“And how do you know about Andrew?”
“I just know.”
“He’s the one who left her! Left her when she was pregnant.”
“That’s not true, Grandma. He loved her, and she loved him. And we were all at her grave together this past weekend.”
“What? I thought you were with that good-for-nothing.”
“Ian is not a good-for-nothing.”
They didn’t discuss the wedding again. Vera still came by the house to cook, do laundry, and clean. Eleanor, despite her age, could have managed on her own, but then it would look like Vera had abandoned her. And the girl didn’t want to abandon her family.
Nina watched the young couple. Tears were about to fall, but then her husband wrapped his arm around her.
“Nina, have I ever told you that you’re the most beautiful, wisest, and all-around best woman in the world?”
Nina smiled.
“No. You haven’t.”
“And have I ever told you that if I could turn back time, I would still marry only you?”
“No. You haven’t.”
The guests began to congratulate the newlyweds, and Nina pointed someone out to Andrew. He saw an old woman with a cane and a bouquet of flowers walking toward the couple. She held her head high. There was no doubt. It was Eleanor Vance.
“Can you believe it?”
Ten minutes later, the old woman approached them. She stood in silence for a moment, then started to lower herself to her knees.
“Forgive me, Andrew. And you, too.”
Andrew caught her before she could kneel. Together with Nina, they helped her into a chair.
“Eleanor, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. We’ve all made mistakes. Please, relax. We’re all here to celebrate a wedding!”
The old woman smiled, wiping away the tears that kept coming, and looked at the young couple.
Nina leaned against Andrew.
“And have I ever told you how much I love you?”
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