«Take off your wedding ring, love, I need it more,» my motherinlaw demanded at the family dinner.
«We can’t keep putting this off, Emma! Either you go to the doctor or I’ll book it for you myself,» James drummed his fingers on the table, his face a mix of nerves and irritation as he stared at his wife.
«Don’t start again,» Emma sighed, running a hand through her hair. «It’s only been three months. The doctor said we should wait six before getting worried.»
«Three months?» James scoffed. «We’ve been married two years. Two! And still nothing. My mum asks me every day when she’ll be getting grandkids.»
Emma turned away, pretending to rummage in the pantry. Talk about kids always turned into a fight. She wanted a baby too, but nothing was happening, and the constant pressure from Jamess mum was only making it worse.
«Speaking of your mum,» Emma changed the subject, «dont forget theyre coming over for dinner tomorrow. We need to shop.»
«I’ve already bought everything,» James grumbled, cooling down a bit. «Mum wants roast duck with apples, like we do at Christmas. She says Dad misses your cooking.»
Emma gave a weak smile. At least James appreciated her culinary skills unlike his mother, who could find a flaw in anything Emma did.
«Is Sophie coming too?» Emma asked, meaning Jamess younger sister.
«Of course. And not alone,» James perked up. «Mum says shes got a new boyfriend. A proper one a doctor.»
Emma felt a pinch of envy. Sophie, twentytwo, already had her third serious boyfriend this year. Their mum kept holding Sophie up as the perfect daughter beautiful, clever, careerdriven while Emma, at thirty, still had no children and no major breakthroughs at work.
«Sorry, love,» James said, wrapping his arms around her from behind. «I didnt mean to pressure you. Im just worried.»
«I know,» she placed her hand over his. «Itll be fine. Ill make your favourite duck tomorrow and everyone will be happy.»
He kissed her cheek and drifted off to watch the footie, leaving Emma in the kitchen to list everything she needed to do for the next day: wash the festive china, iron the tablecloth, polish the silver Mum would spot any slipup. And she still had to pick an outfit elegant but not over the top. No matter how hard Emma tried, Margaret always found something to nitpick.
The next morning Emma woke before James. He was still asleep, so she slipped out of bed quietly, knowing a long day lay ahead. By three oclock the flat was spotless, the duck was roasting, filling the house with a mouthwatering scent, and the table was set as if they were expecting important guests.
Emma scrutinised herself in the mirror. A darkblue sheath dress with a high collar elongated her figure, her makeup was fresh, and on her finger sparkled a modest platinum band with a tiny diamond a wedding gift from her parents.
«You look stunning,» James said, wrapping his arms around her from behind. «As always.»
«Thanks,» Emma smiled, trying to calm her nerves. «Hope Mum likes the dinner.»
«She will,» he winked. «Nobody can resist your duck.»
The doorbell rang at five sharp Margaret was never late.
«Hello, dears!» she exclaimed, stepping in and planting a kiss on Jamess cheek. She gave Emma only a dry handshake. «I’ve missed you!»
Behind her came Robert, Jamess dad tall, silverhaired and evercheerful. He hugged Emma and whispered, «Smells amazing, love. My mouths watering.»
Emma returned his smile; they always got along.
«Wheres Sophie?» James asked as he helped his parents settle.
«She’ll be here a bit later,» Margaret replied, eyeing the hallway. «With Andrew. They’re stuck at the clinic.»
«Andrew?» Emma prompted.
«Her fiancé,» Margaret announced proudly. «A neurosurgeon. Very promising!»
James looked puzzled. «Mum, you never mentioned they were engaged»
«Not officially yet,» Margaret waved it off. «But it’s only a matter of time. Hes hinted at proposing.»
Emma caught Roberts eye; he rolled his eyes, signalling that Mum was stretching the truth again.
«Come into the lounge,» Emma suggested. «Ill set the table. James, could you give me a hand?»
In the kitchen Emma started plating the starters while James uncorked a bottle of red.
«Ignore Mum,» James whispered. «She always blows things out of proportion, especially about Sophie.»
«I know,» Emma forced a smile. «Just help with the salads.»
Half an hour later Sophie burst in, a bubbly blonde with a sleek bob and flawless manicure, followed by a darkhaired man in his midthirties, dressed sharply.
«Hey everyone!» Sophie chirped, hugging her brother. «This is Andrew. Andrew, meet James and Emma the couple of the hour.»
«Pleasure,» Andrew shook Jamess hand and nodded at Emma. «Thanks for having us.»
«It’s a family tradition,» Emma said. «Monthly dinner.»
«A wonderful tradition,» Andrew agreed. «Family is what matters most.»
Margaret beamed at her daughter and her new man.
«See, James, Sophie’s got herself a proper match. Andrew runs the neurosurgery department, by the way.»
«Sophie, calm down,» she said to her, rolling her eyes. «We’re just dating, no need to make a scene.»
«All good, Mum,» James muttered, trying to keep the peace.
