"What smells so good in here?" Caleb asked coming into the kitchen. "Well you aren't gonna like this...." I said frowning. "If it's food, i like it." He said furrowing his brow. "We're celebrating." I said. "Um what are we celebrating exactly?" Caleb asked. "Look on the mantel." I said. "What the heck? Why didn't he tell us?" Caleb asked. "Take it up with Jake, he said we were busy planning for New Mexico and didn't wanna bother us. So i'm cooking enough food for an army." I said. Ryder laughed coming up and kissing my cheek. "And that is why i love you." He said.

                 "Has anybody started packing for New Mexico yet? What do we wear?" Liam asked walking into the kitchen holding up two shirts. "Shorts? It's going to be hot in the desert." I said. "Oh good to know. Hey do you need an extra suitcase?" Liam asked. "Oh that would be great, i actually don't have one." I said. "Okay i'll set it on your bed." He said leaving the kitchen.

                I finished cooking everything on my end just as Jake was bringing in the steaks. Now that everybody was in on his secret we wrapped him in a huge group hug. "Okay this is to mushy even for me get off." Jake said laughing. "This is really great of you Sydney." He said looking at all the food. "It was my pleasure we really are proud of you." Now we had three guys working and three of us still in high school. I wondered how that would change the dynamics of things. I mean they would obviously be spending time working while we were at school so hopefully we could keep things as they were. But this had more to do with me than anything. I hated change.

               I looked at Ryder, he caught my gaze and smiled at me. I knew one thing would never change, his love for me. "So my mom called and wanted to know if we'd be able to meet her for dinner tomorrow." Ryder said taking my hand. "Oh, yes i suppose that's fine. Although i must admit i'm kind of nervous." I said. "Don't be my mom is gonna love you." He said squeezing my hand and finishing his dinner.

                                                         -----------------------------------------

          Ryder and i were in the car headed to the restaurant i was doing my best to breathe. Honestly i don't know why i was so nervous. I mean Ryder had met both of my parents and i wasn't even scared. Maybe i was worried that she liked Bridget so much and that he should be with somebody like her. Because him actually being with her was just creepy. He pulled into the restaurant. "You didn't say a word the whole ride." He noted.

          "i know, i was just thinking." I looked out at the outdoor seating where several people were eating. I noted a lady and a young blonde girl. "That's them isn't it?" I pointed. He looked where i was pointing. He nodded. "Yea how could you tell?" He asked. "You look like your mom, but it was the blonde barbie sitting next to her." I said. "Yea i was really hoping she'd stay at home." He sighed. "Ready or not?" He asked taking my hand. "Why not?" I asked opening the door. I walked through the gate still holding Ryder's hand.

          "Hey mom." Ryder called out. She stood up. "Oh my baby, how I've missed you." She said wrapping him in a hug. "Mom, it hasn't been that long." He mumbled as she was squeezing him. "Right of course, and who is this pretty thing?" She asked. "This is Sydney." He said. "Sydney it's so good to meet you." She said.  "Sydney this is my mom Kathy." He said. "And this is Brooke Ryder's sister." His mom said. "Step sister, were hardly even related." She narrowed her eyes at me. "And who are you exactly some poor project Ryder took on?" She asked. Breath Sydney, stand your ground. "No, i'm the girlfriend. But it's nice to meet you. I've heard lots of things about you." I said narrowing my eyes back at her. "All good things i'm sure." She said. "No." I said taking a seat next to Ryder.

          Brooke poor thing was falling out of that poor dress, it was not a good look for her, or anybody for that matter. "I've missed you Ryder." Said said wrapping and arm around his arm. He quickly pulled loose. "So mom, how everything been?" Ryder asked ignoring Brooke altogether. I know it's best not to encourage somebody you're not interested in. "Oh just fine dear, hows the studio coming along?" She asked. "Just fine, Sydney here is going to help me decorate it." He said beaming at me.

          "Ryder, i'll be your first customer. I can't wait to tackle you." I snickered. Brook glared at me. "You know nobody likes you." Brooke said leaning around Ryder. "Well that's rude." I said. "So what? Why don't you run along home so we can have our family dinner in peace." Said Brooke. "That's just weird." I said looking around for the waiter finally i spotted one. "I'm sorry this is my section but i'll be happy to..." I cut him off. "No, you can take our drink order to the kitchen while you're looking for our waiter." I said. "Oh uh sure i guess i can do that." He said holding out his notepad. We all ordered and he left.

          Ryder turned to Brooke. "Why did you even come?" He asked. "To see you silly, i just missed you." She said leaning in. "Yea but why, we were never even close as siblings" He said "Stop saying that!! I don't want to be your sibling!" Brooke said. "Well i'm sorry but we are, and it's weird that you keep hitting on me. For one. We ARE siblings. Two i'm not interested. And three i'm happy with Sydney she's the best thing that's ever happened to me." Ryder said. "Awe." His mother said clasping her hands together. "I can tell how much love you guys have for each other. Now Bridget honey. I love you, you know that i do. But i wanted you to like me and maybe i overlooked this little crush you had but that's not fair." She said. "What? Screw all of you." Brooke said standing up.

