Author's Notes – Hello everyone. I guess I've been on a fic writing binge lately because this is the first of two new fics (as well as a new chapter of another fic) I have for you to read and hopefully enjoy.

A little insight into why I am doing this fic. I recently got engaged myself and let me say, my mother-in-law-to-be is a total nightmare! I figured I'd write a fic that kinda lets me get my pent up aggression without actually killing her. So, I will call this fic my engagement stress ball…and with as stressful as this is turning out to be, expect me to write a lot of it.

As far as the timeline for this fic…let's say this is about a month before Mama Benjamin makes her debut with Shelton.

Finally, please review and tell me what you think of this new fic. I really do thrive on feedback and the more reviews I get, the more inclined I am to write.

Disclaimer – I own nothing that is recognized. Don't sue me, you really won't get much.

First Impressions

"I'm so nervous," Candice Michelle said as she wrung her hat in her hands as she stood in the airport lobby with her fiancée Shelton Benjamin anxiously waiting for his mother's arrival.

"Don't worry, she's going to love you just like I do," he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss as he laughed to himself. "I don't even think you were this nervous about you last photo shoot and that was…"

"Playboy," Candice finished with a groan. "What is your mother going to say about that?"

"Well, I'm not sure, she could see it as a great opportunity for you and your career like I do, or…" Shelton was cut off again.

"Or she could think I'm some naked whore in a magazine." Candice sighed. "Maybe meeting your mother isn't such a good idea right now."

"What do you want to do, wait until you get to her pew in the church before you meet her," he joked.

"Of course not," she said rolling her eyes. "The latest I could wait would be the rehearsal dinner."

"Candi, baby girl," Shelton soothed, "everything is going to be fine. She's going to see how happy you make me and forget any other reason she might have to not love you."

"You sure?" Shelton nodded as he leaned down to kiss her again before the two turned back to the security gate. After waiting another minute or two a loud voice could be heard and a large black woman could be seen.

"Where's my baby? Where's my Shelton?" She called.

"Right here Mama!" Shelton waved as he started towards her, Candice slowly following him.

"Well get over here boy and help me with these bags!" Shelton slowly jogged to his mother and took her many bags as she pulled him into a tight hug. "Baby I missed you! I'm so happy you asked me to come out on the road with you for a little while. I've wanted to see how my baby boy's been livin'."

"Mama I'm just glad to have you out here and…" Shelton was then cut off by his mother who had just noticed Candice hovering behind him.

"Sorry honey but I don't need any Mary Kay or Avon or whatever it is that you're selling," she said waving Candice off with her hand, "and besides, I think you're wearing a bit too much make-up anyways." Candice blushed as Shelton pulled her close to him.

"No Mama, she's not a saleswoman," Shelton started before his mother interrupted again.

"Oh, why didn't you say that," she cried as she pulled Candice in for a hug. "Any friend of my Shelton is a friend of mine. It's so sweet of you to accompany him to pick me up like this sweetie."

"Actually, Mama, Candi isn't just a friend of mine," Shelton took a deep breath as he clutched Candice's hand. "Mama we're engaged, Candi's going to be part of our family." Shelton couldn't help but smile as he told his mother the good news and Candice nervously held up her hand to show off the lovely ring Shelton had picked out for her. But what happened next wasn't quite the reaction the couple had anticipated. Mama Benjamin paled, grabbed her chest, and fainted.