— Maya, how old are you? — her dad whispered.

12.06.2026, 16:38 blysk.space

Milly, how old are you? his voice was low, almost a whisper. It feels as if youre not a firstyear university student but a child in primary school. No matter the love, you still have to live somewhere, you still have to eat every day, you understand? Where are you hurrying off to? Tomorrow youre planning to marrywhats this sudden rush? Nobody objects to Oliver, let him come, well meet his parents, well talk Am I right?

David, will you be back soon? Gail asked, dialing her husbands work line.

Soon. Im almost done, he replied.

Then hurry up! Theres a conversation waiting, she said abruptly.

Whats happened? Davids tone quivered.

I cant quite put it into words it hasnt happened yet, but we need to discuss it, Gail was clearly unsettled, though nothing disastrous had unfolded yet.

Fifteen minutes later the head of the family walked into the flat.

Whats going on here? he asked his wife cautiously.

Change your clothes, wash your hands; you dont have to throw the whole world away and save it, she kissed him and nudged him toward the bathroom.

He finished the necessary routines, changed, and emerged into the living room.

Come on, his wife led him to their daughters room. Milly sat on the sofa, her eyes red from tears.

Whats wrong? David tried to keep his voice steady.

Ask your own daughter, Gail snapped, tell dad what youve been thinking!

Milly turned away, staring out the window, clearly unwilling to voice her troubles.

Right, girls, David slammed his hand on the table with determination. Either you sit down calmly, no hysteria, no extra drama, and tell me the problem, or you sort it out yourselves while I go try to rest after work!

Were about to get married, his wife added with a sour edge of sarcasm. Today, no postponing!

So? David looked a little taken aback. Youre getting married? To whom, if its not a secret?

Milly stayed stubbornly silent, and her mother Gail had to press again.

Oliver Whitfield, you remember hes been turning up a lot lately?

Right, that is it, love?

Milly kept her silence.

Well then, my dear. Stop these games. Do you expect me to dance around you to find out something? he said, now seriously.

Oliver and I love each other! the daughter blurted out. Hes the best, and well marry!

At last some clarity, the family patriarch sighed. Does he study with you?

Yes, in the same group.

First year, David muttered, halfunderstanding, halfresigned. Kids

Were not kids! Milly interrupted. Were eighteen, were adults!

Fine. If youre adults, then speak like adults.

I dont want to hear the same old lecture: Youre still young, wait, get your footing, test your feelings, and all that boring nonsense. Youre grown, you should understand a simple truth: we love each other, we have feelings! And you want to tear it all apart!

Im not trying to ruin anything, dear, David sighed wearily. I just want to sort this out. So you love Oliver, right? Milly nodded defiantly. Thats something. And you want to marry? Both of you, or just you?

Dad, dont try to insult Oliver. He also wants us to marry.

Good for you. So youve got the wish. But where will you live, what money will you have? Have you thought about those details?

It doesnt matter! If we love each other, everything else is irrelevant! she shouted passionately.

Milly, how old are you? he repeated softly. It feels like youre not a university freshman but a primaryschooler. No matter the love, you need a roof, you need food every day. Where are you rushing off to? Tomorrow you plan to marrywhats the hurry? Nobody objects to Oliver; well meet his parents, talk Am I right? He turned to his wife.

Very right, love. Theres just one hitch they have a way to rush things.

What, are they drafting Oliver into the army?

No, not the army, and not Oliver. Milly, why are you silent, must I say everything?

Im not silent, Milly growled. Oliver and I are expecting a child.

Ah, David said, surprised. What are you going to do?

Marry! Have a baby! And dont you dare try to stop us! Our child will be born!

Calm down! No ones trying to force you; you need to figure this out yourselves. Do Olivers parents know?

He we agreed each of us would speak to our parents today

And? He hasnt called with an answer yet?

All right, when he does, let me know. In the meantime, get me something to eat, because with all this passion Im famished.

David and his wife headed to the kitchen where Gail quickly reheated dinner and placed a plate before him.

What do we do now? she asked quietly.

I dont know, honestly. Lets wait for his parents response and maybe well reach a decision together

Dinner finished, a bleak message arrived from Oliver: his parents were firmly opposed, a heated argument had erupted, and things looked bad.

Fifteen minutes later Milly emerged into the lounge, phone in hand, and whispered, ending the call:

Olivers mother wants to speak to someone from your side

Gail crossed her arms, staring at the floor.

