I drove my fiancée over to meet my parents, my heart racing as we stepped onto the front lawn.
What if they dont like me? Emma whispered, clutching my arm.
Impossible, I said, grinning. Youre the best thing thats ever happened to me. I swung the front door open.
In the hallway my mother, Margaret, looked up from her knitting.
Mother, this is Emma, I introduced.
You wanted to introduce us to your bride, she said, eyeing Emma with a thin smile.
Well, here she is! my father chuckled.
My, thats odd, my mother muttered, but that was only the start of Emmas first day with my family a day she would never forget.
Id fallen for Emma the moment I saw her. The tall, sandyhaired man with clear blue eyes that I am, had always been calm, sensible, and kind. Despite the tenyear age gap, my previous marriage and a teenage son, I readily agreed to marry him.
When Emma arrived at my parents house, my mother gave a disgruntled huff and asked my father, You said youd bring us your bride.
Yes, thats her, he replied, beaming. Meet Emma!
Right, Margaret shrugged, retreating to the sitting room. I thought youd hired a housekeeper instead.
Emma looked at me, puzzled.
Dont mind her, I soothed, Mum just doesnt know how to joke.
All evening Margaret pretended not to notice Emma, spinning stories about my exwife, Margaretyes, the same namewho was supposedly dazzling and clever.
Margaret used to call you every day, asking about my health. Shed dash over with a homemade pie. Ive never tasted anything like it! she gushed, rolling her eyes at Emma. She was always a brilliant cook!
Emmas a wonderful housekeeper too, I said, pulling Emma into a hug.
Really? Margarets tone dripped with condescension, making Emma want to flee. Where will you live? Ive already turned the spare bedroom into my wardrobe, so
Dont worry, Mum, Emma has her own flat, I replied, preparing to leave.
Outside, Emma sighed, I think I didnt win over your parents.
Dont be absurd, I laughed. Rebecca is the daughter of my fathers old friend, Leon. Our families have been close for years. I married Rebecca young and thought wed part ways amicably when our daughter, Sophie, was born. She was never interested in anything but shopping and parties. I hoped we could split nicely, but Rebecca fought me, and Sophie ended up staying with her.
Why is your mother so fond of her? Emma asked.
Rebecca was a convenient match. Our parents are business partners, so Mum will get used to you and realise youre the best girl in the world.
After the wedding, things only got worse. While Margaret had once pretended to ignore me, she now openly berated Emma, calling her clumsy, a terrible cook, and a neglectful wife.
You realise you look dreadful standing next to my son? she snapped. Get a proper haircut, put on some makeup, dress decently! Stop wasting my sons salary on yourself!
I heard every word and snapped back, Mum, one more remark like that and Ill cut off contact! Stop it now, or Ill speak to my father. Emma is the most wonderful woman and I love her!
From then on Margaret restrained her attacks on Emma, though she still bragged about my exwife. Margaretmy former wifesuddenly started calling me.
Victor, youve stopped talking to Sophie! How about we all go out this weekend? she said over the phone.
You never let me see my child! I snapped. Ill take her for the weekend without you!
But Im her mother! Margaret protested. How could I let her go?
Youll send her back to her real father! I retorted.
And you have a new wife now! she sneered.
Unlike you, Emma is kind, caring, and the best mother I know. Shell look after Sophie just fine, I said, hanging up and giving Emma a reassuring glance.
Nice to meet your daughter, Emma smiled.
A few days later, a little girl with bright orange curls and my blue eyes appeared on our doorstep. Sophie, shy at first, clung to me.
Lets have tea, Emma suggested cheerfully. She fell in love with Sophie instantly, just as she had with me.
At first Sophie was nervous and hesitant, but Emmas patience soon coaxed her out of her shell, and she behaved like any ordinary child.
Margaret began bringing Sophie over more often, claiming the girl was bored. Emma and I gladly played with her, and she responded with equal enthusiasm.
One day, when Victor wasnt home, I told Sophie, she whispered, Mum wont talk to me.
What? I asked.
When I go to Mum, she sends me to my room and tells me not to bother her. She never plays or goes out with me. Can I stay with you? Sophie burst into my arms, tears glistening.
