Stephanie was feeling a little overwhelmed at meeting everyone who was now part of her extended family, and she thought Travis had a complicated family tree. Stephanie was still feeling a little nervous when Ann took her aside and looked out the window with her.
"I know, you're worried about meeting them, but don't worry, if nothing else, my mother will love you whether or not I gave birth to you. Morgan isn't Katie and Kellie's baby by birth from one of them and they love her unconditionally." Ann reminded her as Stephanie looked over at Morgan who was getting kisses on both of her cheeks from her mothers and giggling at it.
"I know, but my family doesn't feel complete without Jackie here." Stephanie said quietly. Ann took a deep sigh at this. "Just remember what we told you: 'near or far, we both love you not matter how close or far we are'." Ann reminded her of something she and Jackie told her.
"I know mom, I remember." Stephanie said as she held her mother's hand. Ann looked out the window and suddenly gripped Stephanie's hand tightly as she saw her mother, Marilyn, and her father, Martin come out of their car.
"Kellie! Lisa! Mother's here!" Ann said in a panic as the three of them straightened themselves up. Kellie made sure Morgan didn't look dirty, Lisa looked for Lynn real fast and cleaned her face in the bathroom before rushing out. Ann combed Stephanie's hair and made sure her own face looked well enough and made their way over to the front door.
"Mother, Dad, we're so glad you both could make it." Lisa said as she, Kellie, and Ann all gave polite smiles and Stephanie followed with them trying to not feel intimidated.
"Hello, girls, I see you all rushed to make yourselves look decent." Marilyn said noticing a hair out of place on Lisa as Kellie nudged her in the elbow with her shoulder.
"You all look great girls, don't mind your mother." Martin said waving it off.
"Oh, and look at my beautiful grand-baby, and great grand baby." Marilyn said giving a hug and kiss to Lynn and Morgan. Morgan and Lynn laughed and smiled while hugging their grandmother, and great grandmother.
"Lisa, I hope you fed Lynn a good breakfast. Kellie, don't forget to give me a list of what Morgan wants for Christmas, I want to spoil her this year." Marilyn said as Lisa and Kellie both grumbled and rolled their eyes as they left Marilyn and Martin alone with Ann and Stephanie.
"Well now, Ann, I see you finally let me meet my new granddaughter." Marilyn said looking over Stephanie. Stephanie couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
"Hmm, she looks like she's getting plenty to eat. I see you picked out her clothes for her today dear, you think I wouldn't notice but I did." Marilyn said looking over her clothes.
"Heh, yeah. I dyed my hair for a month when I was 15 and you didn't notice that." Ann mumbled to herself.
"What was that?"
"Nothing mother!" Ann peeped up smiling through her teeth. "Of course, Martin, can you and Ann give me a moment, I want to talk to...."
"Stephanie, grandma." Stephanie introduced herself while bowing her head politely. Martin and Ann stepped away while Ann was taking a few deep breaths as Martin patted his daughter's back.
"Let's go to the back porch and talk privately." Marilyn said. Stephanie and her adopted grandmother made their way outside to where Katie and Kellie were playing with Morgan and Lisa was playing with Lynne in the backyard.
"Stephanie....Marsh, right? That's what Ann told me your parents names were." Marilyn asked.
"It was, but I....recently decided to have my last name changed to....O'Toole, since Ann adopted me." Stephanie explained hesitating on telling her adopted grandmother that that was only half of her last name currently.
"Oh, I'm touched really I am. Stephanie, I know you must feel intimidated by your grandmother after what your mother must have told you about me. But if my daughter has been raising you well, and caring for you, then I love you just as I do Lynne and Morgan." Marilyn said smiling at her.
Stephanie felt calmer now.
"I do have one other question that Ann won't quite answer me about. Her...girlfriend." Marilyn said as Stephanie gulped a little bit.
"You don't have to tell me her name. Just tell me: Do you love her like a mother too, just as Ann loves her?" Marilyn asked.
Stephanie took a moment to make sure she didn't name drop Jackie and composed herself.
"I love her like she raised me. She's been there for me on some sick days and days when I was sad. Sometimes I talk to her on the phone, when she isn't around. Maybe I've only known her for a couple of years, but she and Ann are more like the parents I wish my own parents had been." Stephanie said shedding a little tear as Marilyn gave her a hug and Stephanie hugged her back.
"Now, your mother tells me you have a boyfriend too?" Marilyn asked.
"Oh yeah, now let me tell you about his family." Stephanie chuckled finding it easy to talk with her adopted grandmother now.