Chapter 6: Bonus Scene—Mom’s Blessing and a Tiny ‘Rival’

Little Theater

When I took Derek to meet my mom, she didn’t react at first, asking, “Where’s the person you’re dating?”

She peered around, expecting someone taller, older, maybe less familiar. Caleb had already told her how Derek stepped up when I got kicked out—that he’d rescued me—and I pointed to Derek, grinning.

I was stunned, “He’s right here—it’s Derek.”

I gestured, hoping she’d catch on. Derek smiled nervously, hands tucked in his pockets.

My mom didn’t believe it, “Who are you kidding? How could Derek like you?”

She shook her head, disbelief clear in her voice. I bristled, ready to defend myself.

“Why can’t he like me?”

I crossed my arms, daring her to challenge me. Derek stepped forward, voice strong.

Derek quickly said, “I do like her, Mrs. Miller, I’ve liked Natalie for a long time.”

He looked her in the eye, no hesitation. Mom blinked, surprised by his conviction.

This time my mom looked at Derek, then at me, silent for a long time.

She stared, mouth open, as if processing a math problem. I waited, nervous but hopeful.

Thinking she still didn’t believe, I explained, “He really does like me.”

I grabbed Derek’s hand, squeezing tight. Mom’s eyes softened, a smile playing on her lips.

My mom glared at me, a bit exasperated, “It’s not that he ‘likes you,’ it’s that he loves you. You’ve always been lovable.”

She finally broke, admitting her pride. I laughed, hugging her.

Me: “...That’s not what you meant earlier, right?”

I teased, then whispered under my breath, “Was I adopted and no one told me?” remembering my own joke. Mom just rolled her eyes.

But Derek seemed to agree, nodding, “Natalie really is lovable.”

He squeezed my hand, smiling. I blushed, grateful for his support.

My mom looked at Derek again, then said, “Natalie, don’t think that just because you found Derek, you can delay marriage.”

She wagged her finger, eyes twinkling with mischief. I groaned, ready to protest.

I felt wronged, but before I could defend myself, Derek said, “Mrs. Miller, I want to marry Natalie.”

He said it loud and clear, leaving no room for doubt. Mom beamed, eyes shining with pride.

“Come, Derek, have an apple.” My mom suddenly became enthusiastic, smiling at Derek so warmly her eyes nearly disappeared.

She handed him an apple, grinning like a matchmaker. Derek laughed, accepting it graciously.

I looked at the two of them, full of question marks—was this a mother-in-law growing fonder of her son-in-law?

I shook my head, smiling. Maybe family really was about finding joy in the unexpected.

Forget it, whatever—a family should love each other.

I wrapped my arms around Derek, grateful for every twist and turn. Love was messy, but it was ours.

Anniversary, our child, recently learned a new word—love rival.

We call him “Anniversary” because he was born on our wedding anniversary—mostly we call him Avi at home. He came home from preschool, eyes wide, ready to share his new discovery.

He asked Derek studiously, “Dad, do you have a love rival?”

He pronounced "rival" like "waffle," making me giggle. Derek knelt down, serious as ever.

Derek shook his head, “Dad doesn’t, but Mom does.”

He winked, teasing me. I laughed, ready to play along.

Anniversary’s eyes lit up, looking at me, “Mom, who’s your love rival?”

“Like, someone trying to steal Mom’s heart,” he clarified, proud of his vocab. I blushed, shaking my head.

Thinking of the old misunderstanding, I blushed, denying it, “Your dad’s just talking nonsense, Mom doesn’t have one.”

I ruffled his hair, hoping to change the subject. He just pouted, unconvinced.

Dad says yes, Mom says no, so Anniversary decided to consult a third party—uncle Caleb.

He dashed off, finding Caleb in the backyard. Caleb listened, then grinned, ready to stir the pot.

Caleb analyzed, “Your dad was clueless about love for twenty years, then fell into your mom’s trap. He only has eyes for her—who do you think is more likely to have a love rival?”

He waggled his eyebrows, making Anniversary laugh. The answer was obvious.

Anniversary answered without hesitation, “Dad.”

He grinned, proud of his deduction. Caleb patted his head, approving.

Caleb approvingly patted his head.

He smiled at me, conspiratorial. I rolled my eyes, knowing he’d never let me forget this.

I sighed with relief—thank goodness Caleb really doesn’t know I once saw him as a love rival.

Some secrets were better left buried. I hugged my family, grateful for every misunderstanding, every laugh.

What a beautiful misunderstanding.

And that’s how life goes—messy, complicated, full of love and laughter. Sometimes, the best stories are the ones you never saw coming.