Emily adored her husband. She considered herself incredibly lucky to have him. James was kind, devoted, and always went out of his way to make her happy.
But when it came to his family, Emily wasnt quite so fortunate. They say every family has its black sheepbut in Jamess family, it was the opposite. James seemed to be the only normal one, while the rest were downright peculiar.
His father, for instance, made a habit of pointing out Emilys figure every time he saw her, joking that she must be hiding something under her dress.
Never mind that Emily was in perfect shape and hadnt gained an ounce since meeting them. It didnt faze Michael in the slightest. Hed say it anyway, as if it were some long-running gageven if shed lost weight instead.
He also had a knack for crude jokes that made Emily cringe. She always felt on edge around him. And to top it off, he wandered around shirtless in the house like it was perfectly normal.
Her mother-in-law, Margaret, loved lecturing everyoneeven on things she knew nothing about.
Shed tell Emily what to wear, how to style her hair, which lipstick suited her best. And when Emily and James moved into their new flat, Margaret made it her mission to inspect every corner, nitpicking and dictating how they *should* have decorated.
Then there was Jamess younger sister. A free-spirited single mum of two kids from different fathersneither of whom Lucy had ever seriously committed to. She dragged her children everywhere, expecting the world to bend over backward for her. Seats on the Tube? Hers. The front of the queue? Hers. First in line at buffets? Absolutely.
Though she received child support and government benefits while still living off her parents, Lucy was always hunting for freebies. Even things she didnt need, shed snatch up, gleefully hoarding them like a magpie. The flat was cluttered with outgrown nappies Emily had hoped to sell, piles of unworn clothes, and broken toys. Half of it was junk, but Lucy called it her “business”taking what she could for free, playing the struggling single mum, then reselling it all.
Her kids were rude and wild, though truthfully, with a mother like Lucy, what else could they be? When they visited, theyd ransack the pantry, grab fistfuls of sweets, and swipe things when no one was looking. Lucy never disciplined them.
Emily still shuddered remembering the housewarming party. Lucy had brought a mismatched tea setclearly from a charity shopand after they left, the treats were gone, a new vase lay shattered, and chocolate smudges stained the curtains. At least, Emily *hoped* it was chocolate.
So when her birthday approached, Emily decidedno in-laws. Otherwise, her celebration would be ruined. Michael would crack his awful jokes, Margaret would lecture her on *proper hostessing*, and Lucy would guilt-trip her into handing over toys her kids didnt even need while they wrecked the flat.
She felt a twinge of guilt toward James, but she prayed hed understand.
“James, Id love to celebrate my birthday at homejust my parents and a few close friends.”
“Of course,” he smiled. “We decorated this place to show it off, didnt we?”
“Yes, exactly. It looks like a magazine spread now. But”
“But?”
“Please dont be angry. I dont want to invite your parents.”
James let out a slow breath, then nodded.
“Im sorry, but theyre just difficult. And on my birthday, I want to relaxnot be on edge.”
“I get it. No need to explain. They *are* a handful.”
“Youre not upset?”
“Not at all. Its your day. However you want to spend it.”
Emily was reminded, yet again, that James was the most wonderful man alive. She half-suspected he was adoptedit would explain *so* much.
She hadnt breathed a word to his family, telling them they were keeping it small. Shed even asked James to stay quiet.
But they found out. Margaret rang Emilys mum under the pretence of work chatand spilled the beans.
“So this is how your daughter treats us!” Margaret shrieked. “Were not good enough, is that it?!”
“Mum,” James tried to soothe her, “Emily just wanted a quiet celebration. If it were a big party, youd have been invited.”
“Fine. Got it. And tell your wife were *deeply* offended!”
She hung up, leaving James rubbing his temples. He understood Emily perfectly. And though hed never admit it aloud, hed always been embarrassed by his family. He wouldnt let them ruin her day.
He said nothing, vowing to deal with it after the party.
On the morning of her 26th birthday, James surprised Emily with flowers and a spa voucher. Shed been exhausted latelywedding planning, renovating the flat, work stress. She deserved to unwind.
Guests arrived in the afternoon. Emily had pulled out all the stops: a lavish spread, an elegant dress, hair styled to perfection. She was glowing, ready for a perfect evening.
But fate had other plans.
Just as everyone settled in, the doorbell rang.
“That must be the cake!” Emily grinned. “I completely forgotordered it last minute.”
Her smile vanished the second she opened the door. There they stood*all* of them.
“Happy birthday, Emily!” Margaret thrust a single rose at her. “Arent you going to let us in?”
She had no choice but to step aside.
Chaos erupted instantly. Lucys kids kicked off their shoes and bolted for the dessert table. Michael chuckled, eyeing Emilys dress.
“Shouldve gone a size up, love. Bit snug, isnt it?”
“Perhaps we slipped your mind,” Margaret sniffed, scanning the room. “Plenty of space for *them*, but not for family? Honestly, Emilyif youre hosting, the least you could do is hoover properly.”
She bit her tonguethe muddy footprints were *definitely* from the kids.
Her mood plummeted. The children screeched, grabbed food with their hands, and raided the cupboards for sweets. Then the youngest wailed*no cake yet?!*
“You couldve bought one,” Lucy scolded. “Look at Olivers face! And *ooh*is that perfume? Let me try it. You can give me yours when youre done.”
Emily stood frozen. James watched, jaw tight, as his family commandeered the table, demanded plates, sneered at the food, laughed at their own awful jokes.
But it was Lucy reaching for the cash-filled envelope on the sideboardthe monetary giftsthat snapped him.
“Put. It. Back.”
“What?” She blinked, all innocence.
“I *saw* you.”
“I was just adding to it! Didnt have time to get my own envelope!”
“James, dont make a scene,” Margaret snapped. “Instead of shouting, remind your wife how *rude* it is to exclude family.”
“And remind her about dress sizes,” Michael chortled. “Honestly, Emily, that cut does *nothing* for you.”
“ENOUGH!” James slammed his fist on the table so hard the kids gasped. “Mum. Dad. Lucy. *Leave.*”
“*Excuse me?!*” Margaret spluttered.
“How *dare* you turn up uninvited? How *dare* you insult my wife? How *dare* your children behave like feral animals, Lucy? Until you learn basic decency, youre not welcome here.”
Predictably, they explodedindignant shrieks, dramatic exits. Only when the door slammed did Emily exhale.
Her birthday was ruined, of course. No amount of kind words from her friends could salvage the night.
But there was one silver lining: Emily knew, without a doubt, shed married the right man. A man whod stand up for her*even against his own family*. No matter what, James would always have her back.
And *that* was the best gift of all.
