Chapter Thirty-one: The End and the Beginning

Stepping through the door of our home, I quickly set my satchel aside, rolling my neck and shoulders to try and relax after a long day's work. Looking around, every now and again I had to take it in; appreciating the life we'd been given. Our three bedroom home was just north of the river on one of the lower floors, but we can see a stretch of buildings through the windows in the kitchen and living room. The walls were nearly all windows. It reminded me of my old home.

Next door to us is Tobias, living alone in a small apartment. On our other side is Claude and Terra. Theirs is also smaller, but both apartments are still spacious. Following Tobias's lead, we were a few of the first to resettle in the new Chicago. Zeke, Shauna, Christina, Amar, and George had decided to live in the higher floors of the Hancock building, and Caleb, Hazel, and Cara moved back to the apartments near Millennium Park. Eric and I had thought about going back to the home we knew and loved, but couldn't bring ourselves to separate ourselves from Tobias. Not after everything. And it really was beautiful here, I couldn't deny that, and Tobias didn't want to be near either of his old homes. Once we decided to stay, Claude and Terra refused to go anywhere else as well. My parents went back to their home and I'd found Simmy in an apartment near the Hub. We were all dispersed but were still as close as ever. I knew that no matter where we were, we'd still be family and we'd still be there for each other. We didn't go through what we went through to lose each other. If anything it brought us all closer together.

Walking to the windows, I took in the lights of the other buildings before I pulled the curtains closed. The sun had set some time ago, and I knew that Eric was more than likely already in bed sound asleep. Continuing to try and relax, I slowly walked down the hallway leading to our room. The walls were lined with pictures. Not only the ones I'd managed to print from my camera but with ones I'd drawn. Our life was on these walls. Faces of those we loved and lost still smiling at us. They were missed every day and thought of often. God how I missed them.

Stepping into our room, I couldn't help the smile that moved across my face. Eric was on his stomach, soft noises escaping him as he slept. Stripping from my scrubs, I pulled on a pair of shorts and a tank top. Crawling into bed, I laid next to him, trailing kisses up the tattoo on his back, then his neck, before nuzzling my face against it. He took a deep breath, turning his head toward me. Putting my hand against his face, I kissed him softly.

"How was your day?" He asked groggily.

"Busy." I replied softly. "And three of the other nurses called in so I stayed to help out."

"You're a good woman." He replied already drifting back to sleep. "I'm sure Simmy was there." He added trying to stay awake.

"Of course she was." I smiled, running my hand up and down his side. "We're the best team they've got."

He let out a chuckle, pulling me closer against his chest, "They're lucky to have you."

"How was your day?" I asked.

"Not as busy as yours." He said finally opening his eyes, looking at me fondly.

Smiling, I kissed him, "You're still not sorry about your choice?"

"No." He replied. "After everything, I want to stick with Tobias. We make a good team."

"Yes you do, baby." I told him.

"Dinner is in the fridge if you're hungry." He told me, his eyes falling shut. "I tried to wait up for you but I didn't make it."

"That's okay, baby." I said and kissed him again. "Go back to sleep. I won't be long."

"Good. I still don't sleep well without you."

Laughing lightly, I shook my head at him, "So you like to tell me."

"I love you, baby."

"I love you too."

Then he was sleeping again. Pressing a kiss against his forehead, I rolled out of bed again, walking down the hall. Our two spare rooms were on the right, our spacious bathroom on the left. Passing the frames again, I glanced at the pictures and drawings, this time stopping to take them in. Two and a half years had passed since the war ended and there had been little need for a tattoo artist – much to my disappointment – but ample need for medical assistance. Having passed all the tests they wanted us to go through, Simmy, me, and Terra had all opted to work in the hospital. Claude had decided to join the police force that Amar and the others had been putting together. Eric and Tobias had been asked to join, but Tobias didn't want to fight anymore. I couldn't blame him. Eric and I had discussed his decision at length, weighing the pros and cons. He would make an excellent policeman. He was overly qualified. But in the end he chose to follow Tobias. Our brother was now an assistant to Johanna while Eric was an assistant to my father. Both were government representatives for the city, and I had to say that both my men were perfectly happy with their jobs.

