Beatrice' POV

We've been sitting on the couches in Max' house. He's Xander's and Brax' father and I've also found out he's the main leader of Dauntless. If I thought I was in trouble before, it's nothing compared to now. Now, I feel like I'm about to be led to my own execution. Today was a terrible and great day all at once, but I feel like it's about to blow up in my face. Max wife, who introduced herself as Vi, was flushed and excited when she ran downstairs. Maybe that's how Dauntless leaders are. They get excited about punishing tiny, Abnegation girls. Funny, she didn't seem like she'd be mean or cruel. She even asked if any of us would like a drink. We all turned her down. I couldn't even speak; I just shook my head and stared at the floor. She brought out a tray of water anyway.

There's one ray of hope I've been clinging to. When Max caught us in the dining hall, he called me Bumble Bee. How could he possibly know that nickname? Could he know my uncle who called me that, what? Seven years ago? Well that just doesn't make any sense. I stumbled through my name, but then ended up with Tris. I kind of like it. I wonder if it would pass the Lynn test. I'll have to ask if I'm ever able to speak again. Maybe they can put it on my headstone. Here lies Tris the selfish.

Max told us to hold off on our 'story' until everyone else arrives. Is this to be a public execution? Who are we waiting for? Another woman came to their apartment. She said her name was Hana, I think. She's Uriah's mom. She just smiled at me, then she and Vi talked in the kitchen and left. Three older kids came and pulled up chairs and just stared at us. Uriah said their names are Zeke, his brother, Charlie, Brax and Xander's sister, and Shauna, who's their best friend and Lynn's sister. Zeke keeps looking at me and raising his eyebrow. It's giving me the creeps.

I take a moment to look up and take in my surroundings. Their apartment is much nicer than our plain, Abnegation house. They have family photos and paintings on the walls. It gives it a homier feel than ours. The pillows on the couch are pretty and make it comfortable and cozy. I don't see how being comfy in your home is selfish, but I guess that's why I'm not very good at being Abnegation. Their kitchen is open to the living room. They have shiny, black cabinets, and marbled countertops. I like it. There's a big staircase that leads upstairs. That's probably where their bedrooms are, like at my house.

We're all sitting around looking at each other, trying to figure out how much trouble we're in. From the looks on the rest of the group's faces, and the fact that they aren't shaking, like me, I would guess they're used to being in this situation. I'm used to being in trouble, but not like this. As scared as I am though, I can't help but think Max has kind eyes. The smile he has on his face is genuine and his sons have been kind to me. He's made it clear we aren't to try to head for the door though, so I do feel like a prisoner. I wish momma was here. I really need her right now! Oh! Why did I have to go running off?

The door opens and in walk Vi, Hana, and... my mom?! She's dressed like a Dauntless! What is going on here? I jump up from the couch and do one of the least Abnegation things I've done so far. I ran into my mother's arms and hugged her tightly. She wraps her arms around me and for the first time since Max rounded us all up, I feel safe. I hope I didn't get momma in trouble too! Can parents get in trouble when their rebellious kids wander into another faction? I couldn't handle that. I hope they'll let me take all the blame. I don't want my new friends getting in trouble either.

"Alright young lady, I think you've got some explaining to do. First, let's make some introductions." my mother says while smirking, then extends her hands towards Vi and Hana, "These are my sisters, Hana and Violet."

They each take a turn hugging me. I can't even talk, I'm in so much shock. My eyes are probably as big as saucers. They were all smiling, and a collective gasp came from all my new friends.

Momma then directed her hand to Max, saying, "and this is Violet's husband, your uncle Max, who gave you the nickname Bumble Bee."

He squeezed my shoulder and said, "Welcome to our home, Bumble Bee!" with a huge grin on his face.

Wait, this means that Uriah, Zeke, Brax, Xander, and Charlie, are all my cousins! I no sooner think it when Uriah and Zeke jump up and hug me between them.

"Cousins!" They shriek in unison.

Fortunately, the rest of my cousins are fine with just smiling at me or giving a short wave. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed now. It's starting to dawn on me that I won't be executed tonight, so I give a huge sigh of relief and allow myself to relax. I'm still expecting punishment, but at least I can stop thinking about my own headstone.

"Okay, quiet down." says Uncle Max. "It's time to hear about how you all met."

They all start talking at once and competing to see who can be the loudest, except for Brax and Lynn. Aunt Vi whistles loudly, and everyone quiets down.

"One at a time please, Brax, you start." Aunt Vi says sternly.

"We were paintballing, and Marlene saw her." Brax says in what seems to be his usual short and brief way. Very little detail.

