"Are you almost ready, honey?" 43-year-old Rachel Berry St. James called up the stairs to her 16-year-old daughter Olive. Rachel and Olive were going to a musical theatre workshop - Olive as a student and Rachel as the teacher.
"Be right down!" Olive called. Rachel went into the kitchen where her husband Jesse, 45 was giving 2-year-old Clementine her breakfast.
Jesse and Rachel met in high school back in Ohio. They currently lived in New York and were successful Broadway actors - balancing work with raising Olive and Clementine. Olive was following in her parents' footsteps and had performed in several productions in school, community, and regional theatres.
Clementine was born six months before Olive turned 14. Rachel and Jesse had struggled for over a decade to have a second child and had started to think it would never happen. Clementine was a welcome surprise - and while Olive initially wasn't ready to give up the title of "only child", she now loved being a big sister (for the most part).
"Morning!" Rachel greeted both Jesse and Clementine with a kiss on the cheek.
"Hi Mommy!" Clementine said through a mouthful of oatmeal.
"Oh, Clemmy," Rachel laughed. "It's yucky to talk with food in your mouth."
"Sorry," Clementine said, right after shoveling another spoonful of oatmeal in her mouth.
Jesse winced. "Taking bets on whether Clementine masters using table manners first or using the bathroom first. Olive votes table manners. Not sure if we'll ever be able to get her to babysit again after last week's potty training incident."
Rachel shuddered. "We just need to give her time. Just because Olive was potty trained before she turned two doesn't mean it's wrong that Clementine is still learning." Rachel and Jesse turned to the toddler who was about to put the bowl of oatmeal on her head.
Jesse stopped her just in time. "Absolutely. I mean, just because they're sisters doesn't mean they're going to do everything the same. I just feel like this one is messier than her sister ever was. I think you're done, sweetie," he said to Clementine.
Olive joined the rest of the family in the kitchen.
"I'm ready, Mom!" She said, after telling each of her parents good morning. She then turned to Clementine.
"Oh, wow, Clem. You'll have to show me your oatmeal skincare routine sometime," she chuckled, while also a tad disgusted.
Clementine stared blankly at her sister, then turned to Jesse.
"Daddy, can I go play with my toys?" Clementine asked him.
"Of course," Jesse smiled fondly at his youngest. "After I run you through a car wash," he mumbled to Rachel and Olive.
Rachel glanced at her phone. "Oh, Oli, we're gonna be late! Here, Dad made you a parfait for the road. Bye Jesse! Bye Clemmy - be good for Daddy!" Rachel kissed each of them. Olive also said goodbye to her father and sister and followed her mother to the garage.
Once they had arrived at Hudson Theatre, where the workshop was being held, Rachel turned the car off and turned to Olive.
"I'm so excited for you to have this opportunity, Oli," Rachel took her daughter's hand in hers. "You're so talented and you're only going to continue to grow as a performer. I'm so excited and honored to be your teacher.
"Thanks Mom," Olive blushed at her mother's compliment. "I'm excited and honored to be your student," she dramatically bowed to her mother once the two were out of the car.
Rachel laughed and gave Olive a playful swat with her bag.
Olive took her mother's arm and the pair headed into the theatre together. Being able to do what she loved while also getting to spend time with her mom was awesome enough. But the fact that her mom was the teacher might put Olive at slight advantage over the other students. This was going to be the best week ever.