When they were pronounced husband and wife, the church filled with applause.
And I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Peace.
At the reception, I still felt a bit out of place… but Laura wouldn’t allow it.
“This seat is yours,” she said, guiding me to a special table.
“You’re the most important guest.”
Her father nodded.
“You raised the man who is now part of our family.”
Her mother squeezed my hand.
“It must have been a difficult journey.”
“Sometimes,” I said. “But also beautiful.”
Later, Mark asked me to dance.
“Mom… will you dance with me?”
“I don’t know how…”
“You taught me how to walk. You can teach me this too.”
We danced slowly.
“I’ll never forget what you did for me,” he whispered.
“You already repaid me,” I said.
“How?”
“By becoming a good man.”
He hugged me in the middle of the dance.
Many people cried again.
Later, Laura took the microphone.
“We made a decision a few weeks ago,” she said.
My heart skipped.
“Donna Teresa… you spent your life working for your son. Now it’s our turn to take care of you.”
Mark stepped forward.
“Mom… we bought you a house.”
“A house?”
“Close to ours,” Laura said. “Small, but beautiful.”
I couldn’t believe it.
“You always wanted a garden,” Mark added.
“Yes…”