«Maya, how old are you?» her father asked quietly. «Honestly, it feels like you’re not a first-year university student but still in primary school. Love is all very well, but you need a roof over your head and food on the table, dont you? Wheres the rush? Planning to get married tomorrow, are we? Nobodys against your Oliverlet him come round, meet us properly, have a chat, introduce us to his parents Am I right?»
«David, when will you be home?» Grace called her husband at work.
«Soon. Just wrapping up,» he replied.
«Dont dawdle, then. We need to talk,» his wife said abruptly.
«Something wrong?» David felt a prickle of worry.
«Hard to explain hasnt happened yet, but we need to discuss it.» Grace sounded tense, though nothing catastrophic had occurred.
Fifteen minutes later, the head of the household stepped into their London flat.
«Whats going on?» he asked cautiously.
«Change your clothes, wash your handsno need to drop everything and save the universe just yet,» she kissed him and nudged him toward the bathroom.
Soon, freshened up, he joined them in the lounge.
«Come on,» Grace led him to their daughters room. Maya sat on her bed, eyes red from crying.
«Whats happened?» David kept his voice steady.
«Ask your daughter,» Grace muttered. «Go on, love, tell your dad what youve decided!»
Maya scowled, turning toward the window, clearly reluctant to share.
«Right then,» David slapped the table hard. «Either you both explain calmly, without hysterics, or sort it out yourselves while I unwind after work!»
«Were getting married,» Grace announced with biting sarcasm. «Today, apparently!»
«Come again?» David blinked. «Just like that? To whom, if I may ask?»
When Maya stayed stubbornly silent, Grace stepped in again:
«Oliver Whitmore. Remember him? Been round a lot lately.»
«Ah. So Maya?»
Still silence.
«Right. Enough games. Am I supposed to dance around 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 at uni with you?»
«Yes. Same course.»
«First year,» David exhaled, half resigned. «Kids»
«Were not kids! Were eighteenadults!»
«Fine. If youre adults, well talk like adults.»
«I dont want to talk! Youll just say, We told you so, slow down, get yourselves settledall that rubbish! Youre so wise and proper, but you cant see how real this is!»
«Im not here to ruin anything,» David said wearily. «I just want to understand. You love Oliveryes?» Maya nodded defiantly. «Good. And you want to marry? Both of you, or just you?»
«Dont insult Oliver. He wants this too.»
«Brilliant. So youre set. Where will you live? How will you afford it? Thought about that?»
«None of that matters if we love each other!»
«Maya, how old are you?» Davids voice dropped. «Youre acting like a child. Love wont pay the rent. You cant rush this. Nobodys against Oliverinvite him over, lets talk properly. Am I right?» He glanced at Grace.
«Spot on. But theres a catch theyre in a hurry.»
«What, is Oliver being drafted?»
«Not him. Mayawhy am I the one saying it?»
«Im not hiding it,» Maya snapped. «Were having a baby.»
«I see,» David murmured. «And your plan?»
«Get married. Have the baby. And dont you dare try to talk me out of it!»
«Easy. Nobodys forcing anything. But does Olivers family know?»
«Hes talking to them tonight»
«Has he called yet?»
«N-no.»
«Right. When he does, tell me. Now let me eat before your drama starves me.»
In the kitchen, Grace reheated dinner.
«What do we do?» she whispered.
«Dont know yet. Lets hear what his parents say first.»
After dinner, grim news arrived: Olivers parents were firmly against it, ending in a row. Bad business.
Soon, Maya returned, phone in hand. «Olivers mum. Wants to speak to you.»
Grace crossed her arms. «You handle it, love.»
David took the phone, putting it on speaker.
«Hello, this is David Mercer, Mayas father.»
«Laura. Olivers mother. Our son just announced theyre datingand given her *condition*, rather seriously. Youre aware?»
«Weve spoken to Maya.»
«Good. Then youll understand were firmly against this *plan*.» Her voice dripped scorn. «Our son needs to focus on his degree, his career. Marriage nowlet alone a childisnt happening.»
«Nor was it in our plans. But your sons involved. What do you propose?»
«Your problem, Mr. Mercer. First, I doubt its even Olivers. Second, this marry me, Im pregnant act wont work. Shes after securitywere well-off, own our homebut we wont let her trap him. Oliver agrees. Tell her to leave him alone. Goodbye.»
The line went dead. David turned to his family.
«Heard that? Well, well manage. The babys innocent. The boys a coward, but well cope.»
He pulled Grace aside. «Stay with Maya tonight. Keep her calm. Ill take her room.»
An hour later, the doorbell rang.
«Who on earth?» David grumbled, answering.
Moments later, he returned with a young man.
«Oliver!» Maya flung herself at him. «You came for me?»
«Yes. Mr. Mercer, GraceIm here to take Maya.»
«Where to, exactly?»
«Not sure yet. Well rent somewhere. Were adultsplease dont stop us.» He turned to Maya. «Coming?»
«Of course!»
«Hold on,» David raised a hand. «Your mother said your whole familys against thisincluding you.»
«Not quite. She decided. Dad just agrees. I pretended to agree too, then grabbed my wallet and passport. Here I am.»
«Impressive,» David admitted. «But how will you afford rent?»
«Ive saved up. I run a blog with subscribersenough for a few months. Ill earn more.»
«Well then,» David turned to Grace. «Shall we let her go? Hes sharper than we thought.»
Grace hesitated. «Its late»
«Right, no leaving tonight. Oliver stays herein the lounge. Youll text your parents, say youre at a friends. Then well handle this properlyno rows. And no dropping out, especially you, Oliver. Maya can defer, catch up later. Well help where we can, but youll stand on your own feet. No flashy wedding yetsave the money. Agreed?»
«Yes,» Oliver said firmly.
«But I wanted a proper wedding!» Maya pouted.
«Not now,» Oliver cut in. «Well register quietly, celebrate later.»
«Fine»
«Good. Plans set. Early starts tomorrow.»
Later, Grace cornered him in the kitchen.
«Howd you change your mind so fast?»
«After that womans call, I was fuming. Then *he* shows upnot some mummys boy, but a man who stands by his girl. Thats who Id trust with our daughter.»
«Youre always right, love.» She kissed him and went to sort the sleeping arrangements.
