Mom, what are you doing?» Pavel stood in the doorway, holding Vera Nikolaevna’s hand as she decisively headed towards the cupboard with dishes. «I’m helping your wife with the table setting. Fifteen people is no joke. Everything needs to be beautifully organized,» the mother-in-law tried to free her hand. «Fifteen people?» Alina froze with a rag in her hand. She had just finished washing the living room windows after recent renovations. «I’ve already invited everyone for New Year’s. Aunt Galya with her husband, your brother with his wife and kids, Marinka with Sergey…» «Which Marinka?» Alina felt a chill down her spine. «Well, which one? Marina Sokolova, they just got married. We’re friends with her mom, it would be awkward not to invite them.» Pavel turned pale. Marina was his first love, whom he had dated for five years before he met Alina. «Mom, we can’t host so many guests,» Pavel said firmly. «The apartment is small, and financially it’s tough right now.» «Oh, don’t make things up! What do you mean ‘we can’t’? I’ve already told everyone. And besides, how can you meet the New Year without family?» Vera Nikolaevna finally freed her hand and resolutely headed to the sideboard. Alina silently watched as her mother-in-law opened the doors and began rearranging the crystal glasses that she and Pavel had bought with their first joint salary.
«Vera Nikolaevna, we really aren’t ready for so many guests,» Alina spoke as calmly as possible. «Not ready! And who should be? Me?» the mother-in-law snapped, turning around sharply. «By the way, this is my son’s apartment. And I have the right to invite whoever I want.» «Mom!» Pavel stepped forward. «What ‘mom’? I’m telling the truth. Are you the boss here or what? Or are you afraid to say a word across your wife now?» Alina felt a lump rise to her throat. For three years, she and Pavel had been saving for the renovation, denying themselves everything. And now, the mother-in-law, who hadn’t even offered to help hang curtains in all this time, was acting like she owned the place. «Vera Nikolaevna, let’s sit down and discuss this calmly,» Alina tried to defuse the situation. «There’s nothing to discuss!» the mother-in-law cut her off. «I’ve already decided. We’ll set two tables—one in the living room, another in the kitchen. We’ll seat the children separately…» «Mom, stop!» Pavel raised his voice. «This is our home, and we decide whom to invite!» Vera Nikolaevna froze with a glass in her hand, a look of genuine astonishment on her face:
«Pasha, are you really going against your own mother? I only want what’s best. Look, Alina is all worn out from the renovation, she even lost weight. And here’s such a celebration—everyone will gather, we’ll have fun…» «Don’t pretend like you care about us,» Alina spoke quietly. «In three years of renovation, you never offered to help. You didn’t even ask if we needed money or an extra pair of hands.» «And what are you blaming me for?» the mother-in-law instantly flared up. «I raised Pasha alone, without a father. Gave him all my strength and health. And now I supposedly don’t have the right to invite guests to his home?» «Mom, stop using guilt,» Pavel grimaced. «I’m grateful for everything, but that’s no reason to interfere in our lives. Alina and I will decide how to meet the New Year.» «Ah, I see!» Vera Nikolaevna dramatically threw up her hands. «So an ungrateful son you’ve become! After all I’ve done for you…» She suddenly paused and turned pale. «What did you do for me?» Pavel squinted. «Finish your sentence.» Alina tensed. Something in her husband’s tone didn’t sit right with her. «Nothing,» the mother-in-law turned away to the window. «Forget it.» «No, finish what you were going to say.» «Pasha, don’t…» Alina touched her husband’s hand, but he gently pushed her away. «We need to, Alina. It’s been long overdue. Mom, I’m waiting.» Vera Nikolaevna was silent, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her blouse.
«Fine, then I’ll say it,» Pavel approached the sideboard and pulled out the bottom drawer. «Remember this jewelry box? You gave it to me in childhood, told me to keep the most valuable things in it.» The mother-in-law turned sharply:
«Put it back!» «Do you know what I found in it a month ago, when I was doing inventory before the renovation?» Pavel pulled out a bundle of letters tied with a faded ribbon. «Your correspondence with Marina’s mother. Very interesting reading, I must say.» Alina froze. She had never seen these letters before.
«Son, it’s all in the past…» Vera Nikolaevna’s voice trembled. «Is it? The dates on the envelopes don’t say so. For example, a letter from February this year. I quote: ‘Mashenka, we need to do something urgently. This girl is absolutely not suitable for my Pasha. She can’t cook properly, nor manage a household. But your Marinka—another matter. I see how they look at each other when they meet by chance. We just need to help them understand that they are made for each other…'» «Give it here!» the mother-in-law lunged at her son, trying to snatch the letters. «I won’t. And that’s not all. Here’s another one, from March: ‘The plan to promote Marina in Pasha’s company failed—his boss flatly refused to hire a new employee. But don’t despair, I’ve come up with something better. We’ll arrange for them to meet accidentally in the restaurant where Pasha will be celebrating a successful project with colleagues. Alina, of course, won’t go—she’s all into her renovation, even scrimps on a new dress…'» Alina felt the room start spinning before her eyes. All these months, while she and Pavel were saving every penny, denying themselves everything, the mother-in-law was weaving intrigues behind their backs.
