The peace didn't last forever. And while I hated to lose the bubble of happiness that Eric and I had managed to find within these confusing times, all good things must come to an end.
And the end? It was now.
In an ideal world, Eric and I would've been able to break the news of my engagement to my brother and mother, knowing they would be happy for me. Then, we would be planning for our wedding and eventually living out our happily ever afters.
Unfortunately, reality was much less glamorous than fairytales and after a quiet morning where Eric had cooked breakfast for me and given me a kiss that felt as if it could right every wrong there was in this world, we got dressed and headed out to face my mother who had demanded a meeting.
Eric clutched my hand tightly in his as we walked, his thumb brushing over his mother's ring on my finger as if he was trying to remind himself that I said yes so that he never forgets.
Zeke and Uriah met us at the end of the hallway that leads out to the front of the compound where Johanna had agreed to hold the meeting.
Eric's hand squeezes mine reassuringly as I let out a heavy sigh.
"Do you think this is a trap?" I ask no one in particular.
"I think they're going to try everything they can to get the upper hand so I wouldn't put it past them," Zeke replies.
I look over to Uriah, who has been silent ever since we joined them only to see him staring down pointedly at Eric and I's interlaced fingers and I have no doubt he'd already spotted the ring on my finger.
A small smile tugs at the corner of his lips and he raises his eyes to meet mine.
"Are congratulations in order?" He asks.
I can't help the smile that takes over my face as usual run brush my thumb over the cool metal and nod in reply.
"Damn, it took you guys long enough," Uriah returns a smile just as bright before pulling me into his arms for a tight hug.
He moves to hug Eric next but stops short at the look on his face. Instead, he gave Eric a pat on the back that looked painfully awkward and I struggled to hold in my laughter.
Learning from his brother's mistake, Zeke pulls me into a long hug that has Eric clearing his throat.
"Are you trying to test my limits?" Eric says warningly, though it lacks its usual bite.
Zeke simply laughs as he takes a step back from me, shoving Eric in the shoulder.
"Come on, man. Quit lying, you like us."
Eric's features remain as stoic as ever. Though I can tell he has taken a liking to my friends, no amount of torture would get him to admit that to them.
I lean into him, smiling despite the situation. "You so do," I whisper when Zeke and Uriah get distracted bickering with each other.
He lets out a non-committal grunt, but the corner of his lip quirks up into a smile. "Only because they love you almost as much as I do."
My heart warms at his statement. Luck seemed to be on my side, filling my life with such amazing people.
I clutched Eric's hand tightly in mine, letting his touch anchor me to what really matters; this. Us.
"Let's get this over with," I say with a decisive nod.
Zeke and Uriah lead us out towards the gate and to a small alcove where we stayed hidden but I can see that Johanna and Evelyn have already gathered on either side with a guard flanking each one.
Words are being exchanged, though we're too far away to hear them and I don't even realise that the Pedrad brothers were gone until Zeke returns with a gun in each hand and one slung across his back.
He passes one to Eric and I, "Just in case," He tells us, "I doubt things will stay as peaceful as they are now."
I look at the two women who were still speaking to each other and took a deep breath, "I want to be there," I say, "I want to hear what she has to say."
Uriah and Zeke exchange a hesitant look, before the former speaks up. "Look, Nessie. I get what you're saying, but we can't blow our cover."
"You guys can stay here, but I should be the one who speaks to her." I looked to Eric almost pleadingly, "I have to do this. Alone."
Though I can see the reluctance in Eric's eyes, he nods.
Taking my shotgun from me and replacing it with a smaller, and easily concealed handgun that he tucks into the back of my waistband.
"You're going to come back to me safe and sound," He almost orders, "Got it?"
I can't help but smile as I reach up to touch his chin, "Got it." I say before rising up on my toes to kiss him.
Making sure my gun was secure, I get ready to leave when Uriah gives me a reassuring pat on the back. "Don't worry, Nessie. We'll have your back, okay? Just stay safe."
I shoot him a grateful smile before emerging from our hiding spot.
Neither one Evelyn or Johanna seem to notice me until I'm within earshot of their conversation.
My mother's guard, shifts on his feet and moves like he's about to draw his weapon when he sees me but Evelyn holds a hand up to stop him.
"The factions took everything from me," She carries on her 'woe is me' routine, "I had to give up my life, my children. Everything."
"Right," I cut in, "That must've been so hard for you. So painful that you never even looked back once, right?"
"I had no choice-"
"I'm getting really tired of that excuse, Evelyn," I cut her off, "Look, I can understand why you left. What I don't understand is why after all this time and all these regrets you claim to have when it comes to Tobias and I, you're still choosing to go against us." I swallowed past the lump that was beginning to form in my throat, "Or is that just it? You love us, but only when serves you?"
"I'm doing this for you!" She exclaims.
"No, you're not! If you're willing to fight us to get what you want, at least have the balls to admit what it is. You want power. To take back what you lost in Abnegation, what Marcus took from you. But you know what the sad part is, Evelyn? That through trying to prove that you're better than him, you've ended up becoming just like him." I took a deep breath, "There's still time to change that. There are other ways to do this, we can come to an agreement. Don't let it end with something you won't be able to come from."
"I'm sorry, Vanessa." Her words make my heart drop, and the look in her eyes shifts to something flat and unfeeling. Footsteps approach from behind her as the Factionless fall into position with weapons at the ready and I immediately reached for my gun. "I know I said I would come alone, but I'm not Candor and I'm not Amity. So, I will lie and fight if I have to."
"See this scars?" Johanna pushes her hair back to show her face, "I wasn't born Amity, and I can assure you that I can fight for what I believe in."
Our guards fall in behind us as well and I immediately feel an arm coming around my waist before Eric pulls me behind him, acting as my shield.
"Last chance, Evelyn," I tell her, "There are other ways to do this."
"And if I agree," She starts and hope fills my chest, but I should've known better. Because as her eyes land on Eric, her next words extinguishes any last positive emotion that I was feeling for my mother, "On the condition that you hand my prisoner over, would you?"
My hands shake as I trained my gun at the enemy, "No," I say firmly, "Unlike you, I don't abandon the people that I love."
And just like that, despite all that we've done to try and prevent it, war has begun once again.