Chapter 104: A mother's blessing
Chapter 104: A mother's blessing
Jay stood in front of his mirror, adjusting the collar of his shirt when his phone rang. He picked it up immediately, seeing the name that made his heart skip—Mom.
“Hello, Mom!” he answered, already smiling.
Her voice came through warm and eager. “Jay, I’ve just landed. I’m at the airport now.”
His grin widened. “You’re here already? That’s amazing! Give me a second—I’ll call Riele and we’ll be on our way.”
“Good. And make sure she’s dressed nicely. Today is a very special day,” she added with a teasing tone before ending the call.
Without hesitation, Jay dialed Riele’s number.
“Hey, love,” Riele said, her voice still soft with sleep. “What’s up?”
“She’s here,” Jay said excitedly. “My mom just landed. Can you get ready quickly? I want us to go together.”
“Oh—already?” Riele asked, suddenly alert. “Okay, okay, give me like twenty minutes. Should I wear something formal?”
Jay chuckled. “Just be yourself. You’re perfect the way you are.”
By the time Jay pulled up in front of her house, Riele was already outside, looking radiant in a simple floral dress. He stepped out of the car and kissed her forehead.
“Nervous?” he asked.
“Only very,” she said with a nervous smile.
Jay laced his fingers through hers. “Don’t be. She’s going to love you.”
"Are you sure?" Riele asked again and Jay nodded.
At the airport, Jay scanned the crowd and spotted his mother wheeling her suitcase, dressed in a soft lavender blouse and beige trousers. Her face lit up when she saw them.
“Jay!” she called out, arms wide.
He rushed to hug her, lifting her slightly off the ground. “I missed you so much.”
“And this must be the lovely Riele I’ve heard so much about,” she said, turning her attention to the young woman beside him.
Riele stepped forward, slightly shy. “Yes, ma’am. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”
Jay’s mother pulled her into a warm embrace. “None of that ‘ma’am’ business. Call me Mom, dear. You’re family now.”
Riele melted into the hug, her nerves slowly dissolving. “Thank you… Mom.”
As they drove home, the three chatted comfortably. Jay’s mom asked Riele about her work, and Riele spoke passionately about her job at Kim's company and how the modeling industry shaped her life.
Back at Jay’s home, they settled in the living room. Riele stood, offering, “Let me fix you something to eat. You must be tired from the flight.”
But Jay’s mom raised her hand gently. “No, sweetheart. Today, you sit. I didn’t come to be served—I came to celebrate you.”
She reached into her handbag and pulled out a delicate, carefully wrapped package. “I’ve been waiting to give this to my daughter-in-law. I hoped I’d meet someone worthy of it, and now I have.”
Riele opened it slowly, uncovering a stunning lace dress in a warm cream color with intricate embroidery. Nestled beside it was a velvet box containing elegant jewelry—pearl drop earrings, a bracelet, and a thin gold chain.
Riele’s mouth parted slightly, overwhelmed. “I don’t know what to say…”
“Say you’ll wear it,” Jay’s mom said warmly. “For one of your wedding events. I wore that dress once—on my engagement day. I’ve kept it all these years for someone special.”
Riele stood up and walked to her, hugging her again. “I’m honored. Truly. Thank you so much.”
Jay watched, heart full, as two of the most important women in his life embraced like they had known each other forever.
“Tell me, Riele,” his mother said, settling back on the couch, “what made you fall for my son?”
Riele smiled, her eyes drifting to Jay. “His kindness. He listens. He doesn’t try to fix me—he just… understands me. I never knew how much I needed that.”
Jay’s mother nodded thoughtfully, her eyes misty. “Then I know you’ll take good care of each other.”
That night, after dinner and laughter, Jay dropped Riele at Charlotte’s place. Riele walked in holding the dress and the box of jewelry like they were treasures.
Charlotte opened the door, her baby on one hip. “You look like you just walked out of a fairytale. What happened?”
“Jay’s mom,” Riele said, stepping in. “She was so loving. Now, I see where Jay got his good heart from, she even gave me gifts."
"Really? That was fast, looks like you casted a spell on her. "
Riele smiled as she showed Charlotte the gift. Charlotte’s eyes widened. “She already gave you heirlooms? She must love you.
“She was… amazing,” Riele said, sinking onto the couch. “She hugged me, called me her daughter-in-law… I was so nervous, but she made me feel like I belonged.”
Charlotte sat beside her, still holding baby Hope. “I’m really happy for you, Rie.”
Riele opened the box, showing her the jewelry. “She wore that dress on her own engagement day. She saved it all these years.”
Charlotte traced a finger over the delicate bracelet. “It’s stunning.”
Riele bit her lip, eyes watering. “I wish my mom could’ve seen this.”
Charlotte put her arm around her. “She would’ve been so proud of you. I know it’s not the same, but... I’ll stand with you through everything, okay? I’ll always be your sister.”
They hugged tightly, and Hope giggled as if sensing the emotion in the room.
Riele leaned her head on Charlotte’s shoulder. “It’s all becoming real now.”
Charlotte smiled. “It is. And you deserve every single moment.”
Later that night, as Riele lay in bed, she replayed the day in her mind—the moment she met Jay’s mother, the way she was embraced without question, and the words spoken with so much warmth. She looked at the dress again, tracing the embroidery with her fingers.
For the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel like something was missing.
She felt whole.