Walking into the kitchen, I opened the fridge to see a plate already made up for me. Putting it in the microwave, I heated it up till it was steaming nicely. Getting a bottle of wine from the fridge next, as well as a glass, I poured the pink liquid into it, sipping and smiling at the flavor. Sitting down on one of our couches, I opened my sketchbook that was on the coffee table in the center of the room. It was easily the dozenth one I'd gone through since we moved in, nonchalantly doodling as I ate my food and drank my wine. Even after both were gone, I doodled, unwinding until I could hardly keep my eyes open anymore. Finally closing it, I went to the bathroom, taking a nice long shower before finally pulling clothes on again, taking my place at Eric's side. Tomorrow would come too soon as it was.

Come morning, I woke to Eric singing in the shower. Smiling, I hugged his pillow to my chest, content with simply listening to him. That lasted all of a few minutes before I got out of bed and undressed, rushing into the bathroom in hopes that he wasn't done. Stepping into the tub, he turned and looked at me with a raised brow. In the next second he busted a move, making me laugh loudly. Joining him, we danced to our own beat, his hands finding my hips, grinding against me. It didn't stop there. We got out, turned on real music, and danced circles around each other as we got dressed. He beat me to the kitchen, still dancing as I slid into view, dancing embarrassingly as I set the table, belting out to the song.

"When is he going to get her?" Eric asked as he started to bring food to the table.

"After breakfast." I replied. "I told him he had to eat something before later. He should be here –" I stopped when the door opened and Tobias walked in. "Well, now." I smirked. "Hey." I smiled.

"Hey." He smiled, kissing my cheek. "How was last night? I heard it was pretty busy."

"It was." I nodded. "But it wasn't too bad."

The door opened again and Claude and Terra came in. "She was nice enough to let me go early." Terra smiled.

"You had plans last night. I wasn't about to ruin them." I smiled at her. "Did you have fun?" I winked at Claude.

She blushed and shoved me. "Yes. Thank you very much."

Laughing, we all sat down at the table, enjoying a good breakfast, cooked by my husband's hands. Tobias left right after, while Claude and Terra helped clean up. Once they left, it would only be a few hours before we all met on top of the Hancock building. Today was the day we were going to scatter Tris's ashes. Something that Tobias had been putting off ever since she died. But today would have been Choosing Day and it was as good a day as any to do it.

"You doing okay?" Eric asked as we got ready to go.

We were going to see my parent's before we met up with everyone. More than that, I wanted to ask for a few of Maggie's ashes to scatter as well. Claude had Henry's and we had decided a long time ago to do it at the same time. I couldn't say why, but it seemed right to do it at the same time. We had been a team before and we would stay a team now. Even if Maggie was only in it for a few days.

"I am. My stomach's a little weird but overall, I am okay." I told him.

"What kind of weird?" He asked.

I shrugged, "I don't know. Nerves I guess."

He nodded at me, "It'll be good. Needed."

"I know." I smiled up at him, putting my hand against his chest.

"If you're not okay just say something."

Smiling wider, I shook my head, leaning up and kissing him deeply. "I will, baby. But I am okay. I can't say I'll be okay later, but right now I'm okay. How about you?"

He stepped closer to me, taking my face in his hands, "As long as you're okay."

Smiling, I gripped his shirt, leaning up and kissing him again. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Leaving hand in hand, we went down to the truck, and drove to what used to be Amity. Now it was just where all our farming was done. There were no more factions, no more labels. There was only Chicago and everyone and thing that lay within it. Watching the scenery, I took in the water and mud, things finally starting to dry up a bit. The winter had felt too long and despite the coolness of the spring air, it still felt warmer than what the winter had been.

Parking just outside the orchard, we got out, starting to walk through the familiar streets that I'd grown up in. Eric took my hand, smiling as he took in everything as if it were the first time. He found this place as calming as I did. When we reached my parent's home, my mother was already standing outside, waiting for us. It was like she had a sixth sense for when we arrived.

