Susan rolls her suitcase into my room, right next to the other boxes. 

"When will your mom get here?" She asks, leaning against the bed. 

Caleb sits down, and pulls her beside him, "She'll be home by six, and we can tell her at dinner. She is very accepting, you shouldn't have anything to worry about." 

She sighs, laying down, a hand on her stomach, "Why did I screw up so bad?" 

Caleb turns to face her, immediately telling me they're going to have some emotional moment, so I head downstairs. It's five thirty now, so we still have a while to get Susan settled in. Mom might feel a little awkward with both of our significant others in the house, but both are here for important reasons. 

My body lay splayed across the couch, nothing better to do. Tobias has work tonight, so he doesn't know about any of this. He's going to freak out with another person in this house, especially if I move into his room. This place is starting to get cramped, hopefully no more people randomly move in. 

After, maybe, fifteen minutes, Caleb and Susan come back downstairs, flustered. For a second I'm about to kill them for doing something on my bed, but then realize that's not enough time for them. 

"Come on, we can start dinner before Mom gets home." Caleb directs his statement at me, barely giving a glance.

"Oh, I could help!" Susan insists, walking towards the kitchen. 

I quickly stand up, stopping her, "No, really, I could get something pulled together." 

She laughs, "I'm pregnant, Tris, not crippled." 

I hesitate, cocking my head, "That's a completely fair point. However, don't expect me to go easy on you when you are farther along." 

Susan smiles, shaking her head, "There's no getting anywhere in this family alone, is there?" 

Caleb and I both shake our heads, huge grins reaching from ear to ear. We work together to start preparing dinner, finding some chicken and vegetables to cook up.  While they start chopping up some potatoes to boil, ultimately for mashed potatoes, the doorbell rings. 

"I got it!" I shout, running towards the door. 

Unexpectedly, instead of Mom, Tobias is standing there, looking exhausted.

"What are you doing back? I thought you had another two hours of work." I ask, taking his bag off of his shoulder. 

He sighs, "They let me off an hour early, someone needed some extra time." 

I give him a quick kiss, "Well that's alright, at least you can have dinner with us tonight."

Tobias peers into the kitchen, a bit confused, "Why is there another teenager here? I thought three was enough." 

A giggle escapes my lips, "I did to, but you'll figure out later. It's nothing to worry about, for now." 

"Alright, I'll go get a quick shower and be right back down." He states, jogging up the stairs. 

I return to the kitchen picking up the chicken breast. 

"I forgot you were dating him, didn't you two like, hate each other the first day of school?" Susan inquires, sliding a board of chopped carrots into the pan. 

"It was a love-hate thing for a while, but we are good now. He's sweet when he is not being a dick." 

Susan laughs, "I have a better man right here." she smiles at Caleb, something caring and genuine. 

I look away, paying attention to cutting the chicken in half. The meat is seasoned with an Italian blend, and tossed in the oven. Caleb is boiling potatoes, while Susan mixes some veggies in a pan with oil, salt and pepper. 

When Tobias finally exits the shower, he changes into pajamas, and helps me set the table. "Go ahead and fill up five spots, Susan is staying for dinner." I instruct, grabbing some assorted cutlery. 

"Alright," He responds, "I can grab the plates and cups, you go ahead and sit down." 

I shake my head, walking to Susan, "No, I'll just take over. You, go sit down." 

She gives me that look again, "Tris, I'm not disa-"

"I know, really. I just want to finish this up, all right?" I urge, taking the wooden spoon from her hand. 

She let's out a deep sigh, "Fine, I'll go sit down." I begin moving the vegetable medley around the pan, cooking the assortment. Caleb finishes the potatoes, and starts to mash them with some butter, garlic salt and pepper in a bowl. That's what grandma always did, and it makes the potatoes so much better. 

As I turn down the heat, and cover the food, Mom walks in the door, briefcase in hand, "Tris, dear, could you go grab the box of kitten food from the car?" 

I jog over, "Absolutely Mom." 

She sends me a grateful smile as I pass her by. Casper and Lucy follow me outside, and as I carry the box in. They meow constantly,  hungry little monsters. 

"Why did Susan come along for dinner, dear?" She asks Caleb, sitting down at the table. 

She sets the chicken in the middle of the table, next to the sides, "We just had something to tell you, that's all." 

Mom nods, "That's fine with me, the more the merrier!" My stomach twists, wondering now how she will truly react. 

Everybody gathers around the table, Tobias and I on one side, Caleb and Susan on the other. We say grace, as is tradition, and start serving food out to one another. 

"Who prepared the meal tonight?" Mom asks, cutting a piece of chicken from her meal. 

"We all did." Caleb answers for us, sticking a spoonful of mashed potatoes in his mouth. She smiles, "Well I'm glad to see everybody getting along so well." 

We all offer mumbles of agreement, but I'm trying to stay as quiet as possible. After eating for a while, Mom starts the conversation back up, "Susan, dear, why is it you've come tonight?" 

She goes pale, eyes widening. "It's okay Susan." Caleb assures her, places his hand over top of hers. She smiles weakly, "I-I know. Mrs. Prior, we have two things to say." Tobias is watching intently, curious. 

"Trust me, darling, it will be okay." Mom smiles and nods. 

Caleb shakes his head, "Mom, Susan is pregnant." 

The room goes dead silent. He just decided to rip off the bandage, but it causes Mom to drop he silverware and stare. 

"I'm sorry, you-" 

"Got her pregnant, Mom."

She breaths out, a small grin at her lips, "Caleb, darling. I know I taught you better, but that doesn't mean that this is a bad thing." 

Her words are carefully thought out, and make Susan release some of the tension in her body. Mom looks up, "Susan, that's alright. If you need anything, and I mean anything, we are your family now, aren't we?" 

Susan's eyes begin to water, "About that..." Mom holds her hand opposite Caleb, nodding. "M-my parents kicked me out. They don't want me in their house." 

Mom gasps, her jaw dropping, "That's simply absurd! You can't kick your own child, and grandchild, out of the home for a silly mistake!" 

Susan nods, "I thought it was insane too. I was wondering if, maybe, just for a while, I could stay with you guys?" 

"I can give up my room, for Susan and the baby." I add. 

Mom thinks it over, "I do suppose that could work, but Tris, where would you sleep?" 

"I can go to T-Four's room. We have a spare twin bed I can drag in." I suggest, before taking another bite of food. 

Mom raises an eyebrow, "How do I know you won't-"

"We won't." We respond in unison, laughing at one another. 

She sighs, "Then I guess that will work. Tris, you can take his closet, and he can put his stuff in the drawers. Your other things can get put in the garage, and we will go from there." 

There's a release of tension through the entire room, and I think all of us find relief in the moment of acceptance. It looks like we have a new member to our little growing family... make that two.