We watched Thea walk down the aisle, scattering petals as she moved. As was the custom, we stood when Mo came down the aisle. When we started to sit again, I realized Beatrice’s shawl had begun to slip off her far shoulder and I reached out to lift it back into place. She offered me a grateful smile and settled in the crook of my arm. My eyes widened at first, but as I glanced around the church, I realized how natural a move it was and how comfortable it felt to me.

Post-wedding, we rode in near silence to the reception hall while watching for our little flower girl, who had ridden with the wedding party. “She did great, don’t you think?” I murmured by way of making conversation.

“She was absolutely precious. That dress was perfect. I can’t wait to tell her how proud we are.” Her cheeks turned pink and she looked away. “I mean…how proud I am.” She touched her cheek with the back of her fingers, a move I’d grown accustomed to seeing lately.

“I knew what you meant,” I teased. “Around here for three weeks and you’re already prepared to claim Thea.” I shook my head. “I get it. She does that to people. She’s so charming.”

“Right.” Beatrice nodded and continued to stare out the window. “By the way, I know it has only been three weeks, but thanks to your generosity, if my work visa doesn’t get approved, at least I have enough money to get back to the U.K.” She smiled at me, but in her eyes I read sadness and fear. 

“Why wouldn’t they approve it?” I frowned. “I’m sure it will be fine.”

“Well, I only have a few more weeks. This is all Stan’s fault.” She huffed angrily. 

“But if things hadn’t soured between you and Stan, we’d never have met,” I reminded her. Then when she gazed at me, I realized my mistake. “And then who’d take care of Thea?”

Luckily, before we could have any more uncomfortable conversations, I pulled into the parking lot for our hotel. The reception was being held in the ballroom. “Shall we go find Thea?” I asked as I turned off the car. 

Beatrice nodded and started to open her door. 

“Wait,” I urged. Then I stepped out on my side and moved around the car to help her out. As I held out my hand for her, I studied everything about her, memorizing it all, the way the blonde wisps gathered around her face, her full lips that begged to be kissed, her soulful eyes. I sighed. 

“Sorry, am I taking too long?” She asked with a giggle. “This dress is tricky. Next time I make a purchase like this, I need to remember everything I’ll be doing while wearing it. I could act it out, practice, see if it’s even possible.” She let out a breath. “Because right now, if it weren’t for you, I’d probably have to flop out of the car onto the sidewalk, and do the caterpillar dance all the way into the ballroom.” 

I chuckled. “Well, glad I can keep you from looking ridiculous.” 

“Hey, I can dance,” she assured me.

Inside, I could feel knots forming. “Can you, now?” I tugged at my chin. “Care to prove it?”

Her eyes narrowed. “How?”

“Nothing terrible,” I assured her. “Just dance with me tonight.” I licked my lips as I stared back at her. The strapless navy blue dress hugged her curves and showed off her shoulders to perfection. The sudden need I felt to hold her in my arms actually pained me. And I knew why. Even after two years, thinking about anyone else made me feel like I was betraying Megyn. As soon as she had planted both feet and stood, I released her hand. 

Unaware of my discomfort, Beatrice looped her arm through mine and allowed me to propel us into the hotel. Our seats were assigned, so it came as no surprise to discover we were sitting next to each other the rest of the night. Once Mo arrived, nearly half an hour later, she made sure to return Thea to us. Dammit. To me. My daughter. Mine and Megyn’s. 

Mo passed Thea off to Beatrice. “Can you watch her for a few minutes while I speak to Will?” She smiled widely, obviously determined to prove I wasn’t in trouble. Then she led me away from the table. 

“I was on time,” I grumbled. “How can I possibly be in trouble?”

“Beatrice,” she announced with a smirk. 

I sighed and my head hung. “I’ve done nothing with Beatrice. There was a slight towel incident the first night, but otherwise...nothing.” I opened my mouth to continue pleading my case, but she stopped me. 

“I know you haven’t. And I want to know why not?” She frowned at me in a way that made me uncomfortable. 

I licked my lips. “You know why,” I whispered. “I can’t.” 

“Do you think Megyn would disapprove?” Mo shook her head. “I promise you, she asked me to watch out for you. And she told me to give you two years.” 

I frowned. “This was planned?”

“You’ve had two years to mourn, Will. Now she wants you to move on.” Mo hugged me close. “And no one could be lovelier than Beatrice. I ran the check on her, remember?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. 

“How could I forget?” I stared over at the table where Thea and Beatrice were lost in conversation. Beatrice was holding my daughter close and they were smiling and laughing together. 

“Go join them,” Mo urged. “And stop with the mourning already. You’re not just hurting yourself, you’re hurting Thea too.”

As I wandered back to the table, I mulled over everything Mo had told me. It made sense. And while I might have her blessing, and even Megyn’s blessing, it didn’t mean that I was ready yet. I’d barely accepted our life together had come to an end. How could I even consider replacing her?

“Hullo, Will,” Beatrice grinned as I returned. 

The music changed to a slow song and we gazed at each other shyly. 

“Do you want to talk?” she asked quietly.

I shook my head. “No, I’d like to dance.”