Gail or Holly grows up with an abusive mother or step-mother, who always smelled of a certain perfume, and now, whenever she smell it, she feel nauseous. She is invited to meet the other's parents for the first time and her mother wears the same perfume.

You look at Holly, beautiful Holly, as she drives you both from the airport in your rental car. Since the proposal, her parents had insisted that the two of you make the trip out to Vancouver so they could finally meet their soon-to-be daughter-in-law. You were nowhere near as excited as they were to meet you. You were terrified, in fact, but this was important to Holly so it was begrudgingly important to you.

You're tired and sluggish as she pulls the car into the driveway. It isn't late but flying isn't a passion of yours and it exhausts you, so you feel like you've been awake for an entire day. You look at Holly's face one more time to remind yourself why this torture is worth it: she loves you and you love her. Her parents are important to her and she is important to you you tell yourself as a pick-me-up.

Her parents are waiting for you, excitedly waving as you pull their driveway. Your fiancée's face lights up at the sight of them which puts a smile on your face. Only for the long weekend you remind yourself as you start opening the car door.

"Hello, hello, hello!" Mr. Stewart calls out as he comes outside to greet you and help with the luggage.

"Gail!" he exclaims with outreached arms, getting ready to pull you into a hug. "We've heard so much about you. It's so good to finally meet you!"

"You, as well, sir" you grunt as he pulls you in for a bear hug.

"Oh, Jack! Give the girls some room to breathe!" Mrs. Stewart says to her husband as she pulls her daughter in for a hug.

"You're one to talk, mom!" Holly laughs as her mother pulls her in closer.

"Oh hush, you! And this must be your lovely Gail! We are so happy to have you here, to finally be meeting the newest member of our family!"

The smile on her face tells you she means it sincerely, that she's excited to see you, to get to know you, to love you like a daughter. It warms your heart and as she opens her arms to pull you in for a hug. As she approaches, you catch the scent of her perfume in the air.

Your face drops, your expression turns from one of cautious joy to one of fear straining to burst outward. Your mind immediately sends you back fifteen years, to your old room; the sound of her voice, the terror you feel, but mostly, the smell of her perfume. You don't know what to do and you are paralyzed with fear. The guttural noise that escapes your own throat is what brings you back to the present, only to recognize your fear mirrored back to you as concern and confusion on the Stewarts' collective faces. You take a few steps back, trying to control your emotions, but more importantly to get away from that smell- the sickly sweet notes that bring back all the pain and suffering that was being your mother's child.

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, true to their kind nature, slowly retreat to the house without a fuss. You catch them telling Holly to take all the time that's needed, and they'd gladly pay for a hotel if that would make you more comfortable. You know you'll feel badly about your reaction, but for now you're nerves are raw and can experience no more emotion.

You managed to seat yourself on the grass, balled up with your head on your knees, arms wrapped tightly around your legs when you feel the presence of your girlfriend next to you. She doesn't say anything, just sits close enough so that you know she's there.

You take a few more addled breaths before you lean into her. Her left arm wraps around you and she places a chaste kiss on your head. Her warmth helps to keep you present, her tender touches remind you that she is your family now, that the past is behind you. You look up at her and see nothing but love in her eyes and you know that her family is the same.

She strokes your cheek and tucks a loose piece of hair behind your ear. "My parents are going to put us up in a hotel tonight. I'll call the airline and have our flights changed so we can leave tomorrow."

"No."

She looks at you curiously. She knows about your past, not in great detail, but the general brush strokes of it. You've told her in snippets and she knows you still attend regular therapy to help you. You've even attended group sessions for abuse survivors and their loved ones, but you've never mentioned the perfume- how it brings you right back to those times in your youth that you're struggling still to cope with.

"It wasn't them. They're lovely. It's just…" You don't know how to tell the woman you're going to spend the rest of your life with that the scent of her mother gives you flashbacks.

"Was it her perfume?" she asks tentatively, not sure if it will upset you further.

You don't have to respond. The surprise in your eyes that she was that perceptive was enough for her to know she was right. She just nods a few times and pulls you in closer.

When your breath has steadied and your heart rate has returned to normal you stand up. "Let's go in, so I can properly meet your parents" you say, with all the courage you can muster.

"Are you sure, Gail? Would you rather get a hotel and have my parents come meet us for dinner?" You smile at her ability to put her own wants aside to make sure your needs are met.

"It was just surprising, that's all. Now I know to expect it, it won't be so bad" you tell the woman who will be your wife as you help her to her feet.

When you get into the house her parents are in the kitchen, putting together some sandwiches and finger foods for everyone. You make a point of walking up to them with the idea of apologizing for your initial meeting. You open your mouth to say as much when you are cut off by Mrs. Stewart. "You girls must be hungry after the flight, especially now that they've stopped serving meals on domestic flights. We've put together something light for you to enjoy" she said with a smile.

It's then that you really take her in. She's changed her clothes and you notice that her dark hair is shining- the water from the shower she must have just taken reflecting in the kitchen light. You smile at the women and pull her in for a hug. You inhale deeply and smell only the scent of bar soap and the unmistakable odour of men's deodorant. And you know now, this is family. These people are your home.