Emily, think it through again! begged her eighteenyearold daughter, Claire. Hes a fully grown man! Twice your age. Whats so wonderful about marrying him, love? Please call off the wedding. Im sure youll realise the mistake before its too late
Emily grew up in a flash. One moment the clumsy little girl was chasing cats down the lane in Surrey; the next she was a tall, striking young lady. Shed just celebrated her eighteenth birthday with a noisy, joyous party in a rented hall in Brighton. A courier dropped off a lavish bouquet and a mountain of presents. When her parents asked, Whos the generous gentleman? Emily only smiled mysteriously and waved them off:
Oh, youre all right! Hes just a lad. All in good time
The parents decided not to pushthough perhaps they should have.
A few months after the party, a quiet dinner conversation erupted into a fullblown scandal. Emily announced she was getting married. The news shocked the Clarkes, but their desire to see their daughter happy was unconditional, so they hurried to pledge support despite the suddenness. Their relief turned to anxiety when Emily introduced her future husband. He wasnt a youthful sweetheart at all, but a wellestablished thirtyeightyearoldpractically a peer of the parents.
The livingroom atmosphere grew as heavy as a winter blanket. Susan, fighting to keep a smile, turned to her daughter:
Emily, dear were thrilled for you, but is this man really your chosen one?
Unruffled, Emily took the mans arm:
Mom, Dad, this is James. Hes my fiancé. We love each other and weve been together for a year, by the way!
David, who had been silent, struggled to contain his anger:
James, is it? I think were the same age. Im thirtyeight. Do you realise youre twenty years older than our daughter?
James, looking smug and confident, nodded:
Yes, Mr Clarke. I understand. But age is just a number when true feelings are involved. Emily and I share the same outlook and plans.
Plans?! interjected Susan. Emily, are you sure? Youve only just turned eighteen. What kind of relationship began when you were seventeen?
Emily furrowed her brow, sensing the conversation turning sour:
Im not here to discuss when we started seeing each other. Weve decided to marry, and thats final.
David sighed heavily:
James, tell us honestlywhen Emily is thirtyeight, youll be fiftyeight. She wants a big family. Who will be the one lifting the house at that age?
James smiled as if the question were the most foolish thing hed ever heard:
Mr Clarke, Im financially secure. I have the resources to support her and any children. And, if youll allow me, we wont dwell on my old age. Were talking about our happiness right now.
Susan softened her approach:
My love, perhaps you should wait a bit? Test these feelings? Youve only just started living together properly. Why rush to the registry?
Mom, I dont want to wait or test anything, Emily answered firmly. I love James, and he loves me. If you cant accept that, Im sorry.
David could no longer hold back and rose abruptly:
This isnt just haste, James! It sounds as if youve taken advantage of our daughters innocence. An eighteenyearold cant see the hidden pitfalls that a twentyfiveyearold would.
James kept his voice calm, though his composure only seemed to irritate the parents further:
I havent exploited anyones youth. Im courting an adult woman, fully capable of making her own decisions. My feelings are genuine. I love Emily and am ready to prove it daily. Isnt that what you want for your daughterto be loved?
Susan tried to interject, turning to David:
Dave, calm down. No need for a scene. James, its just unexpected and were worried about Emilys future. Shes our only child, after all. Thats a huge responsibility.
Responsibility is wonderful, James interrupted. Im ready for it. You seem to forget that Emily wants this herself. Is your desire to keep her close more important than her own wish for a family?
David, fists clenched, continued ignoring his wifes attempts to curb him:
You know what? Im thinking of calling the police. Filing a complaint, he blurted, instantly regretting the tone.
Emily jumped up, eyes wide:
Dad! Have you lost your mind? You want to ruin my life and your own reputation over wild guesses?!
James stood opposite the future fatherinlaw, maintaining a cool veneer:
Mr Clarke, I understand your anger. But if you take that step, youll lose your daughters trust forever. Im ready for any checks. I have nothing to hide. I wont let baseless accusations wreck our lives. Well marry in three months.
When James clearly stated his intentions, the tension eased a little, shifting into a mutual assessment. Susan approached David, gently touching his arm:
Dave, sit down, please. Emily, James, give us some time to think. We need a moment to come to terms with this.
Emily smiled at her mother:
Mum, I dont need you to accept anything. I just need your blessing. Only the blessing, Mum. Everything else James will handle. Right, love?
Well speak with James again, just the two of us, David said, looking straight at his prospective soninlaw. No drama, no tears, no theatrics. I want to know how you plan to live after the wedding. Emily is still a student, hasnt even finished her first year
James nodded:
Im ready for a serious talk. My decision is final, and I wont give up on Emily.
Seeing the daughters absolute resolve and Jamess firm confidence, the parents realised ultimatums wouldnt help. The spectre of a family rift frightened them more than the age gap.
A week later, after lengthy, detailed discussions about Jamess stability and future plans, things lightened. They saw that he truly cared for their daughter and could provide a decent life. James was invited again for dinner.
Emily, we love you and want you happy, Susan began, looking at her daughter. We still worry about the future, but you love him, dont you?
Yes, we do, James replied. Welcome to the family, if you truly love our daughter. But remember, well be watching. He smiled kindly.
Emily threw herself into her parents arms, hugging them tightly:
Thank you! I love you both so much! Well be very happy, I promise.
The wedding took place three months later. Susan and David, watching their daughters radiant smile, hoped sincerely for her wellbeing.
Emily and James lived together for half a year, and the Clarkes had no complaints about their soninlaw. James truly carried his wife when needed, fulfilled any whim, and lifted the financial burden from his inlaws: he paid for her tuition, bought clothes, shoes, even a car. Emily was blissful.
Their first child was born on Jamess birthday. David, overcome with joy, couldnt hold back tears at the discharge. By then the Clarkes had completely changed their view of James; they now saw him as a reliable man willing to move mountains for their daughter.
A second child arrived three years later. Emily had finished her degree and, with Jamess support, chose to stay home, while he provided everything the family needed. David and James became close friendsaside from the years between them, they had a lot in common.
And that, dear reader, is a rather unordinary tale of love, age, and family.
