Chapter 18 - Family After Everything
Lorraine had become part of Evelyn's life.
That meant, unexpectedly, she had remained part of mine.
When Gavin's father became ill, I helped with Evelyn so Gavin could stay at the hospital.
Nathan supported the decision without hesitation.
“You don't mind?”
“Why would I?”
“Because it's Gavin.”
“No. It's Evelyn's grandfather.”
That distinction was why I loved him.
Gavin's father recovered.
The experience softened something in all of us.
Not erased.
Softened.
A week later, Nathan and I stood beneath the pergola.
The same place where my first marriage had publicly collapsed.
There were no pastel baby balloons this time.
Just flowers and warm lights.
Evelyn carried a tiny basket.
Halfway down the aisle, she dumped every flower petal in one enormous pile.
Everyone laughed.
Nathan knelt.
“Perfect.”
She beamed.
Gavin wasn't at the wedding.
That boundary remained.
But Lorraine attended with his knowledge.
She hugged me before the ceremony.
“You gave Evelyn a beautiful life.”
“We all did.”
She cried.
Then music began.
I walked toward Nathan.
For one brief second, I remembered standing in that same backyard with a remote in my hand and my entire world collapsing around me.
Then Evelyn shouted, “Mommy, hurry!”
Everyone laughed again.
So did I.
May you like
And I walked forward.
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