Dear Tobias, 

           You must be so confused, hearing from a mother you thought was long gone. You must hate me, want me to go away, you might not even want this letter. However, I am still your mother, and you deserve these words.

           It's gotten to me, everything that has happened recently. Your father hasn't treated you or I well, and I know you needed me to get through this. I swear, I tried to take you with me, all of those years ago, but Marcus caught me. He said if I didn't leave you with him, than I wouldn't make it out of the house alive. I had to leave you baby, no matter how much it hurt. He would have hurt you with me, much worse than what you had to deal with. 

         Now that that monster of a man is locked away, I will be there at court. I will testify with you, and get him put away for as long as possible. I know it's hard to hear, but I really am sorry, and if I could change the past I would. I'm coming home, Tobias, to be the mother I wish I had been. I'll be there within days, and I can't wait to see you.

                                     Love, 

                                             Evelyn, Your Mom. 

For the first time in so long, steady tears drip down Tobias' cheeks. The liquid penetrates the delicate paper of the letter, smudging the ink. His lips are parted slightly, eyebrows furrowed. His expression reads some combination of shock and hurt, no satisfaction. 

"Tobias, say something, please." I whisper, placing a gentle hand on his own. 

He drops the paper to the bed, and abruptly wipes his eyes, "I can't believe this. What am I supposed to feel?" 

I shake my head, "You don't have to feel anything, this is insane. The timing is awful, but you don't have to take it all in now." 

Tobias moves suddenly, pulling me close. I'm surprised at first, but hold him against my body. His breathing steadies, and tears stop. 

"I'm not angry, I don't think. She was protecting the both of us, and I might be dead if she had tried to take me with her. Evelyn was being a supportive mother, she wasn't trying to hurt me." His words are careful, like each is chosen specifically. 

Tobias holds me back, a gentle smile curling at his lips, "Even if she wasn't the perfect mother, she is still a mother. I want to see her, at least." 

I let myself grin, "Whatever you want, I support. She really does sound amazing, and meeting her will be important. I will be there every step of the way Tobias, I promise." 

He pulls me into a gentle kiss, not lustful, but appreciative. It's a promise, that I make to myself. No matter what Tobias has to go through, I have to be there. I have to be there for him. 

--------------------------

After a week of careful planning, I coordinated with Evelyn to set up a lunch with her, Tobias and I. He was extremely insistent that I was there as well, most likely to ease any tension. 

Evelyn really is one of the sweetest women you could ever meet, leaving Marcus was amazing for her. She moves to Los Angeles, where she got a position as chief vice president of a manufacturing company. After realizing they were about to go bankrupt, she quit, and started doing some odd jobs around L.A. After that, well, everything about Marcus and Tobias blew up in the media, it was everywhere for two weeks. She started packing to leave that very day, and sent the letter in advance. 

Her and I began texting, and with a little help from Tobias, we set up a lunch date, and then Tobias is going to help her move some things into her new apartment, whereas I have work afterwards. 

"Tobias, I swear if you spend one more minute in the shower I am cutting off the hot water!" I threaten, slamming my fist on the bathroom door. 

"Alright! I'll be out in a minute!" 

"You said that five minutes ago!" 

"I swear!" He responds. 

I spin on my heel, walking to my own room. Being as prepared as she always is, Christina set out an outfit that was, 'perfect for meeting the parents!'. The top is a simple, white long-sleeve shirt, which fits snugly against my body. The bottom is just some comfy black leggings, made of a fairly soft material. Of course, Christina 'made the outfit' with accessories, a black knit scarf, black cardigan, and killer knee high white boots. She said the outfit was black and white to look Candor, honest. 

I slip the outfit on, smoothing everything down. Christina was right, it does look very Candor. I brush out my hair, leaving it hanging down my shoulders. My makeup is simple, nude colors and a light pink lip gloss. 

"Tris, we are meeting Evelyn at noon, we need to leave soon!" Tobias shouts, his voice bouncing out of his room. 

"I'll be there in a minute!" I respond, grabbing a few select items. 

Tobias meets me at the bottom of the stairs, looking simultaneously nervous and excited. 

"You look gorgeous BumbleBea." He compliments, a giddy smile on his cheeks.  

"Thank you babe, but we've got to get going." I reply, racing through the door. 

Tobias is allowed to drive again, but I still get into the driver's seat. The car starts, igniting the lights that shine through the gloomy weather. It's been getting cooler, so we are all glad the trip to Europe is coming in two weeks. It's supposed to be clear, with a little bit of rain. 

"Are you excited?" I question, as we start the drive to, of course, Dauntless Diner. 

Tobias straps in, "I think, yeah. I'm not mad, more just full of questions." 

I turn a corner, the streets bare, "I would be to, if my dead father just sent a letter one day." 

He laughs, shaking his head, "At least you know he is dead, it's still weird to think that she was gone for so long, and now I'm going to a casual lunch with her." 

I frown a little, "I wish I was going to a lunch with Dad. Still, that doesn't matter. I'm happy to be meeting your parent who isn't a complete asshole." 

He laughs, shaking his head, "That's too accurate, it's scary." 

The car takes up the last parking space in front of the diner, leaving us a short walk. Tobias takes the keys, slipping them in his jacket pocket, and the both of us exit the vehicle. We walk to the entrance, my arm looped in his own. 

"Are you ready Toby?" I ask, looking up to him. 

He smiles, opening the door, "I hope so."