My MIL Mocked Me for Making My Own Wedding Cake – Then Took Credit for It in Her Speech

We didn’t want his parents’ money and planned our wedding ourselves. After saying I’d bake our wedding cake, my mother-in-law looked disbelieving and made fun of me. At the ceremony, she made it seem like she was responsible for the work. She took away what was mine, but I was sure that karma had begun to work its revenge.

Christine, my mother-in-law, has always been unemployed and it shows up in things that make me frustrated. She reviewed me as if I were a suspicious thing when we met for the first time three years back. She looked over each part of my department store dress, especially my old shoes.

Is customer service where you work these days? she stated this with an air that made it sound like I spent all my time wiping down toilets.

Actually, I’m the marketing coordinator, I stated in a kind manner.

“How sweet. Well, those jobs have to be done by somebody.”

Dave held my hand and didn’t say a word which was his way of saying he was sorry for what his mother did. Later that evening, as we laid together, he murmured, “I like it that you put in effort and care what’s important.”

It was at this point I knew that we would be married someday.

Three months before the wedding, Dave was laid off from his company when they downsized. Since we cared about starting our marriage free of debt, we tried our best to stay within our budget for the wedding.

Then Dave suggested casually, “Could we ask my parents?”

I took my eyes from the spreadsheet. “Really?? Think again!”

There was a weary sigh and he rubbed his hand through his hair. “God no! We were the recipients of her dominance for years afterwards.
Once we are confident, we get rid of some extra support. We pull things together.

Yes, we’ll go ahead how we usually do. No financial responsibilities, no remorse and no conditions.”

Don’t ask your mother to help you out with any money!

He laughed. They were sure not to borrow money from Mina.

He seemed to relax a bit and his eyes softened. It is these reasons, Alice, why I love you so much. You never go for the simple solution instead of the right one.

As I lay awake that night, an idea started in my mind. I thought I’d like to make our wedding cake all by myself.

He leaned up on one side of his body. You are sure about this, are you? It puts a lot of stress on players.”
Baking is something I have done since I was 10! He was reminded by me. Those cookies that I sold while at college still stick in my mind. Many people enjoyed watching them.

His eyes twinkled and he gently traced along my cheek. “They did. Considering it means a lot to me.

Cheerfulness welled up within me and I said firmly, “It’s all set then.” I am going to make the wedding cake myself.

The next Sunday night, we ate dinner at Dave’s parents’ huge house. The entire house looked expensive, from the marble counters to the works of art they showed. Even though Jim, Dave’s father, was agreeable, he seemed too involved with work to ever really spend time with Dave and the family.

No one could ignore Christine.
I wanted to mention to them that the menu has been agreed with the caterer. I have made the choice to make the wedding cake for everyone.

Christine made a noise as she used her fork on her plate. What did you say a moment ago?

I cut in and shared, “I’m making the cake,” and all of a sudden I had the feeling of being 16 and explaining a badly earned mark.

She laughed. “Oh, honey! No. I don’t believe you are being serious.

I said, “I am and I will stand tall.” I have spent weeks making many recipes.

Christine looked at Jim and he looked at her in response. Are you going to bake your own wedding cake? Is this like a party in the park?

Dave unobtrusively put his hand on my knee from the other side of the table. Mom, Alice is really good at baking.

Well, I imagine that growing up poor may make it hard for a person to let go of those thoughts.

Blushing like crazy, I bit down so hard on my tongue I could feel the taste of copper.
“We’ll go forward with our own methods,” Dave said. Without getting into debt.

Christine made a big, helpless-sounding sigh. At least give me permission to speak with Jacques. Most society weddings in the area are chartered by him. Take it as something I want to give you.”

I am not getting paid by you, Mom. The cake was never important to her.
On the way home, it was very quiet. As we drove into the apartment complex, Dave turned toward me and said.

You are absolutely going to make a cake that is stunning even by your own standards, Alice. It’s going to be even more special than anything Jacques would be able to do.”

I bent towards him and kissed him, feeling the hope of our future in his lips.

The time just before the wedding became one big mix of buttercream and layered cake. I spent a lot of time practicing piping, until it began to hurt my hands. I made different types of cakes to try and made our friends taste them. There were many videos I used to help me create tiers on my cake.

I took care of assembling the cake in the kitchen on the evening before the wedding. Three great tiers: vanilla bean cake, raspberry filling and Swiss meringue buttercream, decorated with flowers cascading on one side.

It was hard to believe that the same Alice who spent her childhood helping with coupons made something like this.

Your efforts here have completely impressed me. Misty McCall knew that Mickey had good intelligence and she whispered to him with wide eyes. It looks as if someone baked it in a high-end downtown bakery.

I felt proudness deep inside me. “Thank you. It’s been a true passion project for me.”

On the wedding morning everything was bright and clear. Instead of deciding to stay apart before the ceremony, Dave and I decided to prepare side by side in the same room.

Want to become my wife? He asked and fiddled with his tie at the same time.

I feel very prepared. I answered, flattening the skirt of my simple and elegant dress. It was bought at an outlet second-hand shop and it suited me well after some changes.

Everything about the ceremony was special to me: it was a small group of family and friends which made it personal and meaningful. I didn’t pay attention to the decorations when Dave started his vows and I became so emotional. We cared about nothing except our promise for always.

Everyone covered their mouths when the cake arrived at the reception. Everyone gasped together and then everyone praised her with soft murmurs.
Did you happen to notice the lovely cake?

“It’s stunning!”

Who did this job?

