The Daughter-in-Law with “Baggage”
“Olivia, is it true your son got married? I saw him with a woman and a little boy. Did he take on someone else’s ‘baggage’?” the neighbour asked, prying into Olivias private life.
“Not married yet, but I wouldnt mind if he did,” Olivia replied, stunned by the news. Her son, Edward, still lived with her and had shown no signs of settling down.
“Edward, someone told me they saw you with a woman and a child. Are you seeing someone?” Olivia asked when she got home.
“Oh, those nosy old biddies, cant keep anything to themselves. I didnt want to tell you yet. Shes got a kid, so its nothing serious. Emmas a widowher husband died two years ago, and shes raising her son alone. We worked together, and things just happened. Dont worry, I wont bring her home.”
“But I was so happy for you! Whats wrong with her having a child?”
“No, Im not raising someone elses kid. I want my own.”
“She could have yours! Youre 34, Edwardhow long are you going to stay a bachelor?”
“Im still young, Mum. Are you jinxing me or something?”
“How is starting a family a jinx? Its happiness, my boy.”
Edward owned a flat, but he preferred living with his mother, renting his place out to save for a new car. Mum did the cooking, the laundryit was convenient. And the women he dated, upon learning he lived with his mother, never pushed for marriage. Perfect. A bit of fun, then theyd drift away. He never mentioned his flat, meeting women at their places or in hotels. Life suited him just fine.
One evening, Olivia spotted Edward with that woman. They strolled leisurely down the pavementpetite, with long chestnut hair, rather pretty. Olivia wondered who she was. If only they could meet
And then, by chance, they did. Olivia bumped into her outside a shop.
“Excuse meare you Emma? Ive seen you with my son, Edward. Im Olivia…”
“Hello. Yes, Im Emma. I know Edward well. Pleasure to meet you, Olivia.”
“Fancy a coffee? Theres a nice place nearby.”
Emma agreed, though she seemed uneasy. Olivia felt awkward too, as if shed forced the meeting. Over tea, Olivia asked, “Edward mentioned you have a son. How old is he?”
“Five. His names Alfie. My husband died in a crash two years ago. We live in a tiny flat now. His parents sold our old place and threw us outit was in his mothers name. Im an orphan, raised by my gran. When she passed, I sold her cottage to put a deposit on this flat. I work as a sales manager. Thats my life in a nutshell.”
Olivia listened, liking her more by the minutethose green eyes, the soft voice. “Edward never mentioned you. Id have loved to meet you sooner.”
“Maybe he was afraid youd mind the ‘baggage.’ Or perhaps hes not ready for family life. I dont push. Were happy as we are.”
“Emma, you must bring Edward and Alfie over! Id love it.”
“If Edward agrees, wed be delighted.”
That evening, Olivia announced, “Edward, Im expecting you, Emma, and Alfie on Saturday. No excuses. We met by chance, and I invited them.”
“Mum, why meddle? Im not even sure I want to marry her!”
“Im not forcing you. But I like her. Shes lovely.”
Edward grumbled and stormed offjust like his father.
Olivias husband had left three years prior for a colleague. She hadnt fought it; their marriage had long been hollow. Edward still saw him occasionally, but Olivia didnt care.
The visit went well. Alfie, quiet and well-mannered, resembled Emma. Olivia doted on them, even Edward seemed happier. “If only theyd marry,” she thought. “A grandchild would be bliss.”
Soon, Emma and Alfie were regular guests, even without Edward. Olivia adored their chats, their outings. She prayed Edward would propose.
Then, Emma stopped answering calls.
“Edward, whats wrong? Emmas not picking up.”
“We broke up. Dont ask.”
“What? Why? Everything was fine!”
“Alfies sick. Needs expensive treatment. Emmas panicking, probably expects me to help. Easier to walk away.”
Olivia gaped. “You abandoned her in her worst moment? Over money?”
“Why should I pay for another mans child? Shell manage.”
“You have savings for a car! A childs life matters more than metal!”
“Spare me the lecture.”
As Edward left, Olivia slumped into a chair. What had they raised?
She had savingssmall, but enough. She withdrew them the next day when Emma finally called.
“Olivia, Im so sorry I couldnt reply”
“I know. I want to help Alfie.”
“You mustnt! Were strangers.”
“Not anymore. And Edwards a coward. Forgive me for him.”
Emma took the money, promising to repay it.
“Edward, pack your things. Go live in your flat. I wont share a roof with you.”
“What? Over Emma? You care more for her boy than me?”
“Im ashamed of you. What will become of me in old age?”
He slammed the door on his way out.
A charity helped fund Alfies treatment, and he recovered. Olivia visited often, bringing gifts. She and Emma grew close, while Edward became a stranger.
Then Olivia noticed Emmas looser dresses.
“Emma are you pregnant?”
“You guessed. Five months. I hid itEdward wouldve accused me of trapping him. I couldnt go through with an abortion. Its a girl.”
“Emma! My dreama granddaughter! Ill help, I promise!”
The birth went smoothly. They named the baby Charlotte. She had Edwards dark hair, his sharp nose. “Such happiness, and hes missing it,” Olivia sighed.
One day, Edward spotted Olivia with a pram.
“Mum, since when do you babysit?”
“I manage.”
He peered inside, frozen. Then Emma arrived.
“Hello, Edward. Olivia, hows Charlotte?”
“Charlotte?” Edwards voice cracked. “Your child? You remarried?”
“She has a mother. Thats enough,” Emma said.
“And a grandmother,” Olivia added. “Edward, meet your daughter.”
“Mine? And you kept this from me?”
He stared at the pram, then walked away.
Days later, he turned up at Emmas, offering money. She refused, too hurt to accept.
Five years passed. Olivia had a stroke. Emma and the children moved in to care for her. Alfie read to her; little Charlotte doted on her.
Edward remained a bachelor, visiting occasionally. Charlotte knew he was her father but shied from him.
Olivia signed the house over to Emma, to pass to Charlotte later.
“Emma, how lucky I met you. Now Ive two wonderful ‘baggage’Alfie and Charlotte. Thank you.”
She never imagined this fragile woman would become like a daughter, while her own son grew distant.
Lifes surprises, indeed.
