Olivia, are those extra pounds of yours a problem? My motherinlaw never let the question drop. I dont think Im carrying any excess, especially since my future husband finds them quite agreeable. Not everyone can be a twigthin willow, Olivia retorted, eyeing my sister Eleanor and my mother with a teasing grin. Eleanors face flushed with indignation.
Mother! Did you buy that diet tea? And chia seeds? Why did you drown my porridge in butter? Itll only add weight! James, did you purchase that sourdough again? Its unhealthy! You must drink three glasses of water each morning, or the scale wont budge Wheres my water? James had heard those admonitions since childhood.
His mother and older sister were forever obsessed with their figures. Margaret, now thirtyeight, had never married and resembled a gaunt, hunched horse with perpetually hungry eyes. My mother, Eleanor, was as straight as a knitting needle.
It wore James down, so he gravitated toward cheerful people with hearty appetites, dreaming that his future wife would be nothing like his mother or sister. And he found her.
Her name was Olivia. Oliviaeven the name sounded soft, pleasant, and sweet, like a freshly baked scone. She wasnt overweight, but at a height of 5ft8in she weighed about 188pounds. Those pounds radiated health and good humour: high cheekbones, a slim waist, feminine curves, and dimples on her plump cheeks that begged to be pinched. James was instantly smitten the moment he laid eyes on her.
One evening he drove his sister to a bank for errands. She took a ticket and settled into the proper chair while he paced the hall, waiting. Suddenly a silvery, belllike laugh drifted to his ears. It was quiet but infectious, and James couldnt help but smile. He wanted to see the source of that laughter, so he followed the sound.
A young teller, an operative, was attending an elderly client. The man cracked a joke, and the teller giggled again. James couldnt take his eyes off herher hair fell in soft waves, her lips were curved like a tiny bow, and she carried herself with an easy confidence that was obvious to any untrained eye.
He was riding in the car with his sister, listening to her monotonous chatter, yet his mind wasnt there; it lingered in the bank with that laughing girl.
James, are you listening? his sister asked irritably.
Of course, Eleanor, Im listening, he muttered, straining to guess what she meant.
So, I told him I dont eat fried meat, only boiled chicken breast, she complained about her latest suitor. James nodded sympathetically, clicking his tongue as if to say, What a cad
The next day, near evening, James hurried back to the bank. The object of his daydreams was there, and he sighed with relief. After closing, he retrieved a bouquet of roses from the car and approached the girl.
Miss, do you need a husband, or perhaps a son for your mother? he blurted, then handed her the roses.
His face must have looked bewildered and ridiculous, because she burst into a peal of laughter and accepted the flowers.
Lord, what beauty! How they smell! she breathed, burying her face in the blossoms, inhaling their fragrance while James admired her.
From that moment they were inseparable. Sometimes you meet someone and know instantly that theyre the one, and theres nothing left to search for. Thats how it went for James and Olivia. He proposed after a month of courting, and she gladly accepted. All that remained was to meet the parents.
Olivias family welcomed him with a table laden with pies, laughter, and chatter. Her mother, Helen, a strikingly beautiful woman, planted kisses on both his cheeks, leaving him utterly flustered. Olivias father, Robert, clapped James on the shoulder like an old friend and ushered him into the kitchen.
Stay away from the women, or theyll drive you mad, Robert warned, chuckling. But dont worry, Helen, Olivias a gentle soul. Ive loved her for thirty years. And Oliviashes a diamond. Look after her, lad. He studied James carefully.
They lingered at the table, eating heartily, laughing loudly, swapping amusing anecdotes. Later, Robert fetched his guitar, and everyone sang along. James felt at home, as if hed known them all his life.
Three days later they visited Jamess parents. On the way they stopped at a patisserie, and Olivia bought handcrafted eclairs for the women. By five oclock they arrived at the house.
The front door swung open, and Jamess mother, Margaret, greeted them.
Oh hello, my dears, she said, eyes wide as she stared at Olivia, her mouth agape, hands clutching the doorframe.
