Emily was slumped at the kitchen table, eyes glued to Maggie Turner as she sliced apples for an apple crumble, babbling away about something she was clearly proud of. Emily barely heard a thing. Itd been a month since Maggie moved in, and the constant chatter was starting to wear on her. She and James had been happily married five years, but lately shed begun to wonder if shed made a mistake marrying his mothers son.
Mum, youre not listening to me! Maggie snapped, pausing her story and pursing her lips. I think James needs a new job. That design firm of his is a joke. Ive spoken to a mate; shes willing to take him on at her construction company. Better pay, clearer career path he could be promoted within a year. And you could stay home, no need to work.
Emily drew a deep breath, trying to keep her irritation in check. Maggie, James decides where he works. Hes an adult.
Of course hes an adult, but youre his wife! You should steer him, give him advice. This design stuff, those sketches thats not a proper mans work! Maggie scolded.
Hes an architectdesigner and hes brilliant, and the firm is great. He actually enjoys the job, Emily said, teetering on the edge of a breakdown. He likes what he does.
Likes? And the money? They pay peanuts! What about kids? Youll have to raise them someday, what will you teach them?
Were not planning kids yet, Emily replied softly, even though the topic had come up a dozen times. Weve got enough saved.
No kids yet? I knew it! Dear, what am I to do with you? Five years of marriage and still no children! I was already raising James at your age! Maggie exclaimed, setting the knife down and turning to Emily.
Emily fell silent. She wanted children badly but not now. Shed just defended her PhD and landed a senior lecturer post at the university. She and James had talked it over, and he was fully behind her. She only needed three more years to cement her academic career, then she could think about kids.
Maggie, apparently taking silence as agreement, kept going. My friends daughter, Lily, already has three kids and her husbands a builder he put a solid roof over their family.
Mrs Turner, James and I will decide how we live. I respect you, but Emily tried to stay calm.
What do you mean well decide? Im his mother! I know whats best for him and for you! Youre still young, green. A mum never steers you wrong, Maggie said, shaking her head.
Emily shook her head and left the kitchen. Arguing was pointless. She headed upstairs to the modest but cosy terraced house theyd bought two years ago with a mortgage, flopped onto the bed and closed her eyes. She was exhausted teaching, prepping lectures, grading papers, and Maggies endless nitpicking were draining her.
That evening James came home, looking tired but smiling. Guess what? Theyve promoted me to lead designer on a new project! he announced, planting a kiss on Emilys cheek.
Congratulations, love! she beamed.
Mum, whats the project? How much are they paying? Maggie immediately interjected.
Its a highend residential development, Mum. The pays definitely going up, James replied, still buzzing.
And how much, Mum? she pressed.
Mom, it doesnt matter. Were fine, James muttered, a little annoyed.
Fine? What about the mortgage? The car? That clunker of yours is on its last legs! Maggie launched into another lecture, comparing herself to another neighbours son.
Not my son, Mum, James cut in. And can we just have dinner?
During dinner Maggie kept her moralising going, while James mostly kept quiet and Emily felt a growing knot of irritation. After they cleared the plates and were alone in the bedroom, Emily finally snapped. James, I cant take this any longer. Your mum is meddling in everything your work, our plans, our life! When is she leaving?
Emily, she just wants the best for us. You know shes always like this, James said, sighing.
I know, but theres a difference between a weekend visit and living with us fulltime!
Its only temporary, he tried to reassure her. Shes got a renovation going on at her flat.
How long does a onebed flat take to renovate? Its been a month already!
Your mum likes everything perfect. Just bear with it a bit longer, okay?
Emily nodded. She couldnt just kick her motherinlaw out, but her patience was wearing thin.
Next morning, as Emily was getting ready for work, Maggie appeared in the bedroom doorway. Emily, I need to have a word, she said, perching on the edge of the bed.
Im in a rush, maybe tonight? Emily tried to dodge.
No, its important. Ive been thinking you should quit your job.
What? Why? Emily froze, hairbrush in hand.
Because you need to have kids! You cant keep putting it off. I talked to James yesterday, he also wants a child.
James? Emilys heart thudded. Did he actually say that?
Not word for word, but I can read him like a book. He wants a baby!
Emily set the brush down and faced her motherinlaw. Maggie, I appreciate your concern, truly. But James and I have already decided well start trying in three years. Right now isnt the right time.
Three years? When will you be forty? I was raising James at your age, Maggie retorted.
I know you raised him, but times have changed.
Exactly! In my day the family came first, now everyones chasing careers. Wheres the family? Wheres the kids? Maggie exclaimed.
Glancing at the clock, Emily said, Ive got to go, well finish this tonight with James.
The day whizzed by lectures, student consultations, a department meeting. Emily was busy and barely thought about the mornings showdown. Yet on the way home a worry nagged her: what if Maggie was right? What if James really wanted a child now and was hiding it?
