It was three months after that, Adam was in the grocery store, getting some things for the house. While, of course, he could've just wished them up, he also realized that if none of them were ever seen at a grocery store, people would think something was off. He was getting some fruit and whipped cream for the "dessert" he was going to have with the girls that night when he felt a tapping on his shoulder.
He turned around and saw Laura's mother standing in front him. He was shocked beyond belief, but she steadied him a bit.
"Don't be upset," she said softly. "I followed you here."
"What are you doing here?" Adam asked quietly. "Does Laura know you're here?"
"No," she admitted, "she is still not taking my calls. I was hoping you would talk to her." Adam thought for a second before answering her.
"Before I do that," he said, deciding not to this, "I'd like to know what you intend to say to her."
"That is between me and my daughter," Laura's mother said firmly. Adam just shook his head.
"No, no, no," he said quickly, "she may be your daughter, but she's my wife and I'm not gonna let you do more damage to her than you already have."
"I know she believes I hurt her, I talked to Rayna."
"It isn't that she believes you hurt her," Adam corrected, "you did. Badly. So, I'm gonna ask again, what are your intentions?"
Laura's mother may have been frustrated by her son-in-law, but she was also slightly impressed that he wasn't bending to her will and was standing up for his daughter.
"I will not tell you that, but I will promise that I will cause her no more pain," Laura's mother told him. Adam thought for a few moments before nodding.
"Ok, here's what I'll do," Adam offered. "I'll tell Laura and Jade we're going out to eat tonight. You be there waiting for us at a table, and we'll see how it goes."
"I would rather meet her at your house," Laura's mother stated with Adam shaking his head.
"If we do this, it's in a public place so we don't have a repeat of last time." Laura's mother nodded at the logic of it. "Deal?"
"Very well," Laura's mother acceded. Adam told her where to meet them and what time to be there. She told him she would be there as she left. Adam pondered how to handle this, ultimately deciding not to tell Laura beforehand, fearing that if he did, she might not come.
It wasn't too terribly hard to convince the girls to eat out that night. They got dressed nice and we walked into a local restaurant we knew. I was smart enough to pick a place where they knew us so that Laura would be less likely to cause a scene. We got to the host stand and were told our table was ready. We rounded the corner and there was Laura's mother.
"Mother!" Laura said loudly, causing a few tables to stir.
"You had to bring her?" Laura's mother asked snippily.
"How dare you..." Laura got out before Adam stopped her.
"Babe, sit," Adam said, holding his wife by the arm, "please."
Laura look at Adam and saw the hope in his eyes. She than looked over at Jade and saw the same with her. Relenting, she sat down diagonally from her mother with Jade sitting next to her. Adam, out of options, sat down next to her mother.
"Hi, everyone!" the friendly server chirped, coming up to the table. "Can I start you all off with something to drink?"
"Wine," Adam said quickly. "Red. Any kind."
He nodded quickly and departed.
"You set this up?" Laura said, looking at her husband with annoyance.
"Kinda," he admitted. "You're mom came to me."
"Well, we're here," Laura said, taking a water from the server and sipping on it. "What do you have to say?" The daggers she was giving her mother could be felt by all at the table, but her mother wasn't one to get flustered.
"First of all," she said softly, but firmly. "I will admit, I could've handled the situation better."
"I would certainly think so," Laura said, full of acid on her tongue.
"Laura, be civil," her mother shot back.
"Oh, like you were?" Laura shot back as the server got their wine sorted out.
"Would you like any appetizers?" he said brightly, noting that Adam was indicating him over to whisper to him.
"I'd stay as far from this table as possible for a while if you value your sanity."
"Yes, sir." He then quickly retreated.
"Well?" Laura said, looking at her mother with a determination and fury that Jade or even Adam had never seen.
"Look, Laura," she said sternly, but with a degree of softness attached. "I may have overreacted a tad."
"A tad?!" Laura said in a louder voice than Adam would've liked.
"Laura, you tell me that you and have a genie that you two cheat on each other with," her mother got out before Laura snapped back at her.
"Mother, it's not cheating," she replied forcefully and mutedly enough not to stir up anyone at the other tables.
"You are both sleeping with people outside of marriage," Laura's mother snapped back. "That is adultery."
"This is a waste of time," Laura said gathering her purse, preparing to leave.
"Wait, please," Laura's mother said, seeming to know she went too far. Laura stopped for a second.
"What for?" Laura asked, "so you can insult us all some more? I'm not subjecting my husband or Jade to this."
"I think it may be time for you to say what you came to say," Adam spoke up. "Cause I'm with Laura, I won't stay here and hear you insult the two women I love most in the world." Even in anger, Laura flashed a smile at him, reaffirming every reason she married him. Jade also smiled at him, loving every time her master said something sweet like that.
Laura's mother just sat there, motionless, not saying a word. Adam took charge again.
"You came to me," Adam said, "you asked me to get Laura here and I did. Now tell her what you want to tell her, or I'm not stopping her from leaving," he warned. Laura's mother saw the look of determination on his face and knew he was serious. She took a deep breath and faced her daughter.
"Laura, I love you," Laura's mother said, "I only want what's best for you."
Laura looked at her mother, but put her hands toward Jade and Adam, both grasping each of her hands.
"They are what's best for me," Laura said plainly. "These two make me happier than I've ever been before. They make me feel full of joy, love, and happiness. And I know they support me in whatever I do."
"I support you," Laura's mother said, "I put you through medical school."
"Pushing and prodding all the way," Laura clapped back. "You pushed me, but never supported me. You pushed Rayna into finance, even though she hates it and me into medicine."
"You hate medicine?" Laura's mother asked.
"I don't and you're missing the point," Laura said exasperated, "I love what I do, but I never felt like you had my back, you just pushed on it." Laura took a sip of wine and continued. "Rayna wanted to go into teaching, but you pushed her into finance and banking. I'll tell you right now, she hates it, and whether she admits it or not, she resents you for making her do it."
"I never made her," Laura's mother said defensively.
"You threatened to cut her off if she changed majors, mother!" Laura said exasperated. "What do you call that?"
"I just wanted my girls to succeed," she reflexed.
"At what cost?" Laura told her. "You've lost one daughter and are on the verge of losing another. Was it worth it?"
Laura's mother than put on an expression that the trio had never seen before.
Remorse.
Laura's mother started tearing up a bit as it was now clear to her how much she stood to lose. Laura remained stoic while Jade and Adam were almost feeling sorry for her, but not quite.
"I know you think I've been too hard on you girls," Laura's mother admitted. "I only wanted what was best for you."
"I get that," Laura said taking a slight sympathetic tone. "But I'm a grown woman now. I'm successful, I'm a doctor, and I'm married. All the things you wanted for me. Exactly how you wanted it? Maybe not. But this is my life."
"I understand that," Laura's mother said tepidly, "I just don't want you hurt."
"Mother, you're the one who hurt me," Laura said back quickly. "These two people are the two people I love and trust more than anyone in the world, even Rayna. They will never hurt me. You on the other hand..."
Adam could see the server out of the corner of his eye that he was trying to see if it was ok to come back to the table yet. Adam lightly shook his head, letting him know to avoid as Laura's mother started talking.
"How can you say I hurt you?" she said in defense. "I've given you everything. Everything was for my daughters."