My lover is my boss (LingOrm)

31 - Mother

Orm's pov

The smell of fresh herbs and spices wafted through my mother's kitchen as she stirred a pot on the stove, humming quietly to herself. Ling and I exchanged a quick, nervous glance as we stood at the doorway, watching her. I could feel Ling's hand gently squeezing mine, grounding me, but my heart was still pounding in my chest. Telling my mother that we were engaged felt enormous—like stepping into a whole new part of my life.

"Mom?" I called gently, not wanting to startle her.

She turned around, her face lighting up with that familiar warmth when she saw us. "Orm! Ling!" she exclaimed, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. "You didn't tell me you'd be bringing Ling. I would've made something special just for her."

Ling laughed softly, stepping forward to give her a hug. "It's alright, Mrs.—Mae Koi," she corrected herself with a warm smile, glancing at me for reassurance. "I'm just happy to be here."

"Oh, please," my mother said, waving her hand dismissively. "No need for formalities. Just call me Koi." She gestured toward the dining table in the cozy kitchen nook. "Now, sit, both of you! I'll bring some tea."

We sat, Ling's hand still resting lightly over mine as my mother busied herself with the tea. Her warmth filled the kitchen, and I felt a wave of both comfort and nervous anticipation settle over me. I hadn't anticipated how huge this would feel, finally sharing the news with her.

After a few moments, Mom set two cups of tea in front of us along with a small plate of almond cookies. She sat down across from us, folding her hands, eyes twinkling with curiosity. "So, what's this all about? You both look like you have something big on your minds."

I took a steadying breath, glancing over at Ling, who gave me a reassuring nod. My heart pounded as I prepared to tell her, my voice trembling with excitement. "Mom, Ling and I... we wanted to tell you something very important," I began, glancing down at our hands before looking back up at her.

Mom's eyebrows lifted slightly, her expression one of warm curiosity. "Oh? Important news, is it?"

Ling nodded, reaching over to gently squeeze my hand. "Yes, Mae Koi," she said, her voice soft yet confident. "Orm and I... we're getting married. We're engaged."

My mother's eyes widened as her gaze flickered between us, processing the news. Her mouth opened slightly in surprise, but then her face broke into a radiant smile. She reached across the table, taking both of our hands in hers. "Oh, Orm," she breathed, her voice filled with warmth and joy. "You're getting married?"

I nodded, my smile growing as I felt the love and pride in her voice. "Yes, Mom. Ling asked me, and... I couldn't imagine saying anything but yes."

My mother's gaze softened, a shimmer of tears forming in her eyes as she looked at Ling. "Ling," she said, her tone gentle but full of emotion, "I always knew you two had a special connection. And seeing you together now, it's everything I could have hoped for my daughter."

Ling's face softened, her eyes glistening with gratitude. "Thank you, Mae Koi," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I promise to take care of Orm and to love her with everything I have."

My mom let out a soft laugh, squeezing our hands tightly. "I know you will, Ling. I can see it in the way you look at her, in the way you've always been there for her." She looked back at me, pride and love shining in her eyes. "Orm, I am so proud of you—of the person you've become and the love you've found."

I swallowed, feeling a rush of emotion swell in my chest as I held her gaze. "Thank you, Mom. That... that means so much to me." My voice wavered slightly, and I could feel the intensity of the moment wrapping around me, grounding me in this life I was building with Ling.

Mom reached up to wipe a tear from her cheek, letting out a light laugh as she composed herself. "Well, I suppose we'll need to start planning a wedding, won't we?"

A burst of excitement rippled through me, and I let out a laugh, nodding eagerly. "Yes! We haven't figured out all the details yet, but I wanted you to be the first to know."

"Oh, darling," she said, reaching over to place a gentle hand on my cheek, her eyes soft and filled with pride. "Thank you for sharing this with me." She turned to Ling, her expression just as warm. "And, Ling, thank you for loving my daughter in a way that makes her so happy."

Ling's smile was soft and earnest. "It's my honor, really. Orm has made my life fuller than I ever thought possible."

My mother clasped her hands together, visibly moved by the moment. "Well, you two deserve all the happiness in the world," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "I know you'll have a beautiful life together."

The three of us sat together, talking, reminiscing, and dreaming about the future until the sky outside shifted from the soft light of afternoon to the golden hues of early evening. The warmth and love in the room made everything feel even more real, and as we left that night, I knew we'd taken another step forward in this beautiful life Ling and I were creating together.