“Yes,” she says calmly. “Mums always do.”
I rub a hand over the back of my neck.
“So…”
“So.”
Her smile widens slightly. “It’s about time you two got together.”
I blink. “What?”
“Oh please.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
She leans back slightly, looking deeply satisfied with herself. “You’ve been close to it for years.”
“We have not.”
“You absolutely have.”
I consider arguing. But honestly… she’s not wrong. “Well,” I mutter.
“Well,” she repeats.
“So you approve?”
“Of course I approve.”
That simple answer makes me happier than ever.
“She’s lovely.”
“She is.”
“And Theo is a sweetheart.”
I nod. “He is.”
She watches me carefully for a moment. “You’re worried about the children.”
Not a question. A statement.
“Yeah,” I admit quietly.
She nods thoughtfully. “That part matters.”
“It does.”
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees.
“I’m… head over heels in love with her.”
The words come out before I can overthink them. My mum smiles softly. “I can see that.”
“But,” I continue, “if it goes wrong…”
