SWNOVELS Chapter 183
Calvin had been watching Melvin like a hawk, etching every move and gesture of the young man into his memory.
Whether it was Harrison or Melvin, Calvin regarded both as upstanding young men.
However, he understood that a woman couldn't marry two men; she had to choose the one she loved the most. As parents, it wasn't their place to dictate their child's choice for a lifetime.
"As long as Melvin is prepared to provide Jocelyn with a home, shoulder the responsibilities of a husband, and treat Jocelyn right, I don't care much about his family background," Calvin tried to reassure Daisy, "What really matters is the person himself."
Daisy glanced at him, her resolve wavering slightly. "It's not that I think he's no good, I've never said that. It just seems so... informal."
"Young folks don't fuss over those formalities nowadays." Calvin wasn't too concerned himself. "What matters is that Jocelyn doesn't feel shortchanged."
Daisy sounded a little resentful. "You're making it sound like I'm the one keeping them apart."
"I'm saying we don't need to overthink this. Kids will make their own luck." Calvin patted his wife's shoulder. "Everyone has their own fate, and as parents, sometimes we've got to step back and let them figure i out."
"So, you're suggesting we just let Jocelyn go ahead and get registered to marry him?"
"If that's what Jocelyn wants, we should let her." Calvin gripped his wife's hand. "We can't dictate her path; she has to walk it herself."
However, Daisy's heart remained unsettled. The idea of binding her daughter to Melvin, with so little knowledge of his family background, was too much for a mother's heart to bear.
A few days later, Daisy called Jocelyn, asking her to come home.
When Jocelyn arrived, Daisy ushered her into the room and sat her down.
"Jocelyn, tell me, do you really want to be with Melvin?"
Jocelyn felt a bit overwhelmed by her mother's serious tone, but she nodded earnestly. "Yes."
"While I'm not dissatisfied with Melvin, as a mother, I had hoped to see my daughter welcomed into her new family with open arms and smiles, not just the two of you running off to grab a marriage certificate." Jocelyn understood her mother's concern.
Holding her hand, Daisy spoke earnestly, "Melvin is a good kid. He's kind to you and to us. There might be reasons he keeps to himself, and I understand that. My only wish is that he always considers your perspective and puts you first. If you choose to marry him, it means you're ready to face life's storms together." Daisy's voice was akin to preparing her daughter for a journey. "As parents, we don't ask for riches, just peace, safety, and happiness for our children."
A suspicion formed in Jocelyn's mind. "Mom..."
"I guess you were looking for your birth certificate the last time you were home." Daisy smiled faintly. "You touched it, yet you didn't take it. It shows that you still take into account your father's and my feelings." Jocelyn felt guilty; she had indeed tampered with the document.
Thinking better of it, she had returned it to its place, not realizing her mother had known all along and had never mentioned it.
"Mom, I'm sorry." Jocelyn looked down.
Daisy, unable to stay upset, turned to fetch her birth certificate and handed it to Jocelyn. "You and Melvin have been together a while now, and if you're both set on getting married, then go ahead. Your father and I have discussed it. We're all in the same city; if you ever feel wronged, come home. I'm not losing a daughter; I'm letting her fly. If you soar, we'll be at peace. If you're weary, never fear, we'll always be here for you."
Tears welled up in Jocelyn's eyes. She hugged her mother tightly, crying on her shoulder, "Thank you, Mom. And I'm sorry."
"There's no need for tears, silly girl," Daisy gently pushed her away, her own voice choking up, "It's not that I don't support you, I'm just worried about you."
Jocelyn, trying to keep her composure, said, "I just feel so foolish."
"I understand how you feel. I was once a young woman too, dreaming of building a life with the one I loved. The challenge is that we don't know much about Melvin's family, and I'm uncertain about how easy it will be to get along with them. Nowadays, kids often don't live with their parents, but you still have to interact; after all, they're family. The bottom line is, you've chosen him as your husband, so getting along is crucial. Friction is inevitable, so mutual understanding and tolerance are key. There's a distinct difference between dating and marriage. While dating can end simply, marriage, especially with kids, is not so easily dissolved."
"I know. I'll work hard on my marriage," Jocelyn said through her sobs.
"Stop crying." Daisy placed the birth certificate in her hand. "Invite him over for dinner tonight. Your father wants to have a word with him."
"Okay."
Holding her birth certificate, it felt incredibly heavy to Jocelyn.
When she called Melvin, she didn't mention that her parents had already handed over the document.
That evening, Melvin felt a subtle shift in Calvin and Daisy's demeanor.
During dinner, Calvin poured him a glass of wine.
Melvin, feeling honored, stood to accept it with both hands.
"Jocelyn's quite fond of you, as you know," Daisy broke the ice.
"Yes," Melvin seated himself, glancing at Jocelyn, "I'm quite fond of her too."
Daisy observed the couple, noting a balanced partnership. "Jocelyn mentioned that you both want to register for marriage. Initially, I had reservations, but considering the time you've spent together and your shared desire to start a family, I've come to a realization. Even without the traditional ceremonies, if my daughter has set her heart on you, who are we to stand in the way?"
Melvin's brows furrowed in surprise; he hadn't expected them to bring this up on their own, and his expression grew solemn.
"We don't want anything, Melvin. It's not like we're officially handing our daughter over to your family," Daisy said with a certain firmness. "It's simply about you two building a life together, without keeping score. Besides, she's our only child. When your father-in-law and I are no longer able to fend for ourselves, we'll be counting on you to take care of us."
"Mom, why would you even say that?" Jocelyn couldn't bear to hear such talk.
Daisy looked at her, "These are realities you'll have to face."
"It doesn't matter whether I get married or not; I could never abandon you," Jocelyn asserted.
"I know, dear," Daisy nodded before turning back to Melvin. "Jocelyn is the light of our lives. We don't ask for much- just someone to treat her well, to protect her, to cherish her. From now on, you're going to be the man she turns to, the one she relies on the most."
Hearing her mother speak these words weighed heavily on Jocelyn's heart.
It was a true act of trust.
Handing over her life to the man with whom she would spend most of her years.
Suddenly, Jocelyn felt a pang of sadness at the thought of marriage, as if it somehow meant she was loosening the bonds with her own family.