Claire no longer believed important moments needed enormous rooms.
Maggie was the flower girl.
She insisted Mr. Buttons participate.
He wore a tiny bow tie.
At the reception, Maggie asked if she could say something.
Ethan looked worried.
Claire said yes immediately.
Maggie stood on a chair because she was too short for the microphone.
She held a piece of folded paper.
“I wrote this myself.”
Everyone became quiet.
Maggie cleared her throat.
“When I was five, I met Claire in a park.”
Claire pressed her lips together.
“She looked sad.”
A few people laughed softly.
“She says she was not sad-looking, but she was.”
Claire covered her face.
Ethan grinned.
Maggie continued.
“I asked if she was lonely.”
The room went still.
“She said sometimes.”
Maggie looked at Claire.
“So I asked if she could be my mom for one day.”
Claire’s eyes filled.
“And she said maybe because she had to ask Daddy because that is a safety rule.”
More laughter.
“Then Daddy asked lots of questions.”
“Lots,” Claire whispered.
Maggie smiled.
“And then Claire came for one day.”
She looked down at her paper.
“Then another day.”
Her voice softened.
“And another.”
Claire reached for Ethan’s hand.
Maggie looked up again.
“She never tried to make me stop loving my first mom.”
Claire swallowed hard.
“She told me hearts can have more people in them without taking anybody out.”
Ethan’s fingers tightened around Claire’s.
“And then Daddy loved her too.”
Maggie rolled her eyes.
“That part took forever.”