«Why, mom?» Pavel asked quietly. «Explain to me—why?» Vera Nikolaevna sat down on the sofa:
«I just wanted the best… Marina is a girl from a good family, we’ve been friends with her mom all our lives. And she truly loves you, I see it…» «Mom, do you even hear yourself? What love? Marina got married to Sergey two years ago!» «Out of calculation! She was offended that you got involved with this…» she paused under her son’s gaze, «with Alina, so out of spite she married the first guy she met!» Vera Nikolaevna, have you ever wondered why Pavel chose me? Not Marina from a good family, but an ordinary girl from the provinces?» «Because she’s real, mom,» Pavel squeezed his wife’s fingers tighter. «Doesn’t try to appear better than she is. Doesn’t plot. Just loves and cares. And your Marina… Remember how she demanded expensive gifts? How she threw tantrums if I was late from work? How she tried to set me against my friends?» «She’s just very emotional! But how industrious she is, the house always shone…» «Because she had a maid,» Pavel chuckled. «And Alina does everything herself. And works alongside me.» «That’s exactly it!» picked up the mother-in-law. «Isn’t it right for a wife to disappear all day at work? Marina could have stayed home, created a cozy environment for you…» «At whose expense, mom? So you can later reproach every penny spent, like you did with dad?» Vera Nikolaevna turned pale:
«Don’t you dare bring up father! He left us!» «No, mom. It was you who drove him away with your demands and reproaches. I remember everything, even though I was little. And I don’t want a repeat of that story.» «Pasha…» the mother-in-law sobbed. «I only wish you well…» «Well? These letters—are they well? Attempts to destroy our family—is that love? You know what I realized when I read your correspondence? That you haven’t changed. Still the same possessor who can’t accept that her son has grown up and is living his own life.» «I’m not a possessor!» Vera Nikolaevna was indignant. «I just want you to be happy!» «I am happy, mom. Truly happy. And do you know why? Because next to me is a person who loves me as I am. Doesn’t try to change me, doesn’t demand to meet someone else’s expectations. Just loves and accepts.» «And me? Do you think I don’t love you?» «You love, mom. In your own way. But your love suffocates. Like ivy—it wraps around and doesn’t let you breathe.» Alina silently watched this conversation. It pained her to see her husband suffer, but she understood—this conversation had to happen.
«And now what?» Vera Nikolaevna’s voice trembled. «Will you kick out your mother?» «No, mom. I won’t kick you out. But I won’t allow things to continue as they were. No intrigues. No attempts to manipulate. No uninvited guests for New Year’s.» «And what about the relatives? What will I tell them?» «The truth. That Alina and I plan to meet the holiday alone. We have the right—our first New Year’s in the renovated apartment.» «Alone?» the mother-in-law clutched her heart. «And what about me?» «You, mom, if you want, come on January 2nd. We’ll sit quietly, talk. Have some tea.» «Tea?» Vera Nikolaevna bitterly smirked. «With a daughter-in-law who can’t even bake a pie?» «Vera Nikolaevna,» Alina stepped forward resolutely. «I can learn to bake pies. And cook borscht. And make dumplings. It’s not hard. But can you learn to respect other people’s boundaries? Accept your son’s choice? Rejoice in his happiness, even if it doesn’t match your expectations?» The mother-in-law opened her mouth to answer, but suddenly paused. Something in her daughter-in-law’s voice made her think.
«You know, Vera Nikolaevna,» Alina continued, «I never tried to stand between you and Pasha. On the contrary—I was always happy when you came over. I set the table, tried to please… And you all this time tried to destroy our family.» «I didn’t…» «No, mom, that’s exactly what you did,» Pavel said firmly. «And do you know what’s the saddest part? You don’t even realize how much you hurt me with your actions. Not to mention Alina.» Vera Nikolaevna slowly sat down on the sofa. For the first time during the entire conversation, she looked truly bewildered.
«Pasha… daughter…» she looked from her son to her daughter-in-law. «I really didn’t mean to offend anyone. I was just worried…» «About what, mom? That I wouldn’t meet the standards of your friends? Or that I would stop being your little boy, who you could control?» Vera Nikolaevna covered her face with her hands:
«Son, you don’t understand… I’ve been alone all my life. After your father left, it was just you. And now…» «And now it’s time to learn to live your own life, mom,» Pavel said gently. «You’re still young, beautiful. There’s so much you can discover for yourself.» «What young…» the mother-in-law sighed. «Fifty-five years old…» «A wonderful age!» Alina unexpectedly joined in. «Vera Nikolaevna, you’re so active. I know you used to be into dancing…» «How do you know?» the mother-in-law looked up in surprise. «Pasha told me. And showed me photos where you performed in your youth. You were so graceful…» «Yes…» A new spark appeared in Vera Nikolaevna’s eyes. «We used to go to classes every week with the girls. But then I got caught up—work, home, Pasha…» «Why not go back?» Alina suggested. «There are so many different styles now. And there are groups for adults.» «At my age?» the mother-in-law shook her head skeptically. «Why not? My aunt enrolled in yoga at fifty-eight. She says she feels reborn—her posture improved, her mood changed.» Pavel looked at his wife in amazement. He didn’t expect that after all the grievances and intrigues, she would find the strength to speak so warmly and sincerely with his mother.
