Mom Has Done So Much for Us, So Let’s Spend Your Bonus on a Vacation for Mom! – Husband Announces His Brilliant Idea
Vera leaned over her computer screen, her eyes scanning columns of numbers before her. The workday was nearly over, yet the procurement report for the new project remained incomplete. Her fingers tapped quickly across the keyboard as she occasionally brushed back a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Vera Andreevna, are you still here?” her department head called as he stopped by her desk. “Everyone else has left long ago.”
“Finishing up the report, Nikolai Petrovich,” Vera raised tired eyes from the monitor. “Give me another half hour, and I’ll be done.”
The manager nodded approvingly and moved on. Vera sighed and turned back to the figures. Her position in a major manufacturing firm consumed nearly all her time. Extra projects, reports, and meetings stretched not only through her days but often into the evenings.
Yet, the job was necessary. Vera had a clear goal in mind. She dreamed of owning a country house outside the city—a serene place to escape urban noise. Over two years, she had managed to save a substantial amount. Only a little remained before the initial payment was complete.
In her mind, she pictured a cozy wooden cottage nestled among pine trees. The plot she had chosen sat near a quiet lake. It was an ideal spot for weekends and vacations.
A phone vibration interrupted her daydreams. The screen displayed her husband’s name.
“Hello, Seryozha,” Vera answered.
“Are you coming soon?” Sergey’s voice held slight tension. “Mom’s here. She’s cooked dinner and is waiting for us.”
Vera pressed her lips together. Her mother-in-law had appeared again—this time for the third visit in a week.
“I’ll be there in an hour,” she answered calmly. “I need to finish the report first.”
“Alright, we’ll wait,” Sergey replied and hung up.
Vera set her phone aside. The presence of her mother-in-law in their lives was becoming increasingly intrusive. Lydia Mikhailovna seemed oblivious to the need for private space in a young family.
Sergey worked as an engineer in a design bureau. His income was stable but modest. Vera never blamed him. Sergey was kind and calm. He helped around the house and always offered support.
Yet, one thing troubled Vera—a pronounced dependence Sergey had on his mother. Initially, she hadn’t thought much of it, believing their life would become independent after marriage. However, time passed, and the situation only grew more complicated.
Occasionally, the interference of her mother-in-law became unbearable. Still, Vera comforted herself with thoughts of the future country house, telling herself that everything would sort itself out soon.
After finishing the report, Vera shut down her computer and prepared to leave. Traffic delays lengthened her journey home. She arrived at their apartment after dark.
The aroma of stuffed cabbage filled the space. Lydia Mikhailovna aimed to appear as the perfect mother-in-law. However, Vera noticed the subtle barbs and manipulations behind her attentive caregiving.
“Finally!” Lydia Mikhailovna exclaimed, waving her hands. “We’ve been waiting. Sergey, help your wife take off her coat.”
Sergey sprang into action on cue, taking Vera’s bag and assisting with her coat.
“Come in, I’ll set the table,” the mother-in-law fussed, glancing at the clock. “Everything almost got cold.”
Vera went to the bathroom to wash her face. Looking at her reflection, she tried to calm her nerves. Lydia Mikhailovna frequently called Sergey daily. Sometimes to ask for groceries, other times to help pay bills or address household problems.
She occasionally hinted that she could use a new washing machine or a sanatorium trip, adding, “A son shouldn’t be stingy with his mother.”
During dinner, Lydia Mikhailovna recounted her health troubles in detail.
“The doctor says I need sea air,” she sighed. “But where will I find the money for such a trip?”
Vera nodded as if paying close attention, though irritation brewed inside her. After dinner, Lydia Mikhailovna got ready to leave, and Sergey offered to escort her out.
The following day, the department head summoned Vera to his office.
“The company has allocated a bonus fund for the last project,” Nikolai Petrovich smiled at her. “Your share is the largest.”
Vera didn’t immediately realize the amount he named—it was exactly what she needed to buy the country house.
“Thank you, Nikolai Petrovich,” Vera said, unable to hide her joy. “This is fantastic news!”
That evening, she shared the bonus news with Sergey. He rejoiced with sincere enthusiasm.
“Now, we can afford the country house!” Vera shared her plans. “Remember that plot with the cottage near the lake? It’s still on the market.”
During dinner, Lydia Mikhailovna listened closely, having again invited herself over. She admired the large bonus.
“What a big bonus!” she marveled. “Well done, Vera! You’re truly a professional.”
A few days later, Sergey approached Vera with a mysterious expression. His face revealed that he had come up with something important.
“Vera, I’ve been thinking,” Sergey sat beside his wife. “Mom has done so much for us. So, let’s spend your bonus on a vacation for her! A sea holiday would be good for her. She hasn’t had a break in ages.”
Vera froze. The bonus she had so hoped for was now to be spent on her mother-in-law’s holiday?
