The Last Two Months

Synopsis

The first Christmas Eve after Edward Grant and I remarried was also the last Christmas my daughter, Lily Grant, would ever have. She sat between Edward and me, her face glowing with happiness. "If only I could always be with Mom and Dad," she said. I turned away to wipe my tears, only to see Edward's sworn sister, Charlotte Summers, walk in. Edward stood up at once. Even his mother, Nora Grant, broke into a smile. She glanced at me, then turned to Charlotte and said, "Edward only agreed to remarry because some people wouldn't leave him alone. I thought you wouldn't be coming this year." Charlotte snuggled up to Edward affectionately, completely ignoring everyone else. "Edward asked me to come." But this time, I didn't smash a glass or start yelling like before. I didn't go off the rails. I simply stood up calmly and gave up the seat beside me. "Charlotte should sit here like always," I said evenly. "It's right by Edward." After that, I tuned them out and gently wiped the tears from Lily's eyes and said inwardly, "Don't cry, sweetheart. I wasn't sad at all." After all, Lily only had two months left. If fulfilling her wish meant losing my dignity, then my dignity didn't matter.