I choose me.

Part 25: Meet the parents

Jitters filled Olivia as she spotted him, standing high above the crowd of anxious people waiting for their family members. It was July already and over two months since they had seen each other in person. His surfboard had gone through, so he'd been all around the world, manufacturing, demonstrating and promoting. It was after seven and her boot bounced anxiously on the moving escalator and she politely weaved in and out of the crowd toward him. The light brown hair on his head was buzzed short and he had the makings of a short beard coming in, she loved it, it fit him. Once he spotted her, he came towards her as she moved closer. Once she could, she ran to him and hugged him hard.

"Easy, easy." He grimaced and hugged her back, visibly favoring one side.

"Are you okay?" She stepped back and looked him over.

"Caught some coral and rocks a few weeks ago." He held her face and kissed her gently, "You look tired my dear."

"It's been a long couple of months."

"Come on." He grabbed her rolling suitcase, "Let's get you home, Mum and Dad are waiting." He was wanting to let his injury go but she was concerned, he was limping just slightly.

The closer the cab crawled to his loft, the more nervous she got.

"Well you haven't said anything about my hair." He pretended to fluff it up, she laughed.

"I love it, and I love this." She rubbed his scruff and then turned serious, "I don't think I can do this, parents are...parents are scary." Little droplets of sweat were rolling down her back.

"Mum is pretty cool, Dad's not as cool, they are stoner surfer types." The setting sun was casting a dark glow over the tall buildings of the city as the cab stopped at his curb. Her heart was in her throat. "I can't—no, I cannot." Her knuckles were white on the handle of her suitcase.

"Please come on." Crawford stood there and slightly tilted his head, she knew she'd go up there for him, "I look horrible."

"You look fine."

Olivia stood in the old time elevator long after it had dinged and he had stepped into the hallway, finally he held out his hand and she followed him to the door.

"Ready?" His key was poised at the lock.

"No." She said with a shallow breath. Crawford opened the door and a tall woman rushed forward and wrapped her in a bear hug, she smelled like sun and coconuts, pillows of wiry gray hair fell around her, Olivia stiffened immediately. Crawford stepped forward and put a hand on his Mom's arm.

"Mum, I told you." Olivia took a step back and plastered a smile on her face. Ariel Wallace was only a couple inches shorter than her son, but had the same straight nose and wide mouth. "Hi."

"Oh you are a lovely looking girl." She said and then looked happily at her son, "She's beautiful, that skin looks like it has never seen the sun. You say you live in San Diego?"

"Yes Mum." He looked over at his father, a knowing glance.

"Let's see you then." Donald Wallace stepped forward, he had to be at least 6'6" and was a near mirror image of Crawford, tan, with white hair and a white smile. He held out a large hand and she shook it. "Hello Olivia."

"Hello sir." Her hand felt tiny inside of his. They all stood by the door in silence.

"Well I'm sure you'd like to freshen up after your flight." Ariel finally said, beaming. She took her bag up to Crawford's room and shrugged off her jacket, laying it on his neatly made bed. When she went downstairs the oven was beeping and Crawford was setting out bowls and plates.