“Wow!”

Emma, Dave’s cousin, came up to me by the bar. Alice, the cake you baked is absolutely wonderful! Which shop did you shop at for your desserts?”

As soon as I was about to reply, Dave was next to me, his arm going around my middle. I could tell from his smile that he had made the painting and I was proud of him.

Emma’s mouth fell open with surprise. “You’re kidding! The standard is completely professional!

Many people visiting our table at dinner praised the cake we had selected. Dave’s close buddy Mark chose three slices. She said that her aunt thought the cake was the most delicious one she’d ever had.

His portfolio includes pictures he took specifically for the shoot.
My happiness ended immediately when Christine stood up to sing.

She lightly touched her champagne glass which brought about silence in the room.

Thevery first thing I want to mention is the amazing cake everyone has been talking about, she began which was easily heard by everyone inside.

Dave and I looked at each other. This was not part of the schedule.

I naturally needed to prepare the cake for her. Christine went on, chuckling softly. After everything that’s going on, I simply could not let my son’s birthday dessert be tacky.

My fork abruptly stopped almost touching my lips. All at once, the cake I was going to eat began to taste like ash.

She took the praise. For my own cake recipe. That I had given all I had to make it happen. This thing I kept from her specifically because I didn’t want her involvement. How was that possible for her?

I got up a bit from my chair, about to intervene when Dave ever so softly laid his hand on my arm as three guests came to speak to Christine.

“Let her tell her lie,” he said softly and something in his eyes was hard to read. He was about to make her pay.

“But—”

“Trust me. Some issues resolve themselves over time.

Unwilling to leave, I sat and saw Christine receive the appreciation, using her years of experience to make the most of my work.

For most of the reception, the rest of the guests were forced to smile and talk politely. Because Dave was there for me all the time, I didn’t lose strength.

We didn’t talk much at dinner and it wasn’t until we were both alone in our hotel room that I started crying.

That’s so unbelievable to me; I exclaimed my dismay. The act itself is not big, but it leaves a big impression.

Dave held me close, giving me a strong hug. It is not a minor issue. It was what you did on your own and she stole that from you.

What reasons does she have for what she does?

She has always felt that her identity is shaped by other people. It is hard for her to relate to those who don’t behave the same way.” He wiped the tear that had fallen from my face.

That’s what makes me love you so much. You don’t worry about outward looks. You pay attention to what is actually happening.”
I was hoping for one day without all the drama she makes.

“I know. But don’t forget what I mentioned before? She’s going to feel very sorry for what she did. Due to the fact that karma is part of reality.

On the day after the wedding, I got a phone call. Christine appeared on the TV as her name appeared. Instead of voicemail, I decided to answer to show my understanding.

“Hello, Christine.”

“Alice. Let me ask you for your help.

I straightened up. “What’s wrong?”

Mrs. Wilson got in touch with me this morning. Next week’s charity gala is being organized by her and she’s planning on having a custom cake. From me. She really loved the wedding cake.”

There was no answer from me and the silence grew.

“Alice?” Christine prompted. Is anyone there with me?

I’m here trying to figure out what led to your call.

“I need… I would like the recipe, please. Oh and there’s a section for directions on how to arrange those flower pieces.”

Talking about the piping method? I thought you were the one who baked the cake.

Maybe the project was not done so much by one person as by a group effort.

Will the effort be done in collaboration with others? I laughed. When was it exactly that we worked together, Christine? Did I feel that way when I was making and testing recipes for weeks? Or during the many hours I put in mastering tier stacking? Or was it when I stayed up late the night before my wedding, just finishing everything?

“Alice—”

Please let me know as soon as the orders are done. We will point the guests towards your page.”

I put the phone down and Dave came into the kitchen where I was staring at it.

Your mother has called you on the phone. Apparently she’s been asked to create a cake for the Wilson charity event.

Dave’s eyes became very big and then he laughed loudly. Oh god! What are you saying just now?

I told her I would love to know when all her orders were finished.

He embraced me with his arms. Have you heard me say already that I have the most wonderful wife in the world?

At the end of the week, nobody was left believing Christine’s false story. Because she couldn’t make another cake, she owned up to not making ours and Mrs. Wilson contacted me.

I know Alice is the person who makes all the delicious pastries. I want to ask you to create something for our big event.”

One birthday brought another cake and that brought another. After a short period, I had a little side business making custom cakes for events in town.

As Thanksgiving came, everyone was at Dave’s parents’ home for the celebration. Christine gave me a prepackaged pie without a word after we had dinner.

I bought it at Riverside Market. I decided I shouldn’t make it up.

I nodded to say that I would be having pie. There wasn’t a real apology, but at least they said something.
After some time, during the party in the living room, Jim came up to me beside the fireplace.

Christine has always refused to say she was wrong after 40 years of marriage.

I saw from my side of the room that my mother-in-law was going through family pictures with Dave.

Perhaps some of our thoughts ought to be expressed honestly sometimes.

Jim smiled. You bring happiness to our family here, Alice. Do not listen to anyone who disagrees with this view.”
Dave reached out to me, took my hand and we drove home in silence.

My cousin Sam is now engaged. They wondered if you might make their wedding cake.”

I gave him a smile and held his hand firmly. I would be happy to help you.

I knew that was your nature, so I just told him you would. You make lovely things from your creativity and your feelings, without expecting to gain anything.”

Relaxing, I noticed that we were passing through the streets I know and recognize. The fact was, I was happy with myself and I didn’t rely on anyone else’s approval.