When they stepped through the front door, Maggie had set a festive spread on the dining table. Is there a celebration? James asked, slipping off his shoes.
Of course! Were having a family council tonight! Maggie chirped.
Emily braced herself. Shed guessed the topic and didnt want a dinnertable debate.
Maggie poured wine and announced, I have news! I spoke to Sarah Collins, and shes willing to take you, James, on as head of her design department.
James choked on his glass. Mum, what?
Your new job! Sarah runs a big construction firm and wants you to lead the design team. The salarys double what you earn now! Maggie raved, thrusting a folder of details at him.
James pushed the papers away. Im happy where I am.
But James, think of the future! Think of the kids! Maggie shouted, raising her voice.
We dont have kids yet, James reminded her.
And thats the point! Theyll be here soon, Emilys about to quit her job, Maggie said, looking at Emily. Is that true?
What? No! I never said I was quitting! Emily snapped.
Maggie, we talked this morning. You said youd think about it later, James protested.
I said wed revisit it tonight, Emily corrected. Im not quitting, and were still on the threeyear plan for children.
James nodded, though his face was tight. Emily could see he was upset. Was his mum really pushing him to quit? Did he secretly want a baby?
Three years? Youre already thirty! In three years youll be thirtythree thats risky! Maggie exclaimed.
Many people have kids after thirty, Mum, James tried to calm her.
Exactly! I had you at twentytwo, and it was perfect. I just want the best for you both, Maggie said, eyes glistening.
James softened, We understand, Mum, but this is our life, our decision.
Maggie huffed, Your life should be about family, not a career.
Emily took a deep breath. Maggie, I want both a career and, someday, a family. Just not right now.
Dinner ended on a sour note. Maggie retreated to her bedroom, James sat glum, and Emily turned to him. Do you really want a baby now?
No, love. We agreed on three years. I just hate seeing you so stressed because of her, James admitted.
Maybe we should have a proper chat with her, Emily suggested.
Ill do that tomorrow. Tonight she wont listen, James said.
The next day Maggie acted as if nothing had happened, making breakfast and asking about their plans. That evening, Emily walked in to find her at the computer, typing furiously.
Evening, Maggie, Emily said. What are you up to?
Oh! Emily! I was just writing to a friend, Maggie stammered, closing the browser. Emily caught the page title: How to convince your child to have a baby.
Can we talk? Emily asked.
About what, dear? Maggie feigned surprise.
About you trying to control our lives, Emily replied firmly. Youre Jamess mum, not mine. Were adults and make our own choices.
Maggie shook her head. Im not controlling, Im helping. A mother always knows best.
Yes, youre Jamess mother, but not ours. We need space to decide for ourselves.
Maggie sighed, Maybe Im just used to being the one who knows whats right.
Emily nodded, Maybe, but the decision has to be ours.
Just then James walked in, looking rattled. My director called. Someone was asking about my salary and prospects, he said.
What? Who? Emily asked.
Maggie, suddenly interested in the tablecloth pattern, said, I was just making sure youre all right, love.
Did you call my boss? James asked, stunned. Why?
I wanted to check youre happy at work, Maggie replied, flustered.
James clapped a hand on the table, Thats crossing a line, Mum.
Maggie looked offended. Im your mother! There are no boundaries!
There should be, James said calmly, his fists tightening. We have a right to a private life.
Private life? From your mother? Maggie gasped. Ive raised you my whole life!
Yes, Mum, exactly that, James said firmly. Respect our choices. Well have children in three years, and Im staying at my current job because I love it.
Maggies eyes welled up. I just dont want you to make mistakes.
Even if we do, theyre ours, James said gently. We have to live with them.
A comfortable silence settled. Emily offered, How about a cuppa?
Tea sounds perfect, James agreed. Maggie, still a bit upset, gave a small nod. It seemed she was finally beginning to understand.
The following morning Maggie announced shed moved back into her flat. Emily felt a mix of relief and a touch of sadness she missed Maggies presence but welcomed the peace.
Remember youre always welcome to visit, just not to meddle in our stuff, Emily said as she waved goodbye.
Maggie replied, Got it, love. I only ever wanted the best.
Emily smiled, We know, and we appreciate it. Just sometimes we need to make the choices ourselves.
When Maggie finally left, the house felt quiet and calm. Emily and James enjoyed the freedom to plan their future without constant interference. True to their word, three years later they welcomed a baby girl. When Maggie held the newborn for the first time, her eyes shone. Shes beautiful, she whispered. You both made the right choice.
Emily and James exchanged a look, grateful that their motherinlaw had finally grasped what respecting a familys decisions really meant. Their life wasnt perfect, but it was theirs and that was more than enough.
