Maxine carefully adjusted her hat allowing most of her face to be seen while the angle hid her deep blue eyes.  The usher must have been a friend of Elizabeth’s because she took one look at her and immediately stated “allow me to escort you to the front pews with the rest of the family”. “Thank you she declined indicating she would be more comfortable a little further back.”

            The toddler, that Kit and a woman she guessed was Christina’s mother walked down the aisle with, made her heart catch.  She knew that biologically there was no connection to Elizabeth but her coloring and mannerisms reminded her so much of her she would swear that Elizabeth was the birth mother.  This must be Angelica she mused, her granddaughter. 

            She searched the blonde’s face as she processed down the aisle.  Did she have the courage to love her daughter and make her happy?  The facts of their relationship were known to her.  They had been together for almost eight years and due to Elizabeth’s affair had a nasty break-up.  They had recently reconciled and the word on the street was that they were stronger than before.

            The blonde seemed to feel the intensity of her study and for the briefest of moments their eyes met.  She averted her gaze as she saw the blonde respond with a flicker of confused recognition.  She was surprised at the traditional nature of the ceremony given the nontraditional couple involved.  She knew better than others that some traditions were helpful when facing a hostile world.  As she contemplated hostile worlds she surmised the blonde must have the courage it took to love in the face of hostility.  The fact that she loved her daughter and loved her enough to give her a child that reflected her daughter’s identity as well was a very telling statement.  She certainly had more courage than she did.

            She adjusted her hat again so that she could study unobserved the beautiful young woman who moved with grace and confidence down the aisle. Her daughter had presence.  It was palpable.  She absently noted that others seemed to react as though the sun had suddenly broke when she emerged.  Her breath caught as Elizabeth passed by her on her way to the altar.  She is beautiful, no that was not the word, stunning was.  Her little girl had grown into a gorgeous courageous woman.   She would have to credit Melvin with that.  Courage was not her forte as she had proven years ago.