Marcus raised his glass.
“To Daniel and Lauren.”
The guests repeated the toast.
Daniel kissed Lauren.
Applause filled the yard.
For a moment, she looked at him with such warmth that he almost forgot everything else.
Then Marcus handed him the microphone.
“Your turn.”
Daniel hadn’t prepared a speech.
He laughed nervously.
“Thanks for the warning.”
The guests chuckled.
He looked toward Evelyn.
She was sitting with both hands in her lap.
Grace leaned against her chair.
Melissa stood behind them.
Daniel cleared his throat.
“I never expected to have everybody I care about standing in one place.”
Several guests smiled.
He continued.
“Life gets complicated.”
He looked at Grace.
“Especially when you’re trying to be a good father.”
His daughter watched him.
Daniel smiled.
“Grace has always been my first responsibility.”
Lauren rested a hand on his arm.
Daniel looked at her.
“And Lauren understood that from the beginning.”
Guests nodded.
“She didn’t ask me to choose between the people I love.”
Evelyn lowered her head.
Daniel didn’t notice immediately.
“She stepped into our lives and helped when we needed it.”
Melissa’s expression tightened.
Daniel continued.
“When Mom had surgery, Lauren spent more time helping than anyone could reasonably expect.”
He glanced toward Evelyn.
His mother’s eyes shone with tears.
He thought she was moved.
He smiled.
“I’ll never forget that.”
Lauren squeezed his arm.
Daniel raised his glass.
“To family.”
The guests applauded.
He kissed Lauren again.
Then he looked toward Evelyn.
His mother was wiping her cheek.
Melissa had turned away.
Grace wasn’t clapping.
The little girl held the folded paper against her dress.
Daniel felt a quiet sense of embarrassment.
He couldn’t explain why.
He had praised Lauren honestly.
Everything he’d said reflected what he believed.
So why did his family look as if he’d hurt them?
The toast ended.
Guests resumed eating.
Lauren wrapped her arms around Daniel.
“That was beautiful.”
He nodded.
“Thanks.”
“You really meant all that?”
“Of course.”
She kissed him.
Daniel barely responded.
His attention had moved toward his mother.
Lauren noticed.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Daniel.”
He looked at her.
“Mom’s crying.”
Lauren glanced across the yard.
“She gets emotional.”
“Maybe.”
“She’s been having mood swings.”
Daniel frowned.
“Has she?”
“Of course.”
Lauren lowered her voice.
“Pain medication can make people unpredictable.”
Daniel studied her.
“Mom hasn’t seemed confused to me.”
“Confusion isn’t always obvious.”
He looked away.
Lauren touched his cheek.
“You don’t have to carry every problem yourself.”
He remembered the question Grace had asked.
Will you listen when Grandma talks?
Daniel stepped back.
“I need to speak with her.”
Lauren sighed.
“Again?”
He looked directly at her.
“Yes.”
Something hardened behind her eyes.
Then she smiled.
“Okay.”
Daniel waited.
Lauren added, “Just don’t let her upset you.”
The warning felt strange.
“Why would she?”
Lauren glanced toward Evelyn.
“She’s been saying things lately.”
Daniel’s stomach tightened.
“What things?”
“Nothing worth repeating.”
“Then why mention them?”
Lauren hesitated.
Daniel didn’t move.
Finally, she said, “She sometimes blames other people when she’s frustrated.”
He stared at her.
“Who?”
Lauren smiled thinly.
“Daniel, please.”
“Who does she blame?”
His fiancée looked hurt.
“Are you interrogating me?”
“No.”
“It feels like it.”
He exhaled.
“I’m trying to understand.”
Lauren stepped closer.
“Then understand that I love you.”
Daniel didn’t answer.
“I love Grace.”
He nodded.
“And I’ve done nothing except try to help your mother.”
He wanted to believe every word.
He also wanted to hear Evelyn speak without interruption.
“I’ll be back,” he said.
Lauren’s face tightened.
“Fine.”
Daniel walked away.
He was only halfway across the lawn when he saw Grace straighten.
His daughter looked toward him.
Then toward Lauren.
She slipped the paper behind her back.
Evelyn noticed Daniel approaching.
She tried to sit straighter.
Pain crossed her face.
Melissa reached toward her.
“Easy, Mom.”
Daniel pulled out his chair.
“I’m here.”
Evelyn looked at him.
“Are you finished?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
He sat beside her.
“I’m sorry I kept you waiting.”
She shook her head.
“I know you wanted everyone to be happy.”
Daniel looked at the guests.
“They seem happy.”
His mother didn’t smile.
“Appearances can be convincing.”
He frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Evelyn looked at him quietly.
“Sometimes people become very skilled at showing us what we want to see.”
Daniel felt his throat tighten.
“Mom.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Then don’t worry about me.”
She looked toward Grace.
Daniel followed her gaze.
His daughter was watching with wide eyes.
“Grace, sweetheart,” he said, “why don’t you get some cake?”
She shook her head.
“I’m staying.”
“Just for a minute?”
“No.”
Her answer was unusually firm.
Daniel looked at Evelyn.
His mother touched Grace’s hand.
“Let her stay.”
Daniel nodded.
“Okay.”
Melissa pulled out another chair.
She sat beside Evelyn.
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