Mother, I love you too. Shall we not linger on the doorstep and head inside? James whispered, and they finally stepped in.
Of course, dear, Margaret replied, ushering them forward. And you must be Olivia, yes?
Olivia smiled, extending her hand. Thats right, Im Olivia. Pleased to meet you. She slipped her hand into Margarets, and the mother of James stayed rooted, bewildered.
Dad, Eleanor, Motherthis is Olivia, my fiancée. Weve filed the notice and the wedding is on the horizon. Olivia, meet my family: Sister Eleanor, Mother Margaret, and Father Thomas. James introduced her.
The announcement of the wedding seemed to catch Jamess family off guard; a hush fell over the room, broken only by the soft clink of cutlery.
Wonderful, Olivia! Were thrilled to have you in the family. Do you have a bottle of wine? Ah, perfect! And some biscuits for the ladies, Thomas said, trying to lighten the mood.
No thank you, we dont indulge in sweets at night. You Olivia Margaret pushed a box of treats away with a halfgrin.
You dont eat, we do! Lets see whats inside, Thomas boomed, chuckling. Im sure Olivia wont bring any trouble, will she?
Soon everyone settled, the table brimming with chocolate, light snacks, and a chilled bottle of English sparkling wine. They popped the cork, clinked glasses, and an awkward silence returned.
Mother, Ive just met Olivias parents. Theyre wonderful people, youll like them, James said, trying to fill the void. Olivia stared at her glass, while Eleanor kept her gaze fixed on Olivia. Their father launched into a joke; everyone laughed, and the tension eased.
Olivia, dont worry. Ive got a brilliant specialist who can help you with your issue, his mother suddenly offered.
A problem? Olivia asked, surprised.
Yes, those extra pounds of yourstwenty pounds, in factare bad for your health. When you have a baby, I cant even imagine what will happen
When I have a baby, Ill be even prettier, and my husband and child will be with me. And you, Eleanor, are surely married by now? A slender woman like you must have a dashing husband and at least a couple of kids, Olivia retorted, biting into a biscuit with relish.
Eleanor swallowed hard, ready to fire back, but Thomas raised his glass and proclaimed a toast.
To the women of this familydifferent, yet all beloved!
After a couple of hours they stepped out onto the street, sighing in unison and then bursting into laughter.
So I never expected my future motherinlaw to call me plump, Olivia said.
Olivia, love, youre a beauty and you know it! As for my mother and sister, forgive themtheyre generous souls. You cant pick your relatives, James replied.
The wedding was set for 25 August. That day, relatives and friends gathered at the register office, then moved to a restaurant for the reception.
Olivia shone in a stunning gown that accentuated her graceful figure. James could not take his eyes off her. Her mother, Helen, never let her daughters beauty go unnoticed; the dress highlighted every curve, drawing admiring glances from the gentlemen. Jamess sister, Eleanor, was a nearcopy of their mother, only younger.
Music swelled, and the newlyweds took to the floor for their first dance, twirling together beneath the soft lights. To an untrained eye, the world seemed to have narrowed to just the two of them, while the guests watched in silent awe.
A disgruntled voiceJamess mothersnarked, Maybe the bride should lose a few pounds; that dress isnt doing her any favors. As the saying goes, you cant unring a bell, and Helen, caught offguard, could do little but grumble.
Besides, most men dont chase after skeletons; they prefer real, lively women. Your son, by the way, counts among them, Helen retorted, wagging a finger at Margaret, who bristled in response.
For a tense moment the women stared each other down, eyes flashing. Thomas stepped in, defusing the situation.
Ladies! I see youve become fast friends. But I must steal my wife away for a dance, dear Helen! And you, Margaret, shall join me. He took Helens waist, twirled her in a waltz, and the room filled with music and smiling faces. The wedding sang and danced as any good song would.
One can only hope the couple lives long, loves deeply, and builds a happy life together after all, thats what truly matters, isnt it?