Chapter 291 - 278: This Is Your Only Daughter-in-Law
She wanted to make a good impression on Elliot Sheridan’s parents, so she put on her brightest smile. "Mom, Dad, hello!"
Georgia Thorne had practiced those two words in front of the mirror for a long time today, and she still trembled as she said them.
James Sheridan and Sharon Ennis were both stunned. They exchanged a glance before their eyes finally settled back on Georgia Thorne.
’Isn’t this the young lady who’s Selena’s classmate? The last time we saw her, she was calling us Grandpa and Grandma, just like Selena. This sudden switch to ’Mom and Dad’ is a bit hard for us to swallow.’
Georgia Thorne stood awkwardly beside Elliot Sheridan, her heart pounding. ’Are Elliot’s parents not happy with me?’
Elliot Sheridan wrapped an arm around Georgia Thorne and casually sat her down. "If you two keep looking so grim, you’ll scare your daughter-in-law away. And if you ask me to find another one, I won’t be able to!"
In every word and gesture, Elliot Sheridan showed his deep affection for Georgia Thorne.
James Sheridan’s face grew even darker. "You, boy, get in the study with me!"
’I knew this kid was nothing but trouble. Of all the girls to bring home, he had to bring his niece’s classmate.’
Elliot Sheridan had anticipated what would happen when he got home. He patted Georgia Thorne’s hand, giving her a reassuring look. As he stood up, he turned to his mother. "Mom, she’s your only daughter-in-law. You have to take good care of her."
Sharon Ennis’s expression was not pleasant, but she said nothing.
Elliot Sheridan followed James Sheridan into the study and plopped down on the sofa, his posture radiating a defiant arrogance.
"Whatever it is, say it quick." ’Georgia is still out there.’
Elliot Sheridan’s focus was on Georgia Thorne. It wasn’t that he thought his mother would bully his wife, but he was worried Georgia would be too nervous and unable to relax around Sharon Ennis.
James Sheridan slammed his hand on the desk in anger. "How dare you! Do you even see me as your father anymore?"
"If I didn’t, would I have brought Georgia home?" Elliot Sheridan retorted nonchalantly.
The mention of Georgia Thorne only stoked James Sheridan’s anger. "What ’Georgia’!"
"My wife, of course!"
"You damned rascal! What do you mean ’your wife’? That girl is Selena’s classmate! She’s a full twelve years younger than you, and you just bring her home? What will Selena think of you, her uncle? What will other people think of you?" The word "wife" made James Sheridan’s head throb, the veins on his neck bulging with rage. "I’m telling you, I do not approve of this daughter-in-law. You cannot marry her!"
Elliot Sheridan stood up. "Sorry, you’re too late. Georgia and I are already legally married."
"..." James Sheridan’s eyes bulged. He couldn’t believe Elliot had lost his mind to this degree.
’They got married? And they, his parents, didn’t even know!’
"Absurd!" He was so angry he was speechless for a moment, finally spitting out that single word.
Elliot Sheridan’s expression turned serious. "I’m not being absurd. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Grandma. She knows all about it."
Whenever Elliot brought Miss Sheridan into the conversation, James Sheridan was left speechless.
"Besides," Elliot Sheridan said with a shrug, "Georgia and I are very happy together. I’m not going to break up with her just because you disapprove. And haven’t you and Mom always been nagging me to get married so you can have grandchildren? Well, here’s your chance!"
"Don’t give me that. How did you even get involved with Georgia Thorne?" ’Dating his own niece’s classmate... if word of this got out, they’d be a laughingstock.’
James Sheridan wasn’t a stick-in-the-mud, but his values were thoroughly conventional. He was fine with Elliot finding a younger girl, but finding his own niece’s classmate? That was crossing a line.
Meanwhile, Georgia Thorne sat stiffly in the living room, nervously watching Sharon Ennis.
’It’s not that I’ve never met Sharon Ennis before,’ she thought, ’but she seems so much sterner today.’
A change in circumstances changes one’s perception.
And the same was true for Sharon Ennis.
Sharon Ennis’s own thoughts were in turmoil.
’A granddaughter’s classmate is one thing; a son’s girlfriend is another entirely.’
Sharon Ennis’s eyes fell on the wedding ring on Georgia Thorne’s finger. "Has Elliot already proposed?"
Georgia followed her gaze to her own ring finger. She touched the ring shyly and said softly, "We’re already married."
Sharon Ennis’s heart skipped a beat. "When did you get married?"
"Almost half a year ago," Georgia answered honestly.
’Almost half a year...’ Sharon Ennis pursed her lips, recalling a recent phone call she’d made to Elliot. A woman had answered. Looking at Georgia now, she realized, ’It must have been her.’
Sharon Ennis felt like such a fool. Georgia had been to their house so many times, and she’d often praised the girl for being so quiet and gentle. How could she not have recognized her voice on the phone?
Sharon Ennis had no real complaints about Georgia. The main issue was her being Selena’s classmate; the difference in their generational standing was awkward.
"Mom... er, Auntie," Georgia began, then corrected herself. "If you’re not comfortable with it, I can just keep calling you that."