The conversation drifted to news, politics, and recent family happenings. The duck was a hit; even Margaret praised it. Emma finally relaxed a bit, thinking the evening was back on track.
When it came time for dessert homemade tiramisu Sophie suddenly clutched her finger.
«What’s wrong?» Andrew asked, concerned.
«My ring is rubbing,» she complained, pulling off a thin gold band with a tiny stone. «I think my fingers swollen from the heat.»
Margaret snatched the ring, turning it over. «Cheap costume jewellery! Sophie, you deserve something better.»
«Mum, it’s a gift,» Sophie tried to take it back.
«From who?» Margaret demanded.
«A colleague,» Sophie replied reluctantly. «For my birthday.»
«From Kyle?» Margaret squinted. «I knew it! Still seeing that scoundrel?»
«Mum!» Sophie hissed. «He’s a good friend, not a scoundrel.»
Margaret sighed and turned to Andrew. «Dont mind her, love. Shes had a dodgy fling, but shes realised hes not the one.»
Andrew looked uneasy; he hadnt heard about this good friend. Margaret seized the moment.
«Emma, its right you dont wear cheap jewellery,» she said, gesturing at the bridetobes hand. «A respectable ring is what a married woman should have.»
Emma instinctively crossed her arms over her right hand, protecting the band.
«James picked it out,» Margaret went on, nostalgic. «He used to browse catalogues with us»
«Its actually a gift from my parents,» Emma interjected quietly. «A family heirloom.»
An awkward silence settled. Margarets lips pressed into a thin line.
«So youre saying James didnt buy it?» she finally asked.
«Exactly, Mum,» James jumped in. «Its from Emmas parents. They really wanted her to have that ring.»
«How sweet of them,» Margaret said, though it was clear she wasnt pleased. «In our family we also have traditions. I wore my motherinlaws ring and hoped to pass it down someday.»
«Nicolas?» Robert muttered, but his wife ignored him.
«And Sophie could use a nice ring now,» Margaret continued, shifting her gaze between Emma and Sophie. «Especially with such a serious boyfriend.»
Emma froze, realizing where this was heading. It was too much.
«Do you want me to give my wedding ring to Sophie?» she asked directly.
«Why not just lend it?» Margaret replied, feigning innocence. «She might get engaged soon; she should look proper. You dont need to wear it every day anyway.»
The table fell silent. Emma felt heat rise to her cheeks, as did Sophie and Andrew, while Margaret kept her composure.
«I’m sorry, Mum, but I wont,» Emma said, standing slowly. «Im not handing over a family heirloom.»
«Take it off, love,» Margaret snapped. «My daughter needs it more. Look at her fiancé! Hes a surgeon, not some cheappriced bloke.»
Emma, Sophie, and Andrew all flushed. Margaret remained unmoved, as if the boundary shed crossed didnt matter.
«I’m going to check the dessert,» Emma announced, voice trembling, and slipped out to the kitchen.
She leaned against the fridge, trying to steady her shaking hands. Six years with James had taught her to expect his mothers dramas, but tonight was a new level demanding a ring that was a gift from her own parents, to a sisterinlaw who might never even settle down with the man she was with.
The kitchen door opened and Jamess dad, Robert, entered.
«Give her a break, Emma,» he murmured quietly. «Margaret can be a bit particular, especially about Sophie.»
«Its more than that, Robert,» Emma said, shaking her head. «Its disrespectful to me, to my family, to our marriage.»
«I know,» Robert sighed, hands raised in apology. «Ill have a word with her. Try not to take it to heart, alright?»
Emma gave a small nod, though she knew nothing would truly change. She plated the tiramisu into glasses.
James appeared in the doorway.
«Emma, you okay?» he asked, not meeting her eyes.
«How do you think?» she replied softly. «Your mum just demanded you hand over my wedding ring to your sister, and you stayed silent.»
«I get it,» he rubbed the back of his neck. «Shes shes your muminlaw. Its easier to let it slide than start a fight.»
«Slide?» Emma laughed bitterly. «She publicly humiliated me, wanted my heirloom, and you just watched.»
She stood, looking out the window at the grey London sky.
«Ive been trying to fit into your family for six years, but your mum will never let me in. Not ever.»
Jamess eyes flickered with fear.
«Emma, what are you saying?»
She stared at the tiny diamond catching the streetlights glow.
«I think we need to think seriously about our future together.»
James went pale.
«Emma, you»
«I dont know,» she said honestly. «But today I realised youll never stand up to your mother, and I cant live like that.»
She slipped the ring off and placed it on the nightstand.
«Im going to my parents for a few days. I need to think.»
«Please, Emma,» James grabbed her hand, pleading. «Lets talk. I promise Ill change. Ill talk to my mum, explain»
«Youve promised that a dozen times,» she whispered, a sad smile on her lips. «Nothing ever changes.»
She stood, gathered her bag, and left the room.
James sat by the window, the ring glinting on the nightstand, a silent reminder of promises broken. He picked it up, feeling the weight of his indecision. Maybe it wasnt too late to fix things, but hed have to finally learn to say no even to his own mother.
