Chapter 70 - Rose's Baby

—Tris

I'm home alone this morning, Thomas is with Tobias at work, and I am hoping to get some cleaning done.

Three months ago Thomas turned one year old.

Two weeks ago Zeke and Shauna told Tobias and I about their engagement, and a day later an agreement was made with the Bureau.

Just last week one dozen Bureau soldiers were permanently stationed at the fence, "peacefully".

Oh, and Rose's due date was yesterday, but she hasn't had her baby girl yet.

"What?" I look down and see Indy's big eyes looking up at me. A long whine comes from him and I laugh, getting on my knees to scratch his ears.

"I love you too, buddy," I rub his stomach and he looks as if he is in ecstasy.

There's a soft knock on the door and Indy jumps up. I groan, standing and acknowledging the fact that it must not be a close friend since they didn't let themselves in on their own.

I open the door and there stands Christina. I stare at her, kneeing Indy lightly away from the door to keep him from escaping.

"Can we talk?" Her voice is extremely small and she looks like she might run away.

Yeah. Okay, today's the day, Tris.

"Yeah," I open the door wider and let her in. She pats Indy and I offer her some water.

I want to ask her what's wrong, why she looks so defeated.
But then I remind myself that I hate her.

"I can't be there when Rose gives birth. I— I wanted to tell you when you returned to the city, but I'm just so embarrassed and—" she trips over her words and I hand her a glass which she sets on the coffee table.

"I have a fear of blood, since the war. Rose knows, but I just don't want her to be alone, and you've been so good to her, and will you just be there for her? I'll freak out, I can't control it and—" Her dark eyes meet mine and I nod silently.

"I understand," is all I say. We are silent for a few seconds.

"Thank you," she is sincere. "Not just for this, but for letting me come in, and not killing me."

"I'm still upset." I'm surprised by my own confidence. "Every damn day I want to forgive you, Chris, but I just can't." I shake my head.

"Then forgive me." She says and I stand.

"You mocked me in front of a bunch of visiting factions," I spit, months of built up anger spilling over me. "You said I didn't belong in the city, and said I used your sister's sexual assault for my own benefit of proving myself. I'm so sorry I'm struggling to forgive you, Christina!" Tears stream down her face as my voice grows to a yell.

"Now you come to me today, embarrassed about your fear? Do you not remember saying how I unwillingly had drugs forced in my nose and gave myself a fear of people touching my nose before punching me in the face?!" My voice is a steady roar.
I haven't yelled like this. Ever.

"I'm sorry—" she croaks, but I don't stop.

"The only reason I haven't been talking to you is because of this!" I motion to my voice. "I don't want to yell at you like you've been yelling at me! I don't want to treat you the way you've been treating me, but here we are!" I am also crying at this point, my throat hurting from exertion.

I allow my voice to sink from its roar, and my tone comes out monotone and deep.

"I've never been more worried about you, and even more worried about the people around you, I would fear that you were going to yell at Rose every time I would leave, and she's already been through enough!"

"I know," she sobs. "I'm sorry."

I take a deep breath and pace a few feet, running my hands through my hair and wiping my tears from my cheeks.

"I'm going to try." I turn and face her. "But one slip up and I swear, Chris."

"Thank you," she runs and wraps her arms around me and I almost push her off out of fear she's coming to punch me again.

But I acknowledge the hug, hugging her back after a few seconds. We are interrupted when my phone starts buzzing in the kitchen.

I catch it just in time, not checking the caller ID before answering.

"Hello?"

"Tris, she— she's coming, and I don't know what to do!" Rose sobs over the line and I feel my heart leap.

"Alright, alright. Rose, breathe," I try to calm her but she cries over the phone. "I'm coming, and I'll call the infirmary, okay?"

"Okay—" she cries and I hang up looking at Chris.

"She's in labor," I sigh and Chris gives me a look of panic. "I'll text you." Is all I say when we leave my apartment, both going separate ways. I dial the infirmary and give them Rose's apartment number, finishing the call just as I reach her apartment.

Good thing Tobias took Thomas today.

I let myself in Rose's apartment and see her kneeling on the floor of her living room area.

"How long have you been having pain?" I ask her, rushing over to comfort her. She grips my hands tightly, screeching loudly.

"Shh, it's okay. Breathe," I try to get her to breathe but she just cries out.

"It hurts!" She sobs and I can't help but worry something is wrong.

"Have you been having contractions?"

"I think—" she gasps. "Now it just hurts!" She lays her head on my shoulder, practically crying out into my ear. I wince, rubbing her lower back where I remember my back hurt most during labor.

She calms down after a few long moments and I coax her over to her bed.

"Chris can't be here—"

"I know, she came by my place just when you called actually."

"And you didn't kill her?" She makes a face and I laugh, pulling her hair into a messy bun.

"I told her I'm going to try my best to forgive her."

+ + +

"Come on, one more!" I hold Rose's shaking hand two hours later as she pushes. "You're doing so good."

She screams and I swear my hand may fall off from how tightly she grips it.

And then there is a small squirming baby placed on her bare stomach by the infirmary nurse, a high scream filling the small apartment.

"There she is!" The nurse cheers, tending to the baby and wiping her with the towel.

"Look at her," I feel my eyes grow moist, remembering the first time I held Thomas like that after he was born.

Eventually the nurse cleaned up the baby a little bit more while I helped Rose get in the shower and clean herself up, changing her clothes.
And as I promised, I texted Christina the second all of the blood was cleaned up.
She was there in a matter of seconds, and I question if maybe she was waiting outside the door for the last few hours

After showering, Rose sits propped up in her bed, the tiny baby girl swaddled in her arms, a tuft of dark brown hair on her head.

Christina sits right next to her, dying to hold the baby that Rose refuses to let go of, and looking over her shoulder. I sit across from them on the mattress, texting Tobias every once and a while.

"What are you going to name her?" I ask and Rose smiles without looking up.

"I've been thinking of a few names, but I like one in particular now that I see her."

"Which one?" Christina pipes. "You told me a few, but what one are you thinking?"

"The one you didn't like." She laughs and Chris rolls her eyes.

"What is it?" I'm dying to know.

"Charley."

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Hey all... I know, I know, shorter chapter this week: I'm sorry!

I'm planning big things guys... real big things... I wish I could tell you, but y'all are just gonna have to wait 😏

29.7k reads!

Also I didn't think I have to specify but just in case I'm gonna so "Charley" is pronounced just like you would think the common name "Charlie" But with different spelling
I mean hell you can pronounce it any way you want that's the fun with books (anyone read VRoth's Carve the Mark? Talk about fun pronouncing names...) but this is how at least I intend it lol

Thanks for reading!
See you next Friday!

All the love,
Kat