I met Andre when I was a freshman in high school. We sang in the chorus together, and eventually, he found out (from Brianna, of course) that I knew how to ballroom dance. He was convinced he was the only one in the school who took lessons, and when he found out about me, he practically forced me to be his partner. He convinced the owner of the studio to put me on a scholarship, and what started as a professional partnership turned into young love.

He comes from an international family and is going to be the first in his family to go to college. He was born in Italy and moved here when he was five. His mother was originally from Sicily, but met Andre's father on a trip to Rome when she was a teenager. She never returned home and married Pio six months later. A year later, Andre was born.

"Do you think they'll have Manicotti?" Brianna asked, breaking my train of thought. I looked over at her and nodded. Lucia always had Manicotti for Brianna.

"Just…behave, please," I begged Brianna. I was more nervous than I expected to be.

You warned your parents, right? I texted Andre. He responded almost instantly.

Of course. Everything is gonna be fine. I took a deep breath.

"What has you so worked up?" Rick asked, looking through the side mirror. He could probably feel my knee bouncing nervously against his chair, too.

"Lucia and Pio are very…traditional," I explained slowly, hoping I wouldn't have to spell it out. I didn't want to make Drew or Rick uncomfortable, but I wanted them to be prepared.

"They don't think we should be raising girls," Drew concluded. I nodded.

"Yeah, that's about it," I confirmed. "Let's put it this way, they were both raised strictly Catholic without any wiggle room. They grew up knowing one way of life, and are having trouble adjusting, even to the different cultures and flavors of San Antonio. They're very respectful and I doubt they'd say anything, just…don't be surprised if it comes up," I quieted at the end.

"We had a gypsy scare last year," Brianna added. I widened my eyes at her. I could not believe she said that.

"A what scare?" Rick chuckled.

"A gypsy scare. Someone came into the restaurant who Lucia thought was a gypsy, and she pulled out her rosary and started praying, right in front of everyone. She didn't stop until the woman left," Brianna explained. I rolled my eyes. Great, now they're going to think Andre's parents are crazy.

"Look, they're normal people, just like you guys. They're going to be protective because they know how badly we need parents who care about us. Prove to them what you've already proved to me, and you'll be fine," I encouraged.

"Ciao, carissimi!" Lucia called as soon as we walked into the restaurant. Andre was there waiting with his mother, and just shook his head and followed her. She pulled me into a tight hug that reminded me of when my grandmother was still alive.

"Ma, you're gonna suffocate her," Andre shook his head before Lucia moved onto Brianna, saving me.

"Too tight," Brianna choked, and Andre placed his hands on Lucia's shoulders and moved her away.

"I missed you two! Oh, Brianna, you're so big!" She gasped. I couldn't help but chuckle. "How are you two? Are these your papas?" She asked when she finally noticed Drew and Rick standing behind us.

"Yeah, Lucia, this is Drew," I pointed towards Drew, "and this is Rick," I introduced. Each of them extended their hand, but Lucia completely ignored them.

"Put your hands away, I'm a hugger," Lucia scolded. Andre pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Ma, they're military," He sighed. "Just shake their hands."

"It's fine, I warned them," I whispered to him. He nodded.

"It's nice to see you again, sirs," Andre shook their hands.

"What, no hug from you?" Drew teased. My eyes widened, and Brianna burst out laughing. Rick looked as horrified as I felt.

"Looks like we both have incredibly embarrassing parents," I whispered to Andre, who looked like a deer in headlights.

"I think a handshake will suffice, Andre," Rick saved him, glaring at Drew. Drew shrugged.

"My husband, Pio, has reserved a table for us all. The restaurant won't open until after we're done so we can have some privacy and not worry about being pulled away. Our chef is making Manicotti," Lucia explained, and I grinned at Brianna. "Andre, why don't you show them to the table?" She directed before walking off, probably to find Pio.

"Right this way," he pointed and took my hand as he led the group to a quieter corner of the restaurant.

"My parents will be with us shortly, don't worry," Andre said as we all sat down. I knew he said that more for me than for my parents. He was playing with my hand under the table, nonverbally telling me to calm down.

"So, tell me something about you, Andre," Rick began after a few moments of awkward silence. Brianna was devouring the menu and I was too nervous to speak.

"Well, I met Olivia through school, as I'm sure she's told you," Andre eyed me, and I nodded. I gave Drew and Rick the run down last night. "We hit it off right away. One thing led to another, and you know, young love and all that," he charmed. I rolled my eyes.

"Don't let him fool you – I made him work for it," I winked. Brianna gagged, earning chuckles from around the table.