Aunt Vi looks at Marlene and asks, "Marlene? Care to elaborate?"

Marlene giggles and adds, "She was up on the Ferris wheel, on the platform."

Uncle Max breaks in, incredulously, "You climbed the Ferris wheel?!"

I just nod my head. They haven't really asked for my side of the story yet.

Aunt Vi asks, "Uriah?"

"Well... Lynn called me a pansycake, so I had to prove I'm not a pansycake, so I climbed up the ladder to find out who was up there, and the wind almost blew me off the ladder but being the brave and courageous guy I am, I showed the wind it couldn't whip me! I climbed the ladder like the brave knights of old and recued the damsel in distress like the true hero I am!" Uriah proclaimed. Loudly, I might add.

Aunt Vi raises her eyebrow and looks at Lynn asking, "Lynn? Care to break it down to the truth?"

Lynn rolls her eyes and says, "She climbed up. It got windy. She was afraid to climb down. I did call Uriah a pansycake because he is. He went up, she followed him down. The end."

"Lynn!" whines Uriah.

Aunt Vi shushes him and asks Xander, "And how did she end up at Dauntless with you lot?"

"Her stomach kept growling, we couldn't let her go hungry, so we taught her how to jump on and off the train. We went to Mar's apartment where she got her some Dauntless clothes, then we went to the dining hall and introduced her to Cheeseburgers and Dauntless cake." he states proudly.

I wonder what job Aunt Violet has in Dauntless. She seems like a leader. She's looking at me now and I can't help but feel a little imtimidated.

"Alright, Bumble Bee, now for the most important question. Why did you climb the Ferris wheel?" she asked.

I let out a sigh and said, "I ran to Navy Pier because my brother was being annoying and even after running all that way, I was still feeling angry, so I decided to climb the Ferris wheel, but only to the platform. It's only like halfway up." I say defensively.

The adults all give each other some kind of look, then Max says, "Okay, well, it's getting late. Shaunna, Lynn and Marlene, let's walk you three home. The rest of you go up to the twins' room. I think the adults have some things to talk about then Bumble Bee and Nat need to head home."

We're all about to head upstairs when I stop and turn to Lynn and yell, "Wait! Lynn!"

She turns to me with her eyebrows raised.

"Does Tris work?" I asked nervously.

She grins at me and says, "Yeah Tris."

Then I ran and followed my cousins up the stairs. We hung out on Brax' and Xander's beds, talking about what happened and about being cousins. Zeke is just as goofy as Uriah and Charlie kind of reminds me of Lynn. They both have kind of tough exteriors but are pretty nice once you get to know them. We've been talking for a while, and I start to feel myself nod off. It's been a long day, and my body wasn't used to so much running, climbing and jumping on trains. I came to when my mom gently called my name and shook my shoulder. It was time for us to go home.

When we got on the train, I asked my mom what was going to happen next. She told me about her being Dauntless born and how much she missed her family. She said now that I know my cousins, it wouldn't be right for me to not be able to see them. She also told me that at home I would be allowed to be myself and Caleb can't boss me around anymore. I will have to try my best to be Abnegation in public. I'm starting to get tired again when it's time to get off the train. We make the jump and momma lands on her feet, but I scrape my knees and elbows. She smiled at me and said I just need a little more practice and I'll be jumping on and off trains like a pro.

We talk as we walk home. It finally feels like I'm getting to know my mom. I'm starting to see how quiet my family has always been. Really talking to my mom feels so natural though, like being home. It's cozy. We stop and sit on the front porch step for a little while. Momma puts her arms around my shoulder and pulls me in.

"You know, dad loves you and so does Caleb." she says quietly.

"I know, but sometimes it's hard to love Caleb. I didn't mean it when I said I hate him. I was just so mad; I didn't stop to think about what I said." I respond pensively.

Mom smiles and says, "I think you both have some apologizing to do, but it can wait until morning."

The door opens and dad walks out. I can't control the tears that start to roll down my cheeks. I know I let him down, but I also know I made him worry. I expect him to be upset with me. What I don't expect is for him to pull me into a bone breaking hug and hold me. He wipes the tears off my cheeks.

He whispers, "I love you, Bea. I'm so glad you're home and that you're safe. Let's sleep on everything that's happened today and start over again tomorrow."

I hug him back and say, "I love you too, dad."

"Good night momma. Good night, dad." I tell them, then I go upstairs. I stop at Caleb's door and just in case he's sleeping, I whisper, "Good night, Caleb."

He responds, "Good night, Beatrice."

That's when I realized, our house may not have all the extra stuff that my aunt's apartment has, but it still feels like home.