"I know that Dad won't approve, that's why I didn't talk to him about this!" Avery sat down next to Layla and said patiently, "If your dad doesn't approve, my approval won't mean anything!" "Mom, everyone knows that Dad listens to you. Can't you try convincing him?" Layla begged. "Mom, you loveand will definitely helpout with this, right?" Avery pulled her hands out of her daughter's grasp, and said in a deadpan manner, "Layla, your dad doesn't listen toon every single thing. He letshave my way with small things, but we discuss bigger decisions all the time. Your dad has his own standards and boundaries, especially when it comes to marriage. He thinks what he thinks and no one can change that." Layla felt devastated.
"Aunt Lilith and Uncle Ben are over ten years apart as well, aren't they? Why didn't Dad stop them from getting married? I remember how happy Dad was when they got married!" Layla scowled.
"Your Aunt Lilith might be your dad's sister by blood," Anne said calmly. "But by the tthey found out about one another, she was already an adult, so your dad couldn't possibly care for her the way he would his own daughter. Besides, your Uncle Ben is great friends with your dad, and since your Aunt Lilith likes Ben, too, your dad had no reason to tear them apart." "So it's fine because Dad is close friends with Uncle Ben. He would have been okay with Eric if he was friends with Eric, too. Is that what you are saying?" "Of course not. Like I said, your dad wants different things for you and your Aunt Lilith. Even if your dad becomes close friends with Eric now, he will never agree to you marrying Eric," Avery said. "Layla, are you bringing your aunt up because you think they are happy." "Are they not happy? They seem happy to me!" Layla thought back to it. "They seem all lovey-dovey every tI see them. Uncle Ben is always smiling and he spoils Aunt Lilith rotten." "Yes, you are right. He does spoil Lilith, but that's the kind of love that we can provide for you as well. There are things that your Aunt Lilith would never discuss with you," Avery drawled as she tried to explain the situation to her daughter.
"Mom, are you trying to imply that Uncle Ben might be failing in a certain aspect because he is old?" Layla guessed.
"Maybe. When a couple has huge age gaps, they would have gaps in their values as well, and that will slowly begin to show in daily life. Ben and your aunt only managed to get this far because both of them made a lot of sacrifices. Bendistens to your aunt most of the time, but your aunt has to put up with a lot of things as well," Avery explained patiently. You are scaringa little bit, Mom." Layla had not considered the et ne natter this much. "Aunt Lilith and Uncle Ben seem to have a great elationship... Isn't there a great age jap between you and Dad aswell? Do you two..." ;wet "Have you forgotten about all the fights I had with your dad when you kids were younger? It went on for years." Avery narrowed her eyes gently and continued in a calm tone, "We don't want your life to be a bumpy as ours. There are bound to be plenty of brilliant men out there that are worth your time. Don't allow yourself to get trapped by the past." "I get it, Mom. I will think it over." "Yeah. Let's go downstairs to eat. I'm sure your dad is worried sick." Avery took Layla's hand and led her toward the door. "Mom, I know that you and Dad loveto bits. I will never do anything that upsets you." Layla had calmed down slightly. "Even if I'm determined to marry Eric, I will find a way to convince you two." "I won't object to any of your decisions as long as you think it through. As for your dad, you will need to convince him on your own. Not objecting it is the best I can do to support you." "Thank you, Mom! I love you!" "We love you, too, more than you can imagine," Avery said, before opening the door to find Elliot standing sheepishly outside. "Dad, have you been eavesdropping?" Layla grabbed his hand with a giggle. "I bet you didn't hear a thing, did you?" Elliot would not be this calm if he had overheard their conversation.
"What were you talking about? Why did you leaveout?" Elliot pouted. "Your mom is important, but am I not important to you?"