"Of course she did," Drew added. "She made us work for her too. We're still figuring out if we've made the cut or not."

"She's got a tough exterior, but don't let her fool you," Andre smiled. "She's a teddy bear on the inside," he nudged. I glared at him.

"You're giving away all my secrets," I whispered, looking up at where Lucia and Pio were walking over. I stood up to greet Pio.

"Ciao, bella," he said as he kissed my cheek and sat down.

"I brought bread," Lucia smiled as she took her seat next to Pio.

"These must be the papas," Pio grinned. "It's a pleasure to meet you two. You can't imagine how happy we are to see these two ladies end up in a stable home. Andre said nothing but good things after the party last week," he explained. I looked over at Andre. He shrugged. This was going better than I expected it to.

"You've been living together for what, a week now?" Lucia asked, placing a piece of bread on my plate. She knew I wouldn't take it if she didn't give it to me. I tried to stay away from carbs.

"Olivia came to stay with us about two and a half weeks ago, actually," Rick explained. "Brianna came a few days later, so a little over a week, I guess."

"How is it, with two girls?" Lucia smirked. "My mother, Dio la benedica, raised three daughters. It was a nightmare."

"Luckily we're still in the honeymoon phase," Drew smiled.

"I got lucky with my Andre," Lucia pinched his shoulder, smiling. "He's an angel. We wanted more, but I suppose it was God's will."

"What do you two do for a living? Andre said one of you was a doctor?" Pio asked.

"That would be me," Drew answered. "I work as an emergency physician at San Antonio Memorial."

"Such wonderful work," Lucia commented. "And you, Rick?"

"I work with San Antonio SWAT," he answered sheepishly. Lucia glanced at Pio. I knew that look. Rick was in trouble now.

"Isn't that dangerous?" Lucia asked.

"I'm very good at what I do, ma'am," Rick answered. "I want nothing more than to come home to my family every day."

"And what happens when you don't?" She grilled him.

"Ma," Andre warned, and I squeezed his hand harder.

"What?" Lucia turned on Andre. "Haven't these girls been through enough? They've already lost one father to violence, mi Dio."

"They've survived a war, Ma, I'm sure they can survive San Antonio," Andre argued.

"They've been very good to us, Lucia," I tried to dissolve the situation. "My dad died because he broke protocol and wasn't thinking," I explained. "Rick wouldn't do that. He's more by the book than anyone I know."

"I suppose," Lucia judged.

"Did Andre show you the pictures of our new bedrooms?" Brianna asked, finally looking up from the menu. Instantly, Lucia's mood changed.

"I did!" She smiled. "So many books! You're going to be a little genius!"

"Drew put all of his medical textbooks in there," Bri smiled like the little nerd she was. "I also have the entire Narnia collection now!"

"Molto bene!" Lucia cheered. She knew how much Brianna loved to read, especially during her treatments, and had even bought her a few books over the years.

"Livvy has her own mini dance studio in her room," Brianna bragged. Lucia looked like she was near tears.

"I have a barre," I shook my head. I didn't want the attention.

"You need it – you have tight hips," Lucia pointed out, and Andre groaned. I blushed, embarrassed. She turned to Rick and Drew, and took their hands.

"Thank you both so much for doing that for these ladies," she said sincerely. Pio nodded.

"Dinner was delicious, Lucia," I hugged her as we said goodbye. Drew and Rick were talking to Pio, and Brianna was bothering Andre. Lucia pulled me to the side to talk, and I had a feeling I knew what this was going to be about.

"Of course it was," she smiled, pinching my cheek. "So, really, you're okay?" She asked.

"I'm amazing, Lucia," I smiled. "I'm in a really good place right now."

"I'm so sorry we didn't make it to Avery's funeral," Lucia shook her head. "You should have called us."

"It wasn't much of a funeral," I admitted. "She didn't want anything big, and we really didn't have the money. She would have wanted you to stay in Italy," I told her. "She's like me – she doesn't want to make anything a production."

"You deserve a production, Olivia," Lucia pointed. "Drew and Rick, they're good for you?"

"They're wonderful for us," I squeezed her hands. "They're taking amazing care of us, and they might have you beat with how overprotective they are," I smiled.

"And if you need anything," Lucia suggested.

"You're my first call," I promised.

"Ti amo," Lucia said, kissing my cheek.

"Thank you so much, Lucia," I kissed her cheek as well, and we joined the rest of the group.

"You've raised a nice young man," Rick commented, hugging Lucia and shaking Pio's hand.

"I appreciate that," Pio nodded. "You've got some wonderful children yourself."