“Hang on, Love,”
“Mum, there’s something I need to tell you,” Katie said, walking over to her mother, who was ironing, and wrapping her arms around her.
“What’s with this silly habit of beating around the bush?” Mum replied without looking up.
“Alright. Maybe sit down first?” Katie suggested.
Olga set the iron aside and studied her daughter closely. They’d always had an open relationship, but lately, Katie had grown distant, keeping things to herself, and their heart-to-hearts were fewer. With an adult daughter, adult problems were to be expected.
“So. What’s this news you’re dying to share?” Olga asked, already bracing for the worst. She perched on the edge of the sofa.
“Don’t panic, it’s nothing bad. Quite the opposite.” Katie took a deep breath. “I’m getting married,” she blurted out.
Olga took a moment to process the words.
“Don’t know what to say. Did you and Andrew already file the papers? Isn’t it too soon? You’re only twenty.” Olga shook her head.
“What’s Andrew got to do with it? He’s in love with himself. We broke up ages ago. I’m marrying Daniel.”
“Oh? I didn’t even know you and Andrew split. How long have you been seeing Daniel?”
“Nearly three months. He graduated from uni this year. Got a job. He’s wonderful—you’ll like him.” Katie watched her mother’s face anxiously as Olga fell silent, lost in thought. “I know what you’ll say. It’s too soon, we barely know each other… But you’ve always said a lifetime isn’t enough to truly know someone. We’ll learn as we go.”
“The key word being *as we go*?” Olga shot back.
“Here we go,” Katie sighed.
“What’s with the sighing? He’s finished uni, but you? You’ve two years left. And what if there’s a baby?”
“We won’t rush into that. I love him, Mum,” Katie added softly.
“‘Love,’ she says. Fine. When do I meet him?” Olga relented slightly.
“He’s actually on his way,” Katie said, glancing at the clock.
“You’re only telling me *now*?” Olga exclaimed. “I don’t even have a proper meal ready! What am I supposed to serve a guest?”
“Mum, relax. He’s bringing cake and flowers, like he should. We’ve got tea, haven’t we? We’ll talk over tea. You can grill him then.”
“So, what, you’ve already filed the papers? And I’m just finding out?”
“No! He proposed, and I said yes. Or accepted. However you say it. The wedding’s not tomorrow.”
Just then, the doorbell rang.
“That’s him!” Katie exclaimed, darting to answer it.
Before Olga could stow the ironing, Katie reappeared, a tall young man hovering behind her. *Not bad-looking, nice smile. Let’s see what kind of fiancé he is*, Olga thought, forcing a smile.
“Mum, this is Daniel.” Katie looped her arm through his and leaned against his shoulder. “And this is my mum, Mrs. Thompson.”
The lad produced a bouquet from behind his back and handed it to Olga.
“These are for you.”
“Thank you,” Olga said. “Come in, don’t just stand there.” Meanwhile, Katie was already bustling about the kitchen.
*Funny—I can never get her to lift a finger, but with Daniel here, she’s suddenly the perfect hostess. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.*
“You’ve proposed to my daughter, yes?” The lad nodded. “And when do you plan to register the marriage? Where will you live? Have you got a flat?” Olga fired off questions.
“The wedding? We haven’t set a date yet. I’ve just started working—need time to save up. Don’t want my parents footing the bill. Maybe in a few months… Don’t want to jinx it.” Daniel grinned, sheepish but sincere.
Olga’s brows shot up.
“Well, that’s sensible. I’m surprised. Most young folks these days expect everything handed to them. But Katie’s still got two years of uni left. What if there’s a baby?”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Thompson. We won’t rush. I get it.”
“Daniel, did Mum interrogate you? Still alive? Let’s have tea,” Katie called.
She was glowing. Olga hadn’t seen her so happy in ages, and it stung a little. The unenviable fate of parents—watching their grown children fly the nest before they’ve fully learned to soar.
“Mum, you alright?” Katie whispered as they headed to the kitchen. “You seem upset.”
“A bit,” Olga admitted. “I’m not ready to let you go yet.”
They sat down. Katie poured the tea. *Trying so hard to impress. My girl, when did you grow up so fast?*
The lad had a hearty appetite.
“Katie told me too late you were coming. I’d have cooked something proper,” Olga said apologetically. “Tea won’t fill you up. Another cup?”
“No, thanks.” Daniel patted his stomach.
“Want help clearing up?” Katie asked. “We’ll head off then, yeah?”
“Just don’t be back too late,” Olga called as the front door shut behind them.
The young couple left, and Olga cleared the table, lost in thought. The lad seemed decent enough. But they were rushing. Olga remembered marrying during her third year at uni, how her own mother had fretted. She hadn’t listened. Four years later, they divorced. *God forbid they end up like that. Where does love go? It was real once…*
Katie returned late. Olga waited up.
“Just because you’re getting married doesn’t mean you can stay out all hours,” she scolded.
“I was with Daniel. Nothing’s going to happen.”
“How can I sleep when you’re not home? I worry.”
“Nothing’ll happen with Daniel around. What d’you think of him?”
“He’s alright.”
Katie frowned.
“*Alright* alright, or just alright?”
“Seems fine at first glance. We’ll see,” Olga said curtly. “Love, think it over. You barely know him…”
“Let’s talk tomorrow,” Katie snapped, but for once, she didn’t storm off.
“What now? You’ve got something else to say?” *Today’s full of surprises.*
Katie hesitated.
“Daniel wants us to move in together,” she finally blurted.
“Can’t he wait till after the wedding? Has he even got a place?” Olga’s brow arched again.
“No. He’ll rent one. His parents’ll chip in. Everyone does it, Mum.”
“Oh, love, I’ve a feeling you’ll be waiting a long time for that wedding—if it happens at all.”
“Always the pessimist,” Katie snapped.
“My opinion doesn’t matter? Daniel wants… But what do *you* want?”
“I want to be with him. I love him,” Katie repeated stubbornly. “We’ll talk tomorrow.” She stood abruptly and left.
Olga lay awake for hours. Even shed a tear. Why the rush? Afraid she’ll miss her chance? Silly girl.
The next day, while Olga was at work, Katie packed a few things and moved in with Daniel. Called later to let her mother know.
Olga couldn’t accept it. Raised her, poured her soul into her, and now this Daniel shows up and she sneaks off when her mother’s not home? Already found a flat, too. Smooth operator.
Maybe she was old-fashioned. Everything happened too fast. Her heart ached for her daughter, but what could she do? Drag her back? Just don’t let her regret this.
Time passed. Olga adjusted to living alone. Katie visited, quieter, more grown-up. Now she had shopping, cooking, cleaning… and still had uni to finish.
Then Katie got pregnant. Olga saw it coming—her heart warned her, her dreams were restless.
“Surely now you’ll marry,” Olga said, noting how her daughter looked away. “Wedding’s off again? Daniel didn’t save up?”
“Mum, what wedding? I’m green with morning sickness. I want to look happy in photos, not ill.”
“Aren’t you happy?” Olga asked carefully. “Think you’ll look better in wedding photos with a bump? After the baby comes, you won’t have time. You won’t want milk-stained photos. Why not just sign the papers?”
“No, that’s not what I want either,” Katie protested.
So she had the baby unwed. The birth was quick. Daniel arrived at the hospital with a photographer. Exhausted, Katie forced a smile as Daniel posed with their daughter.
Then came the sleepless nights. Katie was worn out. Uni was postponed. She complained to her mum about Daniel—how heOlga held her granddaughter close, whispering a silent hope that her daughter’s heart wouldn’t be as heavy as her own had been, watching the cycle repeat.