“Maya, how old are you?” her father asked quietly. “It feels like you’re not a first-year university student but a first-year primary schoolgirl. Love is one thing, but you need a place to live, food to eatpractical things. Whats the rush? Getting married tomorrow, are we? No ones against your Oliver. Let him come round, lets meet him, talk properly, introduce him to his parents… Am I making sense?”
“David, when will you be home?” Emma called her husband at work.
“Soon. Just wrapping up,” he replied.
“Dont dawdle. We need to talk,” she said abruptly.
“Something wrong?” David tensed.
“Not yet, but we need to discuss it,” Emmas voice was strained, though nothing disastrous had happened.
Fifteen minutes later, the head of the household stepped into the flat.
“Whats going on?” he asked carefully.
“Change your clothes, wash your hands. The world wont end if you take five minutes,” she kissed him lightly and nudged him toward the bathroom.
Soon, freshened up, he emerged into the living room.
“Come,” Emma led him to their daughters room. Maya sat on her bed, eyes red.
“Whats happened?” David kept his voice steady.
“Ask your daughter,” Emma huffed. “Go on, tell your father what youve decided!”
Maya folded her arms, turning to the window, refusing to speak.
“Right,” David smacked the table. “Either you both tell me calmly whats going on, or sort it yourselves. Ive just got back from workId like some peace!”
“Were getting married,” Emma announced with biting sarcasm. “Today, apparently. No time to waste!”
“Come again?” David blinked. “Just like that? To whom, if I may ask?”
Maya stayed stubbornly silent, so Emma stepped in again.
“Oliver Whitmore. Youve seen him around lately.”
“Ah. Right. So, darling?”
Maya clenched her jaw.
“Right then. Enough games. Am I meant to perform a jig to get answers?” Davids tone sharpened.
“We love each other!” Maya burst out. “Hes perfect, and were getting married!”
“Finally, some clarity,” David sighed. “Is he in your course?”
“Yes. Same seminar group.”
“First year,” David exhaled, weary. “Children.”
“Were not children! Were eighteenadults!”
“Fine. If youre adults, well talk like adults.”
“I dont want to talk! Itll just be: Youre too young, wait, get settled, test your feelings. Blah, blah, blah! Youre all wise and properyou dont understand real love! Youll ruin everything!”
“Im not ruining anything,” David rubbed his temples. “I just want to understand. You and Oliver love each othergood. You want to marry? Both of you, or just you?”
“Dont insult Oliver! He wants it too!”
“Brilliant. So youve got the desire. Where will you live? How will you afford it? Thought about that?”
“It doesnt matter! Love is all we need!”
“Maya, how old are you?” Davids voice dropped. “You sound like a child. Love doesnt pay rent or put food on the table. Whats the hurry? No ones against Oliverinvite him over, lets meet his parents. Sound fair?” He glanced at Emma.
“Very fair. But theres a catch Theyre in a rush for a reason.”
“What, Olivers being deployed?”
“Not Oliver. Maya. Well? Should I spell it out?”
“Im not hiding it!” Maya snapped. “Were having a baby!”
“Ah.” Davids eyebrows shot up. “And your plan is?”
“Get married! Have the baby! And dont you dare talk me out of it!”
“Calm down. No ones forcing you into anything. Does Olivers family know?”
“Hes talking to them today”
“And?”
“He hasnt called yet.”
“Right. When he does, tell me. Now, let me eat before your drama starves me.”
In the kitchen, Emma reheated dinner.
“What do we do?” she whispered.
“Dont know yet. Lets hear what his parents say.”
The call came just as David finished eating. Olivers parents were firmly against itharsh words, a row. Bad news.
Fifteen minutes later, Maya entered with her phone.
“Its Olivers mum. She wants to talk.”
Emma crossed her arms. “You handle it.”
David took the phone, putting it on speaker.
“Hello, David Carter here.”
“Margaret Whitmore. Olivers mother. Our son just announced hes involved with your daughter. Given her *condition*, theyve made grand plans. Youre aware?”
“Weve spoken to Maya.”
“Good. Then youll understand were firmly against this *grand* scheme.” Her voice dripped scorn. “Our son needs to focus on his degree, his future. A first-year marriagelet alone a childis absurd.”
“Our daughter rushing into marriage wasnt our plan either. But theres a baby involvedyour sons, might I add. What do you propose?”
“Your problem, David. First, I doubt its Olivers. Second, even if it is, this marry me, Im pregnant stunt wont work. Your daughters after securityOliver comes from a good family, a nice flat, prospects. As a woman, I get it. But as his mother, Ill ensure you leave him alone. My husband agrees. Olivers seen sensehe wants no further contact. Goodbye.”
The line went dead. David exhaled, facing his family.
“Heard that? Fine. Well manage. The babys innocent. Take a gap year, return later. Well help financially, babysit. As for them well deal with it. Cowards.” He turned to Emma. “Take Maya to our room tonight. Ill sleep here.”
An hour later, the doorbell rang.
“Who now?” David grumbled, answering.
Moments later, he returned with a young man.
“Oliver!” Maya lunged forward. “You came for me?”
“Yes. Mr. Carter, EmmaIm here to take Maya.”
“Take her where?” David folded his arms.
“Not sure yet. Well rent a place. Were adultsId appreciate your cooperation. Will you come?” he asked Maya.
“Anywhere!”
“Hold on,” David raised a hand. “Your mother said the whole familys against thisincluding you.”
“Not quite. Mum decided. Dad follows blindly. I pretended to agree, grabbed my wallet, passport, and bank cardand here I am.”
“Well, well,” Davids lips twitched. “Youll rent a flatwith what money?”
“Ive saved up. I run a blog, a monetised channel. Enough for a few months rent and food. Ill earn more.”
“Impressive. Emma? Shall we let her go? Hes sharper than we thought.”
“I dont know Its late.”
“Right, no leaving tonight. Heres the deal. Youll marry?”
“Yes!” they chorused.
“And keep the baby?”
Another yes.
“Then well support youon conditions. First, you reconcile with your parents, Maya helps. Oliver stays here tonightguest rules, separate rooms. Text yours youre at a mates. Prep them for the truthno fights. No dropping outespecially you, Oliver. Maya takes maternity leave, catches up later. Well help with money, babysitting, but we wont carry you. Keep the registry quietsave funds. Fancy wedding later. Agreed?”
“Yes,” Oliver said firmly.
“But I wanted a proper wedding! Dress, limo, guests” Maya pouted.
“Not now,” Oliver cut in. “Well marry quietly, celebrate later.”
“Fine”
“Plans set, then. Early start tomorrow.”
As David headed to the kitchen, Emma cornered him.
“Howd you change your mind so fast?”
“Fast? That woman made my blood boil. Then *he* shows upnot a Mummys boy, but a man who stands by his girl. Thats who Id trust with our daughter.”
“Youre always right,” she kissed him, then sorted sleeping arrangements.
