2 months later

I roll out of bed reluctantly, not wanting to escape from my dreams, or at least, my bed. Sleep is holy in my eyes. It's been like this for a while, and I think I just don't want to come back to reality.

Everything in our safe house was burnt to a crisp, all I had was the things in my jacket pockets, which wasn't much. Nobody blames me, I still feel like it was all my fault. The only place that didn't get destroyed was a separate area, that held whatever people couldn't keep in their apartments. 

We had maybe ten boxes of things saved, so I had all of my childhood mementos, and a few boxes of my personal belongings, so it was enough to set up. Everybody went back to their homes, which was the best part of all of this. Every family has a guard assigned to them, even my aunt's and uncles.  

Mom and Dad got there positions back here at Dauntless, and we were able to take back our old apartment. We got everything set up again, and life was almost normal. Our guard is named Brutus, and he gets annoying. They have guards at school, so he doesn't have to help me there, but everywhere else, he demands to go with us. It gets a little bit annoying. 

Life hasn't been nearly as stressful, knowing Jeanine is gone for good. Of course, there is still the bureau, but they haven't come near anybody since the attack on the safe house. I honestly feel happy, especially knowing Blake even lives near me. We have gone on one other date, but it was a double date with my old friend Shailene and her boyfriend, Matt. 

Besides that, we have been working out most days together, when I wasn't home with Mom. She is only a few weeks away from her due date, and she has been an emotional mess. I have to be careful with her, or she will lash out. It's like she is glass, and if you touch her wrong she will break. 

It's not normal, by any means, but we have pulled through. We are okay.

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"It will be fun! Trust me, we don't have to invite anyone else. It will just be you and me at the beach. We have our phones, your parents won't worry, and we have my guard there as well. It would be fun wouldn't it!" Blake says, holding my hand as we walk to the train. 

"The last date we went on was a disaster, but that was with Shailene. I think maybe if it is just us, you promise, it would be fine." I sigh, finally agreeing. 

"I promise. I really want to just have some normal time together where we aren't worried about crazy people and we don't have to be locked underground afterwards." Blake laughs at the end, making me grin in return. 

"Alright then, it's a date. Saturday at the beach." 

When we get to the tracks, I pull the other shoulder of my backpack on, and watch as the train quickly approaches. I start running alongside as the noise pounds into my ears, and I grab onto the handle, swinging myself upwards. I land on my feet, stumbling a little, but I regain my balance. 

Blake jumps on with ease and we go lean against the wall opposite the entrance. "So, first week of high school over with. How was it for you?" I ask. 

"I guess it's the same, just going around school for classes instead of just one teacher. I didn't have any buzzkill teachers, so it was fine." He says, shrugging. 

"Really, it was the same for me. Except for this one teacher, Mr. Edils. He is a complete stick in the mud, I don't think anybody liked him." I laugh. 

Blake just looks at me, smiling. I sigh, slumping down to the floor of the train. We both decided today we wanted to jump down the net, it was more fun than the stairs that all the other kids go home through. 

"I think we are almost there, we better get ready." Blake tells me, tugging my body up by the arm. 

"Already?" I question, walking over to look out. 

I spot the familiar gravel-filled rooftop, and let out a breath. It's never been hard, I just always get nervous after I saw somebody die on it when I was 6. I walk to the farther side of the train, and look for the perfect moment to "Run!" We both dart out the door, jumping far. My feet impact the ground, and I take a second to steady myself. 

I look over to see Blake fell forward, his face scratched. "Aw, poor baby couldn't stick the landing?" I tease, helping him up. 

"Oh please, the last time you jumped off you landed flat." He chuckles, punching my arm. 

"Race you to the net!" I scream, before he knows what to do. I run up to the ledge, immediately jumping down and screaming. My bag flies off behind me, and I extend a vine from my hand to grab it. I hear Blake yell, "Damn it Natalie!" As he flies down next to me. 

I flatten onto my back, the wind sounding louder than a clap of thunder in my ears. It all moves around me, making my body feel weightless. I see it approaching, and brace myself as the net cradles around my arms and legs. I laugh, watching as Blake drops down next to me, and screams. 

"That was fun." I giggle, climbing out of the net. 

"It always is." Blake says, hopping down after me. 

I look around, seeing nobody was over here. "Come on, I have to make dinner tonight, do you want to come over?" I ask Blake, hoping for a yes.

"I guess I can, Mom has to work till 7 anyways." Blake shrugs. 

"Great!" I respond happily. 

