You Forgot to Invite Us to the Party
Emily adored her husband. She considered herself incredibly lucky to have him. James was a caring and devoted man, always doing his best for his beloved wife.
But with Jamess family, Emily wasnt as fortunate. They say theres a black sheep in every familywell, in Jamess case, it was the opposite. He seemed the only normal one, while the rest were downright peculiar.
Take her father-in-law, for instance. Every time he saw Emily, hed remark that shed put on weight and must be hiding someone in her belly. Never mind that Emily was in perfect shape and hadnt gained an ounce since meeting Jamess parents. That never stopped Roger. It was his go-to comment, as if no matter how slim she was, hed still say it.
He also had a habit of making crude jokes that made Emily squirm. His lack of shirt around the house didnt help either.
Her mother-in-law, Margaret, loved lecturing everyoneeven on topics she knew nothing about. Shed school Emily on fashion, hairstyles, and lipstick shades. When Emily and James moved into their new flat, Margaret ran wild with criticism, poking into every corner and explaining how everything shouldve been arranged “properly.”
Then there was her sister-in-law, Saraha free-spirited young woman with two children by different fathers, neither of whom shed ever seriously dated. She dragged her kids everywhere, expecting the world to bend over backward for her. Shed demand seats on the tube, skip queues, and insist on being served first.
Despite receiving child support and benefits while freeloading off her parents, Sarah was always hunting for freebies. She hoarded things she didnt need, like outgrown nappies she planned to resell, piles of unworn clothes, and unwanted toys. Half of it was useless, but she called it her “business”taking things for free, playing the victim, then flipping them.
Her children were ill-mannered and cheeky, though with a mother like that, what else could they be? Whenever they visited someones home, theyd raid the pantry, snatch whatever they could, and take things without asking. Sarah never corrected them.
Emily shuddered remembering Sarahs last visittheir housewarming. Shed brought a secondhand tea set, and after they left, the treats were gone, the new vase was shattered, and chocolate smears (at least, she hoped it was chocolate) stained the curtains.
Naturally, when Emilys birthday approached, she decided against inviting Jamess family. Otherwise, the celebration would be ruinedRogers lewd remarks, Margarets unsolicited life lessons, Sarah begging for handouts while her kids trashed the flat.
She felt guilty keeping James in the dark, but she hoped hed understand.
“James, Id love to celebrate my birthday at home. Just my parents and a few close friends.”
“Works for me. We did decorate this place for a reason,” he grinned.
“Yes, exactly. It looks like a photo studio now. But”
“But what?”
“Please dont be upset. I dont want to invite your parents.”
James sighed deeply and nodded.
“Im sorry, but theyre difficult for me. On my birthday, Id rather relax than walk on eggshells,” she said apologetically.
“I get it. Theyre a lot.”
“Youre not angry?”
“Not at all. Your birthday, your rules.”
Emily marveled again at how wonderful her husband was. Sometimes she wondered if he was adoptedit would explain everything.
She didnt tell her in-laws about the party, claiming it would just be the two of them. She even asked James not to mention it.
Yet, somehow, they found out. Margaret called Emilys mum under the pretense of work gossip and let it slip.
“So this is how your daughter treats us!” Margaret screeched. “Are we not good enough for her?!”
“Mum,” James tried to calm her, “Emily just wanted a quiet evening with her parents and friends. If it were a big bash, youd be invited.”
“Fine. But tell your wife were deeply hurt!”
She hung up, leaving James shaking his head. He understood Emily perfectly. Though hed never say it aloud, hed always been ashamed of his family. He wouldnt let them embarrass her, either.
He decided not to mention the callno need to ruin the mood. Hed tell her after the party.
On the morning of her twenty-sixth birthday, James gave her flowers and a spa voucher. Shed been exhausted this yearwedding, renovations, moving, work stress. She deserved a break.
Guests arrived that afternoon. Emily had gone all outdelicious food, a carefully picked outfit, flawless hair. She glowed, expecting a perfect evening.
But she had no idea what was coming.
Just as everyone settled in, the doorbell rang.
“Thatll be the cake,” Emily said brightly. “I ordered it last minute.”
Her smile vanished the second she opened the door. Unwanted guests stood therethe whole lot.
“Happy birthday, Emily!” Margaret said stiffly, thrusting a rose at her. “Are you going to let us in?”
Emily had no choice but to step aside.
Chaos erupted instantly. Sarahs kids kicked off their shoes and swarmed the table. Roger announced Emily had chosen the wrong dress size.
“Shouldve gone up a size,” he chuckled.
“Did you forget to put us on the list?” Margaret sniffed. “I see youve got guests, yet no space for us. Honestly, Emily! Hosting a party but neglecting the floors?”
Emily bit her tonguethe mess was Sarahs kids.
Her mood plummeted. The children screeched, grabbed food with their hands, and ransacked cupboards for sweets. Then the youngest started wailingno cake yet.
“You couldve bought one! Look how disappointed Oliver is!” Sarah scolded. “Oh, is that new perfume? Let me try it. You can just give me yours after.”
Emily stayed silent. James watched his family take overhis mum critiquing the food, his dad cracking awkward jokes.
But when Sarah pocketed an envelope of cash from the side tablegifts from guestsJames snapped.
“Put. It. Back.”
“What?” She blinked innocently.
“I saw you!”
“I was adding money! I forgot an envelope,” she lied.
“James, dont pick on Sarah,” Margaret chided. “Instead, remind your wife how rude it is to exclude family.”
“And remind her about proper dress sizes,” Roger smirked. “Those curves are on full display, love.”
“Enough!” James slammed the table so hard even the kids froze. “Mum, Dad, Sarahtime to go.”
“What?! How dare you?!” Margaret gasped.
“How dare you show up uninvited? How dare you insult my wife? How dare your kids act like wild animals, Sarah? Until you learn manners, youre not welcome here.”
A row erupted, but Emily only breathed easy once they were gone.
Sadly, the celebration was ruined. Despite friends and family trying to lift the mood, the damage was done.
But there was a silver lining: Emily knew, more than ever, shed chosen well. A man whod stand by hereven against his own family. No matter what, James would always have her back. That was the best gift of all.
