The Gift That Was Too Big
Oliver came home from work in high spirits. He didn’t even bother taking off his jacket like usual—instead, he called out the moment he stepped inside:
“Darling, I’m home!”
But the silence that greeted him quickly dampened his mood. He peeked into the kitchen and stiffened. Emily was sitting by the window, chin resting in her hands. Her face was tense, her eyes red.
“Em… what’s wrong?” he asked softly, moving closer and sitting beside her.
“Mum dropped by…” she muttered bitterly. “Same old lectures, same talk about money. Says I’m sloppy, that we live ‘like squatters’… Why are you so cheerful, anyway?”
Oliver hesitated for a second, then grinned.
“Because I’ve got a surprise for you! You have to see it for yourself. Hold on!”
He stepped out and returned moments later with a bulky gym bag.
“What’s this?”
“Open it. Take a look.”
Emily reluctantly unzipped it—and froze. The bag was stuffed to the brim with crisp banknotes.
“This… where did this come from?!”
“Grandad came by today. Right to my office. Said he wanted to give us a fresh start—all his savings so we could have our own place. I tried to refuse, but he insisted. Said I’m his only grandson.”
Emily burst into tears.
“I’ve been so worn out… and then you show up with this… Thank you. Thank Grandad for me.”
They hugged tightly. That evening, curled up on the sofa, they chatted about which house to pick, where to buy furniture, and how to make everything perfect. Happiness felt close—just within reach.
They threw a modest housewarming, but it was full of heart. Family came, including Emily’s mum. True to form, she walked in, eyed the place, declared the kitchen “nothing special,” and then shoved a “gift” at them—their old living room set.
“We’ve brought you furniture. Nearly new. For the lounge and bedroom,” she announced proudly.
Emily bit her tongue.
“Mum… we’ve already ordered new pieces.”
“Well, you could’ve said something! Now what are we supposed to do with ours? You always ruin everything! And don’t forget about that coat!”
“The gift’s ready. But it’s not a coat.”
Offended, her mother left without a word.
They decided to spend New Year’s just the two of them. Well, three, actually. Days before the holiday, Emily found out she was pregnant. The first person they told was Grandad.
The old man’s eyes welled up when he heard he’d soon be a great-grandfather.
“I thought I might not live to see this… Thank you, both of you. This is the best gift.”
And in that moment—with the winter quiet around them, the scent of pine and clementines in the air, the old man’s tears, and the warmth swelling in his chest—Oliver realised something. No one’s nagging, no hand-me-down dressers, no parental lectures mattered anymore. Because beside him was his family. His home. His happiness.
