Hannah blinked. “At Emily’s wedding?” I nodded. “Yes. As a surprise.”
Sophie whispered, “Even me?” I reached for her hand. “Especially you.”
Grace swallowed. “Okay. Tell us what to do.” Paige nodded hard. “I’m in.” Nora shrugged, eyes wet. “Fine. I’m in.” Lily wiped her cheek. “Okay.”
We ran it like a mission. Hannah handled music. Grace and Lily found dresses. Nora coordinated with the church. Paige kept the secret. Sophie stayed close to Thomas, keeping him laughing.
Emily adjusted the wedding around his strength—shorter aisle, more chairs, a side room for breaks.
For illustrative purposes only
The week of the wedding, Thomas grew weaker. One morning, shaking on the bathroom floor, he whispered, “Maybe I can’t do it. I don’t want Emily to remember me like this.”
I grabbed his face. “You will. She’ll remember you showing up.” He nodded once. “One step.”
Wedding morning, Thomas looked like a shadow of himself in a suit. He whispered, “Help me.” “Always,” I said.
At the church, Emily waited in white. Jake stood nervous at the altar. Carol, the coordinator, whispered, “We’re on your timing.”
Emily knelt in front of Thomas. “Dad, you okay?” “Ready,” he lied.
