Bryson laughs.“You can be kind of intimidating.Her father is gonna tear me to shreds, I’m sure.”
My father is someone who believes I should be with someone of the upper class, but he doesn’t get to choose.It’s my life, and my future.Bryson is the person I want to be with and he will come to accept that.
“Bryson, if someone can’t see what a catch you are, don’t beg.I’m sure Carleigh here has told her dad about how you treat her, and that’s all any parent wants.To know their child has someone.”
She makes three plates and sits them on the table.
After we finish eating, she asks me about my plans for the future, and mentions my love for baking.It’s funny that after all the time I spent on getting my master’s degree, my dream is to own my bakery.My parents aren’t going to like it, but it’s what I want.As I get older, I have to stand up for myself and my dreams.My father might want me to become a professor, but I shouldn’t plan my future on what he expects.I’ve done everything they have asked up until this point, and now it’s time for me to carve my own path in the world.That all starts in Hyde Park.
“You sound like you know what you want.Don’t let anyone tell you what you need to do with your life.You sound like a smart girl, and living your dream is going to bring you so much happiness.Do something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
The conversation takes a turn when Bryson and her start talking about real estate, and that’s something I know nothing about, and I just sit back and relax.He has mentioned her wanting to branch out into Manhattan, and do some more investments, but it’s a tough market.
“So, are you guys going to get a bigger place?Possibly in a better area?I worry about the crime out there.”Her eyes land on mine.“It’s not the best area to have a family.”
Bryson throws his hands up.“I knew you were going to bring it up.Mom, we haven’t been together that long.Let us get our feet wet before you ask us to jump in head first.”
I love his analogy.Do I want to have kids someday?Yes, but it’s important for us to be established before doing so.My dream of opening a bakery is going to take time and effort to make it a success and it’s hard to do all that with a baby in tow.
“Let’s hear from her, son.”
I didn’t expect to have this conversation in public, but she’s not getting any younger, and it’s apparent she wants grandchildren.
“I want to have a nice home and have things in place before we have any children.It’ll be at least five years.Starting a bakery isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.The hours I’m going to have to put in are going to be exhausting.”
Bryson is going to be an amazing father someday, I have no doubt about it, but there is no point to rush.We are young and have our whole lives ahead of us.We need to take this one step at a time right now.
This topic must frustrate Bryson because he gets off the couch, and makes some excuse about having a reservation for dinner back in the city, and we need to catch the next ferry to make it.
“Oh, son.I’ll stop.”
He swears we have a reservation and when he shuts her door behind us, he sighs.
“I’m so sorry.Kids and marriage isn’t something I wanted you to be bombarded about.Don’t feel pressured.I’m not ready for kids yet.We are just getting to fully know each other, and I don’t want to bring kids into the mix until we are ready.”
I smile and give him a kiss before we head to the port.
“So, what is it about this reservation?”
He laughs, and swats at the air.“There isn’t one.I just wanted to get you out of there.”
Bryson is someone I can see a future with, and it might scare me but I’m not pulling away from the one of the best men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
I love Bryson for all his quirks, and wouldn’t have it any other way.