The Dream Is Not Over

First Impressions

I am cleaning up the plates from breakfast with Olivia when the door bell rings. I look up and Olivia glances toward the foyer.

"I think that's my mom and dad. I'll get it."

"Thank you, sweet girl," I rinse the dishes and put them in the dishwasher quickly. "Lindsey, go put on a pair of jeans." I say as I pass him.

He groans, getting up. "Yes, mother." He smirks at me, as he maneuvers across River's legs stretched out on the coffee table and around to the stairs. I beckon him back with a slender finger and he kisses my cheek, hurrying up to our room.

Olivia opens the door and immediately her parents hug her. Her father is a tall, average built man with golden skin and coal black hair pulled into a low ponytail. He's wearing Birkenstock sandals and shorts, a knapsack slung over his shoulder. His faded tee shirt bears the image of a cartoon hippie wearing round John Lennon sunglasses and giving the peace sign. In large bubbly lettering, it says 'Peace Starts With You". He seems just as kindhearted as his daughter, looking at me with warm honey colored eyes. He extends a hand, smiling brightly.

"Hey there, I'm Albert Masterson, but you can call me Al," he says, wagging his eyebrows. I must have a funny look on my face because he clears his throat. "Paul Simon, Graceland...You Can Call Me..." He trails off and I smile.

"I got the joke." I chuckle. "Good one."

"Please excuse my partner in crime, here. Since he heard that song, he uses that joke all the time." Olivia's mother says with a toothy grin. She steps forward, extending a hand as well before pulling me into a welcome embrace. "So nice to finally meet you! How are the teas treating you? Hopefully not too harsh on your stomach as the weeks have gone on?" We part slightly, her hands holding mine. I notice her many rings immediately.

"They're perfect. My midwife is pleased with how healthy I am and I have to owe it to your teas."

"Don't give me all the credit. It's you, mama." Her spirit is so uplifting. "I'm Susan Rice, or Sue. I'm the one who writes all of those affirmations stuck in your pregnancy care packages." The woman before me is only slightly taller than me with beautiful dark skin. Her eyes are a soft green shade and now I know why Olivia's favorite color is green. They're mesmerizing. Her long natural hair is braided out and pushed back by a wide, colorful headband. Her clothes are flowy and she's wearing the most gorgeous silver jewelry. Her ears are pierced just as many times as Olivia's and she's wearing a different dangling earring in each hole. "I'm sure we aren't what you were expecting," she says and I understand what she means. Al and Sue are an interracial couple, something you wouldn't expect when you see naturally blonde and fair skinned Olivia.

"You are everything I hoped for and more. Even though I'm just meeting you, I can see how Olivia became so sweet and wonderful. You did an amazing job with her. She's perfect."

Al smiles proudly, pulling Sue into his side. "She's pretty close to perfect, isn't she? We got so lucky with her."

"Aww, you guys!" Olivia hugs her parents again. "Let's sit down. Are you hungry?"

"We're fine, baby girl." Sue says.

"Come to the kitchen. I can make tea. Stevie has all kinds."

"Shouldn't you ask first?" Al asks and Olivia looks to me.

"It's perfectly fine. She has full run of the house. You're not guests, you're family. Make yourselves at home." I tell them and their eyes light up.

"Thank you, Stevie." Sue says, gently squeezing my arm then following after her daughter. "I like her!" I hear her say as they walk away and I smile to myself, happy I made a good first impression. I was worried about meeting them. I, too, am not always what people expect.