I grab his hand, and we walk back over into the pit, where it is buzzing with activity. There are people running around everywhere, little kids playing games, grown adults being idiots. There have been so much more people since they stopped the whole, " I'm getting old I'm gonna kill myself" thing in Dauntless. 

We walk around the, basically, giant hole in the ground, that opens to every bit of the Dauntless compound. I drag Blake past it all, bringing him to our apartment. I take out my key, and get us in. Mom is laying on the couch, sleeping with an arm around her belly. 

I quietly close the door, and put a blanket over her. "Come on, let's just go to my room." I whisper, grabbing his hand and pulling him away. 

My room probably needs to be cleaned, but I don't really care. We sit on my bed, and pull out our school textbooks. "Okay find the textbook pages while I go make us a snack before dinner." I tell Blake, going out to the kitchen. 

I make some PB & J sandwiches, and grab some chips, then head back to my room. "Delicious." Blake says, before he even bites his sandwich. 

I laugh, taking my own. We both finish our snacks quickly, and get started on homework. 

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"Well, if this angle and this angle are the same, and that side is the same, the triangles are congruent by ASA." I explain, showing Blake each part on the diagram. 

"Wait, then what if these sides are congruent, and that angle is congruent?" He asks, utterly confused. 

"It all depends on what matches the other triangle! See, these have the same angles, and these have the same sides. It depends on the order it comes in." I am losing hope in this boy. 

"Oh, I think I get it, so #7 would be, they are congruent by ASA?" 

"Great!" I exclaim, throwing my hands in the air. 

"I'm sorry I am not very smart Nat." Blake chuckles a little, looking embarrassed. 

"It's no big deal, nobody is that good at Geometry." I laugh, patting his back. 

We are both interrupted by Dad yelling for us to come out. I run out the door, smiling, "What do you need?" 

He glares at us, "What were you doing in your room... alone... with him?" 

I roll my eyes, "We were just doing homework, calm down." 

I still do not feel completely safe around Dad, but I feel like it is just in my head. I really try, but  nothing feels the same around him. 

"Attitude babe. It is time to start dinner for your Mom, I am heading to work." He grabs his jacket and walks out. 

I look down, rubbing my hands together. 
Without saying a word about that, I go to Mom, gently shaking her shoulder, "Are you feeling okay?"

Her face immediately looks uncomfortable, "I,-I'm fine. My stomach just feels a little weird." 

I shake my head, knowing this won't end well, "Be careful Mom, you can never be too cautious." 

She sighs, "I'll be fine, Natalie Rose." 

"Whatever you say Mom, what do you want for dinner?" I ask, still knowing the truth. 

"Oh, just something small. Grilled cheese and leftover chicken soup?" She suggests, sitting up. 

I smile, "Sounds great. It's just the three of us, Dad's at work." 

"Great, we can just eat on the couch." She sighs, leaning back. 

I always find it a little funny when I see her whole body, she is only a little over five feet and her belly is huge, but of course I never bring it up. 

I go into the kitchen, pulling out ingredients. "Blake, do me a favor and heat up the chicken noodle soup." I request, pulling the container of leftovers. 

"No problem babe." He says, grabbing it from me. 

I know he is capable of more, but he is a guy, and I do not really trust him with the 'harder' stuff. I heat up the pan and get the first sandwich on there, while Blake just puts the soup in a pot on the stove. 

"Hurry up, I'm starving!" Mom whines from the couch. 

"Calm down psycho, we just started. You can wait a few minutes!" I respond, laughing a little. 

It only takes about five more minutes to finish up, and I get mom's soup in a bowl and grilled cheese on a plate, then hand it to her on the couch. 

"Thank you guys, sorry I am so demanding." Mom laughs, giving me a light smile. 

Blake smiles, "It's okay Mrs. E, it's no big deal." 

I look at Blake, feeling happier every second. He is so nice to my family, I don't know what I would do without him in this situation. 

We both sit down on the other side of the couch, and Mom turns on the TV to some police show. I eat slower than usual, kind of getting caught in my own mind. My brain isn't pulled back to reality until Blake whispers sharply in my ear, "Natalie!" 

I shake my head, looking over at him, "What's wrong?" 

He nods is head in the direction of Mom, and I see she has a concerned facial expression.

"Mom, what's wrong?" I ask, hesitantly. 

"I, I don't know. I should walk it off." She mutters, standing up. 

The second she leaves the couch, her eyes widen, and she gasps. I look down, realizing what just happened. 

 Mom looks into my eyes, "Natalie, my water just broke."