SWNOVELS Chapter 178
Jocelyn was fiddling with the ring on her finger, Her mind was a whirl of troubled thoughts.
"What's up? You've been looking like you've got the world on your shoulders lately," Ursula leaned against the office desk, her gaze fixed on her friend. "Isn't that an engagement ring? And doesn't your guy pick you up and drop you off every day? What could possibly be making you this unhappy?"
Jocelyn leaned back in her chair, a sigh escaping from her lips. "He went to talk to my parents about marrying me a few days ago, but my mom didn't agree."
Ursula's eyebrows drew together in a frown. "Why wouldn't she agree?"
"It's all happening too fast. Plus, they haven't met his family." Jocelyn twisted the ring around her finger, her expression tinged with sadness. "I know what my parents are worrying about, but it's like... he's finally ready to marry me, but now it's my parents' turn to throw a wrench in the works. It's just..."
She shook her head in disappointment.
Ursula pondered for a moment before speaking, "You know, Calvin and Daisy do have a point. In the old days, families would have to check the horoscopes before tying the knot. Now that you're talking marriage, it's pretty reasonable for both sides' parents to sit down and have a serious meeting. Anyhow, it's a sign of good faith from the groom's side."
"He lost his mom long ago. And his dad-well, he never talks about him," Jocelyn confessed, her frustration evident. "Now we're stuck at this impasse, and I just don't know what to do."
"If he really wants to marry you, he'll find a way to win over Calvin and Daisy," Ursula said with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Actually, I've got a couple of ideas that could solve your problem." Jocelyn's curiosity was piqued. "What are they?"
"First, you could get pregnant before the wedding."
"That's out of the question!" Jocelyn dismissed the idea without a second thought.
Ursula frowned. "What's so wrong with it? You've been in love for years. It's perfectly normal to have a child."
"Surely these days, it's not a big deal to have a kid out of wedlock, but it can't be taken as a calculated move to pressure your parents." Jocelyn had never considered using such a tactic. "Alright, scrap that idea. How about this: just get your marriage registered secretly. Then keep your relationship going as usual. Over time, once there's proof that your relationship is solid, they'll come around." Jocelyn frowned at Ursula. "Why do you always come up with such... underhanded schemes?"
"Jocelyn, you're a literature teacher. You can't just throw around words. This isn't underhanded. It's a way to prove your future happiness." Ursula spoke with conviction. "To become the wife of the man you love, a little cunning can't hurt, right? Besides, if you believe that getting married will truly make you happy and give your parents peace of mind, then it'll be a shining moment in your life." Ursula winked. "Happiness is something you've got to fight for yourself."
Jocelyn still found Ursula's suggestions unreliable.
Register secretly?
She didn't think it's a good idea.
But then again, it seemed less sinful than getting pregnant out of wedlock.
If she went down that route, not only would it be an affront to her parents, but she also couldn't bear the thought of bringing a child into the world with ulterior motives.
The idea of secret registration now occupied Jocelyn's thoughts.
Melvin accompanied Calvin to his check-up and then joined him for a game of chess.
For half a month, Melvin was a constant presence at Jocelyn's parents' home, so much so that all the neighbors knew him as Jocelyn's boyfriend.
His frequent visits raised questions about when the wedding would be.
Standing beside Calvin, Melvin remained silent as Calvin simply smiled, "Don't worry, we'll let you know when it's time."
"You better do it soon. The longer you wait, the more likely it won't happen. No offense, but I know a couple who had their marriage registered for years without a wedding. They talked about tying the knot last holiday, but guess what? They split in the end!"
Calvin's smile stiffened at the mention, but Melvin seemed unfazed.
"Anyway, once it's settled, they'll both have peace of mind," the neighbor added with a chuckle. "Jocelyn's at the right age for marriage. Tie the knot this year, have a baby next. You and your wife will be playing with your grandchildren in no time."
Calvin did long for grandchildren, but he heeded his wife's advice. Melvin seemed decent enough, but they knew nothing about his family background.
"Children will have their own fortune. Everything has its process and timing," Calvin reassured with a smile. "Don't worry, you won't miss out on our wedding toast."
After a short chat, Melvin reminded Calvin to take his medicine, and they left. The neighbors gossiped about the future son-in-law of the Winslets, praising Melvin's good looks, kindness, and wealth. "Jocelyn's a catch herself. Pretty, well-educated, and with a decent job. She's got her pick of men."
"She's pushing thirty, though. That 'pick of men' has an expiration date. If she's got a good man on the line, she'd better secure her status before he slips away."
As he lay in bed that night, Calvin couldn't help but think about the neighbors' words. Finally he asked Daisy, "Be honest, what do you think of Melvin?"
"What I think doesn't really matter," Daisy turned to face him. "What are you getting at? You want Jocelyn to get hitched to him that quickly? I'll tell you now, that's not happening. We haven't met his family. And without a clear understanding of his background, I won't agree to their marriage."
"But it seems like he and Jocelyn are really in love."
"Love is not enough. Look, it's all about respect. If we rush to marry Jocelyn off, what will his family say? That our daughter was so desperate to marry that we didn't even require a proper meeting between the parents? That'll do no good to Jocelyn."
As they lay in the darkness, both knew that the path to their daughter's happiness was fraught with complications.
Daisy tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She sat up and sighed, "Of course I want our daughter to marry someone she loves. I mean, if it were just Melvin on his own, that'd be one thing, but he's got family. Just letting Jocelyn go off with him like this doesn't sit right with me."
"I understand your worries," Calvin said, equally troubled. "Maybe there's something going on with Melvin's family, something he doesn't want to get mixed into all this. I worked at his company for a while, and never heard a peep about his family matters."
"Even if there is something special going on, shouldn't he at least be upfront with us? We're reasonable people," Daisy shook her head, lying back down and turning away. "Anyway, we need an explanation. I'm not letting my daughter rush into marriage with him like that. I'll sleep now."
Calvin glanced at his wife in silence. Then, with a sense of resignation, he reached over to turn off the light.
On the weekend, Jocelyn came home without telling her parents.
Seeing her daughter arrive alone, Daisy asked, "Why are you by yourself?"
"What else?" Jocelyn said with a teasing smile. "Mom, I'm craving some shrimp scampi. Could you whip some up for me?"
Daisy gave her a strange look, "If you wanted some, why didn't you just buy it?"
"I'm no good at picking them out. I'm afraid of getting ripped off," Jocelyn said, trying to butter her up. "You go buy them, please."
Daisy had no reasons to decline. She stood up to grab her shopping bag, mumbling, "Back without notices and wanting shrimp scampi. But it's eleven already. I don't even know if there will be any for sale." Jocelyn chuckled, "There should be some left."
"You're coming with me," Daisy glared at her.
Jocelyn shook her head, "I'm a bit tired. How about Dad goes with you?"
Without waiting for a response, she called out, "Dad, can you go to the store with Mom?"
"Sure thing," Calvin replied without hesitation, shutting off the TV and heading for the door.
As the old couple descended the stairs, Daisy felt something was amiss, "What's with her sudden craving for shrimp scampi?"