Daughter-in-Law with a Past: A Modern Family Drama

The Daughter-in-Law with “Baggage”

“Margaret, is it true your son has married? I saw him with a woman and a little boy. Did he take her ‘with baggage,’ as they say?” asked Margarets neighbour.

“Not married yet,” Margaret replied, surprised. “But Id be glad if he did.”

It was unexpected news to her. Her son, Edward, still lived with her and had shown no sign of settling down.

“Edward, Ive heard youve been seen with a woman and a child. Are you seeing someone?” Margaret asked when she returned home.

“Oh, those busybodies, cant keep anything to themselves. I wasnt going to tell you. Shes got a child, so its nothing serious. Lucys a widowher husband died two years ago, and shes raising her son alone. We met through work, and things just happened. Dont worry, I wont bring her home.”

“And here I was getting my hopes up! Whats wrong with her having a child?”

“I wont raise another mans son. I want my own.”

“She can have yours too! Youre thirty-four, Edwardhow much longer will you play the bachelor?”

“Im still young, Mum. Are you wishing me ill?”

“What ill is there in starting a family? Its happiness, my boy.”

Edward owned a flat but preferred living with his mother, renting out his place to save for a new car. His mother cooked, did his laundryit was convenient. And the women he courted, upon learning he lived with his mother, lost interest in marriagejust as he liked. A bit of fun, then they parted ways.

He never mentioned his flat, meeting women on their turf or booking hotel rooms. This life suited him.

One evening, Margaret spotted Edward with that woman, strolling leisurely down the pavement. Petite, with long chestnut hairquite pretty. Who was she? Margaret wished she could meet her.

And then, by chance, she did. Bumping into her outside a shop, Margaret spoke first.

“Excuse me, are you Lucy? Ive seen you with my son, Edward. Im Margaret.”

“Hello. Yes, Im Lucy. I know Edward well. Pleased to meet you, Margaret.”

“Shall we sit for tea? Theres a nice café just there.”

Lucy agreed, though both felt slightly awkward. Once seated, Margaret asked after Lucys son.

“Hes fiveHarry. My husband died in an accident two years ago. His parents sold the flat we lived init was in his mothers nameand turned us out. Im an orphan, raised by my grandmother. When she passed, I sold her cottage, used the money for a deposit on a flat here. I work as a sales manager.”

Margaret listened closely, liking Lucy more by the minute. Green eyes, soft lashes, a gentle voicea kind woman.

“Edward never spoke of you. Id have liked to meet you sooner.”

“Perhaps he feared youd disapprove of a woman ‘with baggage.’ Or maybe hes not ready for family life. But were happy as we are.”

“Lucy, do visit with Edward and Harry. Id love that!”

“If Edward agrees, gladly!”

That evening, Margaret told Edward:

“Ive invited Lucy and Harry for Saturday. No excusesshes agreed. We met by chance.”

“Mum, must you meddle? Im not even sure I want to marry her!”

“Im not forcing you, but I like her. Shes lovely.”

Edward muttered and stormed offjust like his father.

Margarets husband had left three years prior for a colleague. She hadnt fought itlove couldnt be forced. Edward kept in touch with his father, but Margaret cared little for updates.

When Lucy and Harry visited, Margaret doted on them. Even Edward seemed happier than usual. Watching them, she thought, *If only theyd marry, give me a granddaughter*

From then on, Lucy and Harry visited often, even without Edward. Margaret adored their conversations, their outings. She hoped Edward would proposeLucy was perfect.

Then Lucy stopped answering calls.

“Edward, why wont Lucy answer? Do you know?”

“Weve split. Dont ask.”

“Why? Everything was fine!”

“Harrys ill. Needs expensive treatment. She probably expects help. Easier to walk away.”

Margaret stared, stunned.

“You abandoned the woman you love in her hardest moment? Over money?”

“Why should I pay for another mans child? Shell manage.”

“Youve savings for a car! A childs life matters more than metal!”

“Enough, Mum!”

As he left, Margaret sank into a chair, heart heavy. What had they raised?

She had savingsfor emergencies. Now was the time. She loved Lucy and Harry and *would* help.

When Lucy finally called, Margaret insisted.

“I know everything. Let me help Harry.”

“You owe us nothing.”

“Youre family to me. And Edwards a fool. Forgive him.”

The next day, Margaret gave Lucy the money, refusing repayment.

Then she told Edward:

“Move to your flat. I wont share a roof with you.”

“Over *her*? You choose strangers over me?”

“Im ashamed of you. What will become of me in old age?”

Edward left, slamming the door.

A charity helped fund Harrys treatment, and he recovered. Margaret visited often, bringing gifts. She spoke coldly to Edward; Lucy never mentioned him.

Then Margaret noticed Lucys loose dresses.

“Lucy are you expecting?”

“Five months. I hid itfeared Edward would accuse me of trapping him. I couldnt bear to end it. Its a girl. Ill manage.”

“Oh, Lucy! A granddaughtermy dream! Ill help! Thank you, dear!”

The birth went smoothly. They named the baby Emily. She looked just like Edwarddark hair, sharp nose.

*Oh, son such joy, and youve thrown it away.*

One day, Edward saw Margaret with a pram. Lucy had asked her to mind Emily while she was at the hospital.

“Mum, youre babysitting for extra cash?”

“I need nothing from you.”

Edward peeked into the pramand froze.

Lucy arrived then.

“Hello, Edward. Margaret, hows Emily?”

“Fed, slept, now were walking.”

Edward gaped.

“Your child? You remarried?”

“She has a mother. Thats enough.”

“And a grandmother,” Margaret added. “Edward, shes *yours*.”

“Mine? And you hid it?”

He stared at the pram, then left.

Days later, he offered Lucy money. She refused, too hurt.

Five years passed.

Margaret suffered a stroke. Lucy and the children moved in to care for her. Emily and Harry adored their grandmother, helping however they could.

Edward remained a bachelor, visiting occasionally. Emily knew he was her father but shied from him.

Margaret signed her house over to Lucy, to pass to Emily later.

“Lucy, meeting you was fates gift. Now I have two dear ‘burdens’Harry and Emily. Thank you.”

Shed never have guessed this gentle woman would become like a daughterwhile her own son turned stranger.

Lifes surprises, it seemed, knew no end.