I chattered nervously the whole way to my fiancé Nick’s parents’ place. Meeting his family for the first time on Christmas Eve seemed like a big turning point in our relationship. Squeezing my hand, Nick told me that I would be “a hit.”
As we arrived at the charming Victorian home, glistening with festive glee and sparkling lights, I wanted to believe him, but my gut knotted up. I had done everything I could to get ready because Nick’s family was known for their “traditional values”: I had learned their names, dressed modestly, and even rehearsed the family’s grace before meals.
*Her* was something I wasn’t expecting.
As soon as we entered, I sensed something wasn’t quite right. At best, I received a lukewarm holiday welcome. Eleanor, Nick’s mother, flashed me a strained smile and then focused entirely on the gorgeous brunette standing by the fireplace.
“Kate!” Pulling her into an embrace, Eleanor gushed. “I’m really happy to see you once more. Nick failed to indicate that you would be present.
As I gazed at Nick, his face became somewhat paler. Uncomfortably, he cleared his throat. Indeed, surprise. Mom decided to extend an invitation to Kate, who was in town with her family.
Kate. His former girlfriend. He had dated this person for five years before to me. “Practically part of the family,” as Eleanor had once put it.
I made an effort to remain kind, but it was immediately obvious that I was the stranger. Kate was a perfect fit for their dynamic. Along from helping Eleanor in the kitchen and sharing inside jokes with Nick’s father, she also brought handmade cookies that Nick’s brother declared were “just like Grandma used to make.”
I didn’t say much throughout dinner because Kate took over the conversation and told Nick about previous Christmases. She chuckled and lightly touched his arm, recalling the night we spent playing Scrabble after getting snowed in.
Nick laughed uneasily, but he didn’t back down.
Trying not to cry, I excused myself to the restroom. It was becoming a nightmare when I met his family for the first time. However, something changed inside of me when I gazed at myself in the mirror. I refused to be humiliated in this way by them. I’d let them know I wasn’t leaving if they wanted to play games.
I put on my best smile and went back to the table. I added anecdotes about my career to Kate’s when she started discussing hers, gently emphasizing my achievements. I mentioned my gourmet culinary classes in passing when Eleanor recalled a family dish.
However, it was during the family gift exchange when the true event occurred. Everybody was given a “Secret Santa,” and I was fortunate enough to be partnered with Eleanor. After weeks of deliberation, I finally decided on a gorgeously embroidered tablecloth made by a local artist as her gift.
Her expression softened when she opened it, and she smiled at me for the first time that night.
“I’m grateful, my love,” she said. “This is beautiful.”
Kate sent Eleanor a mass-produced candle as a gift, but she hardly noticed.
Even Nick seems to notice the change by the conclusion of the evening. His face was etched with shame as he drew me away.
“I’m really sorry,” he said. I didn’t know my mother would extend the invitation. I ought to have spoken up sooner.
“You think?” I raised an eyebrow in response. But I softened when I saw his sincere expression. “Just, Nick, don’t let this happen once more. I need to know you have my back if you truly care about us.
“I do,” he swore.
As we prepared to depart the following morning, Eleanor astonished me by embracing me tightly.
She said, “Thank you for coming, dear.” “I hope we get to see you again soon.”
I looked at Nick, who was anxiously observing me as we drove off.
“So,” I smirked and said. “Perhaps we’ll spend Christmas with *my* family next year?”
Nick chuckled in relief. “Agree.”
Even though I felt alienated when I first entered that house, I knew by the end of the weekend that I would not let anyone, including my ex, to get in the way of my future.