The Daughter-in-Law with ‘Baggage’
“Olivia, did your son get married? I saw him with a woman and a little boy. Did he take on someone else’s baggage?” the neighbour asked Olivia, peering over the fence.
Olivia blinked in surprise. “Not married yet, but Id be happy if he did.” The news caught her off guard. Her son, Edward, still lived with her and showed no signs of settling down.
“Son, someone told me they saw you with a woman and a child. Are you seeing someone?” Olivia asked when she got home.
Edward sighed. “Those busybodies, always running their mouths. I didnt want to tell you yet. Shes got a kid, so its nothing serious. Lydias a widowher husband died two years ago, and shes raising her son alone. We met through work, and things just happened. Dont worry, Im not bringing her home.”
Olivias face fell. “And here I was getting excited. Whats wrong with her having a child?”
“Im not raising someone elses kid. I want my own.”
“Youre 34, Edward. How long will you play the bachelor?”
“Im still young, Mum. Are you wishing misery on me?”
“Misery? A family is happiness, son.”
Edward had his own flat, but he preferred living with his mother while renting his place out, saving for a new car. It was comfortablemeals cooked, laundry done. The women he dated, upon learning he still lived with Mum, never pushed for marriage. Perfect. A bit of fun, then gone. He never mentioned his flat, meeting lovers at their places or in hotels. The arrangement suited him.
One evening, Olivia spotted Edward with Lydia. They strolled along the pavement, the woman small and pretty, her long chestnut hair swaying. Olivia wonderedwho was she? She longed to meet her.
Fate intervened. Bumping into Lydia outside a shop, Olivia seized the moment.
“Excuse meare you Lydia? Ive seen you with my son, Edward. Im Olivia.”
Lydia hesitated. “Hello. Yes, I know Edward Nice to meet you, Mrs. Thompson. He mentioned living with you.”
“Fancy a coffee? Theres a nice place nearby.”
Over coffee, Lydia spoke softly. “Edward said you knew about my son. Hes fiveLucas. My husband died in a crash two years ago. His parents sold our flatit was in his mothers nameand threw us out. Im an orphan, raised by my gran. When she passed, I sold her old cottage, used the money for a mortgage deposit. Now I work in retail. Thats my life in a nutshell.”
Olivia studied hergreen eyes, delicate features. A kind woman.
“Edward never spoke of you. Id have loved to meet you sooner.”
“Maybe he feared youd disapprove of a woman with ‘baggage.’ Or perhaps hes not ready for family life. I dont push. Were happy as we are.”
“Lydia, you must visit with Edward and Lucas. Id love that!”
“If Edward agrees, gladly.”
That evening, Olivia announced, “Edward, Im expecting you, Lydia, and Lucas on Saturday. No arguments. We met by chance todayI recognised her.”
“Mum, stay out of my life! Inviting them over I dont even know if I want to marry her!”
“Im not forcing you, but I like her. Shes lovely.”
Edward grumbled and stalked off. Just like his fatherhot-headed. Olivias husband had left three years prior for a colleague. Shed let him go without fusstheir marriage had long been hollow.
Saturday came. Lucas, quiet and well-mannered, mirrored his mothers looks. Olivia doted on them, serving treats, basking in the warmth. Even Edward seemed lighter, laughing.
*If only theyd marry, give me a granddaughter*
After that, Lydia and Lucas visited often, even without Edward. Olivia adored their chats, their outings. She prayed Edward would proposeLydia was perfect.
Then, silence. Lydia didnt answer calls for days.
“Edward, whats wrong with Lydias phone?”
“We split up. Dont ask.”
“Why? Everything was fine!”
“Lucas got sick. Needs expensive treatment. She probably expects help. Easier to walk away.”
Olivia gaped. “You abandoned her? In her hardest moment?”
“Why should I pay for another mans child? Shell manage.”
“Youve savings for a car! A childs life matters more than metal!”
“Enough, Mum.”
He left. Olivia slumped, heart heavy. What had they raised?
She had her own nest eggsaved from wages, leftovers from her husband. For a rainy day. Now it poured. She withdrew the money.
Lydia finally called back.
“Mrs. Thompson, Im sorryIve been swamped.”
“Lydia, I know. I want to help Lucas. Ill bring the money tomorrow.”
“You shouldntwere strangers.”
“Not anymore. And Edwards a coward. Forgive me for him.”
Lydia didnt reply. The next day, Olivia handed over the cash. Lydia wept, promising repayment.
“Edward, pack your things. Your tenants are gonemove into your flat. I wont live with you.”
“Over *her*? You care more for her boy than your own son?”
“You shame me. What will become of me in old age?”
He slammed the door on his way out. Olivias heart ached. Her only childso callous.
A charity helped fund Lucass medicine. He recovered. Olivia visited often, bearing gifts. She and Lydia spoke little of Edward.
Then Olivia noticedLydia wore loose dresses, her waist softening.
“Lydia are you pregnant?”
“Five months. I hid itfeared Ed would think I trapped him. I couldnt go through with an abortion. Its a girl.”
“Oh, Lydia! A granddaughtermy dream! Ill help, I promise! Thank you, darling!”
The birth went smoothly. A healthy girlAmelia. She had Edwards dark hair, his sharp nose.
*Oh, son such joy, and youll never know.*
One day, Edward spotted Olivia pushing a pram.
“Mum, since when do you babysit?”
“I manage.”
He peered inside. Then Lydia arrived.
“Hello, Ed.”
“Whose child is this?”
“Amelia has a mother. Thats enough.”
“And a grandmother,” Olivia added. “Edward, meet your daughter.”
His face paled. “Mine? And you hid it?”
Without another word, he left.
Days later, he offered Lydia money. She refused, her hurt too deep.
Five years passed.
Olivia suffered a stroke. Lydia and the children moved in to care for her. Lucas read to her; Amelia brought meals. They adored her.
Edward remained a bachelor, visiting occasionally. Amelia knew he was her father but shied from him.
Olivia signed the house over to Lydia, to pass to Amelia later.
“Lydia, meeting you was fate. Now I have two dear ‘baggage’Lucas and Amelia. Thank you.”
Shed never imagined this gentle woman would become like a daughterwhile her own son grew distant.
Lifes surprises, indeed.