Darling, you talk, please, I cant

David shot a reproachful glance at his wife, then answered the call, speaker on, finger to his lips.

Hello, Im Millys father, David Hart.

Laura. Olivers mother. Our son announced today that hes seeing your daughter. By his own account theyve already moved beyond a simple dating stage and have grand plans. Are you aware?

Yes, weve spoken with Milly.

Very well. Let me be clear: we are absolutely against those grand plans, Laura said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Plans! Our son must finish his studies, get a qualification, build a career. A firstyear marriage and a baby are not on our agenda.

A rushed marriage for our daughter wasnt on our agenda either, David replied. But Milly is pregnant, by your son, mind you. What do you propose we do about that?

Thats your problem, David Hart. First, Im not convinced the child is Olivers. Second, even if it is, the notion of a sudden wedding because shes pregnant will not go unnoticed. I believe your daughter, like any girl, craves marriage, especially when the boy comes from a respectable family, has a flat and a good standing. I understand that, but as a mother I will do everything to keep my son out of this. My husband feels the same. Weve spoken to Oliver, he agrees with us, and we ask you to tell your daughter to stop bothering him. Let her do whatever she wantshave a child, whateverbut its none of our business. Good night.

A few short beeps followed. David surveyed the weary faces of his wife and daughter, then said in a low, grim tone:

Everyone heard that? In short, well have a babyshes not at fault for the fathers failings. No big deal. When the time comes, youll take the exam, then youll be back. Youre not the first, you wont be the last. Well support you financially, look after the child. The rest well sort later. Scoundrels, all of them! Im not the one, the house isnt mine. All right, calm down, cry if you must, but not for long. Well manage.

He hung up, then whispered to his wife:

Take Milly with you tonight, make sure she doesnt do anything rash. Talk to her, soothe her. Ill stay in her room.

An hour later a knock sounded at the front door.

Whos that in this trouble? David muttered, heading to open it.

Soon he returned to the lounge with a young man in tow.

Oliver! Milly lunged at him. Youve come for me?

Yes, for you, David Hart, Gail. Ive come to take Milly away.

Take her where? No secret there.

I dont know yet. Probably rent a flat. Were adults, so dont stand in our way! Will you come with me? he asked Milly.

Of course! Anywhere!

Wait a moment, David raised his hand. A few questions for the press. Your mother said the whole family opposes your decision with Milly, and youre part of that.

Not exactly, David Hart. It was Mom who decided. Dad agrees, obviously, Oliver said, using the rare word obviously as naturally as if it were his own. I only pretended they convinced me. Then I grabbed my wallet, passport, bank card, and here I am.

Interesting! David was genuinely surprised. So you want to take Milly, rent a place, but on whatpardonfunds?

Ive scraped a bit, worked evenings, I have a YouTube channel with followers. Itll cover rent and food for a few months, and Ill earn more later.

Not bad, not bad What do you think, wife, should we let our daughter go? Young people arent as simple as we thought.

I have no idea, Gail shrugged. Where, at night, looking

Right, you dont release her at night. Lets decide. So youll marry?

Yes! they answered together.

And have a child?

Same answer.

Then well support you, but on a few conditions. First, you must try to reconcile with your parents, and you, Milly, must support him. Oliver stays with us tonight, no nighttime wandering. Well set up a spare room in the lounge; for now youre just a guest, a friend of our daughter. Tell your friends youre staying over, then prepare them for the harsh truth, but without fights! Keep studying! Especially you, David nodded toward Oliver. Milly will go on maternity leave, then catch up. Well help financially, watch the child, but we wont work for you. Keep the expenses low; the budget must stay quiet. Later you can enjoy life fully. Do you accept these terms?

Yes, Oliver replied without hesitation.

Well I still wanted a proper wedding, with a veil, a limousine, guests, Milly said, disappointment evident.

Not yet! Oliver protested. Well register quietly now, and maybe in a year or two well have a proper ceremony.

As you say

All right, children, the plans clear, the task set. Rest now, tomorrow we all get up early.

Later, Gail caught David as he went to the kitchen for water.

Listen, Ive got to ask, why did you change your course so abruptly?

Abruptly? After that talk with his mother, I was shaking. Then this ladwhat I thought was just a mums little boyturned out to be a real man, didnt run away, didnt abandon his love. For a man like that you could even give your daughter away!

Youre always right, love! she kissed him and went to assign everyone their sleeping places.

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