“We didnt invite her,” whispered Emily under her breath as she saw her mother-in-law at the door.
“Mum, when is Grandma Rose coming?” asked little Lily, smearing the last of her porridge around her plate.
“I dont know, sweetheart. Maybe she wont come at all,” replied Emily, clearing the breakfast dishes.
James looked up from his newspaper and shot his wife an irritated glance.
“What do you mean, she wont come? Mums always been here for Lilys birthday. Its practically tradition.”
“Well, she can keep that tradition in your dreams, then,” Emily muttered, slamming the cups into the sink.
Seven-year-old Lily frowned, glancing between her parents. She hated it when they spoke to each other like thatespecially when it was about Grandma Rose.
“But I want Gran to come! She always brings me presents, and we go to the park, and she tells me stories about princesses!”
“Lily, go brush your teeth, or well be late for nursery,” Emily cut in.
The little girl pouted but obediently slid off her chair and trudged to the bathroom.
“Emily, what are you doing?” James said quietly, stepping closer. “Shes been looking forward to this.”
“And whose fault is that?” Emily turned to face him. “Your mother decided she wouldnt come anymore after our last argument.”
“What argument? You just told her what you thought about her parenting advice!”
“I told her the truth!” Emilys voice rose. “She spoils Lily rotten! Every time she visits, Lilys impossible for a weekdemanding this, demanding that. Gran buys me this, Gran lets me do that!”
James clenched his fists, then forced himself to relax.
“Mum just loves her. Shes been lonely since Dad passed. Lilys her only joy.”
“Oh, joy! And Im the one left dealing with the aftermath!”
From the bathroom came the sound of running water and Lilys off-key singing as she brushed her teeth.
“Look, lets not do this in front of her,” James pleaded. “Lily doesnt deserve this.”
Emily dried her hands on a tea towel and sank into a chair, her head dropping.
“James, Im not a monster. I feel for your mum, too. But shes always interfering, criticising me, nitpicking. Last time, she outright said I was a bad mother because I wouldnt let Lily have ice cream before bed!”
“She just doesnt want Lily to miss out”
“On what? My rules?” Emily snapped. “Shes my daughter, and I know whats best for her!”
Lily bounded out of the bathroom, her chin still damp, grinning.
“Mum, Dad, lets ring Gran! Tell her we miss her loads!”
James and Emily exchanged glances. In his wifes eyes, he saw exhaustion and something like defeat.
“Lily, hurry up, love,” Emily said softly. “Mrs. Thompson will scold us if were late.”
The day passed as usual. Emily dropped Lily at nursery, then headed to her accounting job at a small construction firm. The work wasnt thrilling, but the pay was steadyand right now, that was what mattered.
At lunch, her colleague Sarah asked, “Youve been quiet today. Trouble at home?”
“Just family stuff,” Emily sighed. “Mum-in-laws upset and wont visit. Lilys heartbroken.”
“What happened?”
Emily stirred her now-cold soup. “Sarah, maybe Im a horrible person. But shes always telling me how to raise my child! She comes over, and its, Emily, whys Lily wearing that jumper? Its too thin, Emily, isnt bedtime too early? Let her play longer, Emily, do you take her outside enough? Shes looking pale!”
“She just cares,” Sarah offered.
“Oh, I know this care. When James was little, she dragged him to doctors every week, wrapped him in cotton woolwouldnt even let him play outside in case he caught a chill. He turned out terrified of making decisions!”
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “And now shes doing the same with Lily?”
“Exactly! I wont have it. Better she doesnt come at all.”
But the words lacked conviction. Deep down, Emily pitied her mother-in-lawand Lily, and even James.
That evening, after Lily was asleep, the couple sat at the kitchen table with tea. James flipped through a magazine while Emily doodled in a crossword. Silence stretched between them.
“Look,” James finally said. “Should we call Mum? Lilys birthdays next week.”
Emily looked up. “You want to?”
“I dont know. You said if she didnt like how we parent, she shouldnt bother coming. She took it to heart.”
“James, I didnt throw her out! I just asked her to respect our choices. Shes the one who stormed off!”
“She was hurt”
“Hurt? Hurt is Lily crying because her gran wont visit!” Emilys voice cracked. “Youre thirty-two, James. Youve got your own family. When will you stop being a child and start being a husband and father?”
James paled. “Thats uncalled for.”
“Is it? Your mums run your life forever. She even picked your wifeexcept I didnt fit her idea of the perfect daughter-in-law!”
