“After the vows, they had some kind of family ceremony.”
“What kind?”
“A unity candle.”
My stomach tightened.
Nora explained.
“Ryan and Lina had one candle. Amelia had a smaller one. She was supposed to use their flame to light hers.”
“Why?”
Nora gave me a look.
“Apparently it was supposed to represent their new family becoming one.”
Of course it was.
They wanted Amelia standing there beside them.
A perfect little symbol proving that everyone accepted what they had done.
Nora continued.
“Lina explained to Amelia that when she lit the candle, it would mean the three of them were becoming one family.”
I waited.
“And?”
“Amelia asked where you were supposed to go.”
I stared at her.
“What?”
“She looked at Lina and said, ‘If this means we’re one family now, where does Mom go?’”
My hand flew over my mouth.
Nora kept talking.
“Ryan knelt beside her and told her you weren’t going anywhere. He said you would always be her mother.”
“And then?”
“Amelia asked why you weren’t included in the family ceremony.”
I didn’t have an answer for that.
Apparently Ryan didn’t either.
Nora almost laughed.
“Then your mother stepped in and tried to fix everything.”
“Oh God.”
“She told Amelia that adults sometimes belong to different families.”
I already knew from Nora’s expression that it hadn’t worked.
“Amelia looked straight at your mother and said, ‘You keep telling Mom that family supports family.’”
I sank into a chair near the hallway.
Nora crouched beside me.
