EvangelineOne year later.The satin of my wedding dress pools around me. My mother's hands linger at my shoulder, smoothing the lace that doesn't need to be smoothed. I raise my eyes to the mirror and catch her gaze, filled with pride and joy, yet glassy. With an exhale of a breath, I place a hand over hers on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “I'm not moving away, Mama…” I whisper. “I know, baby,” she hushes. Her throat bobs on the swallow. “I'm just… happy and proud of you for overcoming all these obstacles.”I let out a small laugh, a way to hold back my sob. “None of that would have been possible without you. Thank you, Mom, for loving me.”“It's not like I have a choice,” she jokes. Now I let out a real laugh as my eyes drift from her reflection to that of my brother who is pacing nervously, his jaw grinding so hard I fear he will suffer a very painful headache. “Stop trying to steal the show, Jules. You’re not the bride.”He stops, stares at me for a moment too long. His chest
Last Updated : 2025-09-15 Read more