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Harper tried not to show her nerves, which was easy when Spencer looked equally nervous. They sat in the car together, Spencer fiddling with the edge of his cardigan.
"She has good and bad days, okay? Just... don't take anything personally."
Harper sucked in her lower lip, brushing her short hair behind her ears. "I understand."
He fidgeted again, finally looking over at her in the seat next to him. She returned his gaze, smiling nervously.
"This takes meeting the parents for the first time nerves to a different level," she tried to joke.
He chuckled awkwardly, "She will like you."
Harper looked at him from the sides of her eye, raising her eyebrows and grabbing her bag from the floor, pushing the car door open. She flattened her sundress and hair, taking a deep breath and Spencer walked around the car to join her.
He smiled, "This is a good thing. I want you to meet my mom."
"I do too!" Harper replied, "You've just made me nervous about it!"
He nods, "I know, I'm sorry. I have never introduced anyone to her like this before."
She reached out to lace her hand in his, and Spencer felt a wave of comfort and new-found confidence, straightening up and walking into the facility as Harper trailed behind him.
The sun streamed through the wide windows of Diana Reid's room, painting soft golden streaks across the walls. Harper followed Spencer inside, her fingers wrapped loosely around his as if sensing the tension radiating from him.
Diana was seated in a plush armchair by the window, her head tilted slightly as she watched the garden outside. In her lap was a string of colourful beads, her fingers working them back and forth with methodical precision.
When Spencer stepped closer, her face brightened. "Spencer! There you are," she said warmly, her voice carrying the lilt of a long-ago piano tune.
"Hi Mom." He crossed the room quickly, leaning down to press a kiss to her cheek.
Diana's hands immediately came up to his face, cupping it as she studied him. "You look so thin. Are you eating enough? You always forget to eat when you're working."
Spencer chuckled, the sound almost sheepish. "I'm eating. I promise."
Her gaze moved past him, landing on Harper. The warmth in her eyes faltered, replaced by a flicker of confusion. "Oh, hello." She looked back to Spencer, "Who is that?"