"Pen!" My mother exclaimed happily, her arms open.

"Mama." I smiled, embracing her tightly.

"Eric." My father said shaking his hand. "On the job and off it, you just can't stay away." He teased.

"What can I say? We're family. It's supposed to be that way." Eric smiled.

"A growing family?" My mother asked him with a raised brow.

Eric grinned, a small blush rising in his cheeks, "I think that is more of a mother-daughter talk. I can't say I'm comfortable answering that question."

Laughing, I took his hand, "I came to see if I could take a little bit of Maggie with us."

"Of course." My father nodded and disappeared inside.

Looking out over the fields, I looked up at Eric. "We're gonna go into the fields for a little bit. We'll be right back."

"Okay." My mother smiled and followed my father inside.

Taking Eric's hand, we walked out into the orchard, past the trees and into the fields. Despite the cold, I sat down amongst the tall grass, Eric sitting behind me, wrapping his arms around me as I leaned against his chest. His fingers found the ring on my left hand, a simple silver band with a square diamond sitting on top of it. In turn, mine found the silver band on his finger, gently twisting it.

It had been the perfect day. The sun had been warm, the sky clear, and everyone we cared about was with us. We got married here in the orchard, an arch built and put between two of the apple trees. Lights were put amongst the branches, leading me down an aisle of them to the love of my life. I had worn a simple white sundress, my hair pulled back with braids and curls. Eric wore black pants and white button up, the top few buttons open, showing just enough of his chest to make me want to tear the shirt off of him.

Johanna had been the one who married us, giving the best speech I'd ever heard. But nothing could top the words Eric told me. He had me crying after five words. The asshole. I was such a mess that I could hardly get what I wanted to say out. Only I was very pleased when he cried as well. We had told each other everything we'd been telling each other since we'd realized how crazy we were about each other. But it was different to be saying it in front of our family and friends, knowing that we were being bound to each other for life.

Following the ceremony, Eric and I were photographed by Ainsley, letting everyone disperse for the reception. It was amazing to have blended my old life with the new. I'd made friends – connections – with people that I never thought I would. We'd sent an invitation to the Compound and there were more present than I would have thought. To make it better, everyone was mingling and talking and just being together. There was no difference from one person to the next. I couldn't help but think that we did that. We made them see. We got rid of those who were attempting to segregate the people we shared this world with. We did that.

When we had finally moved toward the small barn, music was playing, being announced and greeted with yelling and applause. If you hadn't seen the outside, you never would have recognized this place as a barn. Lights had been strung from the ceiling, flowers were everywhere, their scent filling the space. It was phenomenal. It was everything I could have ever wanted for this day. It had been a long time coming and knowing that I would spend the rest of my life with him made everything all bright and shiny.

Everyone who had helped us had prepared a delicious meal and the night was full of music and dancing and drinking and reminiscing. Everyone was enjoying themselves, making it last until the sun was starting to appear on the horizon. We had left before the final few had called it an night, ready to be alone. I had been patient all night, not wanting to overdo it and yet wanting nothing more than to touch him all night. But one night of being the center of attention was more than enough for me. We had memories that would last a lifetime and had pictures to prove it.

Once we were home we spent the rest of the night rolling between the sheets, as well as the bathtub. He had surprised me – with Claude's help – having a hot bath ready, rose petals floating on the surface of the water, scattered around the room. Candles had been lit and soft music was playing. It was impressive. He was getting bonus points for that. By the time we finally lay still, the sun was up and we were more than ready to spend a few days without ever leaving our bed.

Feeling like we were back there, the sun was warm against our faces, his fingers playing with mine making a never-ending smile cross my face. When his lips found my neck, I leaned away to give him better access, my hand finding the back of his head. Turning my face, my lips met his. For a moment they just rested against each other, breathing each other in. Then his lips parted, gently pressing them against my bottom lip. Opening my mouth, my tongue touched his lips, and then he was kissing me passionately, his hand against my face as he deepened it.

