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Lisa Winston was possibly the best mother on the block. Actually, the best mother ever. Sure she thought that people were surely exaggerating whenever she heard that from the neighbors or the teachers at school or even strangers, but it was true in a way.
She almost never got mad at her only son, Ralph Winston, whenever he was being rude and a troublemaker. She was patient and kind and laid-back, always doing things for others even when they didn't quite deserve it. She was like a gentle hero and also the best, most amazingly awesome mother in the entire world in Ralph's eyes. Ralph could never ever imagine having any other mother, and that's why he made this mother's day so special for her! And it was truly special and magical for sure.
The front door swung open in the afternoon, it was 5 PM sharp and the spring air outside felt crisp and cozy with a delicate breeze blowing to add the cherry on top. Lisa had just gotten back from her job, still wearing her dark red blazer and dove white skirt that reached her calves. She sighed softly, dropping her bag on the table that stood near the door under the coat hanger. The cool air of the house felt like a fresh breath of air, and she was glad to be back home.
Little did she know the absolute wonders that would await her a few seconds later.
She suddenly heard a loud gasp from the kitchen and little footsteps pattering and increasing in volume, a big smile sneaking on her lips and her mood brightening instantly. She crouched down and spread out her arms as she saw Ralph run out of the kitchen and sprint towards her, arms flailing open and his doe eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
“Mum!” He cried out happily, leaping to jump in her arms, wrapping his little arms around her neck and hugging her tight. Lisa grinned at him, slowly standing up and holding him carefully. The corners of her eyes crinkled.
“Hello, my dear!” She greeted him as her husband Arthur walked out of the kitchen, flour dusted in her hair and on the sides of his pants like snowflakes. The man smiled at his stunning wife, faint crow’s feet barely visible on his face as he grinned. He walked up to her, pulling her in close and pressing a hard but gentle kiss to her forehead.
“Hey there, sweetheart.” He muttered, voice faintly tired but loving. Her smile grew broader and she leaned into her husband's touch. Ralph fell back onto the ground into his feet and started tugging at his mother's wrist, his expression eager and urgent.
“I made you something really special for Mother's Day!” He chirped, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he pulled on his mother's arm. Lisa snickered, clearly amused, but her eyes rounded and a radiant shimmer was visible in her pupils. She shuffled off her heels, left them laying on the doormat and followed her son and her husband to the kitchen, her interest now peaked. She knew that whenever Mother's Day came around, her husband and Ralph gave it their all. And she loved it to bits every single time. Today was no different.
The three of them headed to the kitchen, where quite a sight awaited Lisa. She let out a gasp of glee and carefully clapped a hand over her mouth. Ralph ran up to the kitchen table, extending his arms and shaking them in a “tadah!” sort of way, his huge toothy smile not moving from its place. Laid on the table was a chocolate cupcake the side of a small mason jar, it had white frosting dolloped and swirled on top of it with rainbow sprinkles, which was Lisa's all time favorite. There was a candle placed on top, flaring a soft blaze of red and orange and a spark of yellow in the kitchen light.
Her eyes darted to the large gorgeous bouquet of red roses and a tall standing card that sat on either side of the cupcake. The whole thing was a masterpiece, a renaissance of her family's love for her, waiting for Lisa to dig in and enjoy her gifts.
Her eyes immediately welled up in tears, pooling her pupils. She sniffled, keeping a huge grateful and affectionate smile on her face, a smile that reached ear to ear. She lowered her hand to her chest, feeling her heart throb lovingly behind her ribcage.
“Oh….Ralph! This is just…just wonderful!” She exclaimed, her voice coming out reedy but tender. Ralph rushed to hug her tight, his cheeky face smushed at her side, which only made her heart pulsate more. Ralph smiled at her fondly.
“Anything for the best mother in the whole universe! Open the card!” He cheeped, pulling her towards the table. Ralph's father watched the scene with a full heart, his own gaze filled with devotion and care. Lisa carefully opened the card, and the words written in both crayon and Ralph's conventionally bad handwriting made her entire world.
Dear Mum,
You are the best mummy ever in the whole world!!! I can't imagine having another mum that isn't you.
Thank you for always taking care of me and dealing with me being rude. I'll try my best not to be rude, but sometimes it's really hard.
I love it when we go shopping together and when you brush my hair, and I love it when you hug me and tuck me into bed and read me scary stories!
If I ever had another mum that isn't you, I would scare her off and go to find you because I never want another mum!
I love you forever and ever and I will still love you even when I'm eventually a ghost, because you are the greatest mum in the entire milky way!!!
Love you until the end of time, Ralph and Daddy :)
The card had a flower and a drawing of Ralph's family in the front, all of them had smiley faces and there were bold hearts surrounding them. There was even a halo drawn on top of Lisa’s head. Lisa could have broken down right then and there and she held the card close to her heart, a warm part of her wanting to conjoin and become one with it. Her eyes were glistening with fresh tears that were threatening to spill, already drooping under her eyes.
She sank down to her knees and wrapped her arms around her son, reeling him into a tight hug that almost crushed his bones.
“I love you too, dear. You are an angel. I love you two so much.” She croaked out, her tone wet but still kind-hearted. Ralph giggled, hugging her back, as if he was confirming that every single thing that he had written was 100% true. And it was! Ralph loved his mum, forever and ever, no matter what. She deserved the very best Mother's Day for being the very best mother, she deserved all of this and more.
Ralph's dad walked over to them and also hugged the both of them, joining the group hug and buddling the two people he loved and cared for with everything inside him with warmth. His heart swelled tremendously in his heaving chest, each strong heartbeat symbolizing the amount of affection and love he had for his wife and son. They would be a perfect amazing family until the very end, if there ever was one.
His mother eventually stood up, helping Ralph to his feet and wiping away her tears frantically. Her joyful smile was impossibly wide now, showing all her pearly whites. Excitement ran through her nerves as she gestured towards the cupcake on the table.
“Well, I wouldn't be a mother without you two, so what do you say we share this scrumptious delight? I can't enjoy this all by myself!” She chuckled, and Ralph's face beamed as he nodded and headed to leap in a chair. Ralph's father, Arthur, pressed another chaste kiss to Lisa's temple, looking at her like she was a goddess that fell from heaven. To him, she absolutely was, and nobody could convince him otherwise.
“Happy Mother's Day, sweetie. I love you so much. You're amazing.” He whispered against her silky hair. She giggled and kissed his cheek, gaze full of pure devotion.
“You're amazing too.” She insisted as she grabbed her husband's wrist and pulled him to the table. “Come on now!”
Her husband laughed as he joined Lisa and Ralph at the table. Ralph had grabbed a fork and split the cupcake into three pieces, obviously giving the bigger piece to his beloved mother. Lisa smiled and snickered when Ralph bit into his piece of the cupcake, getting white frosting all over his nose and mouth, to which he cheerfully licked cleaned.
Lisa swiped the bouquet off the table, inhaling it deeply, letting the aroma of fresh precious roses invade her nostrils. She looked at her husband and her son, and the amazing close bonded family they had built together, step by step and metaphorical brick by brick.
Lisa truly had the greatest family in the world. Without them, she had no idea where she would be, and she didn't want to think about a life without her cherished family.
She was the luckiest, happiest and most ecstatic mother in the whole world.