Chapter 8 - MARGOT'S DECISIONI respected Hannah for asking.
But I refused to make Margot responsible for an adult marriage.
“You don't need her permission.”
“I know.”
“Then don't ask for it.”
Hannah frowned.
“I thought—”
“Ask something else.”
“What?”
“Ask how she feels.”
There is a difference.
One gives a child power she should not have to carry.
The other gives her a voice.
That Friday, Emmett proposed.
Hannah said yes.
But before they announced anything, they sat with Margot.
Emmett spoke first.
“Hannah and I want to get married.”
Margot stared at the ring.
Then at Hannah.
“Are you going to be my new mom?”
Hannah answered carefully.
“I would be your stepmom.”
Margot's shoulders tightened.
I noticed immediately.
Hannah did too.
“But I'm not here to replace your mom.”
Margot looked at Phoebe's photograph.
“Claire didn't like Mommy.”
Hannah was quiet for a moment.
“I never met your mommy.”
“But do you like her?”
Hannah smiled.
“I like what I know about her.”
“Why?”
“Because she made you.”
Margot considered this.
“And she loved your dad.”
Another pause.
“And because people I love loved her.”
Margot's eyes filled.
Hannah moved closer but didn't touch her.
“I don't need to be more important than your mom.”
Margot whispered:
“Claire did.”
“I know.”
“Do I have to call you Mom?”
“No.”
“Ever?”
“Only if you decide you want to.”
Margot looked at her father.
“Can I still have Mommy's pictures?”
“All of them.”
“Can Grandpa tell stories?”
I answered.
“Try stopping me.”
She giggled.
Then she looked at Hannah.
“Can I be in the wedding pictures?”
Hannah's face changed.
She had known about Claire.
But hearing the question was different.
She knelt.
“Margot, I want you to hear me very carefully.”
Margot waited.
“There won't be any family wedding pictures without you.”
Margot stared at her.
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Even the fancy ones?”
“Especially the fancy ones.”
Margot threw her arms around Hannah.
Emmett turned away.
He was crying.
So was I.
The wedding was planned for the following spring.
Small.
Only family and close friends.
Everything seemed peaceful.
Until three weeks before the ceremony.
A package arrived for Margot.
There was no return address.
Inside was a pink satin ribbon.
The same kind she had worn at Claire's wedding.
May you like
And underneath it was a note.
I hope this time they let you stay in the pictures.
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