"I love you, woman." He smirked.

"I love you." I smiled at him. "My beautiful husband."

He chuckled and kissed me again, "And you're my beautiful wife."

"When are you going to get me pregnant?" I teased him.

"As soon as your body decides to. It's sure as hell not due to a lack of trying." He replied and playfully bit at my neck.

Laughing, squirming against him, I kissed him repeatedly. "We'll have to try harder."

"I think that's an excellent plan." He replied with his lips once again against mine. "Come on." He said getting to his feet. "Tobias will want us home when he gets back."

"We've got time." I told him, looking up at him from the ground.

"Let me put it this way. Tobias will want us dressed when he gets back." He smirked at me.

Practically bouncing onto my feet, I started to run back toward my parent's house. Letting ourselves in, they just smiled at us. They were more than aware of our feelings for each other and there had been several times we'd called it an early night in order to go home and enjoy each other. Talking to them briefly, I thanked them for the ashes, and they confirmed their presence for dinner tonight. Leaving them behind, we jogged to the truck, Eric speeding off faster than was necessary. Going back home, we messed up the bed, enjoying each other before once again making ourselves ready to be social. There was still plenty of things to do before everyone arrived.

Starting a few of the early dinner preparations, there were two knocks on the door. Smiling at Eric, I moved to it, opening it and moving the few steps next door to where Tobias was standing with Evelyn. She looked good. She looked happier and healthier.

"Evelyn." I smiled.

She returned it, swiftly taking me in her arms, "Pen."

"How are you?" I asked.

"I'm doing better all the time." She replied.

Grinning, I nodded at her, "You look good. I'm happy you're here."

"Me too, kid." She replied with her hand against my face. "How are you and Eric?"

"Better than ever." I grinned at her.

She laughed lightly and nodded, "You're glowing. Has he finally gotten you pregnant?"

I shrugged, "Not that I know of. But that day can happen any time now."

"I'm glad I'll be here to see it when it does." She smiled.

"Me too." I nodded and hugged her again.

"Opie." Tobias said putting his hand on my shoulder.

Wrapping my arm around him, I gently rubbed his back, "I'm interrupting the tour."

"It's fine." He told me, pressing a kiss against my hair. "I was just telling her about the neighbors and everything."

"Mr. Hughes is awesome." I nodded.

"He's a history expert who came from the fringe." Tobias explained as he fumbled his keys. "He calls Chicago 'the fourth city'—because it was destroyed by fire, ages ago, and then again by the Purity War, and now we're on the fourth attempt at settlement here."

"The fourth city." Evelyn said as Tobias finally pushed the door open. "I like it."

Tobias was a simple man, his home reflecting that with minimal furniture. Just a couch, a chair, as well as a table, some chairs. It was only one bedroom, with a too small bathroom and a rather unimpressive kitchen. So it was perfect for him. I listened as he told her how some of the former Bureau scientists are trying to restore the river and the lake to their former glory. It's gonna take a long time to get it done but that's one thing we have on our side right now.

Time.

Evelyn put her bag on the couch, turning to Tobias, "Thank you for letting me stay with you for a little while. I promise I'll find another place soon."

"No problem." Her son replied. I knew he was nervous about her being here. It had been a long time since they lived together and to have her walking the same halls, sharing his things, it would be an adjustment. But both were doing well at trying to remain close.

"If you guys get sick of each other, Eric and I are right next door and we do have a spare room that doesn't get used enough."

"Thank you." Evelyn smiled, gently rubbing my back. "George says he needs some help training a police force." She told Tobias. "You didn't offer?"

"No. I told you, I'm done with guns." He replied, leaving no room for argument.

"That's right. You're using your words now." She replied and didn't look very thrilled about it. "I don't trust politicians, you know."

"You'll trust me, because I'm your son." He replied. "Anyway, I'm not a politician. Not yet, anyway. Just an assistant."

"Eric is as well I hear." She said looking at me.

