A Different Divergent: Everyday Love

46

"Sleep tight," I hear Tobias softly say against my ear but I don't think anything about it until I open my eyes and realize I'm tucked in our bed. I rollover and look at the clock, surprised to see that it's nearly noon. I stretch while yawning widely but lie in bed for a few more minutes, taking in how I feel and realize that even though the nausea is gone I'm still extremely tired. Then my stomach growls, loudly. I guess one pancake after the morning I had wasn't enough. I roll out of bed and use the toilet then go down stairs in search of my brood.

The apartment is quiet ... too quiet. I understand why when I find Bridget's note saying she took the kids to the swimming pool to let me rest. I turn the stereo on low for some much-needed background noise then rummage through the refrigerator in search of something quick to eat. I'm disappointed when I come up empty handed. I move to the cupboards and realize that I haven't went to the commissary for a stock up trip in weeks.

"Great," I mutter under my breath. Just as I pull my phone out to call Tobias, the front door opens. When I step into the living room, a mouthwatering aroma smacks me in the face. "Wow! What's that?" My handsome husband is carrying a covered casserole dish.

"Stella heard you weren't feeling very well today and made you some chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes," he says. "She said this was her go-to meal when she had bad morning sickness with the twins."

"That was very nice of her," I say just as my stomach growls again.

"It sounds like you need this," he chuckles, holding up the dish.

"You have no idea," I say, patting my tummy.

"Why don't you sit down and I'll heat you up a plate."

"Thank you, baby," I say as I take a seat at the island. "I was just looking through the fridge and cupboards. I really need to get groceries."

"If you make me a list before I leave, I'll do that before I come home," he says.

"That's not necessary," I say.

"I'll already be in the Pit," he says. "I have a meeting in the armory at 3:30. They have some new weapon designs they want to debut."

"Is Paco showing off again?" I giggle. "There's a man who needs a new hobby."

"I don't think you're wrong," he says with a deep sigh, "but I'm not sure I'd say that to his face."

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it," I say as a white square catches my attention. "I forgot about this." I reach for Gunner's note and tear into it.

"What's that?" he asks as he sets a plate full of yummy goodness in front of me.

"Thanks, baby. Gunner left a note with Bridget yesterday," I say. "She told us about it but I never even thought to look after all the excitement with Teags." I rip into the envelope and take in his decorative scroll. "He makes my handwriting look like chicken scratch. No wonder me makes a living with his art. He says the girls' room will be finished the end of next week. I'm so excited."

"So soon?"

"I'm kind of surprised myself. I thought the mural would take longer," I say. "Can you believe it? Next week our girls will be in their own room in toddler beds. They're not babies anymore."