<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cMom!\u201d she called, dropping her bag by the entryway, something I\u2019d been asking her not to do since she was twelve. \u201cWhere are you? I have news!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wiped my hands on a dish towel and stepped out of the kitchen, where I\u2019d been preparing Sunday dinner. My husband Robert looked up from his newspaper in the living room, eyebrows raised in silent question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn here, sweetheart,\u201d I called, trying to keep my voice light despite the sudden unease churning inside me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ellie appeared, her cheeks flushed, dark hair tumbling around her shoulders. At twenty-four, she had grown into a beautiful young woman, her features a perfect blend of Robert\u2019s strong jawline and my softer eyes. But today, there was something almost manic in her expression that reminded me of her teenage years\u2014impulsive decisions followed by inevitable regret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re never going to believe this,\u201d she said, practically bouncing on her toes. \u201cI\u2019m getting married!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dish towel slipped from my fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMarried?\u201d Robert echoed, setting his newspaper aside and standing. \u201cTo whom?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo Jason, of course!\u201d Ellie held out her left hand, where a sizable diamond caught the afternoon light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jason. The name barely registered. Ellie had only mentioned him once or twice in passing over the last few weeks. A guy she\u2019d met at a friend\u2019s gallery opening. Someone new in town. I hadn\u2019t even met him yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow long have you been seeing this Jason?\u201d I asked carefully, bending to retrieve the fallen towel to hide the concern I knew must be written across my face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSix weeks,\u201d Ellie replied, her smile not dimming in the slightest. \u201cI know what you\u2019re thinking, Mom. That it\u2019s too soon. But when you know, you know, right? Like you and Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Robert and I exchanged glances. We had dated for three years before getting engaged. There was nothing impulsive about our relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSweetheart,\u201d I began, choosing my words carefully. \u201cSix weeks is a very short time to know someone well enough to make a lifetime commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ellie\u2019s smile faltered slightly. \u201cI knew you\u2019d say that. That\u2019s why I didn\u2019t tell you right away. We\u2019ve actually been engaged for two weeks already.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That stung more than I wanted to admit. My daughter, keeping such a significant decision secret for two weeks? We had always been close. Until now, apparently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell,\u201d Robert said, crossing the room to give Ellie a hug, ever the diplomat. \u201cThis is certainly a surprise. When do we get to meet this young man?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTonight, actually,\u201d Ellie said, her smile returning full force. \u201cHe\u2019s picking me up at seven. We\u2019re having dinner with his parents to celebrate. I just wanted to tell you first, in person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My mind raced ahead, calculating. That gave us less than three hours to process this bombshell before meeting the man who had, in just six weeks, convinced my level-headed daughter to agree to marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to freshen up before dinner,\u201d Ellie continued, already heading toward the staircase that led to her old bedroom, which we\u2019d kept largely untouched since she\u2019d moved into her own apartment two years ago. \u201cOh, and Mom? Don\u2019t worry so much. Jason is perfect. You\u2019re going to love him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As her footsteps faded upstairs, Robert came to stand beside me, placing a steadying hand on my shoulder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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