“Thats not true”
“Remember what she said at our wedding? Well, James, lets see how Emily handles family life. Like I was on probation!”
James stood, pacing. “Fine. Maybe Mum oversteps. But shes not the enemy. She just wants to help.”
“Help? Or control?” Emily shot back. “You know it. You just wont admit it.”
“Fine,” James sighed. “We wont call. If youre so against it”
“Im not against it!” Emily burst out. “I just need her to respect boundaries! To visit as a gran, not a dictator!”
“Then what do you suggest?”
Emily sank into her chair, head in hands. “I dont know. Honestly, I dont.”
The next day, Lily got into a fight at nursery. The teacher, Mrs. Thompson, pulled Emily aside.
“Emily, Lilys been acting outhitting, yelling. Whats going on at home?”
Emily flushed. “Nothing unusual.”
“Children sense tension. She keeps asking when Grans coming, crying, saying she misses her. Today, she shouted at another child, Youre mean, like Mummy!”
Emilys stomach twisted. Lily had heard far more than theyd realised.
“Ill talk to her,” she promised.
“Id suggest speaking to our child psychologist”
“No, thank you. Well manage.”
At home, Emily sat beside Lily, who was quietly stacking blocks.
“Lily, lets talk.”
“About what?”
“About what happened at nursery. Mrs. Thompson said you hit someone.”
“He said you made Gran leave!” Lily burst into tears. “I told him he was lying, but he laughed!”
Emily pulled her close. “Sweetheart, no one made Gran leave. Grown-ups sometimes disagree, but that doesnt mean we dont love her.”
“Then why isnt she coming?”
“Because” Emily faltered. How do you explain adult stubbornness to a child?
Lily looked up, her eyes wet. “Mum, can we visit Gran? Take the bus like last time?”
“Darling, its far, and she might not”
“Lets call her! Right now!”
Emily hesitated, then nodded.
Gran answered after several rings.
“Rose? Its Emily.”
Silence. Then, coolly: “Yes?”
“Lilys birthdays soon. She misses you.”
“Ill call with birthday wishes.”
“But she wants you here!”
“And you?” Gran asked bluntly.
Emily swallowed. “I I do too. Rose, lets talk properly. No shouting.”
A pause. “Put Lily on.”
“Gran!” Lily squealed. “When are you coming? I can read a whole book now!”
Emily watched her daughters face fall.
“But I want you at my party! All my friends ask where you are Why cant you come? Whats grown-up problems?”
Lily handed the phone back.
“Emily,” Gran said wearily. “She shouldnt suffer because of us.”
“I agree.”
“Then tell mewhats so wrong with how I love her?”
Emily leaned against the wall. “Rose, its not that. But it feels like you dont trust me as a mother. Always correcting me”
“I just want to help! I raised James”
“But Lilys mine!” Emilys voice broke. “I love her more than anything. Im trying my best!”
Silence. Then, softly: “So am I.”
Emily exhaled. “I know.”
“Maybe I could visit but step back a bit?”
Emilys chest loosened. “Ill try to be more patient.”
“Then Ill come. Just for two days.”
“Thank you.”
“Dont thank me. I should be thanking youfor not cutting me out of her life.”
Lily tugged Emilys sleeve. “Mum, is Gran coming?”
“Yes, love.”
“And you wont be cross?”
“Ill try.”
Lily hugged her tight. “Ill be extra good so you dont argue!”
That night, telling James about the call, Emily felt something shift.
“Maybe we were both wrong,” she admitted. “I overreacted. She overstepped.”
“Mums always struggled with boundaries,” James said.
“And Ive struggled with sharing control.”
“Think itll work?”
“I dont know. But we owe it to Lily to try.”
On Lilys birthday, Gran arrived with a huge cake and a small bouquet for Emily.
“We didnt invite her,” Emily murmuredthen smiled. “But were so glad youre here.”
Gran handed her the flowers. “Lets start fresh. Ill just be Gran.”
“And Ill be more patient.”
Lily barrelled into the room. “Gran! You came! I thought you stopped loving me!”
Gran hugged her tight. “Silly girl. How could I ever stop?”
Watching them, Emily realisedlove wasnt the problem. It was learning to express it without pride getting in the way.
The party was peaceful. Gran held back her advice; Emily bit back her retorts. Lilys joy was enough.
As Gran left, she said, “Thank you. For the second chance.”
“Thank you for loving her.”
“Our girl,” Gran correctedand smiled.
For the first time in years, Emily believed they might just become a family.
