“Mrs. Carter,” he said politely, extending his hand.
“It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You too, Ryan.”
When Iris walked downstairs, Ryan simply stared.
“You…”
He smiled.
“You look incredible.”
Iris blushed.
“So do you.”
I snapped what felt like hundreds of pictures.
Them smiling.
Holding hands.
Laughing.
Ryan gently placing the corsage on Iris’s wrist.
For the first time in years, I felt completely at peace.
Maybe life really was giving my daughter the happiness she’d earned.
As they climbed into Ryan’s car, he looked back.
“I’ll have her home before midnight.”
“I know you will.”
They drove away.
I stood on the porch long after the taillights disappeared.
The house suddenly felt painfully quiet.
I cleaned the kitchen.
Folded laundry.