«Vera Nikolaevna,» Alina continued, «let’s start over? No grudges, no attempts to manipulate, no intrigues. Just communicate like normal people. You let us live our lives, and we’ll be glad to have you visit. Truly glad.» «And the pies?» suddenly asked the mother-in-law like a child. «And we can learn to bake pies together,» Alina smiled. «If you want to share your recipes.» «I have one…» Vera Nikolaevna brightened. «With cabbage and mushrooms. Grandmother’s recipe. I never gave it to anyone, thought I’d pass it on to Marinka…» «Mom!» Pavel cautioned. «Oh, sorry, son,» the mother-in-law guiltily lowered her eyes. «Old habits… Alina, do you want me to teach you how to bake this pie? It takes a lot of time—the dough needs to rest…» «Of course I do!» Alina replied sincerely. «Maybe we can bake it for Christmas?» «For Christmas?» Vera Nikolaevna looked hopefully at her son. «Definitely, mom,» Pavel nodded. «Come to us on January 7th, we’ll cook together. But Alina and I will still meet the New Year alone, okay?» The mother-in-law was silent for a moment, smoothing the folds on her skirt:
«Alright, son. You’re right—it’s your holiday. And I… I guess I really will go dancing. I’ll find out if there are any groups…» She rose from the sofa and headed for the door. At the door, she turned around:
«Alina… daughter… forgive me if you can. I really wanted the best. Just didn’t understand…» «All is well, Vera Nikolaevna,» Alina replied softly. «The main thing is that you understand now.» When the door closed behind the mother-in-law, Pavel hugged his wife tightly:
«You’re amazing. I couldn’t have done it—after all her intrigues.» «I see how much you care for her,» Alina pressed against her husband. «And after all, she’s really a lonely woman who’s afraid of losing the most precious thing she has.» «But that’s no reason to try to destroy our happiness.» «Of course not. But now that everything’s out in the open, maybe she’ll finally understand that we’re not rivals. That we can just be a family—without intrigues and manipulation.» Pavel kissed his wife on the crown of her head:
«Do you really want to learn to bake her signature pie?» «Of course!» Alina mischievously smiled. «First, it’s delicious. Second, it will make her feel needed. And third…» she hesitated. «What third?» «Third, I’ve always wanted to learn to cook something special. Something that’s ‘ours,’ family-style. So that the kids can later say, ‘Remember mom’s pie from grandma’s recipe?'» «Kids?» Pavel looked at his wife in surprise. «Is there something you want to tell me?» «No, what are you!» Alina laughed. «It’s too early. We need to finish the renovation first, settle in… I’m just thinking about the future. About how we’ll live on.» «And how will we?» «We’ll live well. Without unnecessary complications, without others’ expectations. Just loving each other and enjoying every day.» Pavel thoughtfully looked out the window:
«And mom… do you think she’ll really change?» «Not immediately, of course. Old habits don’t disappear in an instant. But if we’re patient and consistent—I think everything will work out. The main thing is to let her understand that she’s not losing a son, but gaining a new family.» «You’re wise,» Pavel smiled. «Not wise, but practical,» Alina winked at her husband. «By the way, we still need to buy a Christmas tree. And get the decorations out of the attic.» «Exactly! How about we go for the tree this Saturday? They have such beauties at the market now…» «Let’s do it! Just hang the curtains in the bedroom first, they’ve been in the box for a second month.» «Agreed. Hey, maybe we should order the curtain rods? I dread the thought of messing with the drill again…» «No way!» Alina playfully wagged her finger at her husband. «We decided to save. You said it yourself—every penny counts.» «Alright, alright, you win,» Pavel pulled his wife closer. «But don’t complain later that all weekend goes to the renovation.» «I won’t. But when we’re done—it’ll be such a feeling of pride! All by ourselves, with our own hands…» The doorbell rang unexpectedly. The couple exchanged glances.
«Could mom have come back?» Pavel frowned. Alina opened the door. On the threshold stood a neighbor from the floor below:
«Hello! Sorry to bother you. Just wanted to let you know—we’ve decided with the tenants to decorate a Christmas tree in the yard for New Year’s. Maybe you’d like to join too? Every year everyone celebrates separately, but we thought—why not have a communal celebration for the whole building?»