Id love that, Sophie, but Im sure your mum wont agree.
Why not? Im useless to her anyway! she sobbed.
Its not that, love. Mum loves you, shes just busy.
Busy? She doesnt work! She spends all day shopping and gossiping. She never takes me!
Alright, sweetheart, Ill speak to your dad. Hell sort something out, Emma promised, smoothing Sophies curls.
Ive been thinking, Victor said later, but Rebecca wont budge. She claims she doesnt need a daughter, yet she keeps using this as leverage. Ill find a way.
Days turned into weeks, and I still couldnt persuade my exwife to hand over Sophie, even as she kept shuttling the girl back to me.
When Emma announced she was pregnant, our joy knew no bounds. Yet the celebration was cut short when Margaret, as usual, turned up with Sophie, refusing to leave.
You betrayed your daughter by having another baby! Margaret hissed and stormed out.
Sophie, dear, whats wrong? Why are you upset? I asked.
Im not needed any more! Sophie shouted, pulling my hand away. Youll have a new baby now!
She turned and wept. Emma and I tried to comfort her, assuring her she would always be our beloved child, even after the new arrival. She calmed down but kept her distance.
Our son, little Dennis, was born, and Margaret suddenly announced a holiday, leaving Sophie with me.
Youre doing this on purpose! I fumed. Emmas busy with a newborn, Im at workwho will look after Sophie?
I dont know, love, Margaret sang, you wanted to bring her home, so why did you have another child?
Enough, I muttered, hearing the phone line crackle.
Dont worry, darling, Emma whispered, touching my shoulder, its actually good that Sophie will be with us. Itll help me.
Unexpectedly, Sophie took to caring for her baby brother. She helped hang the blankets, rocked his cradle, and when Dennis slept, the two of them would sip tea and chatter like old friends. When Margaret returned, Emma said goodbye to Sophie with tears.
New Years Eve approached. Margaret invited my father and us to celebrate at her parents house. The invitation made Emma uneasy, suspecting something was off, but I assured her everything would be fine.
I think Mum wont spoil the holiday. My dad will keep an eye on things, and youll finally have a break from the housework. Grandparents will help too, I told her.
My fatherinlaw, a stern but fair man with a thick head of silver hair that hinted at a hidden sense of humour, had always been respected.
Nevertheless, Margaret found another way to offend Emma. She asked Rebecca to join the festivities, and on a tired, sleepless Emma, Rebecca shone in a sleek dress and immaculate hair, drawing Margarets adoring gaze.
Grandma ignored the grandchildren entirely. Emma was helped by me, my father, and Sophiewho, despite everything, received little attention. When Dennis finally fell asleep, Emma sighed in relief and finally managed to eat a proper meal.
Later, my father and former fatherinlaw slipped away to the mens room to discuss business. Margaret erupted, lavishing praise on Rebecca, recalling their childhood friendship, and laughing loudly about the good old days of my divorce.
Her laughter woke Dennis, who began to wail, sparking Margarets fury.
Emma! Whats wrong with you? Your child is crying! Cant you calm him? Rebecca never had a problem like this!
Emma, tears streaming, rushed to the nursery, the sound of Margarets angry shouts behind her.
Sophie! How could you say that?! she cried.
What? Margaret replied, eyes wide.
I said youre a terrible mother, and you too, Mum! All you do is gossip and shop! You cant even look after your own child! Daddy pays for everything, and you just spend it!
Sophie, now sobbing, ran out of the room, scattering the startled men at the door.
I dressed Dennis, who was finally asleep, and felt I could no longer stay in that house. Suddenly tiny hands clutched at me.
Can I go with you, Emma?
Sophie, love, who will let us? I asked, hugging her tightly as tears fell from her eyes.
No one will stop you! my father called from the doorway. Sophie, sweetheart, you can go with Emma if she agrees.
Thank you, Dad! I said, stepping back into the hallway. I think Ill be joining you.
Victor, grinning, pushed a sled down the snowcovered lane, his favourite winter pastime, while his two daughtersSophie and little Dennislaughed and chased each other beside him.
