“Hello, Mrs. Thompson. Its Emily, your future daughter-in-law. Id love to meet and talk. When and where would suit you best?”
Mrs. Thompson stiffened, especially at the words “future daughter-in-law.” What news was this? James had never mentioned marrying her.
“Hello, Emily. Come to my house at six this evening. Ill be waiting.”
*What does she want to talk about? Is she expecting a child? Of course. Shes done it on purpose to trap Jamestypical. What was he thinking? Shes not good enough for him. Hes an architect with a bright future, owns his flat, drives a nice car, handsome, clever. Any girl would be lucky to have him, but no, he picks this one*
Mrs. Thompson tidied the flat and popped to the shop, her mind uneasy.
Shed seen Emily a few times and disliked her instantly. James had brought her round once to introduce her, then just for tea and a chat. Each time, Mrs. Thompson had made her disapproval clear afterward.
“Son, arent there other girls? Why her? Whats so special about her? Plain, skinny, petite. In my day, men liked proper women! Shes not right for you!”
“Mum, I love her, and to me, shes perfect! And her cooking? Divine! Her roast dinners are incredible!”
That stung. He used to praise *her* cooking. Now this girl made “divine” roasts.
Emily arrived right on time, bearing custard tartsMrs. Thompsons favourite. *Cunning, trying to win me over.*
“Mrs. Thompson, Ill come straight to it. James proposed, and Ive accepted. Hes waiting for the right moment to tell you. Hes worried you wont take it well.”
“Of course not! Why should I be happy?”
“Id like to make a deal with you. Hear me out, please.”
“I know you raised James alone. You married because of the pregnancy, but it didnt work out. Your husband left. My dad passed young, so Mum raised me alone too. I know what its like growing up without a father.”
“You poured all your love into your son. Im so grateful. Hes kind, thoughtful, well-manneredthats your doing. You should be proud.”
Mrs. Thompson nodded slightly. True enough. *Her* efforts made him the man he was.
Emily continued.
“You dream of James marrying someone beautiful, successful, wealthy. And then theres me. Plain, ordinary, from a modest background. My salarys nothing special. A poor match, in your eyes. Youre baffled, wondering how to talk him out of it, arent you?”
Mrs. Thompson shrugged. Exactly so.
“Heres how this could go. James wont listenhes determined. Youll argue. Youll skip the wedding, of course. Who wouldnt? Your son defied you. Right?”
“Right.”
“Youll tell everyone what an ungrateful son he is, after all youve done. Some will pity you; others will smirk. Meanwhile, well be happily married. Youll ignore us, nursing your grudge. Ill have a baby, and James will tell you, but youll stubbornly refuse to see your grandchild. You dont accept our marriage, so why accept the child?”
“My mum will dote on her grandsontaking him to the park, spoiling him, reading bedtime stories. Shell be his favourite grandma.”
“Meanwhile, youll sit alone in your flat, watching telly, resenting how life turned out. Holidays will be especially lonelyeveryone with family, you by yourself. The bitterness will eat at you. Your health will suffer. Others will have visitors in hospital; youll have just a neighbour or friend. You wont speak to your son or his dreadful wife.”
“In the end, youll live out your days alone, never knowing your grandson, never hearing Granny, never having family around on your birthday. And thatll be *your* choice.”
“Orit could go differently. After I leave, youll think carefully. As a loving, sensible mother, youll accept your sons choice. If he loves me, there must be a reason.”
“Im not so bad, really. My colleagues respect me. My mum adores me. Im decent, hardworking. Ill be a good wife and mother. And most importantly, I love your son, and he loves me.”
“When James tells you were engaged, praise him. Say you accept his decision. I know you may never warm to me, but basic courtesy will do.”
“I dont exactly adore you either, but Im willing to try.”
“At the wedding, youll have the seat of honour. Youll watch Jamesand maybe me a littlewith pride. When our baby comes, youll always be welcome. Our child will have two loving grandmothers, and thats wonderful.”
“Ill never speak ill of you, and you wont of me.”
“We share one goal: Jamess happiness. So lets work together. Think it over, then call me with your answer. Thanks for the tea, Mrs. Thompson. Goodbye.”
After Emily left, Mrs. Thompson sat by the window, lost in thought. *Shes right. Thats exactly how it would go.*
What did it matter if she disliked her future daughter-in-law? *James* was the one marrying her. If she fought it, hed be upsetbut hed marry her anyway. Shed seen how his eyes lit up around Emily. He even preferred her roast dinners now
What would she gain? Nothing. Just loneliness and regret while another woman rocked her grandchild to sleep. *She* wanted that too. And she could have itif
No. Not if*unless*
She picked up the phone.
“Emily? I accept your deal. I dont want to sit alone, resenting my sonso Ill have to get along with you too. And youll let me have my grandson on weekends, yes? Oh, andwhat *do* you put in that roast? James raves about it.”
Emily laughed. “Mrs. Thompson, yours is just as good, I promise. Its all in the seasoning. Im glad you agreedthis is best for everyone. James always said you were clever and kind.”
Three years later
“James, love, look at little Oliverhes the spitting image of you! What a darling boy. Im so glad I have a grandson. And Emilythank you for that deal. You were right.”
“What deal? This is the first Ive heard of it!”
“Oh, just a little secret between Emily and me”
Mrs. Thompson exchanged a knowing glance with her daughter-in-law, who winked back.
Sometimes, putting pride aside is the wisest choicefor happiness comes not from being right, but from being loved.
