Then I saw his face.
Dead.
Thomas froze.
My heart slammed.
For one second, I thought he was collapsing.
Then I saw his face.
Not pain.
Shock.
Six daughters.
He stared ahead like he’d seen a miracle.
I followed his gaze.
Grace stood first. White lace.
Then Lily. Vintage ivory.
Then Hannah. Sleek satin.
Then Nora. Borrowed and brave.
Someone sobbed out loud.
Then Paige. Soft tulle.
Then Sophie. Smaller dress. Sweet curls.
Six daughters.
All in wedding dresses.
Gasps rolled through the church.
Someone sobbed out loud.
That was the cue.
Thomas’s mouth opened. Nothing came out.
He looked back at me.
I lifted my chin.
I nodded.
That was the cue.
Ben began playing again. Softer. Different song.
Thomas made a broken sound.
Emily squeezed Thomas’s arm.
She whispered, “It’s for you.”
Thomas rasped, “All of them?”
Emily nodded. “All of us.”
Grace stepped forward.
“Hi, Dad,” she said, voice cracked.
He kissed her forehead.
Thomas made a broken sound. Laugh and sob.
He took her hand.
He walked her three steps.
He stopped.
He kissed her forehead.
“I love you,” Grace whispered.
The church was falling apart.
“I love you,” Thomas whispered back.
Then Lily.
Then Hannah.
Then Nora.
Then Paige.
Each one: a few steps. A hand on his arm. A kiss. A whispered, “I love you.”
Thomas stared at her like he couldn’t breathe.
The church was falling apart.
Carol was dabbing her eyes.
Jake was crying at the altar, still smiling.
Sophie went last.
Thomas stared at her like he couldn’t breathe.
“Soph,” he whispered.
Then he hugged her too long.
Sophie whispered, “I’m sorry it’s not real.”
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