"No, don’t," Sharon Ennis said. "You should call me Mom. You and Elliot are married now. If you keep calling me Auntie, he’ll think I don’t approve of my new daughter-in-law!"
’Elliot’s words before he went into the study were a clear warning: Don’t you dare bully my wife.’
Georgia’s face flushed. She scratched her hair, then softly called out, "Mom."
The family sat down to dinner. Aside from Elliot, who was perfectly at ease, the other three looked more or less awkward.
After dinner, Sharon Ennis had warmed up to Georgia considerably.
As Elliot’s mother, Sharon Ennis had tried to set her son up on many dates in the past.
At every one of those meals, Elliot would be ice-cold to the girl, sitting silently like some intimidating CEO.
But this dinner was a real eye-opener for her.
’So her son did know how to be caring and considerate after all.’
’Oh, well,’ she thought. ’As long as my son is happy. I don’t have any major objections to Georgia, anyway.’
Once Sharon Ennis came to terms with it, she became much warmer. After dinner, she pulled Georgia aside for a chat.
This sudden shift left Georgia feeling both flattered and bewildered. She glanced back at Elliot, only to find him already watching her.
Sharon Ennis watched them exchange glances. ’Perhaps this young woman, Georgia, really is a good match for Elliot.’
’At the very least,’ she mused, ’I’ve never seen Elliot speak so gently to any other girl, not even his ex, Quentin Chase.’
That evening, Sharon Ennis asked the couple to stay the night.
"Why don’t you sleep here tonight? Elliot’s room is clean; I always have someone keep it tidy."
With Sharon Ennis having said that, Georgia had no reason to refuse.
However, she felt a little awkward about staying over. She glanced at Elliot, hoping he would make an excuse for them.
But alas, Elliot didn’t see her look. "Perfect," he said. "I had a bit to drink tonight, so I can’t drive anyway."
Sharon Ennis was delighted to hear this. She took her daughter-in-law’s hand. "Oh, Georgia, you must stay the night. From now on, we’re all family."
She patted the back of Georgia’s hand, and Georgia smiled and agreed.
That night, Georgia naturally stayed over at the Sheridan residence with Elliot.
Neither Sharon Ennis nor James Sheridan had expected Elliot to get married behind their backs, and it had caught them completely off guard.
They didn’t have any clothes for Georgia at the house, so Sharon Ennis brought out some of Selena Sheridan’s. "You can wear Selena’s for now. Tomorrow, Mom will take you shopping for a few new outfits."
Georgia quickly waved her hands in refusal. "Oh no, that’s not necessary. I have clothes."
"If Mom wants to buy you clothes, just let her," Elliot said. He had appeared in the doorway of Selena’s room and now came forward, pulling Georgia into his arms. "Just let her have her fun."
"What fun? It’s not like I’ve never had a daughter-in-law," Sharon grumbled. ’This boy. It’s like he’s not happy unless he’s driving me crazy.’
"Alright, alright, whatever you say, Mom!" Elliot said, leading Georgia back to his own room.
It wasn’t the first time Georgia had been in Elliot’s room.
But every other time had been a heart-pounding, clandestine affair, nothing like walking in openly like this.
Still feeling a little shy, Georgia clutched the clothes and smoothed her disheveled hair. "Um, I’ll go take a shower first!"
"The bathroom’s on your left."
"I know!" Georgia muttered under her breath, her face turning even redder. She darted a quick look around the room before disappearing into the bathroom.
As for how she knew, that was thanks to the first time she’d ever met Elliot, when she’d accidentally walked into the wrong room and seen something she wasn’t supposed to see.
Elliot recalled her panicked expression back then. ’She looked exactly like a startled rabbit.’
’So cute. So lovable.’
Downstairs, James Sheridan was speaking with Sharon Ennis.
"About this Georgia... it’s not that I don’t like her," James Sheridan began, his disapproval clear. "She’s just so much younger than Elliot. And she’s Selena’s classmate. It’s just..."
He wasn’t as open-minded as his wife, and Sharon knew it. "So what do you propose we do? They’re already married. You can’t possibly make them get a divorce!"
"Besides," Sharon Ennis added, rolling her eyes, "as if Elliot would listen to you if you told him to get a divorce!"
’She’d watched that boy grow up; everyone knew how stubborn he could be.’
"Mom, I need to talk to you," Elliot said. He had come downstairs while Georgia was in the shower, wanting to have a word with his mother. He paused before adding, "It’s about Georgia."
’His father’s opinion was clear, but it didn’t matter. As long as Grandma was on his side, James Sheridan wouldn’t dare object.’
"Do you want to see your son be a bachelor for life, or are you going to accept this? You need to think it over!" Sharon Ennis gave her husband a little shove, sighed, and walked over to Elliot. "What is it, dear? Is Georgia uncomfortable staying here?"
James Sheridan frowned. The sight of his son still annoyed him, but this was still the boy he worried over. How could he really wish for him to be a bachelor forever?
’Tomorrow, I need to go see the matriarch and get the full story. I’ll find out if that boy is bluffing me.’