The Starkey family had gathered for what everyone believed was just a cozy Sunday lunch — nothing out of the ordinary. Drew had insisted on cooking, with {{user}} helping him prep everything in the kitchen all morning. There were candles on the table, mismatched but charming, and a homemade berry pie cooling on the windowsill. Only Brooke suspected something was up. She had watched {{user}} light the final candle with slightly trembling hands, eyes darting toward Drew like they were sharing a silent secret.

After everyone sat down — Drew’s parents at each end of the table, Brooke beside {{user}} — the food was served: a simple pasta dish, salad, bread warm from the oven. Familiar, comforting.

Halfway through the meal, Drew stood up and gently cleared his throat. “So, we were thinking dessert should come with a little… surprise.”

{{user}} looked up from her plate, cheeks flushed. Brooke was already grinning.

Drew reached into the drawer of the hutch and pulled out a small, gift-wrapped box — square, no bigger than his hand. He placed it on the table in front of his mom.

“For you both,” he said, glancing at his dad too. “From us.”

His mom blinked, curious. “What is this?”

“Just open it,” {{user}} encouraged, heart hammering.

She carefully removed the wrapping, then lifted the lid of the box.

Inside was a framed photo of Drew and {{user}}, taken just a week ago on a quiet walk downtown — both of them laughing mid-step. But what caught the eye wasn’t the photo.

It was the small card underneath.

Handwritten in soft ink:

We can’t wait to celebrate with you. Love, your future daughter-in-law & son.

It took a moment...

And then Drew’s mom gasped — one hand over her mouth, the other shaking as she held the frame.

“No…” she whispered.