Barbara Dunkelman x Reader

Reconciliation

( before Sophie is born, and before you got married, but after you called your mom out in the cafe)

-Your Pov-

You sit on the couch with Barbara, watching some Korean drama on the TV. Her engagement ring sparkles, and she turns to you. " I was wondering something about the wedding invitations. Did you want to invite your parents?" You sigh, because she's asked this before and your answer never changes.

" No," you say. " I haven't even told them we were engaged, because god help me if I'm going to have that conversation with someone who hated the idea of her son being with someone who made him happy."

" (y/n), I know how she reacted wasn't right, and how she treated you as a kid wasn't right," she says, resting your head on her shoulder, and stroking your hair. " But, she's still your mother." You scoffed when she says this.

" Yeah, I spent the better part of 25 years telling myself this also. I spent the better part of my life saying that, and making excuses for her. I spent the better part of my life being the one to apologize to her after every fight, even if she was the one who was wrong, and let's face it Barb, she usually was. I am not going to be the one to apologize this time, especially not for standing up for myself for the first time in my life."

" You don't have to apologize for that," she says. " But, I really think you should invite her. If she doesn't accept, then that's her choice. But, (y/n). If you don't do something, then you could lose the relationship you have with your mother."

" Barbara, I don't have a relationship with my mother. And that isn't for a lack of effort on my part. I did everything I knew how to do. I'm done apologizing for me being the way I am, and if she wants a relationship with me, then she can call me."

You say this, and she reaches down to give your hand a squeeze. " Life isn't tit-for-tat," she says. " I know you were the one who did most of the apologizing all of your life, and maybe she should be the one who apologizes for once. But, let's face it. She isn't going to be the one who does that. She's family (y/n)."

" I know that, because she use that as her get out of jail free card for any time I was angry with her. And, for years I bought that. But, then I realized. Bullying is bullying, no matter who it comes from. And in some ways, it's actually worse when it comes from the people who are supposed to love you more than anyone."

She kisses you when she says this, and pulls you into a really big hug. " I'm sorry (y/n). But, if you don't call her, and something that happens to her, then you will regret never having called her, or made any attempt to reconcile with her. If you can't do this for yourself, then do it for me."

You sigh. When she plays the 'for me' card, you always find yourself ending the argument, and doing whatever it is she wanted you to do. She knew it too, which is why she rarely used it, unless the argument was that important to her. Sighing, you reached for you phone, and sent a text to your mom.

You: Hey Mom.

Mom: Oh, what a surprise.

You: Yeah, me either. You can thank Barbara for that. A lot of other things to, but you can start with that.

Mom: (y/n), I'm sorry. Tell Barbara I said thank you. I've been meaning to apologize

You: Be a nice change of pace

Mom: (y/n), I did the best I could. And, I'm sorry that wasn't perfect. All I wanted was the best for you.

You: Trying to convince me or yourself?

Mom: (y/n), do you know why I was so hard on you when you were growing up? It's because I wanted you to succeed.

You: Well, since Roosterteeth apparently isn't a real job, then I guess you failed.

Mom: You were never as talented as Ally

You: Wow, never would have guessed. See, that only came up every other conversation we had.

Mom: I never wanted you to fail, and so I pushed you to what I defined success as, and never stopped to ask what you wanted out of this life. It took me a long time to realize this. And, I'm sorry.

You: I'm not at a place where I can just say that it's okay Mom. But, I appreciate you putting in the effort. It means a lot.

Mom: Barbara called me and explained it to me. She's a lovely girl (y/n).

You: I know she is. She and I are getting married actually.

Mom: Really? Give her my best then.

You: Do you want to come? She wants me to invite you.

Mom: Only if you want me to come

You: You're my mom. I'm always going to want you to be at my wedding.

With that, you sighed and put your phone in your pocket. You turned to Barbara, and kissed her. Even if you weren't completely okay with your mom, and hadn't forgiven her for everything, you knew that Barb was right. Forgiving her, or at least trying to was something you had to do, otherwise you would regret it. Resting your head on your shoulder, she stroked your hair, and then you fell yourself growing tired from the warmth she radiated. Seeing this, she picked you up bridal style, and tucked you into the bed. She placed a kiss on your forehead, before turning to leave. " Wait, don't leave me Barb," you pouted, and she chuckled while rolling her eyes. Barbara climbed into the bed, and pulled you close to her. Within seconds, you felt her fall asleep too, which made you smile, and thank her for making sure you didn't lose out on your mother being in your life.