❝Kiss me in your jammies by the fireplace

I'll listen close to every single word you say❞

- PRETTYMUCH, 4U.

"Come on, Renée!" River said after I failed to catch a skittle in my mouth.

"I'm trying! You're the one who isn't throwing the skittle well," I ran my fingers through my hair.

"Okay, let's do it again," River suggested.

"Okay," I nodded, then stopped. "Wait. Maybe, the skittles are too small."

"Well, it's all we have."

"Nope," I shook my head. "There are grapes in the refrigerator," I walked to the refrigerator and got out a box of grapes, handing it to River.

"I don't think the size matters, but okay," he threw a grape and again, I failed to catch it in my mouth.

River burst out laughing and I rolled my eyes, "You're just terrible at throwing, River."

"We both know you're the one who's terrible at catching."

"Let's do one more," I stated.

"Okay," he shrugged and then threw it again, but this time, I was able to catch it.

"Whoo!" I cheered as I chewed on the grape. "I did it!"

"You did," he smiled, nodding. "Come on, another one." He threw another grape and I caught it in my mouth again.

I jumped in excitement, "I'm a pro now!"

"Uh-uh, let's not get too cocky," he pulled me to him so that I stood in between his legs where he sat.

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes, popping a grape into my mouth.

"Guess what," he said softly, a smile on his face.

I gasped, "You're pregnant?"

"Yeah, 3 weeks gone. Ha ha, Renée."

"Come on," I took a grape and pushed it into his mouth before kissing the corner of his mouth, "I was trying to throw in some humor. But tell me, what is it?"

He flashed a boyish grin, chewing on the grape, "I turned in the painting yesterday."

I blinked. "No way."

"I'm not kidding," his face broke into a full smile.

"River, that's so amazing! Oh my gosh, I'm so proud of you."

"Yeah?"

"You have no idea how much."

He pulled me closer, so that there was only a few inches between us, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Well, you were my motivation," he said.

"Was I, really?"

He nodded, "You pushed me and you were unaware of it."

"You make me so happy," I said quietly.

"You make me happy too," he pressed his lips to mine and I smiled against the kiss.

"Whoa, no nephews yet! I should be the one to make you an aunt first!"

River chuckled and we pulled away to see Tanner who just walked into the kitchen.

"Hey, Tanner. How did it go?" I asked expectantly.

He nodded, "It was actually great—"

"I need details!"

He then let out a breath and sat on the counter, looking from me to River before saying, "Well, we talked about what happened. We both apologized and we just caught up on each other's lives, that's all," he had a wide smile on his face as he said, "She still has that mug I got her."

"I'll say she still likes you," River chipped, and I grinned at Tanner, "So, are you two getting back together?"

Tanner chuckled , "Can you chill? We didn't talk about that at all."

"I give you guys just a little time," I smiled.

He then raised an eyebrow, "How about the two of you? I see you were both doing homework."

"See, the good news is, Renée figured out her homework herself. And, she finished everything."

Tanner smiled proudly at me, "Really?"

"Mhm," I nodded, grinning.

"I'm so proud of you—"

The doorbell rang, "I'll get it," I said, walking out of the kitchen. I walked to the front door and squealed when I saw my mom standing, "Mom!" I flung my arms around her, hugging her tightly. "Another surprise visit, huh?"

Mom chuckled and kissed my forehead, "Hi baby. Well, not really. I came to meet my son-in-law," she wiggled her eyebrows.

My eyes widened and I muttered under my breath, "Tanner."

"At least he had bothered to tell me about him. You didn't tell me. Where is River?"

I sighed, "Kitchen. He's with Tanner."

I followed behind mom who walked quickly to the kitchen.

"Hey mom," Tanner said as he slid off the counter to give her a hug. River looked at me immediately and mouthed, "Is that your mom?"

I nodded and was about to mouth back that he shouldn't be nervous about anything—

"Hi, you must be River," I heard mom say, a full grin on her face.

River got up from the high stool, a shy smile on his face as he nodded, "Yes, I am."

"It's so nice to meet you. I'm Tanner and Renée's mom. Please call me Callie, or just dive right into it and call me mom, because you know, in-law stuff—"

"Mom!" I blushed furiously while River chuckled beside me.

"I'm being honest, though," she shrugged, chuckling before looking at River, "I'm glad to finally meet you. I've heard wonderful thing about you. How are you? And how's your family as well?"

River smiled as he replied, "I'm doing very well, and my family's doing great as well."

"Ah, that's amazing to hear," mom said. "I'm aware you're an artist and that's great because Renee's dad is very artistic himself."

I looked at mom, "Really?"

She nodded, taking a sip of water Tanner placed in front of her. "Very artistic, but of course, he doesn't paint very often because of the demanding job of a lawyer. He has always loved art, though, and he sites Banksy as his greatest inspiration."

"No way. Banksy is amazing. I've never fully understood how his mind works. How he uses his art to change and correct a lot of things is great. I'll say he's one of my best artists," River gushed and I smiled fondly at him. He was always so cute when he gushed about something.

"I think you and Renée's dad will get along really well," mom stated, smiling before looking at me, "I brought some food. I have them in the car, but I didn't bring them in due to my excitement. Come with me, baby, so we can bring them in."

We got out and I bit my lower lip nervously, "So, do you like him?"

Mom nodded, "It's crazy. He reminds me of your dad so much. The way he stood up when he saw me, your dad says that shows a level of respect and decency. And of course, his artistic side, then, that boy is fine... he also seems like a person who knows what he's doing."

I smiled, "He has helped me so much, mom, even before we started dating. Even though he isn't in school anymore, he pushes me to do well. Can you believe I don't fail my tests anymore? And not long ago, I finished my math homework all by myself."

"You know, your grandmother used to say something. A relationship is a relationship when you're helping each other. You're giving something, and also receiving something good from each other."

I sighed, "He makes me so happy. And I know I'm still young but he's set this standard for me already. Even if we don't stay together forever, I will not go lower than the standard he's set for me."

Mom smiled and gave me a hug, "I can't believe how much you're growing. How will you be 17 next week, baby? I need you to stop growing."

I chuckled, "I love you, mom."

"I love you too."

I pulled away, "How's dad?"

"Oh, the man is great. He actually wants us to have dinner one of these days. A family dinner. And I really think River should be there."

I nodded, "I'll talk to him about it, but guess what, mom?"

"What?"

"Tanner went to see Zee today."

'No way," her eyes widened.

"It's all a long story, but yeah. They talked."

"If only he'd bring Mackenzie instead of Kendall to the family dinner," Mom said and we laughed.

And that was how the rest of the day went. It was filled with food and laughter.

*