I sat and let the ceremony belong to them.

Marcus cried before Chloe did.

Violet cried with both.

Evelyn handed her a tissue without looking away from the couple for long.

Maya leaned forward to see, then settled against the back of her chair with Stella beside her.

For an hour, I let the day be beautiful.

PART 6 — A Mother’s Speech

At the reception, someone put a glass of water beside me before I thought to ask.