River arrives some time in the afternoon and Lindsey is out. He left right after breakfast and I haven't seen him since. I take a breath before opening the door, not wanting to worry my perceptive son.

"Hey, Mom!" River says, hugging me.

"And who is this?" I ask, looking at the young woman clinging to his hand.

"This is Olivia."

"Please, call me Liv!" She launches herself at me, hugging me tightly. She smells like summer, a bright citrus infusion of blood orange, sparkling grapefruit and uplifting lemon. She pulls back, absolutely beaming. "I've heard so much about you. I mean, obviously, you're Stevie Nicks!" She giggles. "But River has gone on and on about his totally awesome mom."

"Oh, well, I hope it's all good things."

"Of course." River says.

"Well, come inside. Make yourself at home." I close the door behind the couple, taking in every detail I can about the girl who will be replacing me in my baby boy's life. She's wearing high waisted bellbottom jeans with the seams creating a large star over her behind, a cropped white, long sleeved peasant blouse with flowery embroidery around the neck and high platform shoes. Her long suede bag sits low on her body, beaded fringe hanging off it. There's something so familiar about the long haired blonde but I can't put my finger on it. She sits down on the couch, cuddling into River. Her large brown eyes fix on me and she smiles.

"Wow, you have a beautiful home!"

"Thank you. Would you like tea, coffee or water?"

"Just water for me, but Liv would probably like some of your herbal tea you always make."

"Oh, that sounds wonderful!" She kisses his cheek and his eyes light up. I can tell he loves her. "May I help?"

She's polite and I like that. "Sure, come this way." She gets up, leaving her bag on the couch with River and follows after me to the kitchen. I grab a tall glass and two tea cups from the cupboard and I turn to see Olivia filling the kettle at the sink. She places it on the burner and turns the heat up. "Tell me a little about yourself."

"I'm really not very interesting."

"Oh, sure you are. Go ahead."

"Okay. Well, I was born here in California. I was raised on a commune and spent my entire childhood learning how to do macrame, beading and making natural soaps, oils and lotions."

"That's so fascinating!"

"Thank you. My mom and dad met at a free speech rally at Berkeley their first year there and they just clicked. They both dropped out and moved to the commune I mentioned before. They never married, something about not being pressured to conform to societal rules, but they're common law. I'm their only child."

"Incredible! River is our only child as well."

"I know! And I think that's what bonded us, besides the fact that he said you and his father are free spirited people too, real hippies just like my folks. He showed me a few pictures from when you two were young and wow, you are just like Riv and I now." The kettle sings and she pours the water into our teacups. I fill two steepers with my favorite loose tea and place them in our cups as well. She fills River's glass and carries her cup as well as his into the living room. "There you go, honey"

"Thank you, angel." She smiles and sits down with him again. I sit in the chair opposite the couch and put my tea down. "Where's dad?"

"I don't know, dear, but he will be back for dinner I'm sure."

"How are you two?"

"Mm, we're fine." I say. I feel uncomfortable, taking a sip of my tea. I don't want to talk about my marital problems.

River gives me a look and he knows I'm lying. "I can't wait for him to meet her."

She squeezes his arm, kissing his cheek. They look so in love and it reminds me of Lindsey and I. We have been rocky lately and as happy as I am for my son, I'm sad about the deterioration of my own relationship. "How did you two meet?"

"Funny story, I found a poem he must have dropped in the hallway of the English building and I tracked him down. Turns out, we're in the same creative writing class! Isn't that wild?"

"Sure is." I look up and I see Lindsey. He walks through the living room, two paper sacks filled to the brim in his arms.

"Let me help, dad." River says, jumping up from the couch. Olivia and I are left alone for a few moments and I notice all of her beautiful jewelry.

"White Buffalo!" I remark, pointing to Olivia's large turquoise cuff.

"Yes! I spent some time in Texas and my dad bought it for me. I love Native American jewelry design."

"Me too. I was born in Arizona. I used to wear a lot more turquoise and silver jewelry than I do now."

"That's so cool! I feel like it's great for my energy. I just feel different, you know? Same with, like, crystals. I have a pouch full of them in my purse. They're always with me. You should start wearing it again. I feel like it would suit you. You're so intuitive and mystical. Your energy is amazing!" I didn't want to like her but I'm completely enchanted. She's sweet, bubbly and kind. Olivia leans forward and looks into the kitchen at Lindsey and River. They're laughing and goofing around as usual. "They seem like trouble together!"

"They are. They're always ganging up on me and pranking me. They're the worst! I'm so glad I have another girl around now. I'm not outnumbered anymore!"

"Oh, Mrs. Buckingham," she begins, taking my hands in hers. "You have made me feel so welcome! I was so afraid you wouldn't like me. We have so much in common and we seemed like such a good fit, you know, that it seemed like something had to go wrong."

"Of course not, sweetie. I can see why my son is so head over heels for you. You are a dream!"

"No, you are a dream. I am honored to be the one to even the odds between you and the boys."

I chuckle and pull her into an embrace. "And please, call me Stevie."

We look at each other and her eyes are sparkling like crazy. "Should we check on them?" she asks, hearing their voices getting louder. I follow the sound to see them tossing a head of lettuce across the kitchen.

"Let's go." I get up from my chair and follow her to keep an eye on our very childish men. "What on earth are you guys doing?"

"Nothing" Lindsey says, catching the head of lettuce and hiding it behind his back. He looks like a little boy caught being naughty. There is guilt written all over his face.

"Nothing?"

"Nope, just putting away the groceries." River agrees.

Olivia giggles. "You're so cute!" She wraps her arms around River and kisses his lips. It's never made me comfortable to see my son kissing anyone, but if he had to fall in love with anyone, I'm glad it's her.

"So is this your lady?" Lindsey asks and River nods.

"Yep. Olivia Twilight Rice-Masterson."

"Big name!" Lindsey says.

"Yeah, that's why I just go by Liv. Liv and Riv- isn't that cute?"

"So cute!" Lindsey says and River shakes his head, knowing his father thinks the nicknames are silly. Ah, young love! "Twilight, that's your middle name?" Lindsey...always so critical.

"Hey, you named me River! What's the difference?"

"You have a point" Lindsey says with a laugh.

"My parents are hippies. They met at college at a rally and gave it all up to live on a commune. That should explain a little better why I have such a weird name. I'm thankful for Olivia. It's nice and normal. Rice-Masterson is hyphenated. They weren't married when I was born and chose to stay common law rather than getting legally married. My grandparents on both sides were furious but the heart wants what the heart wants." she says with a shrug.

"So how do they feel about your engagement?"

"They're happy for me, for us. We are making our own choices, forging our own path and all that."

To help her avoid further questioning from Lindsey, I shoo the men into the living room and I invite Liv to help me with dinner. I look through the bags that Lindsey said they had unpacked and scan my options for dinner. "Do you like Mexican?"

"I love Mexican!"

"Great, how do fajitas sound? I have some chicken and veggies we can fry up. We can boil some rice, add a little zest with some lime and cilantro." I keep thinking of things to add as I look through the refrigerator and cupboards.

"Everything sounds amazing! I can learn a lot from you in the kitchen. I make that instant Mac and cheese for every meal it seems."

"I was just like you. I made hamburger helper every night. We were so poor and couldn't afford anything fancy. Even if we could, I wasn't a very good cook. I am still learning and I love to try to come up with something different. Just don't get discouraged on your own journey."

"I won't. I will keep working at it. Thank you, Stevie. I might have to take notes. You will see when I get started. I'm the worst."

We both giggle. "I don't see you being that bad. Give yourself some credit. Now, let's get started."