Page 130 of The Stranger
I hear my mother take in a sharp breath from beside me. “Delilah chose this meal specifically because she knew it was your father’s favourite,” I snarl.
Abigail rolls her eyes as she leans forward in her chair to make eye contact with her father. “You’re such a suck, Delilah. Isn’t she, Daddy?”
I open my mouth to speak, but my mother beats me to it. “Enough,” she roars, throwing her cloth napkin on the table. “I refuse to sit here and listen to you ridicule, disrespect, and talk down to your hosts.” She points at Delilah’s father first before moving her finger in Abigail’s direction. “My son is a good man and loyal to a fault. Which is more than I can say for the last man in Delilah’s life. I’m sure you’d agree with me there, Abigail.” Herattention then turns back to Delilah’s parents. “You may not be thrilled about this union, but Spencer worships the ground your daughter walks on. He shows her nothing but kindness, understanding, love, and respect. As a parent myself, I’d like to think you wouldn’t expect anything less for your child. He has and will continue to give your daughter a life that most can only dream of.
“As for Delilah,” she continues. “If she were my daughter, I’d be celebrating her for being a kind, strong, and resilient woman. You should be incredibly proud of the beautiful person she is, inside and out, despite all the injustices she’s had to face throughout her life. You all need to take a long, hard look at yourselves for the deplorable way you have, and continue to treat her. I’m flabbergasted that Delilah still chooses to have you in her life, which says way more about her character than it does about yours.”
“Now listen here,” her father barks, but my mother stands and gives him a look so sharp it has him closing his mouth immediately.
Mum’s steely gaze then snaps to Abigail. “And as for you, young lady, and I use the termladyloosely. I’ve never had the displeasure of meeting such a rude, nasty, and vile person in my life. I pity that poor child having to grow up with a mother like you.”
“If I wanted your opinion, old lady, I would’ve asked for it,” Abigail spits while sending daggers my mother’s way.
“Abigail,” her mother screeches. “Apologise this instant.”
“Fine … sorry,” she mumbles with zero sincerity.
I promised Delilah I’d be on my best behaviour where her family was concerned this weekend, but I can no longer sit here and watch these two disrespect the mostimportant women in my life. I don’t give a flying fuck that they share the same bloodline as my fiancée. Their actions tonight have been deplorable.
When I go to stand, my mother places her hand on my shoulder. “I’ve got this, Son,” she says. “If you two can’t—” she points to Delilah’s father again before repeating her actions with Abigail, “—in good conscience, put all your grievances and grudges aside for one day to celebrate these two wonderful human beings, then maybe it’s best if you leave.” Her attention moves away from our guests and lands on us. “If you two will excuse me, I’ve had about as much as I can take for one evening, and I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow.”
As she turns to leave, Delilah places the other plate she was holding down, and rushes in her direction. “Eloise,” she murmurs, sliding her arms around my mother’s waist. “I love you.”
Those words have my mother choking up as she tenderly cups Delilah’s face in her hands. “I love you too, darling. You’ve made not only thisold woman—” her eyes dart to Abigail when she says that part, “—but also my son, extremely happy. I’ll always cherish you for that. Please know that we both see you for all the wonderful things that you are. And tomorrow you’ll officially become a Prescott, and what a glorious day that will be.”
“I’ll drink to that,” I say, reaching for my mother’s wine glass and briefly holding it in the air before gulping down the rest of its contents.
I grin inwardly at the thought that one day, when Delilah is ready, I hope we can add a few little Prescotts to the picture.
“You don’t look nervous at all,” my mother says as she reaches up to straighten my bowtie.
“Should I be?”
“It’s your wedding day, but you were always such a confident little boy … so sure of yourself. I shouldn’t be surprised that the grown-up version is no different.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing Delilah walk down the aisle. This day couldn’t have come soon enough if you ask me.”
She taps her open palm against my chest. “I’m immensely proud of the determined, kind, hardworking, and loving man you’ve become. I hope you know that. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner for you, even if I handpicked her myself.”
“Please, no tears,” I plead when I see them well in her eyes. “In a way, you played your part in this union.”
“I suppose I did,” she replies, snatching a tissue from the nightstand and dabbing the corners of her eyes.
“You suppose? Don’t act coy mother, you know as well as I do that you tricked me into going to Delilah’s parents’ house that night.”
She places her hand on her chest to fake innocence. “I would never.”
“Really? You told me she was expectingme, when in actual fact she was expectingyou.”
“Oh.”
“Yes, oh,” I reply with a chuckle.
“I was just doing what mothers do best.”
“Meddle in their children’s lives?”
“No, I was giving you a gentle push in the right direction. I saw how special she was the first day we met, and I knew it was only a matter of time before you saw the same thing.”
