#gina!!!

“Look, I know it's not much, but–”

“You hush!” Olive scolds, kissing Dougie so fast that he doesn't have time to close his eyes. “It's perfect.”

Their first home, tucked towards the back of an apple orchard, was more than Olive ever imagined. It was spacious, yet cozy, Olive feeling at home the moment she stepped in. The bare floors and walls didn't deter her; in fact, it gave her a great sense of inspiration, looking forward to picking out paint, wallpaper and carpet samples with her best friend Valencia Blakely.

Within the time Olive had ventured upstairs, James Douglass had stepped outside. His arms crossed, brow furrowed, staring at the peeling paint of the front door. Through an open window, Olive hears Everett Blakely approaching.

“We've gotta fix this door, pal.”

“You just bought the damn place, Doug!”

“I know, I know,” Olive hears, ears pricking at the telltale sign that her husband is chewing at his bottom lip in a fit of anxiety. “Just want it perfect for her, yknow.”

“And it will be. Here,” Ev says, placing down whatever it is he has brought with him. “We can try scrape it, maybe jazz it up with a lick of paint if that'll make you feel better.”

“It might.”

“Well then, let's head to the hardware store. C’mon.”

“Wait, just one sec.” James makes his way back into the house, and Olive hears him ascend the stairs.

“Ollie, we're gonna get that door fixed up.”

“I heard,” she laughs, standing up from the wooden floor. “I think you're being silly.”

“Yeah, well…what color?”

“Red,” she smiles. “With a gold knocker.”

“You got it, honey girl,” he smiles, coming up to her to plant a kiss on her mouth. They're interrupted by Everett calling for them from downstairs.

“Doug! Your ma is here. You'd better hurry, it looks like she's carrying a pie.”

“Tart, Everett, darling.”

“Ooh, get down here before I start munching the entire thing!”

Olive and Dougie hear the sharp sound of a slap, followed by a cry of pain, Ev obviously being dramatic.