We now focus on Seth and his stepmom, Olivia. Will he give her a chance? You be the judge.

Chapter 17: Getting to Know Olivia

That afternoon, Seth was in his room doing his homework on some Whostory and he's almost done with it and he answered only seven questions and has got three more to go. He picked up some grapes as a snack and ate them while he was doing his work. Then, he answered the final three questions and considers the entire assignment done.

He puts all of his stuff back in his book bag and finally relaxed a little. He looked up out of the window and sees all the people who pass by and wonders what it's like to be back in Whoville. Then, he hears a knock on the door and turns around and sees Olivia there.

"Hey, Seth. You got a minute?" asked Olivia.

"I guess." Seth replied, in a monotone voice.

She comes in his room and sits on the edge of his bed and there was an awkward silence between the two of them and Seth has no idea what to say to her and she feels the same way too. Seth said, "So..."

"Well..." Olivia began.

"How's school?"

"Fine." Seth replied.

"Finished your homework?"

"Yeah."

"Was it hard?"

"Kinda, but I think I got it."

"Listen, Seth. I know it's kinda hard for you to figure that I'm your stepmom, it'll change everything. You can still call me 'mom', but it doesn't mean that you'll forget about your mom."

"How do you even know my mom?"

"I used to go to college with her. She was my roomate."

He turned to Olivia and said, "You went to college with her?"

"Yeah, she was a sweet person, always kind, musically-driven and can be a bit of a tomboy, like she can be one of the guys."

"I never would've guessed that."

"When she married your dad, it's like I'm instantly happy for her and wished her all the best. I was honored to be her bridesmaid at her wedding, because your dad's a cool guy and he's very kindhearted. And when she died...it was like the world stopped for a minute and it just froze permanently. I was in WhatCity at the time this happened and I was devastated to hear that. When you, Austin and your dad moved there, it was kinda like I could help pick up the pieces of this hard time, so we dated for several years and he surprised me with this ring he gave me a couple of months ago and asked me to marry me."

"Did you do it because you're mom's friend?"

"We made a promise that if she wasn't around anymore or if something happened to her, I was supposed to fill in her and take care of you. I wanted to keep that promise for her and it helps keep her alive."

"I never would've guessed. But me and Austin never actually knew you, because you dated our dad. We were...kinda afraid that it wouldn't be the same without mom around and that if you guys have another baby, you'd be focused on it instead of us."

"You really thought that I was gonna take over?"

"Yeah."

"Seth, that would never happen and it never will. I was nervous as well, because I wasn't sure how you and your brother would like me if I married your dad."

"You were nervous?"

"Yeah, I was nervous about being married to your dad as you were nervous about me being your stepmom. I used to have a stepfather when I was your age and we didn't really get along, so it's pretty much dysfunctional at some points. We would get in fights and while I was in high school, I couldn't take my stepfather being in my life, so I moved out of the house and a couple of weeks later, my mom called me telling me that my stepfather got killed in a car accident. It was devastating for me, because I was in a state of depression after that, because I ended up saying some things that I regret and now I can't take it back. I could never forgive myself for what happened that time. And I was nervous that I might go on the same pattern with you and your brother."

Seth didn't really know what to make of it and asked, "That's what you thought?"

"Yes."

"I guess I was avoiding you a lot, but you told me several things about yourself that I never really knew."

"I want to try to be your stepmother. Can you let me?"

Seth looked her in the eyes and realizes that despite everything she's been through, he wants to try anything he can do to make their relationship as stepmother and stepson work. He smiled a little and said, "I'll try."

"That's all I wanted more than anything."

She gives Seth a hug and within a few seconds, Seth something really amazing about Olivia-she hugs like his mother. He embraced the hug and really felt like he's gonna let her in his life. Austin comes up and sees Seth and Olivia hugging. He comes in and Seth said, "Join in."

"Really?" asked Austin.

"Yeah, she's cool now."

Austin sat between both of them and asked Seth, "Are you guys getting along?"

"We're starting to. We should be able to give her a chance."

"You sure about this?"

"She is our stepmom."

Austin looked at Olivia and said, "Okay, Seth."

Olivia smiled at Austin and hugs her as well. He felt the embrace, because he felt that same embrace coming from his mom. Austin held on to her tightly and Seth felt happy about it. Austin then told her, "Think we can do without the organic foods?"

"Yeah, I tried the wheat grass and to be honest, it kinda tasted disgusting." Seth said.

"I guess I got into healthy eating when I lived in WhatCity, but I went over the top, did I?" asked Olivia.

"You put rice cakes in our room." Austin said.

Olivia chuckled and said, "Okay, I'll try to cut down the organic foods, but I still need you two to eat healthy, like fruits and vegetables."

"It's a start."

"And some raw fish as well?"

"Don't push it." Seth and Austin said, in unison.

They all laughed and hugged each other, unaware that Corey's watching it and he seems happy that Seth and Austin are finally getting along with their stepmom now. It seems as though that everything's gonna be okay now.

Looks like they're getting along now. Stick around for more!