“Are you serious?” Vera looked at her husband with a steady gaze.
Sergey beamed, convinced of the brilliance of his idea. His eyes showed sincere confusion at her reaction.
“Of course I’m serious!” Sergey took Vera’s hand in his. “Mom will be so happy. It’s good for her health.”
Gently, Vera withdrew her hand, her mind flashing images of her cozy cottage by the lake: the wooden terrace where she dreamed of sipping morning coffee, the pine trees rustling by the window. All the things she had worked overtime for, never raising her head from the monitor.
“Seryozha,” Vera tried to remain calm, “why did you assume my bonus is shared money? And why should I pay for your mother’s vacation?”
Sergey blinked in confusion, clearly not expecting the question.
“We are a family, Vera,” he stated as if explaining something obvious. “Everything is shared. I’ve even contacted a travel agency. A two-week trip to Spain! We need to pay the deposit tomorrow.”
Vera rose silently from the sofa, her temples pounding. She headed to the bedroom and closed the door behind her. Night passed with Vera awake, troubled by one thought: how could Sergey spend her money without discussing it? How could he forget her dream?
The next morning, Vera entered the kitchen. Sergey was already having breakfast, scrolling through the news on his phone.
“We need to talk,” Vera said as she sat across from him. “I want to discuss everything calmly.”
Sergey put his phone aside, worry briefly crossing his face.
“Seryozha, I respect your mother,” Vera began, “but that doesn’t mean I have to fund her vacation. I earned that money myself. You know how many overtime hours I worked last year.”
“But Mom does so much for us!” Sergey replied. “She cooks, helps, cares…”
“I understand,” Vera nodded. “Therefore, I suggest a compromise. If you want to give Mom a gift, save from your salary. I will spend the bonus as I see fit—on the country house we talked about.”
Sergey’s face changed, as if hurt by betrayal.
“You don’t understand!” Sergey stood abruptly. “Mom needs the sea right now! The doctor prescribed sea air.”
The conversation stalled. An hour later, the phone rang. Lydia Mikhailovna’s voice sounded offended.
“Vera, how could you?” she began. “I do so much for you. And you deny me even a vacation.”
Vera endured the harsh accusations, cheeks burning at these unfair words.
“Lydia Mikhailovna, I respect you,” Vera kept calm, “but that money is mine. I chose to invest it in the country house.”
“You’re selfish!” her mother-in-law’s voice trembled. “Greedy and cold! Poor my son…”
The following weeks turned into a nightmare. Sergey grew gloomier by the day. The phone kept ringing with his mother’s calls. Sergey alternated between tears and anger. But Vera remained firm.
After a month, Vera signed all the papers. The country house became her property. She took a day off to go there alone, intending to organize the space and sort through belongings left by the previous owners.
The cottage exceeded her expectations. Opening the windows, Vera welcomed the fresh air. She spent the day cleaning, removing clutter, and listing needed supplies. In the evening, she sat on the porch, watching the sunset over the lake.
While she tended the house, a familiar car pulled up. Sergey stepped out, looking around uncertainly. Though tired, his expression was calm.
“May I come in?” he asked.
Vera silently opened the door wider. Sergey entered, inspecting the house.
“It’s nice here,” he said quietly. “You’ve already done a lot.”
They sat at the old wooden table. Sergey studied his hands.
“I was wrong,” he finally said. “Forgive me. I understand now that Mom interfered too often in our lives.”
Vera carefully observed Sergey’s face; sincerity shone in his eyes.
“I’m ready to change,” Sergey continued. “But much depends on you. Will you give me a second chance?”
Vera thought deeply. She still loved Sergey.
“I’m willing,” she replied. “But on one condition. All financial decisions must now be discussed and agreed upon together. No unilateral ‘brilliant ideas.’”
Sergey nodded.
“I agree. Also… I’ll save money for Mom’s sea trip, but it will be at my expense and later.”
Vera smiled. It was their first step toward change.
Half a year passed. In spring, they planted flowers at the country house together. Sergey set up a workshop. Vera arranged the terrace. They began communicating more openly about money, plans, and dreams.
Lydia Mikhailovna also transformed. After her sea vacation, paid by her son, she called less often. Finally, she understood that a young family requires personal space.
“You know,” Sergey said one day, sitting on the porch next to Vera, “one day we’ll look back on this story and laugh.”
Vera took her husband’s hand. The sun was setting behind the pines, painting the sky pink. This was now their home, their place, their shared dream.
Conclusion: This story illustrates the importance of boundaries, mutual respect, and open communication within a family, especially when financial matters and in-laws are involved. Despite challenges, Vera and Sergey’s willingness to compromise and grow together helped them preserve their relationship and realize their joint goals. Their journey serves as a reminder that partnership requires understanding and that dreams can be achieved through unity and clear agreements.