“Where have you been?”
“Shopping.”
“Oh, anything important?”
“Yes.”
I noticed the curious look she returned as I grabbed her hand and led her towards one of the chairs, gesturing for her to sit down. She did so as I placed the small bag on the table, before taking out the small box.
“Andrew, what have you done?” she asked. I could hear the quiver in her voice.
I got down on one knee in front of her. “I know this can never, ever be official. But you are the only woman I’ve ever wanted in my life. You are my mother. You are my lover. You are my soul mate. And I want to be with you until the day I die.” I opened the box to show her the ring. “I know I can’t ask you to marry me.” I actually started to get emotional. “I want that more than anything, believe me,” I continued, Mum reaching forward to clear away the tear running down my cheek, “But I was hoping you would wear this ring as a symbol of the love we share.”
I’ll admit here and now that I broke down. I wanted nothing more than to make Mum my wife but no-one would ever allow it. She got down on the floor in front of me and wrapped me in a hug, kissing my cheeks to clear away the tears. “Of course I’ll wear it. And I’ll never take it off,” she said quietly.
I felt the smile form as I wiped my eyes. I took the ring from the box and, with hands slightly shaking, placed the ring on the third finger of her left hand. I then took the second box from the bag, handing it over. Mum opened the box and smiled before placing the ring on the third finger of my left hand.
“I now pronounce us husband and wife,” she said quietly. I couldn’t help the chuckle and sob at the same time. She simply stroked my cheek, as she always did. “I love you, my son.”
I leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. “I love you, Mum.”
A smirk then appeared. “So, should we now go into the bedroom and consummate the marriage?”
I couldn’t help the laugh. “I think we should spend the rest of the weekend doing that.”
That is exactly what we did. And I knew I would spend the rest of my life proving my love and devotion towards her. Because, after all, that is what any son would do for their mother.