I nodded, "Yup. He's found a nice flow working for my father. And I'm very happy working at the hospital."

"No more tattoos?"

"The need for such things has definitely gone down. But I've kept myself sharp with other art projects. I'll never stop creating things."

"Good." She smiled, sitting at the table and looking around. She's just as nervous as Tobias is. "Do you know where your father is?"

I tried not to look anxious as I looked at Tobias. But he simply shrugged, "Someone told me he left. I didn't ask where he went."

Feeling a little out of place, I turned toward the door, "I'm going to go help Eric start getting ready for dinner. I'll see you later, Evelyn. Tobias, let me know when you're leaving."

"Did you get Maggie?" He asked.

"I did." I smiled and let myself out.

Going back to my home, I stepped in, immediately feeling relaxed. "She's here and looking good." I told my husband.

"Yeah? And Tobias?"

"He's doing okay. They were just about to get into talking about Marcus so I decided to bow out."

"Probably best." He replied with a raised brow.

"What can I help you with?"

"Nothing." He told me. "I'm just gonna let the meat marinate for a few hours before it needs to go in." Grinning, I watched him prepare a few more things, getting a double-take when he caught me. "What?"

"Just wondering when you became such a good cook." I told him. "I am definitely the luckiest girl in the world. You cook, you clean, you are sexy as hell…yup…definitely the luckiest girl in the world."

He smiled and motioned for me. Stepping up to him, he kissed me sweetly. "I'm like this because I'm the luckiest boy in the world. And I have found that I actually like to cook. I never had time to even try really, and now everything is so awesomely normal that I can get into it."

"I love you so damn much I think I just might explode." I smiled and kissed him again.

"Don't do that. We just cleaned the apartment." He smiled.

Laughing, I smacked his ass, grabbing a glass of water before going to the couch, opening my sketchbook. Turning on music, I doodled while I waited for Tobias to let us know it was time to go. Only instead of people or places or memories, I found myself designing the perfect room. I hadn't decided on a theme yet so I had page after page of what I wanted to do. More often than not, ravens appeared. But I wasn't sure if that was too scary for a child. Trees were always a big part of my life and nothing Dauntless seemed to inspire me. We weren't those hard people anymore.

When the door finally opened, I looked up as Tobias let himself in. He looked anxious and yet ready for what we were about to do. Closing the book, I stood and looked to Eric. He finished what he was doing and then grabbed his jacket. Driving together, Tobias left the windows down, making me nestle closer against Eric's side. My jacket was warm enough, but the chill of the cold air moving over us, still felt like it reached the bone.

When we neared the Merciless Mart, we got out and made our way to the platform, seeing a group of people. Claude and Terra were already here. Christina, Zeke, and Shauna. She has a better wheelchair now, one that's easier to maneuver. Matthew is standing on the platform with his toes over the edge.

"I'm not sure this was the best idea." I told Eric as I held the little box with Maggie inside of it.

"Heights are not your thing." He smiled.

"Pen." Claude said stepping up to me. She has a miniature urn in her hands. Black with a blue 'H' on the front of it.

"Hello, Henry." I said touching it.

"Hey, Mags." Claude smiled, touching the box.

"This isn't morbid or anything." Terra smirked.

We all laughed lightly and nodded. Then we look to where Shauna is standing in front of her chair. Smiling, I feel emotion starting to sink in. Tobias is forcing a smile for her, knowing that she would appreciate it.

"Caleb and his lab buddies made them for me." She's telling him. "Still getting the hang of it, but they say I might be able to run someday."

Caleb.

Mentioning him makes me think of my sister. I hadn't talked to her in a long time. We were civil with each other, but we had never become nearly as close as we used to be. Some things I just couldn't get over. She was no longer a traitor but I couldn't fully embrace the relationship she wanted to have. Maybe just more time was needed.

"Nice." Tobias told Shauna. "Where is he, anyway?"

"He, Hazel, and Amar will meet us at the end of the line." She replied and glanced my way. "Someone has to be there to catch the first person."

"He's still sort of a Pansycake." Zeke stated. "But I'm coming around to him."

