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"Mom?" I looked at her in surprise.

"Baby," she flung her arms around me, a wide smile on her face.

I hugged her tightly before pulling away, "Did you and Tanner plan this?"

She chuckled, shaking her head as she made her way into the living room, "Nope. He isn't expecting me either. I missed you two, and thought about visiting. Is your brother back from work?"

"No, he isn't. Do you want anything to drink, mom?"

"Water is fine," she answered.

"How's dad?" I asked, walking to the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of cold water from the refrigerator.

"He's great, just still at work. He could have come, but he'll probably come on his visiting day when he's less busy," she chuckled.

"Okay," I nodded, handing her an empty glass and the cold bottle of water.

She tilted her head, taking them from me as she sat on the high stool in the kitchen. "You don't look okay, honey."

"Yeah, I was down for the most part of today."

"Oh no, baby, what happened?" She set the bottle of water and glass aside and motioned for me to come over to where she sat.

"It was most likely a flu."

"Do you feel better at least?" She hugged me, rubbing my back and I smiled lazily as she did so. This was one of the reasons I loved my mom.

"Yes, mom. I stayed home and I was able to get some rest."

"Have you had something to eat?" She pulled away, looking at me.

"I had some soup." I nodded.

"That's good, but you need to eat more," she brushed my hair with her fingers.

"I mean, I've missed your food," I said with a small smile.

"Of course, I'll make dinner tonight. What time does your brother get back from work?"

I shrugged, "It depends, I guess. Sometimes he's back early, sometimes he comes back later."

I watched her as she made dinner the next hour later, helping when I had to and catching up with her. My stomach jumped in excitement as the aroma of her chicken casserole wafted in the air. Tanner was a great cook, but so was mom and I had missed her cooking.

"What of Kaleb?" Mom asked, taking off the lid of the pot and then throwing in peas into the pot.

"He's good," I replied.

"I'm surprised he isn't here. It would have been great to see him."

"He probably has stuff to do today."

"Say hi to him for me, okay?"

"I will."

I heard the front door open and I was certain this time that it was Tanner.

And boy, was I right.

"Renée! I'm back," I heard him call and I chuckled to myself. "Where's she? And what smells so good?" He said to himself, and this time, mom and I chuckled to ourselves.

"I'm in the kitchen!" I called to him.

His footsteps got closer, "Hey, do you feel better—" His eyes landed on mom and they widened. "Mom." He walked to where she stood, a wide smile on her face as he kissed her forehead.

"I missed you," he told her, hugging her.

"I missed you too, honey."

He looked at me, an eyebrow raised. "Did Renée put you up to this?"

"Hey!" I threw my hands up in the air and mom laughed, "No, she didn't. She was surprised when she saw me as well."

I rolled my eyes at him and he chuckled, kissing my forehead. "Do you feel better?"

I nodded, "I do."

"Did you take the pill? And did you have something to eat?" Taking a seat on the high stool.

Mom tiptoed to kiss the top of Tanner's head, "Thank you for taking good care of your sister, honey. She had some soup before I came."

Tanner looked at me, eyebrows furrowed. "You had soup? Did you make it?"

I flushed, running my fingers through my hair. "No, River came over. Sky had asked him to bring me some gourmet brownies because I'd told her I wouldn't be coming to work."

"And he brought some soup?"

"And juice, yeah," I said quietly, nodding.

Mom looked at us, confused. "Who's Sky? Is that a nickname?"

"Yeah, for Skylar. She works at the bakery too."

"I see," mom nodded, and I bit my lip, knowing what she was going to ask next. "And who's River? Is that a nickname too?"

Tanner chuckled, "No, that's his name, and he's your future son-in-law."

"Tanner!" I looked at him, my cheeks on fire as mom looked at me.

"Don't worry mom, he seems really decent," Tanner told mom.

"Tanner, jeez, you can shush now," I said through gritted teeth.

"Who's River, honey?" Mom looked at me. "A guy from school?"

I shook my head, before rolling my eyes at Tanner who had a proud look on his face. He could be annoying sometimes.

"I met him at the bakery," I told her. "He's doing a job there."

"What does he do?"

"He's an artist," I answered.

"How old is he?"

Mom and her questions made me feel like I was in an interview and I wanted to disappear right now.

"17," I looked at her.

"Is he good at what he does?"

"He really is talented, mom," I smiled.

"Well, that's good," she nodded.

"So, you approve?" Tanner looked at mom.

"Mom, tell Tanner to stop talking, we haven't even talked about dating." I rolled my eyes.

"Well, as long as Tanner says he looks really decent then that's fine."

I looked at mom in surprise.

"But," she placed emphasis on the word. "I need to meet him one day, and, you're only 16 Renee, be careful."

Now, this was so awkward because I knew exactly what she mean, so I only nodded.

I took out dishes when I saw dinner was ready and mom dished out food for three of us.

"And how's your girlfriend, honey, what's her name?" Mom looked at Tanner.

"Mom, it's Kendall." He told her.

"Yeah, Kendall, how's she?"

"She's good," he answered, taking a spoon of his food.

"Have you maybe heard from Mackenzie at all?" She asked softly and I did a happy dance inside. Looks like I wasn't the only one who was team Zee.

"Mom," he gave her a look.

"Fine, I'm sorry," she raised her two hands like she was surrendering and went back to eating.

"How's dad?" He asked her.

She nodded, "He's good. I told your sister he might come when he's less busy."

"Okay," he nodded. "I didn't see your car outside, by the way. Everything okay with it?"

"Yes, it's fine. Everyone's talking about Uber and I wanted to see how it works."

"You can't be serious, mom" Tanner laughed and I chuckled before asking, "How was it?"

"It was quite enjoyable. The driver was a bit talkative but at least, he spoke sensibly," she answered, causing me and Tanner to laugh again.

We continued to eat our dinner, talking and laughing as we ate. It made me so happy mom had come today, and something about she and River's presence today made me feel better.

"Okay, kids, I have to get back home now," mom said minutes after we had finished eating and were relaxing watching TV.

"Aw, mom," I hugged her.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay the night?" Tanner looked at her.

"I'd love to, but I have to get home to your dad."

"Say hi to him for us," he said.

"I will," she gave us a hug each, kissing our foreheads.

"Thanks for dinner," I said.

"No problem. If you might need anything, let me and your dad know. I love you," she said, making her way to the door.

"Has your uber pulled up?" Tanner asked, chuckling.

"It has," she nodded and smiled proudly.

We said a final bye as she slipped out of the door.

"We needed that visit," I looked at Tanner.

"We really did," he nodded. "And I'm just glad you feel better."