It'll Come Naturally

"It's not too late, and you haven't started your dinner yet. Besides that, I told you I was leaving," Claire objected. Claire felt herself being falsely blamed. However, she decided not to get into an argument with her mother, in case she tried to lecture her. She hated being told what should or shouldn't be done.

"It's good that you are back home. Now, wash your hands, sit and eat dinner with us," said Leena, coming to Claire's rescue. She was in Claire's age and knew what Claire was doing and thinking. Most girls wouldn't spend their free time home, or share their private life with their families. They loved parties, nice clothes and all funny things, and boredom was their mortal enemy.

"Thank you, Leena! Claire made a funny face at her mother before rushing to the washroom.

"Look at her. Not the good girl I have expected her to become when she was born," said Shannon remorsefully. Gritting her teeth, Shannon regretted that her daughter didn't live up to her expectations.

"Mother, Claire has changed a lot. Please don't be always so angry and give her more time to grow up and become mature," said Leena in a comforting tone.

Leena really liked her mother-in-law. A mother-in-law rarely would care about her son's wife as sincerely and warmly as Shannon did, and Leena really appreciated that. She had feared that she and Kevin's mother couldn't get along after the marriage. But their relationship got even stronger with the time. She was like her own mother now. Shannon rushed to the hospital without a single halt when she heard Leena had an accident. From then on, she had tried her best to take care of her daughter-in-law.

"I'm just worried about her future. Claire should be ashamed of herself. She has no idea where her life's heading and where to find a suitable husband." Speaking of which, Shannon sighed again.

Claire's father wanted her to marry a suitable soldier. But this was nearly impossible, as Claire was demanding, picky, spoiled and unable to do anything well on her own. She would be the bane of the life of any potential husband. She wasn't a woman yet. And everyone knew that.

"You can't force me to marry at such a young age. I am not even 25. No hurry. Isn't the late marriage and late childbirth popular across the country?" Claire grumbled after she went out of the bathroom and heard of her mother's complaint. Her beautiful life had just begun, and it couldn't be fettered by the family responsibilities. She needed time to enjoy the wonderful and colorful life.

"I gave birth to your brother at your age. You're not that young, don't you know that?" Shannon put a bowl of chicken soup which she had stewed for several hours in front of Leena, because she hadn't eaten for several days. She needed some real food to regain her strength and improve her health.

"Come on! You're too old to lecture me about love and marriage. I won't follow your example. This is my life and I'll be living it differently. I have had enough of your nonsense." Claire sat at the table, several chairs away from her mother. She was afraid that her mother might get really angry and throw the chopsticks at her face, which would be too embarrassing. But it already happened when she lost her temper.

"I'm not asking you to get married right now! Find a good man and learn to love him. That's all," said Shannon in a sulk. Shannon handed each of them a bowl of chicken soup. The family had been worried and tired recently, and they needed some real food to get the balance back in their life.

"Don't you know? Partners who fall in love have to get married. Otherwise, it would be too sad to see lovers break up," said Claire righteously. She smiled. Often, the concise and explicit words were the very truth.

Leena bursted into laughter. What about her and Kevin who only learned to love each other after they got married and had been living together for a long time. To be honest, she had never imagined her marriage and love life in that way.

"Claire, you're getting far too cocky! Mother's only trying to give you a good advice." Kevin gave his sister a long cold look and then turned his eyes to Leena, who was laughing amused.

"This chicken soup is so delicious. Mother, you're such a brilliant cooker," said Leena admiringly. Leena caught the secretive glance from Kevin, immediately picked up her bowl and ate the chicken soup, thinking that she had to keep her mother-in-law in good mood. It would turn very ugly if Shannon realized that her daughter-in-law and Claire conspired to make her lose the "fight".

"Speaking of which, Mother, your chicken soup's the best soup I have ever tasted. I have a lot to learn from you." Kevin followed his wife's example and tried to please his mother. He couldn't take it seeing his mother getting upset about Claire's marriage.

"It's true. I must learn to cook some chicken soup some day, as Mother does," said Leena. Leena took another sip of the chicken soup. She didn't lie, the soup was actually very delicious.

"I have enough of your pretending. Come on, I know why you're doing that. I'll leave the topic of Claire's marriage for now," the mother said, annoyed. She always knew her kids best. However, she had been worrying about her daughter since the day she was born, and hadn't found a solution to her problems yet.

"Mother, enough! Men will fight for my love. Tomorrow I'll go and find dozens of boyfriends and take them home. You can interview them and find the most suitable one as my boyfriend. Are you ok with my plan?" Claire rolled her eyes, annoyed with this stupid discussion. Mother always liked forcing her opinions upon others. She had put pressure on Kevin to marry a woman. Any woman. Back then he wasn't ready and he wasn't in love. And therefore he wasn't happy. Now, Claire was under constant pressure to find a husband, too. "Girl, don't make a fool of yourself. You can't bring a dozen of boyfriends home, can you? Even if you try!" Shannon laughed bitterly with lots of sarcasm flushing out her eyes. A single good husband was enough for Claire. No need to find so many candidates to choose from, which would be too embarrassing for both Claire and Shannon.

"What should I do? If I, as you ordered, fall in love, you'll also get worried about if he's really my Mr. Right. In this case, I better allow you to pick a satisfying son-in-law for yourself. Then, you'll stop bothering me, right?" Claire answered with mouth full. If her father saw this, he would lecture her about the proper table manners. Her father disallowed his family to talk while having a meal. Especially during dinner. Strict disciplíne was imposed on his family. However, living with Kevin, Claire felt relieved and much more relaxed.