I was exhausted and aching from labor. Then my mother-in-law Vesper decided my mom didn’t “belong” in the birthing room because she wasn’t “paying the hospital bill.” Vesper’s power trip ended when she turned back after kicking my mom out. Karma works fast.
Childbirth isn’t like those parenting books’ perfect pictures. It goes beyond breathing and happiness. A raw, dirty experience that opens your body and soul.
Exhausted and in agony, you need others to support you. Imagine my surprise when Vesper shoved my mom out of the birthing room during my contractions.
Her reason? “She’s not paying, so she shouldn’t be here.”
I wanted to shout and fight, but I was too weak. Vesper grinned, believing she had won. till she turned and gasped, pale.
Let me rewind.
My rock is Liora, my mom. She’s been there for my first heartbreak, college graduation, and wedding to Thane, my soulmate. When I found out I was pregnant, I needed her in the delivery room.
Thane supported it. “Your mom should be there, Zinnia,” he added, touching my belly. “She knows your needs.”
Mom held my hand through early labor, repeating, “Breathe, honey, just breathe,” while Thane completed hospital paperwork.
But Vesper? She had different ideas.
Money has always obsessed her. She and my father-in-law, Gideon, are wealthy, yet Vesper acts like money gives her power. Though Thane and I don’t depend on her money, she loves to meddle, especially when she can’t buy in.
She was upset to learn my mom will be in the delivery room. A month before my due date, she suggested, “I think I should be there instead,” during dinner. Thane and I pay hospital bills. Your mom’s coming what?
I nearly choked. Excuse me?
“I’m just saying,” she said, “there’s usually only room for one support person besides the dad. An investor is needed.”
“My mom’s supporting me,” I responded, furious. “This isn’t about money.”
With a forced smile, Vesper dropped her pout. “We’ll see,” she said.
I should have realized she was not done.
“I won’t let her push my mom out,” I told Thane that night. “Promise to support me.”
“Of course,” he kissed my forehead. “Mom must handle it.”
My voice cracked as I replied, “I can’t believe she thinks Mom isn’t ‘invested,’” “She’s been at every ultrasound, every missed appointment.”
Thane pulled me close, moaned. My mother believes money equals love. It’s twisted up, but her way.”
I thought we were done, until delivery day came.
I was exhausted, hot, and unable to see by mid-labor. I felt torn apart with each contraction.
“You’re doing great, sweetheart,” Mom remarked, rubbing my forehead with a cool cloth. “A few hours more.”
“Hours?” I moan. Mom, I can’t.”
“You can,” she whispered. Remember, one contraction at a time?
Vesper arrived dressed for a classy lunch, not a delivery room. She scowled at my mom wringing a washcloth, “Why are you here?”
Mom was calm. Im here for Zinnia. She needs me.”
“You?” Vesper sneered. Not a coffee date, this is a hospital. Know anything about this?
“I’ve given birth,” Mom remarked calmly. “Helping Zinnia through it.”
Vesper grinned and looked at the nurse taking my vitals. “Excuse me,” she murmured, sounding lovely. This woman must go. She’s not family and not paying.”
Nurse seemed confused. “The patient can pick—”
Vesper said, “We’re covering the bill,” as she proudly displayed her credit card. I want only family to stay, as the grandmother.
“Grandmothers usually wait outside during delivery,” the nurse added softly.
“I’m not just any grandmother,” Vesper said. “Maybe we should discuss our maternity ward donation with the hospital administrator.”
Another contraction made me scream. By the end, the nurse softly asked my mom to go “just for now.” Mom cried as she was brought away. I was too exhausted and hurt to fight.
Vesper looked smug in Mom’s chair. “There. Now just family.”
She was so proud of herself she didn’t hear the angry throat-clearing behind her. Turning, she froze. My mom, Thane, and Gideon stood.
“What’s up?” Thane mandated. Dad and I found Liora crying in the hallway.”
“They made me leave,” Mom wiped her eyes. “Vesper said I wasn’t family and didn’t belong for not paying.”