Tobias made a sound but didn't say anything. He'd make peace with Caleb, but he was like me. He still couldn't be around him for long. But it was worse for him. It wasn't just because he betrayed Tris. It was because – in a sense – he was Tris. The gestures he made, his inflections, his manner, they're all Tris. I couldn't imagine what it was like to see him. It was something he could hold onto because he reminded him of Tris. But at the same time it wasn't enough, making it that much more painful. The hole her death had left inside of him was never going to be filled and would never fully heal.

Eric wrapped his arm around me as the train approached. It charged toward us on the polished rails before squealing as it slowed and then stopped in front of the platform. A head leaned out the window of the first car where the controls are. Smiling, I see Cara, her hair in a tight braid. She yells at us to get on, everyone nodding and getting into the car.

Eric and Tobias were the last to get on, Tobias handing Tris to Shauna. Both men stand in the doorway, clutching the handles. The train started again, building speed with each second, the sound of the wheels on the tracks filling our ears. The air whipped through the car, making me pull my hair back, my still slanted bangs refusing to stay behind my ear. Though my hair is its original brown now. No more colors or people do put color in it anymore.

"How are you doing?" Christina asked as she stepped next to me, her arm against mine.

"I'm good." I smiled at her. "How about you?"

"I'm good." She replied. "Everyone accounted for?"

Nodding, I held tight to the little box, looking up as Claude stepped up to us, replying, "Yup. Everyone is here."

We were all smiling and yet all had pent up emotions when it came to everyone we'd lost. A small sense of guilt filled me knowing that Tori wasn't amongst us. She had been taken away and done away with before anyone could get her back. It was depressing and sad, but her picture donned my walls at home, making sure she was always remembered.

Looking around, it was amazing how different things were. How different we all were. How ordinary our lives had become. Cara, Caleb, and Hazel all worked in the laboratories at the compound, which is now a small segment of the Department of Agriculture that works to make agriculture more efficient, capable of feeding more people. Matthew works in psychiatric research somewhere in the city – the last time I asked him, he was studying something about memory. Christina works in an office that relocates people from the fringe who want to move into the city. Zeke and Amar are policemen, and George trains the police force. All of us do so many different things that would never have been available to us before now. It took a war and people dying to figure out how to live. But now that we've done it, I couldn't imagine going back.

"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Eric asked as his arm moved around me.

"I am." I nodded. "As long as you go first." I added and smirked.

He laughed and kissed me, "Yeah, I'll go first."

When Cara finally stopped the train, we jumped onto the platform. It wasn't quite as exhilarating as it had been when the train never stopped, but it brought back a lot of good memories.

We made our way to the stairs, climbing up them, making our way to the top. Tobias asked about Peter, being told that he was in Milwaukee. Apparently he's working in an office somewhere and has found a sense of purpose and is happy.

There are still GD rebels in the fringe who believe that another war is the only way to get the change we want. The thought of another war makes me sick, not wanting any part of it. If we could find a way to create peace and stability without violence than I was all for it. Could I take up a gun again and fight if I had to? Yes. I could if I had to. But I would avoid it at all costs. We'd all seen enough fighting and violence to last us a lifetime.

We walked the streets to the zip line. The factions were gone, but this part of the city has more former Dauntless than any other, recognizable still by their pierced faces and tattooed skin, though no longer by the colors they wear, which are sometimes garish. Some wander the sidewalks with us, but most are at work. Something everyone is required to do. As long as they were able.

Feeling a spark of excitement, I can see the Hancock building bending into the sky, its base wider than its top. The black girders chase one another up to the roof, crossing, tightening, and expanding. I hadn't been here in a long time. There has never been a need to and without a need; we didn't meander around too much.

Walking into the lobby, the floors are still polished and gleaming, the walls bright with Dauntless graffiti. It took all of me not to stop and add something by my hand. Wanting to share my art again with the world. And Dauntless are the only ones we'll find here. They are the only ones who can embrace it for its height and for the lack of people. The Dauntless liked to fill empty spaces with their noise. I always loved that about them. Deep down I was still one of them.

