“Olivia, are these your extra pounds?”
“Olivia, are these your extra pounds? Isnt that a problem?”Dimitris mother wouldnt let it go. “In my opinion, I dont have any, especially since my future husband doesnt mind them. Not everyone has to be a waif or a twig.” Olivia gave Elena and Dimitris mother a knowing once-over. The sheer audacity made Elena flare up.
“Mum! Did you buy the slimming tea? The chia seeds? Why did you put so much butter in my porridge? These are extra pounds! Dimitri, you bought yeast bread again? Its bad for you! You have to drink three glasses of water in the morning, or the weight wont budge… Wheres my water?!” These were the sorts of things Dimitri had heard since childhood.
His mother and older sister were forever obsessed with their figures. Now, at thirty-eight, his sister had never been married and reminded him of a gaunt, hunched horse with permanently hungry eyes. His mother, meanwhile, resembled a rigid knitting needle.
It wore him down so much that he was always drawn to cheerful people with hearty appetites. Hed always dreamed of a wife who was nothing like his mother or sister. And hed found her.
Her name was Olivia. Liv… Even her name was soft, pleasant, and delicious, like the scent of warm pastries. No, Olivia wasnt overweight. But at five foot eight, she carried a curvy 187 poundsall of which radiated health and happiness. High bust, a slender waist, womanly curves, and dimples in her plump cheeks that just begged to be pinched. The moment Dimitri saw her, he was utterly smitten.
One evening, he drove his sister to the bank for some errands. She took a ticket and sat in the waiting area while he paced the lobby.
Suddenly, a silvery laugh, like a little bell, reached his ears. Quiet but infectiousDimitri couldnt help but smile. He had to see who owned that laugh and followed the sound.
It was a female teller, laughing with an elderly customer whod cracked a joke. She laughed again, and Dimitri couldnt look away. From her wavy hair to her bow-shaped lips… and yes, she was pleasantly plumpno need for a second glance.
Back in the car with his sister, listening to her drone on, his mind stayed behind in the bank, with that girl.
“Dimitri, are you even listening?” his sister snapped.
“Of course, Elena, Im listening.” He scrambled to recall what shed been saying.
“Well, I told him I dont eat fried meat, only boiled chicken breast,” she complained about her latest suitor. Dimitri nodded sympathetically, clicking his tongue as if to say, *What a cad…*
The next evening, he rushed back to the bank. His dream girl was still there, and he sighed in relief. After closing time, he fetched a bouquet of roses from the car and marched right up to her.
“Excuse me. Do you need a husband, or perhaps a son-in-law for your mum?” he blurted out, handing her the flowers.
His face mustve been so flusteredridiculous, reallythat she burst into laughter but took the roses.
“Oh my… Theyre gorgeous! The smell!” She buried her face in them, inhaling deeply, while he just stared, enchanted.
From then on, they were inseparable. Sometimes you meet someone and just *know*this is it, no more searching. Thats how Dimitri felt about Olivia. He proposed within a month, and she joyfully accepted. Now, it was time to meet the parents.
Olivias parents welcomed him with a feast, cakes, laughter, and chatter. Her mother, a striking, statuesque beauty, kissed him on both cheeks, flustering him completely. Her father clapped him on the back like an old friend and steered him to the kitchen.
“Best stay away from the womentheyll wear you out. But dont worry, Natalie, Olivias mum, is a peaceful soul! Thats why Ive loved her for thirty years. And Olivia? Shes our gem. Look after her, son.” Olivias father gave him a meaningful look.
They spent hours at the table, eating heartily, laughing loudly, swapping funny stories. Then Olivias dad, John, played the guitar while everyone sang along. Dimitri felt so at home, as if hed known them forever.
Three days later, they visited Dimitris parents. On the way, they stopped at a patisserie, where Olivia bought handmade eclairs for the ladies. By five, they arrived.
Dimitris mum, Helen, opened the door.
“Oh… Hello, my dears…” She gaped at Olivia, frozen in the doorway.
“Mum, love you too. Mind if we come in?” Dimitri gently nudged her inside.
“Of course, son, of course… Come in, come in… You must be Olivia?” She collected herself and shamelessly looked Olivia up and down.
“Yes, Im Olivia! Lovely to meet you.” Olivia slipped her hand into Helens and stepped inside. Dimitris mum just stood there, stunned.
“Dad, Elena, Mum, this is Olivia, my fiancée. Weve filed the paperworkweddings soon. Olivia, this is my family: my sister Elena, my mum Helen, and my dad Nicholas.”
The wedding news clearly shocked them. They sat in stiff silence, the only sound the clink of cutlery.
“Right! Olivia, were delighted to welcome you to the family. Is that a bottle? Perfect! And some treatsthough those are for you girls,” Nicholas said, easing the tension.
“Oh no, we dont eat pastries, especially not at night. Really, Olivia…” Helen even pushed the box away with mild disgust.
“You might not, but we do! Lets see whats in here. Im sure Olivia wouldnt bring anything bad. Right, Olivia?” Nicholas chuckled.
They settled in, the initial awkwardness fading. Chocolate, light snacks, and a bottle of bubbly appeared. They popped the cork, clinked glasses, sippedand then, silence again.
“Mum, I met Olivias parents. Wonderful people. Youll like them,” Dimitri said, grasping for conversation. Olivia studied her glass; Elena stared at her. Nicholas launched into a joke, laughter followed, and the tension eased.
“Olivia, dont worry, I know an excellent specialist. Ill introduce youshell help with your… issue,” Helen said suddenly.
“Issue? I dont have one.” Olivia blinked.
“Really? Olivia, what about those extra pounds? Isnt that a problem?” Helen pressed.
“In my view, I dont have any, especially since my future husband loves me as I am. Not everyone has to be a stick figure.” Olivia smirked at Elena and Helen. Elena bristled.
“Olivia, youre at least twenty pounds overweight! Its unhealthy. And when you have childrengoodness, I cant imagine…”
“When I have children, Ill be even more beautiful, with a loving husband and a baby. Speaking ofElena, are *you* married? Surely a slim woman like you must have a handsome husband and at least a couple of kids…” Olivia took a smug bite of her eclair.
Elena swallowed hard, outraged, but before she could retort, Nicholas jumped in, refilling glasses and raising a toast.
“To the women of this familydifferent, but dearly loved!”
They left two hours later, sighed in unison, then burst out laughing.
“Well… Didnt expect my future mother-in-law to call me chubby.”
“Liv, love, youre gorgeous, and you know it! As for Mum and Elena… Forgive them. Familys family, like it or not.”
The wedding was set for August 25th. After the ceremony, guests gathered at the reception. The bride glowed in a stunning dress that flattered her curves. Dimitri couldnt take his eyes off her. Olivias mum, Natalie, rivalled her daughter in beauty, turning heads in an elegant gowna stark contrast to Helens stiff, matronly dress. Elena, Helens carbon copy, just younger, watched stiffly.
The music swelled, and the newlyweds took the floor for their first dance. To anyone watching, the world seemed to fade awayjust the two of them. Guests watched, captivated.
*”Honestly… The bride could stand to lose a few. That dress doesnt helpit makes her look even bigger,”* Helen muttered.
Too latethe words were out.
“Funny, many men dont fancy skin and bones. They prefer real womenyour son included. Watch your tongue, dear. Im easygoing, but cross my daughter, and I might just snap…” Natalie advanced, her ample figure backing Helen against a wall.
The women locked eyesHelen nervous, Natalie furiousuntil John swooped in.
“Ladies! Getting
