Page 50 of Yours, Now and Always
The room erupts in laughter, mine tangled up with tears. I know Ingrid adores my brothers, as does everyone. I also know Tim has a gift for pushing everyone’s buttons. Lovingly, of course.
“You’ve got us now,” Olivia says. “You don’t have to carry it all.”
“Thank you,” I say, my voice only just above a whisper because I’m having trouble speaking through all the emotions I’m feeling.
And then, like emotions always do, they start stacking. Gratitude. Love. Belonging. And somewhere underneath it all...the quiet ache of absence. Because my parents aren’t here today. They had a social engagement last night—a gala they RSVP’d to after getting our wedding invitation. The invitation that said:Come for the whole weekend. Be part of it all.
They chose something else.
I told myself it was fine. That I didn’t need them here for the pre-wedding stuff. That it didn’t matter. But in this moment, surrounded by women who are loving me so fiercely, so freely, I feel it. The space where my mother should be. And the ache that comes with knowing she never even tried to fill it.
Kristen gives me a moment before saying, “Alright, now that you’ve been briefed on surviving the wedding day, let’s talk about the actual marriage.” She shifts on the couch, her tone half fun, halfthis will save your life. “My marriage survival advice? Joint calendar, separate duvets Scandinavian-style, and agree in advance on who handles extended family drama. Trust me. Nothing tests a relationship like a shared blanket and an unexpected phone call from a cousin.”
Olivia lifts her glass. “Preach.”
Maddie nods solemnly. “Also? Don’t text during unresolved arguments. But if you do rage-type a text message? Don’t send it. You’ll regret it. I have a whole folder of things I wrote and never sent. It’s called‘Messages That Saved My Marriage.’”
Marin’s eyes widen. “That’s either romantic or deeply unhinged. I love it.”
Maddie shrugs. “It’s both. Like most good marriages.”
Olivia meets my gaze. “You’re marrying a Black brother. That means bossy and intense, which, I mean, you know better than any of us since it’s Gage you’re marrying.” She grins. “Don’t let that energy fool you. They still need snacks and sleep like everyone else.”
She pauses, sips some of her martini, then adds, “My advice? When he’s being unbearable, send him to his room, throw food at him, and shut the door before he argues. And when all else fails? Let him sulk, then remind him whose name is on the joint calendar.”
“Yep.” Kristen nods. “Contain. Feed. Walk away. Because at that point, you’re not dealing with a man anymore. You’re dealing with a high-functioning alpha in emotional airplane mode, and he’s on the brink. So, it’s best to leave him to it. On his own.”
I nod as I take a sip of wine. “Can confirm, I know this exact scenario with Gage. I have not tried the “contain, feed, walk away” method, but I will next time.”
“Please report back,” Olivia says seriously, like we’re trading classified intel. “Us girls need to stick together and finetune our methods along the way.”
We all burst out laughing, even Ingrid.
Then, her laughter fades but her eyes still sparkle as she says, “I’ve lived with a Black man for decades, and I still haven’t found a better strategy than that. I’ve also raised all those boys and dealt with their moods. Eventually, they come back. Sometimeswith an apology, sometimes just with that look in their eyes that says they know they messed up.” Her gaze softens. “And that they’re hoping you’ll let them back in.”
Kristen, Olivia, and Maddie all nod as soft smiles fill their faces. It’s clear that what Ingrid said resonates with all of them. I feel it too because I’ve lived this with Gage. There haven’t been many times yet that he’s been unbearable and in a mood with me, but it has happened. And yes, he’s come back each time with an apology and that look in his eyes that saysplease keep choosing me.
“My marriage survival advice?” Ingrid continues. “Don’t keep score. The best kind of love isn’t fair. It’s generous. And forgiving. And worth showing up for, even on the days you forget why you said yes in the first place.”
My throat tightens, and not just at what she said, but at the way she’s looking at me again with all that love.
“My son was lucky to have found you, Amelia. I see the way you look at him. I see the way you love Luna. And I see how much lighter Gage has become. You’re not just marrying into this family. You’re healing it.”
My eyes sting. I try not to cry, but fail.
“He’s learned so much from you,” she says. “The way you love people...it’s changed him. I don’t think he and Shayla would have found a way to co-parent like they are now if not for what he’s learned from being loved by you.”
Kristen exhales like she’s letting some feelings out. Maddie wipes under her eye. Olivia looks like she could cry any moment.
“I’m so proud to call you my daughter now,” Ingrid finishes softly.
That’s it. I’m done. No coming back from that one.
I try to blink it all back, but when Ingrid stands and pulls me into a hug, I let every emotion out. When our hug ends, I simplysmile at her and whisper, “Thank you for saying all of that. I’m so glad you’re my mother-in-law.”
We share one more hug and then she excuses herself to go to the bathroom. The second she’s out of earshot, Maddie leans in and says, “Okay. We’ve discussed the wedding day checklist and the marriage survival guide...Now, let’s talk about the good stuff.”
“Which is?” Olivia asks, but there’s a mischievous grin in her eyes. “Oh, wait, it’s the pregnant woman speaking. The one whose husband knocked her upright aftershe popped out his first kid. I guess we’re talking about sex now.”