We made our way toward the elevators and Zeke jabbed the button with his index finger. All of us piling in when the doors open. Now it was time for the fun ride up to the ninety-ninth floor. The higher we went the more anxious I felt. I was second guessing my decision to do this. Eric gently chuckled in my ear, pressing a quick kiss against my neck before wrapping his arm tightly around me.

When the doors opened, air rushed past me, making me shiver. Moving toward the ladder, we all made our way up it, running across the roof to the zip line. Zeke was in the lead, attaching one of the man-sized slings to the steel cable. He locked it so it wouldn't slide down, looking back at the rest of us expectantly.

"Christina." He said looking at her. "It's all you."

She stands near the sling, tapping her chin with a finger. She's trying to decide how to go down. The more ways she mentioned, the more nauseous I was beginning to feel.

"This was a bad idea." I told Eric softly.

"You've made it this far. You can do it, baby." He told me reassuringly.

I smiled at him, only then the nausea hit me as I watched Christina get in the sling feet-first, belly down, so she'll watch the building get smaller as she traveled down. Moving away from the others, I threw up the contents of my stomach. Thankfully it wasn't much. Standing up, I put my hands on my hips, wiping my mouth with the back of my wrist.

Eric was laughing at me, "You okay?"

"Yeah." I frowned at him. "Thanks for your concern."

He just laughed harder and kissed me. "You taste gross."

"Jerk." I told him but was laughing with him now.

In the amount of time it took for me to throw up, Christina is already gone and the others are swiftly following. I whooped for Claude and Terra but was still terrified. There were cries of joy drifting back to us on the wind. They were loving this. For being a former Dauntless, I wished I could say I was brave enough to not show how terrified I was, but that wasn't the case. I threw up once more before Tobias stepped forward.

"Come on," Cara told him. "Better to get it over with, right?"

"No," I stated. Tobias looked at me, motioning toward the sling. "You go. Please." I told him.

Cara just smirked and handed Tris's urn back to him, taking a deep breath. She climbed into the sling, unsteady. Even she didn't want to be doing this. She crossed her arms over her chest, and Zeke pushed her off. All the others had exclaimed or screamed, but not a single sound came from her as she disappeared from sight.

Then it was just the four of us. All staring at each other.

"I don't think I can do it." Tobias stated. His voice was strong but he was shaking.

"I'm with you on that, brother." I told him, clutching at Eric's arm.

He looked down at me, "Well, I'm going."

Zeke laughed and held the sling tight as Eric got in head first, laying on his stomach.

"Baby." I said nervously, gripping his ankle.

"You'll be right behind me, right?" He asked over his shoulder.

Needing to pry my hand off of him, I nodded, "See you at the bottom, baby."

"Love you."

"Love you." I said finally smiling.

There was a moment's pause before he was yelling, "Let's do it!"

Zeke laughed and pushed him off. There was a momentary panic as I watched him disappear from sight, hearing him screaming with joy. Unable to suppress a laugh, I nodded, watching as Zeke hooked up another sling.

"You ready?" Zeke asked me.

"No." I smirked. "But let's do it."

Taking a deep, shaky breath, I gripped the sling, ready to climb in, when my wrist was grabbed, making me jump.

"Opie." Tobias said softly.

Smiling at him, I put my hand against his face, "We can do this." I told him. "The people we love would want us to do this."

He nodded, taking a step away from me. Nodding back, I got in feet first, lying on my back. The box with Maggie in it was clutched in my hand as Zeke tightened the straps across my stomach and legs. I looked down at Lake Shore Drive, wanting to throw up again but managed to control myself. Looking back at Tobias, I smiled, and then was starting to slide.

It was slow for a moment, only then I started to pick up speed. It took me several agonizing moments to build up the courage to let go of the sides, holding the box with Maggie in it out to the side. Taking a deep breath, I reached my other hand over and pulled the lid of the box off. In a matter of seconds the ash is already gone from the box. If I blinked I would have almost missed it. Letting the box fly from my hand, I was surprised when a laugh escaped me. Raising my shoulders off the sling, I watch as I get closer and closer to the ground. Without permission, a howl escapes me, opening my arms out the sides, letting the wind wash over me.

