined. I'm exhausted from the day's activities and the adrenaline spike of our unexpected but happy news wearing off.

"Mac and cheese," Tyler matter-of-factly says as Tessa excitedly says, "meatwoaf," and Teagan pleads, "poni pitsa peas."

"Looks like we're eating in the cafeteria tonight," I chuckle. I don't know why I thought they would all want the same thing. They very rarely do.

"We could get takeout and head home," Tobias hesitantly says.

"No," I say. "It feels like we've been hiding out since the rumors started. We need to get out, show everyone that we're fine."

"You're right, love," he says as he lifts our joined hands to his lips.

"So, who wants to tell me what you did today?" I ask. Three eager hands shoot up into the air, and they all chant me, me, me. "Tyler?"

"Grandma made baked oatmeal with raisins and cimmanin. It was so good. I had two whole plates. I wanted more but she telled me I don't need anymore. I was good and didn't argue but I needed more," he states so matter-of-factly. I disguise my laugh with a cough. I remember her baked oatmeal. Until I had Dauntless cake, it was the best thing I had ever tasted. It took me years to realize she only made it on special occasions but my kids get it on a nondescript Sunday. It's hard not to be a touch jealous. I immediately scold myself for the erroneous thought. I won't allow myself to resent my Mom and Dad for spending time with their grandchildren.

"Mm. I remember Grandma's special oatmeal," I say. "She would put dried cranberries in it at Christmas."

"Can you make it for us sometime?" Tyler asks.

"Sure! I'll get the recipe and make it on special occasions just like she did when I was growing up." All three cheers at that. "What about you, Tessa? What do you remember most about your visit with Grandma and Grandpa?"

"We goed to pawk," she says. "I swing an' slided an' wunned with Teags and Ty. Gamma even slided. It fun." I'm not sure I can imagine my mom on the slides. That would have been fun to watch.

"What about you, Teags?" I ask. Baby girl almost slips from my lips and an odd feeling twists my tummy. She's not going to be my baby anymore. I don't know why that makes me sad but it does. "Did you have fun?"

"Yep!" She launches into a tale that's very hard to follow but I think the gist of it is that my dad read them a storybook before bedtime or let them rewrite the laws of the city, one or the other.

"Was it a good book?" I ask.

"Mm-hm," she says. "It 'bout a bunny."

"Benny the bunny," Tyler says, helping her. "It was funny. It was about a bunny who kept losing his tail." They all giggle excitedly, and a faint recollection tickles the edge of my memory.

"I think Grandpa used to read it to me when I was a little girl," I say as Tobias turns into Dauntless' garage. "Was his tail on the top of a little girl's hat once?"

"Yeah!" Teags excitedly answers. "It so funny."

"It is funny," I say thankful for the sacred returned memory.