Before they knew it, the weekend had arrived, bringing with it the warm, gentle sunshine of spring. Mikayla and Cayden walked through the garden of a grand villa, each carrying a gift box.
Mikayla's heart was pounding with anxiety. She feared nothing more than the delicate dynamics of in-law relationships and silently prayed that Cayden's mother would be kind to her.
"Are you nervous?" Cayden slowed his pace to let her catch up.
"No," she shook her head.
Mikayla was an open book when it came to her emotions. Her expressions always gave her away, though she sometimes tried to hide her feelings, like now, when her hands were cold with nervousness despite her denial.
Cayden didn't call her out on it. Instead, he reassured her, "They already like you."
Mikayla was taken aback, but Cayden smiled and led her inside.
"Oh my! You two are finally here!" Cayden's mother, Daisy, hurried to welcome them.
"You didn't have to bring so many things," Daisy said politely, stacking the gift boxes on a nearby cabinet.
"So this is Mikayla. You look so elegant and graceful. Come in, come in."
Mikayla felt overwhelmed by the warm reception. Daisy took her hand and led her to the sofa, with Cayden following closely behind.
Daisy, wearing a chic brown knitted dress, exuded elegance in every gesture. The jade necklace around her neck was particularly striking, clearly expensive.
"Here, this is a gift for you!" Daisy handed Mikayla a gold ring.
Mikayla gasped, trying to decline, "Mrs. Novak, this is too much."
Still smiling warmly, Daisy insisted, "Why are you still calling me Mrs. Novak? I am your mom now. Take it, it's specially for you."
Under Daisy's expectant gaze, Mikayla finally said the word she hadn't used in a long time, "Thank you… Mom."
Daisy beamed, "We're family now."
The dining table was filled with dishes that Mikayla loved. Daisy enthusiastically served her, "Cayden told me these are your favorite dishes. Eat up!"
Cayden's usually stern face softened into a faint smile. Mikayla looked at him in surprise, not expecting him to remember her preferences so well.
"Aren't you going to serve your wife? Serve her some food!" Daisy urged.
Cayden's father, Kenyon, sat quietly, watching them with a contented smile.
Cayden placed several hot dog, Mikayla's favorite, into her plate. Blushing, Mikayla murmured a thank you.
The meal was joyful and harmonious. Afterward, Cayden and his father went to the study to discuss work. Daisy pulled Mikayla onto the sofa.
"How is Cayden treating you? If he bullies you, just tell me, and his father and I will set him straight."
Mikayla quickly shook her head, "No, no, he's very good."
Daisy looked relieved and sighed, "We were on vacation abroad when Cayden called to say he got married. It gave us quite a shock."
"You have no idea how long we've been urging him to get married. We introduced him to so many women, but he wouldn't even meet them. I thought he'd be alone forever."
Daisy looked at Mikayla with satisfaction, "Finally, a girl willing to be with him."
Mikayla was puzzled. How could someone like Cayden lack admirers? Had he never even dated?
Daisy clearly liked Mikayla and took her on a tour of the house, proudly showing off her art studio. Daisy loved painting and spent the afternoon enthusiastically discussing her work with Mikayla.
By evening, after another family meal, Cayden carried several baskets of his father's homegrown organic vegetables as they headed home.
The cool spring evening breeze brought a chill. Mikayla wore only a white chiffon dress with floral prints. Cayden draped his jacket over her shoulders. Still dazed by the day's events, Mikayla felt enveloped in the warmth of his family's love.
"I'm envious of you," Mikayla said, watching him button up his coat around her.
"Why?"
Mikayla paused before replying, "Don't you think you're someone to be envied?" With his privileged background, he had grown up surrounded by love.
Cayden chuckled softly, ruffling her hair, "I'm already yours."
Mikayla looked up, almost getting lost in his deep eyes. She suddenly realized something and tugged on his shirt.
"Cayden, you can't possibly like me, can you?"
"Yeah."