It took the sound of Eric's laughter and yell for me to realize that I'd stopped moving, still staring up into the blue sky. Finally looking down, I see everyone who had gone before me; all gathered in a circle, their arms clasped to form a net of bone and muscle to catch me in.

Laughing, I finally undid the straps, dropping into the arms of my family and friends. As soon as my feet hit the ground, Eric's arms were around me and I couldn't stop myself from kissing him deeply and repeatedly. Much to the annoyance of everyone else who has had to endure us the last few years. But I didn't care. I was madly in love with my husband and I wasn't afraid to show it.

Then we heard the incoming of another sling. Looking up, my eyes found it, seeing Tobias coming down head-first. I can see Tris's ashes flowing behind him and I knew that she would be proud. He had done good today. He had faced his fear of heights and his fear of letting her go. She would be very proud of him.

When he stopped, he tossed the urn down to us before he unhooked himself, dropping into our waiting arms. Lowering him to the ground, he looked up at the Hancock building. I stepped up to his side, putting my hand on his shoulder.

"She'd be so proud of you, Tobias." I told him.

"Thanks." He said wrapping his arm around my neck, pressing a kiss into my hair. "Maggie would be too. And Henry."

"Henry liked it." Claude smiled, her arm moving around my waist.

Only then Christina was yelling, Zeke was on his way down. He seemed to come down faster than the rest of us. And he was louder than the rest of us, crowing with joy as he eased to a stop. We all gripped each other's forearms, holding steady as he fell into our waiting arms. He had a huge smile on his face, loving every second of it.

"That was nice. Want to go again, Four?" He asked Tobias.

There wasn't a moment of hesitation before he replied, "Absolutely not."

Laughing, I nodded, "Yeah, never again."

"Oh, come on." Eric said. "You don't think it would be fun to do again."

"More power to you, baby. But I am not doing it again." I smiled as I wrapped my arm around his waist.

Walking back to the train, taking our time, we enjoyed each other's company. I'd managed to catch Hazel's eyes, offering her a smile and a nod. Even Shauna was enjoying herself, walking with her braces as Zeke pushed her empty wheelchair. Everyone is making small talk, and I can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I had done something I never thought myself capable of. I knew I made my fallen family members proud today. And now we'd go home and celebrate with a nice meal. Our home feeling like the hub of our little family.

Looking up at Eric, he simply smiled and kissed me. "How are you feeling?"

"Still nauseous for some reason." I told him. "But otherwise, I am fantastic."

He gave me an odd look before he pulled me tighter against his side, his hand resting against my stomach. "You don't think…?" He asked.

Frowning, covering his hand with mine, I smiled up at him, "I don't know. Maybe I should skip the wine just in case."

He laughed and kissed me again. "I love you, Pen."

"I love you too, Eric."

It was just a few hours later that Eric and I hosted the biggest dinner yet. Everyone who we were with today came for dinner. My parents came, Johanna came, even Hazel and Caleb came. And it wasn't horrible. It was actually nice to have them there. It was nice to have everyone there. It had been a long time since the war and yet there hadn't been enough moments filled with laughter and conversation and just…happiness. But we were happy. Everyone here was happy. We all had spent so much time trying to move on, but it was moments like this that truly helped us to move on. It was our time together that healed the wounds of the past, making the future that much brighter. And who knew, maybe a new addition to the family would bring us that much closer together. A bond that could never be broken. No matter who we were or what genes we were made of. We were together and happy.

Who knew what the future would bring? All I cared about was that we had one.

THE END

And there we have it. The final chapter has ended and this trilogy has officially come to a close. I hope you enjoyed it and I cannot appreciate you all enough. So much love goes out to those who have read, followed, favorited, and reviewed! LOVE YOU ALL!

Until next time...