“What?” Shocked, Thane said. Yes, you’re family.
The face of Gideon clouded. “Are you saying my wife kicked you out for money?”
“I didn’t want to cause a scene,” Mom whispered. “Just what’s best for Zinnia.”
“What’s best for Zinnia is having who she wants here,” Thane determined. Let’s enter again.”
“Thane Gideon” Stuttering Vesper.
But Gideon refused. “Vesper,” he continued coldly, “we’re talking. Outside. Now.”
Vesper lost faith. To keep up, she clicked her heels as he left. And Mom stroked my hair again.
“I’m sorry, honey,” she muttered. “I should’ve fought harder.”
Between breaths, I added, “It’s not your fault.” “She shocked us.”
Thane kissed my forehead. Zinnia, I’m sorry. I’m shocked she did it.”
“Later,” I murmured as another contraction hit. Baby first.”
Three hours later, we had our baby, a perfect girl with Thane’s dark hair and my mom’s obstinate chin.
Mom replied, “She’s beautiful,” crying as she embraced her granddaughter. “See those tiny fingers.”
“Thank you, Mom,” I said. “I needed you.”
Thane kissed me. “You both amazed me today.”
Mum grinned. Family does that. We arrive.”
Vesper returned the next day, but changed. Demands, drama, and immaculate cosmetics are absent. Gideon led her in with a tiny basket, making sure she wouldn’t run.
“Vesper has something to say,” he continued, pushing her.
The basket contained a slightly misaligned onesie, a nice knitted blanket, and an embroidered pillow produced by a novice crafter. A skewed apple pie.
Vesper avoided my mom’s eyes while offering the basket. “It’s an apology pie,” she murmured. “For being terrible yesterday.”
All of us gazed, stunned.
“I was wrong,” Vesper murmured nervously. I valued money most. Thane and Gideon corrected me.”
She sighed, now looking at me. She looked fatigued and lacked her usual energy. “Your mom’s love is worth more than any bill,” she remarked. “I tried to price something unbuyable.”
I was stunned. Vesper never apologized. Gideon laughed, deescalating tension. “She’s on money detox. No spending for a month. I took her cards. She must produce gifts to give them.”
Vesper grumbled but smiled slightly. This is his punishment. I find it enjoyable. Humbling but fun.”
Mom took the basket, inspecting the goods. “These are lovely,” she added happily. Have you made them all?
Vesper blushed and nodded. “The blanket took three tries. And the pie… I haven’t baked since college.”
Mum grinned. Heartfelt handmade gifts. If you want to learn more, I’ll teach you.”
The eyes of Vesper expanded. “You would?” After I did?”
Mom politely said, “Of course. “Families do that.”
Vesper seemed to notice, looking at my daughter asleep in her bassinet. “Maybe I could make more things for her,” she whispered. “Things that mean more than store-bought.”
When I breathed out, the day felt lighter.
She tried. Sometimes enough is enough.
Vesper changed since. Though slow, old habits die strong. The effort is genuine. Mother and daughter became buddies. She learned to bake pie crust from Mom.
“Cold butter’s the secret,” Mom remarked. “Don’t overmix the dough.”
“I never had the patience for this,” Vesper said. It was simpler to acquire everything.”
“Some things can’t be bought,” Mom replied. “Like the look on someone’s face when you give them something you made.”
Vesper learned to knit, sew, and prepare better treats from Mom. Vesper made boots, caps, and a months-long blanket from fabric leftovers for the infant.
“I used to think I could buy love,” Vesper said as we watched my daughter play with a misshapen teddy bunny she sewed. The money Gideon earned, I spent. That was me.”
She smiled at the bunny’s odd ears. “Now I understand. Nothing beats seeing her hold my creation.”
Vesper is unfinished. Her previous self sometimes tries to solve things with money. But she or Gideon stops and says, “Remember the delivery room, Vesper.”
You know what? This clever, trying-her-best mother-in-law beats the old one any day. Vesper now understands family.
Who paid and what you bought are irrelevant. Show up, put down your pride, and love unconditionally.