          "Honey, i'll see you at home." Kathy said. "Don't bother as far as i'm concerned i'm not speaking to you." She said stomping out of the restaurant. I wanted to be sad but i just couldn't. I hadn't done anything wrong. And Brooke was creepy. But i did feel sorry for Kathy though. "I'm so sorry, i hope she won't be mad at you for long." I said. "Honey you have nothing to apologize for. If anything i should apologize to my son." She said turning to him. "Mom it's okay." He said. "No it's not honey, i saw how she was acting but i knew going into this marriage they weren't going to like me and when i saw that she had a strange crush on you i allowed it happen and i can see now just how wrong i was." She said. "Thanks mom." Ryder said. "No problem and just know it'll never happen again. I don't care if Brooke likes me. She's going to be moving out soon. But you'll always be my son." She said.

          The waiter walked over. "I am so sorry for the delay here are your drinks." He said setting them down onto the table. "I was trying to give you guys space." He said smiling sadly. "No i'm sorry it's our fault." Kathy said. We gave him our order and he scurried off.

           "Well that was awkward." I said. "Tell me about it, but i think she might just take the hint this time." Ryder said grinning at me. "Just look at you two so in love. Oh it's a beautiful thing." Kathy said clasping her hands together. "I tried to get your step dad to come but he was at the office, you know him. He's always so busy." She said shaking her head. "It's okay." Ryder said. And i think maybe he was grateful. From what i understand they didn't have the best relationship. 

         And how in the world was i just now meeting his mom? He met my dad first while he was in prison and then my mom as she was returning from rehab. How was he even still with me? I mean i do not look good if you judge me by my parents. Kathy excused herself to go to the bathroom. "What do you think?" He asked. "That i'm a big fat looser." I said. "What? Where did that come from? You are not!" He said.

       "Your mom is great!" I said. "What does she do for a living?" I asked. "Oh uh she's a dental hygienist." He said. "See that's normal. Your mom has never been to jail or rehab and you met my dad in jail! I'm so embarrassed." I said covering my face with my hands. "Hey come on don't be embarrassed. Your dad's not a bad guy. And your mom might seem a little crazy she was great to. I love you. And i don't care who your parents are you aren't a thing like them." He said pushing my doubt and fear away. "Are you sure?" I asked. "I am positive." He said. "Thanks i love you too." I said as his mom returned from the bathroom. And just in time to i saw the waiter bringing out our food.

       I took a bite of the creamy delicious pasta. Oh it was good. "They fried this, it's got cheese and breadcrumbs. I never would have thought to do that!" I said pointing at the dish with my fork. "You like to cook?" His mom asked. "I do." I said smiling. "Then i'll have to give you some of my recipes i have some that Ryder used to love." She said. "Aw that would be great." My mom never gave me anything. She had nothing to give. And it would be nice to have something like that. "So how did you two meet?" She asked. 

       I whirled around and looked to Ryder. He didn't tell his mother we lived together. He shrugged apologetically. "Uh well i was looking for a place to rent and there was an opening in Ryder's building. I needed something with a lot of roommates as i'm still in high school." I said. "So you guys live together...i don't know if that's a good idea. Is your mom okay with that?" She asked. "Oh well yea you know my mom is happy for me. And when i say we live together it's not like were even that close to each other...i mean we pass like ships in the night or something?" I said putting my hands out.

       "But you spent enough time with each other to fall in love." She pointed out. "I know that, and i just really want you to like me." I said. "It's not your i'm worried about. I just don't want my son taking advantage of some cute girl who lives with him." She said. "Mom i'm shocked that you think of me that way." He said. "Can you blame me? I met your father in the co-ed bathrooms in college." She said.

        Ryder laughed. "Is that true!? Dad told me ya'll met at a football game." Ryder said. "Sure, but he hounded me that day in the shower and then just started showing up everywhere." She said laughing. "He knew a good thing when he saw it. And i would risk everything for this girl right here." Ryder said nodding his head back to me. "I guess your out of high school and you've been out of the house for a while but you're still my little boy." His mom said.

       "Well I'm not little anymore but i'll always be yours, you know that. And i appreciate you looking out for Sydney." He said. "But maybe trust me?" He asked. "Not a chance, you are your fathers son." She said. He rolled his eyes. "Yes i suppose i am." He smiled. The waiter checked on us. "We just need go boxes and the ticket." His mom said. "I'll get it." Ryder said. "No let me." She said. "Hey i wanted to treat you to dinner so you could meet my better half." Ryder said. "Oh alright." She agreed.

       "But next time i'm paying." She wanted there to be a next time? Good. That made me feel better. Once Ryder had paid we got our boxes and said our goodbyes. I texted my mom on the way home. "How are you?" I asked. "Dear i'm fine you needn't worry about me." She said. But i did. How could i not? I guess this is one of those times where i had to leave my mom to take care of her self and to not babysit her.

       I texted Pete. "Hey it's Sydney. I got your number from your card i hope it's okay that i'm texting you. I'm going out of town for a bit. I'm worried about leaving my mom." I said. He texted back right away. "Hey Sydney, totally fine i told you to text or call me whenever. Your mom is in great hands. She told me she was going to start talking to a therapist." He said. "Yes, but i'm worried about her being alone while i'm gone." I said. "No problem, i'll check in on her and stop by often." He said. "Okay let me know if anything seems off?" I asked. "Of course! Have a good trip." He said.

       "What was that about?" Ryder asked. "Pete, i was asking him to kind of babysit my mom a little just for peace of mind. I'm so nervous about leaving her." I said. "Yea but she needs to be an adult right now and you need to be with us, cause we can't do this without you." He said. "Y'know it's nice to be needed for this reason." I said. He chuckled. "If only it was always this easy eh?" He asked. "Yep my mom needed me but that was because of the choices she choose to make. And it's almost as if a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders." I said. "That's good, that was to much for a kid to have to handle." He said. "You aint lyin." I agreed.