“Polly, what about those extra pounds of yours?”
“Polly, what about those extra pounds? Surely, that’s a problem?”Dylans mother refused to let it go.
“In my opinion, I dont have any, especially since my future husband happens to like them. Not all of us can be waifs and reeds.” Polly gave Elaine and Dylans mother a mocking once-over. Elaine bristled at the insolence.
“Mum! Did you buy that slimming tea? The chia seeds? And why did you put so much butter in my porridgedo you *want* me to gain weight?! Dylan, you bought yeast bread again? Its unhealthy! Three glasses of water in the morning, or the scales wont budgewheres my water?!” These were the sorts of pronouncements Dylan had grown up hearing.
His mother and older sister were perpetually obsessed with their figures. Now, at thirty-eight, Elaine had never married and resembled a gaunt, hollow-eyed horse, permanently hungry. His mother, meanwhile, was as straight and narrow as a knitting needle.
It drove him mad, which was why he always gravitated toward cheerful, hearty people. He dreamed of a wife who was nothing like his mother or sister. And hed found her.
Her name was Polly. Soft, pleasant, deliciouslike a warm slice of cake. She wasnt overweight, but at five-foot-eight, she carried her 187 pounds with effortless grace.
And every ounce radiated health and happiness. High breasts, a slender waist, womanly curves, and dimples in her plump cheeks that begged to be pinched. Dylan had been enchanted the moment he saw her.
One evening, he gave Elaine a lift to the bank for some errands. She took a ticket and settled into a chair, while he paced the lobby.
Thena sound. A silvery, bell-like laugh, quiet but infectious. Dylan couldnt help but smile. Drawn to it, he followed the sound.
The laughter belonged to a teller helping an elderly customer. The man must have said something funny because she laughed again. Dylan couldnt look away.
From her wavy hair to her bow-shaped lips. And yes, she was undeniably *voluptuous*impossible to miss.
In the car with Elaine, listening to her monologue, he was miles away, still back in the bank with that girl.
“Dylan, are you listening?” Elaine snapped.
“Of course, Elaine. Im listening.” He strained to recall what shed been saying.
“Well, I told him I dont eat fried meat, only boiled chicken breast,” she complained about her latest suitor. Dylan nodded sympathetically, clicking his tonguewhat a scoundrel.
The next evening, he raced to the bank. She was still there. Relief. After closing, he fetched a bouquet of roses from his car and approached her.
“Miss. Do you happen to need a husband? Or a son-in-law for your mother?” He blurted out the cliché and held out the flowers.
His face must have been such a picturebashful, ridiculousthat she laughed, but she took the roses.
“God, theyre beautiful! The scent!” She buried her face in them, inhaling deeply, while he just stared, smitten.
From then on, they were inseparable. Sometimes you meet someone and just *know*. That was Dylan and Polly. He proposed within a month, and she said yes. Then came meeting the parents.
Pollys family welcomed him with a feast, pies, laughter, and noise. Her mothera statuesque beautykissed both his cheeks, flustering him completely. Her father clapped him on the back like an old friend and steered him to the kitchen.
“Best stay clear of the womentheyll pester you to death. But dont worry, NataliePollys mumshes harmless. Thats why Ive loved her thirty years. And Polly? Shes our diamond. You look after her, son.” Her father fixed him with a serious look.
They spent hours at the table, eating heartily, laughing loudly, trading stories. Then Ivan strummed his guitar, and everyone sang along. Dylan felt at home, as if hed known them forever.
Three days later, they visited Dylans parents. Polly bought handmade éclairs from a patisserie for the ladies. At five sharp, they arrived.
Dylans mother, Helen, opened the door.
“Oh Hello, darlings” She stared at Polly, mouth agape, gripping the door handle.
“Mum, love you too. Mind if we come in?” Dylan nudged her gently, and they stepped inside.
“Of course, son. Of course Come in, come in And you must be Polly, yes?” She collected herself and shamelessly looked Polly up and down.
“Thats me! Lovely to meet you.” Polly tucked her hand into Helens and breezed past, leaving Dylans mother blinking in shock.
“Dad, Elaine, Mumthis is Polly, my fiancée. Weve filed the papersweddings soon. Polly, meet my family. Sister Elaine, Mum Helen, Dad Nicholas.”
The news clearly stunned them. Silence. Only the clink of cutlery.
“Right! Polly! Delighted to have you in the family. And whats thisa bottle? Brilliant! And some treatsfor the ladies, eh?” Nicholas, ever the peacemaker.
“Oh no, we dont eat pastries, especially not at night. Really, Polly” Helen pushed the box away with distaste.
“You dont, but we do! Hand it overlets see whats inside. I trust Pollys taste. Dont I, Polly?” Nicholas boomed.
They settled in, tension easing. Chocolate, snacks, and sparkling wine appeared. Bottle opened, glasses clinked, sips taken. Thenawkward silence.
“Mum, I met Pollys parents. Wonderful people. Youll like them,” Dylan offered. Polly studied her glass; Elaine stared at her. Nicholas launched into a joke, laughter followed, and the mood lightened.
“Polly, dont fret, I know an excellent specialist. Ill introduce youshell sort out your *issue*,” Helen said suddenly.
“Issue? I dont have one.”
“Really? Polly, those extra pounds? Surely thats a problem?”
“In my view, no. Especially since my future husband adores them. Not all of us can be twigs.”
“Polly, youre twenty pounds overweight! Its unhealthy. And when you have childrenGod knows whatll happen”
“When I have children, Ill be even lovelier, with my husband and baby beside me. Speaking ofElaine, are *you* married? A slender woman like you must have a handsome husband, and at least a couple of little ones” Polly took a triumphant bite of éclair.
Elaine swallowed hard, outraged, breath hitchingbut Nicholas cut in, refilling glasses with a toast.
“To the women of this familydifferent, but dearly loved!”
Two hours later, they stepped outside. Exhaled in unison. Then burst into laughter.
“Well Didnt expect my future mother-in-law to call me plump.”
“Polly, love, youre gorgeous, and you know it. Mum and Elaine? Forgive them. Cant choose family.”
The wedding was set for August 25. In the registry office, then the reception.
Polly shone in a stunning dress that flattered her curves. Dylan couldnt take his eyes off her. Natalie, Pollys mother, rivalled her daughter in beautyelegant, statuesque. Half the men couldnt look away. A stark contrast to Helen, swathed in a stiff, high-necked gown. Elaine was her mothers spitting image, just younger.
Music swelled. The newlyweds danced. They might as well have been alone in the world.
“Well The bride could stand to lose a few. That dress doesnt helpmakes her look even bigger,” Helen muttered.
Words, once spoken, cant be taken back. Shed have swallowed them if she couldbut it was too late.
“Funny, most men dont fancy skin and bones. They prefer real women. Your son, for one. And Helenmind your tongue. Im easygoing, but cross my daughter, and I cant be held responsible.” Natalie advanced, bosom first, backing Helen against a wall.
They glared. Helen, terrified; Natalie, furious. Ivan swept in, rescuing the moment.
“Ladies! Getting along splendidly, I see! But I must steal my wife. Natalie, darlingshall we dance?”
He whisked her into a waltz. Music roared, guests cheered. The wedding carried on, laughter drowning out tension.
Heres hoping the newlyweds live long, love well, and prosper.
After all